Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Councillor Mary Jean Devon.

Councillor Jim Lynch declared a non-financial interest in relation to item 11 - Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds as he is a board member of Live Argyll. He remained in the meeting but took no part in the discussion for the item.

 

Councillor Roderick McCuish declared a non-financial interest in item 16 – Notice of Motion under Standing Order 13. He remained in the meeting but took no part in the discussion for the item.

The minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee as held on Wednesday 11 March 2020 were approved as a correct record.

 

The minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund as held on Thursday 19 March 2020 were noted.

The minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund as held on Tuesday 25 August 2020 were noted.

Question from Murray Finch, Mull and Iona Community Trust

 

The below question was read out by the Committee Manager;

 

Public Conveniences on the Isle Mull

 

Closure of the public conveniences at Salen, Bunessan and Ulva Ferry is causing problems for local people and visitors needing to use the toilets. Despite what may have been anticipated when the council decided to close the toilets, these areas are very busy with high numbers of visitors. Many of the hospitality businesses on the island remain closed, thereby denying that option for people to access a toilet. The consequence of high visitor numbers and no toilets is entirely predictable; residents are encountering human faeces around villages and toilet blocks. The delayed start to the tourist season will result in many accommodation providers and tour boat and wild-life tour operators extending their season until the end of October and beyond.

 

Please ask the Council to arrange the opening of the public toilets at Bunessan, Salen and Ulva Ferry as a matter of urgency to address the real risk of community transmission of Covid19, E Coli, Hepatitis and similar diseases which is posed by the toilets remaining closed and exposure to human faeces in the environment. The toilets should be open and cleaned with whatever regime is appropriate until at least the end of October. Beyond October, the toilets should remain open and if the visitor numbers reduce then the requirement for enhanced cleaning frequency could be reduced back to normal.

 

This Question is asked jointly by the following organisations;

Moray Finch, General Manager of Mull and Iona Community Trust

Andrena Duffin, Convenor of Mull Community Council

Morven Gibson, General Manager of South West Mull and Iona Development

Colin Morrison, Chair of North West Mull Community Woodland Company

Colin Morrison, Chair of Marketing Mull and Iona

 

Response from Head of Roads and Amenity Services

 

The below response was read out by the Committee Manager;

 

Public conveniences were closed across Scotland in March as the result of COVID-19.

 

The Council worked with other local authorities, the National Park and COSLA to provide information which was then used by the Scottish Government to help formulate national guidance which was published on 27 June. 

 

We have taken the view that it would be unwise not to comply with that national guidance which clearly states that:

 

It should not be assumed that hygiene measures in place pre Covid19 will be sufficient.  Enhanced cleaning is likely to be required and should take into account:    

 

•           Frequency – should be increased beyond what has been the case before Covid 19 and should be based on a risk assessment.

•           Products used – should be a disinfectant not detergent based product. 

•           Areas of particular concern – it is important that attention is paid to frequently touched areas including toilet flush, toilet seat, toilet locks and handles, taps, paper towel and soap dispensers and door handles on access/entry.

 

Unfortunately these toilets, along with another 20 across the Council area, did not reopen simply because we do not have the resources to reopen all toilets while complying with national guidance on enhanced cleaning etc.

 

There is no statutory requirement for local authorities to provide public conveniences and therefore no grant aided expenditure allocation has been made by the Scottish Government to support this service.

 

There are cost implications for the Council in opening the toilets we have opened over and above the normal budget for toilets.

 

The additional expenditure for the remobilisation agreed up until 30 August is estimated to be £25,518.  The ongoing cost to keep the existing arrangements in place is estimated to be £10,398 per month, alongside a reduction in other services such as street cleansing and grounds maintenance as some staff are being used from these service areas to support the enhanced cleaning. 

 

Of the 35 facilities currently open it is likely that from 1 November at least 10-15 PCs will have to close to manage the service within the normal budget. 

 

Ultimately the Council has taken a policy decision on the remobilisation of public conveniences and that these facilities should remain closed.

 

More detail is available in a recent report to the Council’s Business Continuity Committee on 13 August 2020.

 

https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/moderngov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=641&MId=13789 

 

Lastly, the availability or otherwise of a public convenience does not take away from the fact that toileting in public is completely irresponsible. It is disappointing to hear that residents are encountering human faeces around villages – these instances should be reported to Police Scotland in the first instance.

