Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Andy Newiss, R A Clements Associates.

The Chair ruled and the Group agreed, in terms of Standing Order 3.2.2 that an application regarding Dunollie Project Ltd dealt with at item 8(d) of this Minute, be taken as a matter of urgency due to the need for decisions to be made in advance of forthcoming planned events.

Councillor Fred Hall declared a non financial interest in relation to the application on Oban Fireworks Group which is dealt with at item 6(a) of this Minute because he is a member of the Group.  He left the room and took no part in the decision.

Councillor Elaine Robertson declared a non financial interest in relation to the urgent application on Dunollie Project Ltd which is dealt with at item 8(d) of this Minute because her husband is a factor of Dunollie Estate and there might be a perception that she had some connection with the applicants.  She left the room during discussion of this item and took no part in the decision.

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 29 May 2013 were approved as a correct record.

The Head of Governance and Law made reference to item 5 of this Minute regarding the Investment Activity and advised that the Head of Strategic Finance would bring this report to the November meeting.

Report by Andy Newiss, R A Clements Associates

A financial statement detailing the current position of investment transaction for the period 1^st April – 14 August 2013, was considered.

Decision

The trustees noted the information provided and noted the amendment on page 3 – Grant Budget which should read £19,413 instead of £24,413, given the need for the underwrite to be given to the Gathering

(Ref:  Financial statement by Andy Newiss, R A Clements dated 14^th August 2013, submitted).

The trustees received a thank you letter from Oban Pipe Band for the money distributed from the Oban Common Good Fund for the Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival held in May 2013.

The trustees received a thank you letter from Lorne Campbell for the presentation of a Quaich at the last meeting in May, for his valued work within the community over the years.

Councillor Fred Hall, having declared a non financial interest in item 6(a), left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of this item.

The trustees continued the application from Oban Fireworks Group following on from the meeting on 29^th May where the Common Good Fund set aside £1,000, subject to details of the full funding package to be confirmed and to revisit the figure. 

Decision

The trustees agreed to disperse £1,393 to the group.

The trustees considered an updated application from Oban War & Peace Museum providing information on their finances, and their annual interest for their loan and accounts.

This follows on from their application at the meeting in May asking for a further payment to reduce their previous loan.

Decision

The trustees agreed to disperse £2,500 to the group.

The trustees considered an updated application from Hogmanay in Oban which provides more detail on their full project costs.

This follows on from their application which went to the meeting on 29 May asking for a grant to help with a stage, lights, generator, acts and security.

Decision

The trustees agreed to award the group with £3,000 with a further underwrite of £2,000 if required, subject to receiving their accounts prior to the event.

The trustees considered an application from Homestart Lorn to celebrate their 25^th Anniversary by planning 4 main events.  The 4 events are a fun day, Ceilidh, lunch and the official Mull launch.

Decision

The trustees agreed to underwrite up to £650, excluding the official Mull Launch as it is outwith the Burgh of Oban, and write to the Group to ask for clarification on whether money had been received from McQueens Trust.

The trustees considered an application from Oban Winter Festival to help fund their event.

Decision

The trustees agreed to disperse £2,500 to the group.

The trustees considered an application from Oban High School Parent Council for the purchase of two mini buses.

Decision

The trustees agreed that Oban High School Parent Council application did not appear to take account of all of the Common Good fund criteria including the normal level of grants awarded and asked that they be invited to resubmit further information and a revised grant request to the November meeting to provide more detail of the proposal and how it would be sustained.

Councillor Elaine Robertson, having declared a non financial interest in item 8[d], left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of this item. The Vice Chair Councillor Hall took the chair.

The trustees considered an application from Dunollie Project Ltd to help fund a brand new event for Oban.

Decision

The trustees refused the application on the basis that they did not believe that the application clearly demonstrated a wider benefit to the community of Oban.