Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of the following:-

Chief Inspector Marlene Baillie, Audrey Baird and Stuart Irvine.

Councillor Alison Hay, Councillor Anne Horn and Councillor Douglas Philand declared non financial interests in relation to the Third Sector Grant applications listed below:-

Councillor Hay: 2.14 (Directof of Kilmartin House Museum) and 2.25 (Friend of Mid Argyll Music Festival

Councillor Philand: 2.28 (Mid Argyll Youth Develoment Services)    

Councillor Horn: 2.36 (Director of Tarbert and Skipness Community Trust)

The Minute of the previous meeting held on 1 February 2012 was approved as a true and correct record subject to the following amendment:-

Item 5. Community Services – Islay High School report

Councillor John Semple enquired on the effects of the school roll on Curriculum for Excellence.

Matters Arising:

Councillor John McAlpine enquired on the status of his enquiry in regards to the recent qualifications which pupils had attained.

Theresa McLetchie replied that she had emailed the Head Teacher, Stephen Harrison for an update.  As yet, she had not received a reply, but would make further contact. 

Councillor Donald Kelly reported recent incidences of youths rampaging and marauding through residents properties in the Dalaruan and Carlton area of Campbeltown.  Inspector Harper advised on the remedial action undertaken by Strathclyde Police.  This had entailed local police engaging with the youths, contacting their parents by means of ‘alert scheme letters and instigating a high police presence in the area. Councillor Kelly requested regular updates from Strathclyde Police on this issue.     

Councillor Kelly highlighted the need for further remedial works on the A83.  Stewart Clark detailed the procedure undertaken by Argyll and Bute Council to prioritise works on local roads. 

Councillor Kelly requested that a letter of commendation be written on behalf of the MAKI Area Committee to Campbeltown Brass Band on their recent success in London.

Action:  Alison Younger to write to Campbeltown Brass Band to congratulate  their recent success.

Councillor John Semple highlighted a recent anonymous letter in the Courier and enquired if Strathclyde Police could provide crime statistics to indicate where Campbeltown were placed in a league of small towns on the west coast, to perhaps allay the fears of the local community and  offer some assurance.  Inspector Harper was unsure if the Police could provide the information that Councillor Semple had requested as the data was not collected in that way. 

Councillor Currie reported on recent disturbances by youths in Tayinloan.  Inspector Harper replied that the Police were aware of the problem and were dealing with this.

Councillor Colville advised on similar problems in New St, Campbeltown.  Inspector Harper stated that this was due in part to a local tenant.  The police were again aware of this and had instigated moves to address this.

Councillor Kelly stated that ACHA had advised that the best course of action to tackle anti-social behaviour due to tenancts  was to make representation to the Scottish Government regarding the implications of the Housing Act.  He detailed recent cases whereby reports on problematic tenants to ACHA had not been fully resolved.

Councillor Kelly requested that a paper be brought forward in due course regarding this issue.  Councillor Semple noted  a current consultation was underway by the Scottish Government into how Housing Assocations dealt with tenancies and that representation could be made about this issue.

Members considered a request made by Ardrishaig Community Council to rename the local playpark.

Decision:

The Committee agreed to the renaming of the playpark – “Bayview” – as detailed in the report.

(Reference: Report by the Area Governance Manager – submitted).

Councillor Horn left the room during this issue.

Members considered a report outlining the background to The Big Lunch event and proposals on how the Council can support this as part of the celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Councillor Alison Hay requested more detail on the proposals to support the Big Lunch event.

Action:  The Area Governance manager would provide more detail to Members.

Decision:

Members agreed to the recommendations 2.1 and 2.2 detailed within the report.

(Reference: Report by the Executive Director – Customer Services – submitted).

Councillor Horn returned to the meeting.

Councillor Alison Hay and Councillor Douglas Philand, having declared a non financial interest in relation to the Third Sector Grant applications left the room and took no part in the discussion of this item.

Members considered a report from the Community Development Manager detailing the recommendations for the award of Third Sector Grants.

Decision:

1..        The Committee agreed that the following recommended grants are increased  and agreed:-

To increase the grant funding for (2.17) -  Kintyre Juvenile Pipe band Association to £1000

To increase the grant funding for (2.18) - Kintyre Six Circle Group to £750

To increase the grant funding for (2.26) - Mid Argyll Transport Volunteers to £1200

To increase the grant funding for (2.28) - Mid Argyll Youth Development Services to £1200

To increase the grant funding for (2.33) - South Islay Development to £1500

To increase the grant funding for (2.37) - Tarbert Music Festival Association to £2000   

and that all other grants are awarded as per the recommendations within the paper.  

2.          A workshop would be held at a MAKI Business Day to discuss the following:-

a. Prioritising areas for consideration of future grants

b. Consideration of  the assessment process

(Reference: Report by the Community Development Manager – submitted).

Members heard from the Quaity Standards Manager on the proposal for primary school reporting as being the appropriate mechanism for the reporting of the achievements of primary schools.

Decision:

1.      Education Scotland (HMIE) reports on individual schools to be presented to the relevant area committee by the headteacher following the report’s publication.

2.      The Quality Improvement Officer(s) for the schools in each cluster attends the Area Committee on an annual basis to provide a brief update on issues pertaining to the schools in the area, e.g. awards, new appointments or major curriculum developments.

(Reference: Report by the Quality Standards Manager – submitted).

Councillor Kelly left the meeting during this item.

The Committee considered a report providing updates on outstanding and ongoing road-related issues in the MAKI area.

The Contracts Manager replied to Members enquires in regards the following issues:

Kilmahoe Road

Kilberry Road – Work plans

School Road, Tarbert

Carradale-Skipness Road

Southend - consultation with local community prior to work programme being commenced  

Action: Stewart Clark would endeavour to address these issues and disseminate the plans for Kilberry Road to Members.

Decision:

The Committee requested that:

1.      Additional information regarding the scoring process to determine road

Priorities be provided to Members.

2.      Upon completion, the extended works programme is provided to

      Members   

(Reference: Report by the Contracts Manager - submitted).

Members considered a report providing an update on ongoing renewables work and developments in the MAKI Area.

Decision:

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by the Projects and Renewables Manager – submitted).

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the 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 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Members considered a report advising on the outcome of the recent marketing for sale of the Clock Lodge.

Decision:

The Committee agreed to the recommendations contained within the report.

(Reference: Report by the Senior Estates Surveyor – submitted).  

Valedictory

The Chari thanked Members of the Committee for their support and hard work over the term of the Council and thanked those staff and personnel who provided support to, and had attended, the Committee over the last 5 years.