Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated from Councillor MacMillan.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minute of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee meeting held on 6^th September 2017 was approved as a correct record.

Councillor Horn raised concerns over the bus shelters at Glenbarr and Whitehouse.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to pass these concerns to the appropriate Officer for action and response directly to Councillor Horn.

Councillor Kelly asked that the Locality Manager be present at the next Area Committee in March to discuss bed blocking and delayed discharge in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area.  He asked that an email update be sent to all members before then updating them on the current position, with particular reference to the situation with Auchinlee Care Home.

Councillor Kelly asked for a Special Area Committee to be scheduled before the Budget meeting in February, to discuss budget cuts at a local level and what impact this will have on each ward.  The Chair noted that there are planned meetings for all members in the run up to the budget meeting.  The Area Committee Manager advised that it would be better for the Chair to decide if a Special Area Committee should be called.  Councillor Kelly asked for support from members to write to the Chair requesting that a Special Area Committee be called.

Update by David Adams McGilp, Regional Director, Visit Scotland

The Regional Manager of Visit Scotland gave an update to the Committee on the Information Strategy Review.

He highlighted the following:-

• The centres earmarked for closure in Tarbert, Inveraray and Campbeltown
• Closures will be taking place in March 2019
• The number of visitor information partner outlets will be increased
• Statistics in relation to accommodation bookings and general information enquiries
• The process for the disposal of buildings owned by Visit Scotland

Decision

The Area Committee noted the information provided and that further information would be provided by the Regional Director in due course.

(Ref:  Update by Regional Director, Visit Scotland dated 6^th December 2017, submitted).

Update by Regional Communities Manager, Scottish Water

Ruaridh McGregor and Kieran Downey of Scottish Water gave an update to the Committee on the Investment Plans for the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area over the next few years.

Discussion took place around the flooding issue in Tarbert and the following points were raised:-

• There was a lack of information provided to residents regarding the flooding – Ruaridh McGregor apologised and gave assurance that this would not happen again as they have a new hotspot response plan in place
• Confident that £3M funding will be approved for the investment project in Tarbert
• Plans to engage with the community on how best to minimise the disruption around the proposed works
• It will take 9-12 months to get the project on site but Scottish Water will endeavour to start work as early as possible

Decision

The Area Committee noted the information provided and it was agreed Scottish Water would start consulting with residents of Tarbert and elected members early in the New Year.

(Ref:  Update by Scottish Water dated 6^th December 2017, submitted).

Presentation by Graham Love and Kim Ritchie

Graham Love and Kim Ritchie of MACPool gave a presentation to the Committee.

He spoke about the background of the pool, the financial results, the current situation and the future plans.

Decision

The Area Committee agreed that officers ensure that information on the request from the Mid Argyll Community Pool for additional funding as part of their Service Level Agreement is available to all Members of the Council as part of the budget setting process.

(Ref:  Presentation by Graham Love and Kim Ritchie of MACPool dated 6^th December 2017, submitted).

The Area Committee agreed to adjourn for lunch at 12:30pm and reconvened at 12:55pm with all members present as per the sederunt with the exception of Councillor Kelly.

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

A report briefing the Committee on the steps being taken to reinforce the beaver population in Knapdale with a view to building a sustainable population in the area, was considered.

Decision

The Committee:-

1. Agreed to support the establishment of a sustainable and expanding beaver population in Knapdale; and
2. Nominated Councillor Taylor as Chairperson for the Stakeholder Group.

(Ref:  Report by Environmental Health Officer dated 29^th September 2017, submitted).

Report by Head of Strategic Finance

A report setting out the proposed method for distribution of the charities and trust funds in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area was considered.

Decision

The Area Committee:-

1. Agreed to the proposed method for the distribution of the charities and Trust Funds as outlined in the Appendix to the report, with the exception of the Library Endowment Fund where it is to be confirmed if the terms of the Trust would be met if it is transferred to Live Argyll, and
2. Agreed further work be carried out in terms of the distribution of the GM Duncan Bequest and the David Andrew Greenlees Trust to see if there are more effective ways of ensuring that the money available is targeted at those most in need.

(Ref: Report by Finance Manager dated 6th December 2017, submitted).

Report by Community Planning Manager

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing information on the Supporting Communities Fund – Participatory Budgeting Pilot Approach 2018/2019.

Decision

The Committee noted the role of the Area Committee in the Participatory Budgeting approach to distributing the Supporting Communities Fund.

(Ref: Report by Community Planning Manager, dated 6^th December 2017, submitted).

Report by Head of Improvement and HR

The Committee considered the Area Scorecard for financial quarters 1 and 2 of 2017-2018 (April to September 2017.

Decision

The Committee:-

1. Noted the performance presented on the scorecard;

2. Noted work is ongoing to embed the new reporting process going forward; and

3. Noted that the Council Performance Reporting will be a standing item on the Area Committee agenda.

(Ref: Report by Performance and Improvement Officer dated 6th December 2017, submitted).

