Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee -11 June 2025
Argyll and Bute Council · 10 September 2025
Back to Oban Lorn & The Isles Area Committee — 10 September 2025 and its agenda
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MINUTES of MEETING of OBAN LORN & THE ISLES AREA COMMITTEE held ON A HYBRID BASIS ON MICROSOFT TEAMS AND IN AN ROTH, CRAIGNURE, ISLE OF MULL on WEDNESDAY, 11 JUNE 2025 Present: Councillor Andrew Kain (Chair) Councillor Kieron Green Councillor Amanda Hampsey Councillor Willie Hume Councillor Luna Martin Councillor Andrew Vennard Attending: Douglas Hendry, Executive Director David Logan, Head of Legal and Regulatory Support Melissa Stewart, Democratic Services Manager Tom Murphy, Operations Manager Brendan Docherty, Education Manager Peter Bain, Head Teacher, Oban and Tiree High School(s) Shelley Carmichael, Head Teacher, Tobermory High School 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillors Jim Lynch and Julie McKenzie. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest intimated. 3. MINUTES (a) Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee - 12 March 2025 The Minute of the meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee, held on 13 March 2025, was approved as a correct record subject to the following amendment:- Item 4 – Public Question Time (Question 4 – Ross Wilson) To amend the spelling of Councillor Kain’s name at the second last paragraph on page 3 of the Minute from Kane to Kain. (b) Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group - 14 May 2025 The Minute of the meeting of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Community Planning Group, held on 14 May 2025 was noted.
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(c) Oban Common Good Fund - 17 March 2025 The Minute of the meeting of the Oban Common Good Fund, held on 17 March 2025 was noted. Councillors Amanda Hampsey and Luna Martin joined the meeting during discussions of the following item of business. . 4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME The Chair advised that a number of public questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting. He also noted that there were a number of members of the public in attendance who had intimated that they wished to ask a question. He advised that his intention was to take the questions submitted in advance first and then open the floor to those in attendance. The questions were submitted in the following order:- Question 1 – Jennifer Evans Evans Funfair submitted an application to hold their annual Fun Fair at Blaze Pitch Mossfield in February 2025 to Amenity Services, they have not received an acknowledgement or any confirmation. They have heard that the Waterboard are working on the site and do not know how long that is going to go on for, therefore is there an alternative site available for September or can they have confirmation that the works will be complete and they are able to use the Blaze Pitch as normal? The Operations Manager advised that Scottish Water were carrying out works at the blaze pitch on Mossfield and that it was anticipated that they would still be on-site in September. He advised that he was currently awaiting confirmation from the Network and Standards Manager as to whether Lochavullin Carpark would be available to use as an alternative to site the annual fun fair and he would confirm the position with Mrs Evans in due course. Question 2 – Frank Roberts On 24 January Storm Eowyn caused significant damage to the pontoon berths adjacent to the North Pier, particularly to sections of the floating breakwater. Consequently, the outer two sections of the breakwater are now closed “until further notice", and the inner section subject to restrictions for the time being of the number and size of vessels which may use them. (EDI Committee, March 2025: Notice to Mariners # 04/25, May 2nd 2025). The breakwater being out of commission is having severe adverse effects on both commercial and leisure users of it. At a recent meeting of the Oban Bay Management Group, it was stated that it was not possible to say when repairs might be completed and full use of the breakwater restored, but that it was not likely before an as yet indeterminate date in 2026.
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It is now four months since the storm, and surveys of the damage are reported to have been conducted. Therefore, can the Area Committee respond to the following questions, please: 1. Has the full extent of the damage and necessary repairs been determined? 2. Has an initial schedule of those repairs been developed? 3. Do either of the outer sections of breakwater require to be rebuilt and replaced? 4. What is the anticipated latest date for completion of repairs, and the breakwater to be fully re-opened for use? 5. Will the EDI Committee be given a full report on progress at its meeting later this month? The Democratic Services Manager confirmed that the question(s) had been forwarded to the Council’s Roads and Infrastructure Service and enquired as to whether the Operations Manager was able to provide an update in this regard. Mr Murphy confirmed that he was unaware of the position in relation to the questions. He undertook to take forward with the Council’s Marine Operations Manager following the meeting and ensure a response was provided to Mr Roberts directly. Question 3 – Terry Hegarty How exactly does Argyll and Bute Council reconcile the legal rights of children to enjoy the benefits of family life and equality of educational opportunity with continuing reliance upon mainland hostel arrangements for children resident in SW Mull attending High School in Oban? The Democratic Services Manager advised that as this question related to the Mull Campus Project, she had taken advice from the Council’s Legal Services. Mrs Stewart confirmed that a Judicial Review had been served on the Council, in regard to that project and as the matter is now subject to Court Proceedings it would not be appropriate to provide a response or have any discussion on the matter, or any other question that may arise at the meeting relating to the Mull Campus Project. Question 4 – Nigel Burgess 1. What was the procurement process for awarding the contract to build Iona Breakwater? 2. Why was the contract awarded to a dredging Company when the EIA report clearly stated that dredging would be required subsequent to the construction due to sedimentation? 3. Where is the £14.8 million budget coming from? This does not appear in the Transport Scotland infrastructure budget
