Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence intimated.

Councillor Elaine Robertson declared a non-financial interest at Agenda item 11 (Supporting Communities Fund 2021/22) with specific reference to the application from Oban and District Access Panel as she is a non-executive board member. She also declared a non-financial interests in the applications from Lismore Historical Society and Friends of Kilbride due to her husband’s interests in those charities. Councillor Robertson advised that she would leave the meeting if the Committee agreed to take the applications individually.

The minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on Wednesday 10 March 2021 were approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group held on Wednesday 12 May 2021 were noted.

The minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund held on Tuesday 9 March 2021 were noted.

The minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund held on Thursday 25 March 2021 were noted.

Questions from Ross Wilson, Vice-Chair - Oban Community Harbour Development Association (OCHDA)

 

Questions related to item 8 on the agenda – Oban Bay Single Harbour Authority Update and were presented by Mr Wilson. Mark Calder, Project Manager, responded on behalf of the Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services.

 

Appraisal of Options

 

Question 1:    Which of the 5 options listed in December 2019 are still under consideration and what is the timescale for completion?

 

Response:     At this point the Council’s policy positon on this matter is as set out in the December 2019 report to the Harbour Board. For the avoidance of doubt, what that means is that the Council has taken no view on which of the five options is preferable, therefore all options are under consideration. Once OCHDA have submitted the required information an options appraisal of all options will be concluded. This options appraisal will be used to provide recommendations to Members. 

 

Question 2:    Is there a workplan for this and who is involved in the appraisal?

 

Response:     There is no specific work plan. Council officers continue to work with OCHDA to enable the options appraisal to be concluded. This will be appraised by the appropriate council officers and a recommendation provided to Elected Members.

 

Question 3:    In view of the public interest in this, will the Council announce its preferred option at another public meeting?

 

Response:     Progress will be reported to the appropriate council committee.

 

Question 4:    Which of these options is preferred by the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Members?

 

Response:     The Committee Manager confirmed it would not be for Officers to comment on this question other than to say that it would not be prudent at this time for Elected Members to express their position on this matter as they are yet to be furnished with all the information on all the available options that would allow them to reach an informed decision.

 

Development of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

 

Question 5:    In view of the 18 months since the development of the MoU should have started, is there a workplan for the development of the MoU?

 

Question 6:    Exactly what stage has the development of the MoU reached and what needs to be done and by whom?

 

Response:     The relevant Executive Director and Head of Service are working with OCHDA to develop the MoU to a form which is agreeable to both parties – this is the subject of ongoing discussion and correspondence. An outline MoU was supplied to OCHDA in March this year. It is important to understand that a MoU is a high level document which forms the basis of an ongoing relationship.

 

 

Question 7:    What deadlines are the Council working to regarding their outstanding 'deliverables'?

 

Response:     At this point we do not consider that we have any outstanding ‘deliverables’.  The Project Manager confirmed that OCHDA and council  officers can have a further discussion around how and what deliverables can be agreed.

 

Questions from Phil Hamerton, OCHDA Management Committee member

 

Questions were read out by Mr Hamerton. Mark Calder, Project Manager, responded on behalf of the Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services.

 

Formal Approach to the Council

 

Question 8:    What additional material is required from OCHDA in order for Argyll and Bute Council to acknowledge that the approach for the offer of a lease is 'formal'?

 

Response:     There has been previous correspondence setting out what is required. The option from OCHDA is not the only option, other options will also be considered. The Project Manager confirmed that further information relating to how to make a formal proposal for a lease will be issued to OCHDA.

 

Outstanding commitment by the Harbour Board on March 5 2020 to convene a meeting to consider how to progress the MoU development

 

Question  9:   When does the Council propose to convene the meeting?

 

Response:     The Harbour Board agreed on 4 March 2021 that a virtual meeting would be organised with all stakeholders concerning the work being progressed by the Oban Community Harbour Development Association (OCHDA) towards the development on a Trust Port following consultation between the Chair and the Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure. The meeting is still to be arranged. 

