Annual Council Business Plan Appendix 1
Argyll and Bute Council · 10 October 2024
Back to Policy and Resources Committee — 10 October 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Appendix 1 1 Argyll and Bute Council Annual Business Plan 2023 – 2024 Update Report
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Appendix 1 2 Council Priorities Action Plan 2023 - 2024 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update People and places, our core business as a council. Attaining and achieving at all stages; we will improve outcomes for our children and young people. Improve educational attainment, achievement and outcomes for our young people within Argyll and Bute to Scotland’s upper quartile. Continue to work in close partnership with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) to ensure young people successfully develop the skills for life and work required to attain sustained positive destinations post- school. Track young people’s pathways within school and in the period after leaving school, to ensure appropriate support, guidance and opportunities are in place to gain and sustain positive destinations. 95% of 16-19 year olds are in Education, Training or Employment The Annual Participation Measure for 2022-23 was published as of the end of August 2023 and we have exceeded our target with 95.6% of 16-19 year olds in Education, Training or Employment. The 2023-24 Annual Participation Measure will be published at the end of August 2024. The February 2024 Scottish Government Insight update shows that 95.3% of young people in Argyll and Bute who left school in 2023 entered a positive destination. DYW and schools continue to increase the number of school-employer partnerships, enabling young people to undertake work placements which match their interests and aspirations, develop skills for life and work and lead to formal accreditation. The number of work placements undertaken has increased each year since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. Full data on 2023- 24 work placements will be available in June.
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Appendix 1 3 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update All schools fulfil a robust calendar of 16+ meetings with DYW and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to identify those most at risk of negative destinations, and work with young people, families, employers and other agencies to ensure sustainable post-school destinations are achieved. Educational Attainment and Wider Achievement – Developing the use of all the available data and intelligence on each of our educational establishments to focus on and drive improvement, achieving our stretch aims (goals to improve opportunities and outcomes for young people) as agreed with the Scottish Government. Build staff capacity in the interrogation and use of data for improvement. Deliver targeted and universal literacy and numeracy support for establishments in order to raise attainment with specific focus on pupils residing in Quintile 1. Support schools to rigorously track and monitor pupil progress and plan measurable interventions and initiatives to raise attainment for all whilst closing the poverty related attainment gap. Stretch aims are achieved: Literacy 68.4%, Numeracy 75% School Leavers with 1 or more pass at SCQF Level 5 88.81%., School Leavers with 1 or more pass at SCQF Level 6 68.5% A number of Career Long Professional Learning (CLPL) sessions have been delivered in order to support data literacy. Through quality improvement visits, it is evident that there is increasing confidence amongst many senior leaders in terms of rigorous systems for tracking, monitoring and using data. Our Education Officer for Scottish Attainment Challenge has been supporting and challenging schools to ensure that Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) is well planned for using clear measures of success from the outset. This has resulted in a significant reduction in underspends at financial year end. It has also ensured that schools are robustly tracking the impact that PEF interventions are having to close the poverty related attainment gap. Our Literacy Education Support Officer and Numeracy Lead continue to support and challenge targeted schools in order to raise attainment of children who are economically disadvantaged.
