Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from Councillors Devon, Kelly, McGrigor, McKenzie, E Morton, Mulvaney, Philand and Provost Scoullar.

The Depute Provost ruled, and the Council agreed, that the business dealt with at Item 20 of this Minute be dealt with as a matter of urgency by reason of the need to take a decision before the next meeting.

Councillors Horn, Robertson and Vennard each declared a non-financial interest in Item 18 of the agenda (Colonsay New Build Compulsory Purchase Order) as they were Board members of the West Highland Housing Association.

Councillors Anderson and Hardie each declared a non-financial interest in Item 17 of the agenda (3G Pitches and Proposals for Ongoing Maintenance) as they were Board members of Live Argyll.

The Minutes of the Argyll and Bute Council Meeting held on 27 September 2018 was approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Special Argyll and Bute Council Meeting held on 18 October 2018 was approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 18 October 2018 was noted.

Arising from Item 7 (Procurement Strategy and Policy) the Council approved the revised draft Procurement Strategy 2019/20 and the Sustainable Procurement Policy 2019/20.

Presentation and report by Associate Director of Public Health, Sandra Cairney and Child Health Commissioner/Public Health Specialist, Sally Amor

The Council heard an informative presentation by Sally Amor, Child Health Commissioner/Public Health Specialist together with a report on Adverse Childhood Experiences, Resilience and Trauma Informed Care. Members were given the opportunity to ask questions and then the Depute Provost formally thanked Sally for her presentation to the Council.

Decision

The Council:-

1.     Noted the importance of offsetting the effect of childhood adversity as detailed in the 2018 Director of Public Health Annual Report on Adverse Childhood Experiences.

2.     Supported the principle of the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership working as a trauma informed and trauma responsive health and social care service.

(Ref: Report and Presentation by the Child Health Commissioner dated 31 October 2018, 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 Depute Provost formally thanked Alex for his presentation to the Council.

Decision

The Council considered the contents of the report and recommended it’s formal submission to Scottish Government.

(Ref: Report by Alex Taylor, Chief Social Work Officer dated September 2018, submitted)

Report by Chair of Audit and Scrutiny Committee

The Council gave consideration to a report and presentation prepared by the Chair of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee, Martin Caldwell which provided an overview of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee’s activity during the financial year 2017-18 and which gave Members assurance that the Committee continued to focus its efforts on effectively discharging its duties in accordance with published guidance. The Depute Provost formally thanked Martin for his presentation to the Council.

Decision

The Council acknowledged the activity of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee during 2017/18, with thanks to the Chair and Committee Members.

(Ref: Report by Chair of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee dated 29 November 2018, 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 15 September to 15 November 2018, together with an update from the Policy Lead 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 15 November 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 Councillors.

Decision

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

(Ref: Report by Policy Leads dated 15 November 2018, 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 2017/18 together with the 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 2017/18 Annual Audit report.

Decision

The Council:-

1. Noted the unqualified certificates have been issued for both the Council Accounts and the Charitable Trusts and these have been included within the Accounts on the Councils website.

2. Noted the content of Audit Scotland’s Annual Audit Report for 2017/18.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 31 October 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Council considered a report which advised of the revised Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2019/20 – 2023/24 which was submitted in draft form to the Scottish Government in October 2018. The core purpose of the SHIP is to set out strategic investment priorities for affordable housing over a five year period to achieve the outcomes set out in the Local Housing Strategy.

Decision

The Council:-

1. Approved the SHIP proposals summarised in the report which has been submitted to the Scottish Government in October 2018.

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

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

Report by Chief Executive

The Council gave consideration to the draft consultation response on the Local Governance Review as part of the programme for Scottish government 2017-18.

Decision

The Council agreed the response to the Local Governance Review / Democracy Matters consultation and requested the Chief Executive to submit the agreed response before the deadline of 14 December 2018.

(Ref: Report by Chief Executive dated 30 October 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The Council gave consideration to a draft programme of meetings for the year 2019/20 based on the current Committee cycle.

Decision

The Council agreed the draft Programme of Meetings for the year 2019/20 with the caveat that the Community Services Committee scheduled for August 2019 may be changed.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 2 October 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services and Brochure

The Council considered a report and a short presentation from the Head of Governance and Law which advised of a booklet that introduces and illustrates the various events that have been held to mark the 100 year commemoration of World War One. The Council were asked to note and approve the outline of the booklet.

