Agenda and minutes

The Provost ruled, and the Council agreed, that the business dealt with at item 23 of this Minute be dealt with as a matter of urgency by reason of the need to finalise the sale timeously.

 

The Provost extended congratulations to Councillor Donnie MacMillan on his forthcoming 90^th birthday on 10^th October and on behalf of the Council thanked him for all his hard work and years’ service to the people of Argyll and Bute.

 

The Council received an informative presentation on the Argyll and Bute Policing Plan 2017-2020 by Hazel Hendren, Chief Superintendent, Police Scotland. The Provost extended sincere thanks to Hazel for her time in presenting to the Council today.

Apologies for absence were intimated from Councillors Colville, Horn, Redman and Robertson.

Councillor McCuish declared a non-financial interest in relation to the report on Bid4Oban – Approval of Business Plan which is dealt with at item 10 of this Minute due to his membership of the Board.

Argyll and Bute Council held on 29 June 2017

The Minutes of the Meeting of Argyll and Bute Council held on 29 June 2017 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Special Policy and Resources Committee held on 29 June 2017 were noted.

The Minutes of the Special Community Services Committee held on 15 August 2017 were noted.

The Minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 17 August 2017 were noted.

 

Arising under item 7 Pay Settlement 2017-18, the Council approved the supplementary estimate of £0.123M from allocated reserves and noted that the increase had been added to the projected budget gap for 2018-19.

 

Arising under item 18 Potential Purchase of Land – Helensburgh Town Centre, this item will be taken in private at item 21 of this Minute.

The Minute of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 7 September 2017 were noted.

The Minutes of the Community Services Committee held on 14 September 2017 were noted.

 

Arising under item 9 Children and Young Peoples Services Plan, the Council agreed:-

 

1.     to note that both NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Council are jointly and equally responsible for Children’s Services planning;

 

2.     subject to the inclusion of the number of Gaelic Medium Units at Appendix 3 (page 41) of the Plan and also to some minor revisions to the document, to approve Argyll and Bute’s Children and Young People’s Services Plan which covers the period 2017 – 2020;

 

3.     and approved by the Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board, to approve the publishing of the Children and Young People’s Services Plan;

 

4.     and approved by the Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board, to approve the submission of the Children and Young People’s Services Plan to the Scottish Government; and

 

5.     to note that Argyll and Bute’s Children and Young People’s Strategic Group will oversee the delivery of the outcomes and actions identified in the Plan, with annual performance and progress reports to be presented to future meetings of the Community Services Committee and the Integration Joint Board.

 

Arising under item 14 Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2018/19 – 2022/23, the Council:-

 

1.     approved the SHIP proposals summarised in this report for submission to the Scottish Government in October 2017; and

 

2.     agreed to commit to maximising the use of the Strategic Housing Fund to support the SHIP programme.

 

Arising under item 23 Compulsory Purchase Order, this item will be taken in private at item 22 of this Minute.

Report by Leader of the Council

A report providing the Council with an update on the activities undertaken by the Leader of the Council from 24 June to 15 September 2017.

 

Decision

 

1.     Noted the content of the report.

 

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

 

3.     Noted that any COSLA items heard in public session could be provided to Members electronically and any items taken in private session could be reviewed in the Leader’s Office.

 

(Ref: Report by Leader of the Council dated 11 September 2017, submitted)

 

Report by Policy Leads

A report providing the Council with an update to key areas of activity for each Policy Lead Councillor. Updates from all Policy Leads will be submitted to each Council meeting so that members are informed, up-to-date and able to engage with current issues.

 

Decision

 

The Council noted the terms of the report.

 

(Ref: Report by Policy Leads dated 14 September 2017, submitted)

Report by Christina West, Chief Officer, Health and Social Care

The Council received an informative presentation on the Health and Social Care Partnership Annual Performance Report 2017 by Christina West. The first Annual Report focused on the statutory requirements set out in Scottish Government guidelines, whilst also using performance assessment and local examples to add information and highlight successes and challenges. Members were given the opportunity to ask questions and then the Provost formally thanked Christina for her presentation to the Council.

 

The Provost adjourned the meeting at 12.20pm and re-convened at 12.25pm.

