Agenda frontsheet
Argyll and Bute Council · 24 April 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 24 April 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
Argyll and Bute Council Comhairle Earra-Ghàidheal Agus Bhòid Executive Director: Douglas Hendry Kilmory, Lochgilphead, PA31 8RT Tel: 01546 602127 Fax: 01546 604435 DX 599700 LOCHGILPHEAD 16 April 2025 NOTICE OF MEETING A meeting of ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL will be held ON A HYBRID BASIS IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, KILMORY, LOCHGILPHEAD AND BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on THURSDAY, 24 APRIL 2025 at 10:45 AM, or at the conclusion of the Special meeting of Argyll and Bute Council at 10.30am, whichever is later, which you are requested to attend. Douglas Hendry Executive Director BUSINESS 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (IF ANY) 3. MINUTES (a) Argyll and Bute Council held on 27 February 2025 (Pages 5 - 26) (b) Special Argyll and Bute Council held on 7 March 2025 (Pages 27 - 30) 4. MINUTES OF COMMITTEES (a) Community Services Committee held on 6 March 2025 (Pages 31 - 38) (b) Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 20 March 2025 (Pages 39 - 46) 5. LEADER'S REPORT (Pages 47 - 60) Report by Leader of the Council 6. POLICY LEADS REPORT (Pages 61 - 100) Report by Policy Leads 7. NHS HIGHLAND DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH ANNUAL REPORT 2024 (Pages 101 - 102) Report by Director of Public Health and Policy, NHS Highland
Page 2
8. ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL BEST VALUE AUDIT REPORT 2025 (Pages 103 - 122) Report by Chief Executive 9. POLITICAL MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS (Pages 123 - 124) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support 10. REVIEW OF THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION SCHEME 2025 (Pages 125 - 128) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support 11. SINGLE AUTHORITY MODEL - UPDATE (Pages 129 - 142) Report by Chief Executive 12. FREEDOM OF ARGYLL AND BUTE - THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND (Pages 143 - 146) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support 13. SECTION 72 SCHEME OF ASSISTANCE REVIEW (Pages 147 - 186) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth 14. NOTICE OF MOTION UNDER STANDING ORDER 13 (Pages 187 - 190) Ban on Political Posters on Council Property and Street Furniture. The Council notes that: • The vast majority of Scottish local authorities - approximately 28 out of 32 - have already prohibited the use of council-owned street furniture, such as lampposts, for political posters and campaign materials. • Allowing political posters on council property can lead to issues such as visual clutter, damage to public infrastructure, and issues associated with removal and clean-up. • Council property is funded by the taxpayer and as such should not be used for political campaign purposes. • Political posters are often not environmentally friendly relying on single use plastics and can fall off/be removed leading to pollution of local communities. • The presence of posters on lampposts and other street furniture can present road safety concerns, particularly if they obstruct sightlines or distract road users. • Alternative methods of political campaigning, including digital outreach, leafleting, canvassing, and designated poster boards, remain available to all candidates and parties. The Council therefore agrees: • To approve that the updated policy in Appendix 1 is adopted, which will have the effect that Argyll & Bute Council no longer permits the display of any campaign related material on any property under the Council’s control.
Page 3
Proposed: Cllr Daniel Hampsey Seconded: Cllr Gary Mulvaney 15. NOTICE OF MOTION UNDER STANDING ORDER 13 Supporting Our Pollinators The No-Mow-May and Let-It-Bloom-June movements are part of an annual campaign by the organisation Plantlife. The campaign promotes that reducing lawnmower use and encouraging natural grass and wildflower growth offer simple ways for everyone to play a part in supporting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Research from The Butterfly Conservation organisation reports that more than half of UK butterfly species are now in long term decline. With over 20 million gardens in the UK, even the smallest areas allowed to flourish can make a real contribution and deliver environmental benefits for nature, people and places. To help play its part, the Council agrees to: 1. Promote the No-Mow-May and Let-It-Bloom June campaigns across Argyll and Bute through all available channels to encourage local people, community groups, local businesses and other organisations to consider taking part in the 2025 campaigns. 2. Ask officers to explore the scope of action the Council could reasonably take within the context of its overall grass-cutting and local maintenance programmes and available resources. This should include an exploration of what may be feasible to support the objectives of No Mow May and Let it Bloom June for the 2025 season and beyond. Findings and outcomes should be reported, following consultation with the Policy Lead for Climate Change, Renewables and Net Zero and the Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services to the December meeting of Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee. Proposer: Councillor Luna Martin Seconder: Councillor Ross Moreland Argyll and Bute Council Contact: Hazel MacInnes, Senior Committee Officer Tel:01546 604269