Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Garret Corner and Audrey Forrest.

The Provost addressed the Council to mark the 50^th anniversary of the date when Argyll and Bute District Council first commenced operations, following a major reorganisation of local government in Scotland. He also highlighted that this year was also COSLA’s 50^th birthday, formed in 1975 as a collective voice for Scottish local authorities; and advised that next year would be the 30^th birthday of today’s Council, Argyll and Bute Council, set up following another local government reorganisation.

Councillor Maurice Corry declared a non-financial interest in item 12 of the Agenda (Freedom of Argyll and Bute – The Royal Regiment of Scotland) by reason that he was a member of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The Minutes of the meeting of Argyll and Bute Council held on 27 February 2025 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Special meeting of Argyll and Bute Council held on 7 March 2025 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Community Services Committee held on 6 March 2025 were noted.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 20 March 2025 were noted.

Report by Leader of the Council

The Council gave consideration to a report providing an update on the activities of the Council Leader, Councillor Jim Lynch, for the period 8 November 2024 to 10 April 2025.

 

Decision

 

The Council noted –

 

1.    the content of the submitted report; and

 

2.    that any reports, briefings or copy correspondence referred to in the report could be requested as appropriate, through the Leadership Support Manager, noting that some confidential reports provided by external organisations such as COSLA may be restricted.

 

(Reference: Report by Leader of the Council dated 10 April 2025, submitted)

 

Report by Policy Leads

The Council gave consideration to a report providing an update on key areas of activity for each Policy Lead Councillor covering the period 21 November 2024 to 7 April 2025.

 

Decision

 

The Council noted the content of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Policy Lead Councillors dated 11 April 2025, submitted)

 

Councillor Tommy MacPherson left the meeting during the consideration of the following item of Business.

Report by Director of Public Health and Policy, NHS Highland

The Director of Public Health and Policy from NHS Highland, presented the Council with the NHS Director of Public Health Annual Report for the year 2024.

 

Decision

 

The Council noted the NHS Highland Director of Public Health Annual Report for 2024.

 

(Reference Report by Director of Public Health and Policy, NHS Highland dated 24 April 2024, submitted)

Councillor Dougie McFadzean, as Policy Lead for Care Services, recorded his thanks to Dr Allison for the support he had provided him personally in his role as Policy Lead.

 

The Provost thanked Dr Allison for his attendance and for the presentation of his annual report. The Provost advised that Dr Alison was retiring in June of this year and therefore this would be the last annual report which he would present.  The Provost thanked Dr Allison, on behalf of the Council, for his contribution to Council meetings and wished him a long and happy retirement.  

Report by Chief Executive

The Council gave consideration to a report presenting the most recent Argyll and Bute Council Best Value Report published by the Accounts Commission.

 

Decision

 

The Council –

 

1.     noted the positive overall findings of the Accounts Commission’s Best Value Audit Report 2025; and

 

2.     agreed that a Corporate Improvement Plan, incorporating the actions identified in the report, would be brought forward to June Council.

 

(Report by Chief Executive dated April 2025, submitted)       

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Council gave consideration to a report advising of the resignation of Councillor Jim Lynch from the Oban Common Good Fund and inviting the appointment of a replacement Member.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to appoint Councillor Andrew Kain to the Oban Common Good Fund.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated 10 April 2025, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Council gave consideration to a report advising of the requirement to review the Health and Social Care Integration Scheme and the proposed steps to achieve this.

 

Decision

 

The Council –

 

1.     noted the requirement for a review of the current Integration Scheme to be carried out by 23rd March 2026;

 

2.     endorsed the proposed steps in respect of carrying out the review, including the formation of a working group; and

 

3.     noted that further updates in respect of the review would be prepared for future meetings of the Council, Integration Joint Board and NHS Highland Board.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated 25 February 2025, submitted)

Report by Chief Executive

The Council gave consideration to a report providing an overview of the activity that had taken place to date in relation to the development of alternative governance arrangements such as a Single Authority Model for Argyll and Bute.