 

Motion

 

The Council:

 

1.     Notes that the annual report has been approved by Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board and was published on 4th August 2017 and can be found at https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/ab_hscp_annual_performance_report_21072017_5.pdf;

2.     Welcomes the commitment of the Health and Social Care Partnership to ensure that people across Argyll and Bute lead longer, healthier and more independent lives;

3.     Notes with gratitude the dedication of all health and social care staff to delivering vital and much-needed services within our communities;

4.     Highlights the following points raised in the report that:

a)     There has been an increase in the number of outpatient ongoing waits of greater than 12 weeks from 38 to 138 (page 33).

b)     Further guidance is awaited from the Scottish Government in response to the Carers’ Act 2015 (page 42).

c)     There have been difficulties recruiting consultants, GPs, nurses, pharmacists, and other allied health professionals (pages 35 and 98).

d)     Difficulties in consultant recruitment have put services at risk and incurred excessive locum costs (page 98);

5.     Links these points to issues being raised across Scotland that:

a)     The Scottish Government has already recognised the need for additional resources to help meet the Treatment Time Guarantee of 12 weeks by announcing the distribution of £50 million to Health Boards in May 2017.

b)     The Carers’ Act 2015 introduced additional duties to support carers, with initial support for this coming as part of the Local Government Funding settlement for 2017/18.

c)     Audit Scotland’s NHS Workforce Planning report published in July 2017 stated “The Scottish Government and NHS boards have not planned their NHS workforce effectively for the long term.”

d)     Services across Scotland have faced similar pressures including in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the services provided to Argyll and Bute residents from the Vale of Leven Hospital;

6.     Asks the Chief Executive to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport seeking reassurance that:

a)     Funding to Health Boards by the Scottish Government for the Treatment Time Guarantee is sufficient to fully implement this and reduce waiting times to under 12 weeks.

b)     Requirements introduced by the Carers’ Act have been costed, with guidance given, and that further resources will be provided by the Scottish Government to ensure that all necessary support can be made available locally.

c)     The Scottish Government and NHS Boards have identified as to how recruitment issues at all levels in health and social care can be addressed and how any need for expansion in training required can be achieved.

d)     Local delivery of a wide range of health and care services will be supported particularly in remote, rural and island communities in the context of regional planning.

Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor Devon.

 

Amendment

 

The Council notes that the annual report has been approved by Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board and was published on 4 August 2017.

 

Moved by Councillor Trail, seconded by Councillor Freeman.

 

Decision

 

On a show of hands vote the Amendment received 11 votes and the Motion received 21 votes, and the Council resolved accordingly.

 

(Ref: Report by Christina West, Chief Officer Health and Social Care dated August 2017, submitted)

 

Report by Chief Social Work Officer, Health and Social Care

The Council received a presentation on the Chief Social Work Officer Annual Report by Alex Taylor. The Annual Report focused on an overview of Social Work activity undertaken across Argyll and Bute during the year together with spend across all social work services, the priorities and the challenges. Members were given the opportunity to ask questions and then the Provost formally thanked Mr Taylor for his presentation to the Council.

 

Decision

 

The Council noted the contents of the report before submission to the Scottish Government.

 

(Ref: Report by Alex Taylor, Chief Social Work Officer dated 4 September 2017, submitted)

 

Report by Chief Executive

The Council considered a report which invited Members to put in place arrangements to identify the Council priorities for the new 5 year term, articulated in a manner that will allow Officers to deliver them on an operational basis.

 

Motion

 

THE ARGYLL, LOMOND & THE ISLANDS GROUP                       

 

We are focused on creating and making the most of opportunities while continuing to deliver quality services. Like the communities we represent we are ambitious and we will always be accessible to our constituents and accountable to the people of Argyll and Bute.

 

We are committed to making Argyll and Bute a great place to live, work and do business and we will work hard to deliver better core services and improved support for communities.

 

Local residents know that all Councils are facing difficult decisions. Where we can’t always provide, we’ll enable, support and work in partnership to achieve delivery.

