Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies intimated.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Devon back to the Area Committee.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee Minutes – 9^th December 2015

The Minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 9^th December 2016 were approved as a correct record subject to the amendment on page 2, item 4, Ms Glen from the Oban Times requested her name be corrected from Ms Lee.

Councillor MacDougall raised a query in relation to item 5 of the previous minute (ACHA).  He asked what the current position is in relation to the tender for grass works.  The Chair confirmed that he notified the appropriate officer and that tenders are upcoming with work already in place in Islay.  The Chair agreed for the appropriate officer to respond to Councillor MacDougall.

Councillor Robertson asked if Mr Bruce had received a response in relation to the units at Lochavullin.  The Area Committee Manager confirmed that this issue has been raised with the Head of Facility Services and that he is looking into a review of the leasing arrangements of all the units.

In relation to a public question at the last meeting, Councillor Robertson advised that there will be consideration of maintenance of bridges as part of the budget process. .  She advised that draft contingency plans have been taken to the Community Councils, these are still being worked on and that officers are waiting on feedback.

In relation to the previous public question from Mr Green regarding the re-use of materials, the Chair confirmed that materials will not be re-used.

Kieran Green of Oban Community Council asked the Committee if there are any key priorities locally that elected Members will be considering when looking at the budget.

Councillor MacIntyre advised that he would hope to see a saving in cutting waste and excessive overtime.  He also suggested that integrating services would be a good idea.

The Chair suggested that the Area Committee have a budget locally so that more decisions can be made in Oban, Lorn and the Isles.

Councillor MacDonald suggested that he be looking into finding ways of speaking to our service users, working together to allow more partnership working with local businesses and third sector organisations.

Councillor Robertson suggested that we maintain what is important to our communities, local priorities and needs.

The provision of emergency towing vessels in the area was raised by Councillor MacDougall, noting that a media article recently did not record Argyll and Bute Council involvement in discussions.  The Head of Roads and Amenity Services confirmed that Council officers are involved in national discussions regarding this matter.

The Chair asked Mr Collins, the Regeneration Project Manager for an update on the current progress of works.  Mr Collins advised that Raynesway have now started to address the outstanding snagging works at Stafford Street.  He confirmed that work started on Thursday 4^th February to remove planting and to start top soiling.  He advised that they plan to have a surfacing squad on site to undertake remedial work to the roadway/crossing and will continue addressing items on the snagging list, which includes the epoxy bonding of granite coping stones.   He confirmed that all civil works should be complete Friday 12 February and that lighting issues are to be remedied by Pegasus.

Councillor MacLean advised the Head of Roads and Amenity Services that there is a lot of litter on the road.  He also asked Mr Smith to look into the traffic lights at Connel Bridge to confirm they are functioning appropriately.

Report by Planning and Performance Management Officer

The Committee unanimously noted their extreme disappointment that no representative from NHS Highland was present at the meeting to present this item. 

They agreed that this report be brought back to a Special Area Committee or the next available, noting that other Area Committees in Argyll and Bute had been afforded the opportunity to discuss the matter.  Members noted that integration would take place on 1^st April 2016, and expressed concern at their lack of opportunity to feed into this process.

Councillors Robertson and Devon advised they would contact the Chief Officer of Health and Social Care, Christina West, highlighting this issue to her and to ask her to ensure an Officer will be in attendance in future.

Report by Area Manager – Adult Care

Caroline Henderson, the Local Area Manager for Oban and Community took the Committee through a quarterly generic report, updating on the relevant issues regarding Adult Care within the area.

The report has been broken down into the following areas: Generic, Operational, Social Work, Extended Community Care Team, Home Care and other pertinent areas of work including Integration of Health and Social Care services.

Ms Henderson advised the Committee that Oban, Lorn and the Isles has the largest number of Adult Protection referrals in Argyll and Bute with most referrals coming from Police Scotland.  She updated the Committee on the Locality Groups, advising that there is one for Oban and the surrounding areas, and one for the Islands, and that elected members would be invited to take part in these groups.

Decision

The Committee unanimously noted the contents of the report and information provided by the Local Area Manager.

(Report by Area Manager – Adult Care dated 1^st February 2016, submitted).

Report by Finance Manager

The Committee considered a report setting out the estimated funding available for distribution for funds for the charities and trust funds in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area for 2015-16.

