Agenda and minutes

The Chair advised the Committee of an amended Appendix 2 which had been tabled in relation to item 5 of the agenda (Roads Asset Management).  This was due to a misprint in the agenda pack of papers.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed that the business dealt with at item 11 of this Minute be dealt with as a matter of urgency by reason of the need to recommend to Council agreement of a time limited interest free loan subject to the delivery of a specific number of street lighting units by November 2016. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor David Kinniburgh.

There were none intimated.

Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 14 January 2016

The Minute of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee meeting held on 14 January 2016 was approved as a correct record.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

Consideration was given to a report presenting the Development and Infrastructure Services departmental performance reports with associated scorecard performance in financial quarter 3 2015-16.

Decision

The Committee -

1.    Noted the Development and Infrastructure Services departmental performance report and associated scorecard performance for financial quarter 3 2015-16.

2.    Commended the work of the Campbeltown Ferry Group, who worked along with other community groups to secure a commitment to operate a permanent summer ferry link between Campbeltown and Ardrossan.

3.    Delegated the Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee, to write to SPT and the Scottish Government expressing the Council’s support to the wishes of  the community of Kilcreggan in the transfer of the ferry service to the Scottish Government.

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

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

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 was considered.  The report also provides the proposed 2016/17 Roads Reconstruction Programme and introduces the Roads Asset Management Plan.

This item was continued in the course of the meeting to allow further discussion at the end of the agenda.

Decision

The Committee –

1.    Endorsed the Roads Asset Management Plan.

2.    Endorsed the Annual Status and Options Report and the positive analytical feedback it provided with regard to the improvement to the Council’s Road Condition Index as a result of the ongoing investment in roads reconstruction works.

3.    Noted the issues raised by members of the Committee in relation to area programmes.

4.    Noted that the percentage allocation remains the same as previous years.

5.    Delegated to the Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services in consultation with the Chair of the Committee and 4 Area Chairs, the authority to finalise the roads reconstruction programme.

6.    Noted that the total roads capital allocation to 16/17 is £4.872 including the allocation from Bute and Cowal roads capital budget of £375K to Dunoon CHORD.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated February 2016; 2015/16 Annual Status and Options Report; 2016/17 Draft Roads Reconstruction Programme; and Roads Asset Management Plan, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The West of Scotland Roads Working Group, which is an officer group working through SCOTS and currently chaired and facilitated by Argyll and Bute Council have produced a revised roads inspection document.  This document coupled with revised methods of working, using ICT and capturing ‘live’ inspections into the WDM asset system will make the inspection process more effective and efficient.  Consideration was given to a report recommending the adoption of the Procedure of Roads Safety and Defect Categorisation document.

Decision

The Committee

1.    Agreed to recommend to the Policy and Resources Committee that the Procedure for Roads Safety Defect Categorisation be adopted by the Council.

2.    Delegated officers to look at the possibility of holding a Seminar on Roads for all Members and to look at inviting appropriate external organisations to attend.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated March 2016 and Procedure for Road Safety Inspections and Defect Categorisation effective from 1 April 2016, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report outlining work currently being undertaken within the Scottish public roads section to explore and develop opportunities for greater collaboration between roads authorities and highlighting how this is being taken forward in the north of Scotland was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to this report being presented to the Council with the following recommendations:-

1.    Note expectations that roads authorities will ‘take forward the design and delivery of a package of shared service initiatives (Option 30 report).

2.    Agree to participate in the Northern Roads Collaboration Forum and recommend to Council to nominate the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee to represent the Council on the Forum.

3.    Note that a meeting of the Forum took place in early March for Lead Members and supporting officers.

4.    Note that the Forum is considered a precursor to forming a Joint Committee to support formal sharing/collaboration across roads services and that any proposal to form a Joint Committee will be submitted to a future meeting of Council.

5.    Note that the Council have also been working with colleagues to the south of Argyll and Bute who have been gathering data relating to budgets, workforce and challenges and will continue with these discussions.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated January 2016, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report seeking instructions in relation to the possible delisting of the road shown shaded in red on the plan annexed to the report and forming part of the subjects of Kilbowie, Oban (“the said road”) which the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee agreed on 10 December 2014 to sell to Carden Studios Limited was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to instruct the Director of Customer Services in consultation with the Director of Development and Infrastructure Services to take all necessary steps on behalf of the Council as Roads Authority to delist the said road in accordance with the procedures set out in Section 1, subsections (4) (5) (6) and (7) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated March 2016, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report setting out the current position relating to waste collection and disposal was considered.  This report considers the financial, contractual and legislative implications regarding waste and seeks to put in place a long term waste strategy.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:-

1.    Note the report.

2.    Endorse the work being progressed towards a long term waste strategy.

3.    Note recruitment of a project manager to lead on the provision of a new waste strategy.

4.    Note that a further report will be brought to a future meeting regarding the Waste Charter.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated February 2016, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 places duties on SEPA, Scottish Water, National Park Authorities, Forestry Commission and Local Authorities as Responsible Authorities to reduce flood risk across the country.  In December 2015 SEPA, as the supervising authority published the Flood Risk Management Strategies which have been approved by Scottish Ministers.  Supporting the Strategies will be Local Flood Risk Management Plans (LFRMPs).  Argyll and Bute Council are partially responsible for producing two LFRMPs – Highland and Argyll LFRMP and Clyde and Loch Lomond LFRMP.  The Strategies have identified objectives to tackle flooding in Scotland and they have also identified Actions to deliver the objectives.  A report updating the Committee on progress and seeking endorsement of the summary of actions to be taken forward by the Council in the LFRMPs noting the status of the funding arrangements was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1.    To approve the summary of actions and programme forming the basis of the Local Flood Risk Management Plans within Argyll and Bute listed in the report in Appendix 2, subject to appropriate funding being in place from the Scottish Government and the Council.

