Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by Councillor Bruce Marshall.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to take item 7, Health and Social Care Update, out of sequence to facilitate public attendance, this item was therefore taken after item 3. Minutes of the agenda.

Councillor Robert MacIntyre declared a non-financial interest in relation to Third Sector Grants which was dealt with at item 6, section 3 (Bute Agricultural Society) 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 Chair of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee presented a cheque from Argyll and Bute Council to Marlene Hill who was representing For Bute.

The minute of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on the 7^th June 2016 was approved as a correct record subject to a change at the attendance section of the minute, noting that David Mitchell had not attended the meeting.

The minute of the Forward Dunoon and Cowal Group held on the 16

June 2016 was noted.

The minute of the Cowal Transport Forum held on the 17 June 2016 was noted.

Report by Locality Manager, Adult Services

The Head of Adult  Services  took the Committee through a report on  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.

A lengthy discussion was held between the Head of Adult Services , Elected Members and Members of the public particularly regarding the Thomson Court day care facility in Bute and Struan Lodge in Dunoon. Questions raised included queries on the decision making process, the consultation process and the implementation of future services and how the proposals will affect residents on Bute  and in Dunoon who are currently using the facilities  and how their needs will be met.

The Head of Adult Services addressed each question individually and stressed that the locality planning groups both in Bute and Cowal would have input in regards to the redesign of resources moving forward.

The Committee considered the following Motion  which was proposed at the meeting by Councillor Michael Breslin and seconded by Councillor Dick Walsh: –

 Motion

The Bute & Cowal Area Committee discussed the update paper on health & social care at its meeting on 2 August 2016. Many members of the public were in attendance and this motion attempts to reflect the unanimous view of those present. Great concern was expressed at a number of the proposed changes to health & social care, particularly the reductions in hospital beds and the proposed changes to Struan Lodge and Thomson Court Day Centre and the  Area Committee  requests that  discussions be progressed  between NHS Highland, Argyll and Bute Council, the Health and Social Care Partnership ( HSCP ) and Scottish Government, for the purpose of considering putting in place transitional arrangements with funding for the Argyll and Bute HSCP.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Noted the contents of the report;

2. Agreed the content of the motion and resolved accordingly.

3.Asked that these concerns of the Area Committee  be brought to the attention of   the meeting of the Integration Joint Board due to be held on Thursday 4^th August 2016 and;

4. Agreed that a copy of these concerns be forwarded to the relevant MSPs for the  Argyll and Bute area, Argyll and Bute’s MP, and the Health Minister.

 (Ref: Report by Locality Manager, Adult Services dated 2 August 2016, submitted)

(Ref: Notice of motion by Councillor Michael Breslin and seconded by Councillor Dick Walsh dated 2 August 2016, submitted.)

Concerns were raised by members of the public regarding the current ferry services in Dunoon particularly in relation to the issue of harbour charges.

It was noted that this item would be dealt with at item 11 of the agenda.

Report by Programme Manager

The Committee considered a report containing the Area Scorecard for FQ1

2016-2017.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Programme Manager dated 2 August 2016, submitted.)

Having declared a non-financial interest in respect of section three of this item, Councillor MacIntyre left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of that section   

Councillor McNaughton, Vice Chair of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee assumed the Chair at the discussion of this item until after consideration of sections 1,2 and 3, Councillor MacIntyre then resumed the Chair

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 2 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Community Development Officer

The Community Development Officer took the Committee through a report which highlighted the positive outcomes for communities in Bute and Cowal through the allocation of the Council’s Third Sector Grant funding in 2015/2016.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Community Development Officer dated 2 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Contracts Manager

The Contracts Manager took the Committee through a report which provided an update on the delivery of the revenue roads budget at the end of quarter 4 for financial year 2015/2016.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Contracts Manager dated 2 August 2016, submitted)

Councillor McNaughton left the meeting.

Report by Traffic and Development Manager

The Traffic and Development Manager for Roads and Amenities Services took the committee through a summary 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. Agreed the recommendation at 4.0 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Traffic and Development Manager, Roads and Amenity Services dated 2 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Finance Manager

The Committee considered a report which set out the estimated funding available for distribution of funds for the charities and trust funds for the Bute and Cowal Area for 2016-17.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Noted the contents of the report and;

2. Agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the submitted report and the distribution proposals contained in Appendix 1.

 (Ref: Report by Finance Manager dated 2 August 2016, submitted)

The recent announcement by the Scottish Government to tender for the Dunoon-Gourock ferry service provides an opportunity for the Harbour Board to review the current Harbour Charges and the area committee is delighted that the Board already has this in hand.  The importance of harbour charges to any prospective operator on the Dunoon/Gourock route should not be underestimated and this motion supports the chair of the harbour board and the review which is now underway.

