Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated on behalf of Councillor Lynch.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund held on 12 August 2024 were approved as a correct record.

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.

Report by Simmers and Company

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

Decision

The Trustees noted the income and expenditure report.

(Reference:  Report by Simmers & Co for period ending 31 October 2024, submitted)

The Trustees were invited to consider the End of Project Monitoring Form from the MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust.

Decision

The Trustees noted the end of project report.

(Reference:  End of Project Monitoring Form, submitted)

The Trustees considered the updated application from Lorn Toy Library.

Decision

The Trustees unanimously agreed to award the full amount of £4000.

(Reference: application by Lorn Toy Library, submitted)

The Trustees considered a request from Hope Kitchen who had originally obtained funding in November 2023 but who had not been able to fully draw this down due to circumstances out with their control.

Decision

The Trustees noted the circumstances and agreed to award £3850 to Hope Kitchen, with the release of the funding being subject to a delegation to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Chair, to ensure a lease agreement was in place. 

(Reference: Application by Hope Kitchen, submitted)

The Trustees considered the application submitted by Argyll Wellbeing Hub.

Decision:

The Trustees refused the application as it was not consistent with the Oban Common Good Fund’s criteria.

(Reference: Application submitted by Argyll Wellbeing Hub)

The Trustees considered an application submitted by Oban Festive Lights.

Decision:

The Trustees agreed:

1.  to support the application, in principle, but that any release of funding must be subject to receipt of the group’s constitution; clarification regarding any funding commitment in place for the items specified within the application; and confirmation of the up-to-date funding position, noting there were outstanding requests for funding detailed on the application form submitted; and

2.  subject to the conditions above being met, to delegate the final decision on any funding to be released, up to a maximum of £2934.27, to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Chair.

(Reference: Application by Oban Festive Lights, submitted)

The Trustees considered an application submitted by Oban Lorn Rugby Club.

Decision:

The Trustees unanimously agreed they could not consider the application at this time as the application did not have the necessary consents required to make an application.  The trustees also requested that the Democratic Services Manager provide some feedback to the applicants on the fund’s distribution criteria

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

It was agreed that the next grant deadline would be extended from 15 January until 15 February and accordingly that the next Oban Common Good Fund would take place on Monday 17 March 2025, at 2pm, by MS Teams.

Trustees also agreed to build in a special meeting for the purpose of considering the Audited Accounts prior to their submission to full Council for approval.  It was agreed that the special meeting will take place at 2pm on Tuesday 17 December, at 2pm, by MS Teams.