Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

There were no Declarations of Interest intimated.

The Minute of the previous meeting held on 3 April, 2013 was approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the previous meetings held on 1 May, 2013 was approved as a true record.

Councillor Colville enquired on the report in regards the status of both the Mid Argyll Partnership (MAP) and the Kintyre Initiative Working Group (KIWG) and the Area Governance Manager advised that this will be submitted to the August Area Committee meeting..

Discussion ensued in regards the benefit of the Item Tracker coming to future Area Committees for discussion and review. 

Decision

Members agreed:

1. That an updated report on the status of both MAP and KIWG in the context of Community-Planning arrangements come to the MAKI August Area Committee    meeting.

2.That the Item Tracker would be included for noting and updating on future Area Committee agendas.

The Minute of the previous meeting held on 7 May, 2013 was noted.

The Chair invited questions from Members and the public in attendance.

Councillor Currie highlighted the further deterioration of the A83 particularly on the stretch of the Trunk  road at Inveraray. 

Decision

Members agreed to invite representation from BEAR to the next MAKI Area Committee in August which is being held on Gigha to discuss their improvement plans etc for the MAKI Trunk Road network.

Report by Head Teacher.

The Committee gave consideration to a report updating Members on Campbeltown Grammar School.

Discussion followed in regards Curriculum for Excellence and the resulting impact on future pupil attainments.  In addition, the Committee reinforced their concerns on falling school rolls and difficulties encountered in the recruitment of teaching staff to the local area.

The Chair thanked Catriona Hood for her informative report and wished her every success in her new role in Campbeltown. 

Decision

Members agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Head Teacher, 25 May 2013, submitted)

Report by IOD Programme Manager.

The Committee gave consideration to a report on the Kintyre Emergency.

Discussion followed in regards the potential benefit of sending out a questionnaire to gauge responses of people affected by the Emergency and the need to identify people with good local knowledge.

The Head of Improvement and HR informed Members of future training being devised by the Scottish Government.  This training would be specifically tailored to define elected Members roles in local emergencies. 

Councillor McAlpine highlighted the need to identify ‘local storage hubs’ for emergency equipment and stressed the need for Argyll and Bute Council to agree the use of local schools for this purpose.

The Chair thanked Jane Fowler for her attendance and informative update.  

Decision

Members agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by the Head of Improvement and HR, dated 5 June 2013, submitted)

Report by the Quality Improvement Manager.

The Committee gave consideration to a report updating Members on the detail of work being undertaken in MAKI Primary Schools.

Further discussion was given to the comparison in performance by local schools and the potential for future reports to update local Members on these statistics.

Decision

Members agreed:-

1.To note the report, and

2.That the Quality Improvement Officer would liaise with the Quality Improvement

Manager in regards the inclusion of performance and attainment information on Primary Schools across the area in future reports.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director of Community Services, dated 6 May 2013, submitted)

There was no report for Members on this issue.

Decision

Members agreed that the Chair would write to the Head of Adult Services voicing concern on behalf of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee at the lack of response to numerous requests for a report and update to the Area Committee.

Report by the Head of Improvement and HR.

The Committee gave consideration to a report updating Members on the Area Scorecard exceptional performance for the Financial Quarter 4, 2012-13.

Discussion followed and Members detailed their concerns in regards the procedure of recording statistics, road defects, education issues and more information on ‘Better Neighbourhoods’.

Decision

Members agreed:-

1.To defer review and further discussion of the Area Scorecards to the September  Business Day,

2.That the Area Governance Manager would review statistics with the  Streetscene

Manager and provide further information on Better Neighbourhoods, and

3.That the Roads Performance Manager would review the road defects statistics and

report back to the next Area Committee in August.  

(Reference: Report by Head of Improvement and HR, dated 5 June, 2013, submitted).

Report by Area Team Leader – Planning and Development.

The Committee gave consideration to a report updating Members on the Performance of the MAKI Development Management for the period April, 2012- March, 2013.

Decision

Members agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Area Team Leader, 14 May 2013, submitted)

Report by the Community Development Manager.

The Committee gave consideration to a report to determine their funding priorities for Third Sector Grants  for 2014/15 onwards.

Decision

Members agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Community Development Manager, 5 June 2013, submitted)

Report by the Community Development Manager.

The Committee gave consideration to a report updating Members on the way that funding has been apportioned and detailing the end of year monitoring reports.

Decision

Members agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Community Development Manager, 5 June 2013,  submitted)

Councillor MacMillan advised the Committee that Audrey Baird was leaving her post in the MAKI area and expressed his thanks for all the effort, hard work and commitment that Audrey had invested in her Community Development work,

The Chair reiterated Councillor MacMillan’s comments and expressed thanks on behalf of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee to Audrey and wished her every success in her new position.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services.

The Committee considered a report providing an update on outstanding road-related issues in the MAKI area.

Discussion continued in regards the on-going flooding problem in Campbeltown and the Roads Performance Manager informed Members of further investigative work and a forthcoming meeting with Scottish Water to endeavour to find a resolution on this issue. 

Decision

Members agreed:-

1.To note the report,

2.That the Roads Performance Manager would ascertain the status of the Mandatory

  Speed Limits and report back to Members,  

3.That the Roads Performance Manager would request from BEAR a works

   programme and provide this detail to Members.

4.That an invite would be proffered to BEAR to attend the MAKI Area Committee in

   August, and

5.That the Area Governance Manager would compile a list of road issue concerns

   from Members and provide this to BEAR prior to their attendance at the August

   Area Committee. 

(Reference: Reports by Roads Performance Manager, dated 7 May 2013, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services.

The Committee gave consideration to a report updating Members on recycling services in the Kintyre area.

Further discussion was given in regards the following:-

Provision of recycling statistics data

Kintyre Recycling – employees and site facility

Decision

Members agreed:-

1. To note the report, and 

2. That a report on the Bengullion Road site be brought to the MAKI August Area

    Committee meeting.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director  - Development & Infrastructure Services, 5 June 2013, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services.

The Committee gave consideration to a report updating Members on the current position in regards previously agreed capital receipts funding for local projects.

Decision

Members agreed to a further 12 month commitment for the Ardrishaig Regeneration Masterplan, which would extend to June, 2014.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director  - Customer Services, 13 May, 2013, 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.

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services.

The Committee gave consideration to a report advising Members of a request received for vehicular access across land belonging to the Council.

Decision

Members agreed to the recommendation contained within the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director  - Development & Infrastructure Services, 8 May, 2013, submitted)