Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence intimated. 

Councillor Rory Colville declared a non-financial interest in relation to agenda item 6 (Future Area Committee Dates) by reason that he is the Chair of the South Kintyre Development Trust, but did not consider that the interest should prevent him from taking part in consideration of this item.   

Councillor Kelly requested that agenda item 14 (Notice of Motion under Standing Order 13) be taken following Public and Councillors Question Time as it was of interest to Members of the Public in attendance and they would require to leave before the end of the meeting.  With no-one being otherwise minded, the Chair agreed to the request. 

The minute of the previous meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee meeting held on 2 December 2015 was approved as a true record.

The Minute of the Special Meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on 6 January 2016 was approved as a true record. 

Heather Anderson, attending in support of the Meadows Under Five Unit, advised that the unit works in partnership with Campbeltown Nursery Centre to provide quality childcare and education for families in Campbeltown and the surrounding area.  She asked Members to consider removing the proposed reduction in service from the Council’s budget cuts.  The Chair, Councillor Colville advised that at this stage it was only an option and that a decision would be taken at the meeting of the Council on Thursday 11 February 2016.

Ms Anderson asked Members how they intended to vote and if they had considered who would support vulnerable children and families of displaced children should the service be reduced to term time only.  Councillor Colville advised that he had spoken with Senior Management in relation to the proposals and that he had been given assurances that the Council would work closely to ensure that vulnerable children are protected. 

Ms Anderson enquired as to whether the Council had undertaken a costing for the provision of services outwith the area should local services be unavailable and if so what these were.  Councillor Colville advised that it is extremely unlikely that Kintyre families would have to access holiday provision for their children outwith the Kintyre area.  He further advised that it would be highly unusual for the Early Years Service to place children out with their own area, therefore this option was not taken into consideration during initial scoping.  Mrs Anderson explained that the service currently provides respite provision for children with additional support needs and children who are in foster and kinship care, keeping families together, and that she failed to understand how the proposal could work.  Councillor Colville explained that the Early Years Service would rather work with Meadows to make provision for children with additional needs to ensure any impact was minimal.

Susan McFadyen, who was also attending in support of the Meadow’s Under Five Unit, enquired as to whether the Council had made contact with local childminders to see if they had free spaces to accommodate any gaps in service.  Councillor Colville advised that he had been reassured that the information provided was correct.  Ms McFadyen expressed concern, advising that she was unaware of the 15 Childminders within the area.  She asked Lesley Bell, a registered Childminder, to confirm whether the Council had been in contact with her in this regard.  Ms Bell advised that she had had a conversation with an officer of the Council over three years ago. 

Discussion took place in relation to how it was possible to cut ASN support in schools from the savings proposals, with the Chair advising that ASN support had been removed as a result of an ongoing review.  Further discussion took place where members of Meadows Under Fives asked Members to consider their social responsibility to the families of Campbeltown. 

Councillor Kelly advised that in his opinion the Quality Improvement Officer had only answered a handful of the questions asked, and stressed that this is an issue at the heart of the community and appealed to Members to take this on board when decisions are required. 

Councillor Horn advised that the public, in attendance in support of Meadow’s Under Fives, were not asking what’s happening with the budget, but whether Members intend to vote for or against the proposals to reduce Meadows to a term time service.  Councillor Horn advised that her position was that she would not be supporting any proposal which would affect vulnerable members of the community. 

Councillor Horn asked for further information in relation to the costings of service provision and the free capacity of local Childminders were not being answered. 

Councillor Armour asked what the intention of the Early Years Service would be if there was no available services in Campbeltown, if it is not the intention to transport children out with the area.

The Area Committee Manager agreed to take the questions to the appropriate officer and feed back the answers to Members by email, who in turn could feed the information back to the community. 

Councillor Kelly advised that Members were still awaiting sight of the public consultation document in relation to the car parking review.  The Chair advised that the matter was being brought to the Business Day meeting in March 2016.

Councillor Kelly advised that he was still awaiting information in relation to the survey carried out by  the Flooding Working Group.  The Area Committee Manager advised that she had received assurances from officers that the information would be passed on.  Mrs Barton agreed to pursue this matter further.  

