Leader's Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 26 June 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 26 June 2025 and its agenda
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL 26th June 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 10th April 2025 to 6th June 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 10TH APRIL 2025 TO 6TH JUNE 2025: 3.1 Argyll and Bute Council Best Value Report: Colleagues will recall that, at the April Council meeting, we formally considered the Accounts Commission’s Best Value report on Argyll and Bute Council. On 28th May, along with the Chief Executive and Depute Leader Cllr Ross Moreland, I met with Jo Armstrong, Chair of the Commission, and Commission members Ruth MacLeod and Derek Yuill, to discuss the report. Also present were Sarah Waters, Secretary to the Commission, and Mark Outerside, representing the Council’s auditors Mazars. This meeting is an element of the overall Best Value process and I was very
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happy to welcome the Commission representatives to Argyll and Bute for what was a very positive and constructive discussion. l-r: Ruth MacLeod, Cllr Moreland, Jo Armstrong, Cllr Lynch, Pippa Milne, Derek Yuill The report findings set out a number of our strengths and successes, beyond acknowledging the work done to deliver improvements over the past few years. Our use of digital technology is described as ‘ahead of the game’ and featuring ‘exciting examples of innovation’. Once again, our effective financial management is also highlighted, as it has been in previous Best Value reports. And our agile approach to workforce planning is commended to other agencies as a model of good practice – these points being just a selection of the positive content within the report. As well as considering the findings, our discussion with the Commission focused significantly on balancing longer-term considerations and vision with the inevitable need to deliver substantial savings each year. I indicated after our budget meeting in February this year that we would embark on the next year’s budget process as early as possible, with that
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long term strategy and priorities in mind as well as addressing the considerable funding gap projected for the coming year. I also took the opportunity to highlight Argyll and Bute’s unique situation – I think it is vital to increase understanding and awareness of this. Another point I’ve repeated from the outset is that I’ll take every chance that I can to speak up for the area and to seek to lever in any additional funding sources that we can. It’s about more than that, though – Argyll and Bute has many opportunities to maximise, opportunities which benefit our communities and can bring success, but which also contribute to national outcomes too. Argyll and Bute is a worthwhile investment. That’s the message I want heard at every possible level. We also had a very useful discussion about community engagement, which features in the report. We shared some feedback about progress with our Here To Hear You community conversation programme (which will also feature elsewhere in this report) and talked about what more, and how can, effective engagement be done in the context of today’s challenging local government climate. 3.2 Here To Hear You Community Engagement: Since my last update, we’ve had two more Here To Hear You community conversation events, on the Isle of Bute and in Dunoon. These visits to communities have extended beyond the conversation events themselves – we have also met with local community groups and businesses from various sectors while there. These meetings have been invaluable and I’ve been blown away by the creativity, entrepreneurship, enthusiasm and sheer grit of the people who are doing business in Argyll and Bute. Alongside that sits the dedication and quiet determination of local volunteers who are delivering in different but equally vital ways for their communities. It’s difficult, in just a few lines, to do justice to the incredible work being done by local people, companies and groups, but I believe that it’s important to highlight it somehow. Our communities have tremendous good news stories to share. There are people out there willing and keen to work in partnership with the Council and others to make a positive difference to local life. Here are just a few of the great things I heard about in Bute and Dunoon: Bute Mental Health Group – a safe space for local men to come together and share skills and experiences. A place to have a cup of tea and talk through issues, a straightforward and simple approach which is a lifeline to those who come along.
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Bute Oasis Foodbank – an operation comprising a charity shop which helps fund food stores, a Christmas gifts offer for local families, and various activities which help brighten up the streets and provide resources. I was particularly impressed by their poo bag dispensers and toy libraries which are placed around the island. The passion and drive of the Farsi family who came to Bute from Syria and engaged with the Council’s refugee resettlement programme. They are giving back to the community through volunteering with local sports clubs and running their successful café and barbers businesses as a family. It was humbling to hear them say that, when it came to their new life on Bute, they had ‘been in hell but are now in heaven’. The work done by Dunoon’s Grow Food Grow project where they grow and supply produce for local facilities and people, and have transformed an unused area into a space that brings numerous benefits from the practical to the emotional through its contribution to wellbeing.
