Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by Councillor Taylor. 

There were no declarations of interest intimated. 

The Minute of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee meeting held on 7 December 2016 was approved as a true record, subject to the following amendment:-

 

Item 4, paragraph 8:- 

 

Reference to the Meadowbank area of Campbeltown to be amended to read Meadowburn. 

 

 

Matters Arising:-

 

Councillor Horn provided an update in relation to the flooding issues in Tarbert.  She advised that a date had been set for the meeting between Ward 2 Members and the Regional Communities Manager of Scottish Water. 

 

Councillor Kelly enquired as to whether a report would be brought to the April meeting of the Area Committee outlining proposals for dealing with flooding in the John Street and Saddell Street areas of Campbeltown.  The Area Committee Manager advised that she had received assurances from the Head of Roads and Amenity Services that a report would be brought to a future Area Committee meeting.  Mrs Barton agreed to speak to the Head of Roads and Amenity Services about bringing this report to the April Area Committee meeting. 

 

Councillor Kelly asked for an update in relation to the smell of raw sewage in the Meadowburn area of Campbeltown which was affecting some properties.  The Area Committee Manager advised that she had taken the matter up with Scottish Water, and was awaiting a response from the appropriate team on a possible solution to the problem. 

 

Councillor Currie advised that he had not received an update from the Head of Roads and Amenity Services in relation to the poor state of repair of the road to Oa on Islay.  The Area Committee Manager advised of email correspondence, which she believed to be the response required.  Having established that this was not the case, Mrs Barton agreed to seek clarity from the Head of Roads and Amenity Services in this regard and feedback to Ward 2 Members by email. 

 

Councillor McAlpine asked for an update in relation to a report being provided to Members in relation to Christmas lighting.  The Area Committee Manager advised that a report was being taken to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee on this matter.  Following discussion in relation to ongoing issues in the Campbeltown area, and the need to keep community groups up-to-date, the Area Committee Manager agreed to feedback the concerns of the Committee to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services and request that a report be brought to the next meeting of the Area Committee.   

 

Alan Baker of Campbeltown Community Council enquired about the distribution of windfarm monies and what part, if any, the Council play in deciding which community organisations benefit.  The Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation advised that renewable energy agreements between Power Companies and local communities was a purely voluntary scheme which the Council provided assistance in facilitating discussions between the parties involved.  Discussion took place in respect of the Tangy developments and the ability of local communities to make application for funding toward projects at both local, regional  and national level.  Mr Murray advised that further information could be found on the Council’s website or by contacting the Councils Transformational Projects and Regeneration Manager or Senior Planning Development Officer directly. 

 

George Thomson of the Killean and Kilchenzie Church Preservation group outlined the Minute of Understanding  with Argyll and Bute Council in relation to the preservation of ancient monuments in cemeteries around the Kintyre peninsula.  Mr Thomson spoke of issues which have arisen as a result of staffing issues within the Council and sought clarity on the best solutions to these issues.  The Area Committee Manager advised that following correspondence with Mr Thomson, she had passed the information to the Council’s Amenity Performance Manager who would pick up on the issues on his return from annual leave.  She advised that Legal Manager, Donnie Kelly was dealing with the issues relating to Corporate Membership. 

 

The Chair, Councillor Colville commended the group on the works being undertaken to maintain and preserve 12^th Century cemeteries around Kintyre and highlighted his hopes that this would become a trail for tourists to explore. 

 

Councillor Armour advised of the ongoing issues in relation to street lighting in the Glebe Street and Witchburn areas of Campbeltown.  Discussion took place in respect of the consistency of information being fed back into the casebook system by officers.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to seek clarity on the issues raised by Councillor Armour and provide an update to Ward 1 Members by email. 

 

Councillor Kelly asked if the Area Committee could write to Crossreach to ask them not to make any decision in relation to the future of Auchinlee Care Home until the possible options at Machrihanish Airbase have been fully investigated.  The Chair agreed that a letter should be drafted and sent to Crossreach and copied to all Members of the Area Committee.

 

Councillor Horn advised of street lighting issues in the Carradale area.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to raise these with the Head of Roads and Amenity Services. 

 

Report by Acting Director of Community Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report highlighting the progress of works in relation to the new schools redevelopment project at Campbeltown Grammar School. 

 

Decision:

 

Members agreed to note the contents of the report.