 

Decision

 

The Council –

 

1.     noted the work that has been undertaken to date regarding the development of Single Authority Models (SAMs) at both local and national level;

 

2.     agreed to establish a Single Authority Model Short Life Working Group (SAM SLWG) with the terms of reference as set out at paragraph 4.3 of the report;

 

3.     agreed that the SAM SWLG will comprise six members, to include four from the Administration and two from the Opposition;

 

4.     appointed Councillors Jim Lynch, Ross Moreland, Dougie McFadzean and Reeni Kennedy-Boyle as the four Administration members of the SAM SLWG;

 

5.     appointed Councillor Jim Lynch as the Chair and Councillor Ross Moreland as the Vice-Chair of the Group;

 

6.     invited the Leader of the TALIG Opposition Group to nominate two members to join the SAM SLWG.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive dated 25 March 2025, submitted and Motion by Councillor Jim Lynch, seconded by Councillor Ross Moreland, tabled))

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

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Council gave consideration to a report advising of a formal request from the Lieutenancy of Argyll and Bute that the Freedom of Argyll and Bute be awarded upon the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to award the Freedom of Argyll and Bute to the Royal Regiment of Scotland in recognition of its ongoing contribution, service, dedication and support at both national and local levels.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated 19 March 2025, submitted)

Councillor Maurice Corry re-joined the meeting.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Council gave consideration to a report which sought approval of the revised Scheme of Assistance for private sector housing.

 

Decision

 

The Council approved the revised Scheme of Assistance as detailed at Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated March 2025, submitted)

Councillor Yvonne McNeilly joined the meeting at this point.

Ban on Political Posters on Council Property and Street Furniture.

The Council notes that:

• The vast majority of Scottish local authorities - approximately 28 out of 32 - have already prohibited the use of council-owned street furniture, such as lampposts, for political posters and campaign materials.
• Allowing political posters on council property can lead to issues such as visual clutter, damage to public infrastructure, and issues associated with removal and clean-up.
• Council property is funded by the taxpayer and as such should not be used for political campaign purposes.
• Political posters are often not environmentally friendly relying on single use plastics and can fall off/be removed leading to pollution of local communities.
• The presence of posters on lampposts and other street furniture can present road safety concerns, particularly if they obstruct sightlines or distract road users.
• Alternative methods of political campaigning, including digital outreach, leafleting, canvassing, and designated poster boards, remain available to all candidates and parties.

The Council therefore agrees:

• To approve that the updated policy in Appendix 1 is adopted, which will have the effect that Argyll & Bute Council no longer permits the display of any campaign related material on any property under the Council’s control.

 

Proposed: Cllr Daniel Hampsey

Seconded: Cllr Gary Mulvaney

 

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

 

Ban on Political Posters on Council Property and Street Furniture.

 

The Council notes that:

 

The vast majority of Scottish local authorities - approximately 28 out of 32 - have already prohibited the use of council-owned street furniture, such as lampposts, for political posters and campaign materials.

 

Allowing political posters on council property can lead to issues such as visual clutter, damage to public infrastructure, and issues associated with removal and clean-up.

 

Council property is funded by the taxpayer and as such should not be used for political campaign purposes.

 

Political posters are often not environmentally friendly relying on single use plastics and can fall off/be removed leading to pollution of local communities.

 

The presence of posters on lampposts and other street furniture can present road safety concerns, particularly if they obstruct sightlines or distract road users.

 

Alternative methods of political campaigning, including digital outreach, leafleting, canvassing, and designated poster boards, remain available to all candidates and parties.

 

The Council therefore agrees:

 

To approve that the updated policy in Appendix 1 is adopted, which will have the effect that Argyll & Bute Council no longer permits the display of any campaign related material on any property under the Council’s control.

 

Proposed: Councillor Daniel Hampsey

Seconded: Councillor Gary Mulvaney

 

Amendment

 

The use of the election poster is a Scottish tradition and a visible and vibrant display of our national democratic values.

Ensuring that people who want to vote know when and how to do so, and that they have choices, is at the very heart of democracy. In a rural area like Argyll and Bute, reaching electors inevitably requires a broad approach which does not solely rely on digital options.

Election posters and banners play a key role in voter turnout, particularly in remote, rural and island communities. These items are in place for only a limited period and there is existing legislation and specific guidelines around their use, including how long they may remain in place, height limitations to avoid impact on others, restrictions on location and strict timescales for removal by political parties and independent candidates following the election. 

Local authorities across the country have, in fact, been encouraged by a number of other agencies on various occasions to continue to allow the use of posters to enhance the democratic process by helping to raise awareness at election time and encouraging voter participation. 

