Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Duncan MacIntyre and Alistair MacDougall.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 15^th April 2015 were approved as a correct record.

The Chair intimated that responses had been issued to all members of the public who raised a question at item 4, Public and Councillor question time as detailed below.

(a)      Councillor Elaine Robertson advised she had visited Mr Johnston regarding the potholes in Dalrigh and can confirm that she has been in contact with ACHA regarding ownership of the road and is awaiting a reply from them.

(b)        The Chair confirmed that planning permission has not been obtained for the use of MacDougall Yard as a scrap yard and the matter is currently with the Planning Department to investigate/address.

(c)        In response to the question Neil MacKay from BIDs asked regarding the proportion of money that comes into Oban from the Strategic Events and Festivals Fund, the Chair confirmed the response below from the Head of Community and Culture:

1.    Twelve events receive funding through the Strategic Events & Festivals programme.  Funding of £22k is provided for the one event in H&L and £24k for the four events in MAKI.  £76k is provided for the two events in B&C, and £136k has been provided to support 5 events in OLI this year, of which £107k is to support the staging of the Royal National Mod in Oban. 

2.    All the event organisers provide an economic impact assessment.

3.    Given the success of the programme of events, and the limited finance available, the Council unanimously approved continuation of previous budget support.

4.    Success and impact of supported events and other competing demands on Council budgets.

(d)        The Chair confirmed that Mrs MacLeod’s question regarding parking charges at Ganavan would be answered further on in the agenda at item 11 (Traffic Management and Parking Review update).

(e)        Councillor Robertson responded to the Committee on the question asked by Mrs MacLeod regarding the path at Kissing Gate.  She confirmed that this is the Council ground.

(f)          The Chair advised the Committee that the Community Development Officer had responded to Marri Malloy of Oban Community Council regarding her question on Third Sector Grants.  The Community Development Officer response below:

“The Council’s Third Sector Grants scheme is open to any constituted third sector organisation with a project that fits our eligibility criteria.

Third Sector Organisations do vary in their make-up and some larger organisations often employ staff in order for them to be able to deliver their services, others may have organisations supporting them to take forward specific projects.  However, any organisation (whether it has staff or not) is able to access support from either the local Community Development Officer or Argyll Voluntary Action staff to advise on Funding.  Some organisations request assistance in developing their project idea, others contact us with specific enquiries about what information we are looking for in relation to questions on the application form and support is provided pre application.  Any organisation making an enquiry about Third Sector Grants to the Community Development Team are advised that if they need any assistance or advice, to contact the local Community Development Officer (in Oban, Lorn and the Isles, that’s myself).  There are a number or organisations who have taken up this support already in the OLI area in 2015/16.

Post application, the Community Development Officer matches the grant application forms against an assessment form and scoring matrix – if there is an area where the group has not provided full information, or the information provided indicates that the group will not score strongly in that section, these questions are further explored in the assessment interview.  This means that groups aren’t solely judged on the information provided on the application form – we recognise that some groups are better at completing forms than others, and the grant system is designed to take that in to consideration.

The additional information provided is then recorded and the assessment / scoring adjusted to reflect the full picture.

If there are instances where, following further probing, we feel that the group would benefit from some support, then suggestions and offers of help are made.  An example of this may be evaluating the impact of a project.  We look for groups to tell us how they will measure the effectiveness of the project that they are requesting funding for.  If this section is not completed, or is purely quantitive (i.e. the group will judge the impact by the numbers who turn up and not the experience they have) then the Officer will offer some suggestions as to how the group could gather feedback from participants – this can help both the Council and the group know whether people enjoyed the experience, what they gained from it, if they gained new skills, if the project were to be repeated would people participate again, what bits didn’t work etc.  In this example, resources are available to help groups as well as advice.

We do appreciate that smaller groups, new groups and first time applicants need additional support with the grant system and we have aimed to build that support in to the process.  I hope that this answers your question and would request that if you know of any organisation who would benefit from some advice or assistance on seeking funding for their project, to contact Argyll Voluntary Action, myself on 01631 567944 or e-mail communitydevelopment@argyll-bute.gov.uk”

(g)        The Chair updated the Committee on the Oban Community Action Group on Dog Fouling meeting would be taking place on Thursday 11^th June at 10am to discuss dog fouling issues in the town.  This is following on from the poster Mr MacLellan presented at the last meeting looking for more support in Oban to tackle dog fouling.

The Minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Special Area Committee held on 1^st May 2015 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund held on 21^st May 2015 were noted.

Louise Lee from the Oban Times suggested it would be helpful if answers to previous Public and Councillor question time came back to the next available Area Committee meeting so members of the public and press could see the response.  The Chair agreed to take this forward.

Councillor Iain MacLean advised the Committee that he has had contact from two of his constituents regarding the blocking of the view from their restaurant with ferries.  He stated that over time, this could become a harassment.  This was later addressed by the Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation.

The Chair confirmed that he would allow time for further public and Councillor question time after item 11, Traffic Management and Parking Review update, as members of the public had specific questions relating to that item.

The Chair welcomed the Head Teacher and pupils of Tobermory High School to the meeting.  Mr Biddick provided the Committee with a report which outlined the schools performance during the 2014/15 academic year.

