Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies received.

Councillor Lynch intimated that he would have to leave the meeting at 11.30am as he had a prior engagement.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minute of the meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee, held on 13 December 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 7 February 2024 was noted.

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

Question 1 – Frank Roberts, Oban Community Council

The appalling storm and associated heavy rainfall that we experienced on October 7th last year resulted in a number of very serious consequences, and the Council officers and their staff are to be congratulated on the rapid response to many of these.

One consequence of the storm was the inevitable flooding in Oban at Lochavullin, and the seriousness and financial consequences of this to local business was raised by Andrew Spence of BID4Oban and others at the last meeting of this committee.

We all know that such flooding is a continuing problem, has been for many years, and that a permanent solution will be dependent on securing significant funds, most probably from Government.

The recent meeting of the Oban Community Council was attended by Mr Lachie Strathern. Mr Strathern has a garage business in the area, and is regularly faced with the problem caused by flooding, and in particular of back washing of raw sewage into his premises. You will all agree that this constitutes an immediate and serious health risk for him and his staff, but also will inevitably result in raw sewage contamination of the relatively enclosed waters of the bay in the town centre.

Mr Strathern’s property is leased from the Council. He was told in August last year that there are no plans of the sewage drains in the area of his garage, but that the Council would arrange for them to be surveyed, to enable remedial action to be taken. This has still not happened despite several requests by him. This should be perfectly within the resources of the Council. Can I ask, therefore:

 1. When will Mr Strathern’s immediate and potentially extremely hazardous to health problem of sewage pollution of his premises be addressed, and will the Council commit to a definite date by which the drains will be surveyed and remedial action be taken?

 2. Does the Council have a plan of how it intends to address the overall flooding problem, including short term remedial measures that can be immediately undertaken, such as clearing or dredging the Black Lynn and ensuring the efficient operation of the pumps in the car park, and will it publish that plan with target dates by which it will achieve each step?

 3. Will the Area Committee ask that a brief report on progress made be submitted at its next and each subsequent meeting, so that such progress, or lack thereof, can be monitored?

Mr Roberts added that at the last Area Committee it had been agreed that Mr O’Neill and Mr Spence would take the matter off table for a detailed response which he did not agree with as he felt the community should be kept informed of current and ongoing information.

The Chair responded by firstly pointing out that the Council’s response to the recent storms was remarkable and they had managed to get some funding back from the Scottish Government to support their response.  However, the issue of flooding was first raised in 1973, then the Government changed in 1974 and ever since money and resources have been in decline.  There are serious issues in our infrastructure and the Roads Department Budget is £100m behind the curve.  This is not an excuse but a fact.

The Governance Officer gave advice surrounding the Guidance of Community Councils acting on a person’s behalf, advising that the tenant would be best placed to put his concerns regarding lack of response through the Council’s complaints process.  A complaint requires to be lodged by an individual member of the public.

Mr Strathern, tenant of property at Lochavullin advised that following the last flooding raw sewage was not backing up into his property and was affecting not only him but his 7 members of staff.  He stated that the responsibility falls solely with the Council as it is an environmental health issue.

Mr Murphy from the Council’s Roads and Infrastructure advised that the Head of Service was compiling a report around flooding and he stated he would speak to his colleagues in the Environmental Health department with regards to the raw sewage backup as a priority.

Councillor Lynch asked if the report would come to this Committee.  Mr Murphy confirmed that it would.

Councillor Vennard responded to Mr Robert’s comment about the discussion on flooding being taken off table, commenting that the discussion off line, not that there wouldn’t be any follow up.

Mr Allan, of the Estates Department advised that his department has the responsibility for the tenancies at Lochavullin, stating that there was a mix of tenants and private owners, therefore there lack of records who has done what to each property when it comes to drainage.  A survey has been requested.

The Chair suggested that the two issues were split with the sewage situation being prioritised. 

Mr Strathern made a suggestion as to how to trace the source of the sewerage pollution by using dye and asked if this was feasible?  Mr Murphy and Mr Allan were invited to look into this.

Councillor Vennard and Councillor McKenzie made the point that it would be appropriate to have raised these issues with a ward councillor.  Councillor Hampsey offered to take the matter forward and invited Mr Strathern to make contact with her.

