Agenda and minutes

The Chair, Councillor Philand, welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made around the table.

 

There were no apologies for absence.

 

 

 

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The Minute of the previous meeting held on 7 August, 2013 was approved as a true record.

 

Matters Arising

 

Councillor Kelly enquired on the status of the appraisal at Kilkerran Park.

 

Councillor Currie stated that West Kintyre Community Council no longer wished the responsibility of the public conveniences at Tayinloan Pier. He believed that correspondence to confirm this would be forthcoming from the Community Council.

 

The Central Governance Manager agreed that this item would be included on the Item Tracker for further review and consideration.

 

 

 

The Minute of the previous meeting held on 30 August, 2013 was noted.

 

 

The Minute of the previous meeting held on 11 September, 2013 was noted.

 

The Chair invited questions from Members and the public in attendance.

 

Councillor Kelly raised his concerns in regards the on-going water issues in Saddell Street, Campbeltown and reiterated the need for further investigation.

Stewart Clark replied that Scottish Water were undertaking preliminary work on this issue and had undertaken the clearing of grilles.  In addition, Scottish Water had spoken to local businesses as there was a view that commercial debris was, in part, causing the drains to flood.

 

Councillor Kelly also enquired on the status of the letting of the Aqualibrium Café.

 

Decision

 

The Central Governance Manager would ascertain the status of the letting and a report would be brought to the December meeting.

 

Councillor MacMillan enquired if plans had been compiled to undertake remedial roads work, including Red Row Terrace in Furnace.  Stewart Clark replied that the Capital Programme was being progressed for next year and he envisaged that Furnace would be one of the schemes put forward for Members approval.  

 

Councillor Horn asked if there had been an update on BEAR representation at the MAKI Area Committee.  The Chair replied that despite his direct communication to the Scottish Minister,  BEAR had failed to acknowledge that they would attend the MAKI Area Committee.  He asked Members to agree that a request be made to the  Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services to take this issue forward.

 

Decision

 

Members agreed that the Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services take this issue forward with BEAR Management.

 

Councillor Horn raised her concerns in regards the road conditions at King Street, Portnahaven.   She detailed the risks which local carers encountered in using the road.  Stewart Clark responded that this was a private road and out-with the remit of Argyll and Bute Council.

 

Decision

 

Members agreed that the Roads Performance Manager would liaise directly with the Islay Community Council to provide technical advice to endeavour to address these road issues.

 

 

 

 

A  presentation by the Head Teacher, Lochgilphead Joint Campus.

 

 

 

The Committee heard presentations by the Head Teacher, Lochgilphead Joint Campus and 2 S1 pupils.

 

Discussion followed in regards the recent results attained by pupils at the Campus and the Head Teacher advised on the reinstatement of the mentoring scheme.

 

Members stated that it would perhaps be advantageous to undertake visits to local schools in order to see at first hand any areas of concerns. 

 

In response to anecdotal comments on the size of the campus Members were assured that although the primary school role has grown classes were not bursting at the seams and that the High School was not at capacity.

 

Decision

 

Members agreed:

 

1.                  To note the presentation.

2.                  That the potential visit by Members to the Campus be placed on the Item Tracker for actioning.

 

The Chair thanked the Head Teacher and the 2 students for their informative presentations and wished all the staff and students continuing success in the future.

Report by Executive Director – Community Services.

 

The Committee gave consideration to a report which summarises the findings of a research study into the Private Rented Sector (PRS) in Argyll and Bute and sets the context of the Scottish Government’s Strategy for the Private Rented Sector in Scotland.

 

Discussion followed and Donna Milton, Consultant with Arneill Johnston advised that the Research Study had been recognised nationally as a good example for other Local Authorities.  

 

Decision

 

Members agreed:-

 

1.                  To note the report.

2.                  That the Research Study would be presented to full Council for further consideration and review.

3.                  That the presentation would be disseminated to Members.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services, dated 2 October, 2013, submitted).

Report by Head Teacher.

The Committee gave consideration to a report and action plan related to the recent Education Scotland inspection at Skipness Primary School.

 

Discussion followed in regards the actual attendance of Head Teachers to discuss specific issues and the feasibility of utilising VC facilities, when available,   

 

Decision

 

Members agreed:

 

1. To note the report.
2. That Councillor Taylor would write on behalf of the Area Committee to the Head of Education commending the Education Scotland reports for Skipness, Southend and Rhunahaorine Primary Schools.
3. That Head Teachers would be invited to link into future MAKI Area Committee meetings by a VC facility, where feasible.  

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services, dated 2 October 2013, submitted).  

Report by Head Teacher.

 

The Committee gave consideration to a report and action plan related to the recent Education Scotland inspection at Rhunahaorine Primary School.

 

Decision

 

Members agreed to note the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services, dated 2 October 2013, submitted).  

 

Report by Head Teacher.

The Committee gave consideration to a report and action plan related to the recent Education Scotland inspection at Southend Primary School.

 

Decision

 

Members agreed to note the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services, dated 2 October 2013, submitted).   

 

Report by Executive Director – Community Services.

