Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated on behalf of Councillors Audrey Forrest, Daniel Hampsey and Liz McCabe.

Councillor William Sinclair advised in relation to item 5 of the agenda (Argyll Community Housing Association Annual Update) that he had been appointed to the ACHA Board by the Council.  Having taken note of the updated Standards Commission Guidance in relation to declarations (issued on 7 December 2021) with specific reference to section 5.4(c) he/she did not consider that he/she had a relevant connection and as such would remain in the meeting during the consideration of this item of Business.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee held on 3 March 2026 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Bute and Cowal Area Community Planning Group held on 29 April 2026 were noted.

The Committee Manager advised that there had been two public questions submitted in advance of the meeting by Catriona Renfrew and Robin and Pat Beck. The Chair then invited any other members of the public in attendance to ask any questions they may have.

 

Catriona Renfrew, Kilfinan Community Council

 

Ms Renfrew advised that the Community Council had unanimously raised concerns regarding the approval of the motorsport order for the 2026 Argyll Rally. She reported that, despite engagement with rally organisers following the 2025 event, which had been highly disruptive, six proposed route changes put forward to reduce disruption to residents, businesses and visitors had not been adopted. Ms Renfrew expressed disappointment that the Council had granted the order without these changes and questioned how the requirement for meaningful community engagement had been satisfied. She further highlighted concerns that the Community Council’s representations appeared to have had no influence on the decision and sought the views of elected members on this matter.

 

The Project Manager advised that legislation does not require event organisers to accept every suggestion made during consultation, but rather that adequate arrangements are in place to allow community views to be considered. He confirmed that representations from the Community Council and others had been reviewed, and that organisers had responded, particularly where proposed changes may have impacted on the safety or viability of the event. Officers had assessed this information against the wider statutory requirements and concluded that the necessary tests set out in the Regulations before the Motor Sport Order had been approved. He emphasised that the non-adoption of specific proposals did not mean they had been disregarded.

 

Councillor Blair acknowledged the increased level of dialogue with rally organisers compared to previous years and welcomed this as positive progress. He recognised, however, the disappointment that none of the Community Council’s proposals had been implemented. Councillor Blair stated that, given the scale and benefits of the event across the wider area, there would inevitably be differing impacts on communities. He emphasised the importance of continued engagement with organisers and Council officers to seek improvements where possible in future.

 

Councillor Moreland advised that, while Kilfinan Community Council was not within his ward, similar events in his area were generally well supported by the community, with local community councils actively involved in the organisation and delivery. He acknowledged that views may differ but noted that there remained a significant level of public support for the rally overall.

 

Ms Renfrew reiterated that the Community Council was not opposed to the rally, but had sought reasonable route adjustments to minimise disruption. She expressed concern that extensive engagement had resulted in no changes being adopted, and that this undermined confidence in the consultation process. She highlighted perceived inconsistencies in how different community councils’ views had been acted upon and stressed the need for meaningful compromise.

 

Councillor McNeilly acknowledged Ms Renfrew’s disappointment and reiterated that responses submitted during consultation had been considered, even if not accepted. She noted that achieving a balance between competing views was often difficult, particularly for events which generate both strong support and opposition, and emphasised that it was not possible to satisfy all parties.

 

In summing up, the Chair recognised the challenges faced by the Community Council, including differing views within the community itself. She encouraged continued dialogue between the Community Council, Council officers and rally organisers, noting that engagement had improved over time. The Chair highlighted that, while the outcome was not as hoped, progress had been made and further engagement would be key moving forward.

 

The Project Manager added that where specific suggestions are made, it would be expected that clear responses are provided and undertook to review this..

 

The Chair thanked Ms Renfrew for her contribution.

 

Robin and Pat Beck

 

In the absence of Robin and Pat Beck the Committee Manager read out the submitted question.

 

Would the Area Committee support the installation of a pedestrian crossing on the A815 opposite the old Queens Hotel, the installation of a speed bump on approach to the bend coming from Dunoon and a 20mph speed limit throughout Kirn.

 

The Project Manager advised that such requests would require detailed technical assessment, including traffic and speed surveys, and consideration of wider network impacts. He noted that the national Project 20 programme was currently underway and may influence proposals in the area. It was recommended that the request be considered as part of that process, with community feedback and any petition submitted feeding into the assessment.

 

Councillor Blair reported that Mr and Mrs Beck had collected over 100 signatures in support of increased road safety measures in the area and presented the petition to the Chair on their behalf.

 

Councillor Sinclair expressed support for improved road safety measures in the area and sought guidance on how elected members could engage with the Project 20 process. The Chair confirmed that opportunities for engagement, including forthcoming meetings, would be available.

 

The Committee agreed that the concerns raised should be fed into the ongoing Project 20 work.

