Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor Martin.

There were no declarations of interest intimated at this item, however during Public Question Time (Item 4) of the agenda, Councillor McKenzie declared a non-financial interest as she had a personal connection to Lachie Strathern who asked questions during this item. She remained in the meeting but took no part in the discussion or response to Mr Strathern’s questions.

 

The Minute of the meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee, held on 10 December 2025, was approved as a correct record.

 

The Minute of the meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group, held on 11 February 2026, was noted.

 

The Minute of the meeting of the Oban Common Good Fund, held on 15 December 2025, was noted.

 

The Committee Manager advised that there had been questions submitted by 3 members of the public in advance of the meeting and having noted that some of the members of the public were in attendance, the Chair invited them to ask their questions. The Chair then invited any other members of the public in attendance to submit any questions they may have.

 

Alison Rennie

Would the Area Committee support the establishment of a multi-agency working group to co-ordinate planning and actions to reduce the risk of further flooding and to improve community resilience in the event of flooding in Oban? Such a group, comprising Council Officers and Oban, Lorn and the Isles members, community representatives from Oban Community Council and BID4Oban, along Scottish Water, to report to the Area Committee at each of its meetings?

 

The Chair advised that the Committee may want to respond to this question following consideration of item 7 of the agenda (Oban PVA Flood Risk Management Update).

 

Lachie Strathern

 

In the absence of Mr Starthern, the Committee Manager read out the below questions which had been submitted prior to the meeting:

 

I feel that you may have been mis-informed going by the nature of the response to my questions raised at the Area Committee meeting on 10th December?

 

It is very clear in the drainage report that there are at least two sections of the main surface water drain that are blocked or collapsed?

 

They are clearly marked in red and it is noted that the camera was unable to go further due to the blockage? 

 

Cleaning the gulleys is fine and I'm aware and appreciate that this has been done. However the water that goes into the gulleys is unable to go anywhere due to the blockage and back fills up, spills out and floods the surrounding area, which happens to be all the rented Council units (not just mine) in my side of Crannog Lane?

 

I pointed this out at the last meeting and asked if something could be done about it. I don't seem to have a direct answer in your email and wondered if at the Area Committee meeting scheduled for this coming Wednesday, could this be brought up again and a clear idea when works could begin to resolve this, as it is a huge contributing factor to the problems here?

 

I am also gobsmacked that the Council engineer, who I think was present "remotely", knew nothing of the drains survey that was carried out on the 8th of April 2024? That was some 20 months prior to the December meeting. Maybe they needed to request it under freedom of information as well?

 

The Project Manager advised that if Mr Strathern has questions relating to his tenancy that these should be directed to the Councils Estates team and confirmed that a gulley machine had been deployed to the Crannog Lane area recently and that the team cleared the gulleys, checked the pipes and reported that they were running satisfactory, at the time of the visit.

 

Councillor Vennard highlighted that this has been a longstanding issue and that he had sent an email to all Area Committee members suggesting that if the costs were reasonable and affordable that the Council should pay for the works and resolve the issue.

 

The Chair advised that a response had been provided to Mr Strathern on 23 January 2026 from the Councils Estates and Roads and Infrastructure Teams which read as “Officers from Roads and Infrastructure Services have considered this and also recently completed gully clearance works and are satisfied that the road surface water drainage is operating appropriately. However, as previously advised, there is an unauthorised connection from your property into the sewage system which requires to be rectified and the council has offered to assist with this but at this stage this offer has not been taken up.”

 

Councillor Hampsey highlighted that this has been an issue for a number of years and that she had raised concerns with Environmental Health as the flooding is not just surface water, but also contains sewage, she has not received a response from Environmental Health. Councillor Hampsey advised that as with Councillor Vennard, she has engaged with the Councils Estates team and other Council officers to request consideration of the flooding to be dealt with on a no fee basis as there are associated health risks and the Council has a responsibility to retest residents. She highlighted that Mr Strathern is not the only business who has contacted her from Crannog Lane and that this continues to be a health risk which is a great concern and needs to be resolved.

