Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors Hume and Lynch.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minute of the meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles  Area Committee, held on 11 September 2024 was approved as a correct record.

 

The Minute of the meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group, held on 13 November 2024 was noted.

 

The Minute of the meeting of the Oban Common Good Fund, held on 11 November 2024 was noted.

 

Questions 1 -3 – Alison Rennie, Oban Community Council in respect of Flood Prevention

 

1.    What actions have been, undertaken as a result of the Watercourse Inspection of January 2024?

 

Mark Calder advised that following the inspection in January 2024 there had been a clearance of foreign objects in the watercourse, a river modelling is in progress and the contract has been awarded for the invasive species survey.

 

2.    Since the receipt of two bids for the contract for an invasive species survey and clearance clear what progress has been made to appoint a contractor to carry out this work?

 

Mr Calder advised the contract has been awarded to Japanese Knotweed Specialists (JKS) who have advised that surveys and treatment should be carried out in late May/early June as this is the optimal time. Some invasive plants are dormant in winter which makes them difficult to survey for and makes treatment less effective.

 

3.    SEPA has been asked for permission to carry out various works on the Black Lynn. Have they been asked when they will reach a conclusion to enable to the works to progress?

 

Mr Calder stated at this stage works can be carried out under SEPA’s General Binding Rules for specific low risk activities and the understanding was no further consents were required.

 

Mrs Rennie asked what a Modelling Exercise was?

 

Mr Calder explained that it is a measure of how rainfall and tidal elements affect the height and depth of the water.

 

Mrs Rennie further asked why it has taken since January to appoint a specialist to remove the invasive species who will then take until next May/June to carry out the works?

 

Mr Calder explained that this work was carried out by the same team who had to deal with the issues such as bridge damage, which cut off access and exit to Communities following the storms in October 2023 and while he understood the frustrations there was a risk based approach which meant that type of emergency work had to be prioritised.

 

Mr Calder offered to send the Oban Community Council monthly or bi-monthly Roads and Infrastructure updates – to be agreed with Mrs Rennie off table the frequency of the updates.

 

Question 4 - Duncan Martin, Oban Community Council

 

Do the reports received, following the survey, mention the invasive species which is further upstream on private land and is it possible for Central Committee’s reports to be shared with Oban Community Council?

 

Mr Calder agreed that reports could be shared and as mentioned earlier, he will liaise with Alison Rennie over the frequency of reports/updates, he also stated that the Council does not have any influence on private owners and their land.

 

Question 5 – Phil Hamerton

 

If the Council does instigate a visitor levy how does the Area Committee see funds being allocated and what engagement would there be on local needs?

 

The Chair stated at this point no-one was sure if the visitor levy was going ahead and that the council had not yet determined whether to consult on a levy. If consultation was instigated, she would certainly speak to fellow members on the area committee to gauge their opinions. 

 

Phil then asked if the area committee had a function, for example would funds raised locally be retained locally to benefit the area?

 

The Chair stated that her opinion was that if it was agreed to impose a levy then her view was  any money raised in this area should stay in this area.

 

Councillor Green agreed with the Chair and added that if it is agreed to go to consultation then everyone should be encouraged to respond.

 

Councillor Martin was also in agreement with the Chair and stated that she intended to vote to go to a full consultation and that the Area Committee should have a large part in deciding where money should go.

 

Councillor Kain stated that discussion over the outcome of a visitor levy was premature in the extreme.  To compare with major cities and other areas in Europe in our diverse and fragile economy here and by imposing a levy and thinking that it will solve our problems on funding of different issues that are necessary across the council area is premature.  He commented that the council has a range of very diverse communities, between the islands and the mainland and with different costings and needs across the communities this will raise major conflict on how the monies raised are apportioned between them.  He further commented that the impact of other changes that have been put in place with regards to visitor economy was not yet known and that there is an issue where everyone has a view on this but not everyone will be paying it, therefore there is a disparity and unfairness built into it in the first place.

 

Councillor Vennard advised that the Visitor Levy would be a reserved matter for full Council, commenting that if it went ahead it would be for full Council to determine if Area Committees would be involved.

 

The chair again pointed out that no decisions have been made as yet and it would be the full Council who would agree on the question of whether to undertake a consultation.

 

 

Councillor Hampsey agreed at this point it is all ifs and buts, however, what she has seen so far lacks detail and has multi-faceted issues across the board, which gives her grave concerns.  Until it is outlined she would reserve her decisions and observations for that time.

 

Question 6 – Colin Wight

 

While I recognise that the levy is not in place, the Council has publicised that they are expecting an income of £9m per year if a levy was imposed, how was that figure arrived at and what would the net number be after the potential cost of implementation of the levy have been taken into account?

 

The Chair stated her understanding was that the £9m was a financial projection and not cast in stone as there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Presentation by Chief Executive ACHA

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 2024/25; 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. These improvements could see tenants benefiting of saving up to 60% on their energy bills. Information on Welfare rights and Funding was provided from which a number of tenants and local groups, including Oban High School and Park Primary School have benefited. ACHA were also short listed in two categories, Working in Partnership and Excellence in Regeneration and Sustainability at the Chartered Institute of Scotland (CIS) Scotland Housing Awards 2024.

 

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, dated December 2024 submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 2 of 2024/25 (July to September 2024) which illustrated the agreed performance measures for this period.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted the performance and supporting commentary as presented.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 11 December 2024, submitted)

 

Report by Senior Performance and Improvement Manager

Consideration was given to the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Performance Report for financial quarter 1 of 2024/25 (April to June 2024).

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee:

 

1.    Acknowledged performance for FQ1 2024/25 (April - June);

 

2.    Acknowledged performance update on the National Health & Wellbeing Outcomes and Ministerial Steering Group Integration Indicators (Appendix 1) and

 

3.    Noted Delayed Discharge Sitrep as of 01 July 2024 (Appendix 2) 

 

(Reference: Report by Senior Performance and Improvement Manager, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated 21 November 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.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 11 December 2024, 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.    considered the financial position of the Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds as of August 2024;

 

2.    agreed 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; and

 

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

 

(Reference, Report by Executive Director with responsibility to Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 11 December 2024 submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Area Committee gave consideration to a report providing information on an application received for the Coals for the Poor Oban Bequest.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee agreed to award £50 to the applicant on the basis that they met the fund’s criteria.

 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated December 2024, 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 11 December 2024, submitted)

 

The date of the next OLI Area Committee is scheduled to take place on 12^th March 2025.

 

Councillor McKenzie proposed that in line with the Council’s newly endorsed priorities which include building stronger connections and collaborating with communities by meeting people where they live, the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee takes its meetings out into the communities in Wards 4 & 5, suggesting that the March meeting is held in Seil Island Hall, and the June 2025 meeting take place in Mull.

 

The Chair further suggested that officers bring forward a report of suggested venues for the 2025/26 Area Committee meetings, once the Council had set its programme of meetings for 2025/26.  The Chair also invited communities in Wards 4 & 5 to be involved by helping assist in identifying suitable venues which are capable of hosting hybrid meetings. 

 

Decision

 

The members of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee unanimously agreed to the proposal that meetings should take place in venues around the area with appropriate wifi facilities and noted that a report on suggested venues for 2025/26 meetings would come to a future meeting of the Area Committee.