 

OUR VISION FOR ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL

A Council that grasps opportunities to transform how it delivers services, working in partnership with communities and other public and private sector organisations, with a “can do, will do” attitude, and a strong commitment to community power and to the delivery of first class local services:

·        An education service which enables all young people to achieve their potential;

·        Support for the local economy in partnership with local businesses

·        Homes for all, tackling poverty and building opportunity

·        Greener and cleaner communities

·        A determination to ensure that our diverse geographic location with remote, rural and island communities is fully taken into account and supported in the distribution of any new funding

 

OUR PRIORITIES FOR THE LIFE OF THE COUNCIL, 2017-2022

 

Education meets the needs of all our young people and their families:

·        Delivering improved results at all levels: aiming to build on existing achievements and to be in the top 25% in Scotland for SQA examination results and positive destinations; and improving overall levels of literacy and numeracy for all Argyll and Bute pupils

·        Make sure pupil equity funding reaches schools to increase attainment for all pupils and to close the gap that exists between children from poorer backgrounds and their classmates

·        Work to deliver access to flexible full-time childcare and early years’ education that meets the needs of parents and children

·        Support looked-after children get the most out of education, by developing best practice as the corporate parent

·        Use informal education, through community action, to raise attainment, especially for those young people from disadvantaged backgrounds

·        Evidence has shown that schools play only a part in educational attainment so we will work to ensure integrated children’s services are protected

·        Strengthen community links by promoting the use of school buildings and facilities outwith the school day

 

Making the most of our assets to build the local economy:

·        Champion economic development across the area, working in partnership with businesses and supporting targeted economic development within local areas as part of a strategic approach

·        Campaign for greater levels of infrastructure investment across Argyll and Bute:

o   Work to create a rural growth deal that benefits Argyll and Bute, Scotland and the UK by taking full advantage of the outstanding potential our area has

o   Prioritising future-proof digital and transport connectivity to maximise the long-term potential of the area; asking national agencies to look at Argyll and Bute as a whole and deliver transformational projects

·        Support the continuing regeneration of local town centres by – for example – using unused shops for employment training, cultural showcases or residential use

·        Lobby for Argyll and Bute to be served by a single Enterprise Agency, with HIE taking on responsibility for the whole of Argyll & Bute in order to simplify our relationships and provide better outcomes for the entire Council area

·        Ensure that SMEs continue to have access to the Council’s procurement processes, building on the good progress already made

·        Work with local and national partners to provide strategic support to key sectors, such as tourism where there is significant potential for continued growth

 

Supporting individual and community well-being:

·        Argyll & Bute Council will be a mental health champion, promoting good health and helping people back into employment when necessary

·        Make sure the local education service identifies young people with mental health problems and helps them get early support, and continues to help them as they transfer to adult services

·        Take seriously the health and well-being of carers, providing support and respite

·        Support our new Leisure & Library Trust – Live Argyll – as they take forward responsibility for delivering and improving these vital local services

·        Work with the Health & Social Care Partnership as they deliver services across our area to ensure local people have healthier, longer, and more independent lives

·        Make best use of our outstanding environment to support mental and physical wellbeing

 

Strengthening and empowering communities:

·        Make sure the council uses plain English to explain their plans, and that local people have more chance to be involved at an early stage in decisions that affect them or their local area

·        Recognising the outstanding levels of volunteering across Argyll and Bute we will support local community and voluntary organisations to build their capacity so they can do more in their areas – including running local facilities and becoming more involved in delivering and improving services currently run by the Council

·        Use the power of councils to bring different services and agencies together to serve local areas better, for example by shared service hubs

·        Help communities influence the local priorities of Police Scotland and other Community Planning Partners

·        Work with community groups to provide support to older or vulnerable people, strengthening the local community

·        Ensure that local democracy is effective and available to all - people have a right to locally elected representation and decisions made at the closest possible level

·        Investigate how to make the workings of the Council more transparent through improved communication at all levels – contact centre, website, social media and broadcasting Council meetings

 

Homes for all, tackling poverty and building opportunity

·        Work with partners and the Scottish Government to deliver new affordable homes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Report by Head of Strategic Finance

The Council considered a report which provided Members with an update in respect of the appointment of an independent Chair of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to extend the appointment of Martin Caldwell until the 30 June 2022 covering the period of this Council to chair the Audit and Scrutiny Committee.

