Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by:

Mark Stephens, Police Scotland

Councillor Mary Jean Devon declared a non-financial interest in relation to item 13. Festive   Lighting due to her involvement in the Community Group.

Cllr Robertson declared a non-financial interest in relation to item 7. Charity and Trust    Funds (Ref: Kilbride and Kilmore) due to her husband’s involvement with the Group.

The minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 13^th September 2017 was approved as a correct record.

The Chair of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee referred to item 4. Public and Councillor Question time, and noted whether items raised had been actioned, were in progress or requiring a further update.

Breege Smyth recorded her thanks to Councillor Mary Jean Devon for her help in progressing the development of the St Conan’s Pilgrim Way from Dalmally to Iona.

Mr Leddy received confirmation from the Roads department that the work in question will be undertaken.

Councillor Green gave an update as to position with care in the community in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area.

The minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Planning Group held on the 11th October 2017 was noted.

The minute of the Oban Common Good Fund held on the 14^th November 2017 was noted.

Dr Henderson provided the committee with an update on the Sustrans development from Creagan to the Connel bridge. The community are looking to develop a road route at the old railway line. The last communications with Sustrans indicated that they were aiming to discuss the plans submitted by the community but no further update has been provided. Dr Henderson noted he would like to keep it on the agenda as it is important to the area.

Cllr Robertson noted the update and stated she was keen to see it completed.

Neil MacIntyre informed the Committee that a new Premier Inn was being built and he asked how the car parking for this facility would be dealt with and also how this would be tackled along with the current parking reviews.

Cllr Robertson informed Mr MacIntyre that this would be referred to Roads and Amenity Services as it is a traffic management issue.

Charles Reppke will supply Mr MacIntyre with the planning application details.

Mr Martin raised his concerns regarding the parking proposal reports contained in the agenda as he felt the proposals have failed to address problems so far and feels that the situation will worsen as the current proposals feel incomplete. He also requested clarification on what constitutes Oban in terms of geographical boundaries and raised concerns on how the proposals would affect residents who live on Islands such as Iona as they have no choice other than to keep vehicles on the mainland.

Cllr McCuish discussed with Mr Martin that there may be an opportunity to use the Community pontoon at Gallanach and that residents would be able to buy a parking permit.

Cllr Robertson noted the concerns raised regarding parking proposals and offered reassurance that all proposals implemented will be reassessed after a year to see if they are working.

Neil Brown asked if there would be a hearing called by the Area Committee to listen to the objections regarding the parking proposals. He also asked if Members were aware that in his view the objections, including his own, had not been properly represented in the submitted papers. Mr Reppke informed Mr Brown that in this instance the Area Committee are not required to hold a hearing but if they wished to the Committee could decide to hold a Discretionary Hearing in front of a Reporter and in respect of the other concerns those issues should be taken up separately with relevant department, if so advised.

Report by Community Planning Manager

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing information on Supporting Communities Fund – Participatory Budgeting pilot approach 2018/2019.

Decision:

The Committee noted the role of the Area Committee in the Participatory Budget approach to distributing the Supporting Communities Fund.

(Ref: Report by Community Planning Manager, dated 13^th December 2017, submitted)

Report by Traffic Development Manager.

The Committee considered a report from the Traffic and Development Manager on the off street parking review process.

Motion

Cllr Robertson moved the recommendations contained in the report. Seconded by Cllr McCuish

Amendment

Cllr McKenzie moved for the proposals to go to a public hearing. Seconded by Cllr Lynch

On a show of hands vote the motion was carried  6 votes to  2 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Noted the contents of the report; and
2. Agreed the recommendations at 4.1 and 4.2 of the submitted report.

 (Ref: Report by Traffic and Development Manager dated 13^th December 2017, submitted)

Report by Traffic and Development Manager

The Committee considered a report from the Traffic and Development Manager on the on street parking review process.

Motion

Cllr Robertson moved the recommendations contained in the report. Seconded by Cllr McCuish

Amendment

Cllr Lynch moved for the proposals to go to a public hearing. Seconded by Cllr McKenzie

On a show of hands vote the motion was carried  6 votes to  2 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Noted the contents of the report; and
2. Agreed the recommendations at 4.1 and 4.2 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Traffic and Development Manager dated 13^th December 2017, submitted)

Report by Traffic and Development Manager

The Committee considered a report from the Traffic and Development Manager on the disabled street parking review process.

Motion

Councillor McCuish moved the recommendation 3.1[a] contained in the report. Seconded by Councillor McKenzie.

Amendment

Councillor Robertson moved to agree the recommendation 3.1[a]  with an additional condition that the department review  the position of the parking bay to see if an adjustment could facilitate off street access for the neighbouring property. Seconded by Councillor Green

On a show of hands vote the motion was carried 5 votes to 3 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Noted the contents of the report; and

1. Agreed the recommendations at 3.1[a] of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Traffic and Development Manager dated 13^th December 2017, submitted)

Having declared a non-financial interest in the first item on the schedule   (Kilbride and Kilmore Trust) of item 7  Councillor Robertson left the room and took no part in the discussion of this  matter. Councillor McGrigor assumed the chair and members agreed to the recommendation in the schedule .Councillor Robertson  then returned to the meeting and resumed the chair on completion of the discussion relating to Kilbride and Kilmore Trust.

