Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and extended a warm welcome to Francesco Bertoldi from the Scottish Government Islands Team, who was in attendance to provide an update at item 4 (Update Paper:  New National Islands Plan for Scotland).

Apologies were intimated on behalf of Councillors Reeni Kennedy-Boyle and Liz McCabe. 

There were no declarations of interest intimated. 

Minute of previous meeting held on 4 March 2024

The Minute of the previous meeting of the Argyll Islands Sounding Board, held on 4 March 2024, was approved as a correct record. 

Report and Presentation by Scottish Government Islands Team

Having noted that the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires Scottish Ministers to carry out a full review of the first National Islands Plan (NIP), which was published in December 2019, within five years of its publication, the Sounding Board gave consideration to an update paper and short presentation from Francesco Bertoldi of the Scottish Government Islands team. 

Mr Bertoldi outlined the background of the NIP and provided information on the 2023 Public Consultation and Scottish Islands Survey.  He outlined the key principles and themes and advised that the overarching objective is that of “improving outcomes for island communities”.  Mr Bertoldi outlined the funding mechanisms and highlighted investments delivered to date, which included support for community-led islands infrastructure through the Islands Programme and grant funding for island organisations including the Young Islanders Network and the Scottish Islands Federation. 

Mr Bertoldi shared the proposed structure of the new NIP and advised of the need to ensure that the new NIP and locality and partnership plans dovetail and stressed the importance of working together to ensure the best possible outcomes for island communities. 

Discussion took place around the engagement rates of the 2023 Public Consultation and ways in which these could be improved upon; the need to ensure that the narrative of the new NIP reflects how island communities feel; possible changes to the criteria of the Islands Programme as a result of the new NIP and the possibility of applying a specific island element to existing funding streams. 

Decision

The Argyll Islands Sounding Board noted the information provided in both the update paper and the presentation and thanked Mr Bertoldi for his attendance.

(Reference:  Update Paper by Scottish Government Islands Team, submitted and Presentation by Scottish Government Islands Team)

Verbal Update from Senior Planning Development Officer

Report presented to Policy and Resources Committee on 15 August 2024 attached for reference.

Having given consideration to the report that had been presented to the Policy and Resources Committee at their meeting held on 15 August 2024, the Sounding Board heard from the Senior Planning Development Officer on the progress of applications that had been lodged under the Scottish Government Islands Programme and Carbon Neutral Islands Capital Funds. 

Mrs Watkiss advised that of the three applications submitted to the Islands Programme, the works to Thomson Court care facility in Rothesay were successful in receiving £157,000 of funding. She advised that this would be used to deliver phase 1 of an expansion project which will include renovation works to the Dementia Day Care Unit wing together with the creation of 2 en-suite rooms.  The project is being delivered by the HSCP and contracts are expected to be let early in 2025 with works commencing in the spring.

Mrs Watkiss further advised that three applications were submitted for the Carbon Neutral Islands Capital Fund.  She advised that the forestry and orchard projects that were reported to the Policy and Resources Committee were combined into a single project.  She further advised that this funding was only available to projects on Islay, as this was the selected island within Argyll and Bute for the Carbon Neutral Island programme, and for projects which contributed to their Community Climate Action Plan.  Mrs Watkiss advised that the outcome of this fund had yet to be formally announced but that work was ongoing with Islay Energy Trust and Islay Development Initiative to progress their proposals ahead of the formal announcement.

Decision

The Argyl Islands Sounding Board noted the information provided.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 15 July 2024, submitted)

Presentation by Economic Growth Manager

The Sounding Board gave consideration to a presentation by the Economic Growth Manager who provided an overview of the Council’s Economic Strategy for 2024 to 2034.  Mrs Bremner advised that the strategy gave due cognisance to the Corporate Plan for 2023-27 and aligned with the Local Outcome Improvement Plan for 2024-34. She further advised that the strategy captured opportunities to support innovation, sustainable business growth, community wealth generation and individuals across Argyll and Bute and addressed market failure and barriers to growth.  She advised that the success of the strategy depended on collaboration and partnership working. 

Mrs Bremner provided information on the four strategic pillars, Prosperity; People; Place and Planet which underpinned the Strategy and outlined the Economic Strategy Action Plan for 2024-2027 which included SMART actions for the short term in the first instance.  She advised that the Action Plan was a working document that could respond to policy changes and prioritise scarce resources.   

