Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor Jennifer Kean.

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 June 2026, was approved as a correct record.

 

The Governance Manager advised that 2 questions had been submitted in advance from Jeanmary Knowles, Islay.  Ms Knowles was in attendance and asked the following:-

 

Question 1 from Jeanmary Knowles

 

Can I ask if minutes for council meetings could identify directly if those participating were present in person or remotely.

 

The Governance Manager advised that there is no distinction between Members attending in person or remotely and this is referenced in the Council’s Standing Orders where it states at 4.1 in relation to quorum:-

 

“For the avoidance of doubt a member that is attending the meeting virtually in accordance with the arrangements for the meeting will be considered as present”.

 

Question 2 from Jeanmary Knowles

 

There are several bridges on the A846 between Ardbeg and Port Charlotte which are repeatedly "hit" by vehicles usually because they do not recognise that the carriageway narrows to only permit a single vehicle.

 

The road signage team for "lining" has many tasks to do on Islay in coming months and I wonder if the committee and the council would consider extra marking on the carriageway to indicate that this is single vehicle only - as is done in other places where an overhead bridge has a curved archway so limiting it to single vehicle only for certain heights of vehicle e.g. the Dry Bridge outside Armoy in Causeway Coast & Glens.

 

The ends of the bridge parapets are painted white but when they are hit this is lost so indication on the road surface itself would assist drivers un-familiar with the roads.

 

Mr Calder, Project Manager was in attendance and provided some detail around the criteria for such road markings.  He undertook to liaise with Ms Knowles to identify the particular locations and these could be assessed in relation to the guidance.

 

Questions from Susan Patterson, Southend

 

Firstly, I would like to offer my condolences on the sad passing of Provost Dougie Philand. I had worked with Dougie both in his role with the NHS and as a Councillor.

 

In regard to the roads in Southend, why do we still have the school signs and the solar panels (which are continually falling off) when the school has been closed for a significant time and has now been sold.

 

Mr Calder advised that he would seek further information in relation to the school signs and would provide information to Ms Patterson.

 

The level of grass at the corner opposite Seaview is of real concern.  On the other side of the road there are a lot of cars and as you are coming into a dip the traffic coming into Southend from the caravan site can’t see you.  If the grass was shorter then it would make a difference.

 

Mr Calder advised that he would get the roads inspector to have a look at the area and see what work could be done to improve the position.

 

Question from Malcolm Ronald, Southend

 

I have raised this issue at the Community Council meetings previously.  It relates to the lack of white lines on the road from Stewarton to Southend.  We’ve been told that the road isn’t wide enough to have white lines put down the middle of the road.  Can this be looked at again as it is a safety issue and has been raised at a number of the Community Council meetings and with the local Councillors.

 

The Chair advised that he also had concerns especially in the evening and in wintertime as well as in the summertime for people who don’t know the roads.  He noted that he had already spoken with the Network and Standards Manager and has asked for this to be looked at again.

 

Question from Linda Brannigan, Southend

 

I also wanted to raise the issue of the school signs and the white lines.  I find that the headlights on cars can be dazzling and this can make it quite difficult to drive.

 

Further comment from Malcolm Ronald, Southend

 

The condition of the road is good and now would be a good time to get the lines done.

 

Mr Calder advised that there is national guidance in relation to the provision of white lining.  Roads which are less than 5.5m in width would not normally be considered for this type of white lining.  There needs to consistency and treatment of routes.  He added that the service could certainly look again at what the options where for the route and report back to Members.

 

Question from Blair Johnston, Secretary, Ardrishaig KGV Community Park Association – read on their behalf by Councillor Tommy MacPherson

 

The Association submitted a 25-year lease application in January 2026, which remains unresolved despite repeated correspondence with the Council.

 

Has the Council ever proposed, discussed, assessed or considered any alternative future use of King George V Playing Field in Ardrishaig - including disposal, redevelopment, change of use, housing or removal of its Fields in Trust status?

 

The Governance Manager advised that she would forward the question to the appropriate officers for response.

Presentation by Chair of the Cultural Heritage and Arts Assembly for the Argyll and Isles

The Committee gave consideration to a presentation by the Chair of the Cultural Heritage and Arts Assembly (CHARTS) for Argyll and the Isles. The presentation included information on CHARTS work and their key projects; the local impact; the Gaelic language and culture; the work on the Argyll Collection project; Future Island – Island work; the development and progress in Campbeltown Museum; and the benefits of the continued support received from Argyll and Bute Council.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Presentation by Chair, Cultural Heritage and Arts Assembly for the Argyll and Isles, dated August 2026, submitted)

 

Report by Chief Executives Unit

Consideration was given to a report which detailed recommendations for the award of the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund (SCF) for the 2026/27 round of funding that had been made available for distribution by the Council to organisations in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed that the 21 applications, marked as ‘Award’ and ‘Partial Award’ within Appendix 1 are awarded funding totalling £25,187.28 from the Supporting Communities Fund, as follows:

 

