Annual Business Plan 2024-25 update App 1
Argyll and Bute Council · 16 December 2025
Back to Audit and Scrutiny Committee — 16 December 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Argyll and Bute Council Annual Business Plan 2024 – 2025 Update Report
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Council Priorities Action Plan 2024 - 2025 Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 People and places, our core business as a council Attaining and achieving at all stages; we will improve outcomes for our children and young people Improve educational attainment, achievement and outcomes for our young people within Argyll and Bute to Scotland’s upper quartile. • Continue to challenge and support schools proportionately. Further refine criteria for support and ensure increased focus on secondary schools. • Continue to work in close partnership with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) team to ensure young people successfully develop the skills for life and work required to attain sustained positive destinations post-school. • Continue to track young people’s pathways within school and in the period after leaving school, to ensure appropriate support, guidance and opportunities are in place to gain and sustain positive destinations. • Improved levels of attainment across the Senior Phase where attainment is in line with national data. • Extended range of learning pathways on offer for all learners. • 96% of 16–19- year-olds are in Education, Training or Employment. • We are continuing to strengthen our approaches to supporting and challenging secondary schools to raise levels of attainment for all. All schools now have more robust tracking systems in place which are leading to improvement. A few schools are continuing to receive intensive support around improving attainment. In 2 (out of 3) of these schools, senior phase predictions for August 2025 are showing signs of some improvement.
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 • In 2024/25, Education has further developed its work with Community Learning to introduce an increased range of wider achievement opportunities across secondary schools. As a result, 614 young people have engaged across seven accredited awards, while 718 young people have accessed eight non-accredited learning activities, including dedicated primary-secondary transition support. • Skills Development Scotland Annual Participation Measure published Aug 24: 94.3% of 16-19 year- olds in Education, Training or Employment.
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Educational Attainment and Wider Achievement – Developing the use of all the available data and intelligence on each of our educational establishments to focus on and drive improvement, achieving our stretch aims (goals to improve opportunities and outcomes for young people) as agreed with the Scottish Government. • Strengthen focus on learning, teaching and assessment with increased emphasis on secondary sector. Continue to build staff capacity in the interrogation and use of data for improvement. • Develop further use of range of data dashboards in order to provide accessible and meaningful data for all schools and settings. • Deliver targeted and universal literacy and numeracy support for establishments in order to raise attainment with specific focus on pupils residing in Quintile 1. • Continue to support schools to rigorously track and monitor pupil progress and plan measurable interventions and initiatives to raise attainment for all whilst closing the poverty related attainment gap. • Stretch aims are achieved: Literacy 73.5%, Numeracy 80.5% School Leavers with 1 or more pass at SCQF Level 5 92.25%. • School Leavers with 1 or more pass at SCQF Level 6 67.75%. Improved levels of attainment across the Senior Phase where attainment is in line with national data. • Stretch Aims 23/24: ACEL: Literacy - 72.2% (up from 67.7%) Numeracy - 80.1% (up from 76.4%) Based on recent ACEL attainment data tracking, we are on track to achieve our overall stretch aims for P1/4/7 at June 2025. • School Leavers: School Leavers with 1 or more pass at SCQF Level 5 - 85.7% School Leavers with 1 or more pass at SCQF Level 6 - 66.7% (Amongst S6 leavers only, the percentage leaving with 1+ At level 6 increased from 85.5% to 90.6%. Increase in S4 leaving rates created downward pressure on cohort performance).
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Developing a broader curriculum offer to augment current opportunities with a range of wider achievement awards and accreditations. This will have a positive impact on leaver destinations through inclusive, skills - based programmes in each secondary school. • Schools will be supported and challenged to develop their curricula, underpinned by a robust rationale taking account of place- based resources and local labour market data. • Support secondary schools via UK Shared Prosperity Funding to ensure accredited wider achievement opportunities exist for every pupil at each stage of their secondary education. • Strengthen partnerships with Community Learning, UHI Argyll and Third Sector agencies to increase wider achievement opportunities for young people at each stage of their secondary education. • Young People in every secondary school have the opportunity to engage in 1 accredited wider achievement programme at each stage of their secondary education. An extended range of pathways are in place and opportunities for partnership working are maximised. • All secondary schools are now in a position to offer young people at least 1 wider achievement opportunity. • The use of UKSPF has been monitored robustly to ensure best value and appropriate use. All schools are on track to have utilised this funding by the deadline. In addition, we will receive an allocation next session. We were initially informed that this funding stream was coming to an end. • Community Learning (CL) have extended partnership with secondary schools. CL active in all secondary schools offering wider achievement/skills development courses. To date in 2024-25, there have been 198
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 accreditations. 359 young people engaged in either accredited or non-accredited wider achievement activities. • 39 Flexible Learning Plans (FLPs) are in place across secondary schools to support disengaged learners as a result of partnerships with employers and UHI Argyll (2023-24 34 FLPs) • Partnerships between schools and employers have continued to increase in 2024-25. As a result, a total of 380 work placements have supported young people to plan their individual vocational pathways.