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4. Why was the advice of the Planning Statutory Consultee Naturescot not followed to investigate and mitigate for seagrass? 5. What will be the addition cost of the seagrass investigation, subsequent to the contract preliminaries? 6. What will be the increase to the contract price as a consequence of these delays? The Democratic Services Manager confirmed that the questions raised by Mr Burgess were more aligned to a Freedom of Information request. She undertook to signpost Mr Burgess to the process for lodging a Freedom of Information request. Question 5 – Mary Braithwaite Why has there been a change to care at home provision on Luing, with the care provider no longer willing to work with family carers? This was introduced with no notice, and it has so far been impossible to obtain any information on this change in policy. It has already impacted care and the situation of families on Luing and is of significant concern to the community in terms of current and future care. The Chair confirmed that this was an issue which was felt across the Council area and was also a concern for Elected Members. Councillor Green, Chair of the Argyll and Bute HSCP Audit and Risk Committee advised that he was looking to progress this matter with the appropriate personnel within the HSCP and would work with Committee Services to avoid a duplication of questions. Question 6 – Tracy Mayo Ms Mayo sought clarification in relation to the platform the meeting was taking place on. She advised that she was aware of members of the public who were not in a position to attend the meeting but had anticipated watching the live stream via the Council’s Public-i portal. Councillor Green indicated that only meetings hosted from the Council Chamber were livestreamed but that officers would confirm the position. The Democratic Services Manager confirmed that meetings of the Area Committee are not webcast live due to a restriction of the mobile equipment utilised to facilitate meetings that are not held within the Council Chamber. She further clarified that the teams link provided in respect of the meeting would allow members of the public to participate in public questions or simply watch proceedings in the same way that a webcast would. Question 7 – Tracy Mayo
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Referring to an invite extended to the Council by Jenni Minto MSP to attend an online roundtable discussion on Mull Campus on Friday, 13 June 2025, Ms Mayo enquired as to why the Council had declined the invitation. The Chair referred to the earlier advice provided by the Democratic Services Manager in relation to any question on the Mull Campus Project and reiterated that, as there was a legal process in place, no discussion would be had in any regard to the Mull Campus Project. Question 8 – Roddy McCuish Mr McCuish advised that he was in attendance in his capacity as both Director of the Camanachd Association and as President of the Macaulay Association. Referring to the decision of the Committee at their meeting on 12 March 2025 to allocate funding available from the Agnes Angus Bequest for use at Mossfield Stadium, he took the opportunity to thank the Committee and sought clarity that the funding would be utilised for improvements at Mossfield Stadium and not the wider area. The Operations Manager referred to discussions that had taken place with the Rugby Club and others in the town as well as colleagues in Property Services around the possibility of linking amenity areas, such as reinstating the bridge and other possible uses. He advised that a further report would be brought to a future meeting of the Area Committee before the end of the year which would outline proposals that related specifically to Mossfield Stadium. Mr Murphy offered to meet with Mr McCuish in person to discuss further. Question 9 – Emily Greenhalgh Referring to the earlier question raised by Tracy Mayo on the roundtable discussion with Jenni Minto MSP, Ms Greenhalgh advised that the invitation had been extended to the Council on 5 June 2025 and the Council were not notified of legal action until 7 June 2025. She asked why the invite to the roundtable discussion was refused before the Council were aware of the legal action. The Executive Director outlined the nature of the invitation to the roundtable discussion on 13 June 2025. He advised that following consultation with the Political Leadership and the Chief Executive, he had been asked to write to the MSP confirming that the Council would not be attending. He advised that it was his understanding that the event had now been cancelled and at no point had he intimated that the invite had been declined as a consequence of the legal action having been notified. Question 10 – Frank Roberts on behalf of Alison Rennie
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Having noted an email exchange between Alison Rennie and the Council’s Roads and Infrastructure Services, Mr Roberts read out the most recent email from Ms Rennie to the Service and asked that answers be sought. “Dear Roads and Infrastructure Your recent e-mail raises a number of questions which require to be clarified, please. In December 2024 you informed me that you had identified Oban as a proposed Flood Protection Scheme. At that time the Council had not secured funding for this. In the meantime you were progressing temporary mitigations under the Flood Risk Management team’s available revenue funding and proposed to carry out a list of identified works and advised me regarding the proposed timescale for these works. Your latest email tells me that your in-house flood event modelling now shows that no works need to be done. This is contrary to what you said would happen in your December email and is not consistent with the advice given in the Enviro Centre 2019 report. This report even included a recommended list of specific priority maintenance actions. Can you clarify whether you intend to carry out the routine maintenance as listed in your December email? Can you specifically clarify whether work is to be carried out on the eradication of Japanese Knotweed in Q3? Can you tell me what steps have been taken to secure funding from the Scottish Government for the proposed Flood Protection Scheme, particularly in light of the commitment made at the ED&I Committee meeting in June 2024? Note that no screenshots were attached to your email to demonstrate the modelling of the flood water level difference within the Lochavullin area before and after dredging. Regards Alison Rennie” The Democratic Services Manager referred to the response that she had been copied into from the Service in relation to the email referred to. She undertook to forward this email to both Ms Rennie, Mr Roberts and the Operations Manager and sought further comments from the Operations Manager in relation to the Japanese Knotweed issue referred to. Mr Murphy advised that he would take forward the issues relating to the flood risk in Oban to his colleagues within the Design and Infrastructure team and advised that he had organised for additional training to be provided in relation to the management of Japanese Knotweed. Question 11 – Tracy Mayo
