Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated by Councillor Jim Lynch and Fr James MacNeil.

Councillor Julie McKenzie declared a non-financial interest in Item 6(a) of these minutes.  Councillor McKenzie did not take part in any discussion on this item.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Oban Common Good Fund held on 18 March 2024

The minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund held on 18 March 2024 were approved as a correct record.

Report by Democratic Services Manager

The Democratic Services Manager gave a vote of thanks to the outgoing Trustees, Councillors Kain and Martin, for their contribution to the Oban Common Good Fund over the past two years.

The Trustees then considered a report from the Democratic Services Manager on the appointment of a new Chair.

Decision

It was unanimously agreed that Councillor Julie MacKenzie would be appointed as Chair of the Oban Common Good Fund.

(Ref. Report by Democratic Services Manager dated 20 May 2024 submitted)

The Trustees resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and 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 respectively 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 period 1st April 2023 to 31^st March 2024 were presented by David MacGregor with Trustees being invited to approve them.

Decision

The Trustees noted the draft accounts and also noted that these would be submitted to a future meeting for approval, once audited.

(Ref. Draft Annual Accounts 2023/24 as prepared by Simmers & Co dated 31^st March 2024)

A financial statement detailing the current position of investment transaction for the period up to 31 March 2024 was considered.

Decision

The Trustees noted the income and expenditure report.

(Ref:  Report by Simmers & Co for period ending 31 March 2024, submitted)

Following the financial update the Trustees were asked to set the budget for 2024/25.

Decision

The Trustees agreed that the annual budget for 2024/25 would be £65,000.

(Ref Financial Update as prepared by Simmers & Co dated 31^st March 2024)

As Councillor McKenzie had declared an interest in this item, she did not take part in the discussion on the following item.

The Trustees were invited to consider the End of Project Monitoring Form from the Oban High School Parent Teacher Association.

Decision

The Trustees noted the end of project report.

(Ref:  End of Project Monitoring Form, submitted)

The Trustees considered the application submitted by Eadar Glinn Residents Comfort Fund.

Decision:

It was unanimously agreed to award the full amount of £2063.90.

(Reference: application submitted by Eadar Glinn Residents Comfort Fund)

The Trustees considered the application submitted by Oban FM.

Decision:

1.    The Trustees noted that the application was incomplete due to the absence of audited accounts; and

2.    The Trustees agreed to continue the application to a meeting on 10^th June 2024 at 11am when it was expected that the accounts would be available and that the applicant and directors/trustees of Oban FM could attend to supply further information in support of the application.

(Reference: application submitted by Oban FM)

The Trustees considered the application submitted by Oban Pride.

Decision:

It was unanimously agreed to award the sum of £3000.

(Reference: application submitted by Oban Pride)

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Oban Common Good Fund would take place on Monday, 12^th August 2024, at 2pm.

MINUTES of RECONVENED MEETING of Oban Common Good Fund held by MS Teams on FRIDAY, 28 JUNE 2024

The Oban Common Good Fund re-convened on Friday 28 June 2024 to consider the application by Oban FM.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Jim Lynch, Father McNeil and Reverend Campbell.

The Trustees considered the continued application from Oban FM, the accounts to June 2024 and the profit and loss records from May to June 2024.

Decision

At the meeting the Trustees unanimously:

1. noted with disappointment that some additional information sought following the meeting on 20 May 2024 had not been submitted;

2. agreed that at this time they must decline to consider the application on the basis that the applicants, based on publicly available information, do not appear to be properly constituted, contrary to the fund’s application criteria; and

3. agreed that a further application from Oban FM would be welcomed when the organisation could demonstrate that they are able meet the application criteria.