AND BUTE COUNCIL

MINUTES of MEETING of STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEE held in the COUNCIL CHAMBER, KILMORY, ON THURSDAY 21 JUNE 2001

Present: Councillor Allan Macaskill (In the Chair)

Councillor George Freeman Councillor Donald MacMillan Councillor Ian Gillies Councillor Billy Petrie Councillor Ronald Kinloch Councillor Dick Walsh Councillor Duncan MacIntyre Councillor David Webster Councillor Alastair McKinlay

Also Present: Councillor Robin Currie Councillor Dugald MacKinnon Councillor Campbell Cameron Councillor Donald McIntosh Councillor Brian Chennell Councillor McKinven Councillor John Findlay Councillor James McQueen Councillor Archie McCallum

Attending: James McLellan, Chief Executive Nigel Stewart Director of Corporate and Legal Services Stewart McGregor, Director of Finance Archie Morton, Director of Education Alistair Gow, Director of Transportation and Property Sandy Taylor, Head of Public Protection Susan Mair, Head of Legal Services Peter Ward, Transport and Property Services Gerry Wilson, Information Technology Gavin Boyd, Information Technology

Apologies: Councillor Robin Banks

1. MINUTES

(a) The Committee noted the Minutes of the Policy Development Group on Common Fisheries Policy of 24 May 2001 as a correct record.

(b) The Committee approved the Minutes of the Strategic Policy Committee of 7 June 2001 as a correct record.

2. EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

At the Strategic Policy Committee of 7 June 2001, it was agreed to allocate £20,000 to each of the Area Committees with the balance of £22,486 being continued to this meeting for distribution. A report was submitted by the Director of Education which recommended the proposed allocation of education development grants for 2001/02, 2002/03 and 2003/04.

Motion

That Education Development Grants be allocated as follows:-

2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004 £ £ £ Central 17,875 17,875 17,875 Bute and 27,557.50 25,775 25,775 Lorn and the Isles 27,104.50 24,945 24,945 , & 23,011 25,521 25,521 /Lomond 24,813 26,245 26,245

Totals 120,361 120,361 120,361

Moved by Councillor Freeman, seconded by Councillor Kinloch.

Amendment

That Education Development Grants be allocated for 2001/2002 as proposed in the foregoing motion and that the distribution for years 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 be continued to a future meeting of the Strategic Policy Committee.

Moved by Councillor Walsh, seconded by Councillor Gillies

Decision

There being an equality of votes the Chairman gave his casting vote for the amendment which was carried by 6 votes to 5 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

(Ref: Report by Director of Education dated 12 June 2001 and extract minute of Strategic Policy Committee of 7 June 2001, submitted)

3. TRANSPORTATION SPOKESPERSON REPORT

The Spokesperson for Transport Issues, Councillor Duncan McIntyre submitted a report summarising transportation issues including information about Bridge strengthening and replacement, National Transport Awards 2001 and the Strategic Transport Partnership.

Decision

A number of issues were discussed and it was agreed to note the terms of the report.

(Ref: Report by Spokesperson for Transportation Issues dated 14 June 2001, submitted)

4. PROVISIONAL FINANCIAL OUTTURN 2000/01 – UPDATE

The Director of Finance gave an oral update on the Financial Outturn 2000/2001 and advised members that the Leader had met with appropriate spokespersons, the Chief Executive and Directors regarding the financial outturn on the Education and Transportation and Property accounts. Further information is awaited with regard to saving measures to repay the 2000/2001 budget overspend, although some measures had been agreed.

Decision

Noted the update by the Director of Finance and that the unaudited accounts for 2000/01 would be an item of business for the Council on 28 June 2001.

(Ref: Verbal update by Director of Finance)

5. BETTER NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES FUND

At the Strategic Policy Committee on 26 April 2001 it was agreed that the draft guidelines on the use of the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund be submitted to the four area committees and community planning partners for discussion. A report submitted by the Head of Corporate Policy informed members of the results of these consultations and proposed a way forward in accordance with the guidance issued by the Scottish Executive.

Decision

1. Agreed to establish a Working Group to be Chaired by the Leader of the Council comprising of 8 Members, 2 from each Area being 5 members from the Non-Aligned Group (Councillors Macaskill, Walsh, D MacIntyre, McKinlay, Freeman) and three members from the Alliance [Councillors Hay, Thompson and Strong were subsequently appointed from the Alliance] to discuss and to report back to the Strategic Policy Committee on 5 July 2001 in respect of the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund.

2. That in the event that any Member was unable to attend that Member may appoint a substitute from the same Area.

(Ref: Report by Head of Corporate Policy dated June 2001, submitted).

6. ENERGY ISSUES UPDATE

A report submitted by the Director of Development and Environment Services advised of the current activity in the field of energy conservation and sustainable energy production and the research under way to facilitate the development of production and distribution infrastructure and technologies in the Highlands and Islands area.