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Continuing to promote the teaching and use of Gaelic as set out in the council’s emerging Gaelic Plan for 2023. • Education Officer and Principal Teacher will continue to support and challenge establishments to build staff capacity and help to establish Gaelic as an L2 or L3. • Continue to signpost schools to ESgoil support and support and materials from other agencies such as Education Scotland and Storlann. Continue to work in partnership with Ed Scot to challenge and support schools. EO and PT will continue to challenge and support schools to improve the quality of Gaelic Medium Education and attainment for all pupils. • Principal Teacher will continue to deliver online language lessons with colleagues from other authorities. • Number of schools offering Gaelic as L2 or L3 to 80% (dependent on Scottish Government). • Through the work of the PT, including the additional development of Live Lessons, 71% of primary schools in A&B are currently delivering Gaelic as L2 or L3. This is an increase of 3% since October 2024 when 68% of schools delivered Gaelic Learner Education. The Live Lessons support schools to continue their development of Gaelic as L3, enabling pupils to progress their learning beyond the ‘beginner’ stage. The Live Lessons enable schools to continue their delivery of Gaelic as L2 and L3, thus supporting the Education Service to reach our target of 80% of all primary schools. • All A&B teaching staff have regular updates
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 from the PT to inform staff of educational resources and support from partners including eSgoil and Education Scotland. • Education Scotland’s Senior Education Officer (SEO) for Gaelic has visited almost all GMPE settings to support Learning Teaching and Assessment (LTA). Positive impact on pupil attainment in Gaelic Literacy is being evidenced. • Almost all GMPE settings have been trained in QI Writing strategies. This methodology is resulting in a positive impact on pupil attainment in Gaelic writing. • Almost all GMPE settings received in- person support from
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 the Furan Gaelic Centre administrator. This has had a positive impact on pupil fluency. • All GMPE practitioners now have access to the wide range of Highland Literacy Project materials in Gaelic for use in LTA. This work is starting to have a positive impact on pupil attainment in GME. Learning estate now and in the future; we will ensure our schools are effective, sustainable learning environments Progress a bid to the Scottish Government to establish a new campus on Mull. • Continue to develop the business case, undertake engagement and site selection process for a new Campus on Mull. • Robust business case in place, communities feel involved and engaged in process, site selected and plans progressed in line with identified timescales. • LEIP application was successful and was accepted to LEIP phase 3 programme in October 2023. Community engagement activities took place in September 2024 informing the project site selection. Special Council Committee meeting on March 7th agreed the preferred site
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 ‘Tobermory South’ (southern edge of Tobermory with the western boundary adjacent to the A848).A group called Mull Campus Working submitted a Judicial Review against the Council which was heard in Court of Session on 13th October. Work on the project has ceased pending outcome of JR. Develop the next generation of capital investment plan and priorities for our school estate. • Service Asset Management Plan (SAMP) for Education and delivery of Programme by Feb 2024. • All programmed work completed by the specified date and in line with the allocated capital budget. • All capital works completed on budget and to timescale to programme with notable investment in John Logie Baird Primary School and Tobermory / Hermitage ASN Units. Supporting children and young people with additional needs
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Reducing the number of children and young people who have to travel out-with the area to access services by enhancing provision where gaps currently exist. • Progress planning for and set up of four Learning Centres in areas as identified in the ASN review of 2021/22. • Continue to increase the number of staff within educational settings being CALM trained. • Continue to offer opportunities for staff to further develop their skill in meeting the needs of all learners. • Continue to Increase the number of children accessing high quality enhanced provision within Argyll and Bute. • All new Learning Centres will be operational by August 2025 with places allocated to children through the ERG allocation process. • All schools are able to access CALM training and there has been increased uptake during session 2024/2025 from the previous academic session. By June 2025, there will be an increased number of CALM trainers in Argyll and Bute. This will support educational settings in becoming CALM trained and moderate the effective application of this training. • All primary and secondary schools have been able to access CIRCLE and GIRFEC training.