 

Question 10:  The Harbour Board did not identify the 'stakeholders' to be included in the meeting; whom does the Council consider it is competent to identify as relevant stakeholders in this discussion over the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between OCHDA and the Council?

 

Response:     The Chair of the Harbour Board and the Executive Director will consult with each other regarding the appropriate attendees at this meeting. We would hope that all infrastructure providers/operators, and users be represented as stakeholders.

 

Response from Committee

 

The Chair confirmed that in relation to the stakeholder meeting it was her understanding that those in attendance would be Harbour Board Members, Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee Members, council officers and representatives from  OCDHA.

 

Councillor Roderick McCuish requested that a meeting with all stakeholders take place in the next two weeks as a matter of urgency so that Area Committee Members can become more informed about the situation. Councillor Andrew Vennard, in his role as Vice-Chair of the Harbour Board, supported this proposal.

 

The Project Manager confirmed that there was ongoing sets of meetings ensuring engagement and ongoing discussions with OCHDA as well as a formal meeting to be arranged as agreed by the Harbour Board.

 

Questions from Duncan Martin – Oban Community Council

 

What is the position with the season so far with regards to the management of caravans and campervans at Ganavan and can card payment parking meters be installed instead of cash only ones?

 

Response from Project Manager

 

A Staycation Officer had been engaging with community groups and Members are updated each week regarding visitors to Argyll and Bute. Mr Duncan was invited to address any specific issues to the Project Manger directly who would also explore what options are viable for card only machines and will update Mr Duncan and Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed, to take items out of sequence in order to facilitate Officer attendance and items were discussed in the order as they appear in the minute.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the work being done by both the Oban Bay Management Group (OBMG) and Oban Community Harbour Development Association (OCHDA) to establish a new Trust Port around the North Pier in Oban Bay.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee;

 

1.    considered and noted the report; and

 

2.    agreed that the Chair would request a meeting with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Harbour Board, council officers and OCHDA to discuss the progress of the proposed transfer of the Council’s existing powers and responsibilities in Oban Bay.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated June 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee considered the Area Scorecard report for Financial Quarter 4 of 2020-2021 (January-March 2021) which illustrated the agreed performance measures.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee;

 

1.    noted and considered the performance presented on the Scorecards and supporting commentary;

 

2.    noted that upon receipt of the quarterly performance reports the Area Committee Members could contact either the Performance Improvement Officer or the responsible named officer with any queries; and

 

3.    noted that work was ongoing and to respond to the Performance Improvement Officer with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the report and scorecard.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services dated 9 June 2021, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure Services.  This included information on how the Service continues to respond to covid-19 whilst focusing on delivering frontline services.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee;

 

1.    considered and noted the contents of the report; and

 

2.    expressed thanks and appreciation for all the work done by the local Roads and Amenities employees and management.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated May 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the progress of the Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) process, background on the current backlog of TROs and impact of the statutory Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTRO) and Traffic Notices on progression of permanent TROs.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee considered and noted the update on Traffic Regulation Order progress.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Infrastructure Services dated May 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and  Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the progress made to date in the delivery of the Oban University Town project.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee;

 

1.    considered the report regarding the update on Oban as a University Town; and

 

2.    expressed appreciation to Officers in progressing the project.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated May 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibilities for Education Services

The Committee gave consideration to a progress and statistical update report on the Primary Schools in Oban, Lorn and the Isles for the 2020/2021 session.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee;

 

1.    considered the content of the report; and

 

2.    thanked the Education Team for all the good work undertaken; and

 

3.    thanked Kathryn Wilkie, Education Officer, for her commitment and input into Education Services over many years and wished her a long and happy retirement. 

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education Services dated 7 May 2021, submitted)

Report by Chief Executive

The Committee gave consideration to a report recommending the distribution of the Supporting Communities Fund (SCF) Grants for 2021/2022 for the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area.

 

Councillor Elaine Robertson, having declared non-financial interests in relation to applications no. 11 – Friends of Kilbride, no. 16 - Lismore Historical Society and no. 21 - Oban and District Access Panel, left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of these applications.

