Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Kilmory, Lochgilphead

Contact: Sandra Campbell Tel: 01546 604401 

Items
No. Item

The Provost addressed the Council with regard to the very tragic event in Tarbert last Thursday. He asked Colleagues to join him in sending thoughts and prayers to everyone who has been affected, in particular the families of the two missing fishermen.

 

The emergency services and many others have shown great dedication and commitment both in the initial rescue attempts and in the arduous and painful search that followed, all in very difficult physical and emotional circumstances. They deserve our heartfelt thanks and gratitude.

 

In this time of great sadness, the people of Tarbert have shown immense courage and community spirit, rallying round to support the families and each other.  I can only hope and pray that this loving strength helps to provide some peace and comfort on the difficult road ahead.

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were intimated from Councillors Devon, Hardie, McKenzie, Paterson, Alison Palmer, Education representative and Margaret Anderson and Willie Hamilton, Church representatives.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

3.

EMPOWERING SCHOOLS - A CONSULTATION ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE NEW EDUCATION (SCOTLAND) BILL pdf icon PDF 157 KB

Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered the Consultation response on the Provisions of the Education (Scotland) Bill which was published on 7 November 2017 with a closing date of 31 January 2018.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed and approved the submission of the Empowering Schools – A Consultation on the Provisions of the Education (Scotland) Bill consultation response to the Scottish Government by 30 January 2018.

 

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

4.

EDUCATION MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE pdf icon PDF 95 KB

Report by Chief Executive

Minutes:

The Council considered a report which advised that the Acting Executive Director of Community Services was due to retire in April 2018 and therefore the report considered the capacity of the senior management structure of the Education Service to support a broad range of new legislative duties on education authorities.

 

Decision

 

1.     Agreed the establishment of two Heads of Education posts (increased from the current single Head of Education post) to provide the necessary strategic management capacity to support a broad range of new legislative duties on education authorities, the expansion of new statutory service areas and to take forward service improvements in line with the service improvement plan.

 

2.     Agreed that the additional costs associated with the increase in the Head of Education posts be funded from the deletion of the Executive Director of Community Services post.

 

3.     Noted that the Chief Executive will review the strategic management structure of the Council over the period 2018-19 having regard to changes in council functions and structure and will bring forward a further report outlining a revised management structure.

 

4.     Agreed to establish an Appointment Panel comprising of 7 Members including Councillors A Morton, Mulvaney, McNeilly, Green and Currie as the substantive members with Councillors E Morton and Colville being the substitutes from the Administration and Councillors Trail and Taylor as the substantive members with Councillor Douglas as the substitute to appoint to the posts of Head of Education.

 

(Ref: Report by the Chief Executive dated 10 January 2018, submitted)

5.

APPOINTMENT TO THE WEST OF SCOTLAND LOAN FUND BOARD AND BUSINESS LOANS SCOTLAND BOARD pdf icon PDF 60 KB

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

Minutes:

The Council considered a report which sought to appoint an elected member to represent Argyll and Bute Council on the West of Scotland Loan Fund (WSLF) Board and the Business Scotland (BLS) Board.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed to appoint Councillor Alan Reid to sit on both the WSLF Board and the BLS Board.

 

(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated 25 January 2018, submitted)

6.

ARGYLL AND BUTE EMPLOYABILITY TEAM - EMPLOYABILITY FUND BID 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 118 KB

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

Minutes:

The Council considered a report which sought approval for officers to submit a competitive bid to Skills Development Scotland for the delivery of the Employability Fund contract for the financial year 2018/19.

 

Decision

 

1.     Approved the Employability Team’s competitive bid to deliver the Employability Fund during 2018/19 can go forward to be assessed by Skills Development Scotland.

 

2.     Noted that if overall referral numbers increase to a level that is beyond the capability of the current team it may be necessary to recruit additional staff to manage the workload adhering to the Council’s existing recruitment procedures and processes. This will only be done if sufficient income is being generated through the delivery of the Employability Fund and other current contracts.

 

3.     Noted that financial performance of the contract will be reported on a quarterly basis to the Council’s Strategic Management Team (SMT) and by exception to Members.

 

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated 11 January 2018, submitted)