Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors McKenzie and MacLean.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 9^th December 2016 was approved as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:

-       at item 3(a) on page 1 to remove ‘COSLA guidance’ and replace with ‘Scottish Government, COSLA, CCPS and Scottish Care agreement titled Guidance to Support Delivery of the Living Wage Commitment to Care at Home and Housing Support’; and

-       at paragraph 4 on page 2 to remove ‘street’ and replace with ‘civic’.

The minute of the Special Oban Common Good Fund held on 20^th January 2017 was noted.

Mr Leady questioned the position regarding issues raised at the previous Committee meeting, noting that he had received no response to date. He advised of drainage issues which are of particular concern in icy conditions, and of a pothole.  The Head of Roads and Amenity Services agreed to respond to Mr Leady within two weeks. 

Councillor Devon advised of a meeting regarding provision of bins to be held on Thursday 9^th February with the Head of Roads and Amenity Services, the four Ward Councillors, the Chair of Oban Community Council, and Soroba residents. 

Verbal update by GRAB Project Manager

Julie Fairbrass of the GRAB Trust gave a verbal update to the Committee on what the GRAB project is involved in and advised where they feel they could help the community with the support of the Council and local housing associations. 

She updated the Committee on the grants they can offer from the beaches and litter project, advising that this is a fully funded project which has £1,100 left for this financial year and £7,000 for the next financial year. 

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided and thanked Julie for coming along.

(Ref:  Verbal update by Julie Fairbrass, GRAB Trust dated 8^th February 2017, submitted).

Verbal update by the Locality Planning Manager

Annie MacLeod, Locality Planning Manager gave a verbal update to the Committee on the three Locality Planning Groups in Oban, Lorn, advising that Oban is looking at improving their community care centre and Mull is looking at recruitment and retention of the GP service. 

She advised there is a lot to be proud of in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area to date in Home Care with the new centre up and running in Port Appin with eleven in the team.  She confirmed that there has been further development in Mull with staffing as they have previously struggled but feel that a film produced to help bring people to the area has been beneficial.

Decision

The Committee noted the information provided and thanked Ms Macleod for attending.

(Ref:  Verbal update by Locality Planning Manager dated 8^th February 2017, submitted).

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 (hubNorth) to build a new secondary school in Oban, was considered.

It was noted that this project is two weeks ahead of schedule and a local electrical company won a contract for work in the school.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by School Redevelopment Project Manager dated 13^th January 2017, submitted).

Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services

The Committee considered a report setting out some of the representations received following one of the Service Choices policies RAMS01i (Reduce/Stop Grass Cuts). 

The report also seeks approval to amend the previously approved policy and to revert to cutting all areas previously maintained but at a reduced frequency that can be accommodated within the available budget.

Decision

The Committee approved the amended grass cutting proposals detailed in the report.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated January 2017, 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 3 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.

Report by Special Projects and Quality Improvement Manager

The Committee considered report advising the Committee of a request regarding the lease of the former Kerrera School.

Decision

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

(Ref:  Report by Property Development Manager dated 21^st December 2016, submitted).

Report by Special Projects and Quality Improvement Manager

The Committee considered a report from the Property Development Manager, providing an update on the Ganavan Carpark lease.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations in the report.

(Ref:  Report by Property Development Manager dated 16^th January 2017, submitted).

Report by Special Projects and Quality Improvement Manager

The Committee considered a report from the Property Development Manager on the proposed lease of Lismore Schoolhouse.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Property Development Manager dated 11^th January 2017, 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.