Issue - meetings

Presentation by Project Manager, Argyll and Bute Council.

The Group gave consideration to a report providing information on an evaluation which had been completed in respect of the Aspiring Places initiative. The report highlighted the key findings, including levels of participation, user satisfaction and challenges.  Stuart Green highlighted that the existing site would remain while the review was carried out; that the Funders Forum Steering Group would work with communities at appropriate stages and that the review outcomes would inform improvements to the Aspiring Places initiative.

Action – Stuart Green to provide details of the number of projects funded to date to the Group

Action – Stuart Green to seek an answer from the Funders Forum to the question of collaborative new groups being established through platform use.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group noted:

1.          the successful launch of the Aspiring Places platform and that it remained a live site for the benefit of communities, funders and the Council;

2.          the key findings from the evaluation of the scheme as set out in paragraphs 3.7 to 3.10 of the report; and

3.          an emerging need to develop a more sustainable approach to managing grant funds in an equitable manner for the Council and  communities alike and therefore the Council was undertaking a review of the internal approach and practices in the management of grant funding.

(Reference: Report by Corporate Support Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 7 January 2026, submitted)