Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence intimated. 

Councillor McAlpine declared a non-financial interest in Item 10 – Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund in that he was a member of Tarbert Bowling Club who were involved in one of the projects.  He did not consider that the interest prevented him from taking part in the discussion and decision on this item.

Discussion took place around the accuracy of the Minutes from the meeting of the Area Committee held on 5 October 2016, with specific reference to Item 13 – Campbeltown Options for Surplus CHORD funds.

The Chair advised that in his view the minute was not inaccurate, but reflected the decision made on the day which was to approve the recommendations in the report.  He noted that prior to the meeting in October; submissions were received from 3 local organisations who were asking for their projects to be considered as being eligible for a share of the surplus funds.  Councillor Colville also noted that it had become clear since the meeting that the understanding of the Committee was that the decision taken would still have allowed these projects to be given further consideration.

Following further discussion, the Minute of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee meeting, held on 5 October 2016 was approved as a true record.

The Minute of the Special Meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee meeting held on 2 November 2016 were approved as a true record. 

David MacBride of Tarbert and Skipness Community Council enquired about the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund and asked Councillors whether they believe that the time allocated to projects between stage 1 and stage 3 of the selection process had been sufficient.  The Chair, Councillor Colville advised that the fund is to be discussed at agenda item 10, at which point Councillors would take his comments on board. 

Councillor Kelly enquired about the flooding issues in Campbeltown and in particular the work on possible short term solutions at John Street and Saddell Street.  He asked whether it would be possible for officers to bring a report to a future Area Committee meeting outlining proposals as previously agreed.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to take this forward.

Councillor Currie enquired about a response from Scottish Water in relation to flooding issues in Tarbert.  Councillor Colville advised that he had received a letter from the Chief Executive of Scottish Water suggesting that a meeting take place between the Regional Communities Manager of Scottish Water, Councillor Colville and Councillor Horn.  Councillor Colville sought the Committees approval to pass the meeting to Ward 2 Members and asked Councillor Horn, who advised that she was in correspondence with the Regional Communities Manager, to put in place the necessary arrangements.

Councillor Horn passed round photos of the road to Oa on Islay, highlighting the poor state of repair they were in.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to take this matter forward with the Head of Roads and Amenity Services and advise the Ward 2 Members of the outcome. 

Councillor Taylor enquired about the timescales for a report on the Amenity Services Budget reductions being brought to the Area Committee following the decision of the EDI Committee on 10 November 2016.  The Area Committee Manager advised that this would be brought to the Area Committee meeting in February 2017.  Members expressed their dissatisfaction with this timescale and requested that they have sight of the report at the Business Day meeting on 11 January 2017.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to put this request to the Head of Roads and Amenity Services. 

Councillor Philand requested regular updates from the Health and Social Care Partnership in relation to the knock on effects of the closure of Auchinlee Care Home in Campbeltown.  John Dreghorn advised that although closure was expected, there had been no formal announcement at this stage but agreed to feedback this request to the Chief Officer of the Health and Social Care Partnership. 

Councillor McAlpine requested that a report be provided to Members in relation to Christmas lighting and in particular the decision to use external contractors for the installation of the Christmas lights.   The Area Committee Manager agreed to request a report on this issue.

Councillor Kelly asked a question in relation to the smell of raw sewage in the Meadowburn area of Campbeltown which was affecting some properties.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to write to Scottish Water to seek an update on this issue.

Report by Head of Strategic Finance

The Committee gave consideration to a report setting out the proposed method for the distribution of charities and trust funds in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islay area.

Decision:

Members agreed

1.    the proposed method of distribution as shown in Appendix 1 for the following charities and trust funds:

Coats Bequest Inverchaolin;

Kilmartin New Burial Ground Bequest;

Kilmory Lochgilphead Churchyard;

MacAlister Trust;

Latimer McInnes Trust;

Campbeltown New Books;

Kilmartin War Memorial Fund;

A T Ross Bequest;

George Melville Duncan Bequest;

Kintyre Youth Fund;

Hutcheson Memorial Trust;

May Paterson Trust;

Library Endowment Fund; and

David Andrew Greenlees Trust

2.    that a report be brought to the Area Committee meeting in February 2017 providing further options for distribution in respect of the following charities and trust funds:

Kilkerran Cemetery

Clachan Cemetery Trust;

Campbell Bequest;

McNeill Bequest;

MacAllister Mortification;

Fisher Bequest.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Strategic Finance, dated 7 December 2016, submitted.)

