Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Gary Mulvaney.

Councillor Jim Lynch declared a non-financial interest in item 10 of the agenda (Update On Staycation Proposals) by virtue of his Council appointment to the Board of the GRAB Trust. He claimed the benefit of the dispensation contained at Section 5.18(2) of the Standards Commission’s Guidance and Dispensations Note dated July 2018 to allow him to speak and vote on this item of business.

Councillor Jean Moffat advised that she had been involved in discussions in respect of item 8 (Ardencraig Gardens) but intended to remain in the meeting during consideration of this item of business.

Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 2 September 2021

The Minutes of the meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 2 September were approved as a correct record.

Councillor Rory Colville joined the meeting during consideration of the following item of business.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer and Support Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report presenting the FQ2 2021/22 Key Performance Indicators for Development and Economic Growth; and Roads and Infrastructure Services.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the FQ2 2021/22 Key Performance Indicator report as presented.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services dated 9 November 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report introducing the Annual Status and Options Report which makes an analytical assessment of the condition of the Council’s road network and associated infrastructure as well as setting out projected conditions based on varying levels of investment.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee endorsed the Annual Status and Options Report and the positive analytical feedback it provided.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated November 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on progress with the Campbeltown Flood Protection Scheme (CFPS), including work completed, key dates and risks going forward.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    Noted that a paper detailing the full Business Case would be brought back to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee in March 2022. Construction of the final scheme would be subject to approval of the full Business Case prior to tender award.

2.    Approved the acquisition of required land to minimise delays after full Business Case approval.

3.    Agreed to refer the estimated additional funding requirements of £0.042m to be considered as part of the budget in February 2022.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated 2 December 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing a further update on the development of a medium to long term future strategy for electric vehicle charging (EVC) infrastructure across Argyll and Bute following on from the update given to the Committee in June.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    Agreed to the adaptations to the asset development methodology for EVC at Appendix One to the submitted report.

2.    Agreed to the draft list of future EVC sites at Appendix Two to the submitted report, and agreed that this list should go forward for public consultation.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated 9 November 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the progression of a possible partnership with a community group on Bute in respect of Ardencraig Gardens.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    Endorsed the proposal from the Ardencraig Gardens Friends’ Group outlined at paragraph 3.7 of the submitted report.

2.    Noted that the Head of Roads and Infrastructure would make arrangements to progress the partnership in the normal way.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated November 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the progress of the new Lismore Ferry and seeking endorsement of the name “Lady of Lismore” for the vessel.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the content of the submitted report and endorsed the name “Lady of Lismore” for the new vessel.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated November 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on proposals for the utilisation of funding to support Staycations in Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    Noted the content of the report and approved the options in Table A contained within the submitted report.

2.    Noted that this was a continually evolving process with milestones throughout the year and beyond.

3.    Approved the proposals for 2022 as outlined in paragraph 6.2 of the submitted report to be funded from the Staycation funding agreed at the Council budget meeting to be spent in 2021/22 and 2022/23.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 2 December 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing details on the consultation by Scottish Government to help inform the development of an Aviation Strategy for Scotland.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    Noted the proposed approach to raise awareness with Community Councils regarding the consultation, with the offer that if they didn’t want to respond directly, their response could be included within the Council’s official response.

2.    Approved delegated powers to the Executive Director with responsibility for Air Services and Economic Growth, to approve the final Council response to the Scottish Government Aviation Strategy Consultation, in consultation with the Leader, Deputy Leader and Leader of the main opposition.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 5 November 2021, submitted)

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee work plan was before the Committee for noting.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the content of the work plan.

(Reference: Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee Workplan dated December 2021, submitted)