Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from Councillors Kelly, McCuish, McKenzie, Moffat, Morgan, E Morton, Mulvaney, Philand.

Councillors Anderson and Good each declared a non-financial interest in relation to the report on the Dunoon BID which is dealt with at item 18 of this minute because of their association with the Board.

Presentation by Chief Executive and President of COSLA (Sally Loudon and Councillor Alison Evison)

The Council heard an informative presentation by President of COSLA, Councillor Alison Evison and the Chief Executive, Sally Loudon on the work of the COSLA Review and of their vision for the future.

Decision:

The Council noted the information contained within the presentation. 

Presentation and report by Director of Public Health, Professor Hugo van Woerden and Alison McGrory, Health Improvement Principal

The Council heard an informative presentation by the Director of Public Health, Professor Hugo van Woerden and Alison McGrory, Health Improvement Officer together with a report outlining the ethos and role of Realistic Medicine in delivering higher quality health and social care. 

Decision:

The Council noted the content of the presentation and report. 

(Ref:  Report and Presentation by Director of Public Health dated 6 November 2017, submitted.)

The Minutes of the Meeting of Argyll and Bute Council held on 28 September 2017 were approved as a correct record. 

The Minutes of the Special Meeting of Argyll and Bute Council held on 26 October 2017 were approved as a correct record. 

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 19 October 2017 were noted. 

Arising under item 9 (Microsoft Licensing Costs) the Council:-

1.     Noted that the Council’s corporate body no longer operates an Enterprise Agreement with Microsoft with effect from 1 June 2017; and that savings of £208k are anticipated for 2017-18, £222k in 2018-19 and £264k in 2019-20 as a result.

2.     Noted that these savings would be required in future years in order to fund upgrades to the latest versions of software from 2020 onwards.

3.     Approved the retention of the savings in 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 as earmarked reserves to be used to fund the expected additional costs of Microsoft software in 2020-21 to 2022-23 as this would smooth the annual budgetary requirement.

4.     Noted that the ICT Service would keep the plan for Microsoft software licensing under annual review.

Report by Chair of Audit Committee

The Provost advised that Sheila Hill, Vice-Chair of the former Audit Committee had now retired from this position, he expressed his thanks on behalf of the Council for her support and input in Member development and wished her well on her retirement.

The Council gave consideration to a report prepared by the Chair of the Audit Committee which provided an overview of the Audit Committee’s activity during the financial year 2016-17 and which gave members assurance that the Committee continued to focus its efforts on effectively discharging its duties in accordance with published guidance.  

Decision:

The Council:-

Acknowledges the activity of the Audit Committee during 2016/17, with thanks to the Chair and Committee members.

Noted the retiral of Sheila Hill, the committee’s Vice Chair and records its thanks to her for her services to the Council. 

(Ref:  Report by the Chair of the Audit Committee dated 30 November 2017, submitted.)

Report by Leader of the Council

The Council gave consideration to a report providing an update on the activities of the Leader of Argyll and Bute Council from 16 September to 16 November 2017, together with an update from the Policy Lead for Economic Development. 

Decision:

1.     The Council noted the terms 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 16 November 2017, 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. 

Decision:

The Council agreed to note and endorse the terms of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Policy Leads, dated 20 November 2017, submitted.) 

Recommendation by Policy and Resources Committee of 19 October 2017

The Council gave consideration to the Council Draft Annual Report 2016/17 following a recommendation by the Policy and Resources Committee at their meeting on 19 October 2017.

Decision:

The Council agreed to endorse the Council Draft Annual Report 2016/17. 

(Ref:  Extract of Minute of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 19 October 2017, submitted.)

Report by Head of Strategic Finance

The Council gave consideration to a report which advised that the external auditors, Audit Scotland had completed their audit of the Council’s Annual Accounts for 2016-17 together with its Charitable Trusts.  The audited accounts and its Charitable Trusts, incorporating the audited certificates were also submitted which contained no qualifications.  Members also gave consideration to Audit Scotland’s 2016-17 Annual Audit Report.

Decision:

The Council:-

1.     noted that the unqualified certificates have been issued for both the Council’s Accounts and Charitable Trusts and these have been included within the Accounts on the Council’s website; and

2.     noted the content of Audit Scotland’s Annual Audit Report for 2016-17. 

(Ref:  Report by Head of Strategic Finance dated 30 October 2017, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council gave consideration to a report seeking agreement for the appointment of two Governors to the Board of the Charles and Barbara Tyre Trust and an update on the legalities of having to make appointments to the Trust.

Decision:

The Council agreed to make no appointments to the Trust.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 3 November 2017, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council gave consideration to a draft programme of meetings for the year 2018-19, based on the current committee cycle. 

