Agenda and minutes

Prior to the commencement of business, the Chair made the following tribute to the late Councillor Robin Currie:

Before we move to the formal business I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to our colleague and our friend, Robin Currie, who passed away so very suddenly on 9th May.

I think it is fair to say that many of us are still in a great deal of shock and sadness at his passing. I believe that deep sense of loss will remain with us for some time to come, and that is testament to the regard in which we held Robin. 

We have lost a councillor who had given almost four decades of service to the communities he was so proud to represent.

Those communities have lost a dedicated champion who sought always to do for them the very best that he could. 

This council has lost many, many years of experience, knowledge, passion and commitment. Robin was renowned for being a fiercely proud Ileach, but he also championed those who lived in other rural and island communities, recognising that they needed a strong voice that understood their special opportunities and challenges. He was every bit as dedicated to fighting for local issues as he was to calling attention to Argyll and Bute’s wider challenges. 

Robin leaves big boots to fill, and a powerful legacy on which to build. To look at just one example - housing in particular was, for Robin, more than a challenge to overcome; it was a passion, a desperate need, one which he recognised and one where he absolutely led the way. It is thanks to Robin that this council was the first to declare a housing emergency. It is thanks to Robin that many remote, rural and island communities today are seeing new homes coming to life. We owe it to his memory, and to all that he worked for, to ensure that work continues. That was Robin’s intention, it is fair to say his life’s work, and it will be our honour to ensure it keeps going.

Most importantly, we have lost a kind, gentle, fair and good-humoured man who placed importance on listening first, who took time to support new councillors, or to reach out to anyone facing their own personal challenges.  We have heard so many stories about Robin, his sense of fun, his enjoyment of life on Islay, as well as his commitment to the communities he represented, but above all his kindness. He is very much missed, he will be missed for some considerable time to come, but he will be remembered with fondness and much gratitude.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence.  

Councillor Dougie Philand, prior to consideration of agenda item 10 (Supporting Communities Fund 2024/25), declared an interest in an application from the Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Mid Argyll, as a Board Member for the organisation. Having sought advice from the Governance Manager, Councillor Philand advised that he would leave the meeting during this item if applications to the Fund were considered by Members on an individual basis.

The Minute of the meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on 28 February 2024, was approved as a correct record.

Councillor Tommy MacPherson joined the meeting during discussion of the following item.

The Governance Manager advised that there had been no public questions submitted in advance of the meeting. Having noted that there were members of the public in attendance, the Chair invited them to submit any questions they may have.

Rickeera Kaur (Present)

Ms Kaur asked the following question to the Committee:

“Given the appalling racist opinions that have been shared publicly by some Councillors, how can residents of Argyll be assured that these prejudices do not affect decision making forums within Council processes? We’re particularly concerned given the targeting of minority groups. Our community are concerned about the influence that that will have on our resettlement projects that have been successful in Argyll, and we’re seeking to know the Council’s views and actions relating to this and views and actions relating to the ongoing genocide in Gaza.”

The Governance Manager agreed to feedback this question to the Council Leader and Council Administration, and to provide a response to this query following the meeting. Ms Kaur asked for clarification of how this information would be shared with the community, and the Governance Manager confirmed that an answer would be provided following the meeting to Ms Kaur and the Committee Members by e-mail which could be disseminated by them to any interested parties. 

David Moncrieff (Present)

Mr Moncrieff advised the Committee that he had asked a question about school transport safety concerns at the last meeting, and had received a response from the Council advising that the safety and wellbeing of children were the Council’s top priority. He advised that following this response, he had sent further e-mails to Elected Members, which he had discovered were being intercepted by the Council. He advised that he would be taking this forward as a Data Protection concern. Mr Moncrieff confirmed that he had received clarification from the Scottish Government that school transport was the responsibility of local government authorities. Mr Moncrieff outlined the reasons that he disagreed with the Council’s response to his question, and advised that he felt that the Council were knowingly endangering school children, and deliberately thwarting Scottish Government guidance in relation to seatbelts on school transport. The Chair and Governance Manager advised that a response had already been provided to this question by the Council, even if Mr Moncrieff did not agree with the answer provided.

Mr Moncrieff advised that, at the last meeting of the Committee, the previous Chair of the Committee had provided assurances to Mr Moncrieff that an answer would be provided to all of his questions, however he felt that only of the questions had been answered. The Chair advised that a response had been provided to Mr Moncrieff via the Council’s Customer Contact Centre on 15 March 2024, and on this basis he was content that all of Mr Moncrieff’s previous questions had been responded to. The Chair advised that he was happy for Mr Moncrieff to ask any further questions that did not relate to the questions to which an answer had already been provided.

Mr Moncrieff advised that he had not been provided with answers to the questions which he had raised previously. The Governance Manager outlined a history of the responses which had been provided to Mr Moncrieff previously, and agreed to provide a summary of this to Mr Moncrieff by e-mail via the Council’s Customer Contact Centre following the meeting.