Decision

1. That the Head of Public Protection make representations to and Islands Enterprise, representing the positive benefits of a Marine Energy Development Centre in Argyll & Bute.

2. That a report be submitted to a future Strategic Policy Committee on the outcome and conclusions of the Highland and Islands Enterprise studies and their implications for Argyll & Bute.

(Ref: Report by Director of Development and Environment Services dated June 2001, submitted)

7. NOVA SCOTIA INITIATIVE

At the Strategic Policy Committee on 10 May 2001 it was agreed to continue consideration of the Nova Scotia Initiative to the meeting to determine the strategic framework for the initiative. A report was submitted by the Director of Development and Environment Services which outlined suggested funding contributions. The report advised of a meeting which had been convened for 19 June 2001 with a view to securing agreement amongst Partners on strategy and funding in order to progress the initiative.

Decision

1. Agreed to the funding contributions meantime suggested by the Scottish Executive from the Council from existing budgets, as detailed in the Directors report, but that the director be requested to approach Enterprise and Council with a view to participating in the initiative.

2. That the representatives on the Steering Committee be one Councillor and an Official, the nominated Councillor to be reported to a future meeting of the Strategic Policy Committee.

(Ref: Report by Director of Development and Environment Services dated 6 June 2001, submitted).

8. WEST COUNCIL – MOTION

A report was submitted by the Director of Transportation and Property which advised of a motion approved by Council with regard to Councils receiving inadequate financial resources from the Scottish Executive to maintain roads, footpaths and lighting. sought the support of Council for their motion.

Decision

Agreed to support the West Lothian Motion, and that the Director of Transportation and Property advise the Scottish Executive and West Lothian accordingly.

(Ref: Report by Director of Transportation and Property dated 12 June 2001, submitted).

9. GALLANACH ROAD – UPDATE

At the Strategic Policy Committee on 7 June 2001 it was agreed that a full detailed report with an estimate of costs would be submitted to this meeting and that the Head of Legal Services investigate the question of liability in regard to the rock instability on the C34 Gallanach Road, Oban. A report now tabled by the Director of Transportation and Property advised on the position regarding options for dealing with the rock stability problems on the C34 Gallanach Road.

Decision

1. Agreed as a matter of principle that Gallanach Road must be re-opened as soon as possible.

2. Agreed to note the options examined and to proceed with option 5 to stabilise and net the rock face.

3. Agreed to proceed with the appointment of Edge Consultants on a cost plus basis for the design and supervision of the remedial works.

4. That the Director of Transportation and Property be given delegated powers to appoint an experienced Contractor on a negotiated unit cost basis subject to containing the overall cost within £200,000 with a contractor for the remedial works.

5. A report to be submitted to the next Strategic Policy Committee on any adjustment to be made to the Capital Programme.

(Ref: Report by Director of Transportation and property dated June 2001, tabled).

10. FIXED LINK STUDIES – FEASIBILTY REPORT – OBAN DEVELOPMENT ROAD STUDY

A report was submitted by the Director of Transportation and Property which advised of the preliminary findings of the Study into the provision of ‘Fixed Links’ to the island communities of Bute - , – and and the progress of the Study into the Oban Development Road.

Decision

Agreed that the Director of Transportation and Property Services;-

1. Submit copies of the draft reports for the three fixed links to all appropriate members with any responses being submitted to the Director within 21 days.

2. Submit copies of the Oban Development Road Study to all members of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles with any responses to the Director within 21 days.

(Ref: Report by Director of Transportation and Property dated 13 June 2001, submitted).

11. PUBLIC TRANSPORT FUND BID 2003/04

A report submitted by the Director of Transportation and Property sought approval to make application to the Scottish Executive under the Public Transport Challenge Fund to obtain a contribution towards the preliminary survey and design costs associated with new ferry slipways at Lismore/Port and the Sound of Cuan.

Decision

Approved the application to the Scottish Executive under the Public Transport Challenge Fund to assist in the financing of the cost associated with preliminary surveys and design work for the proposed new ferry slipways at Lismore/Port Appin and the Sound of Cuan.

(Ref: Report by Director of Transportation and Property dated 31 May 2001, submitted).

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50A (4) of the Local Government () Act 1973, to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 respectively of part 1 of schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

12. FUTURE STRUCTURE OF ICT SERVICE

At the Strategic Policy Committee on 7 June 2001 it was agreed to continue the report by the Chief Executive on the ICT Service to this meeting. A report submitted by the Chief Executive set out a number of options in terms of a structure for the ICT services for consideration.

Decision

Approved option 2 of the Chief Executive’s report comprising 2 Heads of Service and 4 Managers with strategic direction and support from the Chief Executive.

(Ref: Report by Chief Executive dated 11 June 2001, submitted).

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