Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence intimated.

The Head of Legal and Regulatory Support advised that the following Notice of Motion Under Standing Order 14 had been received as a matter of urgency to allow it to coincide with the launch of a campaign at the weekend led by Councillor Fiona Howard and involving Helensburgh Business Group and Helensburgh Community Council.

 

Argyll and Bute Council deplores the announced closure of the Helensburgh branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland which will leave Helensburgh and Lomond with only one high street bank to serve the whole population and will have a seriously detrimental effect on the area’s many small businesses and retail outlets.

and

a) Agrees that the Leader of the Council should express the Council’s concerns to the bank Chief Executive -

and

b) Also ask bank owner NatWest to reconsider their decision while at the same time engaging with Cash Access UK and other banking providers to establish a banking hub in its Helensburgh premises as has been done in a number of other Scottish towns.

Moved by Councillor Fiona Howard, seconded by Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess.

 

The Executive Director advised that he had received notification from the mover of the Motion that she wished to make an amendment to the Motion in its current form.  He advised that as the Motion had now been circulated; assuming the amendment was non-material and the Council agreed to consider the Motion, that this amendment could be picked up at the appropriate point when the Motion was considered.

 

The Provost ruled and the Council agreed to consider the Motion after item 20 of the agenda.

Councillor Maurice Corry declared a non-financial interest in item 12 of the agenda (UK Shared Prosperity Fund – Vibrant and Living Spaces Grant Fund – Allocation of Funding) due to his role as Chair of one of the organisations recommended to receive funding within the submitted report.  He advised that he would leave the room and take no part in the consideration of this item of business.

 

Councillor Audrey Forrest noted that in relation to item 12 of the agenda (UK Shared Prosperity Fund – Vibrant and Living Spaces Grant Fund – Allocation of Funding) that she had been a Council appointed Director of the Dunoon Community Development Trust and as this had been a Council appointment which had now ceased, she would remain in the room during the consideration of this item of business.

The Provost invited nominations for the position of Depute Provost.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to appoint Councillor Jan Brown to the position of Depute Provost of the Council.

The Provost invited nominations for the position of Depute Leader.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to appoint Councillor Audrey Forrest and Councillor Robin Currie to the positions of Depute Leaders of the Council.

The Minutes of the meeting of Argyll and Bute Council held on 22 February 2024 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Special meeting of Argyll and Bute Council held on 25 March 2024 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Special meeting of Argyll and Bute Council held on 4 April 2024 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Special meeting of Argyll and Bute Council held on 15 April 2024 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Community Services Committee held on 7 March 2024 were noted.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 21 March 2024 were noted.

The Council gave consideration to a report inviting appointments to vacant positions as a result of the decision taken at the Special meeting of the Council held on 4 April 2024.

 

Motion

 

The Motion moved by the Administration is attached at Appendix 1 to this Minute.

 

Moved by Councillor Jim Lynch, seconded by Councillor Audrey Forrest.

 

Amendment

 

To accept the Motion by Councillor Jim Lynch, seconded by Councillor Audrey Forrest subject to amending 7(c) and 7(k) as follows -

 

In relation to 7(c) Area Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs -

 

Table 7C
Area Committee	Chair	Vice-Chair
Bute and Cowal	Cllr Liz McCabe	Cllr Yvonne McNeilly
Helensburgh and Lomond	Cllr Gemma Penfold	Cllr Maurice Corry
Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands	Cllr Alastair Redman	Cllr Garret Corner
Oban, Lorn and the Isles	Cllr Amanda Hampsey	Cllr Andrew Vennard

 

In relation to 7(k) to nominate Councillor Maurice Corry as Armed Forces Champion.

 

Moved by Councillor Gary Mulvaney, seconded by Councillor Yvonne McNeilly.

 

The Leader of the largest Opposition Group advised that their nominations for Members to sit on Council Committees and other bodies would be confirmed to the Leader of the Council and to the Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support.

