Agenda and minutes

The Chair extended her congratulations to the Council’s catering service who recently won two awards for the wild venison in schools project by picking up winner of the Best Sustainability Project in the UK at the Public Sector Catering Awards and the winner of the Sustainability award at the ASSIST 2025 Scottish National Awards.  The catering team in collaboration with Education, Procurement and local business Wild Jura introduced venison to the menu for children and young people on Jura and Islay.

She then advised members that a new online newsletter providing news and updates from Argyll and Bute schools and the central Education team had been developed and the second edition had recently been sent to members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Julie McKenzie and Yvonne McNeilly,  and Daniel Semple and Lorna Stewart.

There were no declarations of interest.

Community Services Committee held on 6 March 2025

The Minute of the Community Services Committee held on 6 March 2025 was approved as a correct record

Margaret Anderson joined the meeting during consideration of the following item of business.

Report by Divisional Commander for Argyll and Bute, West Dunbartonshire Division, Police Scotland

With the aid of power point slides, Chief Superintendent Gary I’Anson presented the Argyll and Bute Performance Summary Report of Police Scotland’s Policing Priorities for April 2024 – March 2025 and responded to questions asked.

Decision

The Community Services Committee reviewed and noted the content of the report.

(Reference: Report for April 2024 – March 2025 by Divisional Commander for Argyll and Bute, West Dumbarton Division, Police Scotland, submitted)

Councillor Corry joined the meeting during consideration of the following item of business.

Report by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

With the aid of power point slides, Group Commander Barrie McCutcheon presented a report highlighting Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s review of local performance within Argyll and Bute for Q4 (1 January 2025 – 31 March 2025) and responded to a number of questions asked.

Decision

The Community Services Committee reviewed and noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Q4 2024/25 Report by Local Senior Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, submitted)

Report by Senior Manager Performance & Improvement, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

A report detailing performance for FQ3 (October - December) 2024/25 for Argyll & Bute Health & Social Care Partnership was before the Committee for consideration.

Decision

The Community Services Committee agreed to continue consideration of the report to the next meeting of the Committee.

(Reference: Report by Senior Manager, Performance and Improvement, Argyll and Bute HSCP dated 5 June 2025, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing a draft Proposal to relocate the current Tobermory 2-18 Campus to a new purpose-built 2-18 campus school building in accordance with the requirements of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.

Decision

The Community Services Committee agreed to adopt the draft Proposal, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, as a “Relevant Proposal” that would now proceed to a statutory consultation under the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010, in accordance with the timeframe as set out with the draft Proposal Paper.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated 14 May 2025, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing all external education establishment inspection reports received across Argyll and Bute Education Service during the period March 2025 to June 2025.

Decision

The Community Services Committee agreed to note –

1.    the content of the report;

2.    this quarterly report would be presented on an ongoing basis to the Community Services Committee detailing all establishment inspections conducted and published by Education Scotland within that period; and

3.    that Ward members would receive copies of school inspection reports for schools within their area as published by Education Scotland.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated May 2025, submitted)

The Community Services Committee work plan for 2025 - 2026 was before the Committee for information.

Decision

The Community Services Committee noted the contents of the work plan.

(Reference: Community Services Committee Work Plan 2025-2026, submitted)