Applicant	Recommendation	Amount Requested	Recommended Award 2026/27
Snowdrop Argyll (formerly Multiple Sclerosis Centre Mid Argyll)	Award	£1,500.00	£1,500.00
Moving On Mid Argyll	Award	£1,500.00	£1,500.00
The Community Forget me not choir	Award	£1,500.00	£1,500.00
The Community Bureau SCIO	Award	£1,400.00	£1,400.00
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation	Award	£1,000.00	£1,000.00
Islay Connections SCIO	Award	£1,500.00	£1,500.00
Glenbarr Primary School Community Partnership	Award	£1,000.00	£1,000.00
Friends of Portnahaven Church	Award	£500.00	£500.00
Tarbert Castle Trust	Award	£1,500.00	£1,500.00
Mid Argyll Rugby Football Club	Award	£1,500.00	£1,500.00
South Knapdale Community Council	Award	£1,460.00	£1,460.00
Islay Senior Citizens Association	Award	£1,500.00	£1,500.00
Relationships Scotland Couple Counselling Argyll	Award	£375.00	£375.00
Mill of Kintyre CIC	Award	£1,490.20	£1,490.20
Bun Othan Harbour and Recreation Association	Award	£450.00	£450.00
Craignish Restoration of Marine And Coastal Habitats (CROMACH)	Award	£1,250.00	£1,250.00
Inspire Inveraray	Partial Award	£1,500.00	£1,152.42
Jura Development Trust	Partial Award	£1,500.00	£1,152.42
Kintyre Way	Partial Award	£1,500.00	£1,152.42
Live at the Loch (c/o Tarbert Enterprise Company)	Partial Award	£1,500.00	£1,152.42
Mid Argyll Pipe Band	Partial Award	£1,500.00	£1,152.40
Campbeltown Ladies Pupils	No award	£1,500.00	£0.00
Neighbours to Friends CIC	No award	£500.00	£0.00
		£28,925.20	£25,187.28

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Executives Unit, dated 28 July 2026, submitted)

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.

 

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 14 July 2026, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

 

 

Consideration was given to a report providing an update and review of the Lochgilphead Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) which ended on 31 March 2026 with all agreed outcomes delivered or exceeded.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted:

 

1.    the content of the report and noted that Lochgilphead CARS had been successfully delivered as detailed in section 4 of the report;

 

2.    the additional building projects that had been delivered in addition to the original CARS projects as detailed in paragraph 4.5 of the report;

 

3.    the critical funding role that Historic Environment Scotland had played supporting the regeneration of Lochgilphead.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 22 July 2026, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 1 2026/27 (April – June 2026) 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 2 September 2026, submitted)

 

For noting and updating

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

 

It was noted that the workplan would require to be updated to reflect the additional meetings which have been agreed by the Council.  The Chair advised that he would be happy to hear suggestions for additional items to be added to the agenda for future meetings and asked that these be sent to the Chair and Vice-Chair by e-mail in the first instance.

 

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 2 September 2026, submitted)

 

Susan Paterson, Southend

 

In regard to the questions around white lines, I often travel to other areas of Scotland such as South Lanarkshire where there are roads which are much narrower and they have white lines.

 

Next year marks 380 years since the massacre at Dunaverty which was the largest massacre of MacDonalds in history.  Is there anything which can be put in place to highlight this in the local area for visitors?

 

The Chair advised that information would be passed on to the Community Council and to CHARTS for action.

 

Jeanmary Knowles, Islay

 

The HSCP is currently undertaking a consultation on the review of care home provision across Argyll and Bute.  The final meeting is taking place on Islay and I would like to know what contingency is in place if the Islay meeting is cancelled due to bad weather, particularly given that the last online meeting will have already taken place.

 

Councillor McFadzean advised that he would be making sure that the meeting is rearranged if it were to be postponed.

 

Blair Johnston, Ardrishaig

 

Councillor MacPherson advised that Mr Johnston had been in touch with him again to stress that there was a sense of urgency in relation to the question raised earlier in the meeting.

 

Before we close the meeting today, It has been a terribly sad time for all of us in Argyll and following the sad passing our friend and colleague Provost Dougie Philand.  Dougie was a wonderful colleague and friend.  Having worked together for the last 12 years as Councillors he was so easy to get on with, he was also one of the most genuine people I have ever known.  When we got the opportunity to become part of the Council Administration just over 2 years ago, Dougie played a huge part in bringing everyone together.  His calmness and wise counsel made for a smooth change.  When it came to the post of Provost there was never a doubt as to who that would be.  Probably the most respected Councillor.  Many pictures of Dougie which were posted as Provost show that fantastic smile when meeting and greeting everyone in the same way from King to kids.  What a great ambassador he has been for Argyll and Bute and in particular his beloved Mid Argyll not just in the last 2 years but right through his time as a Councillor.  We had hoped that he would have been back amongst us in the next few months but sadly that’s not to be.  I will really miss the time I spent with him, especially our football chats, and it has been an honour to work alongside him and a privilege to be his friend.

 

On behalf of the Area Committee, I would like to pass on our sincere condolences to his wife Libby and all of the family.  Our thoughts are with you all.