Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

There were no apologies for absence.

Having noted the commitment of those in attendance, the Chair agreed to vary the order of business to facilitate attendees. This minute reflects the order in which items were discussed.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

 

 

The Minute of the meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on 3 December 2025, was approved as a correct record.

 

There were no public questions.

Councillor MacPherson joined the meeting during consideration of the following item.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                           

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

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

 

The Chair noted the retirement of Roads Inspector, Dougie Lang, and on behalf of the Committee expressed his thanks for the hard work undertaken by Mr Lang for the Council. 

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the contents of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 28 January 2026, submitted)

 

Verbal update from Communications and Engagement Team Lead, Scottish Water

Consideration was given to a written update from the Senior Communications and Engagement Consultant, Scottish Water, in relation to Scottish Water’s current workstreams in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area. In the absence of the Senior Communications and Engagement Consultant, the Governance Manager read out the report which was submitted prior to the meeting. The report provided information on the Port Ellen investment project and the Port Ellen Ferry Terminal Water Main Upgrade which have now both been completed and  planned and ongoing investment including the Port Charlotte and Tarbert water treatment works; River Laggan rehab works; future investment proposals such as Carradale and Torra water treatment works and the Bute Solar Schemes Powering SW Sites works which were completed in December 2025.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the information provided in the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Senior Communications and Engagement Consultant, Scottish Water, submitted)

 

Report by Area Manager, Transport Scotland

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on the work of Transport Scotland and provided information on the Rest and Be Thankful (RABT), specifically relating to hillside movements; boulder removal; ground investigation works completed; and several weather events which impacted the RABT.

 

It was noted that between 2025-2026, the Rest and Be Thankful was closed for 30.5 days and 15 nights and both the Old Military Road and A83 were closed for 2 days and 1 night resulting in travellers having to use the longer diversion.

 

Information was also provided in relation to the effects of storms over the last 12 months and the temporary traffic signals in operation to control traffic in Lochnell Street, Lochgilphead following a property fire.

 

The Area Manager highlighted that they have carried out numerous works and spent around £7.04 million across the A83 between Tarbet and Campbeltown so far this financial year and highlighted work undertaken such as landslip remedial works north of Furnace; vehicle restraint system (barrier) replacement at Clachan; road safety improvements at the approach to Kilmory roundabout and bend treatments between Minard and Lochgilphead and road surfacing at Port Ann, Ardrishaig, north of Tayinloan and Barfad Brae. It was noted that they still have a number of schemes which they aim to commence before the end of March 2026, including the signalised pedestrian crossing facilities in Campbeltown, road surfacing schemes at Arrochar and road restraint works at Kinglas.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the information provided in the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Area Manager, Transport Scotland, submitted) 

 

 

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report and a presentation which provided a range of key information about primary school provision in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area during the school session August 2025 to January 2026 and reported the national collection of attainment and achievement data from June 2025.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the information provided within the report and presentation.

 

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

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on Housing Services activity and the delivery of the Local Housing Strategy within the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area. 

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the content of the report.

 

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

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 3 of 2025/26 (October to December 2025) which illustrated the agreed performance measures for this period.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the performance and supporting commentary as presented.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 10 February 2026, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Committee gave consideration to a report which asked Members to agree to the suggested locations for meetings up until March 2027.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed that the meetings until March 2027 would be held as follows:-

 

3 June 2026 – Gigha (agreed at June 2025 meeting)

2 September 2026 – Southend

2 December 2026 – Lochgilphead

3 March 2027 – Tarbert

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 8 January 2026, submitted)

 

For noting and updating

The Committee gave consideration to the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee workplan for future meetings.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted the contents of the workplan.

 

(Reference: Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Workplan, dated 4 March 2026, submitted)

 

Councillor Jennifer Kean, seconded by Councillor Tommy MacPherson, has given notice of the following Motion:–

 

Preamble

 

It is clear that the communities of Argyll and Bute are seeking stronger and more effective representation at a local level.  We need to bring the power back to area committees and thereby to the communities we were elected to serve. Increasing the frequency of Area Committee meetings would represent a practical and measurable step toward strengthening local decision-making and community engagement.

