Venue: on a Hybrid Basis in The Queen's Hall, Dunoon and By Microsoft Teams
Contact: Julieann Small, Senior Committee Assistant - 01546 604043
No. | Item |
---|---|
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor
Audrey Forrest. |
|
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
|
MINUTES |
|
Bute and Cowal Area Committee - 6 September 2022 PDF 125 KB Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal
Area Committee, held on 6 September 2022 were approved as a correct record. |
|
Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group - 1 November 2022 PDF 311 KB Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group, held on 1 November 2022 were noted. |
|
Cowal Transport Forum - 15 November 2022 PDF 144 KB Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the Cowal Transport Forum, held on 15 November 2022 were noted. |
|
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME Minutes: Question from Liz Neilson, Sandbank Resident Liz Neilson highlighted that the Community were
concerned with traffic speeding through Sandbank and the general lack of road
safety measures along the entirety of the road. She added that within the last
6 months there had been a number of accidents with 2 fatalities being recorded.
Mrs Neilson advised that the Community would like the Council to consider a number
of suggestions to mitigate against speeding, the principal suggestion being a
reduction of the speed limit to 20mph from Sandbank to Sandhaven. Ìý Response from Committee/Project Manager Councillor Sinclair highlighted that a speed survey
had been requested for the section of road mentioned and advised that he had
also spoken to 2 senior officers who are aware of the situation. The Project Manager referred to the general
purposes roads and infrastructure update provided in the agenda pack and highlighted
the outstanding speed surveys, with the Sandbank to Cothouse survey being first
on that list. He advised that local authorities have been allocated funding
from the Scottish Government to undertake reviews of the road network which
would allow an assessment of whether 30mph roads would remain as such or be
reduced to 20mph. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to invite
Police Scotland to a future meeting to discuss road safety measures within the
locality. Questions by Jim Osborne, Bute Community Councillor Question 1 Jim Osborne enquired about the Traffic Speed
Survey’s which are to be carried out on Kilchattan
Bay and Crichton Road, Rothesay and asked the Project Manager if these are
separate from the previously mentioned 20mph speed reviews and when these would
be undertaken. Response from Project Manager The Project Manager advised that the speed surveys
are in addition to the 20mph national speed reviews and that there is a section
in the general purposes roads and infrastructure update that provides
information on the speed surveys which would be worked through in that order. Question 2 Jim Osborne asked about the review of Ardencraig Gardens which was to
take place following the summer season, specifically the quality of plants. He
asked the Project Manager if it had taken place and if so what the outcome was,
he also enquired about who the Council’s horticultural experts were. Response from Project Manager/Committee The Project Manager confirmed that the Council employ a team of
gardeners across the council area and that there are two based in Rothesay. The
Project Manager confirmed that the Department would soon begin exploring
options for the supply of bedding plants for 2023. Question 3 Mr Osbourne asked why the Chair
of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee never attends Bute Community Council
meetings? Response from Councillor McCabe Councillor Mcneilly responded that this was an inappropriate question as
there could be a host of private reasons as to why any elected member could not
attend certain meetings and that members do face demands on their time. The Chair advised that there are two other local councillors who
routinely attend these meetings and are more than capable of giving council
updates. Question 4 Jim Osborne enquired about the target of 73 in the performance measure
for "street cleaning" referenced within the Area Performance Report
and asked what the number meant? Response by Project Manager The Project Manager advised that the measurement was 73 was out of 100,
and that the figure was reached by applying the Local Environment Audit Management
System, a process used by all Scottish Local Authorities to compare and
benchmark street cleanliness levels and performance. Question 5 Jim Osborne asked why there is a
target of 0 for social housing new builds in Bute & Cowal? Response by Housing Strategy Team Lead The Committee Manager advised that he had received
a response from the Housing Strategy Team Lead as follows: I can’t see where in the report it says there is a
target of 0. In terms of a couple of positive comments there are
currently 4 new build houses under construction by ACHA in central Dunoon due
for completion next year. We are actively looking for opportunities to build
new build affordable houses in the Dunoon area. Also in the overall Strategic Housing Investment
Programme we have 40 units in there for Bute – all Fyne Homes. 10 at Ballochgoy
– not on site yet but estimated completion in financial year 2023/24 and 30 at
the Rothesay Academy site – not on site but preparatory work is ongoing and
once the building starts there is an estimated completion date of 2024/25 for
phase 1. There is scope for further units to be delivered on this site in the
future. Question 6 Jim Osborne enquired what is
being done to address the causes of stress related absence amongst non-teaching
staff in schools and what staff does the LGE category include? Response by HROD Manager The Committee Manager advised that he had received
a response from the HROD Manager as follows: LGE grouping of employees includes employees who
are covered by the SJC negotiating committee terms and conditions of service.
In practical terms that includes all employees who are not covered by teaching or chief officers conditions of service.