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Appendix 1 4 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update In June 2023 (data published Dec 23) we achieved or exceeded almost all of our stretch aims. Of particular note is the reduction of the gap between those residing in Q1 and Q5 in literacy and numeracy at P1/4/7 combined. Developing a broader curriculum offer to augment current opportunities with a range of wider achievement awards and accreditations. This will have a positive impact on leaver destinations through inclusive, skills - based programmes in each secondary school. Support secondary schools via UK Shared Prosperity Funding to ensure accredited wider achievement opportunities exist for every pupil at each stage of their secondary education. Develop partnerships with Community Learning, UHI Argyll and Third Sector agencies to increase wider achievement opportunities for young people at each stage of their secondary education. Young People in every secondary school have the opportunity to engage in 1 accredited wider achievement programme at each stage of their secondary education. Development of this programme of Wider Achievement is ongoing, with Community Learning and Development increasing its support in and across our secondary schools. Through Community Learning engagement, 362 young people have engaged across 13 accredited courses, while 449 young people have accessed eight non-accredited courses. Secondary schools are successfully sourcing UKSPF funding to ensure wider achievement opportunities exist for every pupil at each stage of their secondary education. Personalised Flexible Learning Plans (FLPs) are broadening the curriculum for disengaged and vulnerable young people, developing their skills for life and work, and increasing the number of post-school positive destinations. 36 FLPs are in place across secondary schools. Continuing to promote the teaching and use of Gaelic as set out in the council’s emerging Gaelic Plan for 2023. The Education Officer and Principal Teacher will support establishments build Achieve the number of schools offering Gaelic as L2 and L3 to 60% (dependent on Scottish Government). The Principal Teacher has continued to provide a high level of support for schools through lesson modelling/live lessons, CLPL for staff, resources and support
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Appendix 1 5 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update staff capacity and help to establish Gaelic as an L2 or L3. Continue to signpost schools to ESgoil support and support and materials from other agencies such as Education Scotland and Storlann. Principal Teacher will continue to deliver online language lessons with colleagues from Highland and North Ayrshire Councils. visits. At present, we have 7 primary schools that provide Gaelic medium education, 17 primary schools that deliver Gaelic as L2 and 4 secondary schools that deliver Gaelic following the fluent path and as L2 or L3. We have 31 primary schools providing Gaelic as L3. Therefore, the majority of our schools are delivering Gaelic as either L1, L2 or L3 and we have surpassed our L2/L3 target by approximately 16%. We also have Gaelic as L3 being supported by external partners Feisgoil and e-sgoil. 5 primary schools have had online Gaelic lessons from Feisgoil this session and 1 primary school from E-sgoil. Learning estate now and in the future; we will ensure our schools are effective, sustainable learning environments. Progress a bid to the Scottish Government to establish a new campus on Mull. Await response on bid to Scottish Government Successful award from Scottish Government. Council agreed to commence the business case, undertake engagement exercises, commence site selection process and establish governance arrangements with updates to be brought back to members at appropriate gateway points.
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Appendix 1 6 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update Develop the next generation of capital investment plan and priorities for our school estate. Service Asset Management Plan (SAMP) for Education and delivery of Programme by Feb 2024. All programmed work completed by the specified date and in line with the allocated capital budget. Service Asset Management Plan (SAMP) for Education and delivery of Programme by Feb 2025. Supporting children and young people with additional needs. Reducing the number of children and young people who have to travel out-with the area to access services by enhancing provision where gaps currently exist. Develop plans and funding arrangements for four Learning Centres in areas as identified in the ASN review of 2021/22. Increase the number of staff within educational settings being CALM trained. Increase the number of children accessing enhanced provision within Argyll and Bute. The ASN Project Board has developed a timeline for the implementation of 4 new learning centres. Two will be operational by August 2024, one by August 2025 and the further island resource timeline will be established in concurrence with the decision to develop a new campus on Mull. Working to improve and secure equity of specialist provision across Argyll and Bute by addressing gaps where they exist across the education estate. Clarify funding and develop plans accordingly. Increase the number of children accessing specialist provision within Argyll and Bute. The numbers of children accessing Learning Centres and Parklands school have increased for session 2024 -25 across the local authority and the staffing levels have been adjusted accordingly to allow this provision to take place. Maintaining the current staffing complement who support ASN in line with our nurture stretch aim agreed with Scottish Government. Current complement of central staff- 1 Principal Teacher and 2 Teachers will be maintained through Stretch aims are achieved: Literacy 68.4%, Numeracy 75% School Leavers with 1 or more pass at SCQF Level 5 88.81%., School Leavers with Targeted nurture: Completed: 18 schools, 22 pupils Ongoing: 7 schools, 7 pupils Whole-school accreditation:
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Appendix 1 7 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update maintaining teacher numbers. The number of schools engaging with Our Children Their Nurture Education will increase to 35. 1 or more pass at SCQF Level 6 68.5% 46 schools now on board, including new cohort Bronze – 22 schools Silver – 6 schools Gold – 1 school Breakdown of schools: 46 schools in total across 4 cohorts 33 primary schools 6 secondary schools 7 ELC/nurseries We are in the process of gathering data in order to measure progress against our nurture ‘plus’ stretch aim. This will be confirmed by end of June 2024. Roads and pathways; connections to, from and within Argyll will be supported. Reviewing our approach to road repair prioritisation to make the most effective use of resources in the context of budget pressures and to achieve the best possible balance in terms of strategic, operational and member input. Roll out programme of member engagement. Increase member satisfaction with programme approach. Seminar/member workshop delivered in January 2023 followed up by Business Day meetings in October/November 2023 followed by Area Committee meetings in March 2024. This process has provided well-received refresher training and in the case of new members, provided a good foundation on which to build knowledge and understanding of the asset management approach to road maintenance. Feedback from Members has been largely positive.
