Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Dugald Cameron.

The Chair ruled and the Trustees agreed to take an application by the Oban and Lorn Tourism Alliance (OLTA) as an urgent item as the request related to purchase of equipment that OLTA wished to procure before the cruise ship season starts which is in advance of the next scheduled meeting.  This item was taken as item 10(f) of the agenda.

Councillor Elaine Robertson declared a non-financial interest at item 7(b) of this minute (End of Project Monitoring – Homestart Lorn) as her daughter is employed by another regional branch of Homestart.  As the interest was so insignificant she remained in the room during discussion but did not participate in the decision.

Councillor Elaine Robertson declared a non-financial interest at item 10f of this minute (Application by Oban and Lorn Tourism Alliance) due to her ongoing involvement with the group.  She left the room during the discussion and took no part in the decision making.

Oban Common Good Fund – 22^nd November 2018

The minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund held on 22^nd November 2018 were approved as a correct record.

The Trustees noted thank you letters from Oban Phoenix Cinema and the PBC Foundation.

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

Report by Simmers and Co

A financial statement detailing the current position of investment transaction for the period 1^st April 2018 to 28^th February 2019 was considered.

Decision

The Trustees noted the information provided and requested that the Area Governance Officer request a simplified version of the report going forward.

(Ref:  Financial Statement by David McGregor, Simmers & Co dated 26^th March 2019, submitted).

Report by Area Governance Officer

The Trustees considered a report which supplements the financial monitoring report received from Simmers & Co by providing an updated position on the grant payments agreed during the current financial year which have yet to be paid out.

The Area Governance Officer providing the Trustees with some additional verbal updates regarding the applications for L Smith, E Grant (Taynuilt Drumming) and Oban and District Guides.

Decision

The Trustees:

1.    Noted the latest update regarding the grant payments awarded which remain unpaid as of the date of the report;

2.    Declined the request from Glencruitten Cathedral of Trees to release their grant payment subject to the details contained at paragraph 4.1 of the submitted report;

3.    Agreed that upon production of the constitution and accounts for L Smith authorisation be delegated to the Area Governance Officer, in consultation with the Chair, to release payment to the Oban branch of the Scottish Knights League;

4.    Noted the update from E Grant (Taynuilt Drumming) regarding progress in organising sessions in Oban and agreed that any suitable venue in the town centre would be sufficient to release the grant; and

5.    Agreed to a partial release of funds for the Oban and District Guides to the value of £2605.97 (leaving a balance of £3394.03 to be drawn down)

(Ref: Report by Area Governance Officer dated 26 March 2019, submitted)

The Trustees considered an amended end of project monitoring form from Port of Oban Cruise Ship which was noted.

The Trustees considered an end of project monitoring form from Homestart Lorn and agreed that the unspent sum of £57.80 could be retained and used for the purposes of the Anniversary lunch.

The Trustees considered an end of project monitoring form from the Camanachd Association which was noted.

The Trustees considered an end of project monitoring form from Friends of Oban Community Play Park which was noted.

The Trustees considered an end of project monitoring form from Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival which was noted.

The Trustees considered an end of project monitoring form from Highland Cattle Society which was noted.

The Trustees considered an end of project monitoring form from Oban Charitable Trust which was noted.

The Trustees considered an end of project monitoring form from Oban Community Council which was noted.

Report by Bid4Oban Chief Executive (to follow)

An update was tabled at the meeting apologising that the Chief Executive could not attend due to a conflicting commitment and providing information about the “Shine a Light on Oban”.  The update also providing an anticipated start date in the middle of April and a request regarding the timing of the release of the grant payment.

Decision

The Trustees noted the update and declined the request to release funding in advance of the start date, which is inconsistent with their distribution criteria.

(Ref:  Update by Bid4Oban Ltd dated 25^th March 2019, tabled)

The Trustees noted the application summary for the new applications and also noted an additional application from Oban and Lorn Tourism Alliance that was being considered as an urgent item.

The Trustees considered the application from the GRAB Trust.

Decision

The Trustees agreed:

1.    To award £5302.00 to the GRAB Trust in respect of the purchase of a 20ft x 10ft timber shed, site clearance, groundwork & installation and production of plastic reduction leaflets;

2.    That the release of the grant would be subject to the distribution criteria and confirmation being obtained by the GRAB Trust, from Argyll and Bute Planning Authority, that planning permission is not required for the installation of the shed; and

3.    To delegate authority to the Area Governance Officer, in consultation with the Chair, to release the grant upon receipt of the confirmation referred to at decision 2.

The Trustees considered the application from the Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival.

Decision

The Trustees agreed:

1.    To award up to £1000 to the Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival subject to satisfactory information being provided by the applicant that the festival continues to grow and develop; and

2.    To delegate authority to the Area Governance Officer, in consultation with the Chair, to release the grant payment referred to at decision one.

The Trustees considered the application from the Kilchrenan, Inverinan & Dalavich Coastal Rowing Club.

Decision

The Trustees noted that the initial amount requested had been reduced and refused the application on the basis that it was not consistent with the terms of the fund criteria.

The Trustees considered the application from Oban Live.

Decision

The Trustees declined to make an award as the organisation is now a Private Limited Company which no longer fulfils the criteria of the fund and asked that the Area Governance Officer provide some information for the group as to the types of organisation which are eligible to apply for funding.

The Trustees considered the application from Police Scotland Youth Volunteers.

Decision

The Trustees agreed to award £389.87 to Police Scotland Youth Volunteers for purchasing boots for their new recruits.

Having declared a non-financial interest Councillor Robertson left the room for the duration of the item and Councillor McGrigor took the Chair.

The Trustees considered the application from Oban & Lorn Tourism Alliance Ltd.

Decision

The Trustees continued the application to their next meeting as they did not feel that they had sufficient information on which to base their decision and invited a member of the group to attend the meeting to provide them with additional information in support of the application.

Councillor Robertson resumed the Chair

The next ordinary meeting of the Oban Common Good Fund will be held on the 23^rd May 2019.