Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Julie McKenzie and Amanda Hampsey.

Councillor Andrew Vennard declared a non-financial interest in item 9 of the agenda (ACHA Annual Update), by virtue of his Council appointment to the Board of ACHA. He advised that he would remain in the meeting during consideration of this item.

The Minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee, held on 14 September was approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group, held on 9 November was noted.

The Minute of the Oban Common Good Fund, held on 22 November, was noted.

There were no public questions submitted. 

Presentation by Corporate Support Manager

The Corporate Support Manager provided a short presentation on the Performance Excellence project.  He outlined the findings of the Council’s Best Value Audit which took place in 2020 and highlighted key points from the Best Value Improvement Action Plan.  Mr Green advised that as a result of recommendations agreed by Council in September 2021, a new suite of Corporate Outcome Indicators will be reported on annually and that other improvements to the system were underway.  He outlined the new hierarchy of performance reporting and confirmed that the Pyramid system previously used for performance reporting will be decommissioned by the end of this financial year. 

Decision

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

(Reference:  Presentation by Business Support Manager, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

Consideration was given to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 2 of 2022/23 (July to September 2022) which illustrated the agreed performance measures for this period.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles 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 contact either the Responsible Named Officer or Sonya Thomas with any queries;

3.    noted that work was ongoing and to respond to Sonya Thomas 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 20 October 2022, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure Services and highlighted works being undertaken which were relevant to the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated November 2022, submitted)

Report by Chief Officer, Argyll and Bute HSCP

The Committee gave consideration to a report which presented the Argyll and Bute HSCP Annual Performance Report for 2021.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee considered and noted the Annual Performance Report for the Health and Social Care Partnership for the year 2021, which was presented to the Integration Joint Board (IJB) at its meeting on 23 November 2022. 

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology, dated 14 December 2022, submitted)

Presentation by Michelle Mundie Chief Executive Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA)

Consideration was given to a presentation by the Chief Executive of ACHA, which provided an update on a number of areas including the investment programme for 2022/23; the Warm Homes Fund; the Business, Energy, Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Whole House Retrofit Programme; the replacement of wet electric heating systems; the Exemplar Estates initiative and a number of new build and refurbishment sites across the locality.  Further information was provided in respect of Welfare Rights; the Rent Consultation for 2023/24; ACHA’s 10 10 10 initiative and ACHA’s Community Action Fund. 

Decision

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

(Reference:  Presentation by Chief Executive of ACHA, submitted) 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Housing.

Members gave consideration to a report which presented the Argyll and Bute Local Housing Strategy (LHS) Annual Report for 2022.  It was noted that a further report with area specific information would be provided to the Committee at their meeting in March 2023.  

Decision

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

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated  10 October 2022, submitted)  

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided details of a number of Trusts and Bequests that remain active in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area and sought agreement on the proposed distribution methods.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee:-

1.    noted the financial position of the Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds as of December 2022,

2.    agreed that the charities and trust funds, that have historically been awarded to Council Departments and Allied Partners, are awarded on the basis outlined in paragraph 5.5 and defined within appendix 1, and

3.    noted that officers are in ongoing dialogue with representatives from the Lord Advocates office to establish appropriate methods of distributing those funds that have no established distribution arrangements.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated August 2022, submitted)

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

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the workplan.

(Reference:  Area Committee Workplan, dated 14 December 2022, submitted)

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided information regarding forty-nine applications that had been received for support from the John of Lorne Bequest. Of the applications received 8 were refused as they did not meet the criteria with £3.6k being awarded to 41 applicants.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted and considered the number of awards made since 14 September 2022.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated November 2022, submitted)