Decision details

Consideration was given to a report updating the Committee on the progress in relation to the review of the commercial market and affordability assumptions in the 2013 Lorn Arc Business Case, the latest position with regard to the delivery of the individual projects, and the latest position as at the end of January 2017.

The Chair updated the Committee on a reply which had been received from the Scottish Government in response to the Council’s request for confirmation of the Scottish Governments intention to engage with the Scottish Futures Trust and the Council to find an alternative solution for the delivery of the Lorn Arc Programme and its associated benefits.  Councillor Walsh also advised that a meeting had been arranged for 29 March 2017 with Keith Brown, Minister for Rural Economy and Derek MacKay, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Constitution.

Decision

The Committee –

1.    Noted that the current position of the Lorn Arc Programme had been reported to the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee for information.

2.    Noted that Argyll and Bute Council had sent a letter to Derek MacKay MSP (Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution) formally requesting confirmation from Scottish Government of their intention to engage with the Council to find an alternative approach for the delivery of the Lorn Arc Programme and its associated outcomes.

3.    Agreed that a more substantive report be prepared and reported to the first appropriate Council Committee following the planned meeting with Scottish Government Ministers on 29 March 2017.

4.    Agreed that the Lorn Arc team would be delegated the authority to engage with Scottish Government officials and the Scottish Futures Trust on potential solutions and  alternative funding/financing models following the substantive report to the appropriate Council Committee.

5.    Noted that work continues on all current project sites.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services dated 31 January 2017, submitted)