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Working to improve and secure equity of specialist provision across Argyll and Bute by addressing gaps where they exist across the education estate. • Continue to progress plans accordingly including recruitment of staff. • Continue to increase the number of children accessing high quality specialist provision within Argyll and Bute. • Most new Learning Centres already have teaching staff in post prior to August 2025 opening. The remaining posts are currently being advertised. • Support staff recruitment is underway and all learning Centres are on track to be fully resourced by August 2025. • Leaders from all Learning Centres are participating in the development of a Strategic Leadership network for specialist provision. The network has identified improvement priorities and will be collaborating to develop shared understanding on effectively supporting learners and how to
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 develop high quality specialist provision appropriate for their context. Maintaining the current staffing complement who support ASN in line with our nurture stretch aim agreed with Scottish Government. • Current complement of central staff- 1 Principal Teacher and 2 Teachers will be maintained through maintaining teacher numbers. The number of schools engaging with Our Children Their Nurture Education will increase to 35. • Stretch aims are achieved: Literacy 73.5%, Numeracy 80.5% School Leavers with 1 or more pass at SCQF Level 5 92.25%.School Leavers with 1 or more pass at SCQF Level 6 67.75%.Core plus stretch aim nurture measure is 67%. • There are currently 58 settings engaged with OCTNE (52 schools and 6 ELC providers), with 12 of these settings joining during session 24/25, exceeding the stretch aim of 35 schools and reflecting a growing commitment to trauma- informed, nurture- based education.” • The current complement of central staff – 1 Principal Teacher and 2 Teachers – continues to provide targeted ASN support, aligned with the nurture stretch aim. • In session 24/25, Nurture Teachers delivered training in Boxall Profiles, Block
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Based Therapy, and PACE to staff across multiple settings, directly contributing to the professional capacity of ASN support staff. • The 5th cohort of leadership training began February 2025 with 32 participants from 22 settings, helping schools prepare for OCTNE accreditation and sustain nurturing practices at a strategic level. • Targeted nurture intervention and coaching has been delivered to 8 schools via the Coach and Consult model, strengthening the ASN support network and helping staff address SEMH needs. Roads and pathways; connecting to, from and within Argyll will be supported
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Reviewing our approach to road repair prioritisation to make the most effective use of resources in the context of budget pressures and to achieve the best possible balance in terms of strategic, operational and member input. • Implement actions to increase member input in process • Members seminar • Officers have agreed a process plan which include an annual members input for the capital roads plan of works so that a local perspective can be introduced. Members seminar took place October 2024. Initiating plans for a 20mph speed limit by working in partnership, and in line with national legislation, on the rollout and delivery of a 20mph limit where that will work best for our communities. • Review potential for implementing 20mph speed limits in accordance with national priorities. • Number of engagement sessions • Number of 20mph schemes introduced • Officer appointed to post funded by Scottish Government and is developing a programme of engagement with stakeholders including elected members and community groups. Completing a review of parking and traffic management/enforcem ent to reshape arrangements that reflect community needs and ambitions. • TRO review in line with members requests to support their communities’ needs. • Report through December 2025 EDI Committee to obtain agreement on proposed review and methodology. • Report to EDI committee on 18 • Report through EDI Committee 18 December 2025 the proposed Traffic Regulation Orders for the whole ABC area. • TRO Business day with members October 2025 to outline
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 December 2025 to obtain agreement on proposed review and methodology • Review commences. • Start of consultation period. • Statutory consultation takes place. • TRO Business day with members . • New TROs agreed. proposed approach and obtain member feedback. Proposals now being developed to reflect this. Piers and harbours Upgrading the council’s harbour infrastructure to ensure it is capable of receiving existing and planned new ferries (including at Craignure, Fionnphort/Ruahaich, Port Askaig, Dunoon, Kilcreggan and • Iona Start work on new breakwater at Iona. o Capital dredging to improve navigational access o Replacement of the public toilet block o Slipway repairs • Craignure Complete OBC Start preparation of FBC • Campbeltown • Iona All necessary marine licences granted Tender go live for management consultant Project start • Craignure Complete OBC • Campbeltown Open new quay • Iona All necessary marine licences have been granted, including: o Rock Armour Breakwater Licence o Capital Dredging Licence o European Protected Species Licence o Basking Shark Licence. • A Seagrass Mitigation and Monitoring Plan
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Campbeltown, Tayinloan - Gigha). Open new quay was approved in July 2025, with ongoing environmental monitoring throughout construction • Site mobilisation began in March 2025. Over 120,000 tonnes of granite rock are being used, sourced from Glensanda Quarry, Ireland, and Norway. 21,000 tonnes of 1–3 tonne rock have already been delivered and placed to form the base and core of the breakwater. • The new toilet block is nearing completion, with mechanical and electrical installations underway. • Craignure • A tender for management consultants to lead this next phase is expected to go live in November 2025, with an
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 appointment anticipated in January 2026. • The cost of the project is now projected at £96 million • Gigha / Tayinloan • The ferry terminals at Gigha and Tayinloan are undergoing significant upgrades as part of Transport Scotland’s Small Vessel Replacement Project This will modernise infrastructure to support new hybrid ferries. These are two separate but coordinated projects being managed by Argyll and Bute Council with support from RPS Tetra Tech. Creating a new municipal harbour authority in Oban, ensuring that proposals are submitted to • HRO to be submitted to and agreed by Scottish Government • New HRO in place • The council has submitted a Harbour Revision Order (HRO) to Transport Scotland to establish a Municipal