Accordingly this Council:

1.               Recognises that in a rural area like Argyll and Bute, the Scottish tradition of election posters and banners remains an invaluable resource in terms of raising the profile of elections and promoting turnout.

2.               Notes that there is legislation and clear guidance in place during election periods which is issued to candidates, agents and any others who wish to display posters and banners on any street-side council infrastructure, designed to minimise impact while fulfilling their key function; 

3.               Agrees to continue with the existing policy and arrangements in relation to the display of election posters and banners;

4.               Welcomes the fact that Argyll and Bute remains an area where display of election posters as a visible way of raising awareness of elections and encouraging voter participation is unrestricted.

Proposer: Councillor Jim Lynch

Seconder: Councillor Fiona Howard

 

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

 

Councillor Corry                Councillor Armour                       Councillor Green

Councillor A Hampsey        Councillor Blair

Councillor D Hampsey       Councillor Brown

Councillor Hardie               Councillor Campbell-Sturgess

Councillor Kean                 Councillor Horn

Councillor Kennedy           Councillor Howard

Councillor McCabe            Councillor Hume

Councillor McNeilly            Councillor Irvine

Councillor Moreland          Councillor Kain

Councillor Mulvaney          Councillor Kennedy-Boyle

Councillor Penfold             Councillor Lynch

Councillor Sinclair              Councillor Martin

Councillor Vennard            Councillor MacQuire

Councillor Wallace             Councillor McFadzean

                                        Councillor McKenzie

                                        Councillor Paterson

                                        Councillor Philand

 

Decision

 

The Amendment was carried by 17 votes to 14 votes, with 1 no vote, and the Council resolved accordingly.

 

(Reference: Notice of Motion by Councillor Daniel Hampsey, seconded by Councillor Gary Mulvaney, submitted; and Amendment by Councillor Jim Lynch, seconded by Councillor Fiona Howard, tabled)

Supporting Our Pollinators

 

The No-Mow-May and Let-It-Bloom-June movements are part of an annual campaign by the organisation Plantlife. The campaign promotes that reducing lawnmower use and encouraging natural grass and wildflower growth offer simple ways for everyone to play a part in supporting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

 

Research from The Butterfly Conservation organisation reports that more than half of UK butterfly species are now in long term decline. With over 20 million gardens in the UK, even the smallest areas allowed to flourish can make a real contribution and deliver environmental benefits for nature, people and places.

 

To help play its part, the Council agrees to:

 

1.     Promote the No-Mow-May and Let-It-Bloom June campaigns across Argyll and Bute through all available channels to encourage local people, community groups, local businesses and other organisations to consider taking part in the 2025 campaigns.

 

2.     Ask officers to explore the scope of action the Council could reasonably take within the context of its overall grass-cutting and local maintenance programmes and available resources. This should include an exploration of what may be feasible to support the objectives of No Mow May and Let it Bloom June for the 2025 season and beyond. Findings and outcomes should be reported, following consultation with the Policy Lead for Climate Change, Renewables and Net Zero and the Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services to the December meeting of Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee.

 

Proposer: Councillor Luna Martin

 

Seconder: Councillor Ross Moreland

 

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

 

The No-Mow-May and Let-It-Bloom-June movements are part of an annual campaign by the organisation Plantlife. The campaign promotes that reducing lawnmower use and encouraging natural grass and wildflower growth offer simple ways for everyone to play a part in supporting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

 

Research from The Butterfly Conservation organisation reports that more than half of UK butterfly species are now in long term decline. With over 20 million gardens in the UK, even the smallest areas allowed to flourish can make a real contribution and deliver environmental benefits for nature, people and places.

 

To help play its part, the Council agrees to:

 

1.               Promote the No-Mow-May and Let-It-Bloom June campaigns across Argyll and Bute through all available channels to encourage local people, community groups, local businesses and other organisations to consider taking part in the 2025 campaigns.

 

2.               Ask officers to explore the scope of action the Council could reasonably take within the context of its overall grass-cutting and local maintenance programmes and available resources. This should include an exploration of what may be feasible to support the objectives of No Mow May and Let it Bloom June for the 2025 season and beyond. Findings and outcomes should be reported, following consultation with the Policy Lead for Climate Change, Renewables and Net Zero and the Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services to the December meeting of Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee.

 

Proposer: Councillor Luna Martin

 

Seconder: Councillor Ross Moreland

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Notice of Motion by Councillor Luna Martin, seconded by Councillor Ross Moreland, submitted)