Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Alistair MacDougall and Duncan MacIntyre.

The Area Committee Manager requested verification that the Chair could both see and hear Members who were participating in the meeting by VC.  This was confirmed.  The Area Committee Manager advised Members of the Protocol for the Use of Video-Conferencing Facilities.  The Chair determined that due to weather conditions preventing attendance by Councillor Devon, video-conferencing access by lync technology to this meeting would be permitted.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 8^th October 2014 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Safety Forum held on 26^th November 2014 were noted.

Mr Leady advised the Committee that he was aware of people in hospital who had a care package arranged but hadn’t been briefed by anyone about free personal nursing care.  He confirmed that these people are now home with a package into the second week and asked if they will receive further information on the care package.  He asked that the Social Work Department ensure that this information is provided.

Mr Leady further raised an issue about defibrillators not being available in the area.  Councillor Elaine Robertson advised that the British Heart Foundation may be able to provide them.

Euan Paterson from the Oban Times asked the Committee when the next report on dry rot at former Rockfield Primary would be available.

The Chair confirmed the next report is due back on 19^th December 2014.

Verbal update by Chief Inspector Baillie, Police Scotland

Inspector Julie McLeish updated the Committee on the review which was taking place for the last 6 months on the diversion routes.

She advised this has been fully scoped by Argyll and Bute Council, BEAR and Police Scotland and it has been confirmed that the diversion routes they had considered are unsuitable due to the nature of the roads.

She advised that the multi agency group are looking at other factors for closures which included technology and bringing in other resources.  Inspector McLeish confirmed that the recommended diversion route is unchanged and that Police Scotland do not advise anyone using the back road but if this was to happen, it is at peoples own risk.

Inspector McLeish advised that funding has been received for signage at Primary Schools to slow drivers down and this has been extremely successful. 

Decision

The Committee agreed to take the lead on this with the help of Police Scotland, BEAR, Transport Scotland and the Roads department to help take this forward and report back to the January Business Day with representation from each resource.

(Ref:  Verbal update by Inspector McLeish, Police Scotland dated 10^th December 2014, submitted).

Councillor Mary-Jean Devon left the meeting as she was disconnected from the Lync system due to a power cut.

Report by IOD Programme Manager

A report presenting the Area Scorecard, with exceptional performance for financial quarter 2 of the 2014-15 (July – September 2014) was considered.

Decision

The Area Committee noted the exceptional performance presented on the Scorecard.

(Ref:  Report by IOD Programme Manager dated 10^th December 2014, submitted).

Report by IOD Programme Manager

The Committee considered a report outlining a small number of measures that need updating in order to improve the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Scorecard. 

Decision

The Committee agreed to the improvements outlined in the report.

(Ref:  Report by IOD Programme Manager dated 10^th December 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:-

(Ref: Report by Community Development Officer dated 25^th November 2014, submitted).

Report by Head of Facility Services

A report providing the Committee with an update on the successful implementation of the enhanced Oban-Dalmally Train Service, which has been used to transport pupils living along the Dalmally corridor to Oban High School since the beginning of the school session in August, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Facility Services dated 10^th November 2014, submitted).

Report by Roads Performance Manager

A report providing the Committee with information on road maintenance revenue activities being delivered in 2014/15 was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by the Roads Performance Manager dated 12^th November 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

1.    The Committee noted the contents of the report; and

2.    It was agreed that the Area Manager would bring a quarterly report to the Business Days covering everything under the Adult Care remit.

The Vice Chair thanked the Area Manager and Caroline Henderson of NHS Highland for their attendance at Community Council meetings updating on reshaping care for older people and asked that everyone complete the questionnaires.

(Ref:  Report by Area Manager – Adult Care dated 10^th December 2014, submitted).

Report by Joint Project Manager - Integration

A report updating the Committee on the current position of the implementation of the new Health and Social Care Partnership was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Joint Project Manager – Integration dated 10^th December 2014, submitted).

Report by Area Committee Manager

The Committee considered a report from the Area Committee Manager detailing the appointments to outside bodies which are currently vacant and asked the Committee to consider appointing Members to fill the vacant positions.

Decision

The Committee agreed the following new appointments to outside bodies:

-       ACHA Local Area Committee – Councillor Neil MacIntyre appointed;

-       Catherine McCaig’s Trust – Councillor Iain MacLean appointed;

-       Oban Crime Prevention panel – this Group no longer exists;

-       Oban and Lorn Enterprise Atlantis Leisure – Councillor Iain MacLean appointed;

-       Soroba Community Association – Councillor Neil MacIntyre appointed;

-       Bridge of Orchy Hall Committee – Councillor Iain MacDonald appointed;

-       OLI Community Safety Forum – Councillor Roddy McCuish appointed as the new Chair.

(Ref:  Report by Area Committee Manager dated 10^th November 2014, submitted).

Report by Area Committee Manager

A report outlining the proposed cycle of meetings within the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area from May 2015 to April 2016 was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Agreed the outlined cycle of Area Committee and Business Day meetings in the report;
2. Noted that the cycle of Community Planning Group meetings will be determined by the Executive Director of Customer Services in consultation with the Chair of the Area Committee; and
3. Agreed to plan a combined surgery one evening with all Members so the public can attend and put forward any issues/questions to the Committee they may have.

(Ref:  Report by Area Committee Manager dated 28^th November 2014, submitted).

Report by Head of Strategic Finance

A report setting out the estimated funding available and proposals on the distribution of that funding for the charities and trust funds in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area for 2014-15 was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided on the value of charities and trust fund, the annual income and the amount proposed for distribution.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Strategic Finance dated 28^th November 2014, 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 item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 8 & 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Verbal update by Head of Facility Services

The Head of Facility Services updated the Committee on the current position in regard to Bridge of Orchy Water Supply.

He confirmed that he hoped work would be completed by the end of the year.

Decision

The Committee noted the current position and it was agreed that the Head of Facility Services would update the Committee by email when works had concluded.

(Ref:  Verbal update by Head of Facility Services dated 10^th December 2014, submitted).

Report by Asset Manager

A report advising the Committee of the offers received in respect of Kilbowie House was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Agreed recommendation 3.1 as detailed in the submitted report;

2.    Agreed an amendment as proposed by Cllr Robertson, seconded by Cllr MacLean in relation to recommendation 3.2 in the submitted report ; and

3.    Instructed the Executive Director of Customer Services to periodically update Members of the Area Committee on progress of the conveyancing process.

(Ref:  Report by Asset Manager dated 21^st November 2014, submitted).

Report by Asset Manager

The Committee considered a report in regard to the Sheds at Port Beag Slip, Gallanach Road, Oban.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the report; and

2.    Agreed that the Asset Manager write to the owners of the properties and invite them to a meeting with the Area Committee and appropriate Officers on 14^th January 2015 at 3pm to discuss their properties.

(Ref:  Report by Asset Manager dated 21^st November 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.