·¬ÇÑÊÓƵapp

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked Fyne Homes for providing great accommodation for the meeting.

 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors Yvonne McNeilly and Liz McCabe.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minute of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee, held on 4 June 2024 was approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group, held on 13 August 2024 was noted.

The Minute of the meeting of the Cowal Transport Forum, held on 18 June 2024 was noted.

Anne Marie Ferguson, Castle Street Action Group

 

Ms Ferguson highlighted that Castle Street Action Group had submitted questions in relation to dangerous and derelict building to the relevant council department and that they had received responses to the questions but asked for clarity on several questions.

 

Question 1

 

We have noticed that derelict buildings that would appear dangerous to a member of the public are not being treated as dangerous by the council when deciding whether to take action under its Building Act powers.

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What guidance or other considerations does the council consider when deciding whether a building "appears dangerous"?

 

The response from council:

 

“Building owners are responsible for preventing their buildings falling into a dangerous condition. The powers given to local authorities by the Act do not diminish this responsibility but are merely a ‘safety net’ that must be used to protect the public when it appears to a local authority that, for whatever reason, a building owner has failed in their duty to fulfil this responsibility�

 

Castle Street Action Group believe that the building owners have already failed in their duty to fulfil this responsibility and would ask what action can the council take to rectify the situation?

 

Councillor Blair advised that the Committee would seek guidance from the relevant department and provide Ms Ferguson with a response to this question following the meeting.

 

Councillor Kennedy-Boyle highlighted that she had been in contact with the Housing department to seek responses to the outstanding question from the Stakeholders meeting.

 

Question 2

 

A Housing Department officer advised that the council is willing to talk to owners who had not attended the meeting about potential solutions. A staff member contacted the developer, who explained why he had been unable to attend the last meeting. She arranged a further Teams call with the officer and the developer which has now taken place. This was described as a positive meeting to Castle Street Action Group and that council staff are encouraged that the developer is committed to finding a solution for the property he owns on Castle Street.

 

On what grounds were the council ‘Satisfied’ with the owners assurances that he had good intentions for Buckingham Terrace and does the owner have specific plans in place, and if so what are they and if not, why not?

 

Councillor Blair highlighted that he is glad that there is good dialogue between the council and the property owners.

 

The Committee Manager advised that should the property require substantial refurbishment it may require planning permission and that any associated planning application would be available for public scrutiny on the Planning Portal.

 

The Chair noted that Ms Ferguson had submitted some further questions in relation to the questions submitted to the council and advised that responses to all of those would be sent to Ms Ferguson following the meeting and that the Area Committee would be working towards resolving the issues highlighted.

 

Kirstie Reid, Strachur Community Council

 

It was noted that Ms Reid was having some technical difficulties during the meeting and the Committee Manager read out her question on her behalf:-

 

As you can imagine we had a lively Community Council meeting last night with concern for the school crossing being one of the major issues being raised as we were told one thing and the local paper a completely different story, questions were asked if there was ever even an inspection of the lights on the A815 due to us being told:

 

1.     the part to fix the light is in my office it will be fixed next week;

2.     the repair will be carried out on Friday let me know if the light isnt working;

3.     there is a delay as the underground cables are not working; and

4.     everything is here to fix the lights as we speak we are writing a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) as we need to install temporary traffic lights on the A815. As soon as the TTRO is granted we will get the work done. 

 

In the reply received by the local paper that there was an underground cable fault and would cost in the region of £30.000 to fix. As a community we feel badly let down on this matter considering we have being asking for these lights to be fixed since the end of 2020. We are requesting a meeting with yourself, The Head of Service and the Chief Executive to share our feeling on this matter as soon as possible.

 

As you are aware we reported the damage to the roof of the bus shelter on the 24^th January 2024 and numerous times since after a site meeting on the 9^th May we were told that the shelter would be repaired in time for the schools returning yesterday (14^th August). When enquiring on the 31^st July for an update we were informed that as the residents on Innellan were to get a new bus shelter a site meeting was to be held there and once the residents were happy with the location of their bus shelter ours would be fixed, again the residents of Strachur come second to other areas.

 

Again the issue of a lack of Bus service on a Saturday to allow residents to either come into town for shopping or work or attending hospital appointments (this is important as more and more hospital appointments are now on a weekend to catch up on the backlog created by the pandemic) we ask for your support in having the 8am or 9am bus to Dunoon and the 5.50pm to Strachur reinstated. This is also  important  to allow our younger residents to meet with and socialise with friends and take part in sport and social activities out with the area especially as we do not have a Sunday service. This lack of service would not be accepted in any other area of Cowal.

 

We are also seeking your help in who to go to in the council as Strachur  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 1 of 2024/25 (April to June 2024) which illustrated the agreed performance measures for this period.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted and considered the performance and supporting commentary as presented.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 6 August 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.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the report.

 

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

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

Consideration was given to a report providing details on the council’s recycling and landfill diversion performance along with national ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵapp, targets and regulations which are likely to impact on future performance.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted and gave consideration to the details as outlined in the report and the national ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵapp drivers that would likely impact over the coming years.

 

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

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on the Dunoon to Hunters Quay active travel route, and highlighted the next steps and sought support for the continuation of the project to complete the design process.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee:

 

1.    noted the progress made to date; and

 

2.    supported the continuation of the project and the submission of a new Places For Everyone funding application for design stage 3 (Developed Design) and stage 4 (Technical Design) to complete the design work required.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 17 July 2024, submitted)

Presentation by Vice Chair of the Cultural Heritage and Arts Assembly for the Argyll and Isles

The Committee gave consideration to a presentation by the Vice-Chair of the Cultural Heritage and Arts Assembly (CHARTS) for Argyll and the Isles. The presentation included information on the impact of partnership working on both regional and local areas and provided highlights of key projects throughout the Bute and Cowal Area. Mr Adams also provided information in relation to funding streams and the benefits of the continued support received from ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵapp Council.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee considered and noted the information provided in the presentation.

 

(Reference: Presentation by Vice-Chair, Cultural Heritage and Arts Assembly, submitted)

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 3 September 2024)