Leader's Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 24 September 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 24 September 2025 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL 24th September 2025 LEADER’S REPORT 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Leader of the Council routinely provides a report outlining their strategic activities for consideration at each meeting of Argyll and Bute Council, except for the annual budget meeting in February. 1.2 This report provides an update on the activities of the council Leader, Cllr Jim Lynch, for the period 6th June to 12th September 2025. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 Members are asked to consider the report. 2.2 Members are asked to note that any reports, briefings or copy correspondence referred to in the report can be requested as appropriate through the Leadership Support Manager, although it should be noted that some confidential reports provided by external organisations such as COSLA may be restricted. 3. LEADER ACTIVITY 6th JUNE TO 12TH SEPTEMBER 2025: 3.1 Working in partnership and delivering benefits for communities: During June and July this year I was engaged in correspondence with the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray MP, in relation to HM Naval Base Clyde and specifically the significance and importance of working in partnership to ensure that benefits can be delivered for our communities. I was subsequently very happy to be at the base on 16th July when Mr Murray visited to formally launch the Clyde 2070 defence dividend. The visit offered ourselves, as host authority for the base, and other neighbouring councils to represent directly to ministers the importance of
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securing maximum benefit from this £250m investment over the next few decades. You can read more about Clyde 2070 here and, after several years of successful partnership working on this, we look forward to continuing these discussions as this major investment programme progresses. There has since been a change at ministerial level with Douglas Alexander taking up post as Secretary of State for Scotland, and by the time of the September Council meeting I will have written to him seeking to ensure that the positive working relationship we’ve enjoyed with the Scotland Office will continue, not only as Clyde 2070 progresses but as we press on with delivery of our Rural Growth Deal. 3.2 Here To Hear You Community Engagement: I last updated on our conversation sessions in Bute and Dunoon. We’ve had two further events since then, in Campbeltown on 6th August and over to the isle of Gigha the following day. As we’ve sought to do before, we sought to meet with local groups and businesses in each area – these meetings have proven an invaluable complement to the community conversations themselves in terms of highlighting not only any challenges that particular communities are facing, but also their successes. There’s so much good work going on, often led by volunteers, and there are also signs of confidence among businesses too. Campbeltown was no exception to either of these. We met with Kintyre Link Club – described by those who use it as ‘small but mighty’ and ‘an absolute lifesaver’. While we only spent a couple of hours there, we were able to see exactly what they meant. The work the group does is quite incredible, with tremendous energy and commitment. Kintyre Link Club
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The small team of two staff support around 40 people at any one time, although they stress that peer support is one of the most important factors in the club’s success. They have raised a staggering amount of funds themselves over the years in order to keep going and stay open. They work in partnership with other local organisations, business and voluntary groups, as well as connecting to other mental health support groups across Argyll and Bute. They support outings, health and fitness activities, creative sessions and a range of other options all aimed to promote and support better mental health. As well as those activities, though, they provide what is perhaps most important – a listening ear, a friendly face, a safe place to be. After an inspiring visit to the Link Club, we were off to the MACC Base at Machrihanish. Here too there was inspiration to be found, with the number of businesses who have taken up residence at the base and who now have scope to grow and expand. We visited the Campbeltown Bond premises and heard about their exciting plans. Kintyre is a fitting venue for this ambitious business given Campbeltown’s traditional title of Whisky Capital of the World. This was a really interesting visit – it was great to see some barrels already in place and hear about the process involved. Campbeltown Bond with some barrels already in place
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Those behind the venture are converting a massive former military hangar into a bonded warehouse with specialist storage for almost 38,000 whisky casks. There are also plans for a bottling plant and other facilities like a cigar lounge and tasting room, as well as accommodation. This sounds like a great addition to Kintyre’s existing business offer as well as connecting to that whisky heritage and taking into the future. After visiting the bond, we were back to Victoria Halls for a lively and well- attended conversation session. While every community has unique characteristics and issues to raise, there are also some common themes. Housing, infrastructure and connectivity challenges and the need for opportunities to help young people stay, work and learn in their home communities were among the points raised during the session. As always, we came away with a considerable list of questions and food for thought. The following day saw us travel to the isle of Gigha where we met first with members of the island’s Community Council. This was a very helpful and constructive discussion which covered a range of topics – the need for affordable housing, again, plus transport issues and some specific service issues within the island context. Some of these issues were repeated at the subsequent community conversation, but at that session we heard sometimes challenging but invaluable feedback from island residents and volunteers who pointed out that much of what happens on and for the island is so often ‘done at the kitchen table’. The conversation sessions are proving to be very valuable – it is a fact that sometimes we hear difficult things, but we are also gaining first hand knowledge and feedback directly from our communities and growing our understanding as a result. I believe that’s vital; building these relationships inevitably takes time and I’m grateful to those who have come out to talk with us, and those who will come to future events. 3.3 Learning achievements: On 23rd July I was glad to have the opportunity to meet with some of the families from Afghanistan who have settled in Argyll and Bute as part of the UK Government Afghan Resettlement Programme. These are people who have either worked for or with the UK Government in exposed or meaningful roles and who, as a result of that, face serious risk or threat to their lives. The fully-funded scheme opened in 2021 and closed to new applications in July this year. Families are housed in properties owned by the Ministry of Defence.