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Appendix 1 8 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update Initiating plans for a 20mph speed limit by working in partnership, and in line with national legislation, on the rollout and delivery of a 20mph limit where that will work best for our communities. Undertake surveys and assessments of settlements on 20mph zones to return to Transport Scotland. Complete assessments and return to Transport Scotland. Completed assessments have been returned to Transport Scotland for the roll out of the 20mph zones. There are mixed views as to whether this should be universally rolled out – further discussions to take place with Elected Members while we await the outcome of the assessments. Completing a review of parking and traffic management/enforcement to reshape arrangements that reflect community needs and ambitions. Commission review and submit findings and recommendations to members. Review the opportunity to better manage traffic management/enforcement and prepare a clear set of proposals Members’ consideration. This forms part of the RIS Review which will be reported to the June EDI Committee with further changes progressing. Piers and harbours Upgrading the council’s harbour infrastructure to ensure it is capable of receiving existing and planned new ferries (including at Craignure, Fionnphort/Ruahaich, Port Askaig, Dunoon, Kilcreggan and Campbeltown, Tayinloan - Gigha). Design for Iona/Fionnphort. Business case for Craignure, ground investigation. Consultation returns for Dunoon/Kilcreggan. Completion of design for Iona/Fionnphort. Completion of business case for Craignure, ground investigation. Consultation data returns prepared by consultants to present a proposed preferred option, which will be report to Members and the public. Iona/Fionnphort: Design for Iona complete and works have been tendered. Design substantially complete for Fionnphort. Craignure: Delays to Ground Investigation works due to additional requirements from Nature Scotland regarding marine mammals. Ground Investigation delayed from Autumn 2023 to Spring 2024. Kilcreggan: Consultation exercise for Dunoon - Kilcreggan carried out. Vessel replacement programme postponed by Scottish Government which prevents any further design and development of the
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Appendix 1 9 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update Development of business case for extension of Oban North Pier. Complete development of business case for extension of Oban North Pier. marine infrastructure (vessel type and size needs to be confirmed prior to designing the infrastructure to ensure compatibility). Oban North Pier: Extension of North Pier business case on hold pending the completion of the HRO for Oban Bay. There was complete agreement with Harbour Board Members, officers and legal team that the business case should logically follow on from the HRO. In the meantime we have proceeded with the survey and assessment of the existing pier, which is required for the Business Case and as we are building on an existing appraisal report the business case can be expedited rapidly. Creating a new municipal harbour authority in Oban, ensuring that proposals are submitted to Scottish ministers as soon as possible following consideration by the Harbour Board in December 2022, and putting preparations in place to commence operations upon approval by ministers. Establish a Municipal Harbour Authority with an up to date and modern Harbour Revision Order. Finalisation of Harbour Revision Order. Formal consultation for the HRO carried out. Circa 100 representations received with the majority of these responded and at the time of writing there are a couple of legal matters to be confirmed. Following this all the representations will be returned to Transport Scotland for their consideration before being put in front of the Cabinet Secretary who will determine the Order. Seeking funding for the procurement of new council- operated vessels including Islay/Jura, Luing and Easdale. Carry out assessment, specification and costing of new vessels. Secure funding for new vessels based on priority requirement. Discussions ongoing with Transport Scotland on the age of the vessels and the risks faced by Argyll & Bute Council. To date no funding secured for vessel
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Appendix 1 10 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update Request funding from Scottish Government and/or explore other funding opportunities. replacements. Consideration for other sources of funding being explored. Finalising the demand, economic impact and business case assessment for the Helensburgh Pier strategy in 2023. Commission consultants to undertake feasibility study into future users of the pier. Consider study from consultants. Clear recommendation(s) submitted for Members’ approval. Report presented to the EDI Committee in November 2023, where the committee accepted the consultant’s findings and agreed that officers would no longer devote resources to pursuing a Council funded berthing facility. The Committee also agreed that the Head of Development and Economic Growth would engage with Helensburgh Community Council and any other appropriate community group(s) who may express a wish to pursue options, including a potential asset transfer of Helensburgh Wooden Pier. Waste and recycling services; reduce our carbon emissions. Delivering a solution that enables the council to divert its biodegradable