Agenda and minutes

The Provost offered the Councils congratulations to Councillor Hardie on his recent marriage and wished him all the best for the future. The Provost also wished Councillor Lynch congratulations on his birthday.

Apologies for absence were intimated from Councillors Hardie, McGrigor, Mulvaney and Vennard.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minutes of the Meeting of Special Argyll and Bute Council held on 22 February 2018 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting of Argyll and Bute Council held on 22 February 2018 were approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 8 March 2018 was noted.

Arising under Item 7 (Policy on Invasive Non-Native Species and Harmful Native Plants) the Council:- adopted the Policy for Control of Invasive Non-Native Plants and Injurious Native Species.

The Minute of the Community Services Committee held on 15 March 2018 was noted.

Arising under Item 14 (Gaelic Language Plan 2018-22) the Council:- approved the finalised Plan and agreed its submission to Bord na Gaidhlig.

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 November 2017 to 31 March 2018, 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 10 April 2018, 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 26 April 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council gave consideration to a report inviting nominations for an Elected Member to be appointed as the Council’s representative on the steering group of Helensburgh Business Improvements District – Helensburgh BID for Success. A motion by Councillor A Morton, seconded by Councillor Taylor was tabled for consideration.

Decision

The Council:

1.     Appointed Councillor Aileen Morton as its representative on the Helensburgh Business Improvement District (BID) Steering Group – Helensburgh Bids for Success;

2.     Agreed the following new appointments and updated appointments to outside bodies:

3.     Agreed the following changes to the SNP Group’s representation on the council groups/committees noted below:

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 13 April 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director - Customer Services

The Council considered a report which advised of the proposed changes to the Council Constitution since the last revision in 2017.

Decision

The Council agreed to the adjustments to the Constitution as outlined in Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services dated 8 March 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council considered a report which presented the Strategic Workforce Plan 2018-22 which had been identified by Audit Scotland as a key document in the Council’s framework of Strategic Plans.

Decision

The Council approved the Strategic Workforce Plan for 2018-22.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 26 April 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The Council considered a report which advised of an opportunity to invest in the new Scotland Excel new build housing framework.

Decision

The Council approved the investment and the change to the treasury strategy to allow this as a permitted investment as set out in the report.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 27 March, submitted)

Recommendation from Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee held on 21 March 2018

The Council considered a recommendation by the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee with regard to Civic Government Licensing Fees.

Decision

The Council approved the new proposed fees for all Civic Government licences outlined in Appendix 2 to the submitted report.

(Ref: Recommendation by the PPSL Committee and report by the Executive Director of Customer Services dated 5 March 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Council considered a report which provided the officer response to the current “Inquiry into European Structural and Investment Funds” issued by the Scottish Parliament Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee.

Decision

The Council approved the response to the Inquiry as outlined in the Appendix to the submitted report.

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

The Council:

1.     Notes the Budget decisions made at March meeting of Argyll & Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Integrated Joint Board meeting, which result in a need for further savings in excess of £2million to be identified

2.     Notes that the 2017/18 overspend by the H&SCP, as reported in January, amounts to £2.9million with loan support now required from both the Council and NHS Highland. This is in the context of a national reported overspend of circa £67million with 23 partnerships across Scotland forecasting an overspend

3.     Acknowledges the support and protection given by the Council to social work services - while the budget for social work services has increased overall by 1.08% since 2014/15, there has been a 4.27% overall reduction in the budget for all other council services

4.     Notes that Argyll & Bute H&SCP faces significant challenges, including:

a.     a shrinking and aging population which increases demand while creating difficulties in the recruitment and retention of staff;

b.     delivery across a huge geographic area, including 23 inhabited islands;

c.      a substantial proportion of their budget that is outwith their direct control (such as GP contracts, and recharges from other health boards);

d.     maintaining core local hospital, acute and GP out of hours services delivered in multiple rural hospitals with unique recruitment challenges and cost burdens

5.     Agrees that the Council Leader should write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport:

a.     regarding the impact of current finances on the delivery of local services

b.     highlighting the unique position the challenges detailed above create for the H&SCP

c.      recognising that the budget pressures being faced by the H&SCP right now are preventing the timescales needed for community-driven transformation, and welcoming the commitment from the Cabinet Secretary to provide support for the H&SCP

d.     acknowledging that the Council and NHS Highland currently face their own financial pressures and are not in a position to provide additional funding, and asking the Scottish Government to consider reassessing the funding levels provided for Health and Social Care in Argyll & Bute, alongside support for transformation.

Proposed: Cllr Aileen Morton

Seconded: Cllr Kieron Green

Councillor A Morton, seconded by Councillor Green had given notice of the following motion:-

Motion

The Council:

1.     Notes the Budget decisions made at March meeting of Argyll & Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Integrated Joint Board meeting, which result in a need for further savings in excess of £2million to be identified

2.     Notes that the 2017/18 overspend by the H&SCP, as reported in January, amounts to £2.9million with loan support now required from both the Council and NHS Highland. This is in the context of a national reported overspend of circa £67million with 23 partnerships across Scotland forecasting an overspend

3.     Acknowledges the support and protection given by the Council to social work services - while the budget for social work services has increased overall by 1.08% since 2014/15, there has been a 4.27% overall reduction in the budget for all other council services

4.     Notes that Argyll & Bute H&SCP faces significant challenges, including:

a.     a shrinking and aging population which increases demand while creating difficulties in the recruitment and retention of staff;

b.     delivery across a huge geographic area, including 23 inhabited islands;

c.      a substantial proportion of their budget that is outwith their direct control (such as GP contracts, and recharges from other health boards);

d.     maintaining core local hospital, acute and GP out of hours services delivered in multiple rural hospitals with unique recruitment challenges and cost burdens

5.     Agrees that the Council Leader should write to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport:

a.     regarding the impact of current finances on the delivery of local services

b.     highlighting the unique position the challenges detailed above create for the H&SCP

c.      recognising that the budget pressures being faced by the H&SCP right now are preventing the timescales needed for community-driven transformation, and welcoming the commitment from the Cabinet Secretary to provide support for the H&SCP

d.     acknowledging that the Council and NHS Highland currently face their own financial pressures and are not in a position to provide additional funding, and asking the Scottish Government to consider reassessing the funding levels provided for Health and Social Care in Argyll & Bute, alongside support for transformation.

Decision

The Council agreed the terms of the submitted Motion.

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Council considered a report which summarised progress in relation to the Council’s NPDO project to the end of March 2018 and provided an update on the current financial position of the Project.

Decision

The Council noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 26 April 2018, submitted)