Agenda and minutes

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to consider an additional item, Update on A83 Rest and Be Thankful, as a matter of urgency by reason of the recent events and the need to provide members with an update.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Kinniburgh, Duncan MacIntyre and Donald MacMillan.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 14 August 2014

The Minutes of the meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 14 August 2014 were approved as a correct record.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report which provided the Committee with an update on the recent landslip on the A83 and of a recent meeting that took place between Elected Members, the Chamber of Commerce and the constituency MSP was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed that the Council requests that Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government provide a permanent solution for the Rest and Be Thankful.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure dated November 2014, tabled)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which provides details of a proposal that recommends that Argyll and Bute Council, through the European Team, takes on the role of the Accountable Body for the 2014-2020 Argyll and the Islands LEADER programme as proposed by the Local Action Group.

The Committee noted that it would beneficial for a members seminar or a work shop prior to  a future Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee to be scheduled once the new LEADER programme had been established to allow members to gain a better understanding of the programme and the work that they carryout.

Decision

The Committee agreed that Argyll and Bute Council should be the Accountable Body for the 2014-2020 LEADER programme.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure dated 12 September 2014, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report which provided the Committee with an overview of the current screen industry activity and key actions for further development of screen industries in Argyll and Bute was considered. The report detailed the potential economic benefits of attracting the screen industries to Argyll.

The Committee noted that holding more film festivals in Argyll and Bute could attract more screen industries to the area, and that the Policy Lead for Sustainable Environment, Renewables, and Strategic Tourism should meet with officers to establish if it would be possible to increase the number of film festivals held within Argyll and Bute.

 Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report including the proposed action plan and the potential for Argyll and the Isles Film Office to continue to develop a proactive approach to attracting inward investment from the industry.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director  -  Development and Infrastructure, dated 1 October 2014, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The 2014 Rural Policy Centre’s Rural Scotland in Focus report was published on the 2^nd of June 2014, the Committee considered a report that concerned these findings and detailed the proposed areas that  Argyll and Bute Council request  the Rural Policy Centre to look into in further detail. The Committee held a discussion on the link between these findings and recent Economic Summit and Rural Parliament which had recently been held in the area.

Decision

1. The Committee noted the contents of the report and agreed that the areas for further examination by the Rural Policy Centre should be as follows:

·         Examination of the distribution of new infrastructure funding in rural Scotland and what impact this investment is having on population growth or loss.

·         Examination of population loss in the West Coast of Scotland, the specific reasons for this and the necessary measures required to reverse this negative trend.

·         Examination of the particular economic and social issues affecting island and remote peninsular communities.

2. The Committee agreed that the  Rural Policy Centre should be advised of a  summary of the key findings of the Economic Summit and the Rural Parliament Meeting Findings from its recent meeting in Oban.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director  - Development and Infrastructure Services dated 17 October 2014, submitted)

Councillor Bruce Marshall and Alistair MacDougal joined the meeting during discussion of the above item.

Councillor Ellen Morton left the meeting at this point and Councillor Dick Walsh took the Chair.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report which advised the Committee of the progress being made with regard to the delivery of the Roads Reconstruction Programme for 2014/2015 was considered. The programme has been delivered in line with the Roads Asset Management and Maintenance Strategy which was approved by Council in October 2012. The report  included the second Roads Annual Status and Options Report, which provided the Committee with an summary of the Council’s road assets as at April 2014, the findings from this report are based upon current available data on the condition of the asset and the future options which can be considered in terms of investment.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:

1. Note the Annual Status and Options Report and the positive analytical feedback it provides with regard to the effectiveness of the Council’s Roads Asset Management and Maintenance Strategy and associated Roads Reconstruction Programme.

2. Note the progress of the Roads Reconstruction Programme for 2014-2015.

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

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which details a policy which establishes a framework for Argyll and Bute Council for the selection, prioritisation and approval of speed limits.

The Committee noted that the policy was misleading when discussing the advisory 20mph speed limits.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:

1.      Endorse the proposed draft Road Speed Limit Policy Framework subject to an amendment being made to the section on 20mph advisory speed limits in order to make this more clear.

2.      Approve that Police Scotland and Transport Scotland are consulted on the draft prior to the Policy and Resources Committee considering the Policy Framework for adoption as Council Policy.

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

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services and Work Plan

The Committee considered a report which updated the committee on key considerations arising from the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee Development Day. This report also allowed the Committee to review the Committee Work Plan and forward agenda.

Decision

The Committee noted the feedback received from the Committee Development Day and the forward work plan, and agreed that this item should be a standing item on future agendas.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 20 October 2014, submitted)