Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received by Councillor Andrew Kain and Councillor Amanda Hampsey.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minute of the meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee, held on 13 September 2023 was approved as a correct record.

The Minute of the meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group held on 8 November 2023 was noted.

The minute of the Oban Common Good Fund meeting held on 13 November 2023 was noted.

The first two questions were received in advance of the meeting from Luing Community Council;

Question 1

The two conservation villages of Cullipool and Toberonochy experienced flooding during the heavy rains early October, and it is the second time that flooding in Cullipool has damaged homes. On the advice of the Community Planning Group administrator we have emailed the Roads and Infrastructure Dept to ask if there is a possibility of obtaining technical advice from their flooding engineers (though we are aware of how much pressure they are under right now). It would be useful to know if this is the best route or if there is anyone else that we can contact to obtain technical advice on how to prevent or minimise future flooding risks.

Hugh O’Neill advised that he had passed the query onto the Design Services, who met with Luing Community Council on Monday and will progress their query.

Question 2

How does the Council know which houses are second-homes? I note that a number of people are on the electoral register here who are second-home owners. Is this legitimate, and might this allow them, for instance, to avoid the council tax increase for second-homes when it is introduced, or to benefit in other ways (eg free University fees for a child if their home is in England)?

Fergus Walker had provided a response which was read out by the Committee Clerk.  “A property is defined in law as a second home if it is no-one’s sole or main residence and it is lived in for at least 25 days per annum”.

“In terms of compliance we conduct reviews of second homes and ask for details such as electricity/utility bills, insurance documents and other verification to support the fact that a property is a second home. There are other tools that we use to identify sole or main residences, ie:- where people are trying to avoid their property being classed as a second home we would use credit referencing tools and sharing data with other local authorities to track and trace people”.

Question 3 – Andrew Spence BID4 Oban

On Saturday 7^th October 2023 Oban and the surrounding area experienced severe flooding issues resulting in roads being washed away, landslides, disruption, and serious flooding in the Lochavullin area of Oban. The deluge happened very quickly and numerous busineses were unable to take any precautions. The impact was catastrophic for many busineses in the area.

Similar flooding happened in 2017 and 2018. At that time, we were told the reason for the flooding was that pumps had failed. In 2023, the same pumps failed again.

There has been flood impact surveys undertaken in Oban. The most recent being published in June 2019, 33 pages, with various short-term and long-term options. To date the only visible change has been the introduction of plastic walls along a very short length of the Black Lyn adjacent to the Guide Hall.

Impact to business and community:

• Numerous premises flooded some to a level of over a metre.
• Huge losses to those businesses in terms of infrastructure and revenue.
• We estimate that property and equipment damage will be in excess of £2m
• Serious pollution issues with raw sewerage and oil washed out of garages.
• Some businesses unable to open effectively for a considerable period.
• The costs of the cleanup operation have been significant and financed by those businesses. It should also be highlighted that many premises in the Lochavullin area are now unable to obtain flood insurance cover and they are unable to claim against their losses in any other way.
• Tesco lost its dot.com operation and suffered from severe flooding. This has had a huge impact on their operation and significant impact on their customers who rely on home delivery.
• Tesco have also suffered significant damage to is petrol station and it is still not operational.
• M&S, Argos, Pets at Home were unable to trade for three days, and they suffered significant losses including colleague’s cars in the carpark.
• Homebase became an island and the only access was on foot, they remained open as a public service but suffered significant losses.
• It should be noted that the council are the landlords for many of the flooded premises.

Social impact.

This time Oban nearly lost all its supermarkets to flooding and had the water level been about 20cm higher this would have occurred causing a serious social impact to the area. No supermarkets, no food! The owners of the businesses, staff and customers have all suffered with some of the businesses community stating they will not be able to carry on if there is another flood. This has had an impact on mental health.

What next?

• What have the council done to mitigate flooding in Oban over the last five years?
• What did the council do to support the business community during the most recent flooding?
• What is the councils long term plans?
• What is the council’s contingency should we be flooded again and have no supermarkets?
• Have the council applied for flood prevention funding for Oban?
• When will the council engage positively with the businesses and produce some short-term plans and support to mitigate future events?

Hugh O’Neill advised that this be taken off table for a detailed response, to which Mr Spence agreed.

