Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were intimated from Councillors Kelly, McAlpine and Philand.

 Councillor Sandy Taylor declared a non-financial interest in item 8 (b) of the agenda (Third Sector Grants) by reason that he is Treasurer and Secretary of the Move On Mid Argyll (Mo-Ma) group, but did not consider that the interest should prevent him from taking part in consideration of the item. 

The Chair, Councillor Colville declared a non-financial interest in item 16 of the agenda (Kintyre Area Development Group dispersal of remaining funds) by reason that he ihas a connection with the group named in the report.  He left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of this item of business.

The Minute of the previous meeting, held on 3 June 2015 was approved as a true record.

Matters Arising:-

Councillor Currie enquired as to the position in relation to the sign as you enter the village of Craighouse on the Isle of Jura.  The Contracts Manager advised that the sign is working, however the Vodafone signal is patchy.  Mr Clark advised that discussions were currently ongoing with a view to accessing a BT line, which should resolve the matter.  The Chair requested that the Senior Area Committee Assistant log this issue through the Members Portal and asked that all Members be copied into the response. 

Councillor Currie enquired as to the status of discussions between the Leader of the Council and the Area Chair in respect of arranging a suitable date and time for a presentation on ferry performance in the MAKI area.  The Chair advised that this had not yet been actioned.  Councillor Armour requested that this be dealt with as a matter of urgency as the ferry service between Campbeltown and Ardrossan was due to conclude at the end of September.  The Chair agreed to speak with the Leader of the Council later in the day. 

Mr John Reid asked a question in relation to the sourcing of materials and associated costs in respect of the CHORD projects throughout Argyll and Bute.  Mr Reid was particularly concerned over the cost of granite, which he believed would need to be sourced from India and China.  He expressed concern over whether this was economically friendly.  Mr Reid advised that he was aware that a tender was about to be accepted by the Council in this regard and that the works were scheduled to begin in October in Oban.  He requested that the Area Committee put forward a recommendation to all Councillors asking them to give consideration to using cheaper, locally sourced materials.  General discussion took place in respect of the Council’s Procurement procedures, with Mr Reid expressing concern over the timescales involved.  The Chair reminded Mr Reid that the MAKI Area Committee can only deal with issues in the MAKI area but requested that the Area Committee Manager pass the concerns raised by Mr Reid to the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee and to Policy and Resources Committee for their consideration.

Report by Integrated Health and Social Care Team

The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining the progress on the action undertaken to establish the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership.  The report highlighted the approval of the Integration Scheme by the Scottish Government, the production of the 3 year Strategic Plan 2015/16 to 2019/20, the agreement of the new integrated management structure and the outline of the integrated budget for the new Health and Social Care Partnership to manage from 1 April 2016.  General discussion took place in respect of interim arrangements, care in the community, partnership working,  IT infrastructure, the sharing of information in a safe and appropriate way, the involvement and education of young persons and engagement with the Third Sector Interface and other Third Sector organisations.   

Decision

Members agreed to note the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Community Services, dated 5 August 2015, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

 The Committee considered a report which outlined exceptional performance for financial quarter 1 of financial year 2015/16.  Discussion took place as to how the integration of Health and Social Care would feed into Pyramid.  The Chief Officer of Health and Social Care advised that the Integrated Joint Board are keen to adopt Pyramid and add other performance measures to build a more comprehensive scorecard.  

Further discussion took place in respect of the disparity in figures relating to delayed discharges and to the recruitment and retention of staff in respect of care in the community.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to request an update in respect of the recruitment and retention group from the Area Manager and provide Members with the information by email.  

Decision

Members agreed:

1.    to note the contents of the report; and

2.    to include the additional monthly Delayed Discharge measures on the Area Scorecard.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 5 August 2015, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Community Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining the framework of main holiday, in-service and occasional dates for schools in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area for 2016/17.  Members noted the disparity in the dates for Tarbert Academy and Rhunahaorine and Gigha Primary Schools which could cause difficulty for parents.  The Area Committee Manager agreed to seek clarity in this regard and provide Members with the information by email.  Having noted that information in relation to Colonsay Primary School was missing from the report, Members requested that the Area Committee Manager contact the Head of Education and request that all future Education reports include information on Colonsay Primary School. 

Decision

Members agreed:-

1.    to endorse the final pattern of school holiday and in-service days for session 2016/17 subject to clarification being received on the dates for Tarbert Academy, Rhunahaorine Primary and Gigha Primary; and

2.    that once this is confirmed, the details of school holidays and in-service days for 2016/17 should be circulated to schools and all relevant organisations. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Community Services, dated 5 August 2015, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Community Services

The Committee considered a report which detailed the recommendations for the award of Third Sector Grants to Third Sector organisations in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area.  The Community Development Officer advised that since the publication of the agenda, a refund of money had been received from a group who were unable to complete their project and after consultation with the Chair she had amended the grant recommendations to reflect the additional funds available.  An amended report was circulated for Members consideration.

Decision

Members agreed to award the grants as undernoted:-

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Community Services, dated 5 August 2015, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Community Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report highlighting how the funding from grants to the Third Sector was spent in 2014/15.  Having noted difficulties in relation to the submission of the monitoring report for the Moving On Mid Argyll group (MO-MA), Members agreed that the report should be circulated when it is available and that the group would not be disadvantaged in terms of applying for future funding.

