Agenda and minutes

The Provost welcomed everyone to the final meeting in the life of the Council and the final meeting for colleagues who had chosen not so stand at the upcoming election.  He thanked all Members for their commitment and service to the communities of Argyll and Bute over the past five years.

The Provost presented the Leader of the Council, Councillor Dick Walsh, with a Quaich to recognise his significant contribution and to mark 40 years’ service to the communities of Argyll and Bute due to his decision to retire as Councillor.  On behalf of the Council he gave the Leader his heartfelt thanks and best wishes for the future.  Councillor Walsh thanked his colleagues for the Quaich and their support; and wished them well for the future.

The Provost invited Members to join him for a light afternoon tea in the Members Lounge at the conclusion of the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Donald Kelly, Robert E MacIntyre and Douglas Philand.

The Head of Governance and Law advised that in terms of Standing Order 14 the following Notice of Motion by Councillor Aileen Morton, seconded by Councillor Kieron Green had been received for consideration as a matter of urgency at this meeting –

The Council notes:

1.    That the Out of Hours GP service at the Vale of Leven has been unavailable a number of times recently with patients directed to Paisley or Glasgow.

2.    That any changes to this service have a significant impact on Helensburgh & Lomond residents.

3.    That a report on Out of Hours services came to the West Dunbartonshire Integrated Joint Board in March, which included possible service changes that would significantly alter the current, local service.

4.    That no report has come to the Argyll and Bute Integrated Joint Board on this matter, and that no contact has been made by the NHS or the West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership to raise this matter with the Argyll & Bute IJB.

The Council agrees to ask the Chief Executive to write to the West Dunbartonshire Health & Social Care Partnership and to NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde highlighting the impact service changes will have on Helensburgh & Lomond residents and asking that no decision is made without full consultation with Argyll & Bute IJB.

The provost ruled that the Motion be considered as a matter of urgency due to the fact that it was the last meeting of the current Council and because the consultation with the Argyll and Bute Integrated Joint Board and Helensburgh and Lomond residents needed to begin as soon as possible considering the significant local impact the changes could have.

The Council agreed to consider the Motion and this is dealt with at item 17 of these Minutes.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minutes of the meeting of Argyll and Bute Council held on 23 February 2017 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Special meeting of Argyll and Bute Council held on 7 April 2017 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 19 January 2017 were noted.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Community Services Committee held on 9 March 2017 were noted.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 16 March 2017 were noted.

Arising from item 7 of this Minute (Scottish Government Funding for Welfare Reform and Discretionary Housing Payments – Report on Spend to Date and Future Proposals); the Council agreed the recommendations made by the Committee at this item.

Arising from item 13 of this Minute (Better Regulation: Argyll and Bute Council Enforcement Policy); the Council agreed the recommendation to approve the Council’s Enforcement Policy previously approved by the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee and the Policy and Resources Committee.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 6 April 2017 were noted.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Special Community Services Committee held on 6 April 2017 were noted.

Report by Leader of the Council

The Council gave consideration to a report which updated them on the activities of the Leader of the Council during the period January to April 2017.  This was the final report by the Leader in the life of the Council.  The report also included an update in respect of the Leaders role as Policy Lead Councillor for Customer Services.

Decision

The Council –

1.    Noted the report.

2.    Noted that the full Leader’s Report Pack was available in the Leaders Office which included COSLA papers and briefings as referenced in the report.

3.    Agreed to formally record their appreciation to the Council Leader for the detailed reports he had brought which had shown a clear indication of just how wide ranging and exhausting his work load had been.

(Reference:  Report by Leader of the Council dated 11 April 2017, submitted)

Report by Head of Strategic Finance

A report was given consideration which advised Members that there were some errors which had been noted within the fees and charges schedule for 2017-18 that had been corrected.

Decision

The Council noted the changes to the fees and charges schedule which is in line with the approved 3% increase to fees and charges for 2017-18.

(Reference:  Report by Head of Strategic Finance dated 10 April 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council at their meeting on 29 September 2016 gave consideration to a report which provided them with an update on the improvement plan that had been developed to take forward the Accounts Commission Findings on the Controller of Audit Scotland’s further Statutory Report on the Council.

A further report was given consideration which gave an update on the revised improvement plan which now contained recommendations which had arisen from the Audit Scotland Review of the 2016/17 budget setting process.