 

(Ref: Report by Head of Strategic Finance dated September 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Council considered a report which provided an update to the status of the Oban Business Improvement Plan (BID4Oban) financial business plan, term two, 31 October 2017 – 30 October 2022 and the financial contribution to BID4Oban to the operation of the BID over the next five years providing the ballot is successful.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to:

 

1.     Note the instruction given by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to not to exercise the council’s veto and to enable the council’s Returning Officer to conduct the ballot, and:

 

2.     Approve the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure with delegated authority to cast the votes on behalf of the council in favour of continuing the BID, and;

 

3.     That, subject to a successful ballot, over the five year duration of the Business Plan, the council through delegated authority to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure will:

 

4.     Provide a contribution of £20k per annum for the next 5 financial years consisting of a direct contribution of £13,450 per annum to the BID4Oban, and;

 

5.     That, £6,500 (excluding VAT) per annum with charges increased annually by CPI based on the increase over the last 12 months from the base in July 2017 will be taken from the direct contribution via an invoice to BID4Oban. The first increase will apply on 31 October 2018, and annually thereafter for the next 5 years of additional financial support to finance the cost of administering the annual levy collection, and:

 

6.     To provide £6,550 per annum for the next five years in terms of the Council’s contribution (based on property holdings) to the annual levy of £145k.

 

(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated 13 June 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Council considered a report which outlined the work currently being undertaken with the Scottish public roads sector to explore and develop opportunities for greater collaboration between Roads authorities and sought approval to form a Joint Committee.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to:

 

1.     Establish a Joint Committee in terms of Section 56 and 57 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 with Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Angus Council, Argyll and Bute Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and The Moray Council to be known as The Northern Roads Collaboration Joint Committee;

 

2.     Empower the Joint Committee by delegating to it the functions outlined in Appendix 1 of the report;

 

3.     Alter the Scheme of Delegation as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report to give immediate effect to the establishment of the Joint Committee;

 

4.     Authorise the Executive Director of Customer Services to enter into an inter-authority legal agreement with the other member Councils to agree the governance and administrative arrangements for the Joint Committee.

 

5.     Note that the decision on whether a Constituent Local Authority participate in roads collaboration projects will be reserved to the Councils and not delegated to the proposed Joint Committee;

 

6.      Aberdeenshire Council taking the role of Lead Authority for year 1 of the Joint Committee;

 

7.     The Policy Lead, Councillor McCuish and Depute Policy Lead, Councillor E Morton are to be the two named Members of the Joint Committee and that two named substitute Members be the Depute Policy Leads for Finance, Councillor Reid and Corporate Services, Councillor Vennard; and

 

8.     The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee receiving an annual report on performance, activities and achievements of the Joint Committee.

 

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure dated May 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Council considered a report which invited Members to appoint two Councillors to represent Argyll and Bute Council at the two local flood districts that it is a member of. These being the Clyde and Lomond Local Plan District and for the Highland/Argyll Local Plan District.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to nominate Councillor E Morton to represent the Council for the Clyde and Loch Lomond District and Councillor McCuish to represent the Council for the Highland/Argyll District. The Elected Members appointed can substitute for each other when necessary.

 

(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure dated 12 September 2017, submitted)

Recommendation by Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee held on 20 September 2017

The Council considered a recommendation by the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee of 20 September with regard to the Argyll and Bute Local Development Plan 2: Main Issues.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed that the proposed Main Issues Report be issued for public consultation and to note that the Main Issues Report represents the first formal stage of the Local Development Plan process this is scheduled to last until late 2018.

 

(Ref: Recommendation by the PPSL Committee dated 28 September 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council considered a report which highlighted the potential for our community councils to become inquorate due to a rule within the current scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils which prevents the period for co-opted members to remain community councillors after a period of 6 months.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to amend the current Scheme to dispense with the requirement within the current Scheme which restricts co-opted community councillors from serving a term of more than 6 months to enable those co-opted to remain community councillors for the extended period of the current Scheme.

 

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 18 September 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council considered a report which asked the Council to agree the response to the consultation on draft guidance on the Community Engagement (Scotland) Act 2015 and Common Good Property currently being undertaken by Scottish Government.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed the wording of the consultation response, with one correction, relating to the provisions within the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 as they relate to Common Good Property.

 

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 28 August 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council considered a report which set out recommendations to ensure that the Council maintains a consistent and compliant approach in its governance and decision making processes when dealing with Asset Transfer Requests (ATR) in terms of Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.

