Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

Councillor Louise Glen-Lee declared a non financial interest in relation to the Third Sector Grant Application for Hogmanay in Oban which was dealt with at item 5 (3.2) of this Minute, because she is a member of the committee.  She left the room and took no part in the discussion of this item.

Councillor Roddy McCuish declared a non financial interest in relation to the Third Sector Grant Application for Oban Fireworks Group which was dealt with at item 5 (3.7)  of this Minute, because he is a member of the committee.  He left the room and took no part in the discussion of this item.

Councillor Fred Hall declared a non financial interest in relation to the Third Sector Grant Application for Oban Fireworks Group which was dealt with at item 5 (3.7)  of this Minute, because he is a member of the committee.  He left the room and took no part in the discussion of this item.

Councillor Elaine Robertson declared a non financial interest in relation to the Scottish Ferries Plan & Kerrera STAG which was dealt with at item 6 of this Minute, because her husband is a factor of Dunollie Estate and is involved in the ferry service.  She left the room and took no part in the discussion of this item.

The Minutes of the meeting of 12^th June 2013 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 29^th May 2013 were noted.

Councillor MacIntyre expressed some concern in item 3 of this Minute as the Area Committee were not invited to the last meeting of the Common Good Fund when a Quaich was issued to John Barbour.

It was noted that the Chair of the Common Good fund would be happy that for any future presentations that the whole Area Committee would be invited to attend.

The Committee received no questions from the public.

Councillor Louise Glen-Lee, having declared a non financial interest in Hogmanay in Oban, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of that item.

Councillor Roddy McCuish, having declared a non financial interest in Oban Fireworks Group, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of that item.

Councillor Fred Hall, having declared a non financial interest in Oban Fireworks Group, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of that item.

Councillor Elaine Robertson took the Chair for the items 3.2 and 3.5 which were dealt with first by the committee.

Report by Community Development Officer

The Community Development Officer spoke on the recommendations for the award of Third Sector Grants.

Decision

The Committee determined the Third Sector Grants as follows by deducting 10% of each grant awarded until clarification on whether an application for  an underwrite of £500 to Oban Community Council had been  received, on the basis that if there was no valid application to the community grants fund that the 10% reduction applied contingently be reinstated by the officer :-

Councillor McCuish returned to the meeting and took Chair for all of the remaining items other than 3.2 and 3.5.

Councillor Elaine Robertson, having declared a non financial interest in Scottish Ferries Plan and Kerrera STAG, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of that item.

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure

A report informing the Committee of the progress of discussions with Transport Scotland with regard to the ferry services operated by the Council, following the publication of the Ferries Plan in December 2012, was considered.

The report also advises Members of the publication by Transport Scotland on 19 July 2013, of the STAG appraisal report entitled “Identification and Assessment of Long Term Options” for transport links for the island Kerrera.

Decision

The Committee:-

                                        i.     Noted that the Executive Director for Development and Infrastructure Services will update the Committee in October 2013 with regard to progress of the Ferry Needs Analysis being undertaken in partnership with Transport Scotland; which inform the future business case for the Lismore, Easdale and Luing Ferry Services;

                                      ii.     Noted the publication of the Kerrera STAG appraisal report and Transport Scotland’s financial support for the vehicular ferry service for Kerrera until March 2014; and

                                     iii.     Agreed to mandate the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services to develop the scope for a business case which will appraise options for Kerrera, as informed by the STAG, and in light of Transport Scotland’s position, for consideration by the Area Committee in October 2013.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure dated 14 August 2013, submitted).

Report by Streetscene Area Manager

A report informing Members of the intended approach to an  operational matter following the request for a wedding marquee to be pitched on Dungallan Park, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the report.

(Ref:  Report by Amenity Manager dated 14 August 2013, submitted).

Report by Contracts Manager

A report following on from the March Business Day setting out the reduction in roads maintenance revenue activities to be delivered in 2013/14 and 2014/15 as a result of a reduced revenue budget provision, was considered.

The report details the current level of expenditure of the roads operations revenue budget.

Decision

The Committee noted the report.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 17^th July 2013, submitted).

Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services

A report proposing a draft service delivery model for 2014/15 which has been developed following member workshops previously held was considered.

The report proposes a draft area model and also proposes that a stakeholder workshop event be held.

Decision

The Committee:-

                i.     Endorsed the service delivery model detailed in the report;

              ii.     Agreed that approval is given for consultation to be carried out with key stakeholders on the draft service delivery model proposed in the report; and

             iii.     Agreed to take the service delivery model forward to the October Area Committee for a decision.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 14^th August 2013, submitted).

Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services

A report providing details of the UC79 and un-adopted sections of the Achaleven Road, Connel, was considered.

The report also provides estimated costs of treatments to bring the road up to a standard which the Council would be able to adopt and accept future maintenance liability.

Decision

The Committee agreed to recommend to the Full Council the higher cost option of £56,328 given the particular circumstances of this case.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 14 August 2013, submitted).

