Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Kinniburgh, Alistair MacDougall and Aileen Morton.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 11 August 2016                                                                        

The Minutes of the meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 11 August 2016 were approved as a correct record subject to amending the word “reasonable” to “unreasonable” under item 10 (Burial and Cremation Policy), point 1, bullet point 4.

Presentation by Julie Young, Development Manager - Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust

The Committee were given an informative presentation by Julie Young, Development Manager of Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust.  Her presentation gave an overview of the operation of the Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust, the objectives of the Trust, its projects and who its funders were. The presentation also gave information on future/pending bids and planned future activity.  Members of the Committee were given the opportunity to ask questions of the Development Manager following her presentation.  The Chair thanked Julie Young for her attendance at the meeting and for her presentation.

Councillor Bruce Marshall left the meeting at this point.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

Consideration was given to a report which presented the Committee with the Development and Infrastructure Services Performance Report and associated Scorecards for Financial Quarter 2 2016/17.

Decision

The Committee -

1.    Noted the content of the Development and Infrastructure Services Performance Report and associated Scorecards for Financial Quarter 2 2016/17.

2.    Noted that officers would take forward the actions raised by Members, and would respond to the Member who raised the action directly, in respect of capital spend on lighting, bin collection routes in Tarbert, recycling collection receptacle in Kintyre, the re-siting of glass bins at West Church, Rothesay, detail on switching from private to public water supplies; and the possibility of a presentation to members on the processes used following the collection of recycling.

(Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated November 2016, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report providing an overview of the achievements by the Social Enterprise Team over the period April 2015 to March 2016.

Decision

The Committee –

1.    Noted the content of the report.

2.    Recognised the good work of the Social Enterprise Team and the need to continue to promote the assistance the team can offer to Argyll based social enterprise.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 4 October 2016, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report providing the Committee with an update on work that was being undertaken on a number of programmes which aimed to improve the digital infrastructure across Argyll and Bute was considered.

Decision

The Committee –

1.    Noted the content of the report.

2.    Noted concerns over the limited progress that had been made to date.

3.    Commended the work of Argyll and Bute Council to accelerate the progress.

4.    Noted the concerns highlighted by the report and the technical difficulties faced by the infrastructure providers.

5.    Noted that there would be a Members Seminar held on 5 December 2016 which would give more detailed information on Digital Infrastructure.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 3 October 2016, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

Consideration was given to a report which updated the Committee on the activities and achievements of the Argyll and the Isles Tourism Co-operative Ltd over the 30 month period between April 2014 and October 2016.

Decision

The Committee –

1.    Noted the content of the report.

2.    Agreed that a further report be presented to the Committee in January 2017 which would quantify the economic impact of AITC activity and achievements in terms of industry turnover, employment, international trade and gross value added.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 31 October 2016, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report which set out some of the representations received following one of the services Choices policies RAMS01I (Reduce/Stop Grass Cuts) was given consideration.  The report also sought approval to amend the previously adopted policy and to revert to cutting all areas previously maintained but at a reduced frequency that could be accommodated within the available budget.

The Head of Roads and Amenity Services advised that there was a typographical error in the recommendation of the submitted report.  He advised that it should reference paragraph 4.5 and not paragraph 4.8.

Decision

The Committee -

1.    Agreed that any changes to schedules must be resourced within existing budgets.

2.    Noted that public representations have been made in relation to changes made in 2016/17.

3.    Agreed that Area Committees agree any revisions to schedules.

4.    Agreed that any changes will be agreed by no later than the February Area Committee cycle.

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

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services (to follow)

The Committee gave consideration to a report which sought approval of the proposed Argyll and Bute Council’s Strategic Economic Development Action Plan 2016-2021.

Decision

The Committee –

1.    Noted the content of the report.

2.    Noted that the Strategic Economic Development Action Plan had already been considered by all four Area Committees with appropriate members’ comments being incorporated.

3.    Agreed to recommend to Council that the Strategic Economic Development Action Plan is endorsed as a working document as outlined in Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 12 October 2016, submitted)

Consideration was given to the Environment Development and Infrastructure Committee Work Plan as at November 2016.

Decision

The Committee -

1.    Noted the Work Plan as at November 2016.

2.    Agreed to add a report on future festive lighting proposals to Committee in April 2017.

3.    Agreed that a presentation on recycling processes be added to future items, the date to be determined by availability of groups to make a presentation.

(Reference:  Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee Work Plan dated November 2016, submitted)