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Scottish ministers as soon as possible following consideration by the Harbour Board in December 2022, and putting preparations in place to commence operations upon approval by ministers. Harbour Authority that would cover most of Oban Bay, excluding the area around the ferry terminal (which remains under CMAL). • The HRO is now with Scottish Government Ministers for consideration. When approved, Argyll and Bute Council would become the Statutory Harbour Authority for the newly defined area of Oban Bay. Seeking funding for the procurement of new council-operated vessels including Islay/Jura, Luing and Easdale. • Carry out assessment, specification and costing of new vessels. • Request funding from Scottish Government and/or explore other funding opportunities. • Secure funding for new vessels based on priority requirement. • Funding for new ferries serving Jura, Luing, and Easdale is progressing through a combination of local authority planning, regional transport partnerships, and the Scottish Government’s Small Vessel Replacement Programme (SVRP). • Jura Ferry
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 The Council is actively pursuing funding for the design and construction of a new ferry for Jura • HITRANS has committed £1.5 million to support planning and infrastructure improvements for Jura and Luing. • The Council is lobbying for full funding from the Scottish Government and exploring options for capital investment through Transport Scotland and HITRANS. • Jura, Luing, and Easdale are not included in Phase 1 of SVRP, which covers seven electric ferries for other routes (e.g., Gigha, Iona). However, future phases may include these Finalising the demand, economic impact and
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 business case assessment for the Helensburgh Pier strategy in 2023. Waste and recycling services; reduce our carbon emissions Delivering a solution that enables the council to divert its biodegradable waste from landfill, within 2026, while seeking a short-term derogation to allow the PPP contract to expire. • Identify route to market for contract to replace PPP • Develop variation to existing PPP contract to divert residual waste away from landfill • Procure off take and haulage contracts for island sites • New offtake contracts for landfill waste • End of MBT at Oban, Dunoon and Lochgilphead PPP sites • Multi disciplinary working group established with representatives of the council’s legal, procurement, financial and waste services to develop legally compliant solution to landfill ban • Agreement reached with current contractor, Biffa, to alter existing Public / Private Partnership to allow for closure of landfill sites at Dunoon and Lochgilphead, and ending of Mechanical and Biological Treatment of landfill waste • New waste disposal contract in place to
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 divert waste from MAKI and OLI to energy from waste facilities Encouraging households to increase use of recycling services to reach at least the Scottish average (with service exploring options to stretch targets where possible). • Carry out marketing and publicity campaign – e.g. Food Waste Awareness campaign, Green July (which will also include waste). • Officers review the recycling rate to see if the campaign has had an impact. • The Council worked with Zero Waste Scotland to refresh the recycling section of our website to streamline our messaging and reflect best practice. • A second social media campaign took place in June which focussed on behaviour changes which would help reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and pointed customers to supporting information, either on the council website or third-party sites. • Marketing will continue with regular posts, and campaigns, throughout the year. Housing
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Supporting the provision of over 1,000 affordable homes by 2027 (247 in 2022/23 plus at least 750 additional homes over the life of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan). • Continue to monitor housing completions and produce annual housing land audit. • Deliver 247 affordable completions in 22/23 • 107 affordable housing units were completed in 23/24 so less than the programmed delivery, but this reflects a natural variation and is the latest period for which data is available. Exploring additional options to increase the availability of all tenures of housing - mid market rents, shared equity, affordable by design and other developments - in the area. • Explore title burdens and phase 1 site investigations for possible Rural growth Deal Funded housing for sale and principal home occupancy • Complete site investigations. • Establish satisfactory title. • Phase 1 site investigations are complete. Title investigations involving Church of Scotland are ongoing. Considering the implementation of short term lets control zones to open up more housing availability. • Short-term let licensing regime and policy in place. 3308 applications received to be determined. • 100% of applications determined or deemed granted. STL applications mapped on GIS, to support consideration of planning control areas. • Draft policies being devised
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Continuing to support households to improve energy efficiency and tackle rising living costs through annual investment through and implementation of the Home Energy Efficiency Programme in Argyll and Bute. • Renew contractors and manage delivery of HEEPS:ABS programme. • Complete delivery of 24/25 HEEPS ABS allocation. • 24/25 HEEPS ABS allocation was 100% spent. Developing the opportunity for the council to become a Rural Housing Body - where it would be more directly involved in the delivery of housing or land for housing. • Council has already been awarded Rural Housing Body status. Communities; we will build and strengthen our communities as attractive, vibrant places to live, work and do business Creating area plans for all our communities, reflecting investment opportunities and local service prioritisation. • Launch Aspiring Places platform • Comprehensive support to be provided by the Community Development team to local community bodies to facilitate the development of Local Place Plans. • Evaluation of engagement of platform undertaken and reported to Policy and Resources Committee • Development of support package for communities, • Further to Members agreement in September 2024, the ‘Aspiring Places – Community Projects in Argyll and Bute’ digital platform was successfully launched in March 2025 and over 150 community
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 including webinars, master classes and a dedicated web page with links to resources, enabling communities to develop Local Place Plans. groups registered, and over 100 project proposals have been published. • An evaluation has been completed and will be reported to the Policy and Resources Committee on the 04 December 2025. • Close working between Development Planning and Community Development teams to prepare a comprehensive support page for communities developing Local Place Plans, complementing the Local Development Plan 3 process. Support to communities included master classes and webinars, development of a newsletter and community of practice.
