Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies intimated.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and welcomed the Deputy Leader of the Council.

The Minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 10^th February 2016 was approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the Oban Common Good Fund held on 15^th February 2016 was noted.

The Minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Special Area Committee held on 9^th March 2016 was approved as a correct record.

Sarah Darling asked a question on behalf of Mull and Iona Communities Action Group, setting out the Group’s view on changes to library provision on the islands, and asking local area members to support the Group by asking the Council’s Administration to overturn the decision taken at the Council’s budget meeting on 11^th February 2016.  Moray Finch, on behalf of the Group, enquired about progress in dealing with the Group’s Freedom of Information requests submitted to the Council.  The Area Committee Manager advised the meeting that the Council’s processes for responding to Freedom of Information requests apply the statutory timescale for response to enquiries, and that the Council aims to deal with all requests in a timeous manner.  Members were further advised that representation had been expected from Tiree Community Council, and a letter setting out the Community Council’s position on library services on Tiree, which had been sent to the Committee Chairman, was circulated to all members.

Jane Alexander raised a concern about the amount of litter on the carriageway between Oban and Dunbeg and asked if something could be done. Ms Alexander was advised that this matter would be notified to the relevant Council officer, and Councillor McKenzie asked Ms Alexander if she would like to be involved with Park School’s proposed anti-litter initiative with which Cllr McKenzie is involved.

Neil MacKay from Oban Live asked if the Area Committee, as a matter of – not only vital economic importance but as a matter of urgency unanimously support and lobby that Oban’s now immediately recognised major event, namely Oban Live is provided with an appropriate Service Level Agreement and also receives adequate in-kind help in line with what other large events in the other areas of Argyll and Bute receive at present and have done for a considerable number of years.  He advised that last year’s one day event in Oban gave an economic benefit to the area in excess of £1.3 million.  In response, Councillor Devon suggested that a meeting be arranged between Mr MacKay and the Area Committee to look at funding.

Dee Bradbury, the President of Oban Lorne RFC submitted a letter to the Area Committee advising that Oban Lorne RFC have recently had a very productive meeting with key members of the Local Authority regarding the best way forward with regard to the clubs use of the adjacent pitches.  She advised that after further discussion, it has been raised that there may be potential for the club to either purchase or lease Glen 1 pitch from Argyll and Bute Council and that this of course would be subject to a robust feasibility study and careful negotiation between both parties.  She asked the Committee for their position on this suggestion in order to take this forward.  The Area Committee Manager advised the Committee that the Council’s process for considering the lease or sale of Council-owned assets should be followed, and agreed to take this request to the appropriate officer.

Councillor MacLean asked if rail transportation links would be recognised in the Committee’s Economic Development Action Plan.  Fergus Murray, Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation confirmed that it would.

Councillor Robertson asked if we were any further forward in the formation of a Sports Council being set up in Oban.  The Chair confirmed that Jillian Gibson, Community Sports Hub Officer, has recently set one up in Helensburgh and Councillor Morton agreed to find out more information and update Members.

Maitland Murray of OBM asked Ms MacDonald if the Transit Berthing Facility would be operational for 2017 in time for the 70^th Anniversary of West Highland Week.  Mr Murray was advised that it is hoped that this will be possible.

Stephen Thomas asked Ms MacDonald what length the berths are going to be.  Ms MacDonald advised that a definitive answer to this question could not be provided at this point, but that further detail will be available once the detailed design stage is completed.

Ms Glen of the Oban Times asked the Committee if the public could stay in the room for item 13 – Ganavan update and asked what the item was about.  The Chair advised that the Committee would make a decision on this matter at the appropriate point in proceedings.

Mr Bennett from the Crown Estate asked what the timescale is for identification of moorings which might be affected by the transit berthing facility.  Ms MacDonald advised that she will keep people informed of any impact on moorings.

Report by Chief Officer, Health and Social Care Partnership

A report providing the Committee with a progress report on the action undertaken to establish the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) from 1^st April 2016, was considered.

The Committee wished Anne Helstrip, Locality Manager, a happy retirement.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Suggested that regular reports come from the Locality Groups to the Area Committee for future meetings.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance/Programme Lead Integration dated 21^st March 2016, submitted).

Report by Economic Development Manager

A report providing the Committee with an update with regard to the progress of the actions and success measures in the OLI Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP), 2015/16, was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the OLI EDAP provided and the progress update for each action;

2.    Noted a stakeholder meeting is scheduled to take place on 23^rd May 2016

3.    Agreed that the Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation bring a report to a future Area Committee to update when the LEADER fund is available; and

(Ref:  Report by Economic Development Manager dated 11^th April 2016, submitted).

