Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and general introductions were made.

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:

Joan Best, Crossroads

Councillor Amanda Hampsey

Councillor Jim Lynch

Caroline McArthur, NHS Highland

Inspector Matthew Shaw, Police Scotland

Gill Philpots, Kilmelford & Kilninver Community Council

Theresa Bain, UHI Argyll

Becky Hothersall, Poverty Alliance

Tayna MacDougall, Family Mediation Argyll and Bute

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Wednesday 13 November 2024 was approved as a correct record.

Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to a report which outlined the governance arrangements of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group (Area CPG) specifically the Terms of Reference, membership and future meeting dates.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group:

1.    considered and adopted the Terms of Reference submitted at Appendix 1 and  agreed that these be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure their ongoing currency and appropriateness for the work of the Area CPG as it develops over time;

2.    considered and agreed the membership of the group at Appendix 2 and agreed that the membership of the group be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure currency and appropriateness for the work of the group as it develops over time; and

3.    noted the future meeting dates of the Group as Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 13 August 2025, 12 November 2025, 11 February 2026 and 13 May 2026.

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 5 February 2025, submitted)

Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to a report which outlined matters discussed during a meeting of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee held on 6 December 2024. The report provided information on a number of cross cutting themes such as the Census – Population Update; Joint Strategic Needs Assessment from NHS Highland, CPP Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan; CPP Community Wealth Building; Argyll and Bute Council Equalities Outcomes Consultation and Audit Scotland’s Tackling Digital Exclusion.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council dated 4 February 2025, submitted)

Presentation by Stuart Green, Corporate Support Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to a presentation by the Project Manager and Project Officer from Argyll and Bute Council, in relation to the Council’s Aspiring Places; Community Project in Argyll and Bute. The presentation provided background information in relation to the previous project approach; the project review undertaken between April and September 2024; the Council agreed priorities for 2024-2027; the Council decision in September 2024; the revised project vision; the one digital space for Community projects in Argyll and Bute; the project scope and the next steps.

Discussion took place in relation to how Community Groups could get involved with the project and it was advised that the project would be launched towards the end of March and that they would be publicising information widely on how to access the online digital space.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided.

(Reference: Presentation by Project Manager and Project Officer, Argyll and Bute Council, submitted)

Report by Dr Lynda Mitchell, ALIenergy

The Group gave consideration to a report delivered by Dr Lynda Mitchell of ALIenergy, who highlighted the work and charities that they work in partnership with.  Dr Mitchell confirmed that ALIenergy’s main objective is to work with individual households to alleviate fuel poverty and energy education, especially over the last couple of years with the cost of living crisis. Current projects are based on storage heaters, which are common place in a number of homes in rural areas, due to no mains gas being available and working with P7-S2 pupils on energy education; delivering climate change and heating workshops.  A pilot programme is ongoing for free smart controls to be installed in homes to measure how much heat is within the property.

ALIenergy have also worked in partnership with Hope Kitchen, Lorn Health Options and Atlantis Leisure in the set-up of the Re-Store Shop in George Street, Oban, this initiative has been successful in its first year and recently won an Innovation Award at the ScottishPower Foundation Awards 2024.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided.

(Reference: Report by Dr Lynda Mitchell, ALIenergy, submitted)

Report by Ian Woodcock, Transport Scotland

Consideration was given to an update from Transport Scotland in relation to recent and upcoming works within the area specifically the removal of a sizable boulder overhanging that A828 at Ledaig; which can be viewed by following this link - https://youtu.be/99uIlCSuOLs - installation of signage along the A85 at Tyndrum to Dalmally and along the A85 Oban to Connel.

Discussion took place on who decides which sections of the road network will be resurfaced and the speed limits and who is best placed to respond to queries on such matters.  Mr Woodcock confirmed he would welcome queries concerning the trunk roads to be sent directly to him.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided.

