Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated from:

 

Councillor Douglas Philand

Councillor Rory Colville

 

The Area Governance Manager requested verification that the Chair could both see and hear Members who were participating in the meeting by VC, this was confirmed.

 

The Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed to discuss Item 8 after Item 5, as the Officer had to attend an urgent meeting.

Councillor Donald Kelly declared a potential financial interest in relation to THI – Grant Approvals; he left the room and took no part in the discussion of this application which is dealt with at Item 18 of this Minute.

Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee held on 2 April 2014.

The Minute of the previous meeting held on 2 April 2014 was approved as a true record, subject to the following amendments:-

 

Page 2 – Matters Arising

 

Councillor Kelly drew attention to the fact that he had not received any update from Scottish Water in regards to the previous issues which had been highlighted in Campbeltown. He stated that the issues previously raised had reoccurred, and in his opinion, the problem was inherent and needed to be remediated.

 

Page 2 – Public and Councillors Question Time

 

Councillor Kelly questioned if a response had been received to the letter sent on behalf of the MAKI Area Committee to the Chief Executive at NHS Highland.

The Area Governance Manager confirmed that a response had been received and forwarded  to Members.  

 

Decision

 

Members agreed:-

 

1.                  That the Renal dialysis and obstetric scanning services issue would be placed on the Item Tracker for further review.

2.                  That the Area Governance Manager would liaise with Joanna Peebles, Scottish Water on the ongoing water issues in Campbeltown.

 

 

Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Special Area Committee meeting held on 7 May 2014.

The Minute of the special Area Committee held on 7 May 2014 was approved as a true record

 

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

 

 

A member of the public raised a question in regards the issue of the need to amend the Islay school holiday dates on Islay.  She queried why consideration was not given to the annual Islay Show and highlighted that this year was the 168^th Islay Show. 

The Quality and Improvement Officer explained that the school holiday dates were scheduled, taking into account the end of term date in June, allowing for the standard 6 week break and agreed to check forthcoming holiday dates to ensure no further clashes.

 

 

A further question was submitted in regards the Street lighting contract and queried how the operative who had been appointed could encompass the contract whilst being in full-time employment with another company. 

 

Decision

 

The Area Governance Manager advised that Members should not discuss this operational issue and she agreed to review this issue with the Head of Service.

 

Concerns in regards the issue of Integrated Health and Social Care on Islay was raised, and the difficult times experienced by the local community.  The local GP had not been replaced and the local Community Council had held a special meeting to give consideration to the issue. The MAKI Area Committee was asked what input they had to the process and progress.  Discussion continued and Members advised on recent seminars held on this issue and discussion with Christina West, NHS Highland.  A preferred model had been decided upon and the lead agency would be reviewing how Children’s Services, Adult Care and Criminal Justice would fit within this model.   Members appreciated the concerns of the local community, but the formative work was in the early stages and much had still to be undertaken. The point of contact at Argyll and Bute Council was Allen Stevenson.

 

 

Decision

 

 

Members agreed that this would remain a standing item on the MAKI Community Planning Group agenda.

 

 

A further question was put to Members on the recent CalMac ferry which had been withdrawn from the Islay Ferry route.  The view of the MAKI Members was requested in regards bringing this to the attention of both the Chief Executive of Argyll and Bute Council and the Chief Executive of CalMac to reiterate local Islanders concerns and effectively lobby support from the Scottish Government in this matter.

Members noted these concerns and further discussion was given to perhaps maintaining a record of ferry cancellations with a further report going to Argyll and Bute Council. The Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation confirmed that he had regular dialogue with CalMac representatives in regards their ferry operation and reliability.

 

 

 

 

 

Decision

 

Members agreed that:-

 

1.                  That the Head of Economic Development  and Strategic Transportation would progress this issue with both the Chief Executive of Argyll and Bute Council and the Chief Executive of CalMac and would identify a method of

ensuring closer regular dialogue with CalMac and the Scottish

Government in regards to island ferry services.

2.                  That a list of statistics would be compiled detailing instances of MAKI  ferry service being withdrawn and a report submitted by the Head of Service to a future MAKI Area Committee meeting for consideration.

 

 

A question was put to Members in regards the issue of the Land Reform Review group and the impact of depopulation on Islay with a request for their views on this matter.

The Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation confirmed that a report had been commissioned on these findings and Argyll and Bute were progressing meetings with Landed Estates to ascertain why some estates were not progressing this.  A short life working group ( to be renamed the Argyll Islands Taskforce) has been formed  to deliver a vision for island communities which addresses these issues. He advised that there was a wide range of actions which could be progressed and there would be regular stakeholders meetings to progress this. 

Further discussion ensued and the local Member confirmed that this issue had been raised with Derek McKay, Scottish Minister for Local Government and Planning

 

Decision

 

Members agreed that the Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation would raise local concerns at the next meeting of the Argyll Islands Taskforce.

 

The Chair thanked both Members and the public in attendance for their questions and input.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

An update and presentation by the Head Teacher.

The Committee heard a presentation by Maureen Macdonald, Head Teacher at Port Ellen Primary school and two pupils – Danni Barker and Cameron Clark.

 

Danni and Cameron gave a detailed resume to Members of the two Endeavour projects they had been engaged upon:-

 

Quilt Making                -           Danni Barker

Veggie Garden            -           Cameron Clark

 

Members and the public in attendance congratulated both pupils in their remarkable achievements. 

 

Decision

 

Members agreed to note the presentation and the pupil’s achievements in their relevant Endeavour projects and the excellent outcome of the recent Education Scotland Audit of the school.

 

Report by Area Team Leader, MAKI

The Committee considered a report which updated on the performance of the MAKI Development Management for the period April 2013 – March 2014.

