Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by:

Councillor Bruce Marshall

Councillor Isobel Strong

Councillor Gordon Blair declared a non-financial interest in relation to Third

Sector Grants which was dealt with at item 10, section 7 (Cowal Fiddle Workshop) of this minute, citing that he was a member of this group. He left the room and took no part in the discussion of this section of the item.

Councillor Len Scoullar declared a non-financial interest in relation to Third

Sector Grants which was dealt with at item 10, section 16 (MacMillan Cancer Support) of this minute, citing that he was a member of this group. He left the room and took no part in the discussion of this section of the item.

The minute of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on the 2 February 2016 was approved as a correct record subject to a correction of item 7 to read ‘Dunoon Football Fives’.

It was noted by the Committee that a Charitable Trusts report would now come to the June Area Committee and not April as stated in the minute.

Craig Borland from the Buteman requested an update on the removal of rubble from the former West Church site. Councillor MacIntyre responded that he was engaging with the Building Standards Manager on this and it was hoped that the rubble would be removed from the site by the end of April 2016.

Councillor Robert MacIntyre provided the Committee with a verbal update on the Tinkers Heart site citing that he had received public representation regarding the lack of appropriate signage for the site.

It was noted that a report on this item would be considered at the May Business Day.

Presentation by Dr Anderson

The representative Dr Douglas Anderson was not present at the meeting and therefore no update was provided.

Presentation by Dunoon Regeneration Party Representative

Caroline Cudihy from the Dunoon Regeneration Party submitted apologies to the meeting and requested that this item be brought back to the June Area Committee, therefore no update was provided.

Decision

The Committee noted this report would be brought to the June Area Committee.

Report by Projects and Renewables Manager

Brian MacDonald from SURF took the Committee through a report on the current Alliance for Action project in Rothesay and proposals for this project to also be implemented in Dunoon.

Brian informed the Committee that to date the project has had tremendous support from Council Officials and went on to detail the current position of the project in Bute and the future proposals for consultation in the Dunoon Area to ascertain whether the project would be viable.

A discussion took place between the Committee and Brian around the Charrette process and the Townscape heritage funding.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Report by Projects and Renewables Manager dated 5 April 2016, submitted)

Report by Head of Economic Development

The Committee considered an update report on the progress of the actions and success measures in the Bute and Cowal Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP) for 2015/2016. The Head of Economic Development also provided the Committee with a comprehensive presentation that detailed the ongoing projects, the challenges they are faced with and future development of the Economic Development Action Plan.

The Committee held a discussion with the Head of Economic Development on specific local sites, the need for promotion of Green Tourism in the area, the lack of  agricultural development and Economic Developments engagement with the Syrian Refugees living on Bute.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Head of Economic Development dated 5 April 2016, submitted)

Report by Programme Manager

The Committee considered a report containing the Area Scorecard for FQ3

2015-2016.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

 (Ref: Report by Programme Manager dated 5 April 2016, submitted.)

Having declared a non financial interest at section seven and section sixteen  respectively of this item, Councillors Blair and Scoullar left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of those items.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to take sections one to seven then sixteen individually, and then to consider all other section together of this item to allow Councillors Blair and Scoullar to return to the meeting to consider the remaining totality of the report.

Report by Community Development Officer

The Community Development Officer provided the Committee with a report that detailed recommendations for the award of Third Sector Grants (including events and festivals) to Third Sector organisations for Bute and Cowal for their consideration.

Decision

1. The Committee noted the contents of the report.

2. The Committee agreed the recommendations as follows:

(Ref: Report by Community Development Officer dated 5 April 2016, submitted)

Report by Head Teacher

The Head Teacher, Rothesay Joint Campus took the Committee through an annual update report on Rothesay Academy which outlined the school’s performance during the 2015/2016 academic year along with updates on learning-centered activities that have taken place.

Decision

The Committee

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Noted the excellent progress and results contained in the report.

(Ref: Report by Head Teacher dated 5 April 2016, submitted)

Report by Programme Lead Integration.