(Reference: report by Ian Woodcock Manager, Transport Scotland, submitted)

Presentation by Ian Woodcock, Transport Scotland

Consideration was given to a presentation from Ian Woodcock from Transport Scotland on the ongoing traffic management arrangements at the Rest and Be Thankful. Ian provided information in relation to the daily and weekly management of the hillside, how information is communicated to the public and the various teams involved both on site and remotely. He explained there are 7 alert levels informed by weather forecasts, previous and current rainfall and time lapse videography; which dictate what travel management is put in place each day. Traffic signals are expected to be on the Rest and Be Thankful until May 2025, after which it will be open to two way traffic. An interim safety measure of a flatbed mesh fence is in place, a more permanent solution to remove this should be installed by the end of this year; and ground works for the long term solution should be completed by May 2025.

It was pointed out to Ian that the consultation talks on the Rest and Be Thankful had visiting Arrochar but there was no meeting held in Oban.  Ian agreed to pass the request to hold an event in Oban on to the major projects team.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided.

(Reference: Presentation by Area Manager, Transport Scotland)

Report by Kelly McKellar, Project Manager, Roads and Infrastructure

The Group gave consideration to a report submitted by Kelly McKellar, Project Manager for the Council’s Piers and Harbours.  The report introduced Partners to the ‘Argyll & Bute Council Mainland Ferries Study – Comparative Analysis of Options for Council-run ferries’ carried out by Caledonian Economics (Mainland Ferries Study).

Decision

 The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group:-

1.    noted the content of this report; and

2.    agreed to receive further updates on progress of the next stage of the study.

(Reference: Report by Kelly McKellar, Project Manager Piers and Harbours, Argyll and Bute Council, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update which provided information on the ongoing work of the Service and information on serious and organised crime; acquisitive crime; road safety and road crime; violent crime; public protection and issues and questions raised by Community Councils and Councillors to the Communities Team in January 2025.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided.

Consideration was given to a public health update from Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Public Health Team on the ongoing wellbeing and prevention activities overseen and delivered by them in Argyll and Bute. The update provided information on the Argyll and Bute Joint Strategic Needs Assessment which was published in December 2024; the expansion of the Community Link Working service; the launch of the Mental Health Hub – Living Well in Argyll and Bute digital resource and mental health awareness and suicide prevention training available.

The report also provided information on the work undertaken as part of the alcohol and drugs partnership; the screening inequalities grant funding which has been awarded to Argyll and Bute; the end of the Waverly Care contract and the end of the existing Living Well Network coordination.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided.

(Reference: Report by Health Improvement Senior, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated February 2025, submitted)

The Group considered a written report submitted by Crossroads, in the absence of Joan Best, the Chair, was happy to relay any questions on the report back to Crossroads.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided.

(Reference: Report by Joan Best, Crossroads, submitted)

Carol Flett the Living Well Network Co-Ordinator for Oban, Lorn and the Islands advised that the funding for the Living Well Network was coming to an end as of March 2025.   She was hopeful that funding could be secured to keep some of the current projects going. Carol confirmed that are still a couple of Network meetings to take place over Zoom and that the Public Health Team will take ownership of the Network Membership list going forward.

Several third sector partners advised that they were not consulted over the decision to cut the Living Well Network Service and they were not aware of anyone who will be in a position to replace and/or replicate this service.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group:

1.    noted the information provided; and

2.    requested that their disappointment at the decision to withdraw the Living Well Network service be raised at the Community Planning Management Committee.

(Reference: Report by Living Well Network Co-Ordinator, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update from Petra Pearce from Argyll and Bute TSI. The update included information in relation to Chief Executive Officer, Takki Sulaiman’s, contribution to TSI Scotland Network’s document; activities of the Third Sector Support Advisor; Funding for third sector organisations; Day Services for Older People review; activities of the Wellbeing Development Manager; Winter welcome spaces and volunteer of the year awards 2025 which has two new categories for this year.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group and noted the information provided.

(Reference: Report by Argyll and Bute TSI, dated January 2025, submitted)

Consideration was given to a written update from UHI Argyll. The update included information on January start courses that are available; commercial courses available and open events and taster sessions.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided.

