MINUTES of MEETING of MID & ISLAY AREA COMMITTEE held in the COUNCIL CHAMBERS, KILMORY, LOCHGILPHEAD on WEDNESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 2006

Present: Councillor Alastair McKinlay (Chair)

Councillor Rory Colville Councillor Robin Currie Councillor John Findlay Councillor Donald Kelly Councillor Donald MacMillan Councillor John McAlpine Councillor Bruce Robertson

Attending: Deirdre Forsyth, Area Corporate Services Manager Donnie McLeod, Roads and Amenity Services Manager Richard Kerr, Senior Development Control Officer Felicity Kelly, Community Learning and Regeneration Manager Patrick Mackie, Area Environmental Health Manager Ann Muir, Team Leader, Community Care Audrey Martin, Senior Planning / Development Officer Catherine Dobbie, Area Integration Manager, FUSIONS, MAKI Jenny Carlile, Conservation Design Officer Chief Inspector Harry Millar, Strathclyde Police Inspector David Lavery, Strathclyde Police Superintendant Raymond Park, Strathclyde Police Donald Morrison, Area Service Manager, Scottish Ambulance Service Pat O’Mara, Head of Service, Patient Transport, Scottish Ambulance Service

URGENT ITEM

The Chairman ruled, and the Committee agreed, in terms of Section 50B(4)(b) of the Local Government () Act 1973 in terms of Standing Order 3.2.2, that item 18, which was not specified in the Agenda, should be considered as a matter of urgency.

1. APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Councillor Alison Hay.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

3. AMBULANCE SERVICE

Donald Morrison, the Area Service Manager for and Pat O’Hara, the Head of Service, Patient Transport from the Scottish Ambulance Service were introduced to the Committee. There followed a discussion about the ambulance service in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay area.

It was asked why a shortage of ambulance staff in Campbeltown has led to the community receiving cover from the village of Tarbert - 37 miles away. Donald Morrison explained that there has been an increase in the out of hours activity and when staff are required to work the next day, the can book off with fatigue if they were called out the night before, thus requiring ambulance cover from elsewhere.

Councillor Kelly asked what cover there is when staff book off with fatigue. It was noted that there are no resources to cover this shortfall, and the ambulance service is currently in discussions with the Health Board and Ambulance Head Quarters for funding.

It was then asked if with the Carradale practice moving to NHS 24 might this result in unacceptable delays. It was noted that this is a primary care provision, and is the responsibility of the Health Board to put other resources in place. This is still being pursued with the Health Board as it may impact on 999 cover.

It was asked why all crews are not full time and it was explained that historically, the workload was greater in the cities but this has changed. Councillor Kelly stated that a change in the shifts was proposed by Campbeltown staff more than a year ago but nothing has happened. Donald Morrison explained that is because the proposal was to switch on call to through the day but this would not solve the problem, it was just switch it around. The problems are all down to cost. On call will not be eliminated in the short term, but it is hoped this could happen in the longer term. The ambulance service meets with the Health Board quarterly, and these issues are discussed.

Councillor MacMillan pointed out that the air ambulance has been landing in the front green in Lochgilphead since the 1970’s but with the new hospital now up and running and asked if there would be a helipad at the new hospital. It was reported that there is no update at the moment. When the hospital was being planned, the ambulance service submitted costings but the issue has never been resolved. Pat O’Mara will take this up with the Air Wing Manager.

Councillor Colville asked if part time firemen could be given extra training to aid the ambulance service and he asked if the nurse could call out the air ambulance, and if it could land in Carradale. It was noted that the ambulance service are in discussions with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue about using retained firemen but the fire staff have raised concerns which have not yet been resolved.

Councillor Colville then reported incidents when the air ambulance were called out in the case of child birth and no medical staff come with it, requiring mid- wives to travel to Glasgow and then make their own way home; this has resulted in no cover being available in Campbeltown. It was noted that the air ambulance service try to take escorts back, but they may have to go straight to another emergency. He also stated that the air ambulance is always crewed with at least one paramedic and it is a clinical decision whether or not the midwife goes. This is an issue for the Health Board, not the ambulance service.

It was then asked what the joint working of ambulances being proposed between Inveraray and Arrochar would mean for Inveraray. How will it work? Was bad weather during the winter with the occasional road blockages between the two areas taken into account? Was there any consultation? Pat O’Mara stated that this is just a trial to try to increase cover and it will be monitored for any adverse impact. It is running from the end of July until the beginning of January so they experience both the summer traffic and the winter conditions and there will be consultation towards the end of the trial.