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Dunoon Community Development Trust’s amazing success story about the ‘What’s On Dunoon’ events listing app they developed and established to provide a one-stop space where people can find out about everything going on in the town and which helps promote local events and activities. Dunoon Foodbank volunteers ensure that over 200 people in the town can access much-needed food and even school uniforms with their carefully considered distribution system that offers choice and variety. Our conversation sessions too have been valuable and constructive. It’s fair to say that the decision to engage on this level, and to the extent that we are, took much thought and careful consideration. It is a fact that councils across Scotland simply can’t do everything that they’d like to do, and that can feel very difficult at times. However, I was heartened by the positive approach taken by those who came along to our sessions. They brought questions and even challenges – we would expect nothing else. But they did so in a way that allowed open and honest conversation.
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What was especially encouraging to hear was the fact that people, businesses, communities as a whole are keen to do what they can to make life better in Argyll and Bute. A number of people indicated a growing acceptance that councils can’t do all that they used to, and that there’s an appetite across communities to step in – as one man said, ‘we’re ready and able to get our spades in the ground’. We also received questions at both sessions on a very wide range of issues such as assessments for young people with additional support needs, older people’s care provision, regeneration plans, attracting inward investment and more, as well as more specific enquiries about council services or local circumstances. Officers are capturing all of these points and queries and will be looking to identify how we can take forward opportunities, potential partnership working and other issues highlighted. They will also arrange responses for those who raised questions. This is a significant piece of work, and one which will take time to work through, but it is one that I personally feel is important and one I was keen to commit to. It feeds into the Council’s agreed Priorities on many different levels and, most importantly, it helps us to hear directly from our communities, not just about the issues that are important to them, but about all of the good things that are happening, often quietly, across Argyll and Bute. Over the coming months there are sessions planned in Kintyre, Cowal and various island communities, and I am looking forward to hearing from local people at those events. 3.3 COSLA Activity: Once again I have attended a number of COSLA meetings since my last report. If there is any particular agenda topic you’d like more information on, I’ll be happy to have an individual discussion – detail here is limited because items are considered in private session. 25th April – COSLA Leaders: Presentation from Scotland Excel Scottish Social Work Partnership – Memorandum of Understanding Pay Claims Verity House Agreement – Dispute Resolution Barriers to Elected Office – Councillor Safety and Civility in Public Life Distribution Chief Executive Pay Review
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30th May – COSLA Leaders (in person): This in-person session included an address from John Swinney MSP, First Minister for Scotland, as well as the following agenda topics: Scottish Government Programme for Government Pay Update Health and Social Care Service Financial Viability and Service Renewal Framework Keeping the Promise Local Perspectives Care Leavers Payments Myjobscotland Strategic Review – Way Forward Digital Office Annual Report Local Government Data Platform Update Historical Child Abuse Redress Scheme Local Government Finance Update Distribution At the time of writing I am also due to attend a Special Leaders meeting on 12th June, called at short notice in relation to local government pay. 3.4 Convention of the Highlands and Islands, 11th and 12th May: The latest COHI session was hosted by colleagues in Highland Council and was held in Strathpeffer on 11th and 12th May. Preceding the COHI event itself was a further meeting of the Highlands and Islands Leaders Group – as I noted in my last report to Council, this group has been re-established so that we are able to strengthen our collective voice in the COHI arena and, indeed, anywhere else where this may be advantageous for the region. COHI was chaired by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and discussions focused on the following topics: Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership update HITrans update Transformation of Digital Public Services in Scotland Childcare Regional Transformation Opportunities (RTO) – a research paper commissioned by HIREP through Highlands and Islands Enterprise to identify economic opportunities in the region which offer the most potential for transformation and significant cross-cutting impacts at scale. Skills in the RTO context Housing in the RTO context Digital connectivity Radio Teleswitch Switch-off