Decision

The Council:-

1.     Considered the proposed booklet and noted additional events/activities for inclusion within the booklet from members which would be included in the final version.

2.     Agreed to make the booklet publically available to mark the 100 year commemoration of World War One.

3.     Recorded its appreciation to all the communities across Argyll and Bute for their commitment and strong partnership working in delivering many of these events and their contribution in undertaking additional local commemorative activities.

4.     Recorded its appreciation to all the Members of the World War 1 Commemoration Steering Group for their commitment, inspiration and hard work in leading the commemorative centenary programme and ensuring Argyll and Bute remembered in a way that leaves a lasting legacy for future generations.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 30 October 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The Council considered a report which invited Members to establish an Appointments Panel to appoint to the post of Head of Adult Services (Health and Social Care Partnership).

Decision

The Council:-

1. Agreed to establish an Appointments Panel for the recruitment of the Head of Adult Services (Health and Social Care Partnership).

2. Agreed to the set-up of an Appointments Panel of 3 members each from the Council being Councillor A. Morton, Councillor K. Green, Councillor S. Taylor, Councillor G. Mulvaney as a substitute and 3 from the NHS Board HSCP Members who sit on the IJB to be advised to the Executive Director of Customer Services in due course.

3. Delegated the arrangements for the Appointment process to the Head of Improvement and HR.

4. Agreed that the same Appointments Panel be convened in the event of a further vacant Chief Officer post arising within the Health and Social Care Partnership.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 29 November 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The Council considered a report which advised of the third annual evaluation of the Refugee Resettlement Programme informed by the feedback of the families rebuilding their lives in Argyll and Bute.

Decision

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

2.     The Council agreed to continue to resettle refugees on the Island of Bute, through the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme until the close of the current programme likely to be in 2020.

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

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Council considered a report which detailed the 3G pitches that had been transferred under licence to the charitable trust together with a further pitch which had been transferred under licence to Argyll College. The report proposed that surplus funding originally allocated for 3G pitch enhancements is utilised to fund the Council carrying out routine maintenance at the pitches detailed in Table 1 of the report.

Decision

The Council approved the remainder of the allocation for 3 G pitches to be utilised to fund the Council carrying out routine maintenance at the pitches as detailed in Table 1 at paragraph 4.3 and the maintenance frequency detailed in Appendix 1. The available funding providing for 6.5 years of maintenance for the 3G pitches, after which there will be a cost pressure to the Council for continued maintenance.

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

The Depute Provost adjourned the meeting at 1.05pm and re-convened at 1.45pm.

Councillor Horn left the meeting at this point.

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 6&9 and 1 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Depute Provost adjourned the meeting at 1.45pm and reconvened at 1.55pm.

The Council considered a report which advised of the option of using a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to obtain a piece of land in order to allow the development of 5 New Build affordable houses on Colonsay.

Decision

The Council agreed to the recommendations as outlined in the submitted report.

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

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Council considered a report which provided Members with an overview of the Council’s contract with Kintyre Recycling Limited.

The Depute Provost adjourned the meeting at 2.35pm and reconvened at 2.45pm.

Decision

The Council:

1.     Noted the update provided.

2.     Agreed that subject to the submission of evidence that an overspend has been incurred the Council will fund any shortfall in KRL’s financial year 2018/19, after the draw-down of the HIE grant, up to a maximum of £32k. This funding if required would come from the unallocated General Fund Reserve. The provision of any funding being subject to the approval of the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Head of Strategic Finance.

3.     Agreed that a further report as part of the budget process is brought back to members which will clearly demonstrate the financial implications of the delivery of the collection of recycling material presently undertaken by KRL.

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

(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated 29 November 2018, submitted)

The Council considered a report which advised that in terms of the Local Government Scotland Act 1973, Section 35, if a Councillor fails to attend meeting for a continuous period of 6 months then they cease to be a Councillor unless prior approval to the absence has been taken by the Council.

Decision

The Council approved the absence from Council Business of a Councillor due to illness until 30 April 2019, or until their return to business whichever is the earlier.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 29 November 2018, tabled)

E1 Paragraph 6  Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).

E2       Paragraph 1  Information relating to a particular employee, former employee or applicant to become an employee of, or a particular office-holder, former office-holder or applicant to become an office-holder under the authority.