Donald Morrison and Pat O’Mara were thanked for coming along to the meeting and it was agreed to invite Ron Lilly to come to come to a future Area Committee to give a presentation on other aspects of the ambulance service.

4. MINUTES OF MEETING OF 2 AUGUST 2006

The minutes of the meeting of 2 August 2006 were approved.

5. MINUTES OF MEETING BETWEEN COUNCILLOR MACASKILL AND ISLAY AND JURA COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE OF 3 AUGUST 2006

The Committee considered the minutes of the meeting between Councillor Allan Macaskill and Islay and Jura Community Enterprise of 3 August 2006.

Decision

The Committee agreed to recommend to the Strategic Policy Committee that funding for Islay and Jura Community Enterprise be included in the budget process.

The Committee adjourned due to a fire alarm and reconvened when the matter had been resolved.

6. FUSIONS PRESENTATION

Catherine Dobbie gave an interesting and informative presentation on the work of FUSIONS.

Decision

The Committee thanked Catherine for her presentation and noted its contents.

7. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The Committee considered and dealt with the applications for planning permission as detailed below.

05/02536/DET M & K Macleod Ltd. Detailed. Erection of 5 terraced dwellinghouses and formation of a new vehicular access onto the A83. Land north of the walled garden, Achnaba, by Lochgilphead.

Decision

That planning permission be granted as a ‘minor departure’ to adopted development plan policy, subject to the standard conditions and reasons and the conditions and reasons set out in the report by the Head of Planning dated 16 August 2006.

(Reference – Report by Head of Planning dated 16 August 2006, submitted).

06/01237/DET Neill Colliss. Detailed. Formation of beer garden (retrospective), installation of oil tank to rear area, erection of timber fence on north boundary and proposed erection of 1.8m timber gate to side access. Victoria Hotel, Argyll Street, Lochgilphead.

Decision

That a temporary planning permission be granted for one year to allow monitoring of the development, subject to the conditions and reasons set out in the report by the Head of Planning dated 3 August 2006 and subject to Building Control checking fire risk issues associated with gas canisters in the vicinity.

(Reference - Report by the Head of Planning dated 3 August 2006, submitted)

06/01430/OUT Mr. & Mrs. Graham. Outline. Erection of one dwellinghouse and installation of septic tank. Land South of Killmaluig, Barr Glen, Glenbarr by Tarbert.

Decision

That planning permission be granted subject to the standard outline planning conditions and to the conditions and reasons set out in the report by the Head of Planning dated 4 August 2006.

(Reference - Report by the Head of Planning dated 4 August 2006, submitted).

06/01564/DET Mr and Mrs Blackburn. Detailed. Erection of domestic workshop / studio (retrospective). Rockbank, Glenburn Road, Ardrishaig.

Decision

That retrospective planning permission be granted subject to the condition and reason set out in the report by the Head of Planning dated 8 August 2006.

(Reference - Report by the Head of Planning dated 8 August 2006, submitted).

8. DELEGATED DECISIONS

The Committee noted the decisions issued by the Head of Planning dated 17 and 21 August 2006.

(Reference – Report by Head of Planning dated 17 and 21 August 2006, submitted).

9. POLICE ISSUES

Councillor McAlpine stated that he is concerned at the speed which police cars travel through villages at on their way to incidents and believes it is only a matter of time until this causes an accident. Chief Inspector Millar stated that the vehicles travel at speed when required to attend incident as quickly as possible but if Councillor McAlpine is concerned he can make a complaint which will be fully investigated.

Councillor McAlpine then asked why Reliance vans travel to Campbeltown every day and it was noted that Reliance do not attend whenever there is a court on in case someone should be remanded. They only attend upon request whenever there is someone is custody who has to be taken to court, has been imprisoned by the court and requires to be transported to prison, they are transporting a prisoner from prison to court for trial, or transferring a prisoner from Campbeltown to other police offices where they are wanted on warrant and have been arrested in Campbeltown.

Councillor MacMillan then stated that he had received some negative feedback about the new call handling system but Councillor Colville stated that he is delighted with the new system. Chief Inspector Millar said there had been some problems but the system is being monitored all the time and the majority of calls are being dealt with faster than ever before.

10. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

The Chairman allowed issues relating to the Campbeltown / Ballycastle ferry and free personal care to be discussed.