Decision

The Council -

1.    Noted the progress that had been made to date against each of the improvement actions detailed within Appendix 1 to the report by the Executive Director.

2.    Agreed that further monitoring of outstanding actions would be carried out via the Community Empowerment Working Group.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 15 March 2017, submitted)

A report containing recommendations from the Short Life Working Group on Political Management Arrangements was given consideration by the Council. 

The Short Life Working Group had been established by the Council on 21 April 2016 to review the current Political Management Arrangements and make recommendations on future arrangements to be presented to the final meeting of the Council and then given to the new Council for consideration.

Decision

The Council agreed to refer the findings of the Short Life Working Group on Political Management Arrangements to the first meeting of the new Council for consideration.

(Reference:  Report by Short Life Working Group on Political Management Arrangements dated April 2017, submitted)

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Short Life Working Group on Political Management Arrangements held on 17 January 2017 were noted.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Short Life Working Group on Political Management Arrangements held on 16 March 2017 were noted.

Consideration was given to a report which updated the Council on the Political Composition of the Council following written notification that Councillor James Robb was no longer a member of the Argyll and Bute Council SNP Group.

Decision

The Council noted the terms of the report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 27 March 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council gave consideration to a report which summarised the progress in relation to the Council’s NPDO project to the end of March 2017.  The report provided an update on the current financial position of the Project.

Decision

The Council noted the content of the report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated April 2017, submitted)

Councillor Maurice Corry left the meeting during consideration of the following item of business and did not return to the meeting.

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report which presented a draft response to the Police Scotland Consultation on Policing 2026: Our 10 Year Strategy for Policing in Scotland, was given consideration.  The deadline for responses to the consultation was 8 May 2017.

Decision

The Council agreed the draft response to the” Policing 2026: Our 10 Year Strategy for Policing in Scotland” consultation for submission to Police Scotland by 8 May 2017.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated April 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council gave consideration to a report which introduced the reviewed Planning and Performance Management Framework as had been requested by the Chief Executive and the Performance Review and Scrutiny Committee.  The review had been undertaken to simplify the process, reduce duplication and to move from reporting on what the Council could count, to report on what counted and what supported improved scrutiny.  It was proposed that the reviewed Planning and Performance Management Framework (PPMF) would be called Performance and Improvement Framework (PIF).

Decision

The Council approved the new Performance and Improvement Framework (PIF).

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated April 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council gave consideration to a report which presented the Equalities Mainstreaming Report and Equality Outcomes 2013-2017.  As part of the Council’s Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010 there was a statutory duty to publish the report by April 2017.

Decision

The Council –

1.    Noted the Equalities Mainstreaming Report.

2.    Noted the progress on the Equality Outcomes 2013 – 2017.

3.    Noted the positive trend in closing the gender pay gap.

4.    Agreed that the Council’s Equality Outcomes remained fit for purpose.

5.    Agreed that the report be published as part of the Council’s Public Sector Equality Duty.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated April 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

A report which provided Members on progress with the planning for the World War One Commemoration events and which invited the Council to release the funding of £25k to the Museum of Islay Life Sub Group was given consideration.

Decision

The Council –

1.    Noted the outline programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the submitted report for 2018.

2.    Agreed to recommend to the new Council that it establish an informal Officer Working Group chaired by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure to identify what the Council will require to provide, by way of assistance in kind, to support the events.

3.    Noted the indicative budget attached as Appendix 2 to the submitted report and agreed to release the £25k funding to the Museum of Islay Life to resource that budget requirement.

4.    Noted that a liaison group will be established to work with the local community group later in the year and recognised the need for the involvement of the new Provost in respect of the Council role in the commemoration events.

5.    Noted with appreciation, the significant work of the World War One Steering Group under the Chairmanship of the Lord Lieutenant, Patrick Stewart, the Armed Forces Champion and the local organising group, chaired by Jenni Minto in developing the proposals.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 23 March 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Council considered a report outlining the work undertaken by the Short Life Working Group – Argyll Islands Task Force since their establishment in January 2014; and the progress which had been made in relation to island issues during this period.

Decision

The Council –

1.    Noted the work undertaken by the Argyll Islands Task Force and the progress made in relation to island issues since 2014.

