Agenda and minutes

Having noted the commitments of officers in attendance, the Chair moved and the Committee agreed to take the agenda items out of sequence.  This minute reflects the order in which discussion took place.

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The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence intimated. 

There were no declarations of interest intimated. 

The Minute of the meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on Wednesday, 6 March 2019 was approved as a true record. 

The Minute of the Special Meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on Wednesday, 24 April 2019 was approved as a true record. 

Mr McSporran, Chairman of Gigha Community Council enquired as to the position of maintenance at the local cemetery.  He advised that the paths and edges were in a terrible state, the shed door was in need of repair and the top gate needed replacing.  He also enquired about the give way sign at the ferry terminal and main road junction.  He advised that the hedge was now so overgrown that the sign was hidden inside it.  He enquired as to whether it would be possible to move the sign to a more visible spot or mark the road with the relevant white lines.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to refer the matters raised by Mr McSporran to the relevant departments and confirm the outcome to Mr McSporran directly. 

Mr Martin, local resident on the Isle of Gigha spoke of the speed of drivers, particularly outside the school and enquired whether the Council would consider imposing speed restrictions.  Councillor Kelly suggested that speed bumps outside the school may be a way of deterring speeding in the area.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to raise this matter with the Councils Head of Roads and Amenity Services and provide a response to Mr Martin through Gigha Community Council in due course.

Mr Martin raised the issue of the state of the public toilets since the death of the last caretaker in December.  Having established that there had been an advertisement for the position with a closing date sometime in April 2019, the Area Committee Manager agreed to look into the matter and confirm the position to Gigha Community Council in due course. 

Heather Saxton, local resident of the Isle of Gigha spoke of her health issues and the difficulties she faces in trying to attend medical appointments on the mainland.  Ms Saxton further advised of the difficulties she faced in resolving the issue of getting access to her driveway for her mobility scooter.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to forward this issue to the local Housing Association for resolution.

Discussion took place in respect of the lack of consistency for the ferry and bus link up service, the size of the ferry servicing the island and the need for prioritisation of local passengers, emergency services and GP spaces on the ferry.    Further discussion took place in respect of refuse collection with Mr McSporran enquiring as to the possibility of a bigger bin being provided at the ferry terminal, which could be collected by the lorry that is on the island every week.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to forward this request to the Council’s Head of Roads and Amenity Services.

Hannah Storie, owner of Ardminish Stores enquired as to the possibility of someone attending the island over the school holidays to provide a holiday club activities service for the children on the island.  The Education Officer, Pauline Inglis agreed to raise this matter with the Active School’s Coordinator for the area. 

The Area Committee Manager circulated a letter which had been received from Shona Bannatyne regarding the parking facilities at Tayinloan Ferry Terminal.  Ms Barton advised that she had forwarded the letter to the Council’s Head of Roads and Amenity Services and was awaiting a response in this regard. 

Councillor Kelly advised of the reinstatement of beds at Campbeltown Hospital.  He suggested that the Area Committee should have been kept abreast of developments by the Locality Manager.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to raise this matter with the Locality Manager and request that an update be provided to the Ward 1 members. 

Councillor Kelly advised that despite assurances from the Scottish Water representative who attended the last meeting of the Committee, there had been no meeting arranged with the Ward 1 Members to address the odour issues at Meadowburn, Campbeltown.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to pursue this with the Regional Communities Manager at Scottish Water.

Councillor Philand expressed concern over the level of priority given by the Health and Social Care Partnership to issues raised at Area Committee level.  He asked that the Area Committee Manager intimate his concerns to the Chief Executive and the Chief Officer of the Health and Social Care Partnership. 

Councillor Philand also requested that the Area Committee Manager readdress the issue of how the budget decisions taken in respect of youth and adult learning; environmental warden services; the road safety unit and music tuition will impact of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area with the Chief Executive as a matter of urgency. 

Councillor Armour requested that the issue of the pipeline between Campbeltown and Machrihanish be raised again with Scottish Water.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to raise this issue through correspondence with the Regional Communities Manager. 

Councillor Redman expressed concern over the information he had been given in relation to remedial works at Mansefield Road, Port Ellen and also drainage issues.  He asked that the Area Committee write to the Council’s Roads and Amenity Services and request that the issue is dealt with as a matter of urgency and ask Scottish Water to deal with the issue of the drains prior to the commencement of next year’s programme.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to take these issues forward. 

Councillor Horn asked that additional lighting in the carpark in Gigha be provided.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to raise this issue with the Head of Roads and Amenity Services. 

