Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

The Chair, on behalf of the Area Committee, welcomed the return of Councillor Duncan MacIntyre.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to take the agenda items out of sequence in order to facilitate Officers’ attendance.

Councillor Robertson declared a non financial interest in relation to the Third

Sector Grant Applications for Crossroads (North Argyll) and MacDougall of

Dunollie Preservation Trust which were dealt with at item 6(a)(3) and (6) of this

Minute, because she is the Chair of Crossroads and her husband is the factor of Dunollie Estate.  Cllr Robertson also declared a non financial interest in relation to item 11 – Oban CHORD update report on meeting held with Oban Bay Marine Ltd on 9^th July, as her husband is a member of OBM.

Councillor McCuish declared a non financial interest in relation to the Third

Sector Grant Application for the GRAB Trust which was dealt with at item 6(a)(8) of this Minute, because he is a Director of the Board.

The Minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 10^th June 2015 were approved as a correct record.

In relation to item 3(a), Councillor Robertson confirmed that the issue at Dalrigh is still ongoing and ACHA are in the process of searching through their title deeds.  She advised that she went to visit Mr Johnston again and will update the Committee on any progress.

Councillor Robertson gave an update on item 3(a)(g), advising that the Oban Community Action Group on Dog Fouling have now had two meetings since the last Area Committee meeting in June and confirmed that efforts by the Group have made a remarkable difference in the town.

Report by Stephen Whiston

A report providing the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee with a progress report on the action undertaken to establish the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director – Community Services dated 9^th July 2015, submitted).

Councillor Devon joined the meeting at 11:05am.

The Community Development Officer asked a question on behalf of Brian Marden.  He asked if anything was going to be done about the growing number of potholes in Cnoc a Challtuinn.

John Gordon raised a concern about car parking in Oban.  He asked where will be free to park in Oban if charges are applied at Lochavulian Car Park , stating that there will be no where for people who live outside of town and for tourists to park if they would like to use the bus, train or ferry.  Councillor McCuish advised Mr Gordon that there will be a consultation process for everyone to feed into with their comments.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to distribute information on the parking review consultation round all Community Councils when this information has become available.

John Gordon raised an issue in regard to the sewage system at Balvicar.  He advised that in 2007 a new system was put in place by Scottish Water which cost £11.7M and hasn’t worked for many years.  Mr Gordon asked for the Council’s support in furthering this matter.

Mr John Reid asked a question in relation to the sourcing of materials and associated costs in respect of the CHORD projects throughout Argyll and Bute.  Mr Reid was particularly concerned over the cost of granite, which he believed would need to be sourced from India and China.  He expressed concern over whether this was economically friendly.  Mr Reid advised that he was aware that a tender was about to be accepted by the Council in this regard and that the works were scheduled to begin in October in Oban.  He requested that the Area Committee put forward a recommendation to all Councillors asking them to give consideration to using cheaper, locally sourced materials.  The Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation confirmed that the only tender we are involved with granite specified is Oban public realm phase 2.  He advised that the Council have followed specific procurement rules on the identification of materials and their quality. He confirmed that no country of manufacture is specified and to do so would breach the Public Contract Regulations.

Mr Murray advised that in terms of delivery times contractors need to provide a project plan of delivery including delivery of materials on site and this is considered as part of the tender process and the council has not identified any concerns with project timescales. 

Councillor Neil MacIntyre asked if the Council would be purchasing a machine to clean the streets in Oban as he has noticed already that Stafford Street is dirty and the paving is stained.  He advised that Helensburgh have their own machine and feels Oban needs their own machine with all the upcoming works that are to be done in the town. The Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation agreed to take this back to the Head of Roads and Amenity Services.  Councillor MacLean asked that the Area Committee look at the terms of the Council’s street cleaning policy.

Councillor MacLean asked if the Council were looking into purchasing furniture for Stafford Street with another company.  The Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation confirmed that the Council is not taking any offers forward at present but are looking at other options and allowing the private sector to explore different options that could be considered by the Area Committee in the future.

Councillor MacLean asked when the bins at Stafford Street would be deployed and if they had a cigarette part.  The Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation confirmed that the bins had arrived and are hoping to deploy them as soon as possible and advised that he was unsure about the cigarette part but would check this out and advise Councillor MacLean.

Councillor D MacIntyre asked how we can publicise the use of the space at Stafford Street as he recently seen the pipe band playing at the station and felt the space at Stafford Street would be a better venue.  He suggested that this space be used for pipe bands at the Mòd in October.  The Chair suggested that the Community Development Officer email her network to make them aware of this use of space.

Councillor Robertson asked if the new paving at Stafford Street and George Street is chewing gum resistant.  The Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation agreed to look into this.

Graeme Bruce raised an issue about business units in Oban.  He advised that 18 months ago he lost the bid on a vacant unit which is now being used to store cars.  He asked for this to be looked into.

