Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor Donald Kelly. 

There were no declarations of interest intimated. 

The Minute of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee meeting held on 26 June 2017 was approved as a true record. 

The Convenor of Lochgilphead Community Council, Andy Buntin, presented the Chair with a signed petition regarding the lack of action on the redevelopment of the front green in Lochgilphead and specifically the poor state of repair of the children’s play area and the paddling pool.  Mr Buntin requested that the Chair pass the petition to the Leader of the Council on behalf of the people of Lochgilphead.

Having noted that agenda item 8 (Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund) contained information relevant to the redevelopment of the front green in Lochgilphead, the Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to permit the members of Lochgilphead Community Council in attendance to take part in discussion of item 8.

Councillor Taylor advised of the difficulties faced by the operators of the Screen Machine in finding an appropriate site in Inveraray.  He asked if a report could be submitted to the next meeting of the Area Committee providing information on the options available in Inveraray and the associated costs involved.  The Chair agreed that officers should be asked to prepare a report for the next meeting providing the information requested. 

Councillor Horn enquired as to whether there was an update available in relation to the Kintyre Way (Long and Winding Way).  The Area Committee Manager agreed to log the enquiry through the Casebook system and request that  a response be provided to Councillor Horn. 

Councillor Armour enquired as to the position of the street sweeper which had been approved for the Campbeltown area.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to log the enquiry through the Casebook system and request that a response be provided to the Ward 1 Members. 

Presentation

The Committee gave consideration to a presentation by Dr Sharon Webb of Kilmartin Museum, highlighting the part the museum plays in collecting and caring for archaeological artefacts from all over Argyll and also in caring for all of the Council’s archaeology collections under a Service Level Agreement.  Dr Webb highlighted the work of the museum in respect of education; landscape interpretation and the promotion and enjoyment of the area’s natural and cultural riches, and advised of the unique biodiversity found in the Mid Argyll area. Dr Webb spoke of the operational, conceptual, environment and financial challenges faced by the museum and advised how the redevelopment project, which sought to create new gallery space, new interpretation and an open collections store, would enhance visitor facilities and educational and archaeological activity within the area, which would align to the Council’s Single Outcome Agreement.  

The Chair thanked Dr Webb for the information provided. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the contents of the presentation. 

(Ref:  Presentation by Dr Webb, Kilmartin Museum, submitted.)

Update by Chief Executive, ACHA

The Committee gave consideration to a presentation by Alastair MacGregor, Chief Executive of ACHA, which outlined the investment programme in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands from stock transfer to 31 March 2017; the new build programme and the key challenges faced and the proposed stock restructure to address the low demand property issues in Kintyre. 

The Chair thanked Mr MacGregor for the information provided. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the presentation.

(Ref:  Presentation by Chief Executive of ACHA, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which presented plans for, and the roles that elected Members will play in, the development and scrutiny of scorecards for each of the council’s Administrative Areas. 

Decision:

The Committee agreed to:-

1.    endorse the new look Council scorecard;

2.    endorse the roles and responsibilities of elected Members with regard to performance monitoring, review and scrutiny, as set out in the Performance and Improvement Framework (PIF); and

3.    endorse the plans for the future development of Area Scorecards.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 6 September 2017, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the work undertaken to date in relation to the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund. 

Decision:

Members agreed to:

1.    note the additional work undertaken to develop understanding of the shortlisted projects;

2.    note that the outline business cases are still based on broad assumptions and that further feasibility and design work is required to confirm designs, costs and solutions to technical issues which might arise as a result of the proposed projects.  Such issues may affect the viability of the proposed projects; and

3.    recommend to Policy and Resources Committee:-

                      i.        that the 6 projects listed in paragraph 4.19 should be taken forward with the budgets as detailed and that work should commence on full business cases which will be reported back to committee for approval as they become available; and

                     ii.        the list of 4 reserve projects listed at paragraph 4.22 in the event that any of the projects agreed to be taken to full business case are unable to proceed.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 6 September 2017, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report advising of the current situation with regard to the elected Member appointee on Urras Achad An Droighinn/The Auchindrain Trust, and asking them to consider making an appointment to the Trust.

Decision:

Members agreed that Councillor Dougie Philand be appointed as the Council representative on Urras Achadh An Droighinn/The Auchindrain Trust. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 6 September 2017, submitted.)

Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which highlighted the positive outcomes for communities in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands through the allocation of the Council’s Third Sector Grant funding in 2016/17. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note:-

1.    the positive contribution of the grants to community projects, detailed in section 3 of the report and the attached table; and

2.    the unspent funds, detailed in section 3.4 of the report, be distributed in the 2018/19 round of grant funding. 

(Ref:  Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services, dated 6 September 2017, submitted.)

The Committee gave consideration to a report recommending an award of eight building repair grants to private owners for one building project and providing a brief update on the progress of the Campbeltown Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) Round 6. 

Decision:

Members agreed:

1.    to note the progress that has been made on the Campbeltown CARS Round 6; and

2.    to award CARS grant funding of £295,307.07 to the owners of McLean Place West, 10-14 Main Street, Campbeltown for repairs to the building. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 6 September 2017, submitted.)

Report by Interim Locality Manager, Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay, NHS Highland

A report providing an update in relation to the ongoing work being undertaken to secure a provision of supported living accommodation in the Kintyre area together with a wider review of care at home services and care home services in West Argyll and Bute was provided for information. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Interim Locality Manager, Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay, NHS Highland, dated 6 September 2017, submitted.)

The Area Committee workplan was submitted for information. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the contents of the workplan. 

(Ref:  Workplan, dated 6 September 2017, submitted.)