2.    To delegate authority to the Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services, in consultation with the Policy Lead and the two Member representatives on the Local Plan District Groups to approve the LPRMPs when they are available.

3.    That the Elected Members appointed to the LDPs can substitute for each other when necessary.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 16 February 2016, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report inviting them to consider an offer of an interest free loan of £400,000 from Salix to progress energy efficient lighting subject to a condition that works were completed by November 2016.

Decision

The Committee agreed to recommend to Council that the Salix funding is utilised and in order to meet the timescales that the first phase of the lighting project is delivered by internal resource.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 7 April 2016, tabled)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

Consideration was given to a report advising of funding bids totalling £470,000 which have been submitted to the Sustrans 2016/17 Community Links Programme by the Strategic Transportation Team. 

Decision

The Committee agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 14 March 2016, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report providing an update on the scope, delivery and launch of the Business Gateway Local Growth Accelerator Programme was considered.

Verbal confirmation was given that notification had been given that morning that the application had been successful.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:-

1.    Note the scope of the proposed support to businesses.

2.    Note the scale of the programme.

3.    Note that no additional Council funding is required.

4.    Approve the proposed launch, nothing that timescales are dependent on Scottish Government approval timescales.

5.    Note the success of the application.

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

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report updating Members on the delivery mechanism and timescale for three charrettes, which are currently being delivered across Argyll and Bute, was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to note the content of the report and the timelines for delivery of each charrette.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 29 February 2016, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report providing a briefing on the Strategic Infrastructure Plan to be developed for Argyll and Bute was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to note the briefing paper on the Argyll and Bute Strategic Infrastructure Plan.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 22 February 2016, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report providing the Committee with a proposal for a marketing strategy which works alongside other economic development measures to encourage individuals and businesses to live, work and invest in Argyll and Bute, with a view to reversing the decline on population was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to:-

1.    Note the contents of the report.

2.    Approve in principle the draft marketing plan so work could begin on apportioning timescales and budget to the key tasks as outlined in Appendix 2 of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 8 March 2016, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

Consideration was given to a report concerning the main findings of the Argyll and Bute Economic Forum Report by Mr Nicholas Ferguson CBE, the Chair of the Forum.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1.    To note the content of the report together with the main findings of the Argyll and Bute Economic Forum Report attached as Appendix 2 to the Executive Director’s report.

2.    That the work of the Economic Forum contributes to the delivery of strategic objectives and is of great value towards the delivery of the overall objective that Argyll and Bute’s Economic Success is Built on a Growing Population.

3.    To record their thanks to all members of the Forum for their endeavours with particular thanks to Nicholas Ferguson CBE for leading on the development of the invaluable report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 15 March 2016; Recommendations from Economic Forum Report dated February 2016; and Economic Forum Report dated February 2016,submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report setting out and reaffirming the strategic context within which the EDST operates was considered.  The report also provided the Committee with the latest position on the restructure of the Economic Development and Strategic Transportation Service and sought comments on the identified headline strategic and area priorities of the EDST Service developed to best deliver the council’s main priority to achieve economic growth through a growing Argyll and Bute population.  The report also drew attention to the emerging Rural Funding Initiative that will be used to inform the UK and Scottish Governments on ways they could possibly assist in addressing the unique economic issues facing the region and unlocking the full potential of the Argyll and Bute economy for the benefit of its residents.

Decision

The Committee agreed to note the content of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 14 March 2016, submitted)

The Committee adjourned for lunch at 1.45pm and reconvened at 2.05pm.  Councillors Donald MacMillan and Richard Trail left the meeting at this point.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report providing the Committee with an overview of the proposed Enhanced Employability Pipeline strategic intervention application to the European Social Fund 2014 to 2020 was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1.    To select Option 2 in principle, and agreed that in order to lever in an initial total investment of circa £3 million to the area, a non-legally binding stage one application (Strategic Intervention) will be submitted to the Scottish Government subject to acceptable conditions and level of risk.

2.    To note that a second stage application (Operation Application) would provide the detail on pipeline delivery and associated match funding and that a report in this regard will be submitted to the Policy and Resources Committee in May 2016 to update Members and set out details of any match funding requirements  prior to seeking  approval of the match funding required from Argyll and Bute Council and the submission of the Operation Application (which will have legal implications) by end of June 2016 deadline.

3.    To note the significant concerns raised in terms of potential risks associated with the application and  the requirement for further detailed information to support the decision making process.

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

The Committee considered the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Services Work Plan as at April 2016.

Decision

The Committee noted the Work Plan.

(Reference: Environment, Development and Infrastructure Services Work Plan as at April 2016, submitted)