Agenda and minutes

Prior to the commencement of business, the Chair made the following tribute to the late former Councillor Donnie McMillan:

 

Before we proceed with the business, I wanted to take a few moments to pay tribute to former Councillor Donnie McMillan (BEM) who sadly passed away on Thursday 28^th May at the age of 98.

 

Donnie was a Councillor for over four decades and was a key Member of this Area Committee serving as Chair and Vice Chair as well as holding a number of other positions within the Council.

 

He was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2019 and then the Freedom of Argyll and Bute in 2022 which were fitting recognition of his service to Argyll and Bute over those many years.

 

Donnie always had time for people and took many new Councillors, including myself under his wing while we got to grips with how the Council worked. He was a unique character and he will be greatly missed. We have missed Donnie over the years since he retired, but to his family and friends the sympathy of this Committee goes out to them.

Apologies 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 4 March 2026, was approved as a correct record.

 

The Governance Manager advised that there was a member of the public in attendance who wished to ask a question and the Chair invited him to ask his question. Following this, the Governance Manager advised that there had been four public questions submitted in advance of the meeting by John Bannatyne, Keith Wilson and Tony Oysters and in their absence read them out on their behalf.

 

Question from John Martin, Gigha Community Council

 

My question is to do with the possibility of the ferry being maintained, the route to mainland. We no longer have a church minister in Gigha and we have a service every 2 weeks, if the time comes where the new maintenance is on a Sunday, can this not collide on the same day.

 

The Chair advised that the question would be passed to the relevant Officer and Mr Martin would receive a written response following the meeting.

 

Question from Keith Wilson, Kintyre and Gigha Night Sky Group

 

Gigha’s new lighting causing light pollution. 

 

Argyll and Bute Council recently installed new LED street lights on the approach to the ferry slipway. 

 

They were also requested by the community to provide lighting in the ferry car park. 

The Council’s chosen solution for the car park lighting was to install two very powerful floodlights on the top of the streetlights. This caused severe light pollution across Gigha’s campsite as well as a residence. 

 

To address this issue the lights on two tall lamp posts have now been rotated 180°. The street lights now face away from the road, lighting the car park and the flood lights now illuminate the road, the beach, the bay, the moorings, the Boathouse restaurant and beyond. 

 

I find it unbelievable that Argyll and Bute Council would even consider that using powerful floodlights in a rural dark sky location in this way is acceptable good lighting practice.

 

My question is - what can be done to remove these floodlights and provide appropriate lighting for both the road and car park? 

 

The Project Manager advised that Roads and Infrastructure Services have received correspondence from Gigha Night Sky Group and colleagues are looking at different options, to explore what can be done to reduce the light level, whilst still providing appropriate illumination for the car park and road. It was noted that the Project Manager would respond directly to Gigha Night Sky Group and circulate the updated position with the Committee.

 

Question from John Bannatyne

 

After some considerable time of requesting Argyll and Bute council have installed some much needed lighting for the ferry car park on the Isle of Gigha, a longstanding request, these are causing a few issues amongst the recent arrivals to the community, do you think the council would consider this set of 2 lights being changed to a seasonal supply, October to March, they are there at the request of the commuters and school children on the island having some safety measures in place when accessing their vehicles in the car park. If the council could consider this request to seasonal car park lighting it may help to keep everyone happy, please note this does not include the slipway lighting which is an essential navigation aid.

 

The Project Manager advised that he would explore the options and provide a response directly to Mr Bannatyne, and circulate the response to the Committee.

 

Questions from Tony Oysters

 

Question 1

 

Can the councillors assure us that any future development of the toilets at Tayinloan include a waiting room as the current facility is vital as a place where visitors and particularly schoolchildren can escape from the weather while they wait for the ferry.  It is also well used by local individuals and businesses as a place where goods can be left for collection and in my case is actually vital to operating my business.

 

The Project Manager advised that the waiting facilities would be considered as part of the wider project looking at new harbour infrastructure at both sides of the crossing.

 

Question 2

 

Can the newly fitted super bright lights at the slipway be put on a timer so that they only operate when it's dark and the ferry is operating.  They appeared a month or two back and after complaints were made they were simply turned round to face out over Ardminish bay.  They are on for all the hours of darkness despite the fact that the only requirement, if there actually is a requirement for them at all, would surely be in winter only when the ferry is operating in darkness (ie 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6.30pm).  This would not only save the council money but would stop the extreme irritation that the islands residents feel towards these lights.  They are incredibly bright, in direct contravention of Gigha's dark sky designation and shine over directly onto any visiting yachts, my house and importantly they will illuminate Ardminish bay during all the winter darkness hours when the bay is used by many hundred birds as a safe winter roost.  Bright lights like these have been shown as having a serious negative effect on roosting birds.