 

 

(Ref:  Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services, dated 1 February 2017, submitted.)

Report by Head of Strategic Finance

The Committee gave consideration to a report setting out the proposed method for the distribution of funds for the following trust funds:-

 

·         Kilkerran Cemetery

·         Clachan Cemetery Trust

·         Campbell Bequest

·         McNeill Bequest

·         MacAllister Mortification

·         Fisher Bequest

 

 

Decision:

 

Members agreed the proposed method of distribution as shown in Appendix 1, subject to the original criteria for the Fisher Bequest being attached as a condition to the transfer of funds to the Moving On Mid Argyll (MOMA) group.

 

 

(Ref:  Report by Head of Strategic Finance, dated 1 February 2017, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report seeking approval of amended grass cutting schedules. 

 

Decision:

 

The Area Committee agreed that the decision on the schedules be continued to the Special Area Committee meeting in March to allow Members to have sight of the completed schedules of grass cutting for the 2017/18 year, broken down into ward areas.

 

 

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 1 February 2017, submitted.)

Councillor Currie left the meeting at 11.45am.

.

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Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining proposals for allocating the surplus CHORD funds in line with the report that was approved by the Policy and Resources Committee on 18 August 2016 which delegated the allocation of any CHORD surplus funds to Area Committees to approve in accordance with the original CHORD objectives.

 

Motion:

 

Members agree:

1.   to note the contents of the report and the detail of  the £182,626 surplus CHORD funding;

2.   to approve Option 1 in part and transfer £132,626 to the HES CARS initiative that will be managed by the Transformation Project and Regenerations Team within EDST;

3.   that the Transformation Project and Regenerations Team bring recommendations on applications to the HES CARS initiative to the MAKI Area Committee for approval; and

4.   to recommend to the March meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee agreement of the following recommendations from the Area Committee subject to the necessary due diligence and assessments being completed by officers:-

4.1          Option 4 – Award £40k to Campbeltown Picture House towards its funding shortfall on the principle that it fits with objective CNO1 of the Campbeltown CHORD, noting that the Campbeltown Picture House is widely acclaimed to be one of the most architecturally important buildings of its kind in Europe and the restoration of this historic building would greatly enhance the built heritage of Campbeltown; and

4.2          Option 2 – Award £10k to the Campbeltown Seasports project towards the development of a full business case to advance participation in marine sports and provide training to internationally-recognised standards, creating a strong synergy with Campbeltown marina resulting in an improved market presence and an increased utilisation of the Marina berthing facilities.

 

Moved by Councillor Rory Colville, seconded by Councillor Donald MacMillan

 

Amendment:

 

Members agree:

1.   to note the contents of the report and the detail of  the £182,626 surplus CHORD funding;

2.   to approve Option 1 in part and transfer £122,626 to the HES CARS initiative that will be managed by the Transformation Project and Regenerations Team within EDST;

3.   that the Transformation Project and Regenerations Team bring recommendations on applications to the HES CARS initiative to the MAKI Area Committee for approval; and

4.   to recommend to the March meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee agreement of the following recommendations from the Area Committee subject to the necessary due diligence and assessments being completed by officers:-

4.1          Option 4 – Award £40k to Campbeltown Picture House towards its funding shortfall on the principle that it fits with objective CNO1 of the Campbeltown CHORD, noting that the Campbeltown Picture House is widely acclaimed to be one of the most architecturally important buildings of its kind in Europe and the restoration of this historic building would greatly enhance the built heritage of Campbeltown; and

4.2          Option 2 – Award £20k to the Campbeltown Seasports project towards the development of a full business case to advance participation in marine sports and provide training to internationally-recognised standards, creating a strong synergy with Campbeltown marina resulting in an improved market presence and an increased utilisation of the Marina berthing facilities.

 

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

 

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

 

Motion                                                 Amendment

 

Councillor Rory Colville                      Councillor John Armour

Councillor Donald MacMillan              Councillor Anne Horn

Councillor John McAlpine                   Councillor Donald Kelly

                                                            Councillor Douglas Philand

Decision:

 

The amendment was carried 4 votes to 3 and the Area Committee resolved accordingly. 

 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 1 February 2017, submitted.)

 

 

For noting and updating

Members gave consideration to the item tracker. 

 

Decision:

 

Members agreed to note the updated item tracker.

 

 

(Ref:  Item Tracker, dated 1 February 2017, submitted.)