Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Roddy McCuish.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 12^th October 2016 was approved as a correct record.

Councillor Devon updated the Committee that dental provision on Mull has been granted funding for 1 year. 

Councillor Green, Chair of the Integration Joint Board advised that COSLA guidance provides for payment of travel time to care staff.

Councillor Robertson confirmed that access to the sports pitch which was brought up at the previous meeting by Mr Martin has been referred to the Disability Forum with a meeting scheduled for the new year.

Councillor Devon asked if there was any update on the street boards legislation.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to look into this and circulate an update to Members.

Councillor Green asked Councillor McKenzie for an update on the Skateboarding Group.  She confirmed they have now had their first meeting with their full committee of partners which will meet monthly to discuss locations, and will soon issue to the press further details.

Councillor Robertson asked for an update in regard to the street furniture which was brought to the previous meeting for discussion.  The Area Committee Manager advised that an advert will be put on the Council’s website alerting community groups to the sale.  He suggested that local members are in a good position to notify community groups.

The minute of the Oban Common Good Fund held on 17^th November 2016 was noted.

Mr Leady asked the Committee to improve the Oban to Connel Back Road. The Committee agreed to forward the concerns to the Roads Service for consideration.

Gerry Fisher asked the Committee their views on discussion at Council regarding actions taken by the Standards Commission for Scotland.  Members responded individually to Mr Fisher’s questions.

Mairi Maclean raised concerns regarding flooding in the Glenshellach area. The Committee recognised issues regarding flooding and agreed to put forward their concerns on this matter to the Planning Service.

Ian Dougall queried the process followed to agree to site pontoons in Oban.  Mr Dougall was advised of an ongoing consultation event taking place in Oban regarding this matter.

Presentation by North Argyll Youth Forum

Students from North Argyll Youth Forum gave a presentation to the Committee on their recent German Exchange trip.

They spoke about the places they visited each day and explained a statistical investigation undertaken comparing lifestyles in Scotland and Germany. It was noted that the return leg of the exchange was planned, and members expressed an interest in hearing more about this in due course.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the presentation and congratulated the presenters on the high quality of content and the style of their presentation.

(Ref:  Report and Presentation by North Argyll Youth Forum dated 9^th December 2016, submitted).

Report by Head Teacher of Tiree High School

The Head Teacher of Tiree High School took the Committee through a progress update report on the school’s achievements in the 2015/2016 session.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Head Teacher of Tiree High School dated 9^th December 2016, submitted).

Report by Head Teacher of Tobermory High School

The Acting Head Teacher of Tobermory High School introduced the Head Boy and Head Girl to the Committee, and took the Committee through a progress update report on the school’s achievements in the 2015/2016 session.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Head Teacher of Tobermory High School dated 9^th December 2016, submitted).

Report by Head Teacher of Oban High School

The Head Teacher of Oban High School took the Committee through a progress update report on the school’s achievements in the 2015/2016 session.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Head Teacher of Oban High School dated 9^th December 2016, submitted).

Report by Schools Redevelopment Project Manager

The Schools Development Project Manager took the Committee through a report on the progress of the new schools redevelopment project in partnership with Hub North Scotland Ltd to build a new secondary school in Oban.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report and congratulated Mr Casey, Mr Bain and all the pupils involved.

(Ref: Report by Schools Development Project Manager dated 9^th December 2016, submitted).

Presentation by Chief Executive of ACHA

The Chief Executive of ACHA gave a presentation to the Committee.

He spoke about the Investment Programme in Oban, Lorn and the Isles, the reactive repairs and cyclical maintenance, employment and the new homes which are being built in the area to suit all circumstances.

Decision

The Committee noted the presentation and praised the staff at ACHA for their professionalism, the way they deal with cases and their speedy responses.

(Ref:  Presentation by ACHA dated 9^th December 2016, submitted).

Report by IOD Programme Manager

A report presenting the Area Scorecard, with performance for financial quarter 2 of 2016-17 (July-September 2016) was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the performance presented on the Scorecard.

(Ref:  Report by IOD Programme Manager dated 9^th December 2016, submitted).

Report by Roads Performance Manager

A report which follows-on from reports presented at earlier Committees, providing provided information on the road maintenance revenue budget and activities being delivered, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Roads Performance Manager dated 9^th December 2016, submitted).</AI15>

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Report by Roads Performance Manager (to follow)

The Network Standards Manager provided an update to the Committee on parking revenue/income figures for on and off street parking.

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided.

(Ref:  Verbal update by Network Standards Manager dated 9^th December 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 noted the proposed method for the distribution of the charities and trust funds.

(Ref:  Report by Finance Manager dated 9^th December 2016, submitted).

Report by Area Governance Manager

The Area Committee Manager took the Committee through a report on town twinning which was last reviewed in 2008, at which time it was resolved that the policy in relation to formal links remain unaltered.  He advised that they also resolved that if an Area Committee wished to establish any additional informal twinning link, they should do so without any staff or financial resource from the council.  He confirmed that Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted this recommendation in 2008, and have since had discussions about existing and potential new twinning links, most recently in October 2015 and a new approach has recently been made requesting a new link be formed between Oban and the City of Anacortes, Washington, USA.

Decision

The Committee:

1. noted the information provided; and
2. agreed to write to the City of Anacortes to advise of the position.

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

Report by Area Committee Manager

The Area Committee Manager took Members through a report on the Commemoration of World War One.

He advised that the Argyll and Bute World War One Steering Group was formed to develop a commemoration programme to mark the centenary of the First World War for the Argyll and Bute Area.  He confirmed the Group is made up of elected members nominated by Area Committees, representatives of community councils, representatives of community groups and organisers of individual commemoration events.  He advised the Group is overseeing a programme of commemoration events marking each year of the First World War, sited across the authority area and having particular regard to elements of the armed forces or community impacted by World War One in the Argyll and Bute area.  The Group has also monitored progress towards laying a commemorative paving stone to mark the awards of the Victoria Cross for four individuals either from or with particular links to Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Noted the work of the World War One Commemoration Steering Group; and
2. Noted the Council’s involvement in the project to lay a commemorative paving stone for each recipient of a Victoria Cross for action during World War One.

 (Ref:  Report by Area Committee Manager dated 29^th November 2016, submitted).</AI16>

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 2 items 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.

The Committee considered a report in regard to a third sector asset transfer of the former public toilets and surrounding ground at Dervaig, Isle of Mull.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations at 3.1 and 3.2 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Social Enterprise Development Officer dated 15^th November 2016, submitted).

Report by Special Projects and Quality Performance Manager

The Committee considered a report in regard to the third sector asset transfer – Balemartine Playing Field.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations at 3.1 and 3.2 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Social Enterprise Development Officer dated 15^th November 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.