Decision:

The Council agreed the draft Programme of Meetings for the year 2018-19.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 9 October 2017, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council gave consideration to a report setting out the feedback received from the first phase of consultation on the amended Scheme for Establishment of Community Councils which also featured a process for applying sanctions per the Council decision of 18 May 2017. The feedback received was considered with commentary provided from Governance and Law as to which matters ought to be included in a draft amended scheme. 

Motion

1.     To note the feedback received during phase one of the consultation and resolve to agree with the recommendations outlined in Appendix 2 and on the basis that these are minor amendments, instruct the Executive Director of Customer Services to give public notice of the amendments to the initial proposals, inviting further representations to be submitted within a 6 week period which will take account of the holiday period.

2.     Agree that where there are no proposed amendments to the final draft scheme by the end of the period of notice, the Council will delegate authority to the Executive Director of Customer Services to give notice of the new Scheme with an implementation date of 26 April 2018 which will coincide with the election date outlined in the consultation timetable.

Moved by Councillor Currie, seconded by Councillor Colville.

Amendment

To adopt the approach set out in 3.1 (b) and 3.2 of the report but to retain the provisions within the existing scheme to require community council’s to promote participation by young people.

Moved by Councillor Taylor, seconded by Councillor Blair.

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 Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 30 October 2017, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council gave consideration to a report providing information on the Boundary Commission for Scotland consultation on its revised proposals relating to the 2018 Review of UK Parliament constituencies.  Under the proposals the Argyll and Bute constituency will spread north to incorporate 2 wards within Highland Council including areas such as Fort William, Caol, Kilchoan and Ardnamurchan.  The new constituency will be called Argyll, Bute and Lochaber and will have 77,661 electors.  

Decision:

The Council:

1.     Noted that the revised proposals from the Boundary Commission for Scotland are for the Argyll, Bute and Lochaber county constituency to have:

a)     the 3^rd largest area in Scotland at 9,916km2 – more than twice that of the next largest constituency;

b)     an electorate of 77,661 – only 846 less than the maximum set down in statute of 78,507;

2.     Expressed disappointment that previous local submissions about the boundaries of the proposed constituency have not been heeded;

3.     Agreed to respond to the Boundary Commission expressing our desire to work with them and other stakeholders to identify options for forming a constituency that recognises the challenges involved in representing a range of urban, rural, peninsular and island communities.

Councillor Freeman having moved an amendment which failed to find a seconder required his dissent from the foregoing decision to be recorded in the minute.

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

Report by Executive Director - Customer Services

The Council gave consideration to a report seeking approval for the Procurement Strategy 2018/19 and Sustainable Procurement Policy 2018/19 and detailed the output of the consultation undertaken for both. 

Decision:

The Council agreed to:-

1.     note the outcome of the consultation contained within the Stakeholder Consultation Report 2017; and

2.     approve the Procurement Strategy 2018/19 and Sustainable Procurement Policy 2018/19. 

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

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council gave consideration to a report providing an outline of the costs to deliver the live broadcasting of meetings held in the chamber, and expanding this functionality to all venues used by area committees, using the UK’s leading Council Chamber broadcast service from Public-I.

Motion

That Council agrees that further consideration of this matter should be picked up as part of the budget process for 2018/19.

Moved by Councillor A Morton, seconded by Councillor Green.

Amendment

The Council notes the detail of the report provided by the Executive Director of Customer Services in relation to the Broadcasting of Council Meetings, and agrees to

A.               Undertake a trial period of one year of webcasting of Council meetings

i.                 Limited to full meetings of the Council only, and subject to a maximum of 50 hours webcast hosting and 40 hours of Governance & Law staff resource time, and that

ii.                The aggregate cost of the indicated 1 Year Contract and installation of £15,900 and staff time, be met from Council reserves

B.               That the views of the public be sought in the 2019-2020 public budget consultation process.

Moved by Councillor Taylor, seconded by Councillor Trail.

The Provost adjourned the meeting at 1.15pm and re-convened at 1.30pm.

Decision:

On a show of hands, vote the Amendment received 11 votes and the Motion received 16 votes, and the Council resolved accordingly.

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

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Council considered a report to endorse the re-ballot and approve the business plan which incorporates a financial contribution of £100,700 from the Council for the Dunoon Business Improvement District (PA23 BID Ltd t/a Dunoon Presents) 2017 Term Two.

Decision

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated 30 November 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Community Services

The Council gave consideration to a report providing the outcome of the self-evaluation exercise seeking the views of the families who have resettled on the island of Bute on the support they receive as they integrate into the community.  The report provided comprehensive analysis in respect of housing, education, welfare and employability, health and integration into the community.

Decision:

The Council noted the continued good work of the Refugee Resettlement Group and the local community in resettling Syrian refugees on the Isle of Bute. 

(Ref:  Report by Business Improvement Manager, Community Services, dated 30 October 2017, submitted.)