Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence intimated.

Councillor Lorna Douglas declared a non financial interest in item 5(a) (Strategic Events and Festivals Fund) of the Agenda due to her membership of the Helensburgh Winter Festival, she remained in the meeting but took no part in the discussion on this item.

Councillor Jim Findlay declared a non financial interest in Item 11 (Rothesay Pavilion) of the Agenda due to his Council membership of the Board of the Rothesay Pavilion, he remained in the meeting but took no part in the discussion on this item.

Minute of the Business Continuity Committee held on 14 May 2020

The Minute of the Business Continuity Committee held on 14 May 2020 was approved as a correct record.

Report by Section 95 Officer

The Committee considered a report which provided an update of the DHP policy to allow more support to be provided in exceptional circumstances for claimants affected by the benefit gap.

Decision

The Committee approved the proposed amendments to the policy for awarding Discretionary Housing Payments.

(Ref: Report by Section 95 Officer dated 19 May 2020, submitted)

Report by Section 95 Officer

The Committee considered a report which provided an overview of the position on event grant funding provided to external organisations in 2020-21.

Decision

The Committee noted the different approaches in terms of the timing of distributing funds and the carry forward to future years and considered the recommendations in the two separate reports on the agenda.

(Ref: Report by Section 95 Officer dated 29 May 2020, submitted)

Report by Interim Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee considered a report which gave consideration to a Round 3 Strategic Events and Festivals Fund for 2021/22 and provided an update on the Round 2 (2020/21) events, as agreed by the Policy and Resources Committee of 17 December 2019.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1.     That there will be a third round of grant funding for a Strategic Events and Festivals Fund, relating to events to be held in 2021/22, and approved a third round budget allocation of £90,000.

2.     That the Round 3 2021/22 call for applications will be issued in August 2020, if this timeline is undeliverable this will come back to Members.

3.     To note the current status of Round 2 events, and

4.     To approve that, for cancelled events, and in order to support the organisation through these unprecedented times, the Council pays a grant to cover costs incurred by the organisation, up to a maximum of 75% of the original grant award.

(Ref: Report by Interim Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 20 May 2020, submitted)

Report by Chief Executive

The Committee considered a report which sought agreement for the Council’s response to groups who this year, due to impacts from Covid-19, wish to carry funding forward into 2021/22.

Decision

The Committee agreed:-

1.     That applicants awarded funding from the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund in 2020/21 are allowed to carry forward their project, activity or event as set out in their application, in the following financial year. The deadline to spend would move from 31 March 2021 to 31 March 2022.

2.     That the applicant group will not be able to apply for funding in 2021/22 for a project / event / activity which duplicates that which has been funded for 2020/21.

3.     A communication is issued to all successful applicants for 2020/21 advising them of these agreed recommendations and highlighting that their funded project event or activity can be undertaken through different approaches such as on-line to provide as much flexibility as possible to allow it to take place.

(Ref: Report by Chief Executive dated 8 May 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the progress being made by the Education Service in preparing for the expansion of Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) and the implementation of 1140 hours of funded ELC in Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.     Noted that the Scottish Government have of April 2020, removed the statutory duty to complete the implementation of 1140 hours of ELC available to each eligible child from 1 August 2020.

2.     Noted Education and Property Service have continued to progress the expansion plans where possible and will be in a position to resume key projects as soon as restrictions on lockdown are lifted.

3.     Endorsed the significant work the Early Years Team has undertaken in partnership with colleagues from other services in ensuring 1140 hrs could be implemented across Argyll and Bute from August 2020 were there no Covid-19 restrictions.

4.     Noted the progress of implementation to date.

5.     Requested that the Executive Director with responsibility for Education brings forward progress updates in relation to the Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare to future meetings as more information is provided from Scottish Government.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated 11 June 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee considered a report which updated members with information about interventions being taken within Education Services to ensure that Care Experienced Children and Young People achieve the best possible educational outcomes.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.     Continued to endorse the work undertaken by Argyll and Bute Education Services as part of the Corporate Parenting Board to improve the educational attainment and life chances of Care Experienced Children and Young People.

2.     Noted that the spending plan for the grant allocated by Scottish Government to Argyll and Bute for session 2019/20 from the Scottish Attainment Challenge Care Experienced Children and Young People Fund has been produced and monitored by the Education Lead (Principal Teacher) for Looked After Children, in consultation with key partners and specifically the Social Work Lead for Looked After Children, the Chief Education Officer and Chief Social Worker.

3.     Agreed that the Chief Education Officer, Head of Education; Lifelong Learning and Support continues to provide updates on the improved outcomes for Care Experienced Children and Young People to Corporate Parenting Board and Business Continuity Committee / Community Services Committee.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated 11 June 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee considered a report which highlighted changes in terminology required within the existing School Leaving Date Policy which has been in place since 2012.

Decision

The Committee agreed to the updated Policy with immediate effect.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated 11 June 2020, submitted)

Report by Interim Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee considered a report which detailed activity in relation to the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan 2019-2024 for Argyll and Bute which was agreed by Council in November 2018.

Decision

The Committee:-

1.     Noted the RRTP activity which took place in 2019/20.

2.     Agreed to the RRTP annual update which sets out activity for 2020/21.

3.     Agreed to the Housing First model proposed within the RRTP which will see the Council discharge statutory homeless duties through a different model.

(Ref: Report by Interim Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 18 May 2020, submitted)

Report by Interim Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee considered a report which concerned the economic recovery of Argyll and Bute which had received a significant setback due to Covid 19 restrictions in common with much of the global economy.

Decision

a)     The Committee considered the contents of the report and endorsed the draft Argyll and Bute Economic Recovery Plan at Appendix A of the report.

b)     Agreed to raise with the Scottish and UK Governments the urgent need to accelerate the implementation of our Rural Growth Deal to ensure it forms part of the local and national recovery from the economic and social impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

(Ref: Report by Interim Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated May 2020, submitted)

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and public for the following item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6&9 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services

The Committee considered a report which provided Members with an update on the Rothesay Pavilion Adaptive Restoration Project following formal notification that the Principal Contractor had been placed in Administration by tis Board of Directors on 29 April 2020.

Decision

The Committee noted the terms of the report.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services dated 8 May 2020, submitted)

E1  Paragraph 6  Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).