waste from landfill, within 2026, while seeking a short term derogation to allow the PPP contract to expire. Engagement with Scottish Government to secure derogation for new waste transfer model on islands. Negotiate new contract to replace the existing Helensburgh and Secure derogation from Scottish Government to enable the PPP contract to run to its natural end in September 2026, this being nine months beyond the introduction of the BMW landfill ban. New contract to replace the existing Helensburgh and Lomond area contract with a Ongoing discussions with Scottish Government Ministers and officials since December 2022. With the passage of time, the derogation has become less attractive and our ask to SG is for a financial contribution of circa £1.5M. The previous waste contractor, Barr Environmental Ltd (BEL), gave notice that they were to cease trading on 31 March
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Appendix 1 11 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update Lomond area contract with a BMW compliant contracted solution. Commence an EfW procurement by the end of the year for current waste PPP areas. BMW compliant contracted solution. Procurement commenced for EfW. 2024. The team have put in place new arrangements to cover the services previously provided by BEL. Positive discussions progressing with Renewi with an update report due at the June EDI Committee seeking approval to progress a contract variation with the PPP contract on the basis that we are not expecting a derogation to be put in place. This includes provision for EfW. Encouraging households to increase use of recycling services to reach at least the Scottish average (with service exploring options to stretch targets where possible). Carry out marketing and publicity campaign – e.g. Food Waste Awareness campaign, Green July (which will also include waste). Officers review the recycling rate to see if the campaign has had an impact. Resource from Zero Waste Scotland has been secured – ZWS have undertaken a composition analysis which will assist in producing a Recycling Strategy (first draft has been produced with further work required). The composition analysis will help inform any future marketing to ensure that the appropriate audience and marketing message can be achieved. The Council worked with Zero Waste Scotland to refresh the recycling section of our website to streamline our messaging and reflect best practice. The new pages were completed in early March. We have had some emails from the public commenting on the information being “excellent”.
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Appendix 1 12 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update A two-week social media campaign to promote the new pages on the website ran from 18 – 29 March and covered messages around reduce, reuse and recycle, and included a post about businesses having a legal duty towards recycling. A second social media campaign will take place in June and focus on behaviour changes which would help reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and pointed customers to supporting information, either on the council website or third-party sites. Marketing will continue with regular posts, and campaigns, throughout the year. Housing Supporting the provision of over 1,000 affordable homes by 2027 (247 in 2022/23 plus at least 750 additional homes over the life of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan). Submit business case for housing to government through the Rural Growth Deal. Successfully submit Business Case. OBC has been submitted for Tobermory element of Rural growth Deal. Contract let and due on site May 2024 to install road and infrastructure. Housing Emergency Action Plan being finalised following Housing Summit, will be
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Appendix 1 13 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update Look at number of properties required to be completed in 2023/24 - target agreed in Local Housing Strategy is 215 units. Submit the Annual SHIP for approval to Council in September. Review number of completions against target set. Annual SHIP approved by Members and submitted to the Scottish Government. presented to the EDI Committee and ultimately incorporated in Councils LHS Action Programme. 70 new build units were completed in 2023/24. We are working with Housing Association partners to enable 'buy back' acquisitions which will boost the delivery of affordable housing units. In addition, the Council has approved Strategic Housing Fund grants to enable NHS properties to be brought back into use. Work has also started on the Council's Housing Rural Growth Deal project which will deliver up to 12 properties for workers on Mull. SHIP has been submitted to SG and approved in Oct 2023. Exploring additional options to increase the availability of all tenures of housing - mid market rents, shared equity, affordable by design and other developments - in the area. Housing delivery group will identify alternative opportunities to deliver all tenures of housing. Review Local Housing Strategy in light of declared Housing Emergency. Update Housing Strategy Approved by Members. Ref previous row: Housing Emergency Action Plan being developed and leading to revised LHS Action Programme in Autumn 2024. Considering the implementation of short term lets control zones Undertake an evidenced based assessment of the Completion of assessment. Short Term let licensing still underway. Mapping license applications underway.