 

Councillor Sir Jamie Mcgrigor took the Chair in her absence and the Committee agreed to award the grants to the above mentioned applications as detailed below.

 

Councillor Robertson then returned to the meeting.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee agreed to award funding from the Supporting Communities Fund as follows:

 

Ref No	Organisation	Grant 20/21	Total Project Cost	Amount Requested	Award 2021/22
1	Ardchattan Centre	n/a	£3,500	£1,800	£1,800
2	Argyll & Lochaber RDA Carriage Driving Group	n/a	£2,500	£2,500	No Award
3	Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Energy Agency (ALIenergy)	n/a	£3,700	£625	No Award
4	Artmap Argyll	n/a	£5,400	£600	£600
5	Bendoran Watersports CIC	n/a	£2,500	£2,500	£2,500
6	CHARTS	n/a	£2,447.88	£2,048	£2,048
7	Comunn Gàidhealach an Òbain (Oban Mòd Academy)	n/a	£10,565	£2,000	£1,500
8	Cùram Thiriodh	n/a	£27,340	£2,500	No Award
9	Dalavich Improvement Group (DIG)	n/a	£6,735	£2,485	No Award
10	Family Mediation Argyll & Bute	n/a	£19,500	£2,500	No Award
11	Friends of Kilbride	n/a	£9,750	£2,500	No Award
12	Girlguiding Oban	n/a	£4,550	£2,500	No Award
13	Hebridean Pursuits Outdoor Learning	n/a	£5,100	£2,500	£2,000
14	Hope to Oban	n/a	£8,700	£2,500	No Award
15	Kilchrenan Village Hall	n/a	£12,500	£2,500	No Award
16	Lismore Historical Society	n/a	£11,500	£2,500	No Award
17	Lorn and Oban Healthy Options	n/a	£224,753	£2,500	£2,500
18	MECOPP – Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project	n/a	£3,450	£1,225	£1,225
19	Mull and Iona Community Trust	£2,500	£32,390	£2,500	£905
20	North West Mull Community Woodland	n/a	£2,500	£2,500	£905
21	Oban & District Access Panel	£1,972	£3,750	£1,500	£1,500
22	Oban Men’s Shed	n/a	£1,946	£1,946	£1,946
23	Oban Winter Festival *	n/a	£2,500	£2,500	No Award
24	Ross of Mull and Iona Community Transport	£2,500	£2,500	£2,500	£2,000
25	Seil & Easdale Community Council	n/a	£1,900	£1,900	£905
26	The Community Bureau	n/a	£3,375	£1,240	£1,000
27	Tiree Community Council	n/a	£2,480	£2,480	£2,400
28	Tobermory Harbour Association	n/a	£4,355	£2,500	No Award
29	Western Isles Yacht Club	n/a	£12,487.46	£2,496.30	No Award
		Total Available			£25,734
	* Events & Festivals	Total Recommended			£25,734

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive dated 13 May 2021, submitted)

Report by Head of Strategic Planning & Performance, Health & Social Care Partnership

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update from the from the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership on the impact on service performance with regards to the Covid-19 pandemic and the progress made with regard to remobilising health and social care services.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee;

 

1.    noted and considered the HSCP performance progress regarding remobilisation of activity in line with NHS Highland performance targets for 2020/21 agreed with Scottish Government to 70%-80% of 2019/20 activity;

 

2.    noted and considered the extension to the reporting timescales for the Annual Performance Report and review guidance with regards to the Strategic Commissioning Plan and Integration Scheme; and

 

3.    thanked hospital and medical staff for their support and professionalism regarding covid-19 testing and vaccination roll out.

 

(Reference: Report by Stephen Whiston - Head of Strategic Planning & Performance dated March 2021, submitted)

The Draft Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee Workplan, as of June 2021, was before to the Committee for noting.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted the Workplan.

 

(Reference: Draft Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee Workplan, submitted)