Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Sandy Taylor.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Island Area Committee – 6^th December 2017

The Minute of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee meeting held on 6^th December 2017 was approved as a correct record subject to the addition on page 4, item 6 – “The Area Committee also noted the ongoing problems with odour at Meadowburn in Campbeltown.  Mr McGregor advised that work to remedy the problems would begin in Spring 2018.

The Chair asked if the Area Committee meetings are advertised to notify members of the public?  The Area Committee Manager confirmed they are advertised through the Council website and Community Councils are notified.

Councillor Horn raised concerns around cars still travelling at speed along the Pier Road in Tarbert to and from the ferry terminal.  She advised that there is no walkway which makes this dangerous for pedestrians.  Inspector Julie McLeish agreed to take this issue back to the Road Policing Unit to give it extra attention.

Councillor Horn raised another concern over the residents on Islay complaining about cars speeding through the villages.  She asked if something can be done to prevent this from happening. It was agreed that a report come to the June Area Committee on speeding when they meet on Islay.

Councillor Horn advised there is a problem with dog fouling in Tarbert, particularly around the High School area.  She asked if the Dog Warden could make extra visits to this area.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to log this issue in Casebook.  The Chair asked if someone could attend the next MAKI Area Committee meeting to discuss dog fouling as it is a real issue everywhere. 

Councillor Philand asked if the decision relating to the siting of the Screen Machine made at the P&R Committee could be revisited.  The Chair advised that the decision of the P&R Committee allowed for the decision to be revisited if further information became available.  He also asked if it would be possible for the screen machine to stop at Inveraray on its next visit to the area to allow for further discussions to take place.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to discuss this with the appropriate officers.

Councillor Philand asked if the Area Committee could get a copy of the Roads Capital Programme.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to contact the appropriate officers.

Councillor Kelly asked if the Area Committee could get a copy of the grass cutting schedule and information on what cuts were taken in 2017.  He asked if a report could come to the next Business Day meeting.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to raise this with officers.

Councillor Horn asked if the Recycling Service on Islay will be continuing given the resignation of Re-Jig.  She asked if information could be provided to all Members.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to look into this.

Verbal update by Inspector Julie McLeish

Inspector Julie McLeish gave an update to the Committee on the current resource level in Police Scotland in the MAKI area.  She advised there are 3 new probationers in post with more to come in June.  She confirmed there is a new Police Custody Support Officer in post and a new full time Sergeant on Islay who is moving into one of the houses on the island.

She advised that the main priorities for the MAKI area are Road Safety, Driver Safety and Drugs.

She advised that missing persons from the Mid Argyll Hospital is less of an issue now with patients being traced quickly.  She confirmed that Police Scotland have a good working relationship with the hospital staff.

Inspector McLeish confirmed that the Sheep Worrying Campaign has now kicked off to raise awareness, particularly after the incident which took place in Inveraray.

She discussed the local events which are taking place this year in the MAKI area and confirmed that unfortunately MAMA Fest is cancelled this year.  She advised that the first event to take place is a new event – Carradale Music Festival in April and that the WW100 event in Islay on 4^th May would be a significant use of resource.

Decision

The Area Committee noted the information provided.

(Ref:  Verbal update by Inspector McLeish, Police Scotland dated 7^th March 2018, submitted).</AI5>

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Update by George Fiddes, Transport Scotland

George Fiddes, Area Manager for the A83 with Transport Scotland, gave an update to the Area Committee on the background to issues that have been raised.  He advised that BEAR Scotland have the maintenance contract to look after the roads on Transport Scotland’s behalf where the Audit Team keep tabs on them.  He confirmed that contract is a 5 year contract with the option to extend.  He explained the annual programme and 3 year programme that Transport Scotland follow and the 17 emergency schemes which they are currently undertaking as a result of recent bad weather.

Decision

The Area Committee:

1. Noted the information provided;
2. Agreed that the draft programme for A83 be circulated;
3. Agreed that the presentation by BEAR Scotland that was provided at the A83 Task Force Group be circulated to Members so they can pass this information onto Community Councils; and
4. Agreed that Mr Fiddes would circulate, his own contact details and links from the BEAR website.

(Verbal update by Area Manager A83, Transport Scotland dated 7^th March 2018, submitted).

Update by Donald Watt, Health and Social Care Partnership

The Locality Manager for MAKI took the Committee through his report on Auchinlee Care Home. 

Decision

The Area Committee:

1. Noted the contents of the report;
2. Agreed that a further update would be submitted to the next meeting.

(Ref:  Briefing report by Locality Manager for MAKI dated 7^th March 2018, submitted).

Report by Community Development Officer

The Committee gave consideration to a report recommending the projects that are to be put forward for a public vote for the award of the Supporting Communities Fund in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area for 2018/2019.

Decision

The Area Committee agreed that the 24 projects listed in the appendix at table 1 progress to the public vote.

(Ref: Report by Community Planning Manager, dated 26^th February 2018, submitted).

Report by Performance, Management and Improvement Officer

The Committee considered the Area Scorecard for financial quarter 3 of 2017-2018.

Decision

The Area Committee:

1.          Noted the contents of the scorecard;

2.          Agreed that the Scorecard at option 1 is the preferred option; and

3.          Agreed that in future, comments should be addressed to the officer responsible for the individual measures and if there were still concerns, these would be referred to the Area Committee Manager for action.

 (Ref: Report by Performance and Improvement Officer dated 7th March 2018, submitted).

Report by Area Committee Manager

The Committee considered a report which outlines scheduled meetings in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area from August 2018 to July 2019.  Discussion took place on public awareness of Area Committee meetings and the Area Committee Manager agreed to investigate options for increasing this awareness.

Decision

The Area Committee agreed the cycle of MAKI Area Committees for 2018/19 as follows:-

• Wednesday 5^th September 2018 at 10am in Kilmory, Lochgilphead
• Wednesday 5^th December 2018 at 10am in Templars Hall, Tarbert
• Wednesday 6^th March 2019 at 10am in the Town Hall, Campbeltown
• Wednesday 5^th June 2019 at 10am in Gigha (venue TBC)

(Ref: Report by Area Committee Manager dated 20^th January 2018, submitted)

The Committee considered the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Workplan for March 2018.

Decision

The Area Committee noted the Workplan.

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

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the proposals for the Tarbert Harbour Authority Shore Side Facilities and consideration of the full business case following the approval of an allocation of up to £125,000 by Committee in September and October 2017.

Decision

The Area Committee:-

1. Agreed to recommend to the Policy and Resources Committee that:

(a)  The full business case is approved and the grant funding of up to £125,000 is confirmed from the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund.  Release of this funding would be on the basis that expenditure can be evidenced and would be subject to a grant agreement between Argyll and Bute Council and Tarbert Harbour Authority.

(b)  Delegated authority be afforded to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services to confirm the details of the grant agreement.

(Ref:  Report by Senior Planning Development Officer dated 21^st February 2018, submitted).

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and public for the following items of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6, 8 & 13 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

The Area Committee noted the contents of the appendix.

Report by Project Officer, THI Campbeltown

The Area Committee considered a report from the Project Officer, THI.

Decision

The Area Committee agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Project Officer, THI Campbeltown dated 23^rd January 2018, submitted).

E1       Paragraph 6  Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).

E2       Paragraph 8  The amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the authority under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services; and

Paragraph 13  Information which, if disclosed to the public, would reveal that the authority proposes-

(a)          to give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person; or

(b)               to make an order or direction under any enactment.