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Seeking ways of securing more community wealth building opportunities across Argyll and Bute and supporting communities to gain maximum benefit from developments in their area. • Arrange community wealth building meeting with anchor organisations within Argyll and Bute. Share Council’s contract plan with them to determine if any collaborative opportunities, publish our contract plan on website. Share our community benefit guidance, and wishlist with them to enable best practice to be rolled out across all of Argyll and Bute public sector organisations. Invite our anchor organisation colleagues to collaborate with us on appropriate contracts/frameworks. • Contracts awarded to local suppliers (%) – Target 20%. For 2023/24 the % was 17.8%. For 2024/25 (Q1&Q2) – 18.3% As this % includes all contracts, whether a local bid was submitted or not we also report: -Tenders won by a local supplier where a local supplier has placed a bid (%) - no target. For 2023/24 the % was 59.5%. For 2024/25 (Q1&Q2) – 65.2% -Local suppliers bidding for business with the council (% of bids received) - Target 20%. For 2023/24 the % • Community wealth building event took place. A Community Wealth Building Action Plan is currently being prepare by specific partner organisations within the Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership aligned to the key content within the draft CWB Bill published on 20th March 2025 by the Scottish Government which was out for consultation until 23rd May 2025 on whether it should become an Act of Parliament. • Our contract plan was shared and as a result collaborative contracts are taking place with our partner organisations. Our contract plan is published on the website to allow local
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 was 15.2%. For 2024/25 (Q1&Q2) – 14.4% -Increase the number of community benefits that are delivered through contracts we award locally – no target. For 2023/24 – 74 community benefits achieved. For 2024/25 (Q1&Q2) – 31 -Local spend – no target. For 2023/24 local spend was 35.8%. For 2024/25 (Q1) – 28.4% businesses to see what we are looking to buy in the coming year ahead. Our community benefit guide has been shared with our community wealth building partners along with a link to our wishlist. Further engagement has taken place at area community planning partnership meetings. • Contracts awarded to local suppliers (%) – Target 20%. 2024/25:18.7% As this % includes all contracts, whether a local bid was submitted or not we also report: -Tenders won by a local supplier where a local supplier has placed a bid (%) - no target. 2024/25:69.8%
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 -Local suppliers bidding for business with the council (% of bids received) - Target 20%. 2024/25:13.5% -Increase the number of community benefits that are delivered through contracts we award locally – no target. 89 community benefits were delivered via our council contracts in 2024/25 compared to 74 in 2023/24 which is an increase of 15. -Local spend – no target. The total Procurement-related spend with known local suppliers in 2024/25 was £72.7m. The local procurement-related spend has increased from the previous two years, (£65.7m in 2023/24 and £60.8m in 2022/23).
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Seeking to maximise scope for community involvement and participation, including exploring the role that community transfers can play. • Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership to agree the actions for the ABOIP priority outcome of Community Wellbeing, which has a long-term objective to: support community cohesion, the sustainability of community services and a voice in collective decision making. • Explore the potential to have the Community Development Team work in collaboration with Estates Team to ensure effective Community Asset Transfer, dealing with requests from community groups in a timeous manner and providing comprehensive support. • An Engaging Communities Framework will be developed and launched to facilitate and support a corporate approach to community engagement, including the development of training and support materials • Members of the Community Planning and Community Development team will undertake training in Art of Hosting techniques to enable a suite of practical methods of community engagement • Community Planning Partnership agreement and endorsement of Community Wellbeing actions. • Community Asset Transfer requests will be considered and processed according to the requirements of section 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. The Community Asset Transfer web page will be updated as required with an annual report produced and uploaded for 2024/25. • Launch of the Engaging Communities Framework with • In December 2024, the CPP agreed a set of 6 actions under the priority outcome of Community Wellbeing. • Successful trial project of Community Development team and the Estates team collaboration throughout 2024-25 ensuring the Community Asset Transfer process worked effectively ensuring requests from community groups were dealt with timeously with comprehensive support. The Community Asset Transfer web page has been updated with detailed information on the process for Community Transfer Bodies and an annual report has been produced for 2024/25.