 

As the meeting was being held on a hybrid basis, the vote required to be taken by calling the Roll and Members voted as follows –

 

Motion                             Amendment                     No Vote

 

Cllr Armour                       Cllr Corner                        Cllr MacPherson

Cllr Blair                            Cllr Corry                         

Cllr Brown                         Cllr A Hampsey

Cllr Campbell-Sturgess      Cllr D Hampsey

Cllr Currie                         Cllr McCabe

Cllr Forrest                       Cllr McNeilly

Cllr Green                         Cllr Mulvaney

Cllr Hardie                        Cllr Penfold

Cllr Howard                       Cllr Redman

Cllr Hume                         Cllr Vennard

Cllr Irvine                          Cllr Wallace

Cllr Kain

Cllr Kelly

Cllr Kennedy

Cllr Kennedy-Boyle

Cllr Lynch

Cllr Martin

Cllr MacQuire

Cllr McFadzean

Cllr McKenzie

Cllr Moreland

Cllr Paterson

Cllr Philand

Cllr Sinclair

 

Decision

 

The Motion was carried by 24 votes to 11 votes, with one no vote, and the Council resolved accordingly. Full detail of all appointments are noted below (Opposition nominations are in italics) –

 

7(a) - Policy Leads and Depute Policy Leads

 

Portfolio	Policy Lead	Depute Policy Lead
Economic Development, Islands and Rural Communities, Housing	Cllr Robin Currie	Cllr Jim Lynch
Finance and Commercial Services	Cllr Ross Moreland	Cllr Jim Lynch
Planning and Regulatory Services	Cllr Kieron Green	Cllr Gordon Blair
Care Services	Cllr Dougie McFadzean	Cllr Kieron Green
Roads, Transport and Amenity Services	Cllr John Armour	Cllr Willie Hume
Climate Change, Renewables and Net Zero	Cllr Luna Martin	Cllr Reeni Kennedy-Boyle
Education	Cllr Audrey Forrest	Cllr Fiona Howard
Business Development	Cllr Math Campbell-Sturgess	Cllr Jan Brown
Community Planning and Corporate Services	Cllr Mark Irvine	Cllr Iain Shonny Paterson

 

7(b) - Appointments to Committees

 

Policy and Resources Committee	Community Services Committee	Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee	Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee
Cllr John Armour	Cllr Gordon Blair	Cllr John Armour (Chair)	Cllr John Armour
Cllr Gordon Blair	Cllr Jan Brown	Cllr Robin Currie (Vice Chair)	Cllr Gordon Blair (Vice Chair)
Cllr Robin Currie	Cllr Fiona Howard	Cllr Graham Hardie	Cllr Jan Brown
Cllr Audrey Forrest (Vice Chair)	Cllr Audrey Forrest (Chair)	Cllr Willie Hume	Cllr Audrey Forrest
Cllr Kieron Green	Cllr Graham Hardie	Cllr Jim Lynch	Cllr Kieron Green (Chair)
Cllr Math Campbell-Sturgess	Cllr Paul Donald Kennedy	Cllr Ian MacQuire	Cllr Fiona Howard
Cllr Mark Irvine	Cllr Dougie McFadzean (Vice Chair)	Cllr Luna Martin	Cllr Graham Hardie
Cllr Reeni Kennedy-Boyle	Cllr Julie McKenzie	Cllr Ross Moreland	Cllr Mark Irvine
Cllr Jim Lynch (Chair)	Cllr Iain Shonny Paterson	Cllr William Sinclair	Cllr Andrew Kain
Cllr Ross Moreland	Cllr Dougie Philand	Cllr Andrew Kain	Cllr Paul Donald Kennedy
Cllr Dougie McFadzean	Cllr Jennifer Kelly	Cllr Tommy Macpherson	Cllr Dougie Philand
Cllr Dougie Philand	Cllr Yvonne McNeilly	Cllr Gary Mulvaney	Cllr Liz McCabe
Cllr Gary Mulvaney	Cllr Amanda Hampsey	Cllr Alastair Redman	Cllr Peter Wallace
Cllr Yvonne McNeilly	Cllr Gemma Penfold	Cllr Liz McCabe	Cllr Amanda Hampsey
Cllr Amanda Hampsey	Cllr Maurice Corry	Cllr Peter Wallace	Cllr Daniel Hampsey
Cllr Liz McCabe	Cllr Daniel Hampsey	Cllr Andrew Vennard
Audit and Scrutiny Committee	Argyll and Bute Harbour Board	Argyll Islands Sounding Board
Cllr Graham Hardie	Cllr Fiona Howard	Cllr Robin Currie (Vice Chair)
Cllr Reeni Kennedy Boyle	Cllr John Armour (Vice Chair)	Cllr Kieron Green
Cllr Fiona Howard	Cllr Ross Moreland (Chair)	Cllr Reeni Kennedy Boyle
Cllr Gary Mulvaney (Vice Chair)	Cllr Gordon Blair	Cllr Jim Lynch (Chair)
Cllr Andrew Vennard	Cllr Dougie McFadzean	Cllr Dougie McFadzean
Cllr Daniel Hampsey	Cllr Liz McCabe	Cllr Julie McKenzie
	Cllr Maurice Corry	Cllr Willie Hume
	Cllr Andrew Vennard	Cllr Liz McCabe
		Cllr Peter Wallace
		Cllr Alastair Redman

