Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies intimated.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed that the business dealt with at item 4 (Police Scotland) of this minute be dealt with as a matter of urgency by reason of the availability of the newly-appointed Youth Engagement Officer.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed that the business dealt with at item 11 (3 Weekly Bin Collection on Mull) of this minute be dealt with as a matter of urgency by reason of the ongoing implementation of three-weekly bin collection on Mull.

There were no declaration of interest intimated.

The minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on the 10^th August 2016 was approved as a correct minute subject to the amendment on page 1, item 2, that Councillor Robertson advised her declaration of interest related to her husband’s position as a Trustee of Comunn Eadraich Lios Mor.

In relation to item 4 of the previous minute, the Chair advised that he was extremely disappointed that a meeting had not yet been set up to consider a one-way system at Pulpit Hill.  The Chair asked that the Area Committee receive an update as soon as possible.

The Chair confirmed that Argyll Training had unfortunately now folded due to not receiving funding to continue their business. 

The Minute of the Oban Common Good Fund held on 25^th August 2016 was noted.

Chief Inspector Marlene Baillie introduced to the Committee Claire Brown, Police Scotland’s new Youth Engagement Officer for the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area.

She confirmed that Ms Brown would be responsible for local community issues relating to crime and intervention around young people to help prevent further crime when they are older.  Ms Brown advised that she has been in contact with Kevin Irvine of the Skateboarding Group and that she would work closely with him regarding a location for a skateboard park.

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided and Cllr McKenzie agreed to liaise with Ms Brown and the Skateboard Committee to discuss future plans.

(Ref:  Verbal update by Police Scotland dated 12^th October 2016, submitted).

Councillor Devon questioned future dentist provision on Mull, advising that when the current dentist retires, he is not being replaced, requiring that patients access dental care in Oban. 

Councillor MacLean asked a question relating to payment of travel time to care staff.  The Area Committee Manager advised that the first performance report from the IJB is scheduled to come to the December Area Committee.

Councillor MacDougall raised a number of queries regarding road signage and lining on Mull.  The Roads Performance Manager agreed to investigate these.

Duncan Martin asked the Committee to comment on concerns regarding access to the sports pitch at Glencruitten.  Members noted the concerns expressed, and advised that the amended planning application referred to would be considered in accordance with the Council’s planning processes.

Mr Martin further questioned whether future workshops to consider parking in the area would include input from the community.  Mr Martin was advised that public consultation is included in the parking development process.

Report by Schools Development Project Manager

A report providing the Committee with progress on the Council’s Schools Redevelopment Project in partnership with hubNorth Scotland Ltd to build a new secondary school in Oban, was considered.

Mr Casey, Schools Redevelopment Project Manager gave a presentation to the Committee on the progress of works to date.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Noted the contents of the report and presentation; and
2. Noted that an update report will come to each Area Committee meeting.

(Ref:  Report and Presentation by Schools Redevelopment Project Manager dated 9^th September 2016, submitted).

Report by Economic Development Manager

A report seeking approval from the Committee on the proposed OLI Economic Development Action Plan, 2016/21 aligned to the overarching Strategic Argyll and Bute Economic Development Action Plan, was considered.

Councillor MacIntyre having moved an amendment which failed to find a seconder asked for his dissent to be recorded.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Economic Development Manager dated 12^th September 2016, submitted).

Report by Contracts Manager

A report following on from a previous report presented earlier in the year at a previous Area Committee, which provides information on road maintenance revenue activities being delivered, was considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Noted the contents of the report; and
2. Agreed that the Chair would meet with the Roads Performance Manager to discuss capital roads spend for Mull, Coll and Tiree, and a further report would come back to the November Business Day.

(Ref:  Report by Roads Performance Manager dated 28^th August 2016, submitted).

Verbal update by Contracts Manager

The Roads Performance Manager gave a verbal update, suggesting a further workshop for members take place after the business day meeting in November with a paper going to the December Area Committee to determine proposals to go to public consultation.

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided.

(Ref:  Verbal update by Roads Performance Manager dated 12^th October 2016, submitted).

Verbal update by Amenity Performance Manager

 The Amenity Performance Manager gave a verbal update on the current cleaning regime for Stafford Street and George Street in Oban.  Mr McCracken advised that three manual street sweepers work on a varied shift pattern, with two members of staff at all times Monday-Friday.

Mr McCracken confirmed that a machine has previously been hired to undertake extra cleaning works and that cleaning of the recent public realm development is undertaken as part of the regular cleaning regime.

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided.

(Ref:  Verbal update by the Amenity Performance Manager dated 12^th October 2016, submitted).

Councillor Devon advised the Committee of feedback she had received from constituents regarding the recently-introduced 3-weekly bin collection programme on Mull, noting that communication of the new programme did not meet the expectations of users.

The Amenity Performance Manager advised the Committee of the arrangements which were in place for communicating details of the new programme and making available additional bins where required.  Mr McCracken advised the Committee that he was aware of implementation difficulties on Mull and advised of the mechanisms in place to deal with these, and advised that feedback on implementation on Mull would influence wider implementation.

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided by the Amenity Performance Manager.

Report by Development Manager

A report outlining the legislative and regulatory framework that exists in relation to commercial signage, most specifically A Boards and banners that appear on pavements, was considered by the Committee.  It was noted by the Committee that  there will be new legislation in place by the end of November.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Development Manager dated 3^rd October 2016, submitted).

Report by Area Committee Manager

A report asking the Committee to determine the future of civic furniture identified in line with the protocol which has been agreed for dealing with such items, was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to offer items free to a local community group having first sought expressions of interest by notice on the Council website, and failing that, to offer the items for sale locally.

(Ref:  Report by Area Committee Manager dated September 2016, submitted).

Report by Oban Regeneration Project Manager

A report providing the Committee with an update on progress in relation to the review of the commercial market and affordability assumptions in the Lorn Arc Business Case, the latest position with regard the delivery of the individual projects, the recruitment of staff for the Lorn Arc team and latest budget position as at the end of August 2016, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the current position with the Lorn Arc Programme.

(Ref:  Report by Oban Lorn Arc Regeneration Programme Manager dated 12^th October 2016, submitted).

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 Oban Regeneration Project Manager

The Committee considered a report detailing the revised final business case (FBC) for the Maritime Visitor Facility for approval.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations at 4.1 and 4.2 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Regeneration Project Manager dated 12^th October 2016, submitted).

Report by Regeneration Project Manager

The Committee considered a report detailing the Final Business Case (FBC) for the Transit Berthing Facility for approval.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations at 4.1 and 4.2 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Regeneration Project Manager dated 12^th October 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.