 

Motion

 

The Council agree:

 

1	that where the Asset Transfer Group (ATG) recommend that an ATR should be approved, the authority to approve together with the form and conditions of such approval are delegated to the Executive Director of Customer Services in consultation with the Executive Director of the relevant holding service.
2	that where the ATG recommend that an ATR be refused, the decision on that ATR be determined by a standing sub-committee of the Policy and Resources Committee (which shall meet from time to time as required) comprising 6 members to be chaired by the Vice Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee and Councillors Colville, McCuish and Scoullar with the two Opposition Members to be notified to the Executive Director of Customer Services.
3	that any subsequent review of a decision in respect of an ATR be carried out by Members of the Policy and Resources Committee, excepting those on the standing sub-committee who make the decision in regard to the initial Asset Transfer Request.
4	that the Policy and Resources Committee will receive, on a regular basis, a report on all applications and decisions in respect of the ATR process.

Moved by Councillor A Morton, seconded by Councillor Mulvaney.

 

Amendment

 

Agree to the recommendations in the report with the addition of a sentence to recommendation 3.3 to require the meeting of the committee to take place in a venue within the community, if so requested by the applicants.

 

Moved by Councillor Trail, seconded by Councillor Taylor.

 

Decision

 

On a show of hands vote, the Amendment received 11 votes and the Motion received 17 votes and the Council resolved accordingly.

 

(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services dated 28 September 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Community Services

The Council considered a report which advised that the Supporting Communities Fund, previously known as the Third Sector Grants Fund, is a long standing fund allocated by the Council to communities across Argyll and Bute. The report considered future arrangements for management and distribution of the fund within the current legislative context which requires local authorities to consider how best to empower communities in financial decision making.

 

Decision

 

The Council:

 

1        agreed the proposal that the Supporting Communities Fund is allocated through Participatory Budgeting as a pilot project in 2018/19.

 

2        noted that the proposal has potential to inform how the council engages with its communities and makes decisions on its future budget through a Participatory Budgeting approach.

 

3        noted that the proposal empowers communities in decision making, assisting Area Committees to make decisions on the basis of participatory budgeting.

 

4        agreed changes in the distribution of grants within a PB pilot to be:

o   Not applying the 20% reduction for repeat applicants.

o   100% funding of projects up to maximum of £2,500.

 

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Community Services dated 18 September 2017, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council considered a report which advised on the work undertaken by Customer Services in relation to the revisal of the Council’s Constitution to contain all revised Governance Documentation.

 

Decision

 

Noted that the Constitution has been updated to reflect the changes required by the decisions taken by this Council since May 2017.

 

Approved the delegation of the appointment of the Chief Social Work Office and Chief Education Officer to the Chief Executive and to advise the Council on any such appointments.

 

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 30 August 2017, submitted)

Moved by Councillor Barbara Morgan, seconded by Councillor Graham Hardie

 

The Kilcreggan – Gourock ferry, operated by Clydelink Ltd on behalf of Strathclyde Passenger Transport, and operated on a year round basis, provides an important transport link to and from the Rosneath Peninsula. 

 

There has been a large number of sailings cancelled of late with an immense adverse effect on the local community.

 

This has also affected local businesses, commuters, base workers from both Faslane and Coulport, elderly residents for shopping and residents with hospital appointments which can’t be met due to the unpredictability of the service.

 

There is now a serious lack of confidence in SPT, on the part of service users to resolve this problem and the Council requests the Scottish Government to take on the direct provision of this service to ensure the delivery of a reliable service to the communities who rely on it. 

Councillor Barbara Morgan, seconded by Councillor Graham Hardie had given notice of the following motion:-

 

Motion

 

The Kilcreggan – Gourock ferry, operated by Clydelink Ltd on behalf of Strathclyde Passenger Transport, and operated on a year round basis, provides an important transport link to and from the Rosneath Peninsula. 

 

There has been a large number of sailings cancelled of late with an immense adverse effect on the local community.

 

This has also affected local businesses, commuters, base workers from both Faslane and Coulport, elderly residents for shopping and residents with hospital appointments which can’t be met due to the unpredictability of the service.

 

There is now a serious lack of confidence in SPT, on the part of service users to resolve this problem and the Council requests the Scottish Government to take on the direct provision of this service to ensure the delivery of a reliable service to the communities who rely on it. 

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to the terms of the Motion and requested that the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure write to Strathclyde Passenger Transport and the Scottish Government accordingly.

 

(Ref: Notice of Motion by Councillors Morgan and Hardie, submitted)

 

 

Moved by Councillor Julie McKenzie, seconded by Councillor Gordon Blair

 

The Council notes;

 

·        That Argyll and Bute is an area defined by diversity of geography which can often be prohibitive to residents attending council meetings.