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 to be incorporated into professional practice. appropriate training and support materials developed to enable a corporate approach. • Members of the Community Planning and Community Development team will successfully undertake training in Art of Hosting techniques, will cascade learning to the full team and will use these techniques in community engagement practice. • Engaging Communities Framework developed, launched in January 2026 with online training on LEON for staff. • Staff members have successfully trained in Art of Hosting, contributing to the development of a Community of Practice in Argyll and Bute. Skills developed for use in community and partnership settings shared with colleagues i.e. Heretohearyou, and practical application of techniques has encouraged new forms of community participation. Potential and growth; turning opportunities into reality Economic development
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Achieving sign-off of the Rural Growth Deal business and cases and begin delivering priority projects like The Marine Industry Training Centre, UAV Drone Hub and Seaweed Academy. • Deal signed on 10th March 2025. Conditional endorsement of Rothesay Pavilion FBC achieved; FQ4 grant claims submitted to Central Government. • Rural Growth Deal signed on 10th March 2025. Drawdown of 2024/25 Q4 funding to support Rothesay Pavilion. Most OBC’s now endorsed and FBC’s being progressed for KSS and Tobermory Housing projects. Further work necessary to deliver Action Plan and achieve full endorsement of Rothesay Pavilion FBC. Securing of Levelling Up funding for projects, including Argyll and Bute Western Seaboard Marine Gateways Initiative, Whisky Islands and Lorn Economic Growth Zone. • Funding re-branded as Community Regeneration Partnership following change in UK Government. £20.3m of funding committed to Argyll and Bute and negotiations are on-going with UKG and external partners to agree final priority projects. All funding requires to be committed by 2026/27 and as such, projects require to demonstrate deliverability within these • Confirmation of funding via Community Regeneration Partnership; Support UKG fieldwork visits. Identify a long-list of project options. • These applications were not successful, but Community Regeneration Partnership funding, circa £20m, was secured by Argyll and Bute Council.
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 timescales. UKG will undertake a business case for Ministerial sign off. Implement £4.5m Argyll and Bute UK Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan. • The Argyll and Bute UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Investment Plan, 2022-2025 has now been concluded; all project spend had to be completed by the end of March 2025 and all final claims to the UK Government need to be submitted by the 1st May 2025. • A final transition year of UKSPF has been agreed for 2025/26. The Transition Year UKSPF Investment Plan (further additional activity for current projects in the 2022-25 plan) was approved by the Policy and Resources Committee on 20th February 2025 and the MOU was signed between the
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 UK Government and Argyll and Bute Council mid-March 2025. Complete site development of Helensburgh Waterfront project securing long- term economic benefit. • Development of site. • Completion of Helensburgh Waterfront Development. • Marketing of the site completed and preferred developer selected. Site investigations completed and utility connections secured. Awaiting outcome of Judicial Review which was heard in Court of Session on 4th July – cannot proceed until verdict passed. Deliver the £15m Campbeltown Flood Prevention Scheme. • A multi-element £15–15.9m Flood Protection Scheme for Campbeltown to reduce risk from the Millknowe and Balgreggan B urns and from local surface- water flooding. To be delivered as four main work packages: 1. Millknowe flood storage reservoir (flood-storage basin/earthworks). 2. Upsizing/renewal of the Dalaruan Street culvert. • Delivered as designed: the key engineered elements (flood storage at Millknowe, culvert upsizing, SuDS at The Meadows, and the Burnside • The Campbeltown Flood Protection Scheme was complet ed and certified in May 2024, transitioning into the defects and monitoring phase. • The Property Flood Resilience (PFR) programme continues into 2025– 26, focusing on
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 3. Surface Water Management / SuDS at The Meadows. 4. Works at Burnside Square (public-realm + flood interventions). In addition, some property-level flood protection measures to be provided to selected properties. Argyll and Bute Council+1 • Programme / timing: construction phases to be completed through 2023–early 2024 with the council reporting the project on course to be complete around February 2024, with additional requested works and follow-up items into later 2024. Square interventions). • Hydraulic modelling and design quality • Communit y / co- benefits. property-level protection. • Revised total cost: £15.925 million (up from £15.215 m). • Main works delivered: Millknowe fl ood storage, Dalaruan culv ert, Burnside Square improvements, and SuDS at The Meadows. • Benefits noted: reduced flood risk, environmental resilience, and community economic benefit. • AECOM’s detailed hydraulic modelling was used to design the fluvial and surface water elements, and sources indicate the design intent was aligned with delivering improved flood resilience for the town. That modelling
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 supports the expectation that the interventions will materially reduce flood risk from Millknowe/ Balgreggan and from surface water. (Note: modelling = projected performance; real- world success is best judged after significant storm events and monitoring.) Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)+1 • Community-benefit activities were reported in Sept 2024 Argyll and Bute Council+2Argyll and Bute Council+2 • Funding & cost: original secured funding was ~£15.215m with 80% Scottish Government support and 20% council contribution; later estimates in 2024 put the projected cost slightly higher (c.