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The latter issue potentially affects households in Argyll and Bute who rely on older heating systems and who cannot access smart meters and alternative heating options as readily as other areas and I have been raising this issue wherever I can both to highlight what people need to do and to ask if alternatives can be found for those in rural areas. The Council’s Communications team has been highlighting this through its online and social media channels so that affected residents know what to do and where to access information. There is more information and a guide at Home Energy Scotland's website and please do share this with anyone in your own community who you think may need it. 3.5 Strategic Engagement with HM Naval Base Clyde: I joined the Chief Executive at the latest joint engagement meeting with senior leadership from HM Naval Base Clyde, in Helensburgh on 29th May. Seeking opportunities for alignment of our strategic planning and activity is a priority for us and I welcomed the opportunity to attend this session. We picked up a range of issues including active travel, transport and the Rural Growth Deal context. I believe that working in partnership at this level is important given the significance of the base within Scotland and the need for effective connections with the local community, and look forward to being able to participate in future sessions. 3.6 Housing – general update: I continue to meet regularly with senior officers in relation to the housing emergency, alongside specific sessions like the Argyll and Bute Strategic Housing Forum and, of course, highlighting our housing perspective at a national level wherever possible. I joined a call with the Board Chairs of all Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and Housing Associations operating in Argyll and Bute on 28th April – these are regular sessions bringing all together for a strategic overview of activity in the area. Discussions continue with the Scottish Government and RSLs through the Strategic Housing Investment Programme (SHIP). There are a number of projects where the council is working with partners to transform empty properties into affordable homes including on some of our island communities where there are particular pressures for health and social care staff. Funding has been secured from the Scottish Government to continue the Addressing Depopulation post for a further two years. In addition, research funding has become available to allow investigation into why young people leave the area and what barriers there may be preventing their return. We are in discussions with the Scottish Government and RSLs on scope to use Resource Planning Assumption (RPA) to upgrade infrastructure on gypsy traveller sites.
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Planning applications for Phase 4 of the Dunbeg development have been submitted and awaiting validation. LINK Housing Association will progress once planning consent is in place. A flood risk assessment/study has been commissioned. The Lorn Arc TIF extension has also been agreed. Strategic Housing Fund funding has been approved for feasibility and design work for footpath improvements between Oban and Ganavan for potential future housing development at the old hospital site at Ganavan. Work is ongoing to help understand the area’s housing needs and neighbourhoods and includes an Argyll and Bute-wide survey over June, July and August this year. Conducted by Research Resource on behalf of the council, the results of this Housing Need and Demand Assessment will influence future decisions we make on housing investment and policy covering communities in Argyll and Bute. We hope that as many households as possible will take part to ensure the most accurate results. Households will be contacted over the coming weeks and interviews will be done by phone on island and remote locations, and on a face-to-face basis on the mainland. People can find out more by calling Research Resource on 0141 641 6410 during office hours. Alternatively, you can register your interest at the Research Resource website. Housing Need and Demand Assessment work is also ongoing in Arrochar and Dalavich at present. 3.7 And finally…: To stick with the housing theme, I’m delighted that Argyll and Bute has brought home not one but two national awards for housing activity in the last few weeks. Link’s Dunbeg Phase 3 Development was named Affordable Development of the Year at this year’s Homes for Scotland Awards. This recognises the scale and ambition of this particular project phase which has brought 300 new affordable homes to the Oban area. As noted above, planning applications are now in for Phase 4 which, if agreed, will deliver a further 433 homes along with a commercial zone and community facilities. If that wasn’t enough, our Housing Services team have been crowned winners of the Innovation Award at this year’s Empty Homes Network Awards. This UK-wide recognition is very well deserved for a project that helps provide housing for health and social care staff – a sector where recruitment pressures are often exacerbated by the lack of housing. The team were also highly commended in the EHN’s Meeting the Challenge Award and the Best Partnership Award.
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In addition, the team’s Empty Home Officer, Isla Binnie, was highly commended for the Empty Homes Practitioner of the Year, as well as the Rising Star Award - just weeks after she received a commendation at this year’s Scottish Empty Homes Awards, in the Outstanding Contribution category. Receiving this recognition is fantastic and very well deserved and my congratulations go to everyone involved in these projects which are delivering real results for local people by securing or providing new affordable homes. 4. CONCLUSION 4.1 This report highlights the activities of the Leader of Argyll and Bute Council for the period 10th April 2025 to 6th June 2025. Councillor Jim Lynch Leader, Argyll and Bute Council 11th June 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