 

7 (c) – Appointment of Area Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs

 

Area Committee	Chair	Vice-Chair
Bute and Cowal	Cllr Gordon Blair	Cllr Reeni Kennedy Boyle
Helensburgh and Lomond	Cllr Mark Irvine	Cllr Fiona Howard
Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands	Cllr John Armour	Cllr Dougie McFadzean
Oban, Lorn and the Isles	Cllr Julie McKenzie	Cllr Andrew Kain

 

7(d) - Appointments to Statutory Boards and Joint Committees

 

Organisation	Representative	Substitute (where appropriate)
Scotland Excel	Cllr Reeni Kennedy Boyle	Cllr William Sinclair
Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Valuation Joint Board	Cllr Mark Irvine Cllr Ian MacQuire Cllr Dougie McFadzean Cllr Gordon Blair Cllr Peter Wallace	Cllr Math Campbell-Sturgess Cllr Andrew Vennard 3 Vacancies
HITRANS (Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership)	Cllr John Armour	Cllr Gordon Blair
Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme Joint Committee	Cllr Iain Shonny Paterson	Cllr Maurice Corry
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority	Cllr Gordon Blair	Cllr Iain Shonny Paterson
West of Scotland European Forum	Cllr Gordon Blair	Cllr Mark Irvine
Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board	Cllr Kieron Green Cllr Dougie McFadzean Cllr Ross Moreland Cllr Gary Mulvaney

 

7(e) - Appointments of the Licensing Board

 

Argyll and Bute Licensing Board
Cllr Jan Brown	Cllr Audrey Forrest
Cllr Kieron Green	Cllr Graham Hardie
Cllr Mark Irvine	Cllr Paul Donald Kennedy
Cllr Dougie Philand	Cllr Liz McCabe
Cllr Amanda Hampsey	1 Vacancy

 

7(f) – Appointments to COSLA  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Head of Legal and Regulatory Support advised that Dr Tim Allison, Director of Public Health and Policy, who had been invited to present the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2023 contained at item 8 of the Agenda, had given advance notice that he was to attend an urgent meeting. It was noted that he was not in attendance at this point but would join remotely as soon as he was available.  The Provost ruled, and the Council agreed, to reorder the Business as appropriate until Dr Allison was in attendance to present his Director of Public Health Annual Report to the Council.

 

Joint report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services and Education; and Executive Director with Responsibility for Financial Services / Section 95 Officer

The Council gave consideration to a report providing an update on the Council’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) to deliver a new Campus on Mull. The report followed on from previous updates to the Policy and Resources Committee on 15 February 2024 and the Council on 22 February 2024.