Decision

Members agreed:-

1.    to note the contents of the report; and

2.    that Organisations who do not submit an end of project monitoring report will not be eligible for funding from this grant scheme in future years.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Community Services, dated 5 August 2015, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing a summary of the various issues raised by Members at the car parking review workshop, held earlier this year, and a programme for the parking review and consultation process.  Discussion took place in respect of the Esplanade in Campbeltown, the possible pedestrianisation of Harvey’s Lane, Campbeltown and lorry parks in the Mid Argyll area.  The Contracts Manager agreed to confirm the exact stage of discussions in relation to the coach/lorry park in Inveraray and provide Members with the information by email.

Mr Clark outlined the consultation process , he advised that not every item contained in the report required to be consulted on.  Mr Clark agreed to email Members outlining the detail of the consultation, the timescales involved and offer an opportunity for Members to provide feedback prior to the consultation being issued.

Decision

Members agreed:-

1.    to note the contents of the report; and

2.    to approve the consultation with Community Councils and Stakeholders. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 5 August 2015.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report which provided an update on the ongoing discussions in relation to flooding issues in Campbeltown; an update on the work carried out by the Flooding Working Group; and information on the Scottish Government’s latest flood risk management initiative.  Discussion was had in relation to the possibility of a preferential purchase scheme, as a means to assisting homeowners in the MAKI area with the physical protection of their properties. 

Decision

Members agreed:-

1.    to note the contents of the report; and

2.    requested that the Contracts Manager provide feedback on the possibility of a  preferential purchase scheme to the Area Committee meeting in October.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 5 August 2015, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report advising on the current actions being taken to deal with the level of complaints regarding dog fouling.  General discussion took place in respect of the need for greater enforcement and in particular the possibility of naming and shaming those fined for dog fouling.  

Decision

Members agreed:

1.    to note the contents of the report;

2.    to make a recommendation to Council, that work is undertaken to explore the possibility of a programme of naming and shaming individuals who are fined for dog fouling; and

3.    to request that the Head of Roads and Amenity Services provide a report clarifying enforcement procedures within the MAKI area to the Business Day meeting in September. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 5 August 2015, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report, outlining a request from Campbeltown Running Club to form a 200m x 2m running track at the Meadows Playing Fields in Campbeltown. 

Decision

Members agreed:

1.    to note the contents of the report; and

2.    to support the proposal from Campbeltown Running Club and requests the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services to proceed with the necessary arrangements to allow it to proceed as outlined in the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 5 August 2015, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

Members considered a report outlining the development and preparation, and seeking approval of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Economic Development Action Plan 2015/16.  Discussion was had in relation to various aspects of the plan including the  Kilmartin Museum and the Bowmore Masterplan; the ferry services within the area and the role that tourism plays within the area.  It was agreed that the Plan would be updated to reflect the change in circumstance for the Kilmartin Museum project and also to acknowledge that Phase 2 of the Bowmore Masterplan was now underway.

Members noted that the EDAP is a working document, which can be updated and amended as it progresses. 

Decision

Members agreed:-

1.    to note the contents of the report; and

2.    to endorse the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Economic Development Action Plan, 2015/16.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 5 August 2015, submitted.) 

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report highlighting an area for action, in relation to project governance, following an Audit Review of the CHORD Programme in February 2015.   

Decision

Members agreed to note the contents of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 5 August 2015, submitted.)

For noting and updating

The Committee considered the item tracker.  Having noted that the Patient Transport Policy was now available, Members requested that this be brought to the October Area Committee meeting.  In light of discussions at item 10, Members agreed that Flooding Protection be added to the tracker, with an update to be provided by the Contracts Manager on the possibility of preferential purchase scheme at the October Area Committee meeting.  Members also requested that Flooding in Campbeltown remains on the tracker until such time as the situation has been rectified.  

Decision

Members agreed to note the item tracker.

(Ref:  Item Tracker, dated 5 August 2015, submitted.)

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

Having previously declared a non-financial interest in the following item, the Chair, Councillor Colville left the meeting and took no part in discussion of this item.  Councillor MacMillan assumed the role of Chair in Councillor Colville’s absence. 

Report by Executive Director of Community Services

The Committee considered a report seeking approval to wind up the Kintyre Area Development Group and for the disbursement of the remaining funds to an organisation that matches, as far as possible, the remit and geographical area of the Kintyre ADG. 

Decision

Members agreed to the recommendations outlined in the report.:

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Community Services, dated 5 August 2015, submitted.)

Councillor Colville re-entered the meeting and resumed the role of Chair. 

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services.

The Committee considered a report on recent progress of the Inveraray Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) and a recommendation that three offers of grant be made to assist with the cost of repair works.  Members noted that the grant applications are fully compliant with the CARS project criteria and that the grants would be awarded subject to the necessary formal approvals, such as Listed Building consent, being in place. 

Decision

Members agreed to the recommendations outlined in the report.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 5 August 2015, submitted.)

Councillor MacMillan left the meeting at 12.40pm

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report regarding the Old Courthouse, 5 Bolgam Street, Campbeltown. 

Decision

Members agreed to the recommendations outlined in the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 5 August 2015, submitted.)