Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Donald Kelly, David Kinniburgh, Roddy McCuish, Sir Jamie McGrigor, Ellen Morton, Gary Mulvaney and Alan Reid.

There were none intimated.

Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 12 September 2019

The Minutes of the meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 12 September 2019 were approved as a correct record.

Report by Executive Director

The Committee considered a report that presented the FQ2 Performance report 2019/20 for the Development and Economic Growth Service and the Roads and Infrastructure Service.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Services Committee noted the FQ2 2019/20 Performance Report as presented.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth and Roads and Infrastructure Services dated 14 November 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth and Roads and Infrastructure

The Committee gave consideration to a report that presented the Draft Service Plans 2020-23 for Roads and Infrastructure Services and Development and Economic Growth.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the Draft Service Plans 2020-23, without finance, as presented prior to consideration by the Policy and Resources Committee on 20 February 2020 and full Council on 27 February 2020 for budget allocation.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth Service and Roads and Infrastructure Services dated 12 November 2019, submitted)

The Chair intimated that Councillors Kieron Green and Elaine Robertson, who were not members of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee, had notified him that they wished, in terms of Standing Order 22.1, to speak and vote on the following item of business (Lismore Ferry Replacement).  The Chair confirmed that he would exercise his discretion to allow them to speak and vote on this item.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

The Committee gave consideration to an update report regarding the required vessel replacement for the passenger ferry which operates from Port Appin to the Isle of Lismore.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    Noted that discussions with Transport Scotland regarding the ferry transfer are ongoing.

2.    Noted that officers are taking steps to procure a replacement vessel should it become necessary, estimated to cost around £500k.

3.    Agreed to recommend that the Policy and Resources Committee and Council, as part of the budget process, consider the capital resourcing required to replace MV The Lismore should the transfer of ferries not be finalised before the 2020/2021 budget is agreed.

4.    Agreed that the Chair contact the Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands to seek a meeting to discuss the matter as soon as possible.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated November 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

The Committee gave consideration to a report that updated them on the progress of the Campbeltown Flood Prevention Scheme, which has now proceeded to formal (planning) notification under the terms of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘the Act’).

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee agreed –

1.    To approve the preliminary and final confirmation of the notified Campbeltown Flood Protection Scheme with modifications.

2.    To request that the Council, as part of the budget process, consider the £270k of capital funding required in the 20/21 financial year and additional funding in subsequent years, which would be subject to Outline Business Case/Full Business Case approvals.

3.    To note construction of the final scheme would be subject to approval of Outline Business and Full Business cases prior to tender and tender award respectively. If approved additional funding may be needed as indicated in Table 1 of the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated November 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

The Committee gave consideration to a report that presented a summary of the Council’s cemeteries as at September 2019.  The report provided current information on the condition of the cemeteries including available lair space.  The report highlighted the need for a decision to either reduce the active (live) cemeteries or prioritise funding for cemeteries from the Capital Budget and extend the cemeteries providing more lair space.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    Agreed that a community consultation is undertaken seeking views on the draft policies detailed in paragraphs 4.10 to 4.15 of the submitted report.

2.    Noted that a further report would be presented to Members detailing the consultation feedback and proposing a set of cemetery policies.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated October 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

The Committee gave consideration to a report that introduced 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.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    Endorsed the Annual Status and Options Report and the positive analytical feedback 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 Roads and Infrastructure Asset Management Plan that in turn informs the budget setting process.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated October 2019, submitted)

Recommendation from the Audit and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 September 2019

The Committee gave consideration to a report that provided an update on the outcome of the recent roads resurfacing scrutiny review.  The report also confirmed that an action plan would be brought forward to a future meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee -

1.    Endorsed the report from the Audit and Scrutiny Committee.

2.    Noted that Roads and Infrastructure Services would bring forward an action plan to a future Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated November 2019, submitted)

Executive Director with the responsibility for Employability

The Committee gave consideration to a report that presented the final feasibility study on the setting up of seaweed farms in Argyll and Bute coastal waters.  It was intended that the report would guide both the public sector and private investors about the requirements of setting up seaweed farming In Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    Noted the content of the report.

2.    Approved the content of the final report for publication (at Appendix 2 to the submitted report) and gave approval for a presentation on the published report at the Scottish Seaweed Industry Association (SSIA) conference in the Corran Halls, Oban on 18 February 2020.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Employability dated 11 November 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with the responsibility for Employability

The Committee gave consideration to a report that provided an update on the current financial position of Argyll and Bute Council’s Employability Team.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee –

1.    Noted the content of the report.

2.    Agreed that quarterly financial updates continue to be provided to the Council’s Strategic Management Team (SMT) coupled with the continued detailed monthly monitoring by the Employability Team in liaison with Strategic Finance to enable action to be taken to mitigate any significant deficit position going forward.

3.    Noted the requirement to submit a bid to Skills Development Scotland by 2 December 2019 in the hope of securing a caseload allocation through the Employability Fund for 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 21 November 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report that outlined the Council’s Housing Annual Assurance Statement which became a requirement through the Scottish Housing Regulator in 2019.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee approved the Annual Assurance Statement contained at Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 15 November 2019, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

A report that provided a brief update on the work to improve customer service in Roads and Infrastructure Services since the meeting of the Committee in June was before the Committee for noting.

Decision

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the content of the report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated November 2019, submitted)

The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee work plan was before the Committee for noting.

Decision

The Committee noted the work plan as at December 2019.

(Reference: Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee Work Plan as at December 2019, submitted)