Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Maurice Corry, Gary Mulvaney and Dougie Philand.

Councillor Gemma Penfold joined the meeting during the consideration of the following item of Business.

DEPUTATIONS

The Depute Provost intimated that 2 requests for a Deputation to be heard by the Council had been received from Tracy Mayo on behalf of community members on Mull, including Parent Council representatives; and from Mary Jean Devon. It was unanimously agreed to hear these Deputations.

The Council heard a deputation from Tracy Mayo, Anne Marie Rigby and Emily Greenhalgh in relation to the Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) – Mull Campus which would be dealt with under item 3 of the agenda (Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) – Mull Campus – Preferred Site Recommendation). Members were given the opportunity to ask one question each of the Deputation.

The Council heard a deputation from Mary Jean Devon in relation to the Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) – Mull Campus which would be dealt with under item 3 of the agenda (Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) – Mull Campus – Preferred Site Recommendation). Members were given the opportunity to ask one question each of the Deputation.

The Depute Provost thanked the presenters and advised that their submissions would be considered under item 3 of the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Prior to the consideration of agenda item 3, the Depute Provost advised that Appendices 1, 1(i), 1J and 1L were marked exempt and if Members wished to have discussion on these appendices then they would be asked to pass a resolution in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public for those items on the grounds that it is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 8 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7a to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

During the consideration of the following item of Business, the Depute Provost ruled and the Council agreed to take a 10 minute comfort break between 3.25pm and 3.35pm. The meeting reconvened with all those present as per the sederunt.

The Council gave consideration to a report outlining key information required to identify a preferred site for the Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) Mull Campus Project which had reached the decision milestone for site selection.

Following questions, the Depute Provost ruled and the Council agreed to adjourn for 10 Minutes from 4.20pm to 4.30pm to allow officers to consider the competency of a proposed amendment. The meeting reconvened with all those present as per the sederunt. Following consideration, the Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support advised that the amendment was not competent.

Decision

The Council –

1.    noted the contents of the report and supporting Appendices;

2.    endorsed the site scoring mechanism, criteria and supporting assessments which were consistent with criteria categories commonly used for site selection on previous Council school projects;

3.    confirmed Site 4 – Tobermory South as the preferred site for a new Mull Campus and agreed to progress the Outline Business Case on that basis;

4.    noted that as the preferred option would constitute a proposal to relocate the existing campus, a statutory consultation would be legally required under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, the outcome of which would be reported back to full Council upon completion of that process; and

5.    in making their decision in accordance with recommendation (b), above, had specific regard to the detail of the Integrated Impact Assessment (Appendix 1K) on the potential impacts to the relevant groups on Mull and its surrounding islands, as detailed therein, recognising that each site presented different benefits and disbenefits to these distinct groups.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services and Education dated 6 February 2025; and Supplementary Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services and Education and Executive Director with responsibility for Financial Services dated 28 February 2025, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Council gave consideration to a report setting out the updated Political Composition of the Council.

Decision

The Council noted the updated Political Composition of the Council.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated 28 February 2025, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Council gave consideration to a report setting out the full Written Decision of the Standards Commission’s Hearing Panel, dated 24th February 2025, in respect of a complaint against Councillor Alastair Redman.

Decision

The Council –

1.    noted the terms of the Standard Commission’s Written Decision which detailed the breaches of the Councillor’s Code of Conduct that were committed by Councillor Alastair Redman;

2.    noted the Hearing Panel’s decision to impose the sanction of suspending Councillor Redman for a period of two months, with effect from 25^th February 2025, from all meetings of the Council and of any committee or sub-committee thereof and of any other body on which he is a representative or nominee of the Council;

3.    noted with concern the actions of Councillor Redman before, during and after the hearing, in particular his comments regarding the Hearing process and the Panel;

4.    affirmed that every citizen, including council officers, if they have concerns about the behaviour or actions of an elected member, has the right to make representations through the established process with the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life; and

5.    fully endorsed the Councillors Code of Conduct and appeals to all members to support its terms.

(Reference: Report by Monitoring Officer dated 25 February 2025, 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.

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.