Members gave consideration to a report detailing the background to the inadvertently approved 6 School Holidays, instead of 5 for the MAKI Area.

 

Decision

 

Members agreed to endorse the new patterns of school holidays and in-service days for all schools in Mid Argyll.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Service, dated 2 October 2013, submitted).

Report by Executive Director – Community Services.

 

The Committee gave consideration to a report which updated on the findings of the 1^st quarterly evaluation of the Care at Home provision within the MAKI area.

 

Decision

 

Members agreed:

 

1.                  To note the report.

2.                  That the Area Manager, Assessment and Care Management would distribute the Care Inspectorate Action Plan for internal services to Members for information.

3.                  That a report which detailed the current provision and ongoing review of local services would come to the December CPG.

 

 (Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services, dated 2 October, 2013, submitted).

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report providing an update on outstanding road-related issues in the MAKI area.

 

The Roads Performance Manager confirmed that the report from the previous meeting in regards the classification 1 potholes was correct.

 

Discussion followed in regards:-

 

·         The quality of the grass cutting and shrub cutting in the local area.

·         A83 Trunk Road issues

 

The Roads Performance Manager agreed to provide further detail on these matters directly to the Members who raised the issue.

 

Councillor Horn congratulated the Roads Department on the repairs made at West Loch, Tarbert.

 

Decision:

 

The Committee agreed:

 

1.                  To note the report.

2.                  That the Roads Performance Manager would take issues directly to meetings held with the BEAR Management team.

3.                  That a report on the structural patching machine would come to the MAKI BD in November.

 

(Reference: Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 2 October, 2013, submitted).

 

Councillor Semple left the meeting at 12.50.

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services.

The Committee gave consideration to a report updating on the issue of outstanding replacement of the School’s Flashing (“Twenty’s Plenty”) lights within Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands.

 

Councillor Kelly expressed his thanks to Ryan McGlynn and the Street Lighting Team for the excellent work undertaken in Campbeltown.  He highlighted that the Department was working with minimal staff and, in his opinion, staffing should be  strengthened when budgetary discussions commenced.  

                               

Decision

 

Members agreed to note the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure, dated 2 October, 2013, submitted).

An update from BEAR on Trunk road issues.

There was no update from BEAR.

 

Decision

 

Members agreed that the Chair would contact the Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services requesting that he take forward the dissatisfaction of the MAKI Members at the lack of attendance and acknowledgement  by BEAR Management to local road issues.    

The Committee gave consideration to a report updating on Transport Scotland’s progress to date on the A83 Trunk Road..

 

Decision

 

Members agreed:

 

1. To note the report.
2. That Transport Scotland would be invited to a future MAKI Area Committee meeting.

 

(Reference: Report  dated 2 October, 2013, submitted).

 

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services – to follow

 

The Committee gave consideration to a report which updated on the level of complaints regarding dog fouling – 1 January 2013 to 31 August 2013.

 

Members were advised that in respect of dog fouling, Pyramid only deals with Lagan complaints.

 

Decision

 

Members agreed:

 

1.                  To note the report.

2.                  That they would endorse a media campaign to highlight the local dog fouling issues.

 

(Report by the Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 2 October 2013, tabled)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services – to follow

 

The Committee gave consideration to a report which updated on the provision of public conveniences within the town of Campbeltown and, in relation, to the Bolgam Street toilet facility.

 

Decision

 

Members agreed to note the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 2 October 2013, submitted). 

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services to follow

The Committee gave consideration to an Extract of the Minute from the Council meeting held on 29 August 2013 whereby Councillor Maurice Corry was appointed as the Armed Forces Champion (AFC) and a decision was made to delegate the nomination of a representative elected Member from each area to join the Steering Group to local Area Committees.

 

Decision

 

Members agreed that Councillor Donald MacMillan was appointed as the Armed Forces Champion for the MAKI area.

 

(Reference: Extract of Minute of the Council Meeting of 29 August, 2013, submitted).

 

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which detailed the working arrangements of the Kintyre Initiative Working Group (KIWG) and updated on the  informal agreement between Ward 1 and Ward 2 Councillors which had been  in place since June 2007 (the first meeting of the Group following introduction of multi-member wards) to the effect that only Ward 1 Councillors can chair the meeting.  In addition, representation has been made that it would be entirely appropriate for a Ward 2 Councillor to chair this meeting given Ward 2 represents Kintyre.  As the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee appointed all 6 Ward 1&2 Councillors onto the Group, it would be appropriate that the Area Committee take a view on the arrangements for chairing the meeting and in doing so, they may wish to take cognisance of any emerging political management arrangements.

 

Decision

 

Members agreed:

 

1.                  That Ward 1 and Ward 2 Members would be eligible to be voted on as

Chair by the Kintyre Initiative Working Group (KIWG) members.

2.                  That the nomination of the Chair would be delegated to the Elected Members of the KIWG.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services, dated 2 October 2013,  submitted).

The Committee gave consideration to the Item Tracker.

 

Decision

 

Members agreed to note the Item Tracker.

 

(Reference: Item Tracker, submitted).