Councillor Kelly stated that the current situation with the Campbeltown / Ballycastle ferry is that 2 companies are waiting to be invited to tender but the Irish side has still to be approved. It was agreed to ask Councillor Macaskill for feedback from David Cairns and to write to ministers asking for support on behalf of the Area Committee if no conclusion had been reached.

After discussions with Ann Muir regarding various issues it was agreed to request a report to a future meeting on Free Personal Care from the Director of Community Services.

11. POWER OF SEIZURE OF VEHICLES (PART 10 ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ETC. (SCOTLAND) ACT 2004)

The Committee were informed of new powers the police have under Part 10 of the Anti-Social Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004) to seize vehicles causing anti-social behaviour.

Decision

The committee agreed to support the initiative.

12. CAMPBELTOWN PROPERTY OPTIONS - BURNETT BUILDING AND TOWN HALL

At the strategic Policy Committee meeting of 22 March 2006, Facility Services undertook to develop further options for the Burnett building, and to carry out a Public Consultation exercise with regard to the Council’s proposals.

The Committee were updated on progress with the development of the Burnett building and the Town Hall and on the CARS launch.

Decision

1. The Committee agreed to note the progress with the development of the Burnett building. 2. The Committee noted the CARS launch proposals.

(Reference – Report by Head of Facility Services dated 21 August 2006, and by Conservation Design Officer, submitted)

13. ALLOCATION OF CAPITAL RECEIPTS

The Committee were advised about capital receipts of £53,000 now available to the Area Committee for allocation.

Decision

The Committee agreed to allocate the available funds as follows:

Street Lighting Lochgilphead £6,000 Bowmore to Kilarrow House Footpath £5,000 Inveraray Arch and Railings £10,000 Old Quay Head Environmental Improvements £10,000 Flooding at Saddell £7,000 Security Cameras for Aqualibrium £5,000 Jura Pedestrian Ferry to Crinan £10,000

Total £53,000

14. EDUCATION AND LEISURE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

The Committee considered the allocation of the Education and Leisure Development Grants.

Decision

The Committee agreed the grants as follows, on the usual terms and conditions

ORGANISATION TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL GRANTED PROJECT REQUESTED LEISURE EDUCATION COST South Kintyre £39,000 £800 £800 Sports Council

Tarbert £3623 £823 £650 Conversation Initiative

Total £800 £650

(Reference – Report by Director of Community Services date September 2006, submitted).

The Committee adjourned for lunch and reconvened at 1.45pm.

15. LOCHFYNE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT SCHEME

The Committee considered a report describing the current status of the Loch Fyne Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project.

Decision

The Committee agreed to note the report and that a further report will be placed before Members for their consideration upon completion of the draft ICZM plan for Loch Fyne which when adopted will be used as supplementary planning guidance.

(Reference – Report by Marine and Coastal Development Manager dated 7 August 2006, submitted).

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the public from the following item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6, 13 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

16. ENFORCEMENT UPDATE REPORT

The Committee considered a report detailing progress (in summary form) for every outstanding enforcement investigation, including received or closed investigations during the period January to June 2006, together with older outstanding cases.

Decision

The Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

(Reference – Report by Head of Planning, submitted).

17. UNAUTHORISED HABITATION, LUNGA ESTATE, ARDFERN - REPORT TO FOLLOW

The committee considered the enforcement reports contained in the report by Head of Planning dated 15 August 2006.

Decision

The Committee agreed that enforcement action be taken under Section 179 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 in respect of each of thise sites listed in Appendix A to the report by Head of Planning dated 15 August 2006, in accordance with the circumstances outlined, the steps required and the timescale for compliance as specified in the Appendix.

(Reference – Report by Head of Planning dated 15 August 2006, submitted).

18. REVIEW OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCES

The Committee were updated on proposals to consider options for alternative or improved facilities with regard to public toilet provision.

Decision

The Committee noted the proposals.

(Reference – Report by Project Manager, Roads & Amenity Services dated 16 August 2006, submitted).

19. SALE OF PORTNAHAVEN PRIMARY SCHOOL, PORTNAHAVEN, ISLAY

The Committee considered a report advising that that the person who had submitted the highest offer in respect of Portnahaven Primary when it was last advertised have withdrawn their offer due to ill health. In light of this withdrawal the second highest offerors were contacted however they have advised that they are no longer interested in acquiring the property.

Decision

The Committee agreed –

1. To instruct the Director of Corporate Services to re-advertise the property at the beginning of spring 2007. 2. To ask the Director of Corporate Services to report back to the Area Committee on the cost so far for the advertising of this property.

(Reference – Report by Director of Corporate Services dated 4 September 2006, tabled).