·        Our continued commitment to an agenda of transformation, improved community engagement and empowerment.

·        The petition calling for the live broadcasting of all council and committee meetings signed by 1117 members of the public and 15 of Argyll and Bute’s elected members.

·        That the IT infrastructure required to facilitate webcasting from the council chamber was installed at Kilmory in 2013.

·        That live broadcasting of meetings would open the Council’s decision making process to improved transparency and democratic scrutiny, whilst making it accessible for many more of Argyll and Bute’s residents.

 

The Council agrees;

 

·        To undertake the necessary costing and other work necessary to facilitate the broadcasting of all full Council meetings, and Council committee meetings that take place in the chamber at Kilmory, with a further report to the Council in November 2017 on any financial issues which would require to be addressed, and with a view to broadcasting of these meetings beginning in January 2018.

·        To undertake a further piece of work to assess the requirements and costings for the live broadcasting of Area Committees and other council committee meetings in Oban, Lorn and the Isles, Mid Argyll,  Kintyre and the Islands, Helensburgh & Lomond and Bute & Cowal  – to be completed by March 31^st 2018.

Councillor Julie McKenzie, seconded by Councillor Gordon Blair had given notice of the following motion:-

 

Motion

 

The Council notes;

 

·       That Argyll and Bute is an area defined by diversity of geography which can often be prohibitive to residents attending council meetings.

·        Our continued commitment to an agenda of transformation, improved community engagement and empowerment.

·        The petition calling for the live broadcasting of all council and committee meetings signed by 1117 members of the public and 15 of Argyll and Bute’s elected members.

·        That the IT infrastructure required to facilitate webcasting from the council chamber was installed at Kilmory in 2013.

·        That live broadcasting of meetings would open the Council’s decision making process to improved transparency and democratic scrutiny, whilst making it accessible for many more of Argyll and Bute’s residents.

 

The Council agrees;

 

·        To undertake the necessary costing and other work necessary to facilitate the broadcasting of all full Council meetings, and Council committee meetings that take place in the chamber at Kilmory, with a further report to the Council in November 2017 on any financial issues which would require to be addressed, and with a view to broadcasting of these meetings beginning in January 2018.

·        To undertake a further piece of work to assess the requirements and costings for the live broadcasting of Area Committees and other council committee meetings in Oban, Lorn and the Isles, Mid Argyll,  Kintyre and the Islands, Helensburgh & Lomond and Bute & Cowal  – to be completed by March 31^st 2018.

 

Amendment

 

The Council:

 

·        Notes the agreement earlier in this meeting to investigate how to make the workings of the Council more transparent through improved communication at all levels – contact centre, website, social media and broadcasting Council meetings:

 

·        Agrees that officers should bring back to a future meeting of the Council confirmation of the capital and revenue costs involved in:

 

(a) live broadcasting meetings held in the chamber,  and

(b) expanding this functionality to all venues used by area committees.

 

Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor E Morton.

 

Decision

 

On a show of hands vote, the Amendment received 18 votes and the Motion received 11 votes and the Council resolved accordingly.

 

(Ref: Notice of Motion by Councillors McKenzie and Blair, submitted)

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 three items of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 9 and 13 and 6&9 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

 

Recommendation by the Policy and Resources Committee of 17 August 2017

The Council considered a recommendation by the Policy and Resources Committee of 17 August 2017 with regard to the potential purchase of land in Helensbugh Town Centre.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to the recommendations of the Policy and Resources Committee.

 

(Ref: Recommendation by the Policy and Resources Committee of 17 August 2017, submitted)

Recommendation by the Community Services Committee of 14 September 2017

The Council considered a recommendation by the Community Services Committee of 14 August 2017 with regard to a request to make a Compulsory Purchase Order in respect of a property in Rothesay, Isle of Bute.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to make the Compulsory Purchase Order.

 

(Ref: Recommendation by the Community Services Committee of 14 August 2017, submitted)

The Council considered a report with regard to the site of former Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to the recommendations in the report and congratulated the Head of Facility Services and the team working on this for all their hard work in securing the deal.

 

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 28 September 2017, tabled)

E1  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.

E2   Paragraph 13  Information which, if disclosed to the public, would reveal that the authority proposes-

 

(a)            to give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person; or

(b)            to make an order or direction under any enactment.