2.    Agreed the request from the Argyll Islands Task Force for a continued focus by the Council on the work commenced by the Argyll Islands Task Force.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 28 March 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Council gave consideration to a report requesting approval of the Historic Environment Scotland Offer of Grant in relation to two Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme grant awards of £1,002,348 in respect of Dunoon and £500,000 in respect of Rothesay, which were awarded to the Council on 9 February 2017.

Decision

The Council agreed to the Historic Environment Scotland Offers of Grant and delegated authority to the Executive Director - Customer Services to sign and agree the terms with Historic Environment Scotland in respect of two CARS awards for Dunoon and Rothesay.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 10 March 2017, submitted)

In terms of Standing Order 14 the following Notice of Motion had been received for consideration as a matter of urgency at this meeting –

The Council notes:

1.    That the Out of Hours GP service at the Vale of Leven has been unavailable a number of times recently with patients directed to Paisley or Glasgow.

2.    That any changes to this service have a significant impact on Helensburgh & Lomond residents.

3.    That a report on Out of Hours services came to the West Dunbartonshire Integrated Joint Board in March, which included possible service changes that would significantly alter the current, local service.

4.    That no report has come to the Argyll and Bute Integrated Joint Board on this matter, and that no contact has been made by the NHS or the West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership to raise this matter with the Argyll & Bute IJB.

The Council agrees to ask the Chief Executive to write to the West Dunbartonshire Health & Social Care Partnership and to NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde highlighting the impact service changes will have on Helensburgh & Lomond residents and asking that no decision is made without full consultation with Argyll & Bute IJB.

Moved: Cllr Aileen Morton

Seconded: Cllr Kieron Green

Decision

The Council unanimously agreed the terms of the Motion.

(Reference:  Notice of Motion by Councillor Aileen Morton, seconded by Councillor Kieron Green, tabled)

The Council resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and public for the following 4 items of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6&9; 9; 9 and 9 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Executive Director - Development and Infrastructure Services

A report which detailed the current position in relation to proposals to improve the physical condition of a number of 3G pitches across the Council area was considered.  The report sought approval for the Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services to progress the works.

Motion

That the Council agree the recommendations as contained within the submitted report.

Moved Councillor Ellen Morton, seconded Councillor Gary Mulvaney

Amendment 1

That the Council agree the recommendations with an amendment to the second bullet point.

Moved Councillor Michael Breslin, seconded Councillor Bruce Marshall.

Amendment 2

That the Council agree the terms of Amendment 1 with a further amendment to the second bullet point.

Moved Councillor George Freeman, seconded Councillor James Robb

Decision

Following a show of hands vote the Motion was carried by 21 votes with Amendment 1 receiving 8 votes and Amendment 2 receiving 1 vote.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated April 2017, submitted)

Recommendation from Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 8 February 2017 and report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council considered a recommendation from the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 8 February 2017 in respect of the proposed lease of Lismore School House.

Decision

The Council agreed the recommendations from the Area Committee as contained at paragraph 3.1 of the submitted report.

(Reference:  Recommendation from Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 8 February 2017 and joint report by Executive Director – Customer Services and Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated  11 January 2017, submitted)

Recommendation from Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 8 February 2017 and report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council considered a recommendation from the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 8 February 2017 in respect of the proposed lease of the former Kerrera School.

Decision

The Council agreed the recommendations from the Area Committee as contained at paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 of the submitted report.

(Reference:  Recommendation from Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee held on 8 February 2017 and joint report by Executive Director – Customer Services and Acting Executive Director – Community Services dated 21 December 2016, submitted)

Recommendation from Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee held on 11 April 2017 and report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council gave consideration to a recommendation from the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee held on 11 April 2017 in respect of the proposed lease of the Kirkmichael Centre, Buchanan Road, Helensburgh.

Decision

The Council agreed the recommendations by the Area Committee as contained at paragraph 2.1 of the submitted report.

(Reference: Recommendation from Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee held on 11 April 2017 and report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 3 April 2017, submitted)

Councillors Michael Breslin and George Freeman left the meeting at this point.

Councillor Neil Macintyre thanked his colleagues for their support during his term as Councillor and offered them his best wishes for the future.

The Provost, as it was the last meeting in the life of the Council gave his valedictory address. He highlighted some of the positive work the Council had achieved over the past 5 years.  He thanked all Members of the Council for their work over the Council term and wished them well for the future.

The Depute Provost expressed to the Provost the gratitude of his colleagues for the way he had undertaken his duties.