Agenda and minutes

The Chair advised that Councillors Kinniburgh and McNaughton would join the meeting at the conclusion of the pre-agenda briefing of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee which was ongoing.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Louise Glen Lee, Iain Angus MacDonald and Bruce Marshall.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services

The Committee considered a report that outlined draft terms of reference for the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee which would be presented to the Council for incorporation into a revised Constitution and Standing Orders in April 2014.  The report sought views from Members on proposals on the content of a development day for the Committee.

The Head of Governance and Law advised of the following amendments to paragraph 3.4.3 of the draft terms of reference –

·         Removal of the words “telecommunications”, “arts” and “culture” and the addition of the word “renewables” under Economic Development.

·         Removal of the words “building services” under Environment and Transport.

Decision

The Committee -

1.      Noted the draft terms of reference which will be presented to Council for incorporation into a revised Constitution and Standing Orders in April 2014 subject to the amendments as detailed by the Head of Governance and Law.

2.      Approved the proposed agenda for the Development Day.

3.      Agreed that two provisional dates for the Development Day would be sent to all Members of the Committee requesting their availability, and a final decision would be made by the Executive Director in consultation with the relevant Policy Leads.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated April 2014, submitted)

Councillor Kinniburgh joined the meeting at 10.55am during the presentation by the Head of Roads and Amenity Services.

Presentation by Head of Roads and Amenity Services

The Head of Roads and Amenity Services gave an informative presentation to the Committee on the management of the roads network in Argyll and Bute.  Stuart Watson, Senior Technician demonstrated the Council’s WDM and PMS systems to the Committee and Members were given the opportunity to pose questions to Officers.

Decision

The Committee requested that a report be brought to a future meeting following the 2014 full road network survey highlighting the improvements that have been made to the road network since the previous survey carried out in 2009.

(Reference:  Presentation by Head of Roads and Amenity Services and demonstration of WDM/PMS systems)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which updated Members on the latest position with regard to the A83 Rest and Be Thankful and which invited discussion to enable a response to be made from the Council to the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland.

Decision

The Committee –

1.      Noted the report.

2.      Agreed to the Council facilitating a discussion with all appropriate interests/stakeholders in advance of the next taskforce meeting to get a solid and agreed position from Argyll and Bute and to delegate to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure and Head of Roads and Amenity Services in consultation with the Leader and Depute Leader of the Council to take this forward.

3.      Agreed that Councillors Dick Walsh, Ellen Morton, Duncan MacIntyre and Sandy Taylor would represent the Council at future task force meetings along with Councillor Douglas Philand who already attends, by direct invitation.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated March 2014, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report proposing guidance and rules for the occupation of footways by pavement cafes and the display of goods for sale in Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Committee –

1.      Noted and endorsed the report subject to the addition of -

• a paragraph highlighting the liquor licensing requirements as part of any application;
• a paragraph making it explicitly clear that the Council has the right to withdraw permission of a pavement café licence if so advised.

2.      Approved that the Pavement Café Licence Policy be taken to the Policy and Resources Committee for approval as a Council Policy.

3.      Approved that in the interim, prior to the Policy and Resources Committee that the Policy is posted on the website seeking comments from stakeholders highlighting the statutory obligations that must be adhered to as part of any pavement café licence.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure dated March 2014, submitted)