The pupils spoke about the ‘Lead Learners’ scheme they have in their school which started last year where the pupils help the teachers with different feedback.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Head Teacher of Tobermory High School dated 10^th June 2015, submitted).

The Education Officer for Oban, Lorn and the Isles took the Committee through the annual primary schools report, which provided a statistical breakdown of performance measures as well as information on various school initiatives that have taken place in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Education dated 10^th June 2015, submitted).

The Committee considered a report containing the Area Scorecard for FQ4 (January-March 2015).

Decision

The Committee noted the exceptional performance presented on the Scorecard.

(Ref:  Report by IOD Programme Manager dated 10^th June 2015, submitted).

A report providing the Committee with an update on the preparation of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP) for 2015/16, was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report;

2.    Agreed to the revised timescale for the preparation of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Economic Development Action Plan 2015/16; and

3.    Agreed that the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Economic Development Action Plan, 2015/15 (as an ongoing working document) is discussed and endorsed by the Area Committee at the meeting in August 2015.

(Ref:  Report by Economic Development Manager dated 10^th June 2015, submitted).

Verbal update by Oban – Lorn Arc Regeneration Project Manager

The Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation gave an update to the Committee on the current position with the Lorn Arc and CHORD projects that are ongoing in Oban, Lorn and the Isles.

He confirmed that planning permission has been approved for the access to Oban Airport and that they are moving forward with the feasibility study for the White Building which will be the new maritime reception.  He spoke about the Kirk Road project and confirmed that Stafford Street will be completed by the end of June.

Mr Murray updated the Committee on the current staffing structure of his team.  He confirmed that Linda Houston has now left the Council and Kirsteen MacDonald, who was involved in the Campbeltown CHORD project, has now taken over her role and will be focusing on the North Maritime Quarter and Helen Ford, Project Manager for the Helensburgh project has allocated more of her time towards Oban.  He advised that Andy Collins, Engineer, will also be involved in the team for the Public Realm project.  Mr Murray also advised that Adrian Jackson-Stark will be focusing on the main delivery of the Airport project.

The Chair advised he now has comfort in knowing the programme is ongoing with enough staff in place.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the information provided;

2.    Agreed that a meeting be set up with BIDs and the Traders of George Street to discuss communication and management arrangements to minimise disruption for future CHORD works in recognition of the lessons learned from    the Stafford Street project; and

3.    Agreed that when the new staffing structure is  finalised , Officers come to a Business Day to meet the Committee.

(Ref:  Verbal update by Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation dated 10^th June 2015, submitted).

A report updating the Committee on ferries and the introduction of Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Marine Operations Manager dated 10^th June 2015, submitted).

A report providing a summary of the various issues raised by Members at the Parking Review Workshop held earlier this year, was considered.  The report also provides an overall programme for the parking review and consultation process.

The Head of Roads and Amenity Services, in response to public and councillor questions, advised that the report set out plans for public consultation and that views from stakeholders would be welcomed also at that stage.

The Head of Roads and Amenity Services advised the Committee that if they have comments they wished flagged up in relation to the consultation document, to contact him.

Margaret Cooper asked if parking charges could be charged more in the town of Oban and allow for free car parking at Ganavan as she feels that people should not have to pay for parking at Ganavan as the beach is not in a good condition along with the roads and signs.  She also advised that there are no dog bins and suggested that other car parks in Oban which are free could have a £2 a day charge and this way it would still make income.  The Chair advised that this can be fed into the consultation document.

Doreen MacLeod advised the Committee that she has collected 500 signatures objecting to parking charges at Ganavan.  She confirmed there is no wheelchair/pram access due to the condition of the roads and feels this is another reason why parking charges should not apply at Ganavan.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report;

2.    Agreed to hold an evening meeting within the next 2 weeks to discuss the challenges and parking at Ganavan which could then feed into the consultation document; and

3.    Agreed to have a Special Area Committee for this item only when the consultation/feedback is received and brought forward for members consideration.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated May 2015, submitted).

A report updating the Committee on the current position with Town Twinning, where the Council Policy was last reviewed in 2008, at which time it was resolved that the policy in relation to formal links remain unaltered, was considered.  The report advises that there has been a recent request from Gorey to “rejuvenate” the existing link with Oban, and there have been two informal approaches made about the potential new twinning links between Oban and communities in France.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the current position with regard to town twinning;

2.    Agreed to explore the possibility of setting up a video conferencing meeting with Gorey Town Council to discuss  potential economic, social and cultural benefits in  maintaining   the  existing twinning link; and

3.    Agreed that no new links would be taken forward for twinning.

(Ref:  Report by Area Governance Manager dated 20^th May 2015, 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.

A report providing the Committee with details of offers received in respect of the Port Appin Boat House, was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed an amendment as proposed by Cllr Robertson, seconded by Cllr MacLean in relation to recommendation 3.1 in the submitted report.

(Ref:  Report by Estates Surveyor dated 13^th May 2015, submitted).

A report advising the Committee of the offers of purchase received in respect of the former Slaughterhouse and Erray Road Depot, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Estates Surveyor dated 25^th May 2015, submitted).

A report advising the Committee of the offers of purchase received in respect of the former Roads Depot at Ardmor Road, Salen, Isle of Mull, was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Estates Surveyor dated 25^th May 2015, submitted).