Report by Head Teacher

The Committee considered a report which outlined the curriculum development and wider achievement of the school together with SQA performance; attendance, absence and exclusion rate and school leaver destination returns.  Members were particularly pleased to note the ongoing work on intergenerational projects; the homework club and the participation of the student council in progressing design ideas for the new Grammar School.   

The Chair thanked Ms Hood for the information provided.

Decision:

Members agreed to note the report.

(Ref:  Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services, dated 7 December 2016, submitted.)

Report by Head Teacher

The Committee gave consideration to a report which outlined the SQA performance; attendance, absence and exclusion rate; school leaver destination returns and the wider achievement of the school.  Members were pleased to note the collaborative work between the high school, primary school and local community in combating the concerns of mental health issues on the island.

The Chair thanked Mr Harrison for the information provided.

Decision:

Members agreed to note the report.

(Ref:  Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services, dated 7 December 2016, submitted.)

Report by Acting Director of Community Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report highlighting the progress of the works in relation to the new schools redevelopment project at Campbeltown Grammar School.  Members were pleased to note that the project remains on target with a view to completion in March 2018.

Decision:

Members agreed to note the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services, dated 7 December 2016, submitted.)

Report by Chief Officer of the Integrated Joint Board

The Committee considered the report which had been received from the Integrated Joint Board of the Health and Social Care Partnership. Having noted that the information contained in the report was not specifically relevant to the Committee, the Chair asked the Locality Manager to provide an update in relation to the Locality Planning Groups for the MAKI area.  He advised that there were 3 groups within the locality; Islay and Jura; Mid Argyll and Kintyre.  He advised that they had been meeting on a fairly regular basis since Feburary 2016, with good representation from local partners.  Mr Dreghorn advised that the main work carried out was on the development of local plans specific to the three areas.  He advised that the plans were now in draft form and would be presented to the Integrated Joint Board for scrutiny in December 2016.  Discussion also took place in respect of the closure of Auchinlee Care Home in Campbeltown.  Mr Dreghorn advised that he would feedback the comments of Members to the Health and Social Care Partnership.

Decision;

Members agreed:

1.    to note the update provided by Mr Dreghorn; and

2.    requested that a report be brought to a future Area Committee meeting when the final outcome on the possible closure of Auchinlee Care Home was known. 

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report presenting the Area Scorecard, with performance for financial quarter 2 of 2016-17 (July – September 2016). 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the performance presented on the Scorecard. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 7 December 2016, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an overview of the progress made to date in relation to a £3 million area regeneration fund to be focused upon the Mid Argyll area, and the criteria and objectives for funding, including the area of focus and the desire to deliver a small number of larger projects as identified by the Policy and Resources Committee. 

Motion

That the Area Committee agrees to:-

1.    note the excellent response to the Fund from communities and that Council support through standard channels remain available to projects which are not progressed through the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund;

2.    approve the process and scoring methodology that has been undertaken in assessing the projects;

3.    note that the assessment undertaken at this stage is based on broad assumptions and that further feasibility work is required to develop outline business cases;

4.    approve all the potential projects identified in Paragraph 4.25 in their entirety  as the projects which score highest in the assessment.  The approved projects will be taken forward for outline business case development;

5.    recommend to Policy and Resources Committee that development funding of up to £250,000 is utilised to undertake the feasibility and initial design works to enable outline business cases to be developed for the projects in Paragraph 4.25; and

6.    note that an update report will be provided to MAKI Area Committee at the April 2017 meeting. 

Moved by Councillor Rory Colville, seconded by Councillor Donnie MacMillan

Amendment

That the Area Committee agree the recommendations as highlighted in the Motion but that MACpool be included in the shortlist going forward for consideration, making 11 projects in total. 