The figures reported will therefore include Local Government Employees from all
services across the council, and not only Education. With regards to the actions around the causes of
stress related absence, I will respond in general terms outlining what the
council offer by way of identifying and managing stress in the workforce. Since
the question was specifically related to non-teaching LGE staff in schools, the
Education management team may be best placed to respond with any additional
measures relating to this specific group of employees. The causes of stress related absence in this
category are varied and would include for example where an employee is signed
off by their GP after a life event such as a bereavement. This category also
includes other mental health matters such as depression, anxiety etc. The council have a wellbeing strategy which aims to ... view the full minutes text for item 4. |
|
AREA PERFORMANCE REPORT - FQ2 2022/23 PDF 244 KB Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee considered the Area Performance
Report for Financial Quarter 2 2022/23 (July to September 2022) which
illustrated the agreed performance measures. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:- 1. noted and considered the performance and supporting commentary as
presented; 2. noted that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report the Area
Committee should contact either the Responsible Named Officer or Sonya Thomas
with any queries; and 3. noted that work is ongoing and to respond to Sonya Thomas with requests
or comments regarding the layout and format of the Performance Report and
Scorecard. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with
responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 20 October 2022, submitted) |
|
PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE PROJECT, COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE PDF 995 KB Presentation by Corporate Support Manager Minutes: The
Corporate Support Manager provided a short presentation on the Performance
Excellence project.Ìý He outlined the
findings of the Council’s Best Value Audit which took place in 2020 and
highlighted key points from the Best Value Improvement Action Plan. ÌýMr Green advised that as a result of
recommendations agreed by Council in September 2021, a new suite of Corporate
Outcome Indicators will be reported on annually and that other improvements to
the system were underway.Ìý He outlined
the new hierarchy of performance reporting and confirmed that the Pyramid
system previously used for performance reporting will be decommissioned by the
end of this financial year. Decision The
Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the presentation
and information provided. (Reference:
Presentation by Corporate Support Manager, dated December 2022, submitted) |
|
ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES UPDATE PDF 195 KB Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report which
provided an update on the recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure
Services and highlighted works being undertaken which were relevant to Bute and
Cowal area. Discussion took place in respect of the
consultation exercise that was ongoing regarding the passenger-only vessels for the Dunoon to Gourock
ferry service. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted and
considered the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by
Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services,
dated November 2022, submitted) |
|
LOCAL HOUSING STRATEGY (LHS) 2022-27 - ANNUAL UPDATE PDF 3 MB Report by Executive Director with responsibility for
Housing Minutes: Members gave consideration to a report which
presented the 51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp and Bute Local Housing Strategy (LHS) Annual Report for
2022.Ìý It was noted that a further report
with area specific information would be provided to the Committee at their
meeting in March 2023.Ìý Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Committee considered and
noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with
responsibility for Housing, dated 10 October 2022, submitted) |
|
Report by Chief Executive, 51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp
Community Housing Association Ltd Minutes: Consideration was given to a presentation by the
Chief Executive of ACHA, which provided an update on a number of areas
including the investment programme for 2022/23; the Warm Homes Fund; the
Business, Energy, Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Whole House Retrofit Programme;
the replacement of wet electric heating systems; the Exemplar Estates
initiative and a number of new build and refurbishment sites across the
locality.Ìý Further information was
provided in respect of Welfare Rights; the Rent Consultation for 2023/24;
ACHA’s 10 10 10 initiative and ACHA’s Community Action Fund. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to note
the contents of the presentation and the information provided. (Reference:
Presentation by Chief Executive, 51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp Community Housing Association Ltd,
submitted) |
|
51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp and Bute HSCP Annual Performance Report 2021 PDF 362 KB Report by Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology, Health and Social Care Partnership Additional documents: Minutes: Having noted that there was no officer in
attendance to present this item, the Committee gave consideration to a report
which presented the 51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp and Bute HSCP Annual Performance Report for 2021. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the Annual Performance
Report for the Health and Social Care Partnership for the year 2021. (Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology,
Health and Social Care Partnership, dated
November 2022, submitted) |
|
DUNOON CARS - RECOMMENDATION OF GRANT AWARD PDF 295 KB Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth Additional documents:
Minutes: Consideration was given to a report which provided
an update on the progress of the Dunoon CARS project and sought the approval of
a grant offer to the owners of 104-110 51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp Street, Dunoon. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Committee approved the grant
offer of up to £236,000 to the 5 property owners of 104-110 51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp Street,
Dunoon. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with
responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, submitted) |
|
CHARITABLE TRUSTS, BEQUESTS AND TRUST FUNDS PDF 210 KB Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report
providing information on proposals relating to the ongoing management and
proposed distribution arrangements for Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust
Funds for which the Bute and Cowal Area Committee are Trustees. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:- 1.
noted the financial position of
all the Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds as of August 2022; 2.
agreed that a moratorium be
placed on awards being made from the PianoÌý
Fund, Dunoon; and 3.
agreed that the accumulated funds
for distribution from the Tulloch Library, Dunoon be awarded to Live 51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp in
their totality and that a moratorium be placed on awards being made from this
fund thereafter. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with
responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated November 2022,
submitted) |
|
DRAFT BUTE AND COWAL AREA COMMITTEE WORKPLAN PDF 222 KB Minutes: The Bute and Cowal Area Committee workplan was before members for information. Decision The Bute and Cowal Committee noted the contents of
the workplan. (Reference: Bute and Cowal Area Committee workplan, dated 6 December 2022) |
|
THE PROVOST'S FUND (BUTE) - AWARD RECOMMENDATIONS Additional documents: Minutes: The Committee gave consideration to a report which
gave Members information regarding three applications that had been received
requesting support from the Provost’s Fund (Bute). Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:- 1.
agreed to award £100 to each
applicant; and 2.
agreed that a moratorium be
placed on awards being made from the Provost’s Fund (Bute). (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated November 2022, submitted) |
|
THE THIRD MARQUIS OF BUTE'S SILVER WEDDING DOWRY FUND Additional documents: Minutes: Members gave consideration to a report which gave
information regarding an application that had been received requesting support
from the Marquis of Bute’s Silver Wedding Dowry Fund. Decision The Bute and Cowal Area Committee agreed to grant
£500 to the applicant. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with
responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated November 2022,
submitted) |