As a result of the meeting held on the 7.1.16 between local Elected members and Early Years Education staff where it was revealed that the proposed service choice option relating to Campbeltown Nursery had not been properly evaluated.  The proposed savings do not take into account the additional cost to be incurred looking after children who will be displaced should the Nursery move to term time.  Further to this it was also confirmed that no community impact assessment has been carried out on the effect of such proposals on the Kintyre Community. 

Motion

That the Area Committee agree to recommend to the Council that the proposed service choice option relating to Campbeltown Nursery be removed from the current proposals. 

Proposed by Councillor Donald Kelly

Seconded by Councillor John Armour

Councillor Donald Kelly, seconded by Councillor John Armour had given notice of the following Motion:-

Motion

That the Area Committee agree to recommend to the Council that the proposed service choice option relating to Campbeltown Nursery be removed from the current proposals.

Moved by Councillor Donald Kelly, seconded by Councillor John Armour.

Amendment

As a result of public representations received in support of the Early Years’ service the Area Committee agree to recommend to the Council that the proposed service options relating to Early Years’ service are given a level of protection when considered as part of the Council’s budget process. 

Moved by Councillor Rory Colville, seconded by Councillor Donald MacMillan

The requisite number of Members required the vote to be taken by calling the roll, and Members voted as follows:-

Decision:

With the Motion receiving 5 votes and the Amendment 3 votes, the Motion became the finding of the meeting.

Report by Head Teacher, Catriona Hood

The Committee considered a report which outlined attendance, absence and exclusion rate, the SQA performance, school leaver destination returns and the wider achievements of the school. 

Discussion in relation to the falling school roll and the financial implications of this was had, with further discussion taking place in relation to the preparation for new admissions from other countries, as part of the Syrian Refugee Settlement Programme.  Ms Hood spoke of the training sessions she had undertaken in advance of this, and explained that the school had successfully integrated pupils from other countries before.  She stressed that there would be a lot of work required in supporting the transition of these pupils, who faced greater emotional difficulties due to their previous experiences.  Ms Hood advised that pupil support is one of Campbeltown Grammar School’s biggest strengths.  Ms Hood also agreed to look into possible opportunities for pupils in relation to the care sector as a carer.  The work of the transition teacher within the school was also commended. 

The Chair thanked Ms Hood for the information provided and congratulated the school on the continuing positive destination trends.     

Decision

Members agreed to note the report.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Community Services, dated 3 February 2016, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining the proposed cycle of meetings within the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands (MAKI) area from May 2016 to April 2017.  Discussion took place in respect of the venue for the meetings schedule in June and October 2016.  Members noted that the Town Hall in Campbeltown was due for completion in May 2016 and as such would be available to hire for the purpose of hosting future Area Committee meetings.

Decision

Members agreed to:-

1.    endorse the agreed cycle of Area Committee and Business Day meetings as detailed in the attached appendix;

2.    agreed that the Area Committee meeting scheduled in June 2016 takes place on the Isle of Colonsay and the Area Committee meeting scheduled in October 2016 takes place in Inveraray; and

3.    agreed that future meetings of the Area Committee, scheduled to take place in Campbeltown take place in the newly refurbished Town Hall and future meetings of the Business Day, scheduled to take place in Campbeltown  would continue to be held in the Community Centre. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 3 February 2016, submitted.)

Having noted that the Contracts Manager had been delayed, the Chair and Members agreed to take the remaining agenda items out of sequence. 

Report by Executive Director of Community Services

The Committee considered a report providing information on operations, resources, learning disability and mental health issues in respect of Adult Care within Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands.  The Locality Manager also provided an update in relation to the merger of the Glassary and Knapdale wards in the Mid Argyll Hospital; the review of in-patient Mental Health delivery in the Argyll and Bute Hospital and the temporary contingencies being considered by the Mental Welfare Group.  Mr Dreghorn also provided information on the ongoing discussions in relation to merging services of smaller GP surgeries in the Kintyre area. 

Discussion took place in respect of the Membership of Locality Planning Groups, with Mr Dreghorn advising that it was his intention to invite nominations for an elected member to sit on the groups for each ward within the MAKI area.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to confirm the arrangements that will be put in place by the Council in relation to any appointments to these Locality Groups.    

Further discussion took place in respect of homecare packages; care inspectorate grades and budgets going forward during the integration of health and social care. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the contents of the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Community Services, dated 3 February 2016, submitted.)