Question 4 & 5 – Linda Robb, Dunbeg Community Council

Linda advised that she had been in dialogue with the Council’s roads department over a blocked drain on Meadow Road, Dunbeg, over the years.  The recent bad weather had caused the overflow of this drain to ice over the road making it unsafe for vehicles using the road. On reporting it again she was advised by Traffic and Development that this was a Trunk Road and therefore the Council could not do anything about it.  Meadow Road is not on the trunk road therefore very disappointed in the unsatisfactory response from the Council.

Hugh O’Neill apologised for the lack of response and asked that Ms Robb pass  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Report by Chief Executive, Argyll Community Housing Association Ltd

Consideration was given to a presentation by the Chief Executive of ACHA, which provided an update on a number of areas including the investment programme for 2023/24; the Scottish Government Grant which has allowed the progression of a number of adaptations and essential aids for the most vulnerable customers across Argyll and Bute; the Exemplar Estates initiative; the Business, Energy, Industrial Strategy (BEIS); the Whole House Retrofit Programme; the Net Zero and Warm Homes Funds and the installation of air source heating pumps. Information on Welfare rights and Funding was provided from which a number of tenants and local groups have benefited.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee considered and noted the information provided in the presentation.

(Reference: Presentation by Chief Executive, Argyll Community Housing Association Ltd, submitted)

Report by CHARTS Argyll and the Isles

The Committee gave consideration to a presentation by the Vice-Chair of the Cultural Heritage and Arts Assembly (CHARTS) for Argyll and the Isles. The presentation included information on the impact of partnership working on both regional and local areas and provided highlights of key projects throughout the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area. Mr Adams also provided information in relation to funding streams and the benefits of the continued support received from Argyll and Bute Council.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee considered and noted the information provided in the presentation.

(Reference: Presentation by Vice-Chair, Cultural Heritage and Arts Assembly, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

Consideration was given to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 2 of 2023/24 (July to September 2023) which illustrated the agreed performance measures for this period.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee:

1.    noted and considered the performance and supporting commentary as presented;

2.    noted that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report the Area Committee should contact either the Responsible Named Officer or Sonya Thomas with any queries; and

3.    noted that work was ongoing and to respond to Sonya Thomas with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the Performance Report and Scorecard.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 1 November 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the proposed works and estimated costs for the Tobermory play park.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee agreed to:-

1.  note the proposed works on the Tobermory Play Park.  

2.  Agree a further update report will be brought back to the Area Committee after engagement with Mull Community Council.

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 Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated November 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided details on proposals relating to the ongoing management and proposed distribution arrangements for Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds for which the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee are Trustees.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee:

1.  note the financial position of the Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds as of December 2023;

2.  agree that the charities and trust funds, that have historically been awarded to Council Departments and Allied Partners, are awarded on the basis outlined in paragraph 5.5 and defined within appendix 1;

3.  agree that officers submit proposals for distribution arrangements for the Mackinnon Ledingham Bequest, Archibald Dow Bequest, Coals for Poor, Oban and Kilmore and Kilbride for later consideration by members; and

4.  note that there remain 4 funds, Miss F Mclucas  Bequest, Mrs Mellors Bequest,  Miss M M Camerons Bequest, and Dugald Mcphail Memorial Fund with no identified beneficiaries and that these are subject to ongoing consideration by officers. 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated November 2023, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Area Committee gave consideration to a report providing information on a number of applications received and processed for support from the John of Lorn Bequest.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted the number of awards made from the John of Lorn Bequest since August 2023.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated November 2023, submitted)

Report by Chief Officer, Argyll and Bute HSCP

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on performance against each of the service areas and the 93 supporting Key Performance Indictors, as well as an update from the Heads of Service giving a wider context and identifying risks and mitigations. The report also provided an update on the National Health and Wellbeing Outcomes and Ministerial Steering Group Integration Indicators and information in relation to delayed discharges.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee considered and noted:

1)    The performance for FQ1 (April - June 2023/24)

2)    The summary overview of the Heads of Service Performance update

3)    The performance update on the National Health & Wellbeing Outcomes and Ministerial Steering Group Integration Indicators (Appendix 1)

4)    The System Pressure Report for August 2023 (Appendix 2)

5)    The Delayed Discharge Sitrep for August 2023 (Appendix 3)

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee workplan was before members for information.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Committee noted the contents of the workplan.

(Reference: Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee workplan, dated 13 December 2023)