Agenda and minutes

There were apologies for absence intimated on behalf of Councillors Bobby Good, Donald Kelly, David Kinniburgh, Sir Jamie McGrigor, Gary Mulvaney and Andrew Vennard.

There were none intimated.

Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 6 September 2018

The Minutes of the meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 6 September 2018 were approved as a correct record.

Presentation by Glenn Preston – Director of Ofcom Scotland and Jonathan Ruff – Regulatory Affairs Manager

The Digital Liaison Officer gave a brief presentation on behalf of Ofcom and advised that Ofcom would be providing a private development session for all Councillors at the conclusion of the Committee.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee gave consideration to the Development and Infrastructure Services departmental performance report with associated scorecard for performance in FQ2 2018/19.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the Development and Infrastructure Services departmental performance report with associated scorecard for performance in FQ2 2018/19.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated December 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Draft Service Plans 2019-2022 for the 2019/20 budget allocation were given consideration by the Committee.  Service Plans set out the Business Outcomes that each Service will work to deliver over the period of the Plan.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    Approved the Draft Service Plans 2019-2022 for the 2019/20 budget allocation.

2.    Noted that the budget allocation would be proposed at the Policy and Resources Committee on 14 February 2019 for final approval by the Council on 21 February 2019.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated December 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to the Annual Status and Options report which made 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.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

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

2.    Noted that the Annual Status and Options Report informs key elements of the Development and Infrastructure Asset Management Plan that in turn informs the budget setting process.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated December 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the work to date to explore alternative, sustainable options for the public convenience estate; and which gave options to look at the asset group in more detail.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee agreed –

1.    The principle of charging at the high footfall facilities, with a further report on cash-operated entry systems to come forward in the new year.

2.    That franchise options can only be reasonably explored once charging is in place at the high footfall facilities.

3.    That honesty boxes should be installed at the medium footfall facilities for a trial period of one year ahead of a further review.

4.    That the facilities identified as low use, along with those that are currently closed and those which are subject to third party management arrangements, be actively promoted for community ownership for a period of one year ahead of a further review.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 21 November 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report that informed them on the outcome of the appraisal of flood risk management options for properties at risk of flooding in Campbeltown as part of the Campbeltown Flood Prevention Scheme project.  The report drew particular attention to the future financial investment by the Council for the project to proceed.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    Noted that the modelling of flood protection options has been completed, with clear recommendations for solutions eligible for Scottish Government funding to be taken forward to the next stage of investigation, design and planning approvals.

2.    Requested that the Council, as part of the budget process, allocate the project £127k of capital and consider the potential need for additional funding in 20/21 through to 22/23.

3.    Acknowledged the final scheme would be subject to approval of Outline Business and Full Business cases, which are expected to be submitted late 2019 prior to tender and late 2020 prior to tender award respectively and if approved additional funding may be needed as indicated in table 1 within the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Committee dated November 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Council’s Winter Service Policy was before the Committee for approval.  The format and general content of the Winter Service Policy 2018/19 remained the same as it had been in 2017/18.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee approved –

1.    The 2018/19 Winter Maintenance Policy at Appendix 2 to the submitted report.

2.    The Salt Use Reduction and Preservation of Stocks Protocol at Appendix 4 to the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated November 2018, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on progress in delivering the larger scale project work of the Transformation Project and Regeneration Team with a focus on those projects that are mainly externally funded.  The report also highlighted the key issues that would impact on the successful delivery of the projects.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the current process as contained within the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated October 2018, submitted)

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee Workplan as at December 2018 was before the Committee for noting.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the content of the Workplan as at December 2018.

(Reference: Environment, Development and Infrastructure Workplan as at December 2018, submitted)