Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies received.

The Chair, on behalf of the Fund, thanked former Councillor Iain Angus MacDonald for all his input over the years to the Oban Common Good Fund and sent him the Trustees good wishes.

The Chair ruled and the Group agreed, in terms of Standing Order 3.2.2 that an application regarding BID4Oban dealt with at item 9(e) of this Minute, be taken as a matter of urgency due to the need for banners and bunting to be in place at events in the town before the next scheduled meeting of the Common Good Fund.

The Chair declared a non-financial interest in item 9(b) and 9(c) of this Minute as she is the Chair of Crossroads who share premises with North Argyll Carers Centre and her husband is the Factor of Dunollie Estates.  She left the room and took no part in the discussions of these items.

David McGregor declared a non-financial interest in item 9(e) of this Minute as he is the Vice Chair of the BID4OBAN group.  He left the room and took no part in the discussion on this item.

It was noted that Mr McGregor has knowledge of the Carer’s Centre and Dunollie Estates accounts through his business at Simmers and Co although he has no involvement in their applications to the Oban Common Good Fund.

Oban Common Good Fund – 15^th February 2016

The Minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund meeting held on 15th February 2016 were approved as a correct record.

Mr McGregor asked that his name be changed in the Minute to “McGregor” and not “MacGregor”.

The Area Governance Manager updated Trustees on the quotes she had received from the Communications Team for a banner and upgrade of the Oban Common Good Fund logo.  She confirmed that PD Sourcing from Falkirk had quoted £210 plus VAT for the logo to be upgraded to colour to make it stand out more and they quoted £50 for a banner.

The Trustees confirmed that they would prefer if the logo was done locally in CGL or Digital Kangaroo but were happy with the price for the banner.

Decision

1.    It was agreed that the Senior Area Committee Assistant would contact CGL and Digital Kangaroo for quotes for the Oban Common Good Fund logo and then emailed to the Fund for them to make a decision;

2.    It was agreed that this item be taken back to the August meeting; and

3.    It was agreed that another Oban Common Good Fund workshop be held before May 2017 to discuss the current criteria etc.

The Trustees received a thank you letter from MacQueen Bros Charitable Trust, thanking the Oban Common Good Fund for generous donation of £500 which will be used to promote and facilitate the Street Party Celebrations in Oban on Saturday 11th June 2016 to celebrate the 90th birthday of HM the Queen.

Decision

The Trustees noted the information provided.

The Council 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 Paragraphs 6 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by David McGregor, Simmers & Co

A financial statement detailing the current position of investment transaction for the period 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2016 was considered.

Discussion took place on the current financial position of the fund and the financial implications of changing the portfolio status were noted.

Decision

The Trustees:

1.    Noted the information provided; and

2.    Agreed that Councillor Robertson be the main delegate for signing off the Oban Common Good Fund accounts.

(Ref:  Financial Statement by David McGregor, Simmers and Co dated 16th May 2016, submitted).

The Trustees noted the outstanding commitments to date and noted that there is one outstanding commitment to the Oban Common Good Fund to Oban Winter Festival of £1,000 potential underwrite which will be discussed at item 10(a) of this Minute.

The Trustees noted the application summary for the continued, new and late applications.

The Trustees considered an application from Oban Parkrun.

Decision

The Trustees agreed to support a  shortfall of up to £1,000 to Oban Parkrun in principle, subject to receiving confirmation to the Oban Common Good Fund of any other grants that have been awarded since submitting their application.

Councillor Robertson, having declared a non-financial interest in item 11(b) and 11(c), left the room and took no part in the discussion of these items.  Councillor MacIntyre took the Chair.

The Trustees considered an application from North Argyll Carers Centre.

Decision

The Trustees agreed to award North Argyll Carers Centre £750 for the purchase of 6 armchairs.

The Trustees considered an application from Dunollie Projects Ltd.

Decision

The Trustees agreed to award £560 to Dunollie Projects Ltd towards the cost of the project.

Councillor Robertson returned to the meeting and took the Chair.

The Trustees considered an application from the Highland Cattle Society.

Decision

The Trustees agreed to award b £1,500 on the condition that the Highland Cattle Society come to Oban for their event.

The Trustees considered an application from BID4Oban.

Decision

The Trustees agreed to disperse £600.

The Trustees had a discussion on the underwrite which was agreed in August 2015 for Oban Winter Festival.

Decision

The Trustees:

1.    Agreed not to underwrite Oban Winter Festival as they made a slight surplus on last year’s event ; and

2.    Agreed to write to Oban Winter Festival advising that the Oban Common Good Fund would welcome any future application which is not for a routine cost.

The date of the next Oban Common Good Fund meeting is scheduled for 25^th August 2016 at 11am in the Corran Halls, Oban.

The next Oban Common Good Fund meeting is scheduled for Thursday 25th August at 11am in Municipal Buildings, Oban.

E1       Paragraph 6  Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).