Discussion took place in regards to reviewing the plan, with it being noted that the SMART actions were subject to annual review, but that actions that related to funding streams were reviewed on an ongoing basis. 

Decision

The Argyll Islands Sounding Board noted the contents of the presentation.

(Reference:  Presentation by Economic Growth Manager, submitted)

Presentation by Economic Growth Manager

Consideration was given to a presentation which outlined the key approach to employability pathways and collaboration through the Argyll and Bute Employability Partnership, whose vision was to bring together partners and organisations to identify opportunities, align priorities, learn from each other, develop valued services and ultimately add value to every engagement with supported individuals.  Mrs Bremner provided information on the delivery plan for 2024/25 which included detail on the six operating principles; the provisional pipeline; membership and funding routes.  The benefits of developing a skilled workforce in island communities were highlighted and included increasing the economy and building towards a better future. 

Discussion took place around work placements and accredited training with local examples being highlighted. 

Decision

The Argyll Islands Sounding Board noted the information provided within the presentation.

(Reference:  Presentation by Economic Growth Manager, submitted) 

Presentation by Rural Growth Deal Programme Manager

The Rural Growth Deal Programme Manager gave a presentation which highlighted the announcement that £70 million of investment had been secured for the area, between the Scottish Government’s investment and other match funding.  Mr Welch outlined the key drivers and themes of the Rural Growth Deal and spoke of the projects which sought to grow the local economy by attracting skills, training and learning opportunities, new residents, visitors and businesses to the area while connecting our high value business sectors with national and international business markets and local successes with national strategic priorities. 

Discussion was had in relation to the challenges around the transition to a net zero economy and the opportunity that the Low Carbon Economy project afforded in considering pilot projects that could be rolled out in the future if successful. 

Decision

The Argyll Islands Sounding Board agreed to note the contents of the presentation.

(Reference:  Presentation by Rural Growth Deal Programme Manager, submitted)

Councillor Kieron Green joined the meeting during discussions of agenda item 9 (Housing Emergency). 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Housing Services

Consideration was given to a report which provided an overview of progress against the Local Housing Strategy (LHS) at an Argyll and Bute level and a summary of activity relevant to the islands, which included developments on the islands of Colonsay; Mull; Gigha; Islay and Rothesay.  It was noted that the Council continue to work with the Government, key agencies and housing delivery partners to make progress including exploring new methods and solutions to tackle housing shortages across the local authority area.

Decision

The Argyll Islands Sounding Board noted the contents of the report. 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated October 2024, submitted)

Discussion facilitated by the Rural Growth Deal Project Manager

On recognising the remit of the Sounding Board, the Chair advised that he was keen to establish a plan going forward, which included items of business that Members were keen to see addressed at future meetings.  He advised that Jonathan Welch, Rural Growth Deal Programme Manager had recently assumed responsibility for Islands as part of his new role and invited him to update on items he felt were pertinent to include for discussion at future meetings.

Mr Welch advised that he anticipated that standing items on future agendas would include updates from the Scottish Government Islands team on the progress of the new National Islands Plan and any other relevant policies or legislation changes that would impact on our island communities; Transport; Housing and Funding Updates.  He advised that updates on the progress of the Rural Growth Deal, the Carbon Neutral Programme and the Islands Programme would also feature as and when required. 

The Chief Executive suggested that the Sounding Board may wish to consider ways in which it engages with communities and that given their remit, it may be appropriate to consider their view on lobbying provisions.  Mrs Milne reminded the Board that their Terms of Reference as agreed by Council permitted them to make recommendations to the Policy and Resources Committee when appropriate.   

Discussion was had in relation to flexibility for annual updates; the input from industry leaders, which included representatives from the fishing, farming and distillery industries; the need to remember the smaller inhabited islands and to ensure that the differing needs of each island were identified.

Decision

The Argyll Islands Sounding Board noted that the Rural Growth Deal Programme Manager would liaise with appropriate officers and the Chair of the Argyll Islands Sounding Board in advance of the next meeting to ensure a robust agenda.  

There was no other competent business discussed. 

The Argyll Islands Sounding Board noted that the Senior Committee Assistant would confirm the date of the next meeting in due course.