Report by Streetscene Area Manager

A report following discussions with Argyll and Bute Council and the Development Coll Group in September 2009, proposing that the Council makes a contribution to the An Cridhe Development to provide public convenience facilities on the island and to also propose to allow Henderson’s Fisheries to operate and manage the toilet facility on the pier at no cost to the Council, was considered.

Decision

The Committee:-

                                        i.     Agreed that the option in 3.4 of the report, to retain the current facility and apply for external grants to upgrade the condition of the facility, retaining the public convenience for the use of incoming and outgoing yacht crews, was the preferred option; and

                                      ii.     Agreed to open negotiations with Henderson Fisheries to agree a lease as proposed in the report, to honour previous agreement with An Cridhe development from previous discussions with the then Director of Operational Services and that £1900 per annum go to An Cridhe, to be reassessed after 5 years.

(Ref:  Report by Amenity Manager dated 14 August 2013, submitted).

Report by Area Governance Manager

A report updating Members on the arrangements which are in place for telephone call handling in Police Scotland, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the report and appendix.

(Ref:  Report by Area Governance Manager dated 15 July 2013, submitted).

Report by Area Governance Manager

A report following on from the February 2013 Area Committee detailing an agreed process for recognising local achievement in the area, was considered.

Decision

The Committee:-

                                        i.     Agreed the detail in the report; and

                                      ii.     Agreed that members bring forward any ideas on recognising local achievement in the area, in accordance with the agreed protocol to the September 2013 Business Day for discussion.

(Ref:  Report by Area Governance Manager dated 19 July 2013, submitted).

Report by Asset Manager

A report advising the Committee of the various properties held on the Surplus Property Account and the likely sale proceeds to the area, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the report.

(Ref:  Report by Asset Manager dated 6 August 2013, submitted).

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public for the following 3 items of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6, 8 & 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Estates Surveyor

A report advising the Committee of a request received to purchase ground at Beadoun, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, was considered.

Decision

The Committee:-

                                        i.     Noted the contents of the report;

                                      ii.     Instructed the Executive Director of Customer Services to conclude negotiations for the sale of an area of ground extending to 499 sq.m approx to the offeror at a price to be determined by the District Valuer and which is deemed acceptable by the Executive Director of Customer Services; and

                                     iii.     Agreed that the acquisition of ground is on the basis that the offeror accepts that the ground may be subject to crofting tenure and therefore any resumption/de-crofting steps that may be required in the future will require to be dealt with by the purchaser at his expense.

(Ref:  Report by Estates Surveyor dated 2 July 2013, submitted).

Report by Estates Surveyor

Members heard from the Asset Manager regarding a report that went to the June Area Committee recommending the sale of the site of the former Dunbeg Village Hall, Etive Road, Dunbeg .

The Committee decision was to continue consideration of the matter to a future meeting until the Transfer of Assets Management Plan had been agreed by the Council.

Argyll and Bute Council subsequently approved its Third Sector Asset Transfer Policy and the Congregation has again approached the Council requesting a purchase of the ground they currently lease.

Decision

The Committee:-

                                        i.     Agreed not to sell the building at this point in time until they consult with the Education department to ensure that any possible future requirements are met; and

                                      ii.     Agreed that a further report would come back to a future Area Committee.

Councillor Hall having proposed an amendment which failed to find a seconder asked that his dissent from the decision be recorded.

(Ref: Report by Estates Surveyor dated 2 July 2013, submitted).

Report by CHORD Project Manager

A report providing the Committee with an update on the Oban CHORD Project that sought guidance on the progression the project components, was considered.

Decision

The Committee:-

                                        i.     Endorsed the intended appointment of a design team to take forward the Public Realm package of works (i.e. Oban Bay; Lighting Strategy; redevelopment of the White Building and surroundings) as outlined in 4.18, subject to the Council approval in August;

                                      ii.     Endorsed the intended appointment of contractors to implement an upgraded lighting scheme for McCaig’s Tower, estimated cost £50,000, by November 2013 in accordance with the above;

                                     iii.     Endorsed the continued allocation of £360K of Oban CHORD funds for the South Pier .  This is the Council’s contribution to the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) funding application for £1.08M of EFF funds;

                                    iv.     Provided comments to the CHORD Project Board on the progression of a business case for the proposed breakwater and short stay berthing facility, as identified by the Marine Tourism Study and in light of the Project Board decision in March 2013 with regard; which was to progress the staged development of the business case for the proposed breakwater and short stay berthing facility, as outlined in 5.1 of the report;

                                      v.     Agreed to request the CHORD board to arrange to have a Workshop for all members on the terms of reference for the business case for the proposed breakwater and short stay berthing facility and to invite relevant consultants to attend ; and

                                    vi.     Noted that an Oban CHORD Project Board meeting will be arranged prior to the Workshop.

(Ref:  Report by Oban Regeneration Project Manager dated 29 July 2013, submitted).

E1                   Paragraph 6  Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).

Paragraph 9  Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.

E2             Paragraph 8  The amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the authority under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services.

Paragraph 9  Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.