(Reference: Report by UHI Argyll dated 21 January 2025, submitted)

Argyll and Bute Council, Economic Growth - Visitor Levy Consultation

On behalf of colleagues in Economic Growth, the Committee Manager, advised that the Council is running a formal visitor levy consultation until 10 April 2025 and urged Partners to find out what it could mean for them and the area and to give their views. The consultation can be accessed here : council website.

Stuart also confirmed that the Council will be hosting a series of drop-in events and online information webinars to help people in Argyll and Bute to find out more and get involved in assessing the possible introduction of a Visitor Levy.

The online webinars will last one hour, to book a space please follow this link Visitor levy information events to take place across Argyll and Bute Stuart added that there is no requirement to book a space for the drop-in events which will be held across Argyll and Bute. Stuart highlighted that one such event will be hosted in Craignure Village Hall, Mull on 21 February from 1500-1800.

Report by Andy MacPherson, Climate Change Project Manager, Argyll and the Isles Coast  and Countryside Trust

Consideration was given to a report providing an update on the Community Planning Partnership’s Argyll and Bute Climate Action Project: Developing a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan for Argyll and Bute. It was noted that the Project Manager was seeking recommendations for best groups at area level to inform development of the action plan and pilot projects.

The Group discussed the possibility of setting up a short life working group on Climate Change Resilience; the Committee Manager outlined the considerations required to establish such a group. 

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the  Isles Area Community Planning Group:

1.    noted the approach and status of the project outlined in the report;

2.    agreed to provide comments and feedback to the Project Manager (andy@act-now.org.uk) following the meeting;

3.    agreed a Short Life Working Group be be formed to explore community resilience requirements as a consequence of climate change;

4.    agreed that the Working Group would be led by the Chair;

5.    agreed that any Partners who wish to be involved would confirm so to the Chair and that membership would be agreed at the first meeting of the Working Group;

6.    agreed that the Working Group would meet monthly with regular reports of activity and progress reported to the Community Planning Group and updates also provided to the Management Committee; and

7.    noted that any changes to the Working Group must be approved by the Area Community Planning Group

(Reference: Report by Climate Change Project Manager, Argyll & the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust, dated 22 January 2025, submitted)

There were no verbal updates provided under this item.

Presentation by Ronald Gordon, Oban Lorn Rugby Club

Consideration was given to a presentation by Ronald Gordon, Shaun Sinclair and Mark McQueen, members of Oban Lorn Rugby Club on their plans to develop a Community Sports Hub, which will incorporate the sports pitches at Glencruitten and Mossfield Stadium.

The representatives confirmed that an agreement had been reached with the Council to lease and administer these facilities and that it was envisaged that the development would be progressed over eight phases, which would include the refurbishment and upgrading of the existing Rugby Club Building; a stand being built at the Glencruitten pitch; installation of flood lights, secure fencing and athletics track; drainage and levelling off the lower pitch; installation of storage facilities and wind turbines; a new access road being developed; facilities at Mossfield Stadium being upgraded; installation of car parking and the development of a Skate Park.

Mr Gordon confirmed that the Rugby Club have held a number of positive conversations with local sports clubs and event organisers with support being secured from each, adding that with proper facilities in place larger events can be held and that Oban could become a key destination for sporting and cultural events.

The representatives recognised that the plans are ambitious but achievable with the support of the local community and securing the required funding.  Mr Sinclair added that this is a growth plan for future generations and that while a number of people from the area have achieved great success in sport, these individuals have only had the support of their families and local clubs. This Hub, with proper facilities, has the potential to support and encourages countless others.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Group:-

1.     noted the information provided; and

2.    wished the Rugby Club the very best of luck in their endeavours to develop a sporting hub within Oban. 

(Reference: Presentation by Oban Lorn Rugby Club, submitted) 

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group would take place on Wednesday 14 May 2025 at 10.00am by TEAMS.