 

Decision

 

 Members agreed to note the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Area Team Leader – MAKI Development Management, dated 8 May 2014, submitted).  

 

Report by Quality and Improvement Officer.

The Committee considered a report providing an update which provided the detail on local MAKI Primary Schools Performance and Attainment over 2013-2014.

 

Decision

 

 Members agreed to note the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Quality and Improvement Officer, dated 4 June 2014, submitted).  

Report by Community Development Manager.

The Committee considered a report providing the financial detail of Third Sector grant funding for 2013-2014.

 

Discussion followed and Members voiced their concerns in regards unallocated funding and the procedure in place for Members to review this.

 

Decision

 

 Members agreed:-

 

1.                  To note the report.

2.                  That the Community Development Manager would update Members on the procedure for the re-allocation of unused funding.

 

(Reference: Report by Community Development Manager, dated 14 May 2014. submitted).  

 

Report by the Area Governance Manager

The Committee considered a report which provided the detail of the Members Satisfaction Survey which detailed the effectiveness of the support provision offered. 

 

Members gave further discussion to format of how the survey had been disseminated and expressed the view that perhaps one to one questions may be more beneficial.

 

Discussion was given to the issue of establishing more effective communication links with island constituents. 

 

Decision

 

 Members agreed:

 

1.                  To note the report.

2.                  That a report would come to the MAKI Area Committee in August on the most effective way to interact with local communities.

 

(Reference: Report by Area Governance Manager, dated 4 June 2014, submitted). 

 

An update by Area Private Sector officer

The Committee considered a report which updated Members on the drafting of an action plan relating to issues with private sector tenement building in Campbeltown Town Centre.  

 

 Decision

 

 Members agreed to note the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Quality and Improvement Officer, dated 4 June 2014, submitted). 

 

A report by the Roads Performance Manager.

 

 

The Committee considered a report providing an update on on-going roads related issues in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area.

 

Discussion followed and the Roads Performance Manager highlighted other issues to Members

 

These included:-

 

Hall Street, Campbeltown – voids had been uncovered and the carriageway had been closed by the contractor.

 

Moss Road      -           Funding allocation of 100K had been set aside for works.

 

 

Decision

 

 Members agreed:-

 

1.                  To note the report.

2.                  That the Roads Performance Manager would review both the Breeden contractors and Hall Street issues and report back to Members with an update.

 

 

(Reference: Report by Roads Performance Manager, dated 4 June 2014, submitted). 

 

Report by the Roads Performance Manager

The Committee considered a report providing an update on King Street, Portnahaven and the decision taken by the Area Committee to ascertain if the frontagers would wish to make a contribution towards the cost of upgrading the road to an adoptable standard

 

Discussion followed and Members outlined concerns in regards the timescale for the completion of the survey.

 

Decision

 

 Members agreed that an updated report would come to the August Area Committee for consideration.

 

(Reference: Report by Roads Performance Manager, dated 4 June 2014, submitted). 

 

The Area Committee adjourned at 1345 and reconvened at 1600 following the conclusion of the Community Planning Group meeting.

 

Councillor Horn left the meeting at the adjournment and did not return to the reconvened meeting as she had to return to the mainland to attend another meeting.

Report by the Amenities Area Manager -  to follow.

The Committee considered a report providing the detail to the safe use of the

paddling pool on the front green in Lochgilphead.

 

Decision

 

 Members agreed to note the report and the supplementary information tabled at the meeting.

 

Councillor John McAlpine having failed to find a seconder to his proposed amendment requested that his dissent from the decision to note this matter be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

.

 

(Reference: Report by the Streetscene Area Manager, dated 4 June 2014, submitted). 

 

A report by the Area Manager, MAKI

The Committee considered a report providing an update on the Care at Home Provision within the MAKI Area for the Fourth quarter.

 

 

Discussion ensued in regards delayed discharges and patient transfers.  The Area Manager advised that prior to discharge, meetings were held with multidisciplinary teams and no decision was made until full agreement had been reached. She confirmed that the policy for patient transport was being compiled.  This would not change the current criteria.

 

Decision

 

 Members agreed:

 

1.                  To note the report.

2.                  That the paper on the new Patient Transport policy would come to a future MAKI AC/CPG meeting.

 

(Reference: Report by Area Manager, MAKI, dated 4 June 2014, submitted).  

 

Report by the Area Governance Manager

Members gave consideration to a report which provided information on the work being undertaken by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on Islay and also an event which will be hosted in October.

 

Decision

 

Members noted the report and the invitation and agreed to nominate Councillor Donald MacMillan and Councillor Robin Currie to attend the event on 6 October 2014 on Islay.

 

(Reference: Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 21 May 2014, submitted)

 

The Committee considered the Item Tracker.

 

Decision

 

 Members agreed to note the Item Tracker.

 

(Reference: Item Tracker,  dated 4 June 2014, submitted).  

 

 

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 8 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

 

Item 18 was taken before Item 17.

Report by THI Project Officer

 

Having previously declared a potential financial interest on the THI – Grant Approvals, Councillor Donald Kelly left the room and took no part in the discussion of this item.

 

 

The Committee considered a report which requested the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands approval to award THI grant funding to South Kintyre Development Trust.

 

 

Decision

 

 Members agreed the recommendations contained within the report.

 

(Reference: Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 9 May, 2014, submitted). 

 

Report by Senior Development Officer – to follow

The Committee considered a report providing an update on the Marina Berthing Facility.

 

Decision

 

 Members agreed to the recommendations contained within the report.

 

(Reference: Report by, dated 4 June 2014, submitted). 

 

E1   Paragraph 8  The amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the authority under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services.

 

E1   Paragraph 9  Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.