Agenda frontsheet
Argyll and Bute Council · 26 September 2024
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 26 September 2024 and its agenda
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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 19 September 2024 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, 26 SEPTEMBER 2024 at 10:30 AM, 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 June 2024 (Pages 5 - 14) (b) Special Argyll and Bute Council held on 15 August 2024 (Pages 15 - 16) 4. MINUTES OF COMMITTEES * (a) Policy and Resources Committee held on 15 August 2024 (Pages 17 - 26) (b) Community Services Committee held on 22 August 2024 (Pages 27 - 32) (c) Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 12 September 2024 (Pages 33 - 38) The above minutes are submitted to the Council for approval of any recommendations on the items which the Committee does not have delegated powers. These items are marked with an *. 5. AUDIT SCOTLAND DIGITAL EXCLUSION NATIONAL PERFORMANCE AUDIT (Pages 39 - 46) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services 6. LEADER'S REPORT (Pages 47 - 56) Report by Leader of the Council
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7. POLICY LEADS REPORT (Pages 57 - 88) Report by Policy Leads 8. WARD 2: KINTYRE AND THE ISLANDS - BY-ELECTION RESULTS: 18 JULY 2024 (Pages 89 - 90) Report by Returning Officer 9. COUNCIL PRIORITIES (Pages 91 - 92) Report by Chief Executive 10. ASPIRING PLACES; COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN ARGYLL AND BUTE (Pages 93 - 102) Report by Chief Executive 11. POLITICAL MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS (Pages 103 - 108) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support 12. COUNCIL CONSTITUTION REVIEW 2024 (Pages 109 - 114) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support 13. ALL GAELIC SCHOOL CONSULTATION FINDINGS (Pages 115 - 122) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education 14. EARMARKED RESERVES REVIEW (Pages 123 - 146) Report by Section 95 Officer 15. 2022-23 AUDITED ANNUAL ACCOUNTS – CHARITABLE TRUSTS (Pages 147 - 204) Report by Section 95 Officer 16. COUNCIL TAX ON SECOND HOMES - COLLECTION RATES 2024/25 (Pages 205 - 212) Report by Section 95 Officer 17. HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS REGIONAL ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP (Pages 213 - 220) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support and Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth 18. ARGYLL AND BUTE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2: DELIVERY PROGRAMME (Pages 221 - 538) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth 19. CLIPPER RACE BID 2026 (Pages 539 - 554) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth 20. LOCAL HEAT AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY STRATEGY AND DELIVERY PLAN (Pages 555 - 680) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth
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21. HOUSING ANNUAL ASSURANCE STATEMENT 2024 (Pages 681 - 688) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth 22. REST AND BE THANKFUL UPDATE (Pages 689 - 694) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services 23. CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER REPORT 2023 - 2024 (Pages 695 - 740) Report by Chief Social Work Officer 24. CHILDREN'S RIGHTS REPORT: 2020- 2023 REVIEW (Pages 741 - 784) Report by Chief Social Work Officer 25. CHILD POVERTY ACTION PLAN REVIEW 2023-2024 (Pages 785 - 878) Report by Chief Officer – Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership E1 26. ROTHESAY PAVILION UPDATE - TO FOLLOW Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services and Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth and Section 95 Officer 27. NOTICE OF MOTION UNDER STANDING ORDER 13 Condemnation of the Cuts to Winter Fuel Payments by the UK and Scottish Governments This Council: 1. Expresses deep concern over the decision by the UK Government to cut winter fuel payments, a vital support mechanism for pensioners across the country. 2. Further condemns the Scottish Government's decision to enact the same cut, disregarding the specific needs and circumstances of Scotland's aging population, particularly in colder, rural areas like those in Argyll and Bute. 3. Recognizes that such cuts will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable among us, increasing the risk of fuel poverty among our elderly citizens during the harsh winter months. 4. Acknowledges the negative impact these cuts will have on our local communities, where many pensioners rely on these payments to heat their homes adequately. 5. Calls upon the UK Government to reconsider its decision in light of the hardship it will cause to millions of elderly citizens. 6. Urges the Scottish Government to use its devolved powers to restore these payments at least for residents in Scotland, to protect our elderly from the severe cold and associated health risks. 7. Mandates the Council Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, expressing the Council's opposition to these cuts and detailing the potential impacts on our community. 8. Requests that this motion be forwarded to all local authorities in Scotland,
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encouraging them to pass similar resolutions and to collectively lobby for the reversal of these decisions. Justification: The decision to cut winter fuel payments is not only a removal of essential financial support for our elderly but also a disregard for their health and well-being. This Council must stand firm in advocating for the needs of our residents, ensuring they are not left in the cold. By uniting with other councils, we can amplify our voice and pressure both the UK and Scottish Governments to reconsider these detrimental cuts. Let us be clear in our message: our pensioners deserve better, and we will not remain silent. End of Motion This motion is designed to express the Council's strong disapproval of the cuts to winter fuel payments and to initiate action that might safeguard our community's elderly population. Moved by Councillor Alastair Redman, seconded by Councillor Andrew Vennard. 28. NOTICE OF MOTION UNDER STANDING ORDER 13 The Council resolves and agrees as follows: 1. That an additional meeting of the Harbour Board is duly convened on Thursday 17 October 2024 (which said additional meeting of the Harbour Board is hereafter referred to as “the Meeting”); 2. That the purpose of the Meeting shall be to receive, note, and consider the Briefing Note circulated to Harbour Board Members on 11 September 2024; Proposed by Councillor Andrew Vennard Seconded by Councillor Amanda Hampsey The Council will be asked to pass a resolution in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public for items of business with an “E” on the grounds that it is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part I of Schedule 7a to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The appropriate paragraph is:- E1 Paragraph 6 Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority). Argyll and Bute Council Contact: Hazel MacInnes, Senior Committee Officer Tel:01546 604269