Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting..

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:

Councillor Julie McKenzie, Argyll and Bute Council

Councillor Willie Hume, Argyll and Bute Council

Inspector Matthew Shaw, Police Scotland

Maureen Evans, Live Argyll Community Learning

Petra Pearce, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI)

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minute of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Planning Group meeting held on 14 May 2025 was approved as a correct record.

Presentation by Project Manager and Project Officers, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to a presentation by the Project Manager and Project Officer from Argyll and Bute Council, in relation to the Council’s Aspiring Places; Community Project in Argyll and Bute. The presentation provided background information in relation to the previous project approach; the Launch of the Argyll and Bute Voices & Aspiring Places Platform in March 2025; the Funding Connections Roadshow that was delivered during in various locations throughout April – May; the available funding streams; the number of expressions of interest and next steps.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the presentation.

(Reference: Presentation by, Corporate Support Manager and Area Plans Officer, dated 13^th August 2025, submitted)

Report by Partnerships Lead, (Community Planning), Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to a report which outlined matters discussed during a meeting of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee held on 6 June 2025. The report also provided information on the CPP Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan; CPP Community Wealth Building (CWB) Charter; Community Planning’s Priorities Transport and Introduction to Housing; Scottish Fire and Rescue’s – Service Review and also an update on changes of office bearers of the Area Community Planning Groups.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by John McLuckie, Partnerships Lead, dated 13 August 2025, submitted)

Update from Community Planning Team, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to a presentation from the Community Planning Team, Argyll and Bute Council which highlighted information on how the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership will improve transport infrastructure. The presentation also highlighted the ABOIP agreed Objectives 2024-2034; the work by the CPP Management Committee and information on the actions of the Transport Integration Working Group and Community Active Travel Network.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the presentation.

(Reference: Presentation by Rona Gold, Community Development Manager, dated 13 August 2025)

Update from Community Planning Team, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to a presentation from the Community Planning Team, Argyll and Bute Council which advised how the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership will improve housing. The presentation also highlighted the ABOIP agreed Objectives 2024-2034.

Following the presentation, there was a question and answer session with the following statements made:

• Are you aware of any funding, training or opportunities locally for construction skills development?
• What data is available for housing locally and what data is missing?
• Do you know of any land and assets belonging to your organisation or group that could be used for housing?
• What local information could be shared with those at risk of homelessness?
• What information do you have about workforce needs for local accommodation?

The Community Development Team thanked Partners for their comments, advising that this was the start of an ongoing conversation on housing at Area Community Planning Groups.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the presentation.

(Reference: Presentation by Rona Gold, Community Development Manager, dated 13 August 2025)

Report by Housing Strategy Manger, Argyll and Bute Council

Matt Mulderrig, Development Policy and Housing Manager, Argyll and Bute Council highlighted some of the recent activities within the housing system, following the emergency housing action plan put in place in June 2024; these activities included working with the Scottish Government; developing Strategic Development Frameworks to facilitate long-term delivery and securing national funding investment into housing projects in the area.

Mr Mulderrig also advised of various developments within the locality including Tobermory Worker Housing; exploring the feasibility of a 4 unit re-development in Campbell Street and West Highland developing a planning application for 16 social rent units at Dalmally.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the update.

(Reference: Report by Report by Housing Strategy Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, 13^th August 2025)

Verbal update from Chair of Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group

Colin Buchanan gave an update on progress made by the Short Life Working Group. The Chair confirmed that he was struggling to get Community Councils within the locality to engage.  He advised that he would contact each Community Council again and invite them to a TEAMS meeting later in the month.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the update.

(Reference: Verbal Update from Chair of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group, 13 August 2025)

Andy MacPherson advised the group that his post, ACT Climate Project Manager, had been extended to July 2026 with the emphasis on working with Communities. Mr Macpherson confirmed that he is looking to build Community Resilience across Argyll and Bute and will be exploring options to establish pilot groups within each of the administrative areas.

Mr MacPherson further advised that there will be a meeting of Tiree Integrated on 26^th August; he will be meeting with the Oban Climate Café on 27^th August to discuss flooding, where communities can help themselves.

(Reference: Presentation by Andy Macpherson, ACT Climate Project Manager dated 12 August 2025, submitted)

Presentation by Ardchattan Centre

The Group heard a presentation from Deirdre MacKenna, a Trustee of the Ardchattan Centre, who advised that the Centre was previously the local primary school that was bought out by the Community.  The focus of the Trustees is developing community, social and cultural wealth; the programme of events organised by the Trustees and Community Groups are reinstating of the ferry to Taynuilt to reunite the communities; guided walks; seasonal events within the centre; courses in arts and crafts; playgroup, coffee/tea/cake mornings/afternoons; learning about the local flora and fauna; wellbeing; cinema nights, games nights and craft fayres. Trustees are currently working with the Council’s Development Officer on developing a Strategic plan; place partnership plan; capital plan; commercial income and a programme of funding. 

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the presentation, which will be distributed to all the partners with the minutes.

(Reference: Presentation by Deirdre MacKenna, The Ardchattan Centre, dated 13 August 2025)

There was no one in attendance from Police Scotland to speak to the report highlighting Police Scotland’s priorities for the Oban, Lorn and Isles area which covered serious and organised crime; crimes of theft and dishonesty; road safety and road crime; violent crime and public protection.

Partners were encouraged to send questions pertaining to the update, to the Committee Manager who would forward them to the Police Scotland for a response.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the report.

(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, dated August 2025, submitted)

The Group gave consideration to a report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ1 review of local performance across Oban, Lorn and the Isles for the period April to June 2025. The report gave a breakdown of the 77 incidents within that period for fires and special incidents.

Mr Curran also gave a presentation in respect of the Service Delivery advising that the public consultation runs until September. Following the closure of the public consultation the responses will be reviewed with a decision being made at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Board meeting in December.  Partners are encouraged to share and respond to the consultation.

There was a discussion surrounding the recruitment and training of volunteer fire fighters, and the need for them to be away from home and their main place of work for 4 days.  Mr Curran advised that the Modular Task and Task Management had arranged training to take place at local stations, which was exclusive to Argyll and Bute.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service dated April to June 2025, submitted and Service Review Presentation, dated August 2025)

Consideration was given to an update from Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Public Health Team which included information on Community Link Workers; Community Link Working – remote and island evaluation; Suicide Prevention Training; Argyll and Bute Living Well – Art of Hosting at the Living Well Programme; launch of Population Health Framework and Working Well with Communities Update.

Partners were encouraged to send questions pertaining to the update, to the Committee Manager who would forward them to the Health and Social Care Partnership for a response.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided.

(Reference: Report by Health Improvement Lead, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated August 2025, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update from Argyll and Bute TSI. The update provided information on the Scottish Government, TSI landscape and policy activity; public service reform and population health; work of the wellbeing development manager; ABTSI strategy review 2026-2031; and the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund; 

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

(Reference: Report by Argyll and Bute TSI, dated August 2025, submitted)

An update was received from the Oban, Lorn and the Islands Health and Wellbeing Network which highlighted information on the next Health and Wellbeing Meeting which will be held on 4^th September from 10.30am – 12.30pm; Funding has been applied for from the Supporting Communities Fund and if successful this will allow events to be organised for 2026 and face to face meetings in Oba and that there is a webinar scheduled for 21^st August in respect of the digital switchover.

Decision

The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group noted the update.

(Reference:  report by the Health and Wellbeing Network, dated August 2025, submitted)

North Argyll Carers

Judith Hawcroft advised the Group on the various groups available through the North Argyll Carers, including the bereavement group and primary and secondary after school groups;  activities provided for adult carers and young carers; a consultation is open until the end of August in relation to Fair Access to Care and a public meeting is scheduled for 19^th August at Fuiran Gaelic Centre in Corran Halls.

Crossroads

Joan Best advised there will be a lot of pressure on unpaid carers if care package support is to be reduced and that funding is becoming more difficult to obtain. Joan advised that Crossroads have 28 staff and are providing 350 hours respite care and there is a waiting list for Oban, Mull and Tiree for support.

Connecting Communities Collective

Aideen Shields gave an update on the Re-Store Shop in George Street, Oban which has been providing workshops, reusing upcycled materials and delivering  food rescue provision. Aideen confirmed that a development trust has been established to organise a community buy out of the building and that the trust will be holding a meeting in Rockfield Centre on 28^th August from 7pm-9pm to discuss the buyout. On 18^th October there is a table top event of children’s toys and preparation is underway for next year’s fashion show in April 2026.  Anyone wishing to contact or ask questions can do so on hello@obancollective.org

The date of the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 12^th November 2025 and will be held by Microsoft Teams.