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 £15.9m) and an extra ~£710k was listed for additional works Regenerate the waterfront of Ardrishaig. • • Support on-going negotiations with potential developers of Gleaner Oil Site. Ardrishaig North Public Realm works were completed April 2023. Negotiations are on- going with potential developer at former Gleaner Oil Site. Note this site is owned by Scottish Canals. £250k of funding available via Tarbert and Lochgilphead Regeneration fund to support remedial works at Gleaner site subject to an endorsed business case. Driving forward additional strategic economic development projects including progression of the Dunbeg housing, commercial and infrastructure projects and the North Lorn Economic Growth Zone through the Lorn Arc Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) scheme. • Multiple planning applications submitted for Housing / infrastructure and commercial area at Dunbeg. Determination expected by spring 2026. • Planning Applications submitted and approved for business development and infrastructure at Oban Airport. • TIF infrastructure element of FBC at Oban Airport Approved by Council and Scottish Gov. • Agreement reached with Scottish Gov to both extend the TIF income stream period by 10years and allow for the retention of income prior to project initiation. • This significantly derisks the TIF projects and gives confidence to the • Oban Airport TIF element of business park agreed – awaiting finalised costs for non TIF elements to be agreed by Full Council in Nov 2025. Once that takes place the project will move into the implementation phase. • Dunbeg once planning applications have been determined, assuming approval, the
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Council to make investments. infrastructure design and detailed costing phase will begin. This will inform the final FBC which is expected to be presented to Council’s P&R Committee early to mid 2027. Implement Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) Projects in Dunoon, Lochgilphead, Tarbert and Helensburgh. • Proposed Heritage and Place scheme being developed for Tarbert. This will require Council match funding of circa £635k over 5 years. Development phase currently being progressed with formal bids scheduled to be submitted in August 2025. Lochgilphead CARS in delivery stages and due to complete in March 2026. At least 4 priority buildings will be completed in Lochgilphead. Helensburgh CARS is also in the delivery stages and works to the first two priority buildings commenced in September 2024. • Dunoon now complete. • Continued delivery of Lochgilphead and Helensburgh CARS schemes; • Complete Dunoon CARS • Progress Tarbert HPP Development Phase. • Lochgilphead in final stages of delivery with works to priority buildings complete. Helensburgh is ongoing with all priority buildings now on-site. Funding bids have been submitted to NHLF and HES for an HPP scheme in Tarbert and funding announcements will be made in early 2026. Maximising community economic and employment The Council’s role is a consultee in this project which is being led by Scottish Power Renewables. This is led by Scottish Power Renewables and is going through consultation stage.
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 opportunities from the Islay Scotwind offshore wind project. The Council continues to engage with the developer via forums such as ABRA. The Council are also continuing to monitor community benefit opportunities linked to renewable developments. We have also been engaging with developers around potential operations and maintenance opportunities aligned with this development. Preparing an options appraisal for implementation of a transient visitor levy. • A draft Visitor Levy (VL) Scheme will be supported by impact assessments align to the impact on businesses providing accommodation, communities, visitors and the council who will need to collect a levy if as VL Scheme is introduced in across Argyll and Bute. The options • The formal consultation on a draft Visitor Levy (VL) Scheme for Argyll and Bute will concluded on Thursday, 10th April 2025. It is a statutory requirement to prepare a Consultation Report, which will include updated impact assessments as outlined in Appendix 2 of the Special Council paper, 20th December 2024.
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 are to introduce a levy or not, further to a formal 12- week consultation period from January to March 2025, again if the consultation is approved by elected members. The content of this Consultation Report, to be prepared by external consultants, will provide recommendations if a VL Scheme should be introduced across Argyll and Bute based on the evidence gathered during the 12- week public consultation. Commercial services; making assets work now Increasing commercial development of business and retail space, including the Kilmory Industrial Park, and identifying other opportunities wherever possible. • Develop business cases for * Kilmory Industrial Park * Kilarrow House, Bowmore * Lorn House, Oban • Complete construction of Kilmory Business Park. Completion of business cases for Lorn House and Kilarrow House. • Kilmory Business Park under construction with forecast completion in Quarter 1 2026 • Killarow and Lorn House being considered for housing delivery options. Exploring additional commercial opportunities at Oban Airport. • Develop business case, apply for planning consent for business units. • Completion of Detailed Business Case for Oban Airport. • FBC (contractor verified costs) completed, planning consent received, , Tier 1 contractor appointed, design team appointed,
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 TIF & Community Regeneration Partnership funding approved. • 26th November Council meeting for Full Business Case approval and award of contracts. Delivering the Our Modern Workspace project (OMW), rationalising the council estate and facilitating hybrid working solutions. • Progress delivery of OMW project in Lochgilphead, Oban and Rothesay. • Completion of physical works at Rothesay and Oban Production of an approved by ELT Phasing Plan for changes to offices in Lochgilphead and Ardrishaig. • Works at Rothesay and Oban are complete. • Dunoon works are underway at Argyll House with completion forecast February 2026. • Design work at Lochgilphead and Ardrishaig progressing Leading the development and creation of Craigendoran Business Park as a business, engineering and innovation hub. • Site investigations to be completed. Site infrastructure and utilities to be designed and costed. • Completion of the pre-development investigative works to confirm if the site is suitable and viable for development • Site investigations completed, infrastructure and utilities designed and costed. Outcome has identified challenges with site utilities and flood risk requiring further investigation.
