Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Alistair MacDougall and Marri Malloy.

The Chair ruled and the Group agreed, in terms of Standing Order 3.2.2 that an application regarding Oban Fireworks display and an application from Oban Community Council, dealt with at item 8(j) and 8(k) of this Minute and a report regarding the investment activity dealt with at item 5 of this Minute, be taken as matters of urgency due to the need for decisions to be made in advance of forthcoming planned events.

Councillor Fred Hall declared a non financial interest in relation to the urgent application on Oban Fireworks Display which is dealt with at item 8(j) of this Minute because he is a member of the Group. He left the room during discussion of this item and took no part in the decision on the matter.

Andy Newiss from R A Clements declared a non financial interest in relation to the application on Craggy Island Triathlon which is dealt with at item 8(c) of this Minute because he is a member of Mountain Rescue who benefit from the proceedings of the event.

The Chair welcomed John and Marri Barbour to the meeting and presented John with a Quaich on behalf of the Oban Common Good Fund for all his valued work within the community over the last 40 years.

The Trustees noted that Lorne Campbell, who had also been invited to the meeting, had been unable to attend.  As he had now moved away from the area arrangements would be put in place to deliver his Quaich to him.

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 13^th February 2013 were approved as a correct record subject to the amendment on page 1 – the Highland and Islands Music and Dance Festival was held in May, not this coming July.

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 1^st March 2013 were approved as a correct record subject to all references to the Highland and Islands Music and Dance Festival taking place in July 2013 being corrected to May 2013.

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 26^th April 2013 were approved as a correct record.

A report outlining details of the investment management costs and the trend in investment valuations for the years to 30^th September 2011 and September 2012, was considered.

Decision

The trustees noted the terms of the report, particularly that an update would be submitted to the August meeting of the Fund outlining options for consideration in ensuring best management of the fund’s investments.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Strategic Finance dated 8^th February 2013, submitted).

Report by Area Governance Officer

A report following the decision made by the Common Good Fund in November 2012, requesting that the use of End of Year Monitoring procedures be adopted henceforth for all applications to the Oban Common Good Fund, was considered.

Decision

The trustees:-

                                        i.     Considered and noted the information in the report;

                                      ii.     Agreed the revised application could be distributed;

                                     iii.     Agreed to include a paragraph in the criteria on page 18 regarding the distribution policy; and

                                    iv.     Agreed that the Area Governance Manager could circulate this electronically.

(Ref:  Report by Area Governance Manager dated 30^th April 2013, submitted).

Report by Andy Newiss, R A Clement Associates

A financial statement detailing the current position of investment transaction for the period 1^st April – 29^th May 2013 was considered.

Decision:

The trustees agreed to note and sign the financial statement.

(Ref:  Financial statement by Andy Newiss, R A Clements dated 29^th May 2013, submitted).

The trustees noted the confirmation recently received from the Argyllshire Gathering group that the underwrite set aside to cover any shortfall for the 2013/14 financial year would be required.

Decision

The trustees confirmed the previously agreed £5k underwrite for the Argyllshire Gathering 2014.

The trustees considered an application from Oban Camanachd under 17’s Club, for new shin guards, grip tape, sticks and helmets. 

Decision

The trustees agreed to disperse £1000 to the club for the purchase of helmets only.

The trustees considered an application from Oban FM Community Radio for new equipment such as speakers and microphones etc.

Decision

In accordance with the Trust rules, it was agreed that a letter be sent to Oban FM Community Radio advising them that the OCGF is a fund of last resort and therefore they should ensure other avenues of funding are exhausted prior to any further application being submitted.

The trustees considered an application from Craggy Island Triathlon for trophies to winners and portable toilets during the race weekend.

Decision

The trustees agreed to disperse £816.67 to the group.

An application from Lorne Highland Games for creating a website for online entry forms, membership forms and trophies was considered.

Decision

The trustees agreed to disperse £650 to Lorne Highland Games specifically for purchasing trophies, and invited them to submit a future application for website development funding if still required.

The trustees considered an application from Oban War and Peace Museum asking for a further payment to reduce their previous loan of £127,000, which is now down to £15,000.

Decision

The trustees agreed to write to the group asking them to provide information on their finances and their annual interest for the loan and accounts, and agreed that on submission of this information the application would be reconsidered at the August meeting of the Fund.

The trustees considered an application from Hogmanay in Oban for a Stage, lights, generator, acts and security.

Decision

The trustees agreed to write to the Group asking them to provide more detail on full project costs, and forward a more rounded application to the next Oban Common Good Fund meeting on 14^th August. 

The trustees considered an application from 3^rd Oban Guides for attending an International Camp at Auchengillan Scout Centre, Blanefield.

Decision

The trustees agreed to disperse £750 to the 3^rd Oban Guides.

The trustees considered an application from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra for the cost of putting on a concert at St John’s Cathedral by SCO Winds & Brass Chamber Ensemble.

Decision

The trustees agreed not to make any award to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

An application from West Highland Tennis Championships for providing balls, venue costs, programme/advertising/publicity and the overall costs of running the tournament, was considered by the trustees.

Decision

The trustees agreed to disperse £1000 to the group.

Councillor Fred Hall, having declared a non financial interest in item 8(j), left the meeting and took no part in the discussion of this item.

The trustees considered an application from Oban Fireworks Display for running the event.

Decision

In the absence of a quorum, the trustees present agreed in principle to set aside a minimum of £1000, noting that this would require to be ratified at their August meeting with the requisite number of members in attendance.  This ‘in principle’ decision was that, the funding package should be submitted for consideration at the August meeting.  The trustees also indicated that they may, at this time, choose to revisit the figure suggested.

The trustees considered an application from Oban Community Council for the Kells Town Council Visit.

Decision

The trustees agreed to underwrite £500 to Oban Community Council and to provide 4 Oban Common Good Fund Quaichs for presentation to the visitors.