Agenda and minutes

Trustees were asked to suspend Standing Order 5.4 – “the Member who is presiding at the meeting must do so from the specified location for the meeting and cannot join by video conferencing”  

The Trustees unanimously agreed to suspend Standing Order 5.4 to enable discussion of reports on the Agenda.

Councillor Elaine Robertson declared a non-financial interest at items 8(a) and 8(b) of this minute (New Applications - McDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust and Friends of Kilbride) as her husband is on the board of both these bodies.  Councillor Robertson remained on the call but did not take part in the discussion or the decision making.

Councillor Jim Lynch declared a non-financial interest in item 8(d) of this minute (New Applications – LiveArgyll) as he is a board member of LiveArgyll.  Councillor Lynch remained on the call but did not take part in the discussion or the decision making.

There were no apologies for absence.

Minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund Meeting – 19 March 2020

The minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund held on 19^th March 2020 were approved as a correct record.

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the public for the following items of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

The draft Annual Accounts detailing the current position of investment transaction for the period 1^st April 2019 to 28^th February 2020 were presented by David McGregor with Trustees being invited to approve them.

Decision

Subject to the upper grant limit being amended from £5000 to £6000, the Trustees approved the draft accounts, noting that these had yet to be audited.

(Ref:  Financial Statement by David McGregor, Simmers & Co dated  31^st March 2020, submitted).

Quarterly Report by Simmers & Co

A financial statement detailing the current position of investment transaction for the period 1^st April 2019 to 31^st July 2020 was considered.

Decision

The Trustees:

1.    Noted the information provided, together with the confirmation that the income from investment had increased since the date of the report.

2.    Agreed that the annual budget for 2020/21 would be £50,000, representing £12,500 for each quarter.

(Ref:  Financial Statement by David McGregor, Simmers & Co dated 31^st July 2020, submitted).

Report by Governance Officer

The Governance Officer presented her report, advising the trustees there were five commitments outstanding, four of which would expire in December in line with the fund criteria.  The remaining outstanding project could not draw down their money as the event was postponed until next year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Decision

The Trustees:

1.    Noted the report and verbal update provided by the Governance Officer; and

2.    Agreed that in view of the exceptional circumstances created by COVID-19 restrictions, a blanket extension for a one year period be applied to the 5 outstanding commitments to ensure the supported projects can go ahead.

The Trustees noted the end of project report.

The Trustees noted the end of project report.

The Trustees noted the end of project report.

The Trustees noted the end of project report.

Having declared an interest in the applications by The MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust and the Friends of Kilbride, Councillor McGrigor was appointed to Chair the meeting for the following 2 items.

The Trustees considered the application from McDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust.

Decision:-

To continue the application on the basis that further information from the applicant was required before a decision on the full application could be made, but that in the interim they would release funding of £1380 in respect of purchasing PPE, materials and hospitality/transport only.

The Trustees considered an application from Friends of Kilbride.

Decision:-

After careful consideration the Trustees agreed to reject the application as it did not meet the application criteria.

Councillor Robertson resumed the Chair at this point.

The Trustees considered an application received from Highlands and Islands Blood Bikes.

Decision:-

The Trustees awarded the full amount requested of £1000.

The Trustees considered an application received from Live Argyll (Oban Community Sports Hub)

Decision:-

The Trustees agreed to make an award of £2942.50 and invited the applicants to either seek match funding or to match fund the project.