 

Response from Committee Members

 

Discussion focused on the possibility of redirecting funding from other areas including the options available for the council to collaborate with community groups on Mull when looking at local funding options and volunteers. The Committee Manger confirmed that he would contact the Community Development team for confirmation on what had been explored and include this information in the written response to be issued to Mr Finch.

 

Question from Gavin MacLean, Oban Resident

 

Mr MacLean asked if the Committee would consider the health and welfare of local residents when considering the motion on the agenda which proposed exploring options to deal with unauthorised caravan parking at Ganavan Sands. Marri Malloy, Oban Community Council spoke in support of Mr MacLean’s comments.

 

Response from Committee Members

 

The Chair, Councillor Kieron Green and Councillor Julie McKenzie confirmed that should the motion be passed a consultation over the proposals would take into account all views from the community.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee considered the Area Scorecard report for Financial Quarter 4 of 2019-2020 (January to March 2020) which illustrated the agreed performance measures.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee;

 

1.    noted the performance presented on the Scorecard and supporting commentary;

 

2.    noted that upon receipt of the quarterly performance report the Area Committee Members could contact either the Performance Improvement Officer or the responsible named officer with any queries; and

 

3.    noted that work was ongoing and to respond to the Performance Improvement Officer with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the report and scorecard.

 

(Reference: Report by Interim Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services dated 9 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility Development and Economic Growth

Consideration was given by the Committee to a report which provided an update on the ‘Oban: A University Town’ project and the potential benefits that the expansion of Oban’s Further and Higher education offer may bring.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee;

 

1.    considered the contents of the report and

 

2.    thanked the Head of Development and Economic Growth for the progress made in the project.

 

(Report by Executive Director with the responsibility for Development and Economic

Growth dated 10 August 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided a summary of activity carried out by the Roads and Infrastructure team across the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee;

 

1.    noted and considered the update; and

 

2.    thanked Roads and Infrastructure Services for their excellent response and handling of resource pressures they faced due to covid-19.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated August 2020, 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.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Committee noted and considered the details outlined within the report including the national policy drivers that would likely impact over the next few years.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated August 2020, submitted)

Report by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance and Associate Director of Public Health, Health and Social Care Partnership

Members gave consideration to a report containing performance data on National Health and Well Being for financial quarter 4 (2019/20) and a Public Health update on Covid-19.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee;

 

1.    noted the scorecard performance data on National Health and Well Being for the FQ4 (19/20) reporting period;

 

2.    noted the considerable impact COVID-19 restrictions had with regards to available data;

 

3.    considered the COVID-19 reflection on performance for FQ1 and FQ2 (2020/2021);

 

4.    noted the Public Health Update; and

 

5.    expressed thanks to all those involved in responding to Covid-19.

 

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance and Associate Director of Public Health, Health and Social Care Partnership dated 9 September 2020, submitted).

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing a request to nominate a second Elected Member to the Oban and Lorn Community Enterprise (OLCE) Board.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee agreed to continue the item in order to allow the Chair time to explore the existing distribution of additional responsibilities amongst the Committee Members.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated 10 March 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and  Regulatory Support

Members gave consideration to a report which provided information on proposals in relation to the ongoing management of some of the Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds that the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee are Trustees for.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee;

 

1.    agreed that the Charities and Trust Funds are awarded on the basis outlined in paragraph 7.1 of the report;

 

2.    agreed the distribution of the Charities and Trust Funds outlined within Appendix 1 of the report;

 

3.    expressed their hope that funds allocated to Live Argyll via the McCaig Trust would be used for appropriate literacy based projects; and

 

4.    noted that a distribution proposal for the remaining Bequests and Trust Funds with no

defined distribution would brought to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated 1 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibilities for Legal and Regulatory Support

Consideration was given by the Members to a report which invited the Committee, as Trustees of the John of Lorn Bequest to consider the future operation of the Bequest.

 

Decision

 

Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee;

 

1.    agreed the distribution arrangements outlined within paragraphs 4.1 - 4.2 of the report;

 

2.    agreed the eligibility criteria outlined within paragraphs 5.1 - 5.5 of the report;

 

3.    agreed that successful applicants would receive £50 for individuals and £100 for

families;

 

4.    agreed that applicants, individuals and families would receive a maximum of one

award each calendar year; and

 

5.    noted that a review of the updated arrangements will be undertaken and reported to the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee following the first 12 months of operation.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Services and Monitoring Officer dated 9 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibilities for Education Services

The Committee gave consideration to a progress and statistical update report on the

Primary Schools in Oban, Lorn and the Isles for the 2019/2020 session.