Report by Finance Manager

A report setting out the proposed method of distribution of the charities and trust funds in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area and a separate report setting out the proposed method of distribution of the Agnes Angus bequest were considered.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Agreed the distribution of the Charities and Trust funds as outlined in the Charity and Trust funds report.
2. Agreed the recommendations at 3.2 of the Miss Agnes Angus – Distribution proposal report.
3. Agreed the verbal recommendation on the distribution of the Miss MM Cameron bequest to the local Bowman Court care facility on Mull.
4. Agreed to set up a taskforce of members to assist officers to take forward the reorganisation and distribution of the MacDougall Trust. The members to assist to be notified at a later date.
5. Agreed for the Dugald McPhail Memorial Fund to be donated to the existing Crowdfunding page.
6. Agreed for criteria to be drafted by the Head of Strategic Finance after consultation with relevant colleagues  to allow people to self-apply for the Archibald Dow bequest ,John of Lorn bequest, Coals for Poor and  the MacKinnon Ledingham Bequest; and to report back to the next meeting on the proposed details
7. Agreed to consider the application by Kilbride Church to the Agnes Angus Bequest fund at the next round of applications.

(Ref: Reports by Finance Manager dated 13^th December 2017, submitted)

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to move consideration of item 10. (a) Oban High School and item 10. (c) Tiree High School to facilitate officer attendance, these items were therefore taken after item 7. Charity and trust funds.

Report by Head Teacher Oban High School

The Head Teacher and Assistant Head Teacher of Oban High School took the Committee through a progress update report on the school’s achievements for the 2017 session.

Decision

The Committee: -

1. Noted the contents of the report; and
2. Congratulated pupil Rowan Watkins who is now on the education Council run by Deputy First Minster John Swinney.
3. Noted if Members have concerns they should speak direct with the School in the first instance.

(Ref: Report by Head Teacher, Oban High School dated 13^th December 2017, submitted).

Councillor Julie McKenzie left the meeting at this point.

Report by Head Teacher Tiree High School

The Head Teacher of Tiree High School took the Committee through a progress update report on the school’s achievements for the 2017 session.

Decision

The Committee: -

1. Noted the contents of the report; and
2. Commended the work being done by the school.

(Ref: Report by Head Teacher, Tiree High School dated 13^th December 2017, submitted).

Report by Performance Management and Improvement Officer

The Committee considered the Area Scorecard for financial quarters 1 and 2 of 2017-2018.

Decision

The Committee:-

1. Noted the performance presented on the scorecard.
2. Noted work is ongoing to embed the new reporting process going forward; and
3. Agreed that the format of the report seemed to be what was required, but to keep this under review.
4. Agreed to further discussion at the next Oban, Lorn and the Isles Business Day to inform the further refinement of the scorecard.

(Ref: Report by Performance and Improvement Officer dated 13^th December 2017, submitted).

Update by Police Scotland

A representative from Police Scotland had submitted apologies, therefore no update was provided.

Report by Head Teacher Tobermory High School

The Head Teacher of Tobermory High School took the Committee through a progress update report on the school’s achievements for the 2017 session.

Decision

The Committee: -

1. Noted the contents of the report; and
2. Commended the work being done by the school.

(Ref: Report by Head Teacher, Tobermory High School dated 13^th December 2017, submitted)

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to taken item 12. ACHA  out of sequence to facilitate officer attendance. This item was therefore taken after item 10. (b) Tobermory High School.

Presentation by Chief Executive ACHA

The Chief Executive of ACHA took the Committee through an annual presentation which provided information on the work they had carried out over the past year.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the presentation and the level of local investment generated.

(Presentation by Chief Executive, ACHA dated 13^th December 2017, submitted)

Report by Schools Redevelopment Project Manager

A report providing the Committee with an update on the Council’s Schools

Redevelopment Project in partnership with hubNorth Scotland Ltd (hubNorth) to build a new secondary school in Oban was considered.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Thanked Mr Casey and his team for all their hard work with the project.

(Ref: Report by Schools Redevelopment Project Manager dated 13^th December 2017, 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 items of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 8&9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Having declared a non-financial interest Councillor Mary Jean Devon took no part in the discussion of this item.

Report by Transformation Project Manager

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing information on the successful delivery of 2017’s festive lighting switch on in Oban and a funding request from a local community group for festive lighting.

Decision

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

(Ref: Report by Transformation Project Manager dated 13^th December 2017, submitted)

Councillor Devon returned to the meeting.

The Committee considered the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Workplan for December.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.    Noted the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Workplan

(Ref: Oban, Lorn and the Isles Workplan dated 13^th December 2017, submitted)

The Chair on behalf of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted thanks to Graeme Forrester for all the support and help he had provided to the Committee prior to his departure to a new job.