The Committee considered a report which provided a progress update on the action undertaken to establish the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Integration Partnership from the 1^st April 2016.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Report by Programme Lead- Integration dated 5 April 2016, submitted)

Report by Locality Manager

The Area Manager for Adult Care took the Committee through a report on the relevant issues regarding Health and Social Care within Bute and Cowal, the report provides an update on the performance and delivery of Health and Social Care related activities and development for Bute and Cowal.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Locality Manager, Adult Services dated 5 April 2016, submitted)

Councillor MacIntyre left the meeting and Councillor McNaughton assumed the Chair.

Report by Head of Estates NHS Highland (to follow)

The Committee considered a briefing update submitted by the Head of Adult Care - East during the meeting which provided a short summary update on the progress of the Bute Redesign Steering Group noting that two meetings have currently taken place and the Groups key aims and objectives moving forward.

Decision

The Committee

1.    Noted the contents of the briefing note and;

2.    Noted a full report would be brought to the June Area Committee.

(Ref: Briefing note by Head of Adult Care - East dated 5 April 2016, submitted)

Councillor MacIntyre entered the meeting and resumed the Chair.

Report by Contracts Manager

The Contracts Manager for Roads and Amenities Services took the committee through an update report on the parking review process to date and the overall programme of the steps required for the implementation of any changes to the current arrangements including an informal consultation, feedback to Members and the associated statutory consultation process.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Requested a further parking workshop to be scheduled on the 3  May 2016 to consider the recommendations contained in the report further.

3.    Requested that thereafter an update report be submitted to a future Area Committee.

(Ref: Report by Senior Technician, Roads and Amenity Services dated 5 April 2016, submitted)

Councillor Gordon Blair left the meeting.

Report by Transport Planner

The Transport Planner took the Committee through a report on the proposals to install active travel signage in Dunoon in line with similar projects recently undertaken in other key towns in Argyll. The proposed works contained in the report will be funded by the Scottish Government Smarter Choices Smarter Places and Cycling Walking Safer Streets grant funding.

The Committee held a discussion with the Transport planner over concerns relating to lack of proposed works for the West Bay, Dunoon and appropriate lineage on the East Bay for cyclists.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Transport Planneer dated 5 April 2016, submitted)

Report by Senior Planning Development Officer

The Senior Planning Development Officer took the Committee through a report which provided an update on the various digital infrastructure projects including superfast broadband, other broadband issues, mobile communications and public Wi-Fi.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by the Senior Planning Development Officer dated 5 April 2016, submitted)

Councillor Alex McNaughton left the meeting.

Briefing note by Amenity Performance Manager (to follow)

The Amenity Performance Manager provided the Committee with a briefing note update on outstanding issues affecting the Rothesay Lade which carries surface water from surrounding hills through the town of Rothesay via the Kirk Dam sluice and through the Meadows before reaching the town outfall points in Rothesay Bay..

Decision

1.    The Committee noted the contents of the verbal and email update and;

2.    Requested a written report come to the May Business Day.

(Ref: Briefing note by Amenity Performance Manager dated 5 April 2016, submitted)

Report by Amenity Services Manager (to follow)

The Amenity Performance Manager provided the Committee with a verbal update on the issues surrounding the five a side cages located at Dunoon Stadium.

The Committee held a discussion citing there were several issues to be resolved including clarity on responsibility for maintenance, the proposed extension of the lease and the current funding application to Sports Scotland.

Decision

1.    The Committee noted the contents of the verbal update and;

2.    Requested a written report be brought to June Area Committee.

(Ref: Verbal update by Amenity Performance Manager dated 5 April 2016, submitted)

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government

(Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the public from the following item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 8 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Amenity Performance Manager (to follow)

The Amenity Performance Manager provided the Committee with a verbal update on a proposal being considered for the community of Ardentinny to take over the day to day running of their local public convenience and requested that a full report be brought to the June Area Committee for consideration.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the verbal update and;

2.    Agreed for this item to be brought back in report format to the June Area Committee.

(Ref: Verbal update by Amenity Performance Manager dated 5 April 2016, submitted)

Report by Leisure and Youth Services Manager

The Leisure and Youth Services Manager took the Committee through a report which provided a progress update on the proposed works for the refurbishment programme to the Riverside Swim and Health Centre.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Agreed the recommendations at item 3 of the report.

(Ref: Report by Leisure and Youth Services Manager dated 5 April 2016, submitted)