Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Councillor Graham Hardie to his first meeting of the Committee following his appointment at the Council meeting on 23 November 2023.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mark Irvine.

In relation to item 6 of the agenda (Helensburgh Wooden Pier - Update) Councillor Ian MacQuire noted a connection due to his membership on the Helensburgh Seafront Development Trust (HSDT), he advised that as the Group was currently dissolving he would remain in the meeting during the consideration of this item of Business.

Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 31 August 2023.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 31 August 2023 were approved as a correct record.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the progress of the Settlement Project Support Officer actions that had been approved by the Committee at their meeting on 31 August 2023.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted –

1.    the progress on the actions agreed by the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee on 31 August 2023; and

2.    that a further update would be provided on the work of the Settlement Project Support Officer at the next Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated November 2023, submitted)

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

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on progress towards intentions agreed by the Committee in June 2023 in response to the Housing Emergency in Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the activity and progress that was ongoing in pursuing the intentions agreed by the Committee in June 2023 which sought to address the Housing Emergency.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated October 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report proposing the allocation of a Project Officer to accelerate the progress of the interventions agreed by the Committee in June 2023 to address the Housing Emergency in Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee agreed to recommend to the Policy and Resources Committee that the Council recruit a Project Officer to assist in accelerating the work to address the Housing Emergency, with funding for the post being drawn from the Council’s Priorities Investment Fund.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated October 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update following the decision to remove Helensburgh Wooden Pier from the project options within the Rural Growth Deal Tourism and Place Programme.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    accepted the Consultants findings, particularly that a berthing facility at Helensburgh Pier could not be operated on a revenue neutral basis, particularly where long-term capital replacement costs were accounted for, and that officers would no longer devote resources to pursuing a Council funded berthing facility; and

2.    agreed that the Head of Development and Economic Growth would engage with Helensburgh Community Council and any other appropriate community group(s) who may express a wish to pursue options, including a potential asset transfer of Helensburgh Wooden Pier.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated November 2023, submitted)

Councillor Andrew Vennard joined the meeting during the consideration of the following item of Business.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Road and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on a number of waste related matters including meetings with the Scottish Environment Protection agency (SEPA) on 4 October 2023, and with Scottish Government officials on 6 October 2023 in respect of the Waste PPP contract.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted –

1.    the update regarding meetings held with SEPA on the Waste PPP contract;

2.    that officers would conclude conversations which were ongoing regarding the derogation and would bring a further report to the next meeting of the Committee for a decision on the way forward for the Council;

3.    the update regarding Persistent Organic Pollutants and noted the date of implementation of compliance with SEPA mandatory guidance as 1 November 2023;

4.    the bid to the Recycling Infrastructure Fund and officers’ achievement in successfully securing funding for improvements;

5.    the officer support offered by Zero Waste Scotland; and

6.    the detail provided in the report regarding the Circular Economy Bill.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated November 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an annual update on the current Argyll and Bute “active” cemetery estate – number of lairs for sale and operational timescales within the Cemetery Development programme.

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 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Scottish Government had allocated £938k for Play Park Funding to Argyll and Bute Council for investment in play park equipment through to 2025/26.  The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the engagement process covering local Elected Members, Community Councils, Education and disability forums.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    endorsed the Area Committee priorities for each play park in their area and the allocation of funding as per paragraph 1.6 of the submitted report;

2.    noted the updates regarding the Tarbet Play park and the partnership approach to Port Ellen play park in Islay; and

3.    noted the updated timelines.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated November 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report summarising the rain event that caused significant travel disruption and damage during the weekend of 7 October 2023.  The report also summarised the extent of works that had been carried out to repair the damage and considered what the next steps should be in relation to investment to enable climate change adaptations to be made.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated November 2023, 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 work plan as at November 2023, submitted)