Linda Houston from BIDs advised the Committee that she is in the process of reviewing the current 5 year plan for BIDs and asked if the North Pier Maritime development has been delayed, noting that there is an exempt item on this agenda regarding a short term lease.  THe Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation advised he is limited on what he can answer but works should be completed by the end of September.

Ms Houston also raised a question in relation to the Food and Drink Festival which is coming to Oban on 3^rd and 4^th November, she asked what Oban can offer for this festival and asked if social media could play a part in this.

Rita Gatner from the Press and Journal asked a question in relation to Oban Airport Business Park.  She asked if any businesses had shown in interest in the site and if it has been marketed in any way.  The Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation confirmed that there are a number of businesses which have stated an interest but that a marketing campaign would also be undertaken.  Ms Gatner also asked what type of businesses the Council are looking for.  Mr Murray advised they are looking for businesses that complement the airport or link to class 4 type office development.

John Gordon asked if anything  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Report by IOD Programme Manager

The Committee considered a report which presented the Area Scorecard with

exceptional performance for financial quarter 1 of 2015-16 (April to June 2015).

Decision

The Committee noted the exceptional performance presented on the Scorecard.

(Ref: Report by IOD Programme Manager dated 12^th August 2015, submitted).

Councillor Robertson, having declared a non financial interest in Crossroads (North Argyll) and MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust, left the room and took no part in the discussion of those organisations.

Councillor McCuish, having declared a non financial interest in the GRAB Trust, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of this organisation.  Councillor Robertson took the Chair for consideration of that element of the item.

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.    Agreed those organisations that have received funding for 2 years or more should not be awarded more than the amount they received in 2014/15 unless increased developmental aspects are detailed in the application;

3.    Agreed, where possible, and if appropriate, new applications should receive all or most of the amount requested (up to 50% total project costs), unless a very large amount of funding is sought.

(Ref:  Report by Community Planning Manager dated 20^th July 2015, submitted).

Report by Community Development Officer

A report highlighting how the funding from grants to the Third Sector was spent in 2014/15, was considered.

The report details that the total Third Sector Grants budget made available by the Council for allocation in Oban, Lorn and the Isles for 2014/15 was £35,000 and this sum was awarded to 26 organisations.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Noted that organisations that do not submit an end of project monitoring report are not eligible for funding from this grant scheme in future years.

(Ref:  Report by Community Planning Manager dated 13^th July 2015, submitted).

Report by Economic Development Manager

A report seeking approval of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee on the proposed Oban, Lorn and the Isles Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP) 2015/16, was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report;

2.    Agreed to amend the Economic Development Action Plan as appropriate and approve this as a working document for 2015/16; and

3.    Agreed to discuss the Forestry Sector at the September Business Day.

(Ref:  Report by Economic Development Manager dated 12^th August 2015, submitted).

Report by Head of Education

The Committee considered a report which outlined the framework of the main holiday dates for Schools in 2016/2017 for the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Agreed to endorse the final pattern of school holidays and in-service days for session 2016/17; and

2.    Agreed that once this is confirmed, the details of school holidays and in-service days for 2016/17 should be circulated to schools and all relevant organisations. 

(Ref: Report by Head of Education dated 29^th July 2015, submitted).

Report by Lorn Arc Regeneration Project Manager

A report updating the Committee on the progress in delivering the Lorn Arc Tax Incremental Financing Programme and its capital infrastructure investment projects led by Development and Infrastructure Services, was considered. 

Decision

The Committee:

1. Noted the current progress with the Lorn Arc Programme; and
2. Agreed to discuss this item further at the September Business Day.

(Ref:  Report by Oban Lorn Regeneration Project Manager dated 16^th July 2015, submitted).

Councillor Robertson, having declared a non financial interest in Oban CHORD – Update report on meeting held with Oban Bay Marine Ltd on the 9^th July, left the meeting and took no part in discussion of this item.

Report by Oban Lorn Regeneration Project Manager

A report updating the Committee on the meeting held with OBM Ltd on the 9^th July 2015, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Oban Lorn Arc Regeneration Project Manager dated 20^th July 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.

Report by CHORD Project Manager

The Committee considered a report highlighting an area for action, in relation to project governance, following an Audit Review of the CHORD Programme in February 2015.  

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed to discuss this item further at the September Business Day.

(Ref:  Report by CHORD Programme Manager, dated 29^th June 2015, submitted).

Report by Estates Surveyor

A report advising the Committee of an approach to lease the former Day Care Centre on the North Pier on a short term basis, was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to postpone making any decisions until they have further information.

(Ref:  Report by Estates Surveyor dated 30^th July 2015, submitted).

Report by Estates Surveyor

A report advising the Committee of the two offers of purchase received in respect of the former Salen Resource Centre, 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 17^th July 2015, 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

E1       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.