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

A report providing an update on the proposals for the Gleaner Phase 1 project and the full business case, was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to recommend to the Policy and Resources Committee that:

1. The maximum grant funding of up to £250,000 should be allocated to the Gleaner Phase 1 from the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund; and
2. Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services to confirm the final grant amount.  The Executive Director will only have the delegated authority to approve grant where it would not exceed the contribution made by Scottish Canals/Scottish Waterways Trust.

(Ref:  Report by Senior Development Officer dated 7^th November 2017, submitted).

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

A report providing the Committee with information in regards to the siting of the Screen Machine in Inveraray, was considered.

Motion

That the Area Committee:-

1. agrees that the Screen Machine be located at either the hardstanding area near Inveraray Shinty Pitch or at Inveraray Castle Car Park on the basis that utilising these sites does not cause any loss of amenity within either the free or pay and display car parks operated by Argyll and Bute Council;
2. Notes that occupation of a pay and display car park would require approval of the full Council, and
3. Notes that Inveraray Community Council have agreed to supply the toilet facilities and to pay for public liability insurance.

Moved by Councillor Currie, seconded by Councillor Redman.

Amendment

The Area Committee agrees to support the siting of the Screen Machine at Fisher Row, noting that there would be a loss of revenue in terms of car parking and refers this to the next meeting of Policy and Resources Committee for approval.

Moved by Councillor Philand, seconded by Councillor Taylor.

On a show of hands vote, the Amendment received 4 votes and the Motion received 2 votes and the Area Committee resolved accordingly.

(Ref:  Report by Traffic & Development Manager dated November 2017, submitted).

</AI13>

<AI14>

Report by Traffic and Development Manager

A report providing the Committee with an update regarding the implementation of the proposal to formalise coach and HGV parking, including the introduction of overnight parking charges, in the Lorne Street Coach and Lorry Park, Lochgilphead, which was approved at the MAKI Area Committee on 6^th August 2016, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the information contained in the report and agreed that the draft Off Street Parking and Charges Lochgilphead TRO is made into law.

(Ref:  Report by Traffic and Development Manager dated November 2017, submitted).

Report by Schools Redevelopment Project Manager

A report providing the Committee with progress on the Council’s Schools Redevelopment Project in partnership with hubNorth Scotland Ltd (hubNorth) to build a new secondary school in Campbeltown, was considered.

Decision

The Committee endorsed the content of the report and congratulated Mr Casey and his team for all their hard work to date.

(Ref:  Report by Schools Redevelopment Project Manager dated 9^th November 2017, submitted).</AI15>

<AI16>

Report by Head Teacher       

The Head Teacher of Campbeltown Grammar School took the Committee through a progress update report on the schools achievements for the 2017 session.

Decision

The Area Committee:-

1.    Noted the contents of the report;

2.    Commended the work being done by the school; and

3.    Wished Catriona Hood all the best for the future and praised her on all her hard work and passion in her time as Head Teacher at Campbeltown Grammar School.

(Report by Head Teacher, Campbeltown Grammar School dated 6^th December 2017, submitted)

Councillor Armour left the meeting.

Report by Head Teacher

Having noted that Mr Harrison was unable to be in attendance, the Area Committee agreed to continue consideration of the report until the meeting in June 2018 to be held on Islay.

Report by Head Teacher

The Head Teacher of Lochgilphead Joint Campus took the Committee through a progress update report on the schools achievements for the 2017 session.

Decision

The Area Committee:-

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Commended the work being done by the school.

(Report by Head Teacher, Lochgilphead Joint Campus dated 6^th December 2017, submitted).

Councillor Colville joined the meeting.

Report by Head Teacher

The Head Teacher of Tarbert Academy took the Committee through a

progress update report on the schools achievements for the 2017 session.

Decision

The Area Committee:-

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Commended the work being done by the school.

(Report by Head Teacher, Tarbert Academy dated 6^th December 2017, submitted).

Report by Area Committee Manager

A report updating the Committee on a request that the Council has received from BT from the Save Our Seals Fund to adopt the telephone kiosk at Sanaig Road End, Gruinart, Isle of Islay, and advising of the consultation process which must take place prior to this request being agreed by BT, was considered.

Decision

The Area Committee agreed:-

1. That they were not in support of the request from the Save Our Seals Fund to adopt the telephone kiosk at Sanaig Road End, Gruinart, Isle of Islay as it would mean a loss of the BT telephone service at this location, and
2. That officers provide feedback to BT that the communications received by communities in relation to the Adopt a Kiosk Scheme had been misleading and did not make clear that by adopting a Kiosk there would be a loss of telephone service at the location.

(Ref:  Report by Area Committee Manager dated 6^th December 2017, submitted).</AI21>

<AI22>

The Committee considered the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Workplan for December.

Decision

The Area Committee noted the workplan.

(Ref: Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Workplan dated 6th December 2017, submitted).