 

Jan Hurwood

 

Question 1

 

Jan Hurwood, a resident, raised an issue regarding access to a property on Ardencraig Road following safety measures being implemented.

 

The Chair advised that a risk assessment had identified safety concerns and undertook to request that officers review the specific access issue and report back.

 

Question 2

 

Ms Hurwood acknowledged the positive meeting of the Argyll and Bute HSCP Integration Joint Board held on Bute on 27 May 2026 and the visit to Thomson Court. Ms Hurwood then asked the Bute members whether they had read the Joint Strategic Plan for 2026-2031 and what they would do going forward to support the retention of care services offered at Thomson Court.

 

Councillor Wallace advised that both day services and care provision remained essential and supported their continuation. The Chair and Councillor Moreland highlighted ongoing work by the Health and Social Care Partnership to develop a more strategic, area-based approach to care provision, recognising local needs, although challenges remained regarding funding and capital investment.

 

Dunoon  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Presentation by Chief Executive, Argyll Community Housing Association.

The Committee gave consideration to the Argyll Community Housing Association 2025/26 Update which illustrated what they had achieved including anti-social behaviour resolutions; repairs and new tenancies; adaptations, welfare rights and housing association trust fund. A summary on works carried out on the energy efficiency programme were also provided; projects in Valrose Terrace and Dixon Avenue, Dunoon had been completed; highlights of work carried out with community groups in the local area, including awards to primary schools, North Bute and Kilmodan, who had both received an award through the ACHA School Awards Scheme; Dunoon Burgh Hall, Glendaruel Hall and Isle of Bute Trust had also benefited from awards from the ACHA Community Action Fund.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted the Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) update as presented.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive, ACHA dated 2 June 2026, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

 

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 4 of 2025/26 (January to March 2026) which illustrated the agreed performance measures for this period.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted the performance and supporting commentary as presented.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services dated 11 May 2026, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

 

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing links to recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure Services.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted the contents of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated 6 May 2026, submitted)

Councillor Ross Moreland left the meeting during the consideration of the following item of Business.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth.

 

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on progress made in 2025/26 in relation to active travel projects in the Bute and Cowal area.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee –

 

1.    welcomed the progress made to date across a significant number of active travel projects by the very small Active Travel Team;

 

2.    supported the continuation of the projects and the submission of future funding applications to external challenge funds to continue to develop design and construction stages to deliver these projects;

 

3.    supported the allocation of the Tier 1 active travel funding element in the Council’s 26/27 block grant to the development and delivery of appropriate active travel projects, including those already underway in Bute and Cowal; and

 

4.    instructed Officers to continue to identify and develop new active travel projects to benefit local residents, businesses and communities.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 10 May 2026, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report relating to Dunoon Grammar School, which provided information on S3 Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels, attainment in literacy and numeracy and Gaelic, National Qualifications and Insight data. Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted the contents of the report and information provided.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated 2 June 2026, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

 

The Committee gave consideration to a report relating to Rothesay Academy, which provided information on S3 Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels, attainment in Literacy and Numeracy, National Qualifications and Insight data. Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted the contents of the report and information provided.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated 2 June 2026, submitted)

Report by Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Performance & Information Team Manager

 

 

Consideration was given to the Health and Social Care Partnership Performance (HSCP) Report for financial quarter 3 of 2025/26 (October – December 2025).

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee -

 

1.    acknowledged performance for FQ3 2025/26 (October – December) against latest Key Performance Indicators within the Integrated Performance Management Framework for 2025/26;

 

2.    noted latest Delayed Discharge Sitrep as of 16 February 2026, as at Appendix 1 of the report; 

 

3.    acknowledged latest performance against the National Health & Wellbeing Outcomes and Ministerial Steering Group Integration Indicators, as at Appendix 2 of the report; and

 

4.    acknowledged the inclusion of additional Argyll and Bute HSCP performance metrics aligned to national reporting across Centre for Sustainable Delivery Unscheduled Care, and the Planned Care performance focus within the Operational Improvement Plan, as at Appendix 3 of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership dated 2 June 2026, submitted)

Report by Chief Executive Unit.

The Committee gave consideration to a report which highlighted the positive outcomes for communities in Bute and Cowal from the projects and activities funded by the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund in 2024/25.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee -

 

1.    noted and considered the positive contribution of the Supporting Communities Fund 2024/25, highlighted in section 4 of the report and detailed in the attached table;

 

2.    noted that a total of £218.30 had been returned; and agreed that this be included in the distribution of the Supporting Communities Fund for 2026/27.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive dated 2 June 2026, submitted)

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee workplan was before the Committee for noting.

 

Decision

 

The Bute and Cowal Area Committee noted the contents of the workplan.

 

(Reference: Bute and Cowal Area Committee workplan dated 2 June 2026, submitted)