 

Decision

 

The Council –

 

1.     noted the capital and revenue implications of the LEIP / Mull Campus project which were of a strategic financial nature;

 

2.     considered the project to be affordable at this time, and agreed that up to £5m from the previously earmarked LEIP funding be used to commence the Business Case, undertake engagement exercises, commence the site selection process and establish governance arrangements; with updates being brought back to Members at appropriate gateway points;

 

3.     noted the information provided in regard to the Economic, Community & Educational implications relative to the proposed Mull Campus as outlined in the bid and previous reports and that these would be considered further once the project proceeded to a full business case; and

 

4.     noted that capital and revenue budget provision would require to be built into future budget estimates and approved as part of budget setting process.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services and Education; and Executive Director with responsibility for Finance / Section 95 Officer dated 16 April 2024, submitted)

Report by Director of Public Health and Policy

The Director of Public Health and Policy presented the Council with the Annual Report of the Director of Public Health for 2023. The theme of the report was medication and public health.

 

Decision

 

The Council-

 

1.     noted the Director of Public Health Annual Report; and

 

2.     supported the recommendations as laid out within the submitted report.

 

(Reference: Report by Director of Public Health and Policy dated 25 April 2024 and Director of Public Health Annual Report for 2023, submitted)

Councillor Maurice Corry left the meeting at this point.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Council gave consideration to a report advising that since the announcement by the UK Government in relation to The Levelling Up Partnership, relatively little information had been provided on the process of the fund or how the fund would operate. The report advised that there was up to £20M capital funding that would be available in 2025/26.

 

Decision

 

The Council –

 

1.     noted the Levelling Up Partnership process as it was currently understood; and

 

2.     noted the ongoing work and engagement with UK Government officials, and agreed to refer consideration of the prioritisation of the projects as identified within Table 1 within the submitted report to the Policy and Resources Committee at their next meeting.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated March 2024, submitted)

The Provost ruled, and the Council agreed to adjourn the meeting for lunch at this point.

 

The meeting reconvened at 1.30pm with all those present as per the sederunt with the exception of Councillor Garret Corner.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Council gave consideration to a report providing a high level overview of the content of the Scottish Government’s Addressing Depopulation Action Plan.

 

Decision

 

The Council –

 

1.     noted the publication of the Scottish Government’s Depopulation Action Plan and its content; and

 

2.     approved that the Council continue to engage with the Scottish Government to focus on delivering further investment in communities facing depopulation with an increased focus on the key issues of affordable housing, digital and transport connectivity together with employment opportunity.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated February 2024, submitted)

Councillor Maurice Corry, having declared an interest in the following item of business, left the room and took no part in the consideration of this item.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Council gave consideration to a report that sought approval of the projects recommended for funding from the Vibrant and Living Spaces Grant Fund.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed that –

 

1.     the recommended projects in paragraph 4.2 of the submitted report were taken forward to be offered a grant at the level of funding set out;

 

2.     the remaining small surplus should be held to address any shortfalls in project budgets as they progress; and

 

3.     delegated authority be given to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, in consultation with the Leader and Depute Leaders in regard to any necessary future changes required between specific allocations subject to not exceeding the budget available.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 25 March 2024, submitted)

Councillor Maurice Corry rejoined the meeting at this point.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Council gave consideration to a report which sought approval of the Development Plan Scheme (DPS) in relation to proposed Local Development Plan 3, including the associated Participation Statement and governance arrangements; and which sought authority to publish the approved Development Plan Scheme and submit it to Scottish Ministers.

 

Decision

 

The Council –

 

1.     noted the content of the submitted report;

 

2.     approved the proposed governance arrangements; and

 

3.     approved the Development Plan Scheme attached at Appendix A to the submitted report for publication and submission to Scottish Ministers.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 25 April 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Council gave consideration to a report providing an update on progress in relation to housing on the island of Ulva since the community buy out of the island by the North West Community Woodland Company in 2018.  The report requested a Strategic Housing Fund grant to upgrade the water and sewerage infrastructure to enable the capacity to deliver more affordable homes on the island.

 

Decision

 

The Council –

 

1.     approved a grant of up to £80,000 from the Strategic Housing Fund to upgrade the water and sewerage infrastructure on the island of Ulva by constructing a new water treatment shed to facilitate the development of additional affordable houses; and

 

2.     delegated to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, in consultation with the Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, the terms and conditions to be attached to any grant required as a consequence of the submitted report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 25 April 2024, submitted)

Councillor Iain Shonny Paterson left the meeting at this point.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Council gave consideration to a report providing an update on the housing project being delivered by Colonsay Community Development Company at Scalasaig, Colonsay. The report confirmed the continuing high level of housing need and demand on Colonsay and the requirement for a multi-tenure approach to address the need and demand on the island.