Moved by Councillor Sandy Taylor, seconded by Councillor Dougie Philand

Decision

On a show of hands vote, the Amendment was carried by 6 votes to 3 and the Area Committee resolved accordingly.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 7 December 2016, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the charrette process, feedback to the community and the ideas coming out of the charrette. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the content of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 7 December 2016, submitted.)

At 1.40pm, the Chair ruled, and the committee agreed, to adjourn for lunch and to reconvene at 2.05pm.

The Committee reconvened at 2.05pm, with all Members present as per the sederunt.

Having noted the other meeting commitments of Members, the Chair agreed to take the remaining agenda items out of sequence.

.

.

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing an Off-street Parking Places and Charges Order for Inveraray, and the two objections which had been received to the Order.  

Motion

That the Area Committee agree that a Hearing be held to consider the two objections in more detail. 

Moved by Councillor Dougie Philand, seconded by Councillor Donald Kelly.

Amendment

That the Area Committee approve that the Order is made as advertised.

Moved by Councillor Rory Colville, seconded by Councillor Donald MacMillan. 

Decision

On a show of hands vote, the Motion was carried by 6 votes to 3 and the Area Committee resolved accordingly. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 7 December 2016, submitted.)

Councillor Donald MacMillan left the meeting at 2.25pm.

.

.

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report advising of the roads revenue budget position at the end of the 2^nd quarter of financial year 2016/17. 

Decision

Members agreed to note the contents of the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 7 December 2016, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

Members gave consideration to a report providing a review of the Campbeltown Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI). 

Decision

Members agreed:

1.    to note the contents of the report; and

2.    commended the work and efforts of the Project Officer in the regeneration of Campbeltown. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 7 December 2016, submitted.)

Report by Executive Directors of Customer Services and Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report advising of a proposal from Network Carradale Limited to take on a lease of the car park, an area of foreshore and the public conveniences at Carradale Harbour. 

Decision

Members agreed:

1.    to recommend to the Council that the car park, area of foreshore and public conveniences at Carradale Harbour are leased to Network Carradale Limited on the basis of a 25 year lease at a rental of £100 per annum; and

2.    delegates to the Executive Director, Customer Services, authority to agree the terms of the lease to the Third Sector. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services and Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 7 December 2016, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report setting out the arrangements for the Argyll and Bute World War One Commemoration Steering Group and outlines the work which the Group has undertaken in promoting awareness and understanding of the First World War, including the organizing of local commemorative events.  The report further set out the intended further work of the Group in the coming years. 

Decision

Members agreed:

1.    to note the work of the World War One Commemoration Steering Group; and

2.    to note the Council’s involvement in the project to lay a commemorative paving stone for each recipient of a Victoria Cross for action during World War One. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 7 December 2016, submitted.)

For noting and updating

Members gave consideration to the item tracker. 

Decision

Members agreed to note the item tracker.

(Ref:  Item Tracker, dated 7 December 2016, submitted.)

Motion

That the Area Committee agrees to request that a new paper regarding the dispersal of Campbeltown CHORD Surplus finding comes before them which includes the full recommendations made by the Policy and Resources Committee on 18th August 2016. 

The decision taken by the Area Committee on the 5^th of October awarding the entire Campbeltown CHORD surplus funding to CARS is rescinded pending a new paper being presented to the Committee. 

Proposed by Councillor Donald Kelly

Seconded by Councillor John Armour

The following Notice of Motion under Standing Order 13 was before the Area Committee for consideration:-

That the Area Committee agrees to request that a new paper regarding the dispersal of Campbeltown CHORD Surplus funding comes before them which includes the full recommendations made by the Policy and Resources Committee on 18^th August 2016.

The decision taken by the Area Committee on the 5^th of October awarding the entire Campbeltown CHORD surplus funding to CARS is rescinded pending a new paper being presented to the Committee

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

The Chair advised that it was his view that there had been a material change in circumstance which would allow him to accept the terms of the Motion and to revisit the decision.  He asked the Committee to agree the terms of the Motion.