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Referring back to the invitation from Jenni Minto MSP for the Council to attend a roundtable discussion on the Mull Campus Project, Ms Mayo asked whether the decision to decline the invite was taken by all 36 Elected Members; the 4 Ward Councillors or simply by the Council’s Executive Leadership Team. The Chair reiterated that as this matter is now subject of a legal action, no discussion could take place in this regard. 5. AREA PERFORMANCE REPORT - FQ4 2024/25 The Committee gave consideration to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 4 of 2024/25 (January to March 2025) which illustrated the agreed performance measures for this period. Decision The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted the performance and supporting commentary as presented. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 8 May 2025, submitted) 6. ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE Consideration was given to a report which provided links to the recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure Services. Decision The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated May 2025, submitted) 7. ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL SECONDARY SCHOOLS ATTAINMENT REPORTS (a) Oban High School The Committee gave consideration to a report relating to Oban High School which provided information on S3 ACEL attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; data from Insight Scotland; wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment and Pupil Equity Funding. Decision
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The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted the information provided within the report. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, submitted) (b) Tiree High School Consideration was given to a report relating to Tiree High School which provided information on S3 ACEL attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; data from Insight Scotland; wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment and Pupil Equity Funding. Decision The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted the information provided within the report. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, submitted) (c) Tobermory High School The Committee gave consideration to a report relating to Tobermory High School which provided information on S3 ACEL attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; data from Insight Scotland; wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment and Pupil Equity Funding. Decision The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted the information provided within the report. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, submitted) 8. ARGYLL & BUTE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP PERFORMANCE REPORT The Committee gave consideration to the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Performance Report for financial quarter 3 of 2024/25 (October to December 2024). Decision The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee: 1. acknowledged the performance for FQ3 2024/25 (October – December);
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2. acknowledged the performance update on the National Health & Wellbeing Outcomes and Ministerial Steering Groups Integration Indicators, as at Appendix 1; and 3. noted Delayed Discharge Sitrep as of 6 January 2025, as at Appendix 2. (Reference: Report by Interim Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated 4 June 2025, submitted) 9. AREA COMMITTEE MEETINGS 2025-26 Consideration was given to a report which asked Members to agree to the suggested locations for meetings up until June 2026. Decision The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee agreed that the meetings until June 2026 would be held as follows:- 10 September 2025 – Dalavich 10 December 2025 – Oban 11 March 2026 – Taynuilt 10 June 2026 – Tiree (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 1 May 2025, submitted) 10. CHARITABLE TRUSTS, BEQUEST AND TRUST FUNDS Consideration was given to a report which provided information regarding a number of applications that had been received for support from several funds. The report also reviewed the distribution arrangements of the MacKinnon Ledingham Bequest, the Archibald Dow Bequest and Coals for the Poor Oban, following the first 12 months of distribution arrangements for these funds. The Democratic Services Manager advised of an error contained within the recommendations at paragraph 2.1 of the report. She advised that there were three individual applications to the MacKinnon Ledingham Bequest, as outlined within the body of the report and not two as outlined within the recommendations. Decision The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee:- 1. noted the awards made from the John of Lorn Bequest since March 2025; 2. agreed to award £50 to the three individual applicants who meet the criteria of the MacKinnon Ledingham Bequest; 3. agreed to award £50 to the two individual applicants who meet the criteria of the Archibald Dow Bequest;
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4. agreed to award £50 to one individual applicant who meets the criteria of the Coals for the Poor Oban; and 5. noted that the charitable trusts, bequests and trust funds annual report will be considered in December 2025 and that further promotion of the availability of the funds will be undertaken. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated May 2025, submitted) 11. DRAFT OBAN, LORN AND THE ISLES AREA COMMITTEE WORKPLAN The Committee gave consideration to the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee workplan for future meetings. Decision The Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee noted the contents of the workplan. (Reference: Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee Workplan, dated 11 June 2025, submitted)