Report by Senior Planning Development Officer

The Senior Development Officer introduced Iain MacInnes, the new Digital Liaison Officer to the Committee and took them through a report providing an update on the various digital infrastructure projects including:

·         Next Generation Broadband

-       BT Commercial Programme

-       Highlands and Islands Programme

-       Community Broadband Scotland

-       Extension of Funding

·         Mobile Communications

-       Mobile Infrastructure Project

-       Scottish Government Pilot on Coll

-       Vodafone Rural

-       Commercial Upgrades

·         Public Wi-Fi

Discussion took place on the timescale for public Wi-Fi access at Stafford Street and Station Square in Oban and the Senior Development Officer advised that provision of public wi-fi is currently being tested in Helensburgh.

Decision

The Committee noted the content of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Senior Development Officer dated 11^th April 2016, submitted).

Councillor Robertson, having declared a non-financial interest Port of Oban Cruise Ship Group, left the room and took no part in the discussion of this organisation.

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.  Members were advised that applications not awarded funding at this stage may be considered at a later date.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Agreed to award the grant recommendations as follows:-

2.    Agreed that those organisations that have received funding for the two previous years or more should not be awarded more than the amount they received in 2015/16 unless increased developmental aspects are detailed in the application.  It was agreed that these repeat applications may be subject to a 20% reduction on the previous year’s allocation.  This is to reduce applicants’ dependency on Council grants and encourage fundraising and income generation initiatives.

3.    Agreed that 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; and

4.    Agreed grants only be awarded pending receipt of the correct paperwork; an approved finance check; and an End of Project monitoring form (if a grant was awarded in previous years).

(Ref:  Report by Community Development Officer dated 18^th March 2016, submitted).

Report by Schools Development Project Manager

A report providing the Committee with progress on the Council’s new schools redevelopment project in partnership with HubNorth Scotland Ltd (HubNorth) to build a new secondary school in Oban, was considered.  The new school is to be delivered through the Scottish Government’s Schools for the Future Programme.

The Schools Development Project Manager confirmed that the project will deliver in Oban the construction of a new secondary school for pupils aged between 12 to 18, with capacity for 1300 pupils, to replace the existing Oban High School on the current school site and will include demolition of the existing school buildings, provision of an enlarged car park, landscaping, and provision of a pedestrian footway with lighting from the new schools facility to the grass pitches owned by the Council at Glencruitten, Oban.  Mr Casey advised that the existing 3G artificial turf carpet will be replaced with a new 3G carpet and shock-pad suitable for football and rugby in year 1 of operation.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.    Noted the project milestone of reaching Financial Close for the Campbeltown Grammar School and Oban High School redevelopment project; and

2.    Noted the key construction dates for Oban High School as set out in Paragraph 4.6 hereof.

(Ref:  Report by Schools Development Project Manager dated 29^th March 2016, submitted).

Report by Contracts Manager

The Contracts Manager took the Committee through a report which follows-on from the report presented at the December Area Committee, which provided information on road maintenance revenue activities being delivered in Q2 2015/16.  The report also details the proposed roads reconstruction programme for the OLI area.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Contracts Manager dated 11^th April 2016, submitted).

Report by Oban Regeneration Project Manager

A report updating the Committee on progress to date and presenting enhanced design options for the Maritime Visitor Centre was considered.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.    Agreed to proceed to the detailed design stage for Option One as set out in the appendix of the report; and

2.    Noted the current progress with the Maritime Visitor Centre.

(Ref:  Report by Oban CHORD Project Manager dated 11^th March 2016, submitted).

Report by Regeneration Project Manager

A report updating the Committee on the progress to date and presenting options for detailed design for the Transit Berthing Facility was considered. 

The Committee thanked Ms MacDonald for all her hard work in this project.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Agreed to proceed to detailed design stage for Option 4 as set out in Appendix A of the report;

2.    Noted the current progress with the Transit Berthing Facility; and

3.    Noted that the next progress update will be in Autumn 2016.

(Ref:  Report by Oban CHORD Project Manager dated 11^th March 2016, 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 Paragraphs 8&9 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Verbal Update by Head of Facility Services

The Area Committee Manager provided an update to Members on behalf of the Head of Facility Services.

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided and agreed a proposal to further the matter.

(Ref:  Verbal update by Area Committee Manager dated 11^th April 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.