The Committee confirmed they were not happy with this report and had a concern in regards to trust fund monies being allocated for use by Council departments.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Agreed for this report to come back to the April Area Committee detailing reasons of why trust funds are being transferred to each service to be more specific in regards to the figures;

2.    Asked the Area Committee Manager to contact the Finance Department regarding the MacDougall Trust; and

3.    Agreed that if Members had any more concerns relating to this paper, to relay their concerns to the Area Committee Manager who will take them to the Finance Department.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Strategic Finance dated 10^th February 2016, submitted).

Report by Head Teacher of Oban High School

The Committee considered a report from Oban High School which is their school profile for 2015/16.

The Chair advised that unfortunately Mr Bain, Head Teacher of Oban High School could not attend this meeting but confirmed that if any Members had any questions Mr Bain could deal with these directly.

Councillor MacLean advised the Committee that he recently attended a meeting with Oban High School Parent Council where a discussion took place on the possibility of teacher numbers being reduced.  He confirmed this is the same scenario which happened in 2013 and would like to know what the figure would be for maintaining teacher numbers.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to contact Mr Bain regarding this.

The Committee recognised the School’s success in achieving an Investors in People Gold Award.

Decision

The Committee unanimously noted the contents of the report and agreed to hold a Special Area Committee for this item if necessary to discuss teacher numbers.

(Ref:  Report by Head Teacher of Oban High School dated 10^th February 2016, submitted).

Report by Contracts Manager

A report providing a summary of the parking review process to date and the issues raised through the member workshop and informal public consultation, was considered.

The report also provides an overall programme for the implementation of any changes to the current arrangements and the associated statutory consultation process.

Decision

The Committee unanimously:-

1. Agreed that the following proposals for Oban would be submitted for statutory approval:

-car parking charges be introduced in Lochavullin, Longsdale (Atlantis) and Ganavan Car Parks free for the first 2 hours with the standard hourly charge (currently £0.80) thereafter;

- on-street charging be changed to incremental with 15 minute charges being introduced (currently £0.80 per hour so £0.20 per 15 minute period);

- on-street parking charges be introduced for Sunday parking which would be free until 13:00.  Standard charges would apply after 13:00.

2           Agreed that for Mull:

-a further consultation meeting in Mull focussing on Fionnphort where charges would be proposed for the off-street car park on the basis of free for the first 2 hours with the standard hourly charge (currently £0.80) thereafter

-Parking policy to be developed for the remainder of Mull taking into consideration any increase in traffic following the first summer post RET

(Ref:  Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 10^th February 2016, submitted).

Report by Area Committee Manager

A report providing an update on the Area Committee’s role with the Bridge of Orchy Trust, was considered.

Decision

The Committee unanimously noted that the Bridge of Orchy Hall Trust constitution does not provide for a member of the Area Committee to act as a trustee.

(Ref:  Report by Area Committee Manager dated 8^th January 2016, submitted).

Report by Area Committee Manager

A report outlining the proposed cycle of meetings in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area from May 2016 to April 2017 was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to endorse the agreed cycle of Area Committee and Business Day meetings as detailed in the attached appendix of this report.

(Ref:  Report by Area Committee Manager dated 8^th January 2016, submitted).

Verbal update by the Chair of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee

The Chair updated the Committee on the sports meetings which he has been attending for some time now.

He advised that Scottish Athletics have advised in their 2015 strategy that a 400m running track should be sited in Oban.

He suggested that a sports Council be set up.

Decision

The Committee unanimously agreed to set a Sports Council up in Oban, Lorn and the Isles.

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The Chair moved and the Committee unanimously agreed to have item 13 (Proposed Lease at Ganavan) taken in public session.

Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services

A report advising the Committee of the current position in respect of unsolicited expressions of interest for a lease of the public convenience and adjacent land at Ganavan, Oban, was considered.

Decision

The Committee unanimously:-

1.          Noted the contents of the report in respect of the public conveniences and adjacent land at Ganavan, Oban;

2.          Asked that the appropriate department arrange for signage to be placed out at Ganavan at the public conveniences or the grass area; and

3.          Asked that the Estates Surveyor provide the Committee with a timeline.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 10^th February 2016).

The Council resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and 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 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Head of Facility Services

A report updating the Committee on the current status of vacant properties within Oban, Lorn and the Isles was considered.

Decision

The Committee unanimously noted the current position.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Facility Services dated 22^nd January 2016, 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.