Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Blair and Strong.

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to take the agenda items out of sequence in order to facilitate Officers.

No declarations of interest were intimated.

The minute of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on the 4^th October 2016 was approved as a correct minute.

Councillor Breslin made reference to nothing being minuted at the previous meeting in regard to Councillor MacIntyre’s request to speak at the last meeting.

The minute of the Forward Dunoon and Cowal Group held on the 13^th October 2016 was noted.

Councillor MacIntyre asked if an update could be given to why there are no functioning Christmas lights in Rothesay.  The Contracts Manager advised that an update on the Christmas lights in Rothesay and Dunoon would be sent to Members by close of play.  Councillor Walsh confirmed that he asked for a paper to go to the Policy and Resources Committee on this issue.

Report by Head Teacher

The Head Teacher of Rothesay Academy took the Committee through a progress update report on the school’s achievements in the 2015/2016 session.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Noted the contents of the report and;
2. Commended the Head Teacher on the excellent outcomes achieved by Rothesay Academy.

(Ref: Report by Head Teacher of Rothesay Academy dated 6^th December 2016, submitted).

Report by Schools Development Project Manager

The Schools Development Project Manager took the Committee through a report on the progress of the new schools redevelopment project in partnership with Hub North Scotland Ltd to build the new Kirn Primary School and to refurbish/ part new build Dunoon Primary School.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref: Report by Schools Development Project Manager dated 6^th December 2016, submitted) .

Report by Programme Manager

A report presenting the Area Scorecard, with performance for financial quarter 2 of 2016-17 (July-September 2016) was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the performance presented on the Scorecard.

(Ref:  Report by IOD Programme Manager dated 6^th December 2016, submitted).

Report by Economic Growth Manager

A report providing the Committee with an update on progress of the in-year actions/milestones in the Bute and Cowal Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP) 2016-21 was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations at 3.1 of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Economic Growth Manager dated 6^th December 2016, submitted).

Letter by Councillor Bruce Marshall, Chair of the Cowal Games Partnership

The Committee considered a letter from Councillor Bruce Marshall in his capacity as Chair of the Cowal Games Partnership.

Councillor Marshall advised that the Highland Dancing Championships is fundamental to the success of the Games and if that were to be lost, it would affect Dunoon very badly.

He advised it was essential that the Cowal Highland Games continue to receive support from Argyll and Bute Council.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the letter.

(Ref:  Letter by Councillor Marshall dated 1^st November 2016, submitted).

Report by Local Area Manager

Jane Williams, the Locality Manager for Bute and Cowal, introduced herself to the Committee and took them through a report highlighting the Health and Social Care Partnership performance against the new Health and Wellbeing outcomes for financial quarter one 2016/17; a detailed performance report outlining the indicators for outcome 1 and 2 and the national review of NHS targets and the Health and Wellbeing Integration indicators. 

The Committee were further advised of the work undertaken by staff in reacting to the closure of Craigard care home, informed that all residents have been relocated, and recognised the hard work of staff in dealing with such a difficult situation. 

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance dated 6^th December 2016, submitted).

Report by Contracts Manager

The Contracts Manager took the Committee through a report detailing the summary of roads activities and the safety inspection regime continued in line with the Council’s safety inspection standards.

The Contracts Manager also gave the Committee an update in regards to a meeting which had been arranged with Scottish Water, Head of Roads and Amenity Services, the Leader of the Council and the Legal Services department to discuss Scottish Water proposals near Kilmun, advising that the works will not require road closures and the developments are now designed to allow ongoing maintenance and use without impact on road traffic.

Decision

The Committee noted the contents of the report and verbal update.

(Ref:  Report and Verbal Update by Contracts Manager dated 6^th December 2016, submitted).

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Report by Traffic and Development Manager (to follow)

The Contracts Manager advised that there was no report available for this meeting.  He advised that a significant number of responses to the consultation had been received, the analysis of those returns are still ongoing, and on completion of this, Officers will meet with Members to discuss.

The Committee noted their disappointment that no paper was available for this meeting.

Decision

The Committee noted the Contract Manager’s update and noted that a report would come to a later Committee meeting.

(Ref:  Verbal update by Contracts Manager dated 6^th December 2016, submitted).

Report by Area Committee Manager

The Area Committee Manager took Members through a report on the Commemoration of World War One.

He advised that the Argyll and Bute World War One Steering Group was formed to develop a commemoration programme to mark the centenary of the First World War for the Argyll and Bute Area.  He confirmed the Group is made up of elected members nominated by Area Committees, representatives of community councils, representatives of community groups and organisers of individual commemoration events.  He advised the Group is overseeing a programme of commemoration events marking each year of the First World War, sited across the authority area and having particular regard to elements of the armed forces or community impacted by World War One in the Argyll and Bute area.  The Group has also monitored progress towards laying a commemorative paving stone to mark the awards of the Victoria Cross for four individuals either from or with particular links to Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Committee:

1. Noted the work of the World War One Commemoration Steering Group; and
2. Noted the Council’s involvement in the project to lay a commemorative paving stone for each recipient of a Victoria Cross for action during World War One.

 (Ref:  Report by Area Committee Manager dated 29^th November 2016, submitted).