Printed minutes
Argyll and Bute Council · 18 December 2025
Back to Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee — 18 December 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE HELD ON A HYBRID BASIS IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, KILMORY, LOCHGILPHEAD AND BY MICROSOFT TEAMS ON THURSDAY, 18 DECEMBER 2025 Present: Councillor John Armour (Chair) Councillor Graham Hardie Councillor Willie Hume Councillor Andrew Kain Councillor Jim Lynch Councillor Tommy MacPherson Councillor Ian MacQuire Councillor Luna Martin Councillor Ross Moreland Councillor Gary Mulvaney Councillor Alastair Redman Councillor William Sinclair Councillor Andrew Vennard Councillor Peter Wallace Attending: Kirsty Flanagan, Executive Director Fergus Murray, Head of Development and Economic Growth Andrew Summers, Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services Hugh O’Neill, Network and Standards Manager Stuart Watson Assistant Network and Standards Manager Stephen Hall, Roads and Infrastructure Service Review Lead Mark Calder, Project Manager Elsa Simoes, Infrastructure Design Manager Scott Reid, Marine Operations Manager Stuart McLean, Committee Manager 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors Iain Paterson and Liz McCabe. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest intimated. 3. MINUTES The Minutes of the meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 11 September 2025 were approved as a correct record. 4. LATEST UPDATE ON THE SETTLEMENT PROJECT SUPPORT OFFICER ACTIONS The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the progress of the Settlement Project Support Officer actions since the current post-holder came into place on the 2nd June 2025. The report also outlined the proposed approach to be taken forward for the Settlement Project for the remainder of the currently funded period. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee:
Page 2
1. noted that the report highlighted the progress on actions to date; 2. reviewed the Settlement Project Support Officer actions and updates; 3. agreed that the Proposed Settlement Project Support Officer Actions should progress; and 4. agreed that a further report would be provided to the Committee Meeting in March 2026. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 10 November 2025, submitted) * 5. ANNUAL STATUS AND OPTIONS REPORT 2025-26 The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an overview of road infrastructure assets within Argyll and Bute Council based on 2024-25 data for asset condition, previous investment, asset valuation and other relevant information. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee: 1. endorsed the Annual Status and Options Report and the positive analytical feedback it provided and agreed to use the information for future budget setting; 2. noted the significant investment by Council over the last few years which has allowed officers to reduce the deterioration to our road network and that the current block allocation for all Roads and Infrastructure services reduces to £3.823m in 2026-27 and 2027-28 which if not increased in line with the reports funding requirements would mean a deterioration in our road condition and subsequently affect our communities; and 3. agreed to recommend to Council that they consider increasing the resource for roads reconstruction in 2026/27. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Infrastructure, dated December 2025, submitted) 6. SUPPORTING OUR POLLINATORS The Committee gave consideration to a report advising members on the proposed areas for Roads and Infrastructure engaging with the request for participating to support our pollinators. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee: 1. agreed to the locations proposed for supporting our pollinators, for the 2026 maintenance season; 2. instructed the Amenity team to further explore more permanent areas going forward to encourage pollinators, via wildflower areas and exploring the “Beds for Bees Scheme”;
Page 3
3. acknowledged the positive and uplifting colourful visual impact provided by annual floral displays and the added value these bring to community spaces; enriching the visitor welcome to our area; and 4. agreed to a report being brought back to this committee in September 2026, evaluating the pilot and presenting proposals going forward for more permanent locations. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated November 2025, submitted) 7. CEMETERY ASSET - ANNUAL REPORT The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an annual update on the current Argyll and Bute “active” cemetery portfolio of 63 sites - number of lairs available for sale and operational timescales within the Cemetery Development programme. The report also confirmed the current list of cemeteries subject to restrictions on the pre-sale of lairs. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted: 1. the annual lairs sales figures and remaining availability; 2. the updated comments relevant to the Cemetery Development programme; and 3. the progress on site selection and approval for development of new or extended cemeteries within the priority programme. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated December 2025, submitted) 8. TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an overview of the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process, the current backlog, proposals to progress outstanding amendments, including pre-statutory engagement, and the need for additional resources to meet the demand. The report also provided detail on potential changes to the national approach to how TROs are recorded and managed and how the organisation can prepare for the future. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee: 1. approved the proposed method for pre-engagement outlined in paragraph 4.7 of the report; 2. approved the 4 priority areas for addressing the TRO backlog as outlined in paragraph 4.8 of the report;
Page 4