 

Decision

 

The Council –

 

1.     authorised a grant to Colonsay Community Development Company of £100,000 to enable the successful delivery of the multi-tenure housing development at Scalasaig, Colonsay subject to match funding approval from Highland and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Government; and

 

2.     delegated to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, in consultation with the Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, the terms and conditions to be attached to any grant as a consequence of the submitted report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated April 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Council gave consideration to a report setting out two instances where the Council had allocated budget for capital works, and had experienced a price increase to the works.  The report sought funding to be approved from the Capital Contract Increases Fund in relation to road works as a result of a landslip at Auchmeanach Farm, Claonaig and a Road Marking Machine.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed –

 

1.     to fund £706k from the Capital Contract Increases Fund to contribute to the landslip works at Claonaig;

 

2.     to fund £28k from the Capital Contract Increases Fund to contribute towards the purchase of the Road Marking Machine; and

 

3.     that delegated authority be granted for the use of the Capital Contract Increases Fund to the Council’s Chief Executive and two Executive Directors in consultation with the Leader, Depute Leaders and Leader of the largest Opposition Group.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated April 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Council gave consideration to a draft response to the Scottish Government’s consultation titled ‘Public Consultation for Island Connectivity plan’.

 

Decision

 

The Council approved the consultation response to be returned to Transport Scotland subject to –

 

1.     amending the response to question 12 to read yes instead of no; and

 

2.     strengthening the response around capacity and demand to note the difficulty around residents ability to book ferries at short notice due to block bookings for freight.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated March 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Council gave consideration to a report summarising the rain event that caused significant travel disruption and damage during the weekend of 7 October 2023.  The report also summarised the extent of works that had been carried out to repair the damage and considered what the next steps should be.

 

Decision

 

The Council noted the content of the submitted report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated April 2024, submitted)

Recommendation from the meeting of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee held on 18 October 2023

The Council gave consideration to a recommendation from the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee in relation to a review of the Byelaw prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in designated places in Argyll and Bute, which was due in 2024.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed that no change to the Byelaw was required at this time in the knowledge that should there be any changes in circumstances, that a formal review could take place at any point before the next period of review, subject to adherence to the Scottish Government Guidelines and their consequent approval and confirmation.

 

(Reference: Extract of Minute of Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee held on 18 October 2023, and report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated 18 October 2023, submitted)

Councillor Tommy MacPherson left the meeting at this point.

Argyll and Bute Council recognises the huge contribution made by our farmers, crofters, growers and fishermen to our local economy, environment and wider rural communities.  Consequently, Argyll and Bute Council commits to maintaining and where possible enhancing our working relationships with local arable, livestock, crofting, dairy farmers and fishermen by:

 

a)    Where possible, ensuring that food and drinks provided at Council organised events includes items sourced from local suppliers; to always include where possible meat, dairy and fish produce, alongside arable produce.

 

b)    As part of tackling the environmental priorities for Argyll and Bute Council; The Council will consider ways to encourage residents, where possible, to shop locally taking advantage of our Love Local marketing work, and taking advantage of home-grown, affordable and nutritious produce, including meat, dairy, fish and arable options. Thus reducing food miles to our tables and boosting the local economy.

 

c)     To continue to advocate to the Scottish and UK Governments the importance of supporting Argyll and Bute’s Food and Drink sector to our economy and way of life.

 

Moved by Councillor Alastair Redman, seconded by Councillor Liz McCabe.

