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Oban Harbour Revision Order - Clarification for Noting

Argyll and Bute Council · 31 January 2024
Back to Argyll and Bute Harbour Board — 31 January 2024 and its agenda

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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL  HARBOUR BOARD 
ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
SERVICES 
31 JANUARY 2024 
OBAN HARBOUR REVISION ORDER  - Clarification for Noting 
1.0 INTRODUCTION 
1.1 This report is to clarify comments made in the earlier report of 31 August 2023
to the Harbour Board as noted herein. 
2.0  RECOMMENDATIONS 
It is recommended that the Harbour Board: 
2.1 Note the update provided in this report. 
3.0 DETAIL    
3.1 In the report to the Harbour Board of 31 August 2023 it was stated at
paragraph 3.2 5: ‘We have received representation from Oban Community
Harbour Development Association  (OCHDA) and Oban Community Council
for these groups to carry out the consultation on behalf of the Council.’ 
3.2 OCHDA have communicated with the Council and have expressed
dissatisfaction with the accuracy of that statement and requested that this be
clarified. 
3.3 The representations referred to were not made by OCHDA but were received
from parliamentarians which included references to views expressed by
OCHDA and Oban Community Council regarding the Council’s consultation
arrangements.  While the statement was made in reference to the
consultation process, it was not a material factor put to members in their
consideration of progressing with the consultation itself. 
3.4 However, having regard to that and the dissatisfaction with the terms of the
report, expressed by OCHDA, it was considered appropriate to make
members aware of that and for that matter to be clarified.

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4.0 CONCLUSION 
4.1 This report is to clarify comments made in the earlier report of 31 August 2023
to the Harbour Board as noted herein. 
5.0 IMPLICATIONS 
5.1 Policy – The Harbour Board agreed in December 2021 that the Council should
proceed to make the arrangements to formally manage the unmanaged
section of Oban Bay.   
5.2 Financial – No financial implications at this stage, all costs have been met
through existing budgets and the Municipal Harbour will have fees and
charges through conservancy charges etc. which will cover the operating
costs. 
5.3 Legal – the HRO process is a formal legal process set out in the 1964
Harbours Act. 
5.4 HR – HR implications will be identified as the proposal progresses.   
5.5  Fairer Scotland Duty: 
5.5.1   Equalities – None known. 
5.5.2   Socio-economic Duty – None known.
5.5.3 Islands – consultation will be carried out with the island communities as a
continuation and expansion of the Options Appraisal Process reported to the
December harbour Board.
5.6 Climate Change – due regard will be given to climate change with a view to
minimising any climate change impact and these will be considered as and
when they arise.  
5.7 Risk - The Council progressing to become a Municipal Port Authority for the
unmanaged areas of Oban Bay increases the safety within Oban Bay.  There
is a risk that there could be a number of objections and representations during
the process which could impact on timescale and these will be considered as
and when they arise.  
5.8  Customer Service – Improved and safer environment for all users. 
Kirsty Flanagan, Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure 
Policy Lead for Roads and Transport, Councillor Andrew Kain 
January 2024                                            
For further information contact: Jim Smith, Head of Roads and Infrastructure, or
Scott Reid, Marine Operations Manager