Agenda and minutes

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, 5 June 2019 was approved as a true record. 

The Chair, Councillor Currie took the opportunity to congratulate Inveraray and District Pipe Band on becoming the World Pipe Band Champions for 2019.  He advised of an event being held on Saturday, 7 September 2019 on the Front Green in Inveraray to celebrate their success, and confirmed that they would be provided with a Quaich from the Council. 

Councillor Redman advised of persistent flooding issues in both Port Charlotte and Port Ellen.  The Network and Standards Manager agreed to liaise with Councillor Redman to seek resolution to these issues.  

Councillor Horn spoke of the lack of public transport link ups to events run by the Sports Hub on Islay.  She asked, that given the issues surrounding social inclusion, whether the Area Committee could write to the Council’s Transport Officers and ask them to look into this matter.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to take this matter forward. 

Councillor Horn further spoke of issues with the footpaths at Imeraval in Port Ellen.  The Network and Standards Manager agreed to take this matter forward. 

Councillor Philand enquired as to whether there was any update available in respect of his question at the last meeting regarding how budget decisions taken in respect of youth and adult learning; environmental warden services; the road safety unit and music tuition will impact the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area.  The Area Committee Manager confirmed that the Chief Executive had advised that reports would be provided to the wider Council as they are not considered Area Committee specific.  Councillor Philand expressed his concern, advising that he had been advised that the MAKI area was the only area that did not have an environmental warden who could deal with issues such as dog fouling.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to take this matter forward and circulate the response to all Members.  

Councillor Armour requested that an update on the progress of Machrihanish to Campbeltown pipeline be sought from Scottish Water.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to request this from the Regional Communities Manager. 

Councillor Kelly spoke of the poor condition of the footpath outside the picture house in Campbeltown and also of the drains in Hall Street, Campbeltown.  He asked the Area Committee to write to Transport Scotland and ask them to address these issues as a matter of urgency.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to take this forward. 

Councillor Currie expressed concern in respect of the traffic lights at the bridge in Inveraray.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to include this in her correspondence with Transport Scotland.  

Councillor Colville joined the meeting at 10.36am.

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Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Performance and Improvement

The Committee gave consideration to a report presenting the Area Report and Scorecard for Financial Quarter 1 2019/20 (April – June 2019) and illustrating the agreed performance measures. 

Discussion was had in relation to the Members Casebook system and the difficulties it poses in establishing a relationship with an officer and a better understanding of more complex issues.  The Chair, Councillor Currie agreed that a training session and wider discussion on the casebook system would be organised for a future Business Day meeting.   

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.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Performance and Improvement, dated 4 September 2019, submitted.)

Report by Community Planning Manager

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing monitoring information on the grants distributed through the Supporting Communities Fund 2018/19.

Decision:

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

1.    to note the positive contribution of the grants to community projects, detailed in paragraph 4.1 and the table contained within the report; and

2.    that the unspent funds of £922.29 highlighted at paragraph 4.4 of the report, be carried forward to be included in funds available for dispersal in 2020/21. 

(Reference: Report by Community Planning Manager, dated 4 September 2019, submitted.) 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the Roads and Infrastructure Services operational capital and revenue matters in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area. 

Discussion took place in respect of ongoing works on the A83, particularly the stretch between Kennacraig and Campbeltown; the additional funding secured through the Strategic Timber Transport Fund (STTF) and specifically the works being carried out on the B842; the winter gritting policy and the possibility of securing snow wardens in a similar programme to that of the Ayrshire Roads Alliance.  The Network Standards Manager agreed to provide information and clarity on the matters raised in due course. 

A number of long standing queries were raised by members, these included the flooding at Port Charlotte; signage issues at Skipness and the traffic management plan for Campbeltown.  Members agreed to liaise directly with Mr O’Neill in respect of these matters. 

Having noted that flooding at the Carrick Cemetery in Tarbert had hindered access, Mr O’Neill agreed to take this forward as a matter of urgency.  

Decision:

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

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 4 September 2019, submitted.) 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing detail on the Council’s recycling and landfill diversion performance along with national policy, targets and regulations which are likely to impact on future performance.  Discussion took place in respect of the difficulties faced in ensuring that the correct waste is assigned to the correct waste disposal; the lack of information available to educate householders on the effects of co-mingled waste and the need to have discussions on local issues at a future meeting.

Decision:

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

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 4 September 2019, submitted.)

Councillor MacMillan left the meeting at 12.05pm.

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Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund projects, Lochgilphead Front Green (LA10); Argyll Street/Colchester Square (LA11) and Ardrishaig North Public Realm (LA13).

Decision:

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

1.    to note the update report; and

2.    to note that a further report, together with a full business case will be presented to Members at their next meeting in December 2019. 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 4 September 2019, submitted.) 

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the progress of the Campbeltown Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) Round 6 and a further recommendation of additional grant awards for one building repair project at Mafeking Place Close 1, Campbeltown.

Decision:

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

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

2.    to award additional CARS grant funding of £30,000 to the owners of Mafeking Place Close 1 as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report; and

3.    that once the total amount of surplus funding available is known that authority is delegated to the Executive Director with responsibility for Economic Development and Growth in consultation with the Chair of the Area Committee to offer a further supplementary CARS grant to the owners of Mafeking Place Close 1 to assist with the repair of their property.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Economic Development and Growth, dated 4 September 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. 

(Reference:  Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Workplan, dated 4 September 2019, submitted.)