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Appendix 1 14 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update to open up more housing availability. appropriateness of STL Planning Control Zones. Outline options presented to Senior Policy Leads in June 2024 and officers will then map out detailed statutory process and complete compilation evidence base. Continuing to support households to improve energy efficiency and tackle rising living costs through annual investment through and implementation of the Home Energy Efficiency Programme in Argyll and Bute. Liaise with Scottish Government and stakeholders to maximise funding. Target for 2023/24 is to support 280 private sector properties/households with energy efficiency improvements, as agreed in the Local Housing Strategy. Officers will work with ACHA to develop special projects which may secure additional funding. Secure HEEPS funding for Council led schemes. Review the offer in principle of £1.9m from the Scottish Government, which the Council then submit an application for. 2023/24 HEEPS ABSS completed on schedule. Application submitted and awaiting formal award from SG anticipated June 2024. The Home Energy Efficiency Programme: Area Based Scheme is delivered across Argyll and Bute with particular emphasis on remoter rural and island communities. During 2023/24 a total of 307 private sector households received energy efficiency measures through the programme. The Council worked in partnership with ACHA to help insulate privately owned or privately rented properties in multi-tenure blocks which included ACHA owned properties.
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Appendix 1 15 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update During 2023/24, the Scottish Government awarded funding of £633,600 to complete works in Bute and Tarbert. Developing the opportunity for the council to become a Rural Housing Body - where it would be more directly involved in the delivery of housing or land for housing. Submit to Scottish Government evidence and request for Argyll and Bute council to become a Rural Housing Body Secure permission to become a Rural Housing Body. Housing Body has been awarded. Will develop policy for Rural implementation. Communities; we will build and strengthen our communities as attractive, vibrant places to live, work and do business. Creating area plans for all our communities, reflecting investment opportunities and local service prioritisation. Agree approach, method and resources to commence development of area plans. Commence co- production of area plans. Agreed process and engagement commenced. Seeking ways of securing more community wealth building opportunities across Argyll and Bute and supporting communities to gain maximum benefit from developments in their area. Map current community wealth activity through the work of Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface. Completion of mapping of current activity.
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Appendix 1 16 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update Seeking to maximise scope for community involvement and participation, including exploring the role that community transfers can play. Develop a proactive approach to support greater community participation in asset transfers. Six monthly reporting on expressions of interest received from community groups Information, advice and guidance for community bodies who are interested in making formal requests has been developed and is on the Council’s website Quarterly reports were provided to Members rather than six monthly. Potential and growth; turning opportunities into reality. Economic Development Achieving sign-off of the Rural Growth Deal business and cases and begin delivering priority projects like The Marine Industry Training Centre, UAV Drone Hub and Seaweed Academy. Complete outline business cases (OBCs) and key documents required for approval of Scottish and UK Governments in order to sign the Full Deal Agreement and commence draw down of RGD funding. Full deal sign off. Full deal signing scheduled for 7th June 2024. Full Deal signing was planned for 7 June however due to General election this will be delayed. All projects now at Outline Business Case (OBC)Stage with a number of OBC’s nearing endorsement by Government. Rothesay Pavilion at full Business Case stage. Securing of Levelling Up funding for projects, including Argyll and Bute Western Seaboard Marine Gateways Initiative, Whisky Islands and Lorn Economic Growth Zone. Bid in 2022 was not successful – consider and scope out proposals for next round in alignment with the UK Government’s guidance. Submission of a bid to Levelling Up Fund, as per guidance set by the UK Government. £20m allocated via UKG Levelling Up Partnership funding. Long list of project options currently being considered. UKG will decide which projects will be funded. Implement £4.5m Argyll and Bute UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan. Commence implementation of Argyll and Bute UK Successfully complete first year implementation plan of UKSPF. This Plan remains on track with all individual elements being taken forward and submitted to the UK Government in
