Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and general introductions were made. 

Apologies were intimated on behalf of Councillors Colville and Horn. 

There were no declarations of interest intimated. 

The Minute of the previous meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on 7 October 2015 was approved as a true record.

Matters Arising:-

Councillor Kelly advised that Members were still awaiting sight of the public consultation document in relation to the car parking review.  The Contracts Manager advised that the documentation was with the Head of Roads and Amenity Services for approval.  The Area Committee Manager advised that it had been agreed that Members would have sight of the consultation documentation prior to it being issued to the public.  Mr McIntosh agreed to address this with the Head of Roads and Amenity Services and provide the information to Members in due course.  Members expressed dissatisfaction over the timescales taken to progress the consultation. 

Councillor Kelly asked for an update on the progress of the running track at Meadows, Campbeltown.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to liaise with officers to ensure that an update was provided. 

Councillor Kelly advised that he had still not received any information in relation to the survey carried out by the Flooding Working Group.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to pursue this.

Councillor Kelly enquired as to the outcome of the letter sent by Argyll and Bute Council in support of MACC’s request to make changes to the Overage Agreement.  The Area Committee Manager advised that the Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation had advised that MACC instructed officers not to submit the letter as they came to an agreement that has allowed investments to proceed.    

The Minute of the Special Meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on 4 November 2015 was approved as a true record. 

Councillor Currie enquired about flooding issues in Port Ellen, and in particular to one case which had been ongoing for a number of years.  He requested that this be added to the agenda for the next Area Committee meeting. The Area Committee Manager advised that she was in discussions with the Principal Engineer who was in the process of preparing a briefing note, which would be circulated to Members.  Discussion took place in respect of other areas of flooding in the MAKI area and the preventative measures being taken.  Mrs Barton suggested that Members await the briefing note and then if so minded, request that a further report be added to the agenda for the next Area Committee meeting at this time. 

Councillor Kelly requested that consideration be given to the possibility of calling a Special Area Committee meeting in January 2016 to discuss Service Choices at area and ward level with all relevant officers.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to discuss this possibility with the Chair and notify Members of Councillor Colville’s decision by email. 

Councillor Armour left the meeting at 10.55am. 

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

Members gave consideration to a report which outlined exceptional performance for financial quarter 2 of financial year 2015/16.  Discussion took place in respect of delayed discharges; the percentage of waste recycled and the number of fines for dog fouling.

Decision:

Members agreed:

1.    to note the exceptional performance presented on the Scorecard; and

2.    to the proposed changes at paragraph 3.1 of the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 2 December 2015, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

Members gave consideration to a report outlining the roads revenue budget position at the end of the second quarter of financial year 2015/16.  Discussion took place in respect of signage for the Jura Passenger Ferry Service at Cairnbaan, with the Contracts Manager agreeing to look into the matter and confirm the position to Members by email.  Further discussion took place in respect of the delivery of capital schemes; future budget restraints and the Machrihanish Footpath. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the contents of the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 2 December 2015, submitted.)

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to vary the order of business from that on the Agenda.  The following items have been recorded as they were taken at the meeting.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to vary the order of business from that on the Agenda.  The following items have been recorded as they were taken at the meeting.

Update by Network Manager

Members gave consideration to a verbal update by Keith Murray, Area Manager for the A83, Transport Scotland in relation to major works taking place on the A83.  Mr Murray advised of ongoing resurfacing works north of Tangy; structural maintenance at Glenbarr to Killegruer and the tree clearance, rock removal and geo-technical works at both Erines and Strone Point.

Discussion took place in respect of the policy for trunking roads in Islay from Port to Port; the possibility of creating lay by’s specifically for the use of escorted vehicles and heavy loads and the proposed speed limit change in the village of Furnace.  Mr Murray further advised of the commitment to improve the quality of the footpath in Furnace, with works scheduled to take place within the current financial year. 

The Chair and Members thanked Mr Murray for the information provided and for the work already progressed by Transport Scotland since the trunking of the A83. 

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

Members gave consideration to a report providing an update on the various digital infrastructure projects including the next generation broadband and mobile communications.  Discussion was had in relation to the work currently being undertaken by the Council to introduce free wi-fi in Helensburgh; mast sharing and coverage on both Islay and Jura. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the contents of the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 2 December 2015, submitted.)

Councillor Armour re-joined the meeting at 12.00 Noon.

Report by Executive Director of Community Services

The Committee gave consideration to the annual report from the Adult Protection Committee.  The Area Manager outlined the progress of national objectives in Adult Protection.  Discussion took place in relation to the development of work with service users and carers; the integration of Health and Social Care and the added awareness this will afford.  

The Chair thanked Ms Barr for the information provided. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the contents of the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Community Services, dated 2 December 2015, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Community Services

The Area Committee Manager advised Members that this item was being deferred to the Business Day meeting in January 2016 at the request of the Service. 

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50A(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 the appropriate paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Governments (Scotland) Act 1973.

For noting and updating

Members gave consideration to the item tracker. 

Discussion took place in relation to Campbeltown Office Rationalisation, with Members keen to see this remain on the tracker as works were still ongoing in this regard.  Members also requested that the item titled “Flooding in Campbeltown” be amended to ensure other potential flooding areas within the MAKI area are recognised.  Further discussion was had in relation to the progression of this item, with the Area Committee Manager agreeing to forward comments made by Members to the Head of Roads and Amenity Services. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the item tracker. 

(Ref:  Item Tracker, dated 2 December 2015, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

Members gave consideration to a report proposing the governance arrangements for the approval of grant applications for priority buildings in the Campbeltown Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) Round 6.

Decision:

Members agreed to the recommendations outlined in the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 2 December 2015, submitted.)