Agenda and minutes

Sandy Dunlop on behalf of Connel Community Council welcomed the Area Committee and thanked them for using the local facilities which benefited the local community.

Apologies for absence were intimated by:

Councillor Mary-Jean Devon

Councillor Robertson declared a non financial interest in relation to item 8. Oban CHORD Update as her husband is a member of OBM.

The Minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on the 12^th August were approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund held on the 27^th August was noted.

The minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Safety Forum held on the 28^th August was noted.

Mr Kieron Green asked whether public consultation meetings for Service Choices were being arranged. Councillor McCuish responded that he wasn’t aware of any plans for this but members of the public can attend Council meetings. Mr Green also reminded everyone that the Boundary Commission’s public consultation process for their proposed ward boundary changes closes on Thursday 22^nd October and asked everyone to make sure they have put their responses in. 

Councillor Duncan MacIntyre commented that the information in relation to the Boundary Commission proposals by the Community Councils had been pulled together in a efficient and professional manner.

Mr Duncan Martin asked the Committee whether the consultation response on the parking review had been pulled together yet.

Councillor McCuish responded that he didn’t have a time frame for this but thought that the responses from the parking review would run in connection with the Service Choices consultation process.

Mr Graeme Bruce provided the Committee with copies of the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership strategic plan for 2016- 2018. He highlighted to the Committee that he had a concern regarding the proposed reduction of GP’s service.

Councillor Robertson agreed to pick up this concern and raise it with the Health Board and will respond back to Mr Bruce. Mr Bruce also commented that the consultation was not well advertised or easily accessible.

Ms Jill Bowis raised a concern that Community Councils have not had any public consultation in respect of future plans for Oban Business Park. The Chairman requested that a public meeting be set up.

Councillor Iain S MacLean raised a concern regarding the lighting control box at the Connel Bridge as it was not in keeping with the listed structure status. Mr Sandy Dunlop informed Councillor MacLean that the Community Council have arranged a meeting with Transport Scotland and BEAR to discuss this matter. Councillor MacLean enquired whether elected Members could be present at the meeting or failing that if the information could be relayed back to the Members through the Community Council.

Mr Sandy Dunlop asked if a facility to book the public realm space in Stafford Street could be set up. The Area Committee Manager agreed to take this point raised away for further investigation.

Mr Graeme Bruce highlighted to Members that there has been an increase in the Crinnan Canal transit fee to £350 and he felt that this would impact on people using it. He suggested that the Scottish Canals Association could be contacted to enquire as to whether there was the possibility of a discount during the West Highland Week.

Ms Jill Bowis informed the Committee of the possibility of a local organisation seeking Community Empowerment funding to facilitate the recording of Council Meetings and asked if Members would be supportive of this.

Members confirmed they would support such an application.

Report by Head Teacher of Tiree High School

An annual report providing the committee with a general progress update on Tiree High School was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Head Teacher, Tiree High School dated 20^th October 2015, submitted)

Report by Education Officer

A report advising the Committee of the proposed rezoning request and change of catchment area for Kerrera was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed the recommendations at 3.0 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Education Officer dated 20^th October 2015, submitted)

Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services

The Committee considered a report which outlined the current position regarding the Community led proposal for a link road to connect the communities of Kerrera.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 20^th October 2015, submitted)

Councillor Robertson, having declared a non financial interest in Oban CHORD update report in respect of the interim step ashore options for 2015/2016, left the meeting and took no part in discussion of that matter.

Report by Regeneration Project Manager

A report requesting the Committee to determine a suitable option for the Oban CHORD 2015/16 Interim Step Ashore Facility to be taken forward and updating Members on progress of Public Realm phases 1 and 2 was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report

2.    Agreed unanimously to instruct officers to proceed with option 4 for the Interim Step Ashore Options for 2015/2016.

3.    Agreed to request that the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services efficiently and effectively progress a permanent solution; and

4.    Agreed that regular updates be given to the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee on progress of the permanent step ashore facility.

(Ref: Report by Regeneration Project Manager dated 20^th October 2015, submitted)

Report by Roads Performance Manager

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the roads revenue budget position at the end of financial quarter one for 2015/2016.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Roads Performance Manager dated 20^th October 2015, submitted)

Report by Area Committee Manager

A report advising the Committee of a request which had been received from the Oban Hospice to appoint two Members of the Area Committee to sit on it’s board was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed to delegate appointment to the Executive Director of Customer Services in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Area Committee.

(Ref: report by Area Committee Manager dated 20^th October 2015, submitted)

Report by Area Governance Manager

A report outlining the current Council Policy on town twinning, along with proposals to rejuvenate the existing link with Gorey by developing economic, social and cultural themes of benefit to both areas was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed to continue on an informal basis existing twinning links with Gorey.

(Ref: Report by Area Governance Manager dated 20^th October 2015, submitted)

Report by Area Committee Manager

The Committee considered a report which set out information on Holocaust Memorial Day which is held on 27 January each year and asks that Members of the Area Committee provide support to any events which are taking place in the local area.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Noted the contents of the reports; and

2. Agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the report.

(Ref: Report by Area Committee Manager dated 20^th October 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 items 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.

Report by Estates Surveyor

A report providing details of agreed lease terms in respect of land at Oban airport was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed a proposal relating to the process set out within the report.

(Ref: Report by Estates Surveyor dated 20^th October 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 resubmitted for consideration following on from the August Area Committee.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Estates Surveyor dated 20^th October 2015, submitted)

Report by Estates Surveyor

The Committee considered a report advising of the offers of purchase received in respect of the former Dunaros Care Home and Hospital, Salen, Isle of Mull.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Estates Surveyor dated 20^th October 2015, submitted)

Report by Estates Surveyor

A report advising the Committee of a request from Oban Sailing Club to lease additional grounds was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Estates Surveyor dated 20^th October 2015, submitted)

Report by Estates Surveyor

A report advising the Committee of the offer of purchase received in respect of a site at Fountainhead, Bunessan, Isle of Mull was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Estates Surveyor dated 20^th October 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.