 

Terry Hegarty

 

How exactly does Argyll and Bute Council reconcile the legal rights of children to enjoy the benefits of family life and equality of educational opportunity with continuing reliance upon mainland hostel arrangements for children resident in south west Mull attending High School in Oban? 

 

Are any or all members of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee prepared to commit themselves to finding out the legal justification for Argyll and Bute Council's official position in relation to its evident disregard for children's rights in law in the matter of its preferred location for a new 2-18 educational campus, and its poorly evidenced insistence upon the unaffordability of a centrally located High School to meet the learning needs and important legal rights of all secondary school pupils on Mull?

 

The Committee Manager advised that on receipt of Mr Hegarty’s questions he had passed them onto colleagues within Legal and Regulatory Support and Commercial Services who are preparing comprehensive responses which will be sent to Mr Hegarty once available.

 

Councillor Kain highlighted that he is very engaged in this subject and that as far as he is aware the legal requirement allows the Council to take into account the economics and practicalities of it and that it would not be appropriate to disadvantage the majority to placate the minority.

 

Councillor Vennard advised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report and a presentation which provided a range of key information about primary school provision in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area during the school session August 2025 to January 2026 and reported the national collection of attainment and achievement data from June 2025.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted the information provided within the report and presentation.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated March 2026, 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 noted the content of the report.

 

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

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on Flood Risk Management within the Oban Potentially Vulnerable Area and the progress on proposed short-medium term and medium-long term Actions.

 

Motion

 

The Area Committee note and consider the contents of the report.

 

Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor Kain.

 

Amendment

 

The Area Committee note and consider the contents of the report with concern.

 

Moved by Councillor McKenzie, seconded by Councillor Hampsey.

 

As the meeting was being held on a hybrid basis, the vote required to be taken by calling the roll and members voted as follows –

 

Motion                                        Amendment

 

Councillor Green                          Councillor Hampsey

Councillor Hume                          Councillor McKenzie

Councillor Kain

Councillor Lynch

Councillor Vennard

 

Decision

 

The Motion was carried by 5 votes to 2 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated February 2026, submitted; and Amendment by Councillor McKenzie, seconded by Councillor Hampsey, tabled)

 

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 report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated February 2026, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 3 of 2025/26 (October to December 2025) 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 10 February 2026, submitted)

 

Phil Hamerton

 

The roads report presented highlights the use of weekly updates to members which are available to the public on the website. Could all the pages of the website be dated and updated as there has not been an update posted since January 2026?

 

It was noted that the Chair would follow up with a response from the Project Manager in this regard.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

Consideration was given to a report inviting the Trustees to make awards from the Miss Flora McLucas and Miss M M Cameron Bequests.

 

Decision

 

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

 

1.    £2,539 from the Miss Flora McLucas Bequest to the Health and Social Care Partnership/Mull and Iona Community Hospital and thereafter place a moratorium on this fund; and

 

2.    £345 from the Miss M M Cameron Bequest to the Health and Social Care Partnership/Mull and Iona Community Hospital and thereafter place a moratorium on this fund.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated February 2026, submitted)

 

Pontoons at North Pier Oban

The OLI Area Committee resolves and agrees as follows:

1.    Council Officers are hereby instructed to prepare a report on the repairs to the pontoon facilities at the North Pier in Oban which have been required as a result of Storm Éowyn, which said report shall include:

 

(a)  A summary of the works which have been completed to date;

(b)  A summary of the works which may be required in due course;

(c)  Estimates of the timescales for the completion of any relevant works;

(d)  Estimates of any relevant costs for the works involved;

 

2.    That the said report shall be provided for the next ordinary meeting of the Area Committee (being the meeting of the OLI Area Committee which is scheduled to take place on 10 June 2026).

 

3.    Further notes that and acknowledges that reports in relation to the repairs to the pontoon facilities at the North Pier in Oban as a result of Storm Éowyn (and other marine assets of the Council) may also be reported to meetings of Council, the Policy and Resources Committee, the EDI committee, and the Harbour Board, in due course, with relevant recommendations for consideration by Members at those meetings, if required.