 

It was noted that the Project Manager would investigate this and respond directly to Mr Oysters, and circulate the response to the Committee.

 

Presentation by Chief Executive, Argyll Community Housing Association

The Chief Executive of ACHA provided her condolences to the Committee and Donnie McMillan’s family noting that he was a former ACHA board member.

 

The Group then gave consideration to a presentation from the Chief Executive of ACHA. The presentation illustrated what they had achieved in 2025/26 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 was also provided; improvement work at Elder Crescent in Bowmore and refurbishment and flood prevention work in properties in Frederick Crescent in Port Ellen which had been completed; highlights of work carried out with the community, including awards to Castlehill Primary, Dalintober Primary, Islay High and Port Ellen Primary who had received an award through the ACHA School Awards Scheme; Campbeltown Brass, Mid Argyll Community Enterprises, Ardrishaig Community Trust, Argyll and Bute TSI and the MS Centre Mid Argyll had also benefited from awards from the ACHA Community Action Fund.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Presentation by Chief Executive, Argyll Community Housing Association, dated 3 June 2026, submitted)

The Chair advised that in order to facilitate officer attendance, and with the agreement of the Committee, he intended to vary to the order of business to take Item 8 as the next item.  These minutes reflect the order that business was taken.

 

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 29 April 2026, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report relating to Islay High School, which provided information on S3 Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels, attainment in literacy, numeracy and gaelic; the pass rates of national qualifications; data from Insight Scotland; wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment; and Pupil Equity Funding.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 3 June 2026, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report relating to Tarbert Academy, which provided information on S3 Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels, attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; data from Insight Scotland; wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment; and Pupil Equity Funding.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 3 June 2026, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report relating to Campbeltown Grammar School, which provided information on S3 Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels, attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; data from Insight Scotland; wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment; and Pupil Equity Funding.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 3 June 2026, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report relating to Lochgilphead High School, which provided information on S3 Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels, attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; data from Insight Scotland; wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment; and Pupil Equity Funding.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 3 June 2026, submitted)

 

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

The Committee gave consideration to the Health and Social Care Partnership Performance Report for financial quarter 3 of 2025/26 (October to December 2025).

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee:

 

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

 

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

 

3.    acknowledged the latest performance against the National Health and 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 Health and Social Care 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 Performance and Information Team Manager, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated June 2026, submitted)

 

Councillor MacPherson left the meeting during discussion of the following item of business.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the progress made in 2025/26 in relation to active travel projects in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area, and sought continued support for the projects from Members.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands 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 25/26 block grant to the development and delivery of appropriate active travel projects, including those already underway in MAKI; 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 the responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 10 May 2026, submitted)

 

Councillor Tommy MacPherson rejoined the meeting during discussion of the following item of business.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the progress made in relation to initial feasibility and concept design to improve active opportunities and infrastructure between Tarbert, Kennacraig Ferry Terminal and Whitehouse.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee:

 

1.    welcomed the design progress made to date in relation to identifying opportunities to improve the active opportunities between Tarbert and Whitehouse;

 

2.    instructed Officers to undertake Developed Design and Technical Design stages to complete the design process, subject to securing external funding; and

 

3.    instructed Officers to provide a future paper to members on completion of the design process prior to any construction.

 

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

 

Report by Chief Executives Unit

 

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

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee:

 

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

 

2.    noted that a total of £2,687.28 has been returned; and agreed that £2,687.28 be included in the distribution of the SCF in 2026/27.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Executives Unit, dated 3 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 2025/26 (January – March 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 11 May 2026, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Committee gave consideration a report requesting the appointment of two Councillor representatives to be co‑opted onto the Islay Development Initiative Board.

 

Decision

 

The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee appointed Councillor Horn and Councillor McFadzean as the Councillor representatives on the Islay Development Initiative Board.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 12 May 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 3 June 2026, submitted)

 

Lily Robertson

 

In relation to active travel, does it incorporate for those who are not able to cycle and walk, the joining up of ferry services with public transport? Particularly from Gigha it’s not possible to get across from Gigha to Tayinloan and then walk to catch the bus to Lochgilphead.

 

The Strategic Transportation Delivery Officer advised that in terms of active travel, the funding he can access is specifically around walking and cycling projects, around functional everyday journeys. He further advised that access to bus services could fall under active travel or it could fall under the Councils Roads and Infrastructure Services, they look after public transport. The Strategic Transportation Delivery Officer encouraged Ms Robertson to speak to him after the meeting around specifics.