Agenda item

Question from Kirstie Reid, Strachur Community Council

Kirstie Reid, Strachur Community Council submitted the following question, which was read out by the Committee Manager:-

We have been told there are currently 12 people on Argyll & Bute Council's home waiting list whose first choice is Strachur.

Manse Gardens in Strachur is classified as amenity housing and consists of 21 properties. Only 7 of these are currently occupied and the rest have been vacant for the past few years.

The Trust Housing Association, who own Manse Gardens, are investigating the possibility of redeveloping the properties to make them more acceptable to potential tenants.

Does Argyll & Bute Council support the redevelopment of Manse Gardens and, if they do, what are they doing to ensure that this redevelopment goes ahead.

The Committee Manager delivered a response on behalf the Housing Strategy Team Lead as follows:-

The short answer is yes, the Council is supportive of the redevelopment of Manse Gardens to meet identified housing need and demand.

The Council has met with Trust Housing Association (HA) to discuss Manse Gardens and we are meeting with the Scottish Government to discuss funding options. It is not as straightforward as getting Capital Grant from the Scottish Government to build new houses as the project is a reconfiguration of an existing Trust HA asset.

Question from Archie Reid, Strachur Community Council

Archie Reid, Strachur Community Council submitted the following question, which was read out by the Committee Manager:-

As with many Community Councils we at Strachur Community Council are aware of the high number of patients that now receive Care in the Community and are concerned about the lack of care at home staff, we appreciate that this a nationwide issue but wonder what Argyll and Bute Council is doing to encourage people into the area to take this form of work.

 

The Committee Manager delivered a response on behalf the Health and Social Care Partnership as follows:-

All Care at Home providers are promoting opportunities in social care. Carrgomm, who provide support in this rural area note good responses to recruitment and are actively recruiting by fast tracking applications.

We are actively working with Human Resources and the Economic Development Team targeting opportunities in key areas especially those affected by depopulation.

The Integration Joint Board (IJB) continues to note workforce as a strategic risk, the strategic workforce plan is monitored on a 6 monthly basis with work undertaken reported through the public papers of the IJB.

Question from Hunters Quay Community Council

 

Hunters Quay Community Council submitted the following question, which was read out by the Committee Manager:-

Ongoing issues with traffic queuing on the main road waiting to board a Western ferry at the Hunters Quay terminal. I understand that there is a bit of a blame situation via the Council and Western Ferries re who pays?

The situation is going to get worse with one of Scotland biggest and now award winning holiday park companies getting bigger and spending millions. Hunters Quay Community Council are concerned about speeding, and want flashing 30mph signs and also queuing traffic signs.

The Project Manager advised that a Traffic Regulation Order was promoted at Hunters Quay separately from the queuing issue and advised that as part of that process a speed and volume survey was undertaken which found vehicle speed level acceptable, adding  that at Council operated ferry sites they ensure that there is no queuing on public road.

Question from Andrew Widdows

Andrew Widdows submitted the following question, which was read out by the Committee Manager:-

Who in the Council and/or local business leaders is responsible and how are they directly benefitting by refusing to allow a budget supermarket in Dunoon during a cost of living crisis while local supermarkets are allowed to increase prices daily and therefore are literally squeezing the life out of the poorest people in our town?"

 

I would also hereby request that minutes of the meeting are made available to myself and others upon request. I might also add that this question continuously draws a blank from the council and one way or another I will find out the answers to this question and make the results public and publicly embarrass those responsible if it isn't discussed at the meeting.

 

The Committee Manager assured elected members and members of the Public that the agenda item is Public Question Time and as such all public questions whether submitted in advance or raised at the meeting will always be recorded and added that there has never been an instance nor will there ever be an instance where questions submitted will not be discussed or recorded at the meeting.

The Committee Manager advised that on receiving this question he visited the planning portal and there are no outstanding planning applications regarding this matter. He added that Policy Planners also confirmed that no queries had been received from budget supermarkets coming to Dunoon and colleagues in Economic Development also confirmed that no supermarkets, budget or otherwise had expressed any interest in coming to Dunoon.

Questions from Murray Doyle

I'd like to enquire whether the Serpentine Road, Rothesay, was considered as part of the Capital budget repair program for this year? If not, what was the rationale of leaving it out, I had requested on behalf of local cycling club Bute Wheelers for it be included in this year's repair program? and why would the likes of the road out to Glecknabae be included and Serpentine not? 

I'd also like to enquire about maintenance required to sections of A844, Bute's major A road, that is in very poor condition. I did enquire in an email earlier this year, officers mentioned that these issues would be noted and looked at. Mr Doyle noted that there is a section of road between Meikle Grenach and A844 listed in the capital spend draft, which in his opinion looks to be in very good condition, and wondered if the aforementioned sections of A844 could benefit from this allocated budget instead?

The Project Manager advised that the Council have £8M for the roads Capital Programme but there is not enough money to make the roads to the standards wanted. The Project Manager advised that he would provide Mr Doyle with information on how decisions are made for the Roads Capital Programme.

Questions from Jennifer Wilson

Jennifer Wilson submitted the following question, which was read out by the Committee Manager:-

What policy do they have in place to tackle the scourge of derelict properties?

In Port Bannatyne on the Isle of Bute, specifically Buckingham Terrace (12, 14 and 16 Castle Street) and No. 21 Castle Street are derelict properties within a residential area. Can you confirm if these buildings have been removed from the Council Tax Register pending redevelopment and, if so, for how long has this been the case? 

Buckingham Terrace, I understand, was bought via a compulsory purchase order by the Isle of Bute Housing Association in the late 1990's to provide affordable housing locally, however, this was never completed. During and since that period can you confirm whether any grants (public money) have been paid out for redevelopment and the total amount paid out for redevelopment, to whom and dates. Were any timescales given to complete redevelopment works?

No. 21 Castle Street is a derelict building covered entirely in scaffolding and advertising sheets. Can you confirm whether a grant has been made available for redevelopment of this building and, if so, has a timescale been given for completion of this work. 

Councillor McCabe advised that the Buckingham Terrace property is owned by a private landlord and added that she had to contact them in the past to get the roof made safe with it lying derelict for many years.

The Housing Strategy Team Lead advised that the Council’s general approach is through the Area Property Action Group and added that a Scheme of Assistance details advice and information for Private Owners.