Agenda and minutes

The Chair referred to the recent tragic death of Robin Banks, the former Councillor and Deputy Leader of the Council, who was a great supporter of Gaelic and who was passionate about the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area.  The Committee agreed to have a minute silence.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to take the agenda items out of sequence in order to let John Hutchison from Scottish Rural Parliament attend another scheduled meeting.  Therefore Scottish Rural Parliament Inaugural Meeting – Oban 2014 was taken at item 6 of this minute.

The Chair thanked the Winter Festival for all their hard work last year and for raising £25K for charities.

Apologies were received from:-

Councillor Louise Glen-Lee

Douglas Hendry, Executive Director of Customer Services

Myra McArthur, Head Teacher of Tiree High School

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

David McInnes

Councillor Roddy McCuish presented a Quaich to David McInnes on behalf of the Area Committee, to honour his outstanding achievement in running from Glasgow to Oban in less than 24 hours in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 15^th January 2014 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Safety Forum held on 25^th November 2013 were noted.

The Minutes of the Special Oban Common Good Fund held on 6^th December 2013 were noted.

The Minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 11^th December 2013 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Special Area Committee held on 15^th January 2014 were approved as a correct record.

Report by Head Teacher of Tiree High School

The Committee agreed to continue this item to the next Area Committee as the Head Teacher of Tiree High School could not be present due to adverse weather conditions.

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

John Hutchison spoke to a report on Scottish Rural Parliament Inaugural Meeting which is to be held in Oban on 6-8^th November 2014.

He advised that in August 2013, the Rural Affairs Secretary, Richard Lochhead announced Scottish Government backing for the first meeting of a Scottish Rural Parliament, to take place in 2014.  He advised that the management group with responsibility for taking this forward has formed a company called Scottish Rural Action, with the sole purpose of developing and organising Scotland’s first Rural Parliament, which will be held in Oban during November.

Decision

The Committee:

1.      Noted that the Scottish Rural Parliament will take place in Oban in November 2014;

2.      Agreed to support the event by making the Corran Halls or any other venue available to the organisers free of charge for the duration of the event; and

3.      Noted that Officers will attend the Scottish Rural Parliament Liaison Working Group and report back to Members.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 29^th January 2014, submitted).

Report by Economic Development Manager

The Economic Development Manager summarised a report regarding the Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP), the purpose of which was to seek approval for a five year plan to align with the current EDAP and Local Development Plan.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Approved the structure and framework of the area EDAP for the five year period 2013 to 2018; and
2. Agreed that a workshop be arranged to develop further the content of the EDAP, and that Community Planning Partners should be invited to attend the workshop as early as possible in March.

(Ref:  Report by Economic Development Manager dated 12^th February 2014, submitted).

Report by Roads Performance Manager

A report was presented to the Committee by the Roads Performance Manager which provided information on roads maintenance revenue activities being delivered in 2013/14 and also detailed the current level of expenditure of the Roads Operations Revenue Budget.

This report follows on from the report which was presented at the December 2013 Area Committee.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by the Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 14 January 2014, submitted).

Verbal update by Roads Performance Manager

The Governance and Risk Manager updated Members on the current position with the Traffic Regulation Order, Soroba Road.

He advised that a Reporter is coming to Oban next week to view the site and to give her an understanding and familiarity with the potential issues.

Decision

The Committee agreed that an updated report should be brought to the April Area Committee.

(Ref:  Verbal update by Governance and Risk Manager dated 12^th February 2014, submitted).

Report and Presentation by Development Projects and Renewables Manager

A report providing the Committee with a brief update on the Argyll Array Project was considered.

Rachel Furlong from Scottish Power Renewables gave a presentation on the Argyll Array Offshore Windfarm.  She spoke about the progress to date, the Marine Scotland Consents Process and the future opportunities for offshore wind.

Decision

The Committee noted the update provided by way of the report and the Scottish Power Renewables presentation.

(Ref:  Report by Development Projects & Renewables Manager and Presentation by Rachel Furlong, Scottish Power Renewables dated 12^th February 2014, submitted).

Report by Culture and Libraries Manager

A report outlining the case for transferring ownership of the model ship, MV Hesperus, from Argyll and Bute Council to Oban War & Peace Museum and highlighting the connection to Oban and its maritime history of the MV Hesperus, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report and approved the transfer of ownership of the model ship, MV Hesperus from Argyll and Bute Council to Oban War & Peace Museum.

(Ref:  Report by Culture and Libraries Manager dated 12^th February 2014, submitted).

