Agenda and minutes

The Chair acknowledged that the Chief Executive would be finishing with the Council at the start of January, she thanked him, wished him well for the future and presented him with a quaich.

The Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed, that the business as dealt with at item 15 of this Minute be dealt with as a matter of urgency by reason of the need for a Memorandum of Understanding to be agreed with Oban Community Harbour Development Authority as early as possible.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lorna Douglas and Ellen Morton.

The Chair declared a non-financial interest in item 10 of the agenda (Strategic Events and Festivals Fund – Round 2 2020/21 Fund) as up until recently she had been a member of the Helensburgh Winter Festival Committee.

Councillor Gary Mulvaney advised that, for clarity, in respect of item 12 (Crown Estates Fund) and the reference to the £300k flood mitigation scheme, that he was a director of a business on John Street, Helensburgh.  He advised that this business had not been affected by flooding and therefore he felt he was not required to declare an interest in this item.

Policy and Resources Committee held on 17 October 2019

The Minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 17 October 2019 were approved as a correct record subject to the amendment of a typographical error in item 5 where the word ‘rage’ should have read ‘range’.

Report by Head of Financial Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing them with a summary of the financial monitoring reports as at the end of October 2019.  There were six detailed reports summarised within the executive summary including the Revenue Budget Monitoring Report as at 31 October 2019, monitoring of Policy Savings Options as at 31 October 2019, Monitoring of Financial Risks as at 31 October 2019, Capital Plan Monitoring Report as at 31 October 2019, Treasury Monitoring Report as at 31 October 2019 and Reserves and Balances as at 31 October 2019.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee -

1.    Noted the Revenue Budget Monitoring report as at 31 October 2019 and noted the comments in respect of the Health and Social Care Partnership.

2.    Noted the progress with the Policy Savings Options as at 31 October 2019.

3.    Noted the Financial Risks for 2019-20.

4.    Noted the Capital Plan Monitoring Report as at 31 October 2019 and approved the proposed changes to the Capital Plan as detailed in Appendix 4 to the submitted report.

5.    Noted the Treasury Monitoring Report as at 31 October 2019.

6.    Noted the Reserves and Balances Report as at 31 October 2019.

7.    Recommended to Council approval of the revenue virements over £0.200m during September and October.

(Reference:  Report by Head of Financial Services dated 8 November 2019, submitted)

Report by Head of Financial Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update to the Budget Outlook 2010-21 to 2022-23 reported to the Committee on 16 May 2019, 15 August 2019 and 17 October 2019.  The estimates within the report were based on the mid-range scenario with best and worst scenarios noted in Appendix 1 to the report.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee –

1.    Noted the current estimated budget outlook position for the period 2020-21 to 2022-23.

2.    Noted that the UK Government budget and Scottish Government budget have both been deferred.  Once there is more certainty on the likely timing announcements, a briefing note will be issued to Members to advise of any impact on the budget meeting and members seminars.

(Reference:  Report by Head of Financial Services dated 4 December 2019, submitted)

Report by Chief Executive and Executive Directors (scorecards to follow)

The Committee gave consideration to a report presenting the Financial Quarter 2 2019-20 Performance Reports for Legal and Regulatory Support, Commercial Services, Customer and Support Service and Financial Services including Community Planning and Development.

The Head of Customer and Support Services advised that due to the management restructure and re-profiling of scorecards on the Pyramid system, the scorecards which had been marked to follow on the agenda had not been ready for consideration at this meeting.  She confirmed that the re-profiled scorecards would be ready for presentation with Financial Quarter 3 performance reporting.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee noted the Financial Quarter 2 2019/20 Performance Report as presented.

(Reference:  Report by Chief Executive and Executive Directors dated 21 November 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director

The Committee gave consideration to a report presenting the draft Service Plans 2020-23 prior to budget allocation.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee noted the draft Service Plans 2020-23, as presented, prior to referral to the Policy and Resources Committee and full Council for budget allocation as part of the 2020/21 budget pack.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director dated 21 November 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with the responsibility for Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an economic impact assessment on the Argyll and Bute economy further to the dissemination and delivery of the one off Rural Resettlement Fund of £500,000, announced in the Argyll and Bute Council budget 2016/17.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee noted the economic impact derived from the dissemination and delivery of the Rural Resettlement Fund.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Economic Growth dated 2 December 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the Rural Growth Deal and which advised of the UK and Scottish Government announced investment of £25 million each in Argyll and Bute Council’s Rural Growth Deal.  The report also sought approval of governance arrangements for the Rural Growth Deal.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee –

1.    Noted the confirmation announcement made by UK and Scottish Governments to support Argyll and Bute’s Rural Growth Deal by investing £25 million each.

2.    Approved the governance arrangements for the Rural Growth Deal set out in paragraph 3.7 of the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 30 October 2019, submitted)

The Chair, having declared an interest in the following item of business left the room and took no part in the consideration of the item.

Councillor Gary Mulvaney, Vice-Chair, took the Chair.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report advising of details with regard to Round 2 2020/21 of the Council’s Strategic Events and Festivals Fund.  The report provided details of the bids submitted, the assessment process and recommendations for funding in response to submitted bids.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee –

1.    Noted the information provided in the report including the assessments process undertaken.

2.    Endorsed the recommendations to enable the award of grant funding to the strategic events and festivals taking place across Argyll and Bute in 2020/21 as detailed in table 1 of the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated October 2019, submitted)

Councillor Aileen Morton re-joined the meeting and resumed the Chair.