Mr Moncrieff asked the Committee to confirm that all child safety seats on the Council’s school transport vehicles were being checked to ensure that they were fit for purpose and only being used within the manufacturer’s recommended dates of use. The Governance Manager agreed to feedback this question to the relevant officers following the meeting, and to provide a response to Members and Mr Moncrieff via the Council’s Customer Contact Centre.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee heard from Ms Donnelly, Acting Head Teacher of Campbeltown Grammar School, who spoke to the school report which had been provided to Members.  The report included information on S3 ACEL attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; and data from Insight Scotland.  Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment; and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided.

Decision:

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Ms Donnelly for her informative presentation and noted the contents of the report and information provided. 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 5 June 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee heard from Mr Harrison, Head Teacher of Islay High School, who spoke to the school report which had been provided to Members.  The report included information on S3 ACEL attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; and data from Insight Scotland.  Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment; and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided.

The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, wished Mr Harrison well in his retirement.

Decision:

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Mr Harrison for his informative presentation and noted the contents of the report and information provided. 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 5 June 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee heard from Mr Helbert, Head Teacher of Lochgilphead Joint Campus, who spoke to the school report which had been provided to Members.  The report included information on S3 ACEL attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; and data from Insight Scotland.  Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment; and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided.

Decision:

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Mr Helbert for his informative presentation and noted the contents of the report and information provided. 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 5 June 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee heard from Mr McKnight, Head Teacher of Tarbert Academy, who spoke to the school report which had been provided to Members.  The report included information on S3 ACEL attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; and data from Insight Scotland.  Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment; and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided.

The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, wished Mr McKnight well in his retirement.

Decision:

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Mr McKnight for his informative presentation and noted the contents of the report and information provided. 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 5 June 2024, submitted)

Report by Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

Consideration was given to the Health and Social Care Partnership Performance Reports for financial quarters 3 and 4 of 2023/24.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee considered and noted the Performance Reports for financial quarters 3 and 4 of 2023/24.

(Reference: Report by Business Improvement Manager, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated 5 June 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided links to the recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure Services. The report also provided an update on works on the B8001 Claonaig Road; the Campbeltown Flood Prevention Scheme; and the replacement of ‘Wall A’ at Campbeltown Harbour.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated May 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided a short update on the works which had been carried out to identify a suitable site for building a new cemetery for Kintyre.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee:

1.    noted the remaining availability at Kilkerran Cemetery, which officers estimate will be less than 8 years;

2.    noted the proposed cemetery development adjacent to the current Kilkerran Cemetery, the positive discussions with the land owner, and the rejection by the Kings Harbour Master and the MOD; and

3.    agreed to write to the MOD to support officers’ attempts to purchase the land which will benefit the local residents and Kintyre communities.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated May 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided Members with an update on the progress of the Tarbert Heritage Regeneration Scheme (HRS) Development Phase.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee:

1.    considered the contents of the report;

2.    agreed to make a Delivery Phase submission to Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and National lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for Heritage and Place Programme (HPP) funding; and

3.    noted that if the Delivery Phase application is successful, the Council would be required to identify funding towards the Delivery Phase costs.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 19 April 2024, submitted)

Report by Chief Executive

Consideration was given to a report which detailed recommendations for the award of the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund (SCF) for the 2024/25 round of funding that had been made available for distribution by the Council to organisations in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area. 

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed that the 15 applications, marked as ‘Award’ or ‘Partial Award’ within Appendix 1 of the report, are awarded funding from the Supporting Communities Fund totalling £29,617.50, as follows:

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

Consideration was given to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 4 of 2023/24 (January to March 2024), which illustrated the agreed performance measures for the period.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted and considered the performance and supporting commentary as presented.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 7 February 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

A report asking the Committee to consider making appointments to a number of local bodies/organisations within the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area was considered.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed:

1.    to continue consideration of appointments relating to the Tarbert and Skipness Community Trust, Kintyre Youth Fund, and Islay and Jura Community Enterprise Ltd. to the next meeting of the Committee, following the conclusion of the upcoming Ward 2 by-election;

2.    to appoint Councillor Jan Brown to the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Locality Planning Group;

3.    to appoint Councillor Jan Brown to Urras Achadh An Droighinn/The Auchindrain Trust;

4.    to appoint Councillor Jan Brown to the Argyll and Bute Renewables Trust (formerly the Windfarm Trust);

5.    to continue consideration of the second Member appointment to the Argyll and Bute Renewables Trust (formerly the Windfarm Trust) to the next meeting of the Committee, following the conclusion of the upcoming Ward 2 by-election;

6.    to appoint Councillor John Armour to the Campbeltown Ferry Committee; and

7.    to continue consideration of the second Member appointment to the Campbeltown Ferry Committee to the next meeting of the Committee, following the conclusion of the upcoming Ward 2 by-election.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 13 May 2024, submitted)

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Committee workplan for future meetings. 

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the workplan.

(Reference:  Area Committee Workplan, dated 5 June 2024, submitted)

The Committee gave consideration to a report regarding applications for support from the Campbell and McNeil Bequests.

Decision

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed:

1.    to award £100 to the two family applicants who meet the criteria; and

2.    to award £50 to the single individual applicant who met the criteria.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated May 2024, submitted)

E1 - Paragraph 6  Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).