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The Council’s Refugee Resettlement team have been supporting some of the families with English language classes at various levels. Learners have been studying for a variety of English as a Second Language (ESOL) qualifications and I was more than happy to help present their certificates and acknowledge their hard work and progress. I have been able to meet a number of our refugee families over the past several months and I am always in awe of all that they do. So many of them have faced some unimaginable circumstances and dangers; but they are determined to make the best contribution to local life that they possibly can. Some have started up their own businesses, sharing their creativity and culinary talents with their local community. The Afghan families that I met in Helensburgh are equally determined to use their hard-won language skills to play their part, recognising the warmth of the welcome they have received from their new communities as they rebuild their lives. 3.4 Meeting with Cabinet Secretary for Transport: Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, came to Oban on 14th August to announce the very welcome news of a £1m-plus funding award through the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund. I took the opportunity to write to her beforehand to ask for a separate discussion which would allow us to raise some of the issues that our communities highlight to us – most recently concerns from some island communities about the Islands Business Resilience Fund. The A83 was another topic – we welcome the progress being made in terms of moving what is a significant infrastructure forward, and we also appreciate the efforts made by the Cabinet Secretary directly to ensure that language used in the national media reinforces that Argyll and Bute remains open for business, and that information being shared is accurate. Although recognising that progress is being made, we are also aware of the pressures that local businesses experience when the Rest is affected, and took the opportunity to highlight again the concerns that they share with us in terms of the local economy. With the winter season approaching, ferry capacity and resilience was also a discussion topic, reflecting what we receive in our inboxes from our island and peninsula communities in particular. We also asked to explore scope for greater collaboration on air links. The services between Oban and island communities are lifelines and much valued, but it would be helpful to identify any scope to open up links to other parts of Scotland and the UK – something that has been highlighted during our discussions with local businesses through the Here To Hear You programme.
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3.5 COSLA Leaders: I’ve attended two COSLA Leaders meetings since my last update to Council – these taking place in June and August, given the July recess period. Agenda topics for these sessions are noted below with the majority of these being taken in private session, restricting how much I can share – however, I will be happy to answer questions where I can. 27th June – agenda items: • Pay Update • Council Tax Reform Engagement • Scottish Government Public Service Reform Strategy • Reduction in Class Contact Time • Scottish Government Climate Intelligence Service • UK Government Welfare Reform Consultation • Scottish Housing Challenges • EHRC Code of Practice Consultation • COSLA Manifesto • Flood Risk Management • Local Government Finance Update • Distribution 29th August – agenda items: • COSLA Manifesto • National Care Service Advisory Board • Fiscal Framework • SNCT Negotiations Update • European Charter of Local Self Government • Residential Outdoor Education • Universal Credit Two Child Limit Mitigation • Scottish Government Housing Emergency Action Plan • Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility • Local Government Finance and Council Tax Reform Update • Distribution • Statement on Community Cohesion 3.6 Housing – general update: A key piece of work which has helped deliver more affordable housing is the buy-back scheme. Over 20 houses have been purchased by Registered Social Landlords, with support from the Council, during the 2024/25 period. Work and discussions are ongoing with RSLs and community organisations to assist them to acquire properties for use as homes. We are also working with the Scottish Government in relation to options for a funding package which would help to secure properties that
