Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Jan Brown and Alastair Redman.

Councillor Dougie Philand, prior to consideration of item 14 (Lochgilphead CARS – Recommendation of Grant Awards) on the agenda, advised that he had a relative in the construction industry who was a possible tenderer for the works to be carried out in relation to this project.  He advised that he would leave the meeting during discussion and deliberation of the item.

The Minute of the meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on 6 December 2023, was approved as a correct record.

The Governance Manager advised that there had been no public questions submitted in advance of the meeting. Having noted that there were members of the public in attendance, the Chair invited them to submit any questions they may have.

David Moncrieff (Present)

Mr Moncrieff asked Argyll & Bute Council to investigate safety concerns in relation to the use of urban buses, which were not fitted with seat belts, as service buses which were involved in transporting school pupils from Inveraray. The Governance Manager agreed to feedback the question to the relevant officers, and provide a response to this question following the meeting. The Governance Manager confirmed that this response would also be circulated to Members.

Mr Moncrieff advised that he had attended a number of recent Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee meetings, and did not believe that he had received answers to the questions which he had previously raised. The Governance Manager confirmed that answers to the questions previously raised had been provided to Mr Moncrieff via the Council’s Customer Service Centre. Mr Moncrieff indicated that he did not believe that his questions had been answered, and the Chair agreed that he would investigate this following the meeting and provide a response.

Verbal update by North West Area Manager, Transport Scotland

The Committee gave consideration to a verbal update from the North West Area Manager, Transport Scotland. Mr MacFarlane provided information in relation to current workstreams in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands (MAKI) Area, including completed and scheduled resurfacing works; the development of Transport Scotland’s 2024-25 resurfacing programme; the maintenance of the trunk road network; attendance at key stakeholder meetings; engagement with Council staff; and addressing emergency road issues as required. Discussion took place in relation to the progress of works across the MAKI area, and a number of areas were highlighted as requiring further investigation.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the information provided.

Councillor Philand joined the meeting during discussion of the foregoing item.

Verbal update by Regional Communities Manager – West, Scottish Water

The Committee gave consideration to a verbal update from the Corporate Affairs Specialist, Scottish Water, in relation to Scottish Water’s current workstreams in the MAKI area. Ms Dunbar provided information in relation to a number of completed projects; ongoing improvement works; planned and ongoing investment across the area; and a number of future investment proposals across the network. Discussion took place in relation to the need for increased public consultation in relation to planned works in Port Ellen, Islay, which would involve road closures affecting the Oa peninsula. Concerns in relation to drainage in Carradale, and sewage outflow issues at Tayvallich were also raised.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the information provided.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

Consideration was given to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 3 of 2023/24 (October to December 2023), which illustrated the agreed performance measures for the period.

Decision

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

1.    noted and considered the performance and supporting commentary as presented;

2.    agreed that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report, the Area Committee should contact either the Responsible Named Officer or the Organisational Development Project Officer with any queries; and

3.    noted that work was ongoing and to respond to the Organisational Development Project Officer with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the Performance Report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 7 February 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report and a presentation which provided a range of key information about primary school provision in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area during the school session June 2023 to January 2024 and reported the national collection of attainment and achievement data from June 2023. 

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee considered and noted the information provided within the report and presentation.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated March 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on Housing Services activity and the delivery of the Local Housing Strategy within the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area. 

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee considered and noted the content of the report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated January 2024, submitted) 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the progress made in 2023/24 in relation to active travel projects in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area, and sought continued support for the projects from Members.

Decision

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

1.    welcome the progress made to date across a significant number of active travel projects by the small Active Travel Team;

2.    support the continuation of the projects, and the submission of future funding applications, to external challenge funds (while these still exist), to continue to develop design and construction stages in order to deliver these projects;

3.    support the allocation of the active travel funding element in the Council’s 2024/25 block grant to the development and delivery of appropriate active travel projects, including those already underway in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area; and

4.    instruct officers to continue to identify and develop new active travel projects to benefit local residents, businesses and communities.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 5 January 2024, submitted)

The Chair moved and the Committee agreed to adjourn for a short comfort break for 15 minutes until 1:15pm.  Upon resuming, all were present as per the sederunt.  

Having noted the commitments of those in attendance, the Chair agreed to vary the order of business for the remaining agenda items to facilitate officer attendance. This Minute reflects the order in which discussions took place.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided links to the recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure Services, and an update on the Claonaig landslip. 

Decision

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

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated January 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which included a draft programme for roads reconstruction schemes for 2024/25 in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area.

Decision

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

1.    provided comments on the draft programme contained at appendix 1 of the report, which were noted by the Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services; and

2.    noted that the programme would go forward to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee on 21 March 2024 for endorsement.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated February 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update to Members on the progress made to date on the Lochgilphead to Crinan Canal Active Travel Route; highlighted the next steps for the project; and sought support from Members for the project.

Decision

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

1.    welcome the progress made to date; and

2.    support the continuation of the project, and the submission of a new PFE funding application for design stages 3-4 (Development and Technical Design) to complete the design work required.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 8 January 2024, submitted)

Having declared an interest in the following item of business, Councillor Philand left the meeting and took no part in discussion of this item.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report asking Members to approve grant awards for three shopfront improvement projects using Lochgilphead Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) funding.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to approve the following shopfront improvement grant offers:-

1.    up to forty eight thousand, nine hundred and eighty one pounds, and twenty five pence (£48,981.25), to the shopfront at 4 Argyll Street, Lochgilphead;

2.    up to twenty four thousand, two hundred and fourteen pounds, and eighty pence (£24,214.80), to the shopfront at 10 Argyll Street, Lochgilphead; and

3.    up to forty nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety nine pounds (£49,999.00), to the shopfront at 23-25 Argyll Street, Lochgilphead.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 22 January 2024, submitted)

Councillor Philand re-joined the meeting for the remainder of the Committee’s business.

Report by Chief Executive’s Unit

The Committee gave consideration to a report which highlighted the positive outcomes of the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund in 2022/23 for communities in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee:

1.    noted and considered the positive contribution of the Supporting Communities Fund for communities, as detailed in section 4 of the report and the attached table; and

2.    noted that a total of one hundred and seventeen pounds and fifty pence (£117.50) of unspent funding had been identified and returned, and agreed that the unspent funding would be included in the distribution of the Supporting Communities Fund for 2024/25.

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive’s Unit, dated 31^st January 2024, submitted)

Presentation by Chief Executive’s Unit

Consideration was given to a presentation which provided information in relation to the progress of the Council’s Area Plans project.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee considered and noted the information provided.

(Reference:  Presentation by Chief Executive’s Unit, dated 28 February 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Committee gave consideration to a report which invited Members to consider distribution arrangements for four of the nineteen Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds for which the Members act as Trustees.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee:

1.    agreed the proposals for distribution arrangements for the Campbell Bequest and the McNeil Bequest as outlined within the report;

2.    noted that a review of the updated distribution arrangements for the aforementioned funds would be undertaken and reported to the Area Committee following the first 12 months of operation;

3.    agreed that applications be invited from a suitable organisation for a one off project that would meet the terms of the Fisher Bequest, and that on submission this proposal would be subject to consideration by the Area Committee; and

4.    noted that officers were working towards preparing distribution arrangements for the Macalister Mortification for later consideration by members.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated January 2024, submitted)

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Committee workplan for future meetings. 

Decision

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

(Reference:  Area Committee Workplan, dated 28 February 2024, submitted)