Report by Chief Officer of the Health and Social Care Partnership

The Committee considered a report providing an update on progress on the actions undertaken to establish the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership.  The report highlighted the operating arrangements of the Integration Joint Board until 1 April 2016; the various management appointments to date; the consultation on the Strategic Plan 2016-2019 together with an indicative timetable; the ways in which  staff and public could become involved and the contribution this has to the objectives of the Partnership.  Members noted that the project is on target to enable the full transition to the Health and Social Care Partnership on 1 April 2016. 

Discussion took place in respect of the criteria for Integration Funding and the implications on services within the Mid Argyll area. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the contents of the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance, dated 3 February 2016, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which outlined the roads revenue maintenance budget for the third quarter of financial year 2015/16.  It indicated a spend of 91% at the end of this quarter. 

Discussion took place in respect of the ongoing works on the Machrihanish Footway; the overspend in certain activities within the area; flooding in Campbeltown; traffic management proposals; the realignment of kerbs and how fault reporting is prioritised.  The Contracts Manager agreed to look into the matter of the broken bus stop sign at Kilchenzie and feed back to Councillor Armour directly. 

Decision

Members agreed to note the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 3 February 2016, submitted.)

Report by Head of Strategic Finance

The Committee considered a report setting out the estimated funding available for distribution of funds for the charities and trust funds of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area for 2015-16.  Discussion took place in relation to trust funds with small balances, with the Area Committee Manager advising that the Finance Manager recognised the concerns of Members and intended to bring a report to a future Area Committee meeting outlining possible options and legal implications. 

Discussion took place in respect of the possibility of diverting funding for specific use within the areas in which the trust was intended, for example the money held in trust for the upkeep of Clachan Cemetery could be used to mend the entrance and similarly in Kilkerran Cemetery where the money could be used to repair the roads within the cemetery.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to feed Members comments to the Finance Manager, for possible incorporation into the future report. 

Members were keen to learn of the workings behind the estimated income for 2015-16, in respect of the GM Duncan Bequest and how the County of Argyll Educational Trust Scheme, 1960 was advertised.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to look into both matters and confirm the position to Members by email.  

Decision:

Members agreed to:

1.    note the information provided on the value of charities and trust funds and the annual income;

2.    approve the proposed distribution of the funds available shown in Appendix 1 of the report; and

3.    the policy on reserves as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Strategic Finance, dated 3 February 2016, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update with regard to the progress of the actions and success measures in the MAKI Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP), 2015/16. 

Discussion took place in respect of the European Social Fund; the new training facility in Tarbert; the Regeneration of Bowmore and the role that private estates such as Islay Estates and Argyll Estates play in relation to private investment; the expansion of tourism facilities in Lochgilphead and the Crinan Canal Charette.   

Further discussion took place in respect of the CHORD project with Members expressing dissatisfaction that the Position Paper was not on the agenda.  The Chair advised that this paper would now come to the next Area Committee meeting in April 2016, following the setting of the Council’s budget on 11 February 2016.  The Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation provided an update in relation to all CHORD projects within Argyll and Bute and advised that no decision had been taken to remove funding from any area.   

Decision:

Members agreed to:

1.    note the contents of the report; and

2.    agreed that an officer attends the MAKI Area Committee to provide a detailed update on an annual basis, with quarterly updates being provided to the Area Committee for consideration without the requirement for an officer to be present. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 3 February 2016, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report providing a brief update on the progress made on the Inveraray CARS since the special meeting of the MAKI Area Committee on 6 January 2016.  The CARS Officer advised Members that the grant offers have now been made and contractors have been appointed and will be on site from 1 March 2016.  Mr De Buitleir advised that he will continue to work alongside local residents to help them identify and deal with any potential issues.  He further advised that he had carried out an options appraisal with Inveraray Community Company for the refurbishment of the Community Hall, and outlined the outcome of an open day recently held in this regard. 

Discussion took place in respect of the Community Engagement Events scheduled to take place in May and June, with Members asking the CARS Officer to consider holding these events earlier in the year. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the contents of the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 3 February 2016, submitted.)

For noting and updating

The Committee considered the item tracker.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to update the Campbeltown CHORD item to reflect the intention to bring this to the Area Committee meeting in April 2016.   

Decision:

Members agreed to note the item tracker. 

(Ref:  Item Tracker, dated 3 February 2016, submitted.)