Phil Hamerton asked if there was a plan for the long term.  The chair advised that it was acknowledged that there were areas which needed addressed and there was a list of actions to alleviate although a more detailed plan would be difficult due to lack of resources.

Mr Strathern, asked Mr Murphy if the pumping stations at Lochavullin were operational and if there was any plans to dredge the Black Lynn? 

Mr Murphy stated that as far as he was aware they were working. Mr Strathern advised that the electrical box for the pumps was under water at the last flood – Mr Murphy said he would double check with the local officers that the pumps  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

Consideration was given to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 3 of 2023/24 (September to December 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 6 March 2024, submitted)

Councillor Lynch left the meeting at this point.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report and presentation given by Ms White, Head Teacher of Strath of Appin Primary School and Mr Gawthorpe, Head Teacher for Bunessan Primary which provided a range of key information about primary school provision in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area during the school session August 2023 to June 2024 and reported the National collection of attainment and achievement data from June 2023.

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 Education dated March 2024, 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 relevant to the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area.

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 6 March 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which included a draft programme for roads reconstruction schemes for 2024/25 in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee:-

1. agreed to provided comments on the draft programme contained at appendix 1 of the report, no later than 13^th March; and

2. noted that the programme would go forward to the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee on 21 March 2024 for endorsement.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated February 2024, 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 Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area.

Decision

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

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated March 2024, submitted) 

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 2023/24 in relation to active travel projects in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area, and sought continued support for the projects from Members.

Decision

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

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

2.    supported the continuation of the projects and the submission of future funding applications to external challenge funds (while these still exist) to continue to develop design and construction stages in order to deliver these projects.

3.    supported the allocation of the active travel funding element in the    Council’s 24/25 block grant to the development and delivery of appropriate active travel projects, including those already underway in OLI.

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, submitted)

Report by Chief Executive

The Committee gave consideration to a report which highlighted the positive outcomes of the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund in 2022/23 for communities in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee:

1.    noted and considered the positive contribution of the Supporting Communities Fund detailed in section 4 and the attached table.

2.    noted that a total of £2,617.50 in total has been returned, and agree that this be included in the distribution of the SCF for 2024/25.

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive’s Unit, dated 6 March 2024, submitted)

Presentation by Coroporate Support Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

Consideration was given to a presentation which provided information in relation to the progress of the Council’s Area Plans project.

Decision

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

(Reference:  Presentation by Chief Executive’s Unit, dated 6 March 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Committee gave consideration to a report which invited Members to consider distribution arrangements for four of the Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds for which the Members act as Trustees.

Decision

The Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee:

1.    agreed the proposals for distribution arrangements for the MacKinnon Ledigham Bequest, Archibald Dow Bequest and Coals for the Poor Oban, outlined within this report,

2.    agreed that a review of the updated distribution arrangements for the aforementioned funds be undertaken and reported to the Area Committee following the first 12 months of operation; and

3.    agreed that the unrestricted funds held within the Kilmore and Kilbride Bequest be made available, in their totality, immediately and that a moratorium be placed on this fund thereafter

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 6 March 2024, 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 the last meeting of the Area Committee in December 2023.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated 6 March 2024, submitted)

The Committee considered a report on the significant progress in negotiations with Oban Lorn Rugby Football Club (OLRFC) following the reports to DMT of 10^th May 2023, ELT of 23^rd May 2023 and DMT of 6^th November 2023 setting out their Expression of Interest in extending their current lease and substantially redeveloping the clubhouse building and adjoining sports grounds for both club and community use.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee:-

1.    Noted the significant investment planned by OLRFC in improving this asset for the community along with the potential income and capital receipt to the Council provisionally agreed in Heads of Terms to enable OLRFC’s formal funding process to begin and the project to move forward.

2.    Noted that the project is of a significant scale and if the Club meet all their obligations, it is intended that this will result in the sale of a large area of recreational ground to the Club, reducing the Council’s control of the area.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services, submitted)

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Committee workplan for future meetings. 

Decision

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

(Reference:  Area Committee Workplan, dated 6 March 2024, submitted)

E1      Paragraph 6  Information relating to the financial or business affairs of  any particular person (other than the authority).