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Appendix 1 17 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Investment Plan. line with Audit requirements. This includes the approval of 9 community projects at the April Council meeting. Complete site development of Helensburgh Waterfront project securing long-term economic benefit. Marketing of site and select preferred bidder Successful appointment of a preferred bidder to progress the development. Two stage marketing process completed. Community engagement and retail study completed. Interviews with 2 remaining preferred developers completed and final selected developer will be reported to P&R Committee in August 2024. Deliver the £15m Campbeltown Flood Prevention Scheme. Implement Campbeltown Flood Prevention Scheme Complete the implementation of Campbeltown Flood Prevention Scheme. Campbeltown Food Prevention Scheme is on track to be completed by June 2024. Regenerate the waterfront of Ardrishaig Implement public realm improvements to Ardrishaig waterfront. Complete implementation of improvements to water front public realm in Ardrishaig Public Realm upgrades complete. Scottish Canals progressing negotiations with a potential commercial operator on the former Gleaner Oils site. Driving forward additional strategic economic development projects including progression of the Dunbeg housing, commercial and infrastructure projects and the North Lorn Economic Growth Zone through the Lorn Arc Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) scheme. Agree amendments to Scottish Government TIF scheme to allow flexibility for longer term larger development. Apply for planning consent for phase 4 housing and associated works. Secure TIF amendment. Planning consents progressed for phase 4 housing and associated works. Detailed case for amendment and time extension of TIF agreement, submitted to SG. Expecting decision in summer of 2024. More Homes Division have funded planning application for LINK Phase 4 housing development. Further SI and Cost Planning carried out. Anticipate planning application summer / autumn. Full Business Case being progressed for Oban Airport site as agreed at P&R Committee in May 2024. Implement Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) Projects in Dunoon, Apply for CARs scheme for Tarbert Dunoon and Rothesay CARs scheme for Tarbert approved. Dunoon/ Rothesay CARs - Tarbert – Final funding applications due to be submitted to HES and NLF in November 2024.
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Appendix 1 18 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update Lochgilphead, Tarbert and Helensburgh. CARs - complete last priority buildings. Helensburgh CARs project on track Lochgilphead - commence first priority building on site. complete last priority building. Helensburgh CARs project on track Lochgilphead - commence first priority building on site. Dunoon and Rothesay – last priority buildings have been completed. Helensburgh – First priority building in final development stage. Lochgilphead – all four priority buildings on site with two 95% complete. Maximising community economic and employment opportunities from the Islay Scotwind offshore wind project. Explore development of supply chain opportunities for local businesses. Complete assessment and report on supply chain for local businesses. Regular meetings have been held with 2 off-shore wind developers to discuss possible use of local ports and supply chain opportunities. The project continues to make progress as the development undertakes necessary environmental works, community engagement and financial appraisals. Preparing an options appraisal for implementation of a transient visitor levy. Consider Bill and develop a two-stage consultation process, consulting with the tourism industry, local communities, visitors and a wider range of businesses. Complete engagement process, review findings and report to Members once the Bill has been released detailing its provisions. The Bill is still progressing through Parliament with a target of August 24. Officers continue to monitor progress and are awaiting expert guidance on levy implementation in June 24 before preparing a public engagement plan on how to introduce the tourism levy in line with Government timelines. ABC is currently leading this work through the Highlands and Islands Economic Partnership in an effort to coordinate implementation of the levy to provide a level of consistency. Commercial services; making assets work now. Increasing commercial development of business and retail space, including the Develop businesses cases for: - Kilmory Industrial Park Complete businesses cases and to take forward as appropriate: Kilmory Business Park – enabling works are progressing on site. Legal Agreements are approaching completion, the Monitoring
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Appendix 1 19 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update Kilmory Industrial Park, and identifying other opportunities wherever possible. - Oban Airport - Killarow House, Bowmore - Lorn House, Oban - Kilmory Industrial Park - Oban Airport - Killarow House, Bowmore - Lorn House, Oban Surveyor has been appointed, and the final funding application has been submitted. Oban Airport – Outline Business Case completed and reported to P&R Committee on 9/5/24. Planning consent granted for TSL unit and UAV Hub Kilarrow House / Lorn House – HUB North appointed to complete options appraisal due for completion May 2024. Site investigations commissioned. Exploring additional commercial opportunities at Oban Airport. Develop business case apply for planning consent for business units. Complete business case and secure planning consent for business units. Outline Business Case completed and reported to P&R Committee on 9/5/24. Planning consent granted for TSL unit and UAV Hub. Delivering the Our Modern Workspace project (OMW), rationalising the council estate and facilitating hybrid working solutions. Progress