 

Motion

 

That this MAKI Area Committee:

 

a) Recognises the importance of regular and responsive local governance through Area Committees;

 

b) Recognises the need for timely decision-making and consistent engagement with residents and stakeholders;

 

c) Requests that Full Council bring forward and approve the necessary amendment to the Council Constitution to provide for Area Committees to meet on a bi-monthly basis (every two months) throughout the calendar year, in place of the current quarterly meeting cycle;

 

d) Proposes that, subject to approval of the constitutional amendment by the Council, meetings of Area Committees would take place in February, April, June, August, October and December each year.

 

e) Further requests that any associated constitutional and procedural amendments required to implement this change be presented to Council for approval at the earliest opportunity.

 

 

The following Notice of Motion was before the Committee for consideration –

 

Preamble

 

It is clear that the communities of Argyll and Bute are seeking stronger and more effective representation at a local level. We need to bring the power back to area committees and thereby to the communities we were elected to serve. Increasing the frequency of Area Committee meetings would represent a practical and measurable step toward strengthening local decision-making and community engagement.

 

Motion

 

That this MAKI Area Committee:

 

a)    Recognises the importance of regular and responsive local governance through Area Committees;

 

b)    Recognises the need for timely decision-making and consistent engagement with residents and stakeholders;

 

c)    Requests that Full Council bring forward and approve the necessary amendment to the Council Constitution to provide for Area Committees to meet on a bi-monthly basis (every two months) throughout the calendar year, in place of the current quarterly meeting cycle;

 

d)    Proposes that, subject to approval of the constitutional amendment by the Council, meetings of Area Committees would take place in February, April, June, August, October and December each year;

 

e)    Further requests that any associated constitutional and procedural amendments required to implement this change be presented to Council for approval at the earliest opportunity.

 

Moved by Councillor Kean, seconded by Councillor MacPherson.

 

Amendment

 

The Area Committee:

 

1.    Notes that there is ample opportunity for Elected Members to raise pertinent local issues through the various mechanisms which are available and set out in the Council Constitution;

 

2.    Notes that the Chair of the Area Committee can call additional meetings if required for business which requires to be considered out with the scheduled programme of meetings;

 

3.    Acknowledges that in the full term of this Council since May 2022 there has been no requirement for any Special Meetings of the Area Committee;

 

4.    Recognises that the current schedule of meetings and the lack of any requirement for any Special Meetings reinforces that the current arrangements are providing regular and responsive local governance and timely decision making;

 

5.    Notes that as part of the 2026/27 Budget it has been agreed to allocate £50K to each Area Committee as part of the priority commitment to support reshaping of business, decision-making and overall activities to align with existing and emerging local plans and issues with a report to be brought forward on the delivery and implementation options; and

 

6.    Notes that as part of the work on this priority commitment, dialogue continues between the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of all 4 Area Committees.

 

Moved by Councillor Armour, seconded by Councillor McFadzean.

 

As the meeting was being held on a hybrid basis, the vote required to be taken by calling the roll and members voted as follows –

 

Motion                                        Amendment

 

Councillor Corner                         Councillor Armour

Councillor Kean                           Councillor Brown                        

Councillor MacPherson                Councillor Horn

Councillor Redman                       Councillor McFadzean

                                                   Councillor Philand   

 

Decision

 

The Amendment was carried by 5 votes to 4 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

 

(Reference: Notice of Motion Under Standing Order 13, moved by Councillor Kean, seconded by Councillor MacPherson, submitted; and Amendment by Councillor Armour, seconded by Councillor MacFadzean, tabled)

 

There were no public questions.

The Committee gave consideration to a report regarding 2 applications that had been received for support from the Campbell and McNeil Bequests.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to award £50 to the individual applicant and £100 to the family applicant both of whom met the criteria of the Campbell and McNeil Bequests.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated February 2026, submitted)

 

Consideration was given to a report which outlined the proposals for the Gleaner Phase 2 project and the full business case which is eligible for funding through the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed to recommend to the Policy and Resources Committee that:

 

i)               grant funding of up to £250,000 be allocated to the Gleaner Phase 2 project from the Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund; and

 

ii)              delegated authority be afforded to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth in consultation with the Area Chair to deal with administration of the grant.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 17 February 2026, submitted)