Report  by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the required vessel replacement for the passenger ferry which operates from Port Appin to the Isle of Lismore.  The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 5 December 2019 recommended that the Policy and Resources Committee and Council, as part of the budget process, consider the capital resourcing required to replace MV The Lismore should transfer of ferries not be finalised before the 2020/21 budget is agreed.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee endorsed the decision taken by the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee at their meeting held on 5 December 2019.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure dated November 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

At the Council meeting in November it was agreed to delegate to the Policy and Resources Committee the allocation of Crown Estates Fund for expenditure in 2019/20.  The Committee gave consideration to a report containing proposals for the distribution of funds.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee agreed that the Crown Estates Fund 2019/20 is allocated to the projects identified in paragraphs 3.7 through to 3.12 of the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated December 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report that outlined the work plan for the Short Life Working Group on Climate Change and Environmental Action following its initial meeting on 7 November 2019.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee –

1.    Noted the work plan of the Short Life Working Group as outlined at Appendix One to the submitted report.

2.    Noted that the work plan would be brought to each meeting of the Short Life Working Group to provide focus and aid in the setting of goals and targets to deliver maximum impact.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services dated 12 November 2019, submitted)

Recommendation from Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee held on 4 December 2019

The Committee gave consideration to a recommendation from the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee held on 4 December 2019 in relation to the proposed extension of the existing Tarbert Harbour Authority Car Park.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee –

1.    Approved the full business case.

2.    Agreed the release of grant funding up to a maximum of £105,000 from the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund subject to –

a.    Tarbert Harbour Authority providing evidence of final tender costs and final confirmation that all match funding is in place.

b.    A grant agreement between Argyll and Bute Council and Tarbert Harbour Authority with funding only being released on the basis that expenditure can be evidenced.

c.    Following completion of the new car park Tarbert Harbour Authority are not permitted to charge users for parking on the site.

d.    The new car park cannot be sold for a period of ten years from the date of completion of the project.

3.    Agreed that delegated authority be afforded to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth to confirm the details of the grant agreement.

(Reference:  Recommendation from Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee held on 4 December 2019 and report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated December 2019, submitted)

The Committee gave consideration to a recommendation from the Argyll and Bute Harbour Board in relation to proposals of the Oban Community Harbour Development Association for the development of a Trust Port and potential next steps.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee agreed the recommendations from the Special Meeting of Argyll and Bute Harbour Board held on 5 December 2019.

(Reference:  Extract of Minute of Special Meeting of Argyll and Bute Harbour Board held on 5 December 2019 and report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure dated November 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services

A report that provided an update on the operation of the processes in regard to Asset Transfer Requests and Participation Requests in terms of the Community Empowerment Act 2015 was before the Committee for noting.  The report also provided information on Asset Transfer Requests, Expressions of Interests and Participation Requests to date.

Decision

The Committee noted the content of the report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services dated 19 November 2019, submitted)

The Policy and Resources Committee work plan as at December 2019 was before the Committee for noting.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee noted the content of the work plan.

(Reference:  Policy and Resources Committee Work Plan dated December 2019, submitted)

A report that provided an update on the Scottish Government Town Centre Capital Fund and the eleven projects supported by the fund was before the Committee for noting.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee noted the content of the report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 5 November 2019, submitted)

The Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services advised that item 20 of the agenda (Helensburgh Waterfront Development (HWD) - Development Funding (Scottish Power Electric Supply)) had been withdrawn.  He advised that officers had hoped to have been in a position to set forward a proposal between the Council and Scottish Power in relation to the provision of electricity to Helensburgh Waterfront but discussions had not been concluded and therefore there was no proposal at this stage.  The Executive Director advised that a report may come forward to a future meeting of the Committee if required.

The Chair advised that in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the appendix relating to the following item of business would require her to exclude the press and public should any Member wish to discuss the content of this appendix on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 8&9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

It was noted that Councillor Jim Findlay was in attendance and would remain in the meeting during discussion of the following items of business.  He advised that he would remain in the room to hear the discussion around item 21 of the agenda (Rothesay Pavilion), having claimed the Standards Commission dispensation in regard to his appointment, by the Council, to the Rothesay Pavilion Board.

The Committee gave consideration to a recommendation from the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee of 4 December 2019 in relation to the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund projects at Lochgilphead Front Green, Argyll Street/Colchester Square and Ardrishaig North Public Realm.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee –

1.    Approved the draft Full Business Case and agreed that the Council funding of up to £1,530,000 is confirmed for the Lochgilphead Front Green and Colchester Square project from the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund.

2.    Agreed that approval of the final Full Business Case for Lochgilphead is delegated to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth subject to it being demonstrated that this is within the approved budget of Town Centre Fund and Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund and to then move to implementation.

3.    Agreed that delegated authority be afforded to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth for the delivery of the project as per the agreed programme in Appendix 1, Section 4 of the submitted report.

(Reference: Recommendation from Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee held on 4 December 2019 and report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 4 December 2019, submitted)

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and public for the following items of business on the grounds that it is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 8&9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

The Committee gave consideration to a report that detailed information on the future of third sector recycling contracts.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations as contained within the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure dated October 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services (to follow)

The Chair advised that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

Report by Chief Executive

The Committee gave consideration to a report in relation to a formal request for additional funding in respect of the Rothesay Pavilion Operation.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee agreed the recommendations contained within the report with the addition of a further recommendation between (c) and (d), the addition of some wording at the existing (c) and the addition of some wording at the existing (d).

(Reference:  Report by Chief Executive dated 25 November 2019, submitted)

E1       Paragraph 8  The amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the authority under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services.

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.