delivery of OMW projects in Lochgilphead, Oban and Rothesay Lochgilphead – agree implementation plan. Oban – complete office rationalisation. Rothesay – Complete phase 1 capital works. Oban and Rothesay Complete and operational. Initial information gathering underway for Lochgilphead and Visioning workshops for Kilmory Redesign scheduled for May 2024. Leading the development and creation of Craigendoran Business Park as a business, engineering and innovation hub. Prepare business case as part of Rural Growth Deal (RGD). Completed business case to allow RGD sign off. Site investigations completed and infrastructure costings due for completion in May 2024. Outline Business Case has been completed and is out for external consultation. Exploring opportunities for sharing services where possible - both to help grow our income Implementation of new shared management structure with HSCP in New shared management structure with HSCP in relation to Hostels and Care Homes Management of the catering and domestic teams within Care Homes and Hostels commenced in July 2023. Service
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Appendix 1 20 Priority Activity 2023 – 2024 Success Measure 2023 - 2024 Annual Update through providing our expertise, and enhancing service delivery in communities where we need to source options from elsewhere. relation to Hostels and Care Homes for catering and cleaning for catering and cleaning operating and delivering efficiencies. improvements have been implemented and income generation opportunities are being explored. On-going savings options are being reviewed. Driving down further our own carbon emissions, achieving net zero by 2045 and exceeding our target of a 75% reduction by 2030, building on our good track record in relation to combatting climate change, through the delivery of our Decarbonisation Plan. Progress Argyll and Bute Decarbonisation Plan for 2022 – 2025. Deliver against agreed performance for Argyll and Bute Decarbonisation Plan for 2022 – 2025 including the tender and appointment of supporting consultancy to assist Officers with development of new Decarbonisation Plan by December 2025. Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report 2022/23 confirms annual Council emissions of 26,512 tCO2e, representing a reduction of 1,705 tCO2e compared to 2021/22, and longer-term reduction of 12,952 tCO2e compared to 2015/2016 figure. Continued engagement with HubNorth to progress tender and appointment of consultancy support to support development of new Council Net Zero Routemap, which will supplant current Decarbonisation Plan. Securing Carbon Literate Organisation status by the end of 2023, including completion of the rollout of carbon literacy training to all councillors. Securing Carbon Literate Organisation status by the end of 2023 Deliver more training - application for Carbon Literate Organisation submitted and await outcome. Achieve bronze status and working towards silver status. Bronze Climate Literate Organisation Status achieved in 2023. Developing plans to progress towards Silver status, initially on a departmental basis.
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Appendix 1 21 Partnership and Action - everyone has a part to play in Argyll and Bute’s success In our Priorities for the Council Term 2022 to 2027, we have set out our areas for action to deliver our vision for Argyll and Bute. There are elements of that vision which require action from other agencies at all levels - from our communities right up to national government. We will commit to working in partnership wherever we need to as well as calling on others, with responsibility, to take the action that is required to safeguard Argyll and Bute’s success. This will include: 1. Continuing to build up our strong track record in partnership working and seeking new ways of working with communities, other organisations, and the third and private sectors. 2. Continuing to work in partnership with further education and higher education providers in Argyll and Bute to ensure young people have access to high quality innovative educational opportunities that support local employers and the Argyll economy. 3. Lobbying for support for the higher-than-average energy costs faced by Argyll and Bute communities. 4. Pressing the case for retaining delivery of care services locally, where community knowledge, relationships and experience are best placed to identify and meet local needs and local accountability. 5. Calling for funding support to tackle challenges in local social care delivery - including recruitment, retention and development of care staff in communities - rather than centralisation of services. 6. Continuing to call for planning, construction and opening of the replacement route at the Rest and Be Thankful within the life of the this Scottish Parliament 7. Working in partnership with the Rothesay Pavilion Charity Trust to lobby for funding to complete the refurbishment of the Pavilion. 8. Seeking additional funding support to address the unprecedented severe weather damage to the sea defences supporting Bute’s main island roadway at Ardbeg. 9. Working with the Community Planning Partnership to develop a Climate Change Strategy for the region as a whole. 10. Adding our voice to those of our local government colleagues across Scotland to call on national government for fair funding settlements which enable councils to deliver the services that matter to communities, and reinforcing the need for recognition of the vital contribution that local government makes to national priorities and Scotland’s overall success.