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become available in areas where there is a high demand for affordable housing. Officers are continuing to work on the Strategic Housing Investment Plan for 2026/27 to 2030/31, and this is due to come to Council in November. There is currently a Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) process under way in the Lochgoilhead and Kilchrenan communities at present. Overall, the HNDA process is making good progress. The Argyll and Bute wide household survey is taking place and the opportunity for all residents to take part has been advertised through Council and partner channels. Housing stock profile and economic papers have been passed to the Scottish Government for comment and have received positive feedback. At the time of writing I am due to attend the Community Planning Partnership meeting in Arrochar on 19th September, which will include focus on how the CPP can assist in tackling the housing emergency. Papers for the Area Community Planning Partnership Groups (ACPGs) have also included housing emergency updates. The Addressing Depopulation officer continues to work delivering the Council-related recommendations from the private rented sector research that was produced by Citizens Advice Bureau and Glasgow University in relation to Argyll and Bute. In addition work is being carried out to gauge the demand for mid-market rentals across the local authority area, and further meetings will take place with Scottish Government officials to discuss next stages. During the 1st April to 30th June 2025 period, 40 Private Sector Housing Grants were approved, totalling £250,195. This is up from 32, with a value of £200,301, at the same time last year. 3.7 Economic growth – general update: Strategic Development Frameworks for Oban and Helensburgh: the first community engagement in Helensburgh has been carried out following member engagement. This went very well and the community were largely receptive. There is recognition that the base will expand and that more homes are required. A similar process will follow in Oban. This is a new approach for the council – taking a long-term view to tackle population, with very early engagement, and looking to identify how we can bring in the required infrastructure.
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Argyll and Bute’s Economic Strategy Action Plan, 2025-2028: The ESAP for 2024-2027 has undergone an annual review by relevant officers to articulated actions and success measures for 2025-2028 that will all contribute to achieving the longer-term outcomes under the four strategic pillars of People, Place, Planet and Prosperity outlined in the Council’s Economic Strategy, 2024-2034, In particular the actions and success measures align with the key themes and principles which influence and underpin all the Council’s priorities. The revised ESAP was agreed by the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee earlier in September. Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP): I attended the most recent HIREP meeting on 12th September. HIREP officers met Scottish Government’s Regional Economic Development Team on 19th August, with officials seeking views from a wide range of stakeholders across different sectors on what regional working could look like in the future; in particular elements of decision- making at a Regional Economic Partnership level. A report will be provided to Ministers before the end of the current Scottish Parliamentary session. Officers from our Economic Growth team are also members of the HIREP Re-population group, which has a key focus on actions on the ground to realise population growth and retention. Community Regeneration Partnership funding: Work continues on the business case and officers continue to liaise with UK Government colleagues to finalise arrangements. The Council continues to progress proposed projects working with key delivery partners, focusing at present on feasibility and outline design activities. Following confirmation of funding, detailed design and procurement work can commence at pace. 3.8 And finally…: As I write this report, Council officers are finalising the arrangements for the award of the Freedom of Argyll and Bute to the Royal Regiment of Scotland. This is due to take place in Lochgilphead on Saturday 20th September, and promises to be a historic occasion and a colourful spectacle, with the Regiment marching through the town with bayonets fixed, colours flying and to the sound of the pipes and drums. This follows our agreement in April this year to confer the Freedom in recognition of the Regiment’s ongoing dedication and service, but acknowledging the historic links with the region through the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and, further back to 1794, with the 98th (Argyllshire) Regiment of Foot, raised for the 5th Duke of Argyll.
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This has involved a lot of partnership working across Council departments, with partners like Police Scotland and others, and with the Regiment itself. All that remains is to hope for fine weather on the day! Find out more at Freedom of Argyll and Bute – Royal Regiment of Scotland 4. CONCLUSION 4.1 This report highlights the activities of the Leader of Argyll and Bute Council for the period 6th June to 12th September 2025. Councillor Jim Lynch Leader, Argyll and Bute Council 15TH September 2025 For further information please contact Aileen McNicol, Leadership Support and Member Services Manager, telephone 01546 604014 or email aileen.mcnicol@argyll-bute.gov.uk