 

Discussion focussed on the reduction in rolls in small rural schools and how Education Services can continue to look at practical ways of increasing pupil numbers and also how to attract and retain teaching staff by looking at the wider context such as housing packages and employment opportunities for teachers’ partners.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee considered the content of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education Services dated 9 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Infrastructure

A report which provided an update on work being done by both the Oban Bay Management Group (OBMG) and the Oban Community Harbour Development Association (OCHDA) towards the development of a Trust Port was before the Committee for noting.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Infrastructure dated August 2020, submitted)

The Draft Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee Workplan, as of September 2020, was submitted to the Committee for noting.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee agreed to note the Workplan.

 

(Reference: Draft Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee Workplan, dated 9 September 2020, submitted)

The OLI Area Committee recognises that;

 

Ganavan is an area of natural beauty and importance in our local community, attracting local people and visitors from near and far.

 

In recent months, as a direct consequence of the Coronavirus pandemic and the UK and Scottish Government recommendation for stay-cation, there has been a marked increase in the number of campervans visiting the area and seeking to park overnight. As the current Ganavan carpark restrictions prohibit this; campervan visitors are being displaced along the Ganavan Road in even greater numbers than previously; which has led to issues of public health and road safety, causing considerable distress to residents.

 

The provision of a warm welcome and fit for purpose, managed and chargeable facilities for campervans at Ganavan, in partnership with the introduction of overnight parking restrictions on the Ganavan Road would serve to enhance the area in terms of amenity and safety whilst also providing economic benefit.

 

The OLI Area Committee therefore agrees to:

 

1.    Request that the Council’s  Roads & Infrastructure service;

 

1.1  Consider the feasibility to implement a TRO which prohibits Campervans, caravans and commercial vehicles from parking overnight, beginning on the section of road directly in front of The Lancaster Hotel, covering all of the Ganavan Road, to the entrance to carpark at Ganavan.

 

1.2  Investigates and costs the work necessary in providing infrastructure for provision of basic services, to allow campervans to park safely overnight at Ganavan - Cold water tap, general and chemical waste disposal, designated campervan bays, payment facility etc.

 

1.3  In order that this can be dealt with as a matter of urgency for decision, to bring a report and recommendations to a special area committee be held on 14th October 2020.

 

1.4  As part of this report steps should be outlined indicating how consultation on proposals can be carried out urgently with local residents and the wider community in advance of any works being approved by the Area Committee.

 

2.    Hold a Special meeting of the Area committee on 14th October 2020

 

Proposer       Councillor Julie McKenzie

Seconder      Councillor Kieron Green

Councillor Julie McKenzie and seconded by Councillor Kieron Green had given notice of the following motion:-

 

Motion

 

Ganavan is an area of natural beauty and importance in our local community, attracting local people and visitors from near and far.

 

In recent months, as a direct consequence of the Coronavirus pandemic and the UK and Scottish Government recommendation for stay-cation, there has been a marked increase in the number of campervans visiting the area and seeking to park overnight. As the current Ganavan carpark restrictions prohibit this; campervan visitors are being displaced along the Ganavan Road in even greater numbers than previously; which has led to issues of public health and road safety, causing considerable distress to residents.

 

The provision of a warm welcome and fit for purpose, managed and chargeable facilities for campervans at Ganavan, in partnership with the introduction of overnight parking restrictions on the Ganavan Road would serve to enhance the area in terms of amenity and safety whilst also providing economic benefit.

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee agrees to;

 

1.    Request that the Council’s  Roads and Infrastructure service;

 

1.1  consider the feasibility to implement a TRO which prohibits Campervans, caravans and commercial vehicles from parking overnight, beginning on the section of road directly in front of the Lancaster Hotel, covering all of the Ganavan Road, to the entrance to carpark at Ganavan;

 

1.2  investigates and costs the work necessary in providing infrastructure for provision of basic services, to allow campervans to park safely overnight at Ganavan - Cold water tap, general and chemical waste disposal, designated campervan bays, payment facility etc.;

 

1.3  in order that this can be dealt with as a matter of urgency for decision, to bring a report and recommendations to a special area committee be held on 14 October 2020;

 

1.4  as part of this report steps should be outlined indicating how consultation on proposals can be carried out urgently with local residents and the wider community in advance of any works being approved by the Area Committee; and

 

2.    Hold a Special meeting of the Area committee on 14th October 2020

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee agreed the terms of the Motion.