 

 

The following Notice of Motion Under Standing Order 13 was before the Council for consideration:

 

Argyll and Bute Council recognises the huge contribution made by our farmers, crofters, growers and fishermen to our local economy, environment and wider rural communities.  Consequently, Argyll and Bute Council commits to maintaining and where possible enhancing our working relationships with local arable, livestock, crofting, dairy farmers and fishermen by:

 

(a)  where possible, ensuring that food and drinks provided at Council organised events includes items sourced from local suppliers; to always include where possible meat, dairy and fish produce, alongside arable produce;

 

(b)  as part of tackling the environmental priorities for Argyll and Bute Council; The Council will consider ways to encourage residents, where possible, to shop locally taking advantage of our Love Local marketing work, and taking advantage of home-grown, affordable and nutritious produce, including meat, dairy, fish and arable options. Thus reducing food miles to our tables and boosting the local economy.

 

(c)   to continue to advocate to the Scottish and UK Governments the importance of supporting Argyll and Bute’s Food and Drink sector to our economy and way of life.

 

Moved by Councillor Alastair Redman, seconded by Councillor Liz McCabe.

 

Amendment

 

Argyll and Bute Council recognises the huge contribution made by our farmers, crofters, growers and fishers to our local economy, environment and wider rural communities. Consequently, Argyll and Bute Council commits to maintaining and where possible enhancing our working relationships with our local growers, fishers, delis, independent shopkeepers and traders by-

a)    Where possible, ensuring that food and drinks provided at Council organised events includes items sourced from local suppliers.

 

b)    As part of tackling the environmental priorities for Argyll and Bute Council; The Council will consider ways to encourage residents, where possible, to shop locally taking advantage of our Love Local marketing work, farmers markets and craft fairs, taking advantage of home-grown, affordable and nutritious produce, and encourage where possible the retention of cash to help support our more remote and rural traders.

 

c)     To continue to advocate to the Scottish and UK Governments the importance of supporting Argyll and Bute’s Food and Drink sector to our economy and way of life.

Moved by Councillor Mark Irvine, seconded by Councillor Dougie McFadzean.

 

As the meeting was being held on a hybrid basis, the vote required to be taken by calling the Roll and Members voted as follows –

 

Motion                                       Amendment                    

 

Councillor Corry                          Councillor Armour

Councillor A Hampsey                 Councillor Blair

Councillor D Hampsey                 Councillor Brown

Councillor McCabe                      Councillor Campbell-Sturgess

Councillor McNeilly                      Councillor Currie

Councillor Mulvaney                    Councillor Forrest

Councillor Penfold                       Councillor Green

Councillor Redman                      Councillor Hardie

Councillor Sinclair                        Councillor Howard

Councillor Vennard                      Councillor Hume

Councillor Wallace                       Councillor Irvine

                                                  Councillor Kain

                                                  Councillor Kelly

                                                  Councillor Kennedy

                                                  Councillor Kennedy-Boyle

                                                  Councillor Lynch

                                                  Councillor Martin

                                                  Councillor MacQuire

                                                  Councillor McFadzean

                                                  Councillor McKenzie

                                                  Councillor Moreland

                                                  Councillor Philand

 

Decision

 

The Amendment was carried by 22 votes to 11 votes and the Council resolved accordingly.

 

(Reference: Notice of Motion Under Standing Order 13 by Councillor Alastair Redman, seconded by Councillor Liz McCabe, submitted; and Amendment by Councillor Mark Irvine, seconded by Councillor Dougie McFadzean, tabled)

Taking into account the amendment to the Motion referred to by the Executive Director at the start of the meeting, the following Notice of Motion Under Standing Order 14 was before the Council as a matter of urgency –

 

Argyll and Bute Council deplores the announced closure of the Helensburgh branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland which will leave Helensburgh and Lomond with only one high street bank to serve the whole population and will have a seriously detrimental effect on the area’s many small businesses and retail outlets.

and

a) Agrees that the Leader of the Council should express the Council’s concerns to the bank Chief Executive -

and

b) Also ask bank owner NatWest to reconsider their decision while at the same time engaging with Cash Access UK and other banking providers to explore the possibility of establishing a banking hub in its Helensburgh premises as has been done in a number of other Scottish towns.

Moved by Councillor Fiona Howard, seconded by Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed the terms of the Motion and resolved accordingly.

 

(Reference: Notice of Motion by Councillor Fiona Howard, seconded by Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess, tabled)