Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Duncan MacIntyre and Alistair MacDougall.

Councillor McCuish declared a non financial interest in relation to the Third Sector Grant Application for BID4Oban which was dealt with at item 5 (1) of this Minute, because he is a Director at BIDs. 

Councillor MacDonald declared a non financial interest in relation to the Third Sector Grant Application for Bridge of Orchy Village Hall Trust which was dealt with at item 5 (2) of this Minute, because he is a member of the Committee.

The Chair agreed to take a question from Jill Bowis of Ardchattan Community Council.  She asked the Committee if it is possible for the Council to look into software for all Community Councils to access as a mailing programme to help them communicate with other groups and officers etc in regard to projects that are ongoing.

The Area Committee Manager agreed to look into this and respond back to Jill.

Report by Project Manager – Self Directed Support

A report providing the Committee with a review of progress to date in respect of the implementation of the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 following its enactment on 1^st April 2014, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the content of the report in respect of barriers and challenges; the actions taken to address these and the continued significant progress made to date on the implementation of the Social Care (Self-Directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 in Argyll and Bute.

(Ref:  Report by Project Manager – Self Directed Support dated 16^th March 2015, submitted).

Councillor Iain A MacDonald having declared a non financial interest in item 5(2) left the room and took no part in the discussion of that 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 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 2014/15 unless increased developmental aspects are detailed om the application.  These repeat applicants may be subject to a 20% reduction on the previous years 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 applicants 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 that grants will only be awarded pending receipt of the correct paperwork; and approved financial check; and an End of Project monitoring form (if a grant was awarded in previous year).

(Ref:  Report by Community Development Officer dated 23^rd April 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.

Louise Glen, Oban Times, asked whether press and public would be excluded for consideration of item 6 of this minute.  She asked that she be able, as a journalist, to witness the Committee debate on this item.  The Chair advised Louise that this could not happen and Councillor Iain MacLean asked that it be noted he disagrees with this decision.

Report by Oban CHORD Regeneration Project Manager

The Committee considered a report from the Oban Regeneration Project Manager detailing the Lorn Arc TIF Asset Project number 9 – Oban and the Isles Airport Business Park:  Access Road Enablement Full Business Case.

Decision

The Committee unanimously agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Oban Regeneration Project Manager dated 23^rd April 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.