In light of the agreed economic regeneration strategies for Argyll and Bute and the importance of connectivity to the Cowal peninsula the Area Committee urges the Council to hold a special  meeting to consider the following points. This will provide prospective operators on the route a number of options in relation to Harbour facilities and reaffirms the Councils commitment to a Town Centre Vehicle/Passenger service and economic growth.

Recommendation that a special meeting be convened of the Council to consider the following

Option 1 

A review of the charges with the council maintaining its current role

Option 2  

Lease the breakwater and link span to any future operator and  indicate the likely cost for this.

Option 3 

Sell the breakwater and link span to any future operator and indicate the likely cost for this.

Proposer  Gordon Blair

Seconder  Michael Breslin

The Motion which was before the Area Committee for consideration was withdrawn in accordance with Standing Order 10.6. by the proposer Councillor Gordon Blair, with the agreement of the Seconder, Councillor Michael Breslin, and the Committee.  

An amended motion relating to this matter was considered by the Area Committee:

Motion

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee notes the Scottish Government’s recent announcement on the tender for the Dunoon-Gourock ferry service. The Area Committee recognises the economic benefits which can be realised from a safe, reliable passenger/vehicle ferry service operating between the two town centres.

The Area Committee further notes that this provides an opportunity for Argyll and Bute Harbour Board to review the current harbour charges and is delighted that the Harbour Board already had this in hand.

The Area Committee recognises that harbour charges are a significant operational cost to any prospective operator on the Dunoon/Gourock route and that those costs should not be underestimated.

This motion supports the Chair of the Harbour Board and the review which is now underway.

In light of the agreed economic regeneration strategies for Argyll and Bute and the importance of connectivity to the Cowal peninsula, the Area Committee:

1.    Requests that the Council  considers, at the special meeting proposed for 18^th August, whether the options listed at paragraph 3, which will provide prospective operators on the route a number of options in relation to harbour facilities and reaffirm the Council’s commitment to a town centre vehicle/passenger service and economic growth, be included in the review ongoing at present;

2.    Agrees to reaffirm the principles set down and as advised to the MVA Consultancy’s feasibility study commissioned by Transport Scotland in 2012 which notes that the Council will set future pier/harbour charges at a level which will cover operating and staffing costs, inspection, maintenance and whole life asset management costs, and any prudential borrowing costs required to fund shoreside infrastructure associated with the future vehicle/passenger ferry service;

3.    Considers the following options as  part of this overall approach:

·         Option 1 – a review of the charges with the Council maintaining its current role;

·         Option 2 – lease the breakwater and link span to any future operator for the period of the duration of the notified contract period or any further and/or extended contract period and indicate the likely cost for this;

·         Option 3 – sell the breakwater and link span to any future operator and indicate the likely cost for this;

·         Option 4 – a user agreement that is cost efficient and that works well for the people of Cowal, for the duration of the notified contract period or any further and/or extended ferry service contract, and which, so far as is legally competent, supports the provision of a town centre to town centre vehicle/passenger ferry service.

Proposer: Councillor Gordon Blair

Seconder: Councillor Michael Breslin

Decision

The Committee unanimously agreed the content of the amended motion and resolved accordingly.

(Ref: Notice of Motion by Councillor Gordon Blair and seconded by Councillor Michael Breslin, dated 2 August 2016, submitted)

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

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the public for the following items of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 8&9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Presentation by Senior Development Officer

The Senior Development Officer took the Committee through a presentation on the Dunoon and Rothesay Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes (CARS) highlighting specific areas in Bute and Cowal that have or will  benefit   from the scheme.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the presentation.

(Ref: Report by Senior Development Officer dated 2 August 2016, submitted)

Report by Amenity Performance Manager

The Amenity Performance Manager took the Committee through a report on the agreement between Amenity Services and Ardentinny Community Council in regards to the running of the public convenience located in Ardentinny.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Agreed the recommendation at 3.1 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Amenity Performance Manager dated 2^nd August 2016, submitted)

Councillor MacIntyre returned to the meeting and resumed the Chair.

Report by Regeneration Project Manager

The Regeneration Project Manager took the Committee through a report which provided an update on the Queens Hall tender process.

Decision

The Committee:

1.    Noted the contents of the report and;

2.    Noted the recommendations contained at 4.0 of the report.

(Ref: Report by Regeneration Project Manager dated 2 August 2016, 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; and

E1       Paragraph 9  Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.