Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Elaine Robertson.

There were no declarations of interest.

Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 19 January 2017

The Minute of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting held on 19 January 2017 was approved as a correct record.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report presenting the Development and Infrastructure Services departmental performance report with associated scorecard performance in FQ3 2016-17 (October to December 2016) was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted:-

1.    the content of the Development and Infrastructure Services Performance Report and associated Scorecards for Financial Quarter 3 2016/17; and

2.    that Ofcom have been invited to make a presentation to a future Council Seminar.

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

Councillor Robert G MacIntyre joined the meeting during consideration of the foregoing item.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report providing a summary of the 2016/17 festive lighting installation was considered.  This report also proposed that modifications be made to the switching arrangements to make future years displays more straightforward to commission.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.    noted that Officers are engaging with community groups involved in festive lighting to shape proposals for future years delivery by community groups and agreed that a report be taken to the August EDI Committee or equivalent Committee, providing an update on community uptake;

2.    agreed that a strategic approach be taken to scope a simplified switching process for festive lighting and to make a request to an appropriate future Committee that an earmarked reserve be allocated to provide a simplified switching system for the festive lighting; and

3.    agreed that the balance of any remaining funding from the original £300k to be allocated to the Area Committees be used for long term, sustainable festive lighting outcomes (estimated to be £50k per Area Committee).

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated March 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report providing Members with a range of potential proposals in which the £200k earmarked allocation from the 2017 budget meeting could be invested was considered.  The report considered a number of sustainable community initiatives which could be beneficial for the amenity and environment of Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1.    the allocation of the £200,000 funding as detailed at paragraph 4.3 in the report

2.    to delegate to the Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services to prioritise and allocate funding for Community Bid applications based on the criteria set out in paragraph 4.5 of the report; and

3.    that a review be undertaken in 9 months’ time on the success or otherwise of this programme and that a report be brought back to the appropriate Committee by the Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated March 2017, submitted)

Recommendation from Special Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee held on 1 March 2017

Consideration was given to a recommendation from the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee of 1 March 2017 regarding external amenity contracts across all areas.

Decision

The Committee agreed that a report be submitted to the appropriate Committee by the Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services providing detail on the external amenity contracts across all areas.

(Reference: Extract from Minute of Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee held on 1 March 2017 and report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated February 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report providing the Committee with a summary of the review of Argyll Enterprise Week 2016 and outlining the approach to delivering Argyll Enterprise Week in 2017 was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1.    to note the content of the report; and

2.    the approach for delivering Argyll Enterprise Week 2017.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 24 February 2017, submitted)

Councillors Donald MacMillan and Sandy Taylor left the meeting during consideration of the foregoing item.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

On 24 January 2017 the Scottish Government published its draft Energy Strategy which sets out their vision for the energy sector to 2050.  In addition to energy generation the strategy also considers heat, energy efficiency and transport and is accompanied by four additional consultation documents: Onshore Wind Policy Statement; Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme; Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies and District Heating; and Unconventional Oil and Gas.  A report providing a brief overview of the Energy Strategy and the basis of proposed responses in relation to the consultation documents on behalf of Argyll and Bute Council was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to note the draft responses to the consultation documents contained within the appendices and delegate authority to Officers to finalise the responses on behalf of Argyll and Bute Council.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 24 March 2017, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

A report providing the Committee with an update on the formulation of a response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Long Term Management of the Crown Estate in Scotland was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1.    the Officer response set out in Appendix A of the report and submitted to the Scottish Government by the deadline of 29 March 2017; and

2.    to instruct the Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services to write a letter to the Scottish Government advising that with reference to question 33 “Should the future arrangements in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles be considered first”, the Committee were strongly of the view that if a pilot goes ahead that Argyll and Bute should be involved.

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

Councillors Donald MacMillan and Sandy Taylor returned to the meeting during discussion of the foregoing item.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

Consideration was given to a report updating Members on planning performance matters, particularly those relating to the Service’s contribution to the delivery of sustainable economic growth.  The report also drew attention to recent feedback received from the Scottish Government in relation to performance and highlighted some examples of recent activity.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.    agreed to note the content of the report and the positive feedback received from the Scottish Government; and

2.    congratulated the department on the successful performance that it puts in on a consistent basis.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 9 March 2017, submitted)

The Committee gave consideration to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Services work plan as at April 2017.

Decision

The Committee noted the work plan as at April 2017.

(Reference: Environmental Development and Infrastructure Services work plan as at April 2017, submitted)

The Chair commented that this has been one of the most interesting Committees to be a Member of due to the variety of issues dealt with.  She thanked all the Members of the Committee for all their help and input given.