Venue: Inveraray Inn, Inveraray
Contact: Iona Campbell, Senior Committee Assistant; Tel: 01436 658 801
No. | Item |
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Apologies Minutes: The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. |
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Declarations of Interest Minutes: There were no declarations of interest intimated. |
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Minutes |
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Minutes: The Minute of the meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on Wednesday, 4 September 2019 was approved as a true record. |
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Public and Councillors Question Time Minutes: Councillor
Redman spoke of damp and mould issues at the Brauchgorm
housing estate on Islay. He advised that
as a resident he was aware of how difficult it had been to get the issues
resolved with West Highland Housing Association (WHHA), and had made many
representations on behalf of himself and other residents directly to the
Association, but to no avail. The
Committee Manager agreed to draft a letter on behalf of the Committee, asking
them to look into the issue. Councillor
Redman spoke of the poor condition of the Ballimony
Road on Islay and advised that despite reporting this issue through the
casebook system on a number of occasions since 2017, there has been no
satisfactory resolution. He asked
whether the Area Committee would consider taking this matter forward with the
appropriate officer. The Committee
Manager agreed to raise this matter with the Executive Director with responsibility
for Roads and Amenity Services. General
discussion was had in relation to reporting mechanisms for complaints,
particularly in relation to road issues and the use of the casebook system and
how this links with the new Roads Operations HUB. The Chair, Councillor Currie agreed to arrange
with the Head of Roads and Amenity Services a session on this, to possibly
include a visit to the HUB, at a future Business Day meeting. Councillor
Horn raised the issue of advertising meetings of the Area Committee, in the
local press and on social media platforms, to encourage participation by
Community Council’s and other interested parties. The Chair agreed that local organisations and
community groups within the area of the meeting venue, would be invited to
future meetings to outline initiatives and local issues. Councillor
Philand spoke of the reporting mechanisms for school updates and suggested that
a report for noting would be sufficient to meetings with local members
attending relevant schools for a more indepth report
at a convenient time. The Chair agreed
to look into the reporting mechanisms with Senior Management. Councillor
Colville spoke of the recent decision by CS Wind to scale back their services
in the Kintyre area. He outlined the
detrimental effect this is having on the local economy with the loss of over 80
jobs. He outlined the current
arrangements put in place by CS Wind to move the wind towers from the factory to the quayside in Campbeltown. This
includes night road closures, police escorts from the Glasgow abnormal loads
division by officers on their days off, so as not to take away from regular
duties, with the cars, fuel and accommodation all being paid for by CS
Wind. Councillor Colville explained that
the feeling locally is that there are more than enough local civil expertise to
assist these movements at a far less cost to CS Wind. He asked the Committee to support his case
and write to the relevant Government Minister expressing their concerns. The Committee Manager agreed to take this
forward. Councillor
Colville expressed his concerns that wooden barriers on roadside verges had
been erected on the North side of the Crinan Canal
bridge at Ardrishaig. He spoke of
similar barriers being removed a number of years ago as they had attributed to
fatal accidents and asked that the Area Committee write to BEAR Scotland and
Scottish Canals and ask them to consider removing them. The Committee Manager agreed to take this
matter forward. Councillor
Armour provided an update on the Machrihanish to Campbeltown mains water pipe. He confirmed that contractors were in place
and ready to begin work and that the work would involve minimal disruption in
the area. Councillor
Armour further advised that representatives from BEAR Scotland had recently met
with the farmer who complained that the erection of barriers had damaged
drains. He confirmed that BEAR Scotland
had advised that plans were on the way to rectify the situation. Councillor
Philand advised that further to his enquiries on the position of Environmental
Wardens in the MAKI area, he had been advised that there were none and that the
area relies on cross cover from other areas.