Councillor Taylor suggested that a report be brought to a future meeting of the Area Committee outlining the provision of safe routes to and from the school and pedestrian access on the Isle of Gigha.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to take this forward with the Head of Roads and Amenity Services.  

Report by Head of Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining the primary school profiles for the Mid Argyll, North Kintyre, South Kintyre, Islay and Jura areas.  The report outlined the achievements of various schools in relation to Literacy; Numeracy; Health and Wellbeing; Outdoor Learning; Digital Learning; Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM); Expressive Arts and various interdisciplinary learning projects throughout the area.  The report also contained information on early learning and childcare.  The Education Officer outlined school profile information in relation to Kilchattan Primary School in Colonsay.

Decision:

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Education, dated 5 June 2019, submitted.) 

Presentation from Business Development Manager, Gigha Heritage Trust

The Committee gave consideration to a presentation from the Business Development Manager at the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust.  Ms Millar outlined the current activities of the Trust together with the developments made so far on the island, which included the renovation of 28 houses as part of an ongoing investment programme, the installation of moorings and pontoon facilities and the successful marketing of self-catering accommodation, activity centre, airstrip and Achamore Gardens.   Ms Millar provided information on the Gateway to Gigha Project; the Housing and Community Hub Development and Ardminish Campsite.  She also outlined the work being taken forward by the younger generation on Gigha to develop opportunities to allow them to remain on the island and also to be more involved in its development.  Ms Millar outlined the future goals of the Trust, which included finding a sustainable future for Achamore Gardens; the creation of an assisted living complex to support elderly residents staying on Gigha and providing a better quality of life for them. 

The Chair thanked Ms Millar for the informative presentation. 

Decision:

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the information provided. 

(Ref:  Presentation by Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report presenting the Area Report and Scorecard for Financial Quarter 4 2018/19 (January – March 2019) and illustrating the agreed performance measures. 

Decision:

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed:

1.    to note the performance presented on the Scorecard and supporting commentary;

2.    that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report they contact either Sonya Thomas or the Responsible Named Officer with any queries; and

3.    to note that work is ongoing and to respond to Sonya Thomas with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the Report and Scorecard. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 5 June 2019, submitted.)

Report by Associate Director of Public Health, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining the option appraisal process and agreed new model of the Locality Planning Group as agreed by the Argyll and Bute Integrated Joint Board in October 2018. 

Decision:

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed:

1.    to note the concerns of Councillor Horn, that the decision of the Argyll and Bute Integrated Joint Board did not reflect the outcome of the discussion that took place at the Options Appraisal Workshop that she had attended in October 2018;

2.    that elected member representation is required on the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Locality Planning Group; and

3.    that Councillors Anne Horn and Dougie Philand be appointed to the role of elected member representatives on the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Locality Planning Group for the period of time until the next Local Government Elections. 

(Ref:  Report by Associate Director of Public Health, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated 5 June 2019, submitted.)

The Committee gave consideration to the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Workplan. 

Decision:

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the contents of the Workplan. 

(Ref:  Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Workplan, dated 5 June 2019, submitted.)

The Area Committee agree to put the following motion forward to the full Council for consideration:-

Motion

That the Council agree to amend its constitution to allow for bi-monthly meetings of all 4 Area Committees to take place throughout  the calendar year as opposed  to the current quarterly meetings as at present.  It would therefore follow that meetings of the Area Committees would take place during the months of February,  April, June, August, October and December each year with Business days to be arranged as and when required.

Proposed by Councillor Donald Kelly

Seconded by Councillor Dougie Philand

Councillor Donald Kelly, seconded by Councillor Dougie Philand had given notice of the following Motion:- 

Motion

That the Council agree to amend its constitution to allow for bi-monthly meetings of all 4 Area Committees to take place throughout the calendar year as opposed to the current quarterly meetings as at present.  It would therefore follow that meetings of the Area Committees would take place during the months of February, April, June, August, October and December each year with Business days to be arranged as and when required. 

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

Amendment

The Council Constitution allows for meetings to be held at any frequency if that is the will of the Council.  Moving to quarterly meetings was a decision taken by the Council as part of a budget saving and as such I would move that the Area Committee takes no action. 

Moved by Councillor Robin Currie, seconded by Councillor Donald MacMillan.

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

Motion                                               Amendment

Councillor John Armour                 Councillor Rory Colville

Councillor Anne Horn                    Councillor Robin Currie

Councillor Donald Kelly                 Councillor Donald MacMillan

Councillor Douglas Philand          Councillor Alastair Redman

Councillor Sandy Taylor

Decision:

With the Motion receiving 5 votes and the Amendment 4 votes, the Motion became the finding of the Meeting.