Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated by Councillors Donald Kelly and John McAlpine. 

Councillor Colville declared a non-financial interest in Agenda item 11, by reason that he is the Chair of South Kintyre Development Trust (SKDT) who had submitted representation to proposals.  He left the room and took no part in the discussion thereon.    

The minute of the previous meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee held on 3 August 2016 was approved as a true record. 

Councillor Horn enquired about the possibility of a restricted speed limit on the A83 at Tayinloan.  She advised that she had received a number of queries from constituents in this regard.  Councillor Colville agreed that the road is fast moving and for those that are unaware of the area, they are not aware of the number of residences on both sides of the road and the possibility of pedestrians.  Councillor Colville suggested that a simple warning sign be erected, similar to the one between the villages of Minard and Lochgair.  Keith Murray, the Area Manager for the A83 confirmed that he would look into the possibility of erecting appropriate signage in this area.  

Update by Regional Communities Manager, Scottish Water

The Committee considered a report indicating the level of investment in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area in terms of water; waste water; and flooding over the next 18 months to 2 years.  Discussion took place in respect of planned investment and operational issues, flood alleviation proposals for Tarbert and a response was provided to a question on capacity issues on Jura.

Decision:

Members agreed:

1.    to note the contents of the report; and

2.    to make a written submission to Scottish Water regarding the severity and seriousness of flooding issues in Tarbert requesting that the timescale for resolution of this matter be escalated.

(Ref:  Report by Scottish Water, dated 5 October 2016, submitted.)

Report by Head Teacher

The Committee considered a report which outlined the curriculum development and wider achievement of the school together with SQA performance; attendance, absence and exclusion rate and school leaver destination returns.  Members were particularly pleased with the work of the school specifically highlighting work of the Learning Unit, and were encouraged by  the work being carried out to develop the young workforce. 

The Chair thanked Ms Devine for the information provided.

Decision:

Members agreed to note the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services, dated 5 October 2016, submitted.)

Report by Head Teacher

The Committee considered a report which outlined the curriculum development and wider achievement of the school together with SQA performance; attendance, absence and exclusion rate and school leaver destination returns.  Members discussed the use of Insight with particular interest in the virtual comparator information and commended the school for the literacy and numeracy results.    

The Chair thanked Mr McKnight for the information provided.

Decision:

Members agreed to note the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services, dated 5 October 2016, submitted.)

Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report highlighting the progress of the works in relation to the new schools redevelopment project at Campbeltown Grammar School.  Members were pleased to note that the project is now in the construction phase with a view to completion in March 2018. 

Decision:

Members agreed:

1.    to note the contents of the report;

2.    noted that update reports will be provided for consideration at all future MAKI Area Committee meetings until completion of the New Schools Redevelopment Project for Campbeltown Grammar School; and

3. Agreed that a visit by Members to the redevelopment site will take place the next time the Area Committee is due to meet in Campbeltown, which is expected to be on 1^st February 2017.

(Ref:  Report by Acting Executive Director of Community Services, dated 5 October 2016, submitted.)

Update by Chief Executive, ACHA

The Committee gave consideration to a presentation by Alistair MacGregor, Chief Executive of ACHA, which outlined the investment programme in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands from stock transfer to 31 March 2016; the new build programme and the key challenges faced; the ongoing partnership work with the Scottish Government and Argyll and Bute Council on a number of projects; the progress of the ongoing CARS project in Inveraray and the agreement to continue facilitating ACHA’s Welfare Rights Service.  Mr MacGregor outlined the office and staffing arrangements of ACHA.  Discussion took place in respect of a number of local issues in Campbeltown, Inveraray and Tarbert.  Mr MacGregor agreed to look into a number of matters and provide feedback directly to Members.   

The Chair thanked Mr MacGregor for the information provided. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the presentation.

(Ref:  Presentation by Chief Executive of ACHA, submitted.)