The Committee Manager agreed to enquire with the relevant department why
there was a gap in the MAKI provision and what plans were in place to address
it. Councillor
Taylor took the opportunity to provide Members with a short update on activity
in Inveraray. He advised of the
completion of the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) on buildings
such as Chamberlains and Temperance House and the avenue screen. He outlined some of the projects being taken
forward by the Community Council and the Community Company, which included the
reinstatement of the pier; the erection of a permanent fence around the town
hall and the ongoing work towards the installation of pontoons as a way of
increasing tourism in the area. Councillor MacMillan also highlighted the good work done by the Community Council in acquiring a new minibus. |
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Area Scorecard - FQ2 2019-20 Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Performance and Improvement Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report presenting the Area Report and Scorecard for Financial Quarter 2 2019/20 (July – September 2019) and illustrating the agreed performance measures. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed: 1. to note the performance reported on the Scorecard and supporting commentary;
2. that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report the Area Committee contact either the Responsible Named Officer or Sonya Thomas with any queries; and 3. to note that work is ongoing and to respond to Sonya Thomas with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the Report and Scorecard. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Performance and Improvement, dated 4 December 2019, submitted) |
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Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Infrastructure Services Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the Housing Services activity within the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area. Discussion took place in respect of the allocation of housing; shared equity opportunities for young families; welfare rights; housing stock transfer and the maintenance of current housing stock. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to note the content of the report. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 4th December 2019, submitted) |
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School Reports Annual Update |
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Campbeltown Grammar School Report by David Fyfe, Head Teacher Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a progress report providing information in relation to the school roll; levels of attainment in literacy and numeracy; school leaver destination returns; attainment for all; attendance, absence and exclusion rates and the recognition of wider achievements which included the continued success of the Brass and Pipe Band, the Sports Ambassador and World of Work Ambassador programmes. Discussion took place in respect of the Gambia project; staffing levels within the school and in particular within the modern languages department and PEF funding. Decision:
(Reference: Report by Head Teacher, Campbeltown Grammar School, submitted) |
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Lochgilphead High School Report by Ann Devine, Head Teacher Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a progress report which provided information on the school roll; levels of attainment in literacy and numeracy; school leaver destination returns; attainment for all; attendance, absence and exclusion rates and the recognition of wider achievements which included the development of Scotland’s Young Workforce Programme and the implementation of a Family Liaison Officer post, which has been a positive move for those who have difficulties in attending school through hardship or health issues. Discussion took place in respect of the impact on the loss of the external support in terms of the Community Development workers; the capacity of the school, particularly at S3 level and health issues of children within the school and in particular mental health issues. Decision
(Reference: Report by Head Teacher, Lochgilphead High School, submitted) |
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Report by Neil McKnight, Head Teacher Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a progress report providing information on the school roll; levels of attainment in literacy and numeracy; school leaver destination returns; attainment for all; attendance, absence and exclusion rates and the recognition of wider achievements which included the new accommodation for the early learning centre specifically designed to comply with the 1140h pre5 entitlement from October 2019. Discussion took place in respect of the school to work programmes; free school meals; the ongoing work with forest schools and the Castle Trust and the current staffing situation, particularly within the geography department. Decision
(Reference: Report by Head Teacher, Tarbert Academy, submitted) |
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Report by Stephen Harrison, Head Teacher Minutes: Due to technical difficulties, it was agreed to continue consideration of this item to the next meeting on 4 March 2020. |
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Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Annual Performance Report Report by Chief Officer with responsibility for the Health and Social Care Partnership Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to the Health and Social Care Partnership Annual Performance Report. Discussion took place in respect of the Locality Planning Groups and Conversation Café’s and how they feed into the Integrated Joint Board; the Community Mental Health review and the review of Child Mental Health services. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Chief Officer with Responsibility for Health and Social Care Partnership, dated 27 November 2019, submitted) |
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Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund - Tarbert Harbour Authority Car Park Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Infrastructure Services Additional documents:
Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report providing a full business case to progress with the proposed extension of the existing Tarbert Harbour Authority Car Park. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands
Area Committee noted and endorsed the contents of the report and recommended to
the Policy and Resources Committee: 1. the approval of
the full business case; 2. the release of
grant funding up to a maximum of £105,000 from the Tarbert and Lochgilphead
Regeneration Fund subject to: a)
Tarbert Harbour Authority providing
evidence of final tender costs and final confirmation that all match funding is
in place; b)
a grant agreement between Argyll and Bute Council and Tarbert Harbour Authority with funding only being released on the
basis that expenditure can be evidenced; c)
following completion of the new car park Tarbert Harbour Authority are not permitted to charge users for
parking on the site; d)
the new car park cannot be sold for a period of ten years from the
date of completion of the project; and 3. that delegated
authority be afforded to the Executive Director with responsibility for
Development and Economic Growth to confirm the details of the grant
agreement. (Ref: Report by
Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth,
dated 4 December 2019, submitted) |
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Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund - Lochgilphead Front Green; Argyll Street/Colchester Square; Ardrishaig North Public Realm Update Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund projects at Lochgilphead Front Green; Argyll Street/Colchester Square and Ardrishaig North Public Realm and providing a full business case to progress with the projects at Lochgilphead Front Green and Argyll Street/Colchester Square. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and
Islands Area Committee agreed to note the progress made with the projects
(including the decoupling of the Lochgilphead and Ardrishaig projects) and
recommend to the Policy and Resources Committee: 1.
that the draft Full Business Case is approved and that
the Council funding of up to £1,530,000 is confirmed for the Lochgilphead Front
Green and Colchester Square project from the Tarbert and Lochgilphead
Regeneration Fund; 2.
that approval of the final Full Business Case for
Lochgilphead is delegated to the Executive Director with responsibility for
Development and Economic Growth subject to it being demonstrated that this is
within the approved budget of Town Centre Fund and Tarbert and Lochgilphead
Regeneration Fund and to then move to implementation; and 3.
that delegated authority be afforded to the Executive
Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth for the
delivery of the project as per the agreed programme
(Appendix 1, Section 4). (Ref:
Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and
Economic Growth, dated 4 December 2019, submitted.) |
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Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Workplan Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Workplan. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the Workplan. (Reference: Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Workplan, dated 4 December 2019, submitted) |