3. noted that a further report would be brought back to the March 2026 Committee listing the progress on recruiting the new positions with an indicative timeline on how long the consolidation process and outstanding ‘priority’ TROs would take; and 4. noted that additional resources would be added to TRO work as part of the Roads and Infrastructure Service Review restructuring of the Service. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated December 2025, submitted) * 9. TEMPORARY TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS - REVIEW OF CHARGING AND ADVERTISING The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the consultation with event organisers and community councils regarding Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) charges. During consideration of this item the Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed, to adjourn the meeting at 12 noon to allow Members time to consider a competent amendment to this report. The Committee reconvened at 12.10 pm. Motion It is recommended that the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee: 1. note the substance of the consultation responses; 2. agree to recommend to Council that Option 3, detailed within Appendix 4 of the report, is taken forward from 1 April 2026; 3. agree to recommend to Council that the Fees & Charges would apply for events held after this date; early submission for event after 1 April 2026 would not be charged at current fees (s16A TTRO fees are suspended at present until 31 March 2026); and 4. agree to recommend to Council that, should the above be agreed, the Service would write to the known Event Organisers and Community Councils advising of the new charges and minimum application timescales. Moved by Councillor John Armour, seconded by Councillor Ross Moreland. Amendment It is agreed that the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee: 1. note the substance of the consultation responses; 2. recommend to Council that Option 3, detailed within Appendix 4 of the report, is taken forward from 1 April 2026; 3. recommend to Council that the Fees & Charges would apply for events held after this date; early submission for event after 1 April 2026 will not be charged at current fees (s16A TTRO fees are suspended at present until 31 March 2026);
Page 5
4. recommend to Council that, should the above be agreed, the Service will write to the known Event Organisers and Community Councils advising of the new charges and minimum application timescales; and 5. agree that a further consultation and review would be undertaken following the first 12 months of the new funding regime. Moved by Councillor Peter Wallace, seconded by Councillor Andrew Vennard. As the meeting was being held on a hybrid basis the vote required to be taken by calling the roll and Members voted as follows- Motion Amendment No Vote Councillor Armour Councillor Vennard Councillor Mulvaney Councillor Hardie Councillor Wallace Councillor Hume Councillor Kain Councillor Lynch Councillor MacPherson Councillor MacQuire Councillor Martin Councillor Moreland Councillor Sinclair Decision The Motion was carried by 10 votes, with the Amendment receiving 2 votes and 1 no vote, and the Committee resolved accordingly. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated December 2025, submitted and Amendment by Councillor Peter Wallace, seconded by Councillor Andrew Vennard, tabled) 10. ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STRATEGY - PROGRESS AND PROPOSED DELIVERY MODEL The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the delivery of the Council’s Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) Strategy and sought approval for a revised approach to delivery now that external funding has been confirmed. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee: 1. noted the progress on the implementation of the Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy; 2. approved the proposed “hub-first” delivery methodology, whereby key town and island hubs will be delivered as Phase 1 of the programme, followed by local “spoke” installations in Phase 2; 3. approved the proposed allocation of the £1.033 million EVIF funding, comprising: • £100,000 for maintenance and repair of the existing network,
Page 6
• £100,000 as a contingency to address connection and construction cost fluctuations, and • £833,000 for the delivery of new infrastructure; 4. agreed that the residual budget for Phase 2 be delegated to local Area Committees on the following basis: • Bute & Cowal – 19.78% • Helensburgh & Lomond – 10.67% • Mid Argyll, Kintyre & Islay – 32.71% • Oban, Lorn & the Isles – 36.84%; 5. noted the ongoing parallel workstreams relating to the development of a cross-footway charging policy, the migration of the back-office system to Scottish Power / Fuuse, and the continued review of tariffs and maintenance arrangements; and 6. noted that a further report would come back to committee in March 2026 once the costing exercise, which is currently underway, is complete. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure, dated 13 November 2025, submitted) * 11. REVIEW OF ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES - UPDATE The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on progress and next steps in relation to the Roads and Infrastructure Service Review (RIS Review). Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee: 1. noted the progress made in relation to the priority improvement actions, including the financial impacts of these; 2. agreed to receive a further report on the progress of the RIS Review in March 2026; 3. endorsed the extension of the external consultancy to support the RIS review project at a cost of up to £90,000 noting that where possible this would be funded from within existing resources but recommend to Council that should there be insufficient existing resources within RIS that this is funded from the Strathclyde Pension Fund Gain earmarking set aside for transformation/spend to save initiatives; and 4. agreed to recommend to Council that: i. the increase in saving target of £500k due to be applied in 2026/27 to the RIS Review be removed; and ii. instead, the RIS Review work towards achievement of the cumulative £500k saving from 2024/25 & 2025/26 recurring. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure, dated December 2025, submitted)
Page 7
12. LOCAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT PLANS - S37 INTERIM UPDATE The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on how the delivery of the Council's duties under the Local Flood Risk Management Plans are progressing. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee endorsed and approved the content of the report, including appendix A for publication. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure, dated November 2025, submitted) 13. BUS INFRASTRUCTURE FUND The Committee gave consideration to a report which outlined the proposed programme of works which will be covered by the Bus Infrastructure Fund. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee agreed that Officers continue to liaise with Transport Scotland, landowners and operators, to scope out costs, delivery timescales and delivery of the programme. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 21 November 2025, submitted) 14. REST AND BE THANKFUL ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS REPORT The Committee gave consideration to a report which advised of the current and planned measures to mitigate against the closures and works to the A83 Rest and Be Thankful by the Scottish Government as well as updating the committee on the Roundtable stakeholder discussions chaired by Jenni Minto MSP. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee: 1. noted the contents of the report and the concerns raised by local stakeholders; and 2. noted that: i. the concerns had been summarised in a letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, attached at Appendix 1 of the submitted report; ii. a response had been received from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport acknowledging the economic and wellbeing concerns, attached at Appendix 2 of the submitted report, and; iii. the Cabinet Secretary for Transport had instructed Transport Scotland to review the work undertaken to date in relation to providing two-way operation for the medium term solution including use of the forestry track and a full two-way road option.
Page 8
(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Infrastructure, dated 6 November 2025, submitted) 15. RESPONSE TO SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON CHARGING FOR WASTE AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining the response to a Scottish Government consultation that was launched on 13 October 2025 on its commitment to review the charging structure for certain waste and recycling services and sought the retrospective agreement of the committee to the responses provided to the consultation questionnaire. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee: 1. noted the content of the report; 2. noted the officer response to the recent consultation outlined at Appendix 1 to the submitted report; and 3. agreed to homologate the officer response and note that any additional substantive comments raised by the Committee would be submitted by email to the Scottish Government department that is responsible for the consultation. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 12 November 2025, submitted) 16. WASTE MANAGEMENT UPDATE The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the changes to the regulatory landscape within waste management and the impact and challenges this has on the Council. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee: 1. noted the contents of the report; 2. supported the application for exemption from the landfill ban at the landfill sites on Islay and Mull; and 3. delegated authority to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure to apply for exemptions at Dalinlongart and Lingerton landfill sites if required. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Infrastructure, dated 10 November 2025, submitted) 17. SPEED LIMIT REVIEW The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update and overview of the speed limit review on the local road network (“Project 20”) and the associated process Transport Scotland have adopted for the trunk road network.
Page 9
Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the report. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated November 2025, submitted) 18. SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT DRAFT CIRCULAR ECONOMY STRATEGY The Committee gave consideration to a report providing details on the consultation by Scottish Government setting out the rationale and benefits of a more circular economy within the wider economic framework and describes its overall vision to 2045. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee: 1. noted that the draft circular economy strategy sets out the rationale and benefits of a more circular economy within the wider economic framework and describes the Scottish Government’s overall vision to 2045 and the outcomes that they are working towards; and 2. approved delegated powers to the Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure to approve the final Council response to the Scottish Government Draft Circular Economy Strategy, in consultation with the Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 14 November 2025, submitted) 19. UPDATE ON MEASURES TO PROTECT AGAINST ROCKFALLS ON B8035, GRIBUN, MULL The Committee gave consideration to a report exploring options, cost and the impact of the closure of the B8035 at Gribun, Mull for local communities. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee: 1. noted the options outlined in Table 4.1, of the submitted report, and agreed that officers continue to work with partners to identify an option that keeps risk as low as reasonably practicable having regard to: i. the likelihood; and ii. the impact of any rockfall versus the cost of prevention; and 2. noted that a further update report would be brought to a future Committee as soon as a preferred option and costings have been identified. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 30 November 2025, submitted)
Page 10
20. COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT (SCOTLAND) ACT 2015 - ALLOTMENTS WAITING LIST REGISTER The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the actions that are being undertaken in response to duties placed on the Council under Part 9 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 which provides a legal framework that promotes and encourages community empowerment and participation in growing food. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the Allotments Waiting List Register update which reflected the duties placed on local authorities arising from Part 9 – Allotments of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated November 2025, submitted) 21. ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE WORK PLAN 2025/26 The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee workplan was before the Committee for noting. Decision The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee noted the content of the workplan. (Reference: Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee workplan, dated December 2025, submitted)