Agenda reports pack
Argyll and Bute Council · 4 September 2024
Back to Mid Argyll, Kintyre & the Islands Area Committee — 4 September 2024 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 Comhairle Earra-Ghàidheal Agus Bhòid Executive Director: Douglas Hendry Kilmory, Lochgilphead, PA31 8RT Tel: 01546 602127 Fax: 01546 604435 DX 599700 LOCHGILPHEAD 28 August 2024 NOTICE OF MEETING A meeting of the MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE & THE ISLANDS AREA COMMITTEE will be held ON A HYBRID BASIS IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, KILMORY, LOCHGILPHEAD AND BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on WEDNESDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 2024 at 10:30 AM, which you are requested to attend. Douglas Hendry Executive Director BUSINESS 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 3. MINUTE OF THE MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE AND THE ISLANDS AREA COMMITTEE HELD ON 5 JUNE 2024 (Pages 3 - 12) 4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME 5. SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SCOTLAND ANNUAL UPDATE (Pages 13 - 20) Presentation by Area Manager, Skills Development Scotland 6. ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES UPDATE (Pages 21 - 24) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services 7. RECYCLING AND RECOVERY PERFORMANCE (Pages 25 - 32) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services 8. KILKERRAN CEMETERY UPDATE REPORT (Pages 33 - 36) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services 9. CRAIGHOUSE TO CORRAN SANDS, ISLE OF JURA ACTIVE TRAVEL ROUTE PROGRESS REPORT (Pages 37 - 44) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth 10. CULTURE HERITAGE & ARTS (CHARTS) ASSEMBLY ARGYLL AND ISLES Public Document Pack
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2023-24 (Pages 45 - 104) Presentation by Board Member, CHArts Argyll and Isles 11. AREA PERFORMANCE REPORT - FQ1 2024/25 (Pages 105 - 140) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services 12. AREA COMMITTEE MEETINGS - 2024-2025 (Pages 141 - 144) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support 13. APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS (Pages 145 - 150) Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support 14. MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE AND THE ISLANDS AREA COMMITTEE WORKPLAN (Pages 151 - 158) Mid Argyll, Kintyre & the Islands Area Committee Councillor John Armour (Chair) Councillor Jan Brown Councillor Garret Corner Councillor Anne Horn Councillor Jennifer Kelly Councillor Tommy MacPherson Councillor Dougie McFadzean (Vice-Chair) Councillor Dougie Philand Councillor Alastair Redman Contact: Iona Campbell, Senior Committee Assistant - 01436 658 801
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MINUTES of MEETING of MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE & THE ISLANDS AREA COMMITTEE held ON A HYBRID BASIS IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, KILMORY, LOCHGILPHEAD AND BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on WEDNESDAY, 5 JUNE 2024 Present: Councillor John Armour (Chair) Councillor Jan Brown Councillor Garret Corner Councillor Jennifer Kelly Councillor Tommy MacPherson Councillor Dougie McFadzean Councillor Dougie Philand Councillor Alastair Redman Attending: Douglas Hendry, Executive Director Jim Smith, Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services Shona Barton, Governance Manager Kirsty Donnelly, Head Teacher Stephen Harrison, Head Teacher James Helbert, Head Teacher Neil McKnight, Head Teacher Charlotte Craig, Business Improvement Manager, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Suzanne Mason, Engagement and Communities Lead Amie Dow, Community Development Officer Ailie Law, Community Development Officer Claire Hallybone, Tarbert Heritage Regeneration Scheme Project Officer Rickeera Kaur, Member of Public David Moncrieff, Member of Public Prior to the commencement of business, the Chair made the following tribute to the late Councillor Robin Currie: Before we move to the formal business I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to our colleague and our friend, Robin Currie, who passed away so very suddenly on 9th May. I think it is fair to say that many of us are still in a great deal of shock and sadness at his passing. I believe that deep sense of loss will remain with us for some time to come, and that is testament to the regard in which we held Robin. We have lost a councillor who had given almost four decades of service to the communities he was so proud to represent. Those communities have lost a dedicated champion who sought always to do for them the very best that he could. This council has lost many, many years of experience, knowledge, passion and commitment. Robin was renowned for being a fiercely proud Ileach, but he also championed those who lived in other rural and island communities, recognising that they needed a strong voice that understood their special opportunities and challenges. He was every bit as dedicated to fighting for local issues as he was to calling attention to Argyll and Bute’s wider challenges. Page 3 Agenda Item 3
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Robin leaves big boots to fill, and a powerful legacy on which to build. To look at just one example - housing in particular was, for Robin, more than a challenge to overcome; it was a passion, a desperate need, one which he recognised and one where he absolutely led the way. It is thanks to Robin that this council was the first to declare a housing emergency. It is thanks to Robin that many remote, rural and island communities today are seeing new homes coming to life. We owe it to his memory, and to all that he worked for, to ensure that work continues. That was Robin’s intention, it is fair to say his life’s work, and it will be our honour to ensure it keeps going. Most importantly, we have lost a kind, gentle, fair and good-humoured man who placed importance on listening first, who took time to support new councillors, or to reach out to anyone facing their own personal challenges. We have heard so many stories about Robin, his sense of fun, his enjoyment of life on Islay, as well as his commitment to the communities he represented, but above all his kindness. He is very much missed, he will be missed for some considerable time to come, but he will be remembered with fondness and much gratitude. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. There were no apologies for absence. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Councillor Dougie Philand, prior to consideration of agenda item 10 (Supporting Communