Minutes of Oban Common Good Fund Meeting held on 11 August and 3 September 2025
Argyll and Bute Council · 15 December 2025
Back to Oban Common Good Fund — 15 December 2025 and its agenda
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MINUTES of MEETING of OBAN COMMON GOOD FUND held in the BY MS TEAMS on MONDAY, 11 AUGUST 2025 WHICH WAS RECONVENED ON WEDNESDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 2025 Present: Councillor Julie McKenzie (Chair) Councillor Kieron Green Councillor Amanda Hamsey Councillor Andrew Kain Attending: Melissa Stewart, Democratic Services Manager 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES 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 of the Oban Common Good Fund was reconvened a10am on 3 September 2025. 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. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Councillor Julie MacKenzie declared a non-financial interest in items 6a and 6i and would therefore not partake in any conversation or decision on these items. 3. MINUTES (a) Minutes from Oban Common Good Fund Meeting 29 May 2025 The minutes of the Oban Common Good Fund meeting held on 29 May 2025, were approved as a correct record.
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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. E1 4. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE 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. E1 5. CONSIDERATION OF NEW APPLICATIONS (a) Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis 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 delegate to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Chair, to award up to £1855.98, 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) (b) Oban Rugby Club 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. (c) Atlantis Leisure
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The Trustees considered the application received from Atlantis Leisure to support two essential strands of a new health and wellbeing service in partnership with Lorn and Oban Healthy Options. 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) (d) Bid4Oban The Trustees considered an application received from Bid4Oban to support 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) (e) Kirsty Miller 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) (f) Lorn and Oban Healthy Options The Trustees considered the application received from Lorn and Oban Healthy Options for IT equipment. Decision The Trustees unanimously agreed to delegate to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Chair, to award up to £2981, provided that future replacement IT equipment was built into their budget costs going forward. (Reference: Application from Lorn and Oban Healthy Options, submitted) (g) Oban and District Development Trust The Trustees considered an application received from the Oban and
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District Development Trust for funding towards the Community Buyout of the Re-Store premises. Decision After careful consideration it was unanimously agreed (Reference: Application by Oban and District Development Trust, submitted) (h) Oban Communities Trust - Community Garden 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 delegate to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Chair, to award up to £2250, providing a copy of the Constitution, accounts and breakdown of costs for items required was submitted. (Reference: Application from Oban Community Trust – Community Garden, submitted) (i) Oban Life Savers The Trustees considered an application from Oban Life Savers for funding towards training and equipment. Decision The Trustees unanimously agreed to delegate to the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Chair, to award up to £2000, providing further information was received. (Reference: Application from Oban Life Savers, submitted) (j) Police Scotland Youth Volunteers 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) (k) Oban Winter Festival
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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) E1 6. END OF PROJECT MONITORING (a) Traditional Music & Song Association - International Oban Sea Shanty Festival 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) (b) Bid4Oban 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) (c) Oban Winter Festival 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) E1 7. UPDATE ON INDEPENDENT OBSERVERS 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
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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) E1 8. PA EQUIPMENT UPDATE 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) 9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING It was agreed that the next meeting of the Oban Common Good Fund would take place on Monday, 15 December 2025.