Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Julie McKenzie and Amanda Hampsey.

The Democratic Services Manager advised that apologies had been received from Councillor McKenzie prior to the meeting and a further apology had been received just before the start of the meeting, which leaves the meeting inquorate.  It was therefore, agreed to adjourn and reconvened at a date to be confirmed.

The meeting reconvened on 3 September 2025 at 3pm.

The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were submitted by Rev Margi Campbell, Observer.

The chair advised that a late application had been received from Oban Winter Festival, which would require to be determined before the next meeting in December, also due to a declaration of interest in two of the applications, could the agenda be taken out of sequence.

Decision

The Trustees agreed to accepting the late application and taking the agenda out of sequence.

Councillor Julie MacKenzie declared a non-financial interest in items 6a and 6i of the agenda (Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis and Oban Lorne Rugby Club).  She left the meeting during the discussion and decision making on those applications.

The minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund meeting held on 29 May 2025, were approved as a correct record.

The Trustees 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 Company

A financial statement detailing the current position of investment transactions for the period up to 30 June 2025 was considered.

Decision

The Trustees noted the income and expenditure report.

(Ref:  Report by Simmers & Co for period ending 30 June 2025, submitted)

Having declared an interest in the following items, Councillor McKenzie left the meeting.

The Trustees appointed Councillor Green to take the chair in her absence.

The Trustees considered the application received from Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis (Oban) for the purchase of laptops and IT equipment.

Decision

The Trustees unanimously agreed to award up to £1855.98, subject to confirmation from the applicants about the fixed location of the equipment and number of devices to be purchased.  with the final sum to be released delegated to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with acting Chair, Councillor Green, pending confirmation from the applicants on the number of , upon clarification of the having sought information on the volume of provided information on why the equipment was necessary for the service and that it would be kept for use in Oban only.

(Reference: Application by Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis (Oban), submitted)

The Trustees considered the application received from Oban Lorne Rugby Club towards the purchase of new flood lights and a hook up point.

Decision

It was unanimously agreed to award the full amount of £10,000.

(Reference: Application by Oban Lorne Rugby Club, submitted)

Councillor McKenzie returned to the meeting and resumed the Chair.

The Trustees considered the application received from Atlantis Leisure to support delivery of a health and wellbeing service in partnership with Lorn and Oban Healthy Options and training to support this.

Decision

After careful consideration the Trustees unanimously agreed to refuse the application as it was not consistent with the fund criteria.

(Reference: Application by Atlantis Leisure, submitted)

The Trustees considered an application received from Bid4Oban to support costs associated the Clipper Event in 2026.

Decision

It was agreed to continue the application to the next meeting, to allow the applicants to provide more information in support of their application.

(Reference: Application submitted by Bid4Oban)

The Trustees considered the application received from Kirsty Miller for funds towards college tuition fees.

Decision

It was unanimously agreed to refuse the application as the Trustees agreed it was not consistent with the fund criteria.

(Reference: Application by Kirsty Millar, submitted)

The Trustees considered the application received from Lorn and Oban Healthy Options for purchase of replacement IT equipment.

Decision

The Trustees agreed to award £2981 for one-off purchase of replacement equipment.

(Reference: Application from Lorn and Oban Healthy Options, submitted)

The Trustees considered an application received from the Oban and District Development Trust for funding towards the Community Buyout of the Re-Store premises.

Decision

The Trustees agreed that the application was premature in terms of their criteria and agreed to invite the applicants to re-submit an application at the appropriate time.

(Reference: Application by Oban and District Development Trust, submitted)

The Trustees considered an application received from Oban Community Trust – Community Garden for funding towards garden equipment, plants and seeds.

Decision

The Trustees unanimously agreed to make an award of up to £2250, subject to the provision of their constitution and accounts, and a more detailed breakdown of the items required.  They also agreed to delegate determination of the final award, to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Chair.

(Reference: Application from Oban Community Trust – Community Garden, submitted)

The Trustees considered an application from Oban Life Savers for funding towards training and equipment.

Decision

The Trustees unanimously agreed to make an award of up to £2000, subject to clarification of the final detailed cost breakdown.  They also agreed to delegate determination of the final award to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Chair.

(Reference: Application from Oban Life Savers, submitted)

The Trustees considered an application received from Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (Oban) for funding towards a trip.

Decision

The Trustees agreed to a donation of £500 in respect of the application.

(Reference: Application from Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (Oban), submitted)

The Trustees considered the application received from Oban Winter Festival for funding towards the buying of Fishing Creels for a Christmas Tree to be displayed in Oban Town Centre.

Decision

The Trustees unanimously agreed to award the full amount of £3,500.

(Reference: Application from Oban Winter Festival, submitted)

The Trustees were invited to consider the End of Project Monitoring Form from the Traditional Music and Song Association – International Sea Shanty Festival.

Decision

The Trustees noted the end of project report.

(Ref:  End of Project Monitoring Form, submitted)

The Trustees were invited to consider the End of Project Monitoring from Bid4Oban.

Decision

The Trustees noted the end of project report.

(Ref:  End of Project Monitoring Form, submitted)

The Trustees were invited to consider the End of Project Monitoring Form from the Oban Winter Festival.

Decision

The Trustees noted the end of project report.

(Ref:  End of Project Monitoring Form, submitted)

Report  by Democratic Services Officer

The Democratic Services Manager had taken forward seeking nominations for an  observer, following the resignation of Rev Fr. James MacNeill. The Rev. Alex MacCallum, Church of Scotland Minister for Kilmore, Oban & Tiree indicated his interest in the vacancy and would be willing, subject to the Trustees agreement, to be appointed to the vacant position. 

Decision

The Trustees agreed to the appointment of Rev. Alex MacCallum.

(Reference: A report from the Democratic Services Manager, submitted)

Report by Democratic Services Manager

The Democratic Services Manager provided an update on the PA Equipment owned by the Oban Common Good Fund.  Two of the four speakers are not functioning properly, therefore, Trustees are invited to consider making a permanent delegation to the Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, in consultation with the Chair of the Oban Common Good Fund, authority to commit  any necessary expenditure to facilitate repairs or maintenance of the equipment.

Decision

The Trustees agreed to delegate authority to the Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Chair of the Oban Common Good Fund, to commit any expenditure necessary to repair or maintain the Fund’s PA Equipment in working order for use by the community of Oban.

(Reference: A report by Democratic Services Manager, submitted)

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Oban Common Good Fund would take place on Monday, 15 December 2025.