Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies intimated.

Councillor Robertson declared a non-financial interest in relation to the Third Sector Grant Applications for: Comunn Eadraich Lios Mor / The Lismore Historical Society, which is dealt with at item 7(a)(Ref. No. 3) of this Minute because she is involved with the organisation; Crossroads, which is dealt with at item 7(a)(Ref. No. 5) of this Minute, because she is the Chair of the Group; and Dunollie Projects Ltd, which is dealt with at item 7(a)(Ref. No. 6) of this Minute, because her spouse is Factor for Dunollie Estate. 

Councillor Iain S. MacLean declared a non-financial interest in relation to the Third Sector Grant Application for Atlantis Leisure, which is dealt with at item 7(a)(Ref. No. 2) of this Minute, because he sits on the Board of this organisation.

The Minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 8th June 2016 was approved as a correct record subject to the amendment on page 2, item 3, to include ‘meeting’ after ‘Sports Hub’, and subject to the amendment on page 4, item 11, to add the word “cabin”.

In relation to item 11, the Chair confirmed that the public footpath at Oban High School is now open as work has been completed.

The Minute of the Oban Common Good Fund held on 16^th May 2016 was noted.

Mr Tom MacColl asked the Committee to consider introducing a one-way system at Pulpit Hill.  The Chair agreed to set up a meeting with Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, the Council’s Roads section to agree a way forward.

Councillor Devon asked on behalf of constituents whether developments at the Old Alginate Factory would impact upon businesses currently sited there.  The Chair advised a meeting would take place with Scottish Sea Farms to discuss their plans.

Report by OLI Locality Manager

A report updating the Committee on relevant issues regarding Adult Health and Social Care within the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area was considered.

Mr Davidson gave a verbal update to the Committee on the health service in Mull with particular detail on GP posts.  Mr Davidson confirmed that adverts for GP posts are out.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Asked Mr Davidson to provide copies of Equality Impact Assessments considered by the Integration Joint Board when determining budget allocations.

(Ref:  Report by Area Manager – Adult Care dated 10th August 2016, submitted).

Report by IOD Programme Manager

A report presenting the Area Scorecard, with exceptional performance for financial quarter 1, 2016-17 (April-June 2016) was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the exceptional performance presented on the Scorecard.

(Ref:  Report by IOD Programme Manager dated 10th August 2016, submitted).

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 £1,000 of remaining 2016-17 Third Sector Grants money should be retained to be made available to Mull Safe and Sound if the Community Development Officer is satisfied that the organisation can source match funding for projects to take place during the 2016-17 year.

(Ref:  Report by Community Development Officer dated 10^th August 2016, submitted).

Report by Community Development Officer

The Committee considered a report highlighting the positive outcomes for communities in Oban, Lorn and the Isles through the allocation of the Council’s Third Sector Grant funding in 2015/16.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Community Development Officer dated 10th August 2016, submitted).

Report by Finance Manager

A report setting out the proposed method for the distribution of the charities and trust funds in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area was considered.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.    Noted the contents of the reports; and

2.    Agreed that this item be on the agenda for the September business day meeting in order that assurance can be provided to Members that monies transferred to Council Services are used in accordance with the fund purpose.

(Ref:  Report by Finance Manager dated 10th August 2016, submitted).

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

Representatives from Argyll Training gave a verbal update to the Committee on the problems that they currently face across Argyll and Bute with jobs cuts and possible cessation of trade if they don’t find any help.

Decision

The Committee noted the content of the update.

The Committee considered the following Notice of Motion submitted under

Standing Order 14 which was proposed by Councillor Roderick McCuish and seconded by Councillor Julie McKenzie: –

Motion

That the Council are asked as a matter of urgency to consider the current critical position of Argyll Training Limited.

At this time a number of staff have taken voluntary redundancy and all remaining staff (16) have taken salary reductions and are subject to 90 days’ notice of redundancy, and the company’s offices in Campbeltown and Rothesay have been closed.

The issues currently being faced by Argyll Training Limited have arisen predominately due to a number of funding cuts, in particular a 42% reduction (70 places) in the Employability Fund for 2016/17 for Argyll and Bute and the cessation of DWP programmes (i.e. Mandatory Work Activity and Community Work Placement contracts) with no extension of provision until Welfare to Work activity is devolved to Scotland as from 1st April 2017.

It is of key concern that if Argyll Training cease to trade, then Argyll and Bute will in effect be left with little or no Employability Fund provision.  This will have a significant impact on the support that can be offered to our vulnerable young people in terms of providing them with the necessary skills and qualifications to aide them into employment, including the opportunity to become a Modern Apprentice.

The loss of quality training jobs, and the key role they play in rural employability will have a huge impact on Argyll and Bute’s economy which continues to be affected by depopulation.

To date the Council has been actively lobbying the UK and Scottish Governments on the devolution of Welfare to Work Programmes to Scotland as of 1st April 2017.  In particular, a focus has been given to the provision of employability services in rural/remote and island areas.  However, previous lobbying activity has not been successful in reversing the funding decision.

The Council is asked to make representations to the Scottish Government to work together to develop realistic options for the continuation of this proven and valuable service. 

Proposed:  Councillor McCuish,

Seconded: Councillor McKenzie

Decision

The Committee unanimously agreed the motion.

(Ref: Notice of Motion by Councillor Roderick McCuish and seconded by Councillor Julie McKenzie, dated 9 August 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.

Report by Oban Regeneration Project Manager

A report updating the Committee on the progress in delivering the Lorn Arc Tax Incremental Funding Programme led by Development and Infrastructure Services, was considered.

The appendix outlines the current position of the three most immediate projects as at 19th July 2016.

Decision

The Committee noted with concern the current situation with the Lorn Arc programme.

(Ref:  Report by Oban Lorn Arc Regeneration Programme Manager dated 29th July 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.