Agenda and minutes

The Chair ruled and the Argyll Islands Sounding Board agreed to vary the order of business and consider Agenda item 8 (Energy Developments on our Islands) after Agenda item 3 (Minutes) to facilitate the Senior Planning Development Officer leaving early to attend to other business. 

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The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor Julie McKenzie.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minute of the previous meeting of the Argyll Islands Sounding Board, held on 22 May 2025 was approved as an accurate record.

Senior Planning Development Officer

The Board gave consideration to a report which provided an overview of renewable energy on the islands.  The report also provided details of the proposals for two offshore windfarms; information relating to the work of Islay Energy Trust who had been engaged as an anchor organisation; grid connection constraints and the Development Team’s ongoing work with SSEN to evidence the need for additional grid capacity.

Decision

The Argyll Islands Sounding Board agreed to note the content of the report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated November 2025, submitted)

Scottish Government Islands Team

Having noted that the refreshed National Islands Plan was in draft form pending Ministerial sign-off, the Board received a presentation from the Scottish Government’s National Islands Plan Team Leader.  The presentation outlined the 2023 public consultation, community engagement sessions, collaboration with local authorities and delivery partners, and engagement with policy teams across Scottish Government, all of which informed the development of seven strategic objectives focused on population retention and attraction.  Mr Bertoldi outlined the next steps in the process with it being noted that implementation of the refreshed Plan is anticipated in early Spring 2026.

Decision

The Argyll Islands Sounding Board noted the information provided.

(Reference:  Verbal update by the Scottish Government’s National Islands Plan Team Leader)

Report by Communities and Partnership Manager

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on a range of opportunities to participate in activities including consultations, engagement and research surveys  that had been available to island communities, during the period of May to November 2025. 

Discussion was had in relation to the Depopulation Research Survey, with Members noting that the survey appeared to focus more on worker housing rather than depopulation itself.  Further discussion was had in relation to community-led engagement, with Members welcoming the work of the Community Planning Partnership in relation to the Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan (ABOIP).

Decision

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

(Reference:  Report by Communities and Partnership Manager, dated 3 November 2025, submitted)

Report by Marine Operations Manager

The Board gave consideration to a report which outlined the current work streams of the Marine Operations team, with a particular emphasis on those work streams that have implications for island communities, including ongoing works at Fionnphort; Port Askaig; Campbeltown; Rothesay Quay; Feolin; Gigha and Tayinloan.  Information was also provided in relation to the Oban Harbour Revision Order (HRO); Craignure Terminal and Iona breakwater.

Decision

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

(Reference:  Report by Marine Operations Manager, submitted)

Report by Strategic Transportation and Infrastructure Manager

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on the ongoing work of the Council’s Air Services.  The report included information on Oban, Coll and Colonsay airports; Argyll Air Services; Passenger Figures and Flight Statistics; the UK Government Regulator’s Pioneer Fund; Multi Agency Exercises and Rotational Fire Appliance for Islands. Further information was provided in relation to Island Digital Hubs; the Mobile Mapping Project; Local Transport Strategy and the Active Travel Strategy. 

Decision

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

(Reference:  Report by Strategic Transportation and Infrastructure Manager, submitted)

Report by Network and Standards Manger

Consideration was given to an update from the Network and Standards Manager in relation to the delivery of Capital programme works on our islands.  Information was also provided in respect of ongoing Storm Eowyn and Storm Amy works as well as an update on island play parks. 

Discussion was had around the trialling of Cold Mix Tar as a solution that could be rolled out across the islands to address road surfacing issues. 

Decision

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

(Reference:  Report by Network and Standards Manager, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Board gave consideration to a report which provided a high level overview of the wide ranging activity underway in relation to the housing system on our islands.  The report included information on homes consented; engagement with the Scottish Government; improving home energy efficiency and addressing fuel poverty; securing external housing funding investment; worker housing; Registered Social Landlords (RSL) housing provision and pipeline; feasibility funding and the Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan 2024-2034. 

Decision

The Argyll Islands Sounding Board considered and noted the content of the report. 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated November 2025, submitted)

Report by Rural Growth Deal Programme Manager

The Board gave consideration to a report which provided an overview of the funding which falls within the remit of the Transformation Projects and Regeneration Team including Regeneration Capital Grant Funding, Scottish Government Place Based Investment Funded projects, Scottish Crown Estate Revenue Allocation Funding, the Scottish Government Islands Programme, Scottish Government Carbon Neutral Islands Capital Fund, Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund, the Rural Growth Deal and the Community Regeneration Partnership.  The report highlighted that recently completed and ongoing projects dealt with by the Team on islands have received circa £27 million of grant funding.

Recognising the various complexities of the projects outlined within the report, Members expressed their appreciation to the Transformation Projects and Regeneration Manager and Team for consistently going above and beyond to achieve the best outcomes for local communities.

Decision

The Argyll Islands Sounding Board agreed to note the funding being directed towards island-based projects and the opportunity for future funding to be sought. 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated October 2025, submitted)

There was no other competent business discussed.

The Argyll Islands Sounding Board noted that Committee Services would liaise with the Leaders office and Officers and confirm the date of the next meeting in due course.