Update by Networks Manager, Transport Scotland

The Committee gave consideration to an update on progress of A83 route study recommendations by the Area Manager for A83 of Transport Scotland. 

Discussion took place in respect of the changing structure of Transport Scotland, with Mr Murray agreeing to forward the new structure to the Senior Area Committee Assistant for reference; the future works at both Strone Point, Inveraray and Erines, Tarbert and the timescales involved particularly at Erines, Tarbert. 

The Chair thanked Mr Murray for the information provided.

Decision:

Members agreed:

1.    to note the contents of the report; and

2.    that the concerns of the Area Committee in relation to seriousness of the current situation at Erines, Tarbert be outlined to the Head of Roads and Amenity Services, with a view to these being fed back into the liaison meetings between the Council’s Roads and Amenity Services and Transport Scotland and as part of the current consultation taking place in respect of Transport Scotland’s review of special projects.. 

(Ref:  Report by Area Manager for A83, Transport Scotland, dated 5 October 2016, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining the roads revenue budget position at the end of quarter 1 of financial year 2016/17. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the contents of the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 5 October 2016, submitted.)

At 1.00pm, the Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed, to adjourn for lunch and to reconvene at 1.30pm.

The Committee reconvened at 1.30pm, with all Members present as per the sederunt.

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Having previously declared an interest in the following item, Councillor Colville left  the room and took no part in discussion of this item.  In his absence, the Vice Chair, Councillor MacMillan assumed the role of Chair.  

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Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing three options available in regards to the provision of a taxi rank in Campbeltown.

Discussion took place in respect of the possible road safety issues relating to option (ii).  Members expressed concern that these have not been given adequate consideration as per the minuted discussion at the previous meeting of the Area Committee and are nor referred to in the report submitted for consideration.      

Decision:

Members agreed that consideration of this item be continued to a Special Area Committee meeting to be convened  on Wednesday 2 November 2016, to allow officers to come back with further information and possible solutions in respect of the road safety concerns raised by members at the August Area Committee meeting. . 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 5 October 2016.)

Councillor Colville re-entered the meeting and resumed his position as Chair.

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Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing a revised area-based Economic Development Action Plan, which aligned to the four priorities outlined in Scotland’s Economic Strategy and to the feedback received from participants during the short consultation period in May and June 2016, where it was identified that there was a requirement for the preparation of a refreshed overarching Argyll and Bute Strategic EDAP to replace the current 2013-2018 document.

Decision: 

Members agreed:

1.    to note the contents of the paper;

2.    to endorse the plan as a working document, as outlined at Appendix 1 of the report; and

3.    to note the content of the draft Strategic EDAP as outlined at Appendix 2 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 5 October 2016, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Community Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining proposals for allocating the surplus CHORD funds in line with the report that was approved by  the Policy and Resources Committee on 18 August 2016 which delegated the allocation of any CHORD surplus funds to Area Committees to approve in accordance with the original CHORD objectives. 

Decision:

Members agreed:

1.    to note the contents of the report;

2.    to approve Option CN01 which is to transfer the surplus funds to the HES CARS initiative that will be managed by the Transformation Project and Regenerations Team within EDST; and

3.    requested that the Transformation Project and Regenerations Team bring recommendations on applications to the HES and CARS initiative to the MAKI Area Committee for approval.  

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 5 October 2016, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining a number of items of furniture that have been identified as meeting the terms of the protocol for dealing with furniture and memorabilia which have been identified as part of office refurbishment/rationalisations. 

Decision:

Members agreed:

1.    that the items of furniture be valued; and

2.    that a report be brought to the Special Area Committee, which is to be convened  on Wednesday 2 November 2016 outlining the value of the furniture and possible options. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 5 October 2016, submitted.)

 For noting and updating

Members gave consideration to the item tracker.

Decision:

Members agreed to note the item tracker. 

(Ref:  Item Tracker, dated 5 October 2016, submitted.)