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 meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on Wednesday, 4 September 2019 was approved as a true record.

Councillor Redman spoke of damp and mould issues at the Brauchgorm housing estate on Islay.  He advised that as a resident he was aware of how difficult it had been to get the issues resolved with West Highland Housing Association (WHHA), and had made many representations on behalf of himself and other residents directly to the Association, but to no avail.  The Committee Manager agreed to draft a letter on behalf of the Committee, asking them to look into the issue.

Councillor Redman spoke of the poor condition of the Ballimony Road on Islay and advised that despite reporting this issue through the casebook system on a number of occasions since 2017, there has been no satisfactory resolution.  He asked whether the Area Committee would consider taking this matter forward with the appropriate officer.  The Committee Manager agreed to raise this matter with the Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Amenity Services. 

General discussion was had in relation to reporting mechanisms for complaints, particularly in relation to road issues and the use of the casebook system and how this links with the new Roads Operations HUB.  The Chair, Councillor Currie agreed to arrange with the Head of Roads and Amenity Services a session on this, to possibly include a visit to the HUB, at a future Business Day meeting.  

Councillor Horn raised the issue of advertising meetings of the Area Committee, in the local press and on social media platforms, to encourage participation by Community Council’s and other interested parties.  The Chair agreed that local organisations and community groups within the area of the meeting venue, would be invited to future meetings to outline initiatives and local issues. 

Councillor Philand spoke of the reporting mechanisms for school updates and suggested that a report for noting would be sufficient to meetings with local members attending relevant schools for a more indepth report at a convenient time.  The Chair agreed to look into the reporting mechanisms with Senior Management. 

Councillor Colville spoke of the recent decision by CS Wind to scale back their services in the Kintyre area.  He outlined the detrimental effect this is having on the local economy with the loss of over 80 jobs.  He outlined the current arrangements put in place by CS Wind to move the wind  towers from the factory to the quayside in Campbeltown.  This includes night road closures, police escorts from the Glasgow abnormal loads division by officers on their days off, so as not to take away from regular duties, with the cars, fuel and accommodation all being paid for by CS Wind.  Councillor Colville explained that the feeling locally is that there are more than enough local civil expertise to assist these movements at a far less cost to CS Wind.  He asked the Committee to support his case and write to the relevant Government Minister expressing their concerns.  The Committee Manager agreed to take this forward. 

Councillor Colville expressed his concerns that wooden barriers on roadside verges had been erected on the North side of the Crinan Canal bridge at Ardrishaig.  He spoke of similar barriers being removed a number of years ago as they had attributed to fatal accidents and asked that the Area Committee write to BEAR Scotland and Scottish Canals and ask them to consider removing them.  The Committee Manager agreed to take this matter forward. 

Councillor Armour provided an update on the Machrihanish to Campbeltown mains water pipe.  He confirmed that contractors were in place and ready to begin work and that the work would involve minimal disruption in the area.

Councillor Armour further advised that representatives from BEAR Scotland had recently met with the farmer who complained that the erection of barriers had damaged drains.  He confirmed that BEAR Scotland had advised that plans were on the way to rectify the situation. 

Councillor Philand advised that further to his enquiries on the position of Environmental Wardens in the MAKI area, he had been advised that there were none and that the area relies on cross cover from other areas.  The Committee Manager agreed to enquire with the relevant department why there was a gap in the MAKI provision and what plans were in place to address it. 

Councillor Taylor took the opportunity to provide Members with a short update on activity in Inveraray.  He advised of the completion of the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) on buildings such as Chamberlains and Temperance House and the avenue screen.  He outlined some of the projects being taken forward by the Community Council and the Community Company, which included the reinstatement of the pier; the erection of a permanent fence around the town hall and the ongoing work towards the installation of pontoons as a way of increasing tourism in the area. 

Councillor MacMillan also highlighted the good work done by the Community Council in acquiring a new minibus.

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 2 2019/20 (July – September 2019) and illustrating the agreed performance measures.

Decision

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

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

2.    that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report the Area Committee contact either the Responsible Named Officer or Sonya Thomas 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 December 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the Housing Services activity within the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area.

Discussion took place in respect of the allocation of housing; shared equity opportunities for young families; welfare rights; housing stock transfer and the maintenance of current housing stock. 

