Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Mary-Jean Devon.

Councillor Roddy McCuish declared a non financial interest in relation to Former Rockfield Primary School and 43 Stevenson Street, Oban which were dealt with at items 15 and 16 of this Minute because he is a Director on the ACHA Board and BID4Oban.

Councillor Neil Macintyre declared a non financial interest in relation to Former Rockfield Primary School which was dealt with at item 15 of this Minute because one of the offers made is from a member of his family.

The Minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 11^th June 2014 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund held on 20^th June 2014 were noted.

Fiona MacKinnon raised a concern about the condition of graveyards on Tiree.  She advised that the catch is broken on the gates at the main graveyard and cows are therefore getting in.  She advised that Tiree Heritage has previously mended the wall and fence which was put up by the Council on her farm and asked if this could be looked into.  The Roads Performance Manager agreed to take this issue away and respond directly to Ms MacKinnon.

Fiona MacKinnon asked a question about the roads in Kirkapol.  She asked why there are no road signs as it is the only road in Tiree without signage and makes it look like Kirkapol doesn’t exist.  The Roads Performance Manager agreed to look into this.

There was a discussion about costal erosion and concerns about the impact on the road running along the coast and Fiona MacKinnon asked what plans Argyll and Bute Council have to address the problem. The Roads Performance Manager agreed to look into these concerns and update both Members and the local community on what plans are in place to deal with these issues on Tiree.

Neil MacKay had emailed the Area Governance Manager prior to the Area Committee meeting in regard to Third Sector Grant funding, he advised that later this year the three year period of the Strategic Events & Festivals Fund comes to an end. With this in mind there could be a major impact on the Third Sector Events & Festivals Grants.

He asked if there is there any plans to change the criteria for, or the amounts available to the local Third Sector Events & Festivals Grant Scheme.  The Area Governance Manager advised that she has passed this question onto the Head of Community and Culture and will respond directly to Neil MacKay.

Report by Head Teacher of Tiree High School

A report presenting the progress and Curriculum for Excellence in Tiree High School was considered.

The Head Teacher gave a presentation to the Committee and spoke about the Gaelic Medium Unit, the 7 principles of curriculum design, the personalisation, choice and relevance for pupils.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report and the information provided verbally by the Head Teacher.

(Report and Presentation by Head Teacher of Tiree High School dated 14^th August 2014, submitted).

Report by Community Development Officer

A report detailing recommendations for the award of Third Sector Grants (including Events and Festivals) to Third Sector organisations for Oban, Lorn and the Isles was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Agreed to award the grant recommendations as follows:-

2. In relation to the underspent Third Sector Grants budget the Committee agreed to move forward to a third funding round for this year, to be considered at the December Area Committee meeting,
3. Agreed that in future monitoring reports from organisations which have received Third Sector Grant funding  will be submitted for consideration at the August Area Committee meeting,
4. Agreed to seek a view from the Head of Strategic Finance on the potential for underspent third sector grant funding in any one year to be carried forward to future years.

(Ref: Report by Community Development Officer dated 6^th August 2014, submitted).

Report by IOD Programme Manager

The Committee considered a report which presented the Area Scorecard with exceptional performance for financial quarter 1 of 2014-15 (April to June 2014).

Decision

The Committee noted the exceptional performance presented on the Scorecard.

(Ref: Report by IOD Programme Manager dated 14^th August 2014, submitted).

Report by Planning Officer

The Committee considered a report from Oban Lorn Regeneration Project Manager on the Lorn Arc TIF Business Case.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Noted the progress on the Lorn Arc TIF project;
2. Noted that a further report come to the November Business Day; and
3. Asked that the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure make this project a priority and ensure it is progressed as quickly as possible.

(Ref:  Report by Oban Lorn Arc Regeneration Project Manager dated 29^th July 2014, submitted).

Report by Oban Regeneration Project Manager

A report updating the Committee on the progress that has been made and actions taken since the last Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided.

(Ref:  Report by Oban Regeneration Project Manager dated 28^th July 2014, submitted).

Report by Area Manager Adult Care

A report updating the Committee on the findings of the continuing quarterly evaluation of the Care at Home provision within the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area was considered.

The report has been broken down to show the progress and joint working that has been put in place to ensure that a high quality service is provided, as it is recognised that this service is provided to vulnerable individuals, predominately by lone workers, in the home environment.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report and Verbal update by Area Manager – Adult Care dated 14^th August 2014, submitted).

Councillor Roddy McCuish left the meeting.

Report by Area Manager – Adult Care

A report updating the Committee on the early discussions that have taken place with the local community group Curam Thiriodh and the wider Tiree community with representatives from Argyll and Bute Council, NHS Highland and ACHA in relation to potential housing, health and social care developments on Tiree, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the recommendations contained in the report.

(Ref:  Report by Area Manager – OLI dated 14^th August 2014, submitted).

Report by Roads Performance Manager

The Roads Performance Manager presented a report following on from the report he previously presented at the February Area Committee, providing information on road maintenance revenue activities being delivered in 2013/14.

Decision

The Committee noted the report.

(Ref:  Report by Roads Performance Manager dated July 2014, submitted).

Councillor Roddy McCuish returned to the meeting.

Report by Roads Performance Manager

A report providing an update on outstanding and on-going roads related issues in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the report.

(Ref:  Report by Roads Performance Manager dated 9^th July 2014, submitted).

Report by Traffic and Development Manager

A report advising the Committee of the outcome of the hearing that was held on 8^th May 2014 to consider the sustained objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order to control parking on Soroba Road at Millpark Terrace, was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to authorise the Head of Roads and Amenity Services to proceed to make the order as originally published and consulted on.

(Ref:  Report by Traffic and Development Manager dated 15^th July 2014, submitted).

The Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed, to adjourn the meeting in order that the Committee could join another meeting with the Tiree Community at 3:45pm and to reconvene at 4:45pm.

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

Councillor Roddy McCuish having declared a non financial interest in the former Rockfield Primary School and 43 Stevenson Street, Oban, left the room and took no part in the discussion of the next 2 items.

Councillor Neil Macintyre having declared a non financial interest in the former Rockfield Primary School, left the room and took no part in the discussion of this item.

Report by Head of Facility Services

A report advising the Committee of the offers received in respect of the former Rockfield Primary School was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to continue consideration of this matter to the Special Area Committee due to be held on Wednesday 10^th September, and asked the Asset Manager to get further detail in regards the information submitted in paragraph 4.6(4) and 4.6(5) of the report submitted for Members

(Ref:  Report by Asset Manager dated 12^th August 2014, submitted).

Report by Asset Manager

The Committee considered a report from the Asset Manager in regard to the lease of the shop premises at 43 Stevenson Street, Oban.

Decision

The Committee agreed to recommendation 3.3.2 and asked the Asset Manager to progress this in accordance with the detail provided in support of the submitted report.

(Ref:  Report by Asset Manager dated 1^st August 2014, submitted).

Report by Asset Manager

A report advising the Committee of a request to purchase additional ground at Albert Street, Tobermory, was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendation at 3.1 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Estates Surveyor dated 17^th July 2014, submitted).

E1       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; and

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.