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 Exploring opportunities for sharing services where possible - both to help grow our income through providing our expertise and enhancing service delivery in communities where we need to source options from elsewhere. • Implementation of new shared management structure with HSCP in relation to Hostels and care homes for catering and cleaning. • Completion of 1 year review of shared management structure. • The HSCP Shared Management Project concluded at the end of June 2025. While elements of the project were successful, HSCP SLT made the decision that a return to pre-pilot arrangements would be more sustainable. Driving down further our own carbon emissions, achieving net zero by 2045 and exceeding our target of a 75% reduction by 2030, building on our good track record in relation to combatting climate change, through the delivery of our Decarbonisation Plan. • Progress Argyll and Bute Decarbonisation Plan for 2022- 2025. • Commission new Decarbonisation Plan (Routemap to Net Zero). • Draft under development with Climate Change Board Securing Carbon Literate Organisation status by the end of 2023, including completion of the rollout of carbon literacy • Securing Carbon Literate Organisation by the end of 2023 Deliver more training - application of Carbon Literate Organisation submitted and await outcome. • Completed • Complete. Exploring renewal and enhancement options
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Priority Activity 2024/25 Success Measure 2024/25 Annual Update 2024/25 training to all councillors. Partnership and Action - everyone has a part to play in Argyll and Bute’s success In our Priorities for the Council Term 2022 to 2027, we set out our areas for action to deliver our vision for Argyll and Bute. There are elements of that vision which require action from other agencies at all levels - from our communities right up to national government. We will commit to working in partnership wherever we need to as well as calling on others, with responsibility, to take the action that is required to safeguard Argyll and Bute’s success. This included: 1. Continuing to build up our strong track record in partnership working and seeking new ways of working with communities, other organisations, and the third and private sectors. 2. Continuing to work in partnership with further education and higher education providers in Argyll and Bute to ensure young people have access to high quality innovative educational opportunities that support local employers and the Argyll economy. 3. Lobbying for support for the higher-than-average energy costs faced by Argyll and Bute communities. 4. Pressing the case for retaining delivery of care services locally, where community knowledge, relationships and experience are best placed to identify and meet local needs and local accountability. 5. Calling for funding support to tackle challenges in local social care delivery - including recruitment, retention and development of care staff in communities - rather than centralisation of services. 6. Continuing to call for planning, construction and opening of the replacement route at the Rest and Be Thankful within the life of this Scottish Parliament. 7. Working in partnership with the Rothesay Pavilion Charity Trust to lobby for funding to complete the refurbishment of the Pavilion. 8. Seeking additional funding support to address the unprecedented severe weather damage to the sea defences supporting Bute’s main island roadway at Ardbeg. 9. Working with the Community Planning Partnership to develop a Climate Change Strategy for the region as a whole. 10. Adding our voice to those of our local government colleagues across Scotland to call on national government for fair funding settlements which enable councils to deliver the services that matter to communities and reinforcing the need for recognition of the vital contribution that local government makes to national priorities and Scotland’s overall success.
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11. Delivering the Argyll and Bute Employability Partnership Delivery Plan for 2024-25 through working in partnership with third sector delivery partners. – Update October 2025 – The ABEP Delivery Plan has concluded with hard stop spend at the end of March 2025. The No One Left Behind (NOLB) grant offer letter for 2025/26 has been received from the Scottish Parliament and a revised Annual Investment Plan, which will include third sector partner delivery, was submitted by 30th April 2025. There was no Scottish Government requirement to prepare a more detailed ABEP Delivery Plan for 2025/26 (just an Investment Plan). However, the ABEP members still wanted to put in place a local and shortened ABEP Delivery Plan, which was prepared further to an ABEP workshop session on 20th May 2025 and will hopefully be endorsed by the Argyll and Bute CPP Management Committee on 5th December 2025.