 

Proposed by Councillor Andrew Vennard

Seconded by Councillor Amanda Hampsey

 

The following Notice of Motion was before the Committee for consideration –

 

Pontoons at North Pier Oban

 

The OLI Area Committee resolves and agrees as follows:

 

1.    Council Officers are hereby instructed to prepare a report on the repairs to the pontoon facilities at the North Pier in Oban which have been required as a result of Storm Éowyn, which said report shall include:

 

(a)  A summary of the works which have been completed to date;

(b)  A summary of the works which may be required in due course;

(c)  Estimates of the timescales for the completion of any relevant works;

(d)  Estimates of any relevant costs for the works involved;

 

2.    That the said report shall be provided for the next ordinary meeting of the Area Committee (being the meeting of the OLI Area Committee which is scheduled to take place on 10 June 2026).

 

3.    Further notes that and acknowledges that reports in relation to the repairs to the pontoon facilities at the North Pier in Oban as a result of Storm Éowyn (and other marine assets of the Council) may also be reported to meetings of Council, the Policy and Resources Committee, the EDI committee, and the Harbour Board, in due course, with relevant recommendations for consideration by Members at those meetings, if required.

 

Moved by Councillor Vennard, seconded by Councillor Hampsey.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee agreed the terms of the Motion.

 

(Reference: Notice of Motion Under Standing Order 13, moved by Councillor Vennard, seconded by Councillor Hampsey, submitted)

 

 

Argyll Square Project Consolidated Financial Report and Delivery Update

 

This Committee notes:

 

·       That there has been expenditure in relation to improvement works at Argyll Square, and that some elements of the works remain to be completed;

 

·       That no report covering the financial position and delivery status of the project has yet been presented to the Area Committee.

 

The Committee therefore agrees:

 

1.    To request that the Executive Director, in their capacity as Section 95 Officer, submit a consolidated report to a future meeting of the Area Committee setting out:

 

·      The approved budget for the works and any agreed variations;

·      Total expenditure to date;

·      The cost centres and/or project references to which expenditure has been recorded;   

·      A breakdown of expenditure by category;

·      The basis upon which any overheads or internal recharges have been applied.

 

2.    That the report also include a delivery update summarising:

 

·      Works completed and works outstanding;

·      The anticipated programme for completion;

·      The remaining approved budget available.

 

Proposed by Councillor Amanda Hampsey

 

Seconded by Councillor Julie McKenzie

 

 

The following Notice of Motion was before the Committee for consideration –

 

Argyll Square Project Consolidated Financial Report and Delivery Update

 

This Committee notes:

 

·       That there has been expenditure in relation to improvement works at Argyll Square, and that some elements of the works remain to be completed;

 

·       That no report covering the financial position and delivery status of the project has yet been presented to the Area Committee.

 

The Committee therefore agrees:

 

1.    To request that the Executive Director, in their capacity as Section 95 Officer, submit a consolidated report to a future meeting of the Area Committee setting out:

 

• The approved budget for the works and any agreed variations;
• Total expenditure to date;
• The cost centres and/or project references to which expenditure has been recorded;   
• A breakdown of expenditure by category;
• The basis upon which any overheads or internal recharges have been applied.

 

2.    That the report also include a delivery update summarising:

 

• Works completed and works outstanding;
• The anticipated programme for completion;
• The remaining approved budget available.

 

Moved by Councillor Hampsey, seconded by Councillor McKenzie.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee agreed the terms of the Motion.

 

(Reference: Notice of Motion Under Standing Order 13, moved by Councillor Hampsey, seconded by Councillor McKenzie, submitted)

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

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee workplan, dated 11 March 2026)

 

The Committee gave consideration to a report regarding a number of applications that had been received and processed for support from the John of Lorn Bequest. The report confirmed that following the establishment of the new distribution arrangements in 2020 more than £16k has been awarded to qualifying individuals that live within the Burgh of Oban and that at present, the total funds available for distribution are less than £50.

 

Decision

 

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted the number of awards made since December 2025 and agreed to place a moratorium on the fund.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated February 2026, submitted)