Report by Area Governance Manager

A report requesting that the Area Committee consider a request from the “Bridge of Orchy Village Hall Trust” to nominate an elected Member to serve on the trust as per the original deed was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Noted the terms of the extract from the trust deed of the “Bridge of Orchy Village Hall Trust” which makes it a historical request for an appointment to be made;
2. Noted the purposes of the trust which are fully in keeping with the duties incumbent on a modern day Councillor; and
3. Agreed to bring this item back to the next Area Committee.

(Ref:  Report by Area Governance Manager dated 12^th February 2014, submitted).

Report by Area Governance Manager

The Area Governance Manager presented a report to the Committee seeking approval of the proposed cycle of Bute and Cowal Area Committee, Business Day and Community Planning Group meetings for the period April 2014 to April 2015.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Agreed the proposed meeting cycle;
2. Agreed for all Area Committees and Business Days to commence at 10:30am;
3. Agreed for the Community Planning Group meeting to commence at 2:00pm in March and September and at 6:30pm in June and December; and
4. Agreed that the Area Governance Assistant would look into a possible date for holding the Area Committee in Tiree.

(Ref: Report by Area Governance Officer dated 29 January 2014, submitted).

Mr Leddie asked the Committee why there was an advertisement in the Oban Times for a consultant in reshaping care for older people through local authority and not through the CHP and that when he phoned up to enquire about this post he can’t find out who has been appointed and if someone has been appointed?

Councillor Robertson advised that this was advertised in the Oban Times on 26^th December and she made enquiries to the Council’s Head of Adult Care about this and he advised her that the reason for it being advertised through the Local Authority is because it is joint working procurement under the care fund and was put through the local authority procurement process rather than the Health process. She advised that the consultant has been appointed but she is not aware of who it is or if they have started and that they would be looking at the overall picture and policy for integrated services.

Mr Leddie asked the Committee a question in relation to Bowman Court and asked if a person moves into a tenancy as a medical case, it is a secured or temporary tenancy or do they have to move on? I thought this was something about the persons wife/husband/partner moves in with the individual, do they remain in the property after the person dies.

Councillor Devon advised that they are inheritable tenancies and that she has spoken to West Highland Housing Association previously about this issue which may mean that over time these properties in Bowman Court may not be available to the right people.

Neil MacIntyre asked why there can’t be a public question time at the start of the agenda so Officers are present to answer any questions instead of at the end of the agenda when most Officers have left the meeting.  He also asked about the possibility of having a time limit at the end of each agenda items so the public can ask questions.

There was some discussion about this by the Members who were generally supportive of the option of leaving some time at the end of each agenda item.

The Governance and Risk Manager agreed that he would raise these points with the Head of Governance and Law and would update the Members and Mr MacIntyre on the outcome of the discussions.

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

Report by Asset Manager

The Asset Manager spoke to a report by the Director of Customer Services with regard to the proposed sale of the site of the former Dunbeg Village Hall and confirmed that he had received confirmation from Dunbeg Community Council that they had no objection to the sale of the site.

Motion

That the Area Committee approve the sale of the site of the former Dunbeg Village Hall, Etive Road, Dunbeg to the Oban Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses for a consideration of £60,000.

Moved by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor MacIntyre

Amendment

That any decision on the sale of the site be deferred until further consultation was undertaken with all the residents in Dunbeg.

Moved by Councillor McCuish, seconded by Councillor Devon

Decision

On a show of hands vote the Motion was carried by 5 votes to 2 and the Area Committee resolved accordingly.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 14^th January 2014, submitted).

Report by Asset Manager

A report advising the Committee of the offer which was received in respect of Kilbowie House, which was recently advertised for lease, was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Agreed the recommendations at 2.1 of the report;
2. Agreed to give further consideration as to how the Area Committee might deal with the disposal of the building and land and this was to be discussed at the Economic Development Action Plan Workshop at the start of March; and
3. Agreed that the Asset Manager should be invited to attend the EDAP Workshop and agreed to provide him with a list of buildings they would like to discuss further at the EDAP workshop.

(Ref:  Report by Asset Manager dated 31^st January 2014, submitted).

Report by Asset Manager

The Asset Manager spoke to a report on the sale of the former Schoolhouse flats, Breadalbane Street, Tobermory.

Decision

The Committee agreed to the recommendations contained within the report at 2.1 and 2.2

(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services dated 13^th January 2014, submitted).

Report by Estates Surveyor

The Asset Manager spoke to a report on Council’s store at the Pier, Scarinish, Gott Bay, Isle of Tiree.

Decision

The Committee agreed to the recommendations contained within the report at 2.1 and 2.2

(Ref: Report by Estates Surveyor dated 14^th January 2014, submitted).

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.