Agenda and minutes

There were none intimated.

Councillor Jim Lynch advised in relation to item 9 of the agenda (Latest Update on Staycation Proposals) that he had been appointed to the Board of the GRAB Trust by the Council.  Having taken note of the updated Standards Commission Guidance in relation to declarations (issued on 7 December 2021) with specific reference to section 5.4(c) he did not consider that he had a relevant connection and as such would remain in the meeting.

Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 1 September 2022

The Minutes of the meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 1 September 2022 were approved as a correct record.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

The Committee gave consideration to a report which sought approval of the draft Highland and Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan Cycle 2 and endorsement of the summary of actions identified to be taken forward by the Council, noting the status of the funding arrangements.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    approved the content of the Highland and Argyll Local Flood Risk Management Plan which would allow publication by the Lead Local Authorities (LLA) (The Highland Council) to take place by 31 December 2022;

2.    noted that the approval of the Clyde and Loch Lomond Local Flood Risk Management Plans (LFRMP) would be agreed at the Clyde and Loch Lomond Local Plan District (LPD) Joint Committee; and

3.    noted that progression of the schemes and studies were subject to appropriate funding being in place from the Scottish Government and the Council. 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated December 2022, submitted)

The Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed, to adjourn the meeting for five minutes during the consideration of the following item of business to allow officers, who had joined the meeting remotely, to join the meeting in person.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the current Argyll and Bute cemetery provision and highlighting interventions within the asset group since it was last reported to committee in 2019.  The report provided a revised list of at risk assets based on current figures and a revised projection model. Overall the number of high risk assets had reduced since 2019.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    endorsed the works done to date to reduce the number of high risk cemetery assets;

2.    endorsed and approved the temporary local arrangement to restrict the pre-sale of lairs to protect the cemetery capacity;

3.    noted the future capital investment required in this asset group; and

4.    noted that a further report on cemetery assets would be brought forward to the March Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee meeting, which would present options for reviewing the current policy as well as management of cemetery assets in the context of current needs and future demands.

Councillor Donald Kelly having moved an amendment which failed to find a seconder, requested that his dissent be recorded from the foregoing decision.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated November 2022, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the work over the past year to continue the development of the Council’s Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) Strategy, including public consultation, and developing future options for maintenance, funding and procurement.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    agreed the development and prioritisation methodology at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, and the 55 site electric vehicle charging expansion list at Appendix 2 of the submitted report, noting that the expansion plan was supported by three-quarters of respondents to the electric vehicle charging public consultation; and

2.    noted that Officers would continue to engage with Transport Scotland on future funding options through the new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund and that a specific Member Seminar would be arranged on electric vehicle charging when there was clarity on how that fund would operate.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated October 2022, submitted)

Councillor Luna Martin joined the meeting during the consideration of the following item of business.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the 5 year budget for play park equipment allocated to Argyll and Bute Council by Scottish Government from 2021/22.  The report outlined the engagement officers had had locally through Youth Forums and proposed a further consultation approach.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    noted the available funding for play park equipment as detailed in the submitted report;

2.    agreed the budget split for each of the 4 administration areas as outlined in Appendix 1 to the submitted report; and

3.    noted the proposed further proposed further engagement with other groups, including Youth Forums and relevant Community Councils, and that a report outlining the process and timelines would be brought to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee in March 2023. 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated  November 2022, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing a short update on the bin and signage replacement programme following the allocation of £100k at the Council’s budget meeting on 24 February 2022.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the content of the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated November 2022, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the delivery of a range of facilities across Argyll and Bute to support camping and motorhome staycations.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee approved -

1.    funding for Gateway and passing place signage;

2.    that funds were set aside for Portaloos in hot spots for 2023 as with 2021 and 2022;

3.    that the Staycation Officer contract be extended by 6 months (to end of September 2023) to allow for the development and completion of projects;

4.    a review be undertaken concerning Public Toilet upgrades with Visit Scotland funding;

5.    completion of the Motor Caravan Overnight Parking Project with an additional £30,000 allocated from the staycation budget; and

6.    completion of the Glenmorag project.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 1 December 2022, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

A report providing an update on the procurement of two multi-purpose vehicles to help mitigate the impacts of weather related damage and climate change, specifically gully cleaning and drainage improvements, was before the Committee for noting.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the content of the submitted report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated 1 December 2022, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

A report providing a summary of a recent online Argyll Air Services Public Service Obligation Consultation was before the Committee for noting.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the content of the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated November 2022, submitted)

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

Decision

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

(Reference:  Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee Workplan dated December 2022, 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 item of business 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.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the options available to Argyll and Bute Council in relation to the Waste PPP contract.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee agreed the recommendations within the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated 1 December 2022, 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.