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 4^th December 2019, submitted)

Report by David Fyfe, Head Teacher

The Committee gave consideration to a progress report providing information in relation to the school roll; levels of attainment in literacy and numeracy; school leaver destination returns; attainment for all; attendance, absence and exclusion rates and the recognition of wider achievements which included the continued success of the Brass and Pipe Band, the Sports Ambassador and World of Work Ambassador programmes. 

Discussion took place in respect of the Gambia project; staffing levels within the school and in particular within the modern languages department and PEF funding. 

Decision:

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Mr Fyfe for his presentation and agreed to note the contents of the report. 

(Reference: Report by Head Teacher, Campbeltown Grammar School, submitted)

Report by Ann Devine, Head Teacher

The Committee gave consideration to a progress report which provided information on the school roll; levels of attainment in literacy and numeracy; school leaver destination returns; attainment for all; attendance, absence and exclusion rates and the recognition of wider achievements which included the development of Scotland’s Young Workforce Programme and the implementation of a Family Liaison Officer post, which has been a positive move for those who have difficulties in attending school through hardship or health issues. 

Discussion took place in respect of the impact on the loss of the external support in terms of the Community Development workers; the capacity of the school, particularly at S3 level and health issues of children within the school and in particular mental health issues. 

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Ms Devine for her presentation and agreed to note the contents of the report. 

(Reference: Report by Head Teacher, Lochgilphead High School, submitted)

Report by Neil McKnight, Head Teacher

The Committee gave consideration to a progress report providing information on the school roll; levels of attainment in literacy and numeracy; school leaver destination returns; attainment for all; attendance, absence and exclusion rates and the recognition of wider achievements which included the new accommodation for the early learning centre specifically designed to comply with the 1140h pre5 entitlement from October 2019.

Discussion took place in respect of the school to work programmes; free school meals; the ongoing work with forest schools and the Castle Trust and the current staffing situation, particularly within the geography department. 

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Mr McKnight for his presentation and agreed to note the contents of the report. 

(Reference: Report by Head Teacher, Tarbert Academy, submitted)

Report by Stephen Harrison, Head Teacher

Due to technical difficulties, it was agreed to continue consideration of this item to the next meeting on 4 March 2020. 

Report by Chief Officer with responsibility for the Health and Social Care Partnership

The Committee gave consideration to the Health and Social Care Partnership Annual Performance Report.

Discussion took place in respect of the Locality Planning Groups and Conversation Café’s and how they feed into the Integrated Joint Board; the Community Mental Health review and the review of Child Mental Health services. 

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Chief Officer with Responsibility for Health and Social Care Partnership, dated 27 November 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing a full business case to progress with the proposed extension of the existing Tarbert Harbour Authority Car Park.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted and endorsed the contents of the report and recommended to the Policy and Resources Committee:

1.    the approval of the full business case;

2.    the release of grant funding up to a maximum of £105,000 from the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund subject to:

a)    Tarbert Harbour Authority providing evidence of final tender costs and final confirmation that all match funding is in place;

b)    a grant agreement between Argyll and Bute Council and Tarbert Harbour Authority with funding only being released on the basis that expenditure can be evidenced;

c)    following completion of the new car park Tarbert Harbour Authority are not permitted to charge users for parking on the site;

d)    the new car park cannot be sold for a period of ten years from the date of completion of the project; and

3.    that delegated authority be afforded to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth to confirm the details of the grant agreement. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 4 December 2019, submitted) 

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund projects at Lochgilphead Front Green; Argyll Street/Colchester Square and Ardrishaig North Public Realm and providing a full business case to progress with the projects at Lochgilphead Front Green and Argyll Street/Colchester Square.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islands Area Committee agreed to note the progress made with the projects (including the decoupling of the Lochgilphead and Ardrishaig projects) and recommend to the Policy and Resources Committee:

1.    that the draft Full Business Case is approved and that the Council funding of up to £1,530,000 is confirmed for the Lochgilphead Front Green and Colchester Square project from the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund;

2.    that approval of the final Full Business Case for Lochgilphead is delegated to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth subject to it being demonstrated that this is within the approved budget of Town Centre Fund and Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund and to then move to implementation; and

3.    that delegated authority be afforded to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth for the delivery of the project as per the agreed programme (Appendix 1, Section 4).

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 4 December 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 agreed to note the contents of the Workplan.

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