Agenda and minutes

Councillor Douglas Philand declared a financial interest in relation to the report on Mental Health Services in Argyll and Bute – Redesign and Modernisation as he is a paid employee of NHS Highland.  He left the room and took no part in the discussion of the report which is dealt with at item 7 of this Minute.

The Minutes of the Executive 19 February 2009 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Special Committee for Older People’s Services of 26 February 2009 were noted.

Report by Leader of the Council

The Leader of the Council submitted a report which highlighted issues he had recently been involved with including:-

The launch of National Books of Scottish Connection at Kilmartin Museum on 6 February 2009; his attendance at the Process for Change Update Seminar for the High Level Design phase on 24 February 2009; his attendance at the Argyll and Bute 2009 Economic Summit on 25 February 2009; his attendance at a meeting between Argyll and Bute Council, Inverclyde Council and the Scottish Government on 20 February 2009 regarding the Dunoon – Gourock Ferry Crossing; his attendance at the Older People and Learning Disability Project Board on 26 February 2009; his attendance at the Demonstration Project Board meeting on 26 February 2009; and he reported on Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates collection figures to end of February 2009.

Decision

To note the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Leader of the Council dated 12 March 2009, submitted)

Report by Spokesperson

The Spokesperson for Education and Lifelong learning submitted a report which highlighted issues she had recently been involved with including:-

Toward Primary School’s reward of solar panels from Scottish Gas for their exemplary green behaviour as part of the nationwide schools programme, Generation Green; a visit to Tiree High School on 1 December 2008; the launch by Dunoon Grammar School pupils of their own TV station on 16 January 2009; her attendance at the official launch of Cashless Catering at Oban High School on 4 February 2009; and her attendance at the Argyll and Bute Schools Concert Band concert at Rothesay Joint Campus on 16 February 2009.  She also reported on the recently published 2008 Examination Results for Argyll and Bute.

Decision

To note the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Spokesperson for Education and Lifelong Learning dated March 2009, submitted)

Report by Spokesperson

The Executive considered a report by the Spokesperson for Social Services which highlighted issues he had recently been involved with including:-

His attendance at the Into the Spotlight Housing, Homecare and Community Health Services Event on 2 December 2008; his attendance at the Argyll and Bute Alcohol and Drugs Action Team Leader Officers Group meeting on 12 December 2008; his attendance at the Argyll and Bute Health and Care Strategic Partnership Committee on 19 December 2008; his interview with SWIA as part of their follow up inspection on 6 January 2009; his attendance at the COSLA Health and Wellbeing Executive Group meeting on 26 January 2009; and he reported on a meeting attended by Councillors Horn and Currie with IDEA, Islay on 23 February 2009 to discuss the current financial and management position of IDEA and the way forward.

Decision

To note the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Spokesperson for Social Services dated March 2009, submitted)

Report by Director of Community Services

A report proposing a response to the Scottish Government’s consultation paper “Investing in Affordable Housing” was before the Executive for consideration.  The deadline for responses was 17 March 2009 and a copy of the draft response attached to the report was submitted to the Scottish Government on the strict understanding that it was still the subject of approval.

Decision

To approve the draft response for formal submission.

(Reference: Report by Director of Community Services dated February 2009, submitted)

Having previously declared an interest Councillor Philand left the room and took no part in discussion of the following item.

Report by Director of Community Services and Extract from Minutes of Social Affairs Policy and Performance Group 9 March 2009

An extensive Service Review and work on developing options for the future of Mental Health Services has been in progress in Argyll and Bute since 2007.  A draft response to a consultation issued by NHS Highland entitled “Mental Health Services in Argyll and Bute – Redesign and Modernisation” which had previously been considered and amended by the Social Affairs Policy and Performance Group at its meeting on 9 March 2009 was before the Executive for consideration.

Decision

To agree the draft response to the consultation and to support Option 3 whilst noting that further refinement of this option will be explored in relation to the detail of Community Mental Health and the associated management framework.

(Reference: Report by Director Community Services dated 27 February 2009, Extract from Minutes of Social Affairs Policy and Performance Group 9 March 2009, and NHS Highland Consultation Document, submitted)

Councillor Philand returned to the meeting.

Report by Chief Executive

A report outlining a revised approach to meeting the Council’s equality duties and recommending that a new Draft Scheme, attached to the report, is circulated for consultation was considered.  The new approach includes some actions to be undertaken corporately when previously they were undertaken by individual services.

Decision

1.      To agree that the draft Equality and Diversity Scheme detailed at Appendix 1 of the report is issued for consultation;

2.      To agree the proposed corporate approach with the addition of a further objective – celebrate our diversity;

3.      To agree to monitor the Equality and Diversity Scheme via a scorecard and, where appropriate, refer elements to the Social Affairs or Organisational Development PPG; and

4.      To note the advice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission regarding Equality Impact Assessments as detailed at Appendix 2 of the report.

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive, submitted)

Report by Head of Planning Services

A report detailing a proposed response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Household Permitted Development Rights was before the Executive for consideration.

Decision

1.      To note the contents of the report; and

2.      To forward the comments on each of the questions contained within the consultation document as detailed at Appendix A to the report subject to adjustments, which the Head of Planning Services agreed to make, in relation to the responses regarding A9 - Flagpoles and to Question 22 in respect of “principal elevation”.

(Reference: Report by Head of Planning Services, submitted)

Report by Director of Development Services

The Council is required to produce, publish and submit to the Scottish Government by 31 March 2009, a Development Plan Scheme and associated Participation Statement by the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006. A report detailing the proposed Development Plan Scheme for Argyll and Bute Council was before the Executive for consideration.

Decision

To approve the Development Plan Scheme as detailed at Appendix A to the report for publication and submission to the Scottish Government.

(Reference: Report by Director of Development Services, submitted)

Report by Director of Corporate Services

A report setting out proposed arrangements for a twinning visit to Korcula was considered.

Motion

To agree the terms of the report.

Moved by Councillor Walsh, seconded by Councillor Robert Macintyre.

Amendment

1.      To support the visit by Councillor Strong and Councillor Marshall on the basis that they would meet the cost of their own travel and accommodation as is standard practice in the Council;

2.      To note that Sir Charles MacLean is unable to accept the invitation to visit;

3.      To agree that any Officer support required did not necessitate an Officer travelling to Korcula; and

4.      That any future visits could be looked at once the outcome of this preliminary visit had been assessed.

Moved by Councillor Morton, seconded by Councillor Hay.

Decision

The Motion was carried by 6 votes to 4 and the Executive resolved accordingly.

(Reference: Report by Head of Democratic Services and Governance dated 3 March 2009, submitted)

Extract from Minutes of Organisational Development Policy and Performance Group 11 February 2009 and Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services

The Executive considered a recommendation from the Organisational Development Policy and Performance Group requesting that, in view of the degree of overspend incurred by the Port Askaig Redevelopment Project, that this project be the subject of a financial audit.

Decision

To agree that this project be the subject of a financial audit and to refer the report to the Audit Committee for attention with a request that they report back to the Executive with their findings.

(Reference: Extract from Minutes of Organisational Development Policy and Performance Group of 11 February 2009 and Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services dated 30 January 2009, submitted)

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the public for the following 2 items of business on the grounds that they were likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 8 and 9; and 8 and 9 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Director of Operational Services

Following consideration of the original Outline Business Case in December 2007, the Council approved the Helensburgh Office Rationalisation Project within the Council’s Capital Plan 2009 – 2012 with an allocation of £2.5m of capital funding.  The Clyde Community Education Centre was marketed in 2008 following the determination of the Local Plan Public Inquiry and an Options Appraisal process was completed in January 2009.  This resulted in a revised Outline Business Case for the Project which was before the Executive for consideration.

Decision

To agree the recommendations as detailed at paragraphs 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 of the report.

(Reference: Report by Head of Facility Services dated 4 March 2009 and Outline Business Case for Proposed Helensburgh Office Rationalisation dated February 2009, submitted)

Report by Director of Development Services

Tenders have been received for the main school transport and local bus service contracts in Bute and Cowal and, in terms of the agreed procedure, are presented to the Executive to determine the way forward.

Decision

1.      To agree the recommendation as detailed as paragraph  2 (iii) (c) of the report; and

2.      To agree to consider this again at the conclusion of the Review of Support for Public Transport provision.

(Reference: Report by Director of Development Services dated 13 February 2009, submitted)