Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Gary Mulvaney.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed that to facilitate a smooth running of the Agenda, to vary the order of business and to take Agenda item 12 as the last item of the meeting. This was to allow the Committee to deal with all of the business which could be taken in public before moving into private session. 

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Policy and Resources Committee held on 19 February 2026

The Minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 19 February 2026 were approved as a correct record.

The Committee gave consideration to a recommendation from the meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee held on 4 March 2026 in relation to proposals for the Gleaner Phase 2 project and the full Business Case which was eligible for funding through the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee agreed that –

1.    grant funding of up to £250,000 be allocated to the Gleaner Phase 2 project from the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund; and

2.    delegated authority be afforded to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth in consultation with the Area Chair to deal with administration of the grant.

(Reference: Recommendation from meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee held on 4 March 2026 and report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 17 February 2026, submitted)

Report by Section 95 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to a report summarising the Budget Outlook for the five year period 2027-28 to 2031-32, taking account of the budget decisions approved at the Council meeting on 25 February 2026.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee noted the current Budget Outlook position for the period 2027-28 to 2031-32.

(Reference: Report by Section 95 Officer dated 28 April 2026, submitted)

Report by Section 95 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to a report presenting an initial assessment of potential financial and operational risks that could impact the Council as a result of the ongoing conflict in Iran and the broader Arabian Gulf region.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee –

1.    noted the contents of the submitted report; and

2.    agree that Financial Services would monitor the position on an ongoing basis, providing further updates during 2026-27 through the routine financial monitoring reporting.

(Reference: Report by Section 95 Officer dated 15 April 2026, submitted)

Report by Chief Officer, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

The Committee gave consideration to a report summarising the strategic development work being undertaken by the HSCP, supported by Hub North and Argyll and Bute Council in relation to Care Homes. The report also summarised the complex governance arrangements to ensure that these were understood prior to the commencement of the next stage of the work which was the Stakeholder Engagement process.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee noted –

1.    that the HSCP was progressing its Care Homes Strategic Review in partnership with HUB North;

2.    that Public Engagement was expected to commence in July 2026; and

3.    that governance was complex, and the strategic review required to be progressed with support from Argyll and Bute Council.

(Reference: Report by Chief Officer, Health and Social Care Partnership dated 28 April 2026, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report seeking approval of an updated Social Media Policy which set out high level guidance for employees in the use of social media.

Motion

That the Policy and Resources Committee agrees to recommend the updated Social Media Policy to Council for approval.

Moved by Councillor Ross Moreland, seconded by Councillor William Sinclair

Amendment

The Policy and Resources Committee does not agree to recommend the updated social media policy to Council for approval.

Moved by Councillor Amanda Hampsey, seconded by Councillor Peter Wallace.

As the meeting was being held on a hybrid basis, the vote required to be taken by calling the roll and members voted as follows –

Motion                                                 Amendment

Councillor John Armour                         Councillor Amanda Hampsey

Councillor Gordon Blair                          Councillor Peter Wallace

Councillor Math Campbell Sturgess

Councillor Audrey Forrest

Councillor Kieron Green

Councillor Reeni Kennedy Boyle

Councillor Jim Lynch

Councillor Luna Martin

Councillor Dougie McFadzean

Councillor Ross Moreland

Councillor Dougie Philand

Councillor William Sinclair

Decision

The Motion was carried by 12 votes to 2 and the Policy and Resources Committee resolved accordingly.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services dated April 2026, submitted; Motion by Councillor Ross Moreland, seconded by Councillor William Sinclair, tabled; and Amendment by Councillor Amanda Hampsey, seconded by Councillor Peter Wallace, tabled)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report presenting a newly development Transformation Strategy which aimed to set out how the Council ensures it can sustainably match what services it delivers to what it can afford.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee agreed to recommend approval of the Transformation Strategy to the Council.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services dated 14 April 2026, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the progress with the Rural Growth Deal Programme and draw down of funding to date.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee –

1.    noted the programme and project updates provided within the submitted report; and

2.    agreed that requests by external partners for cashflow support would be brought back to future meetings of the Policy & Resources Committee.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 21 April 2026, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report bringing forward project proposals for the 2026/27 financial year to be funded from a number of grants administered through the Transformation Projects and Regeneration Team (TPRT).

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee –

1.     noted the process for applying to the Islands Programme and the 8 June 2026 deadline for applications;

2.     approved the 4 projects detailed in Table 1 of the submitted report recommended to form the basis of funding bids to the Scottish Government’s Islands Programme and noted that project values may be subject to change as bids are progressed;

3.     approved the allocation of the Crown Estate funding for 2026/27 to the projects outlined in Table 2 of the submitted report and noted that a further report would be brought back to a future Policy and Resources Committee with proposals for any remaining allocations of Crown Estates funding following confirmation of 2026/27 budgets from the Scottish Government;

4.     following the decision of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee in March 2026, approved the transfer of £300,000 of Crown Estates funding previously allocated to the Gallanach Road rockfall to the Gribun works on Mull; and

5.     approved changes to the Empty Business Property Grant scheme set out in paragraph 4.17 and noted this scheme would be supplemented by the proposed investment via Crown Estates.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 23 April 2026, submitted)

As previously agreed, the Committee re-ordered the Business at this point and took item 13 of the Agenda, before the exclusion of the press and public for item 12 of the Agenda.

The Policy and Resources Committee Workplan was before the Committee for noting.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee noted the content of the Workplan.

(Reference: Policy and Resources Committee Workplan as at 21 May 2026, 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 Paragraph 8 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an introduction and background to the proposed project for the development of leisure provision in Dunoon and seeking approval for the proposed programme of activity and timeline for the development of detailed proposals.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee agreed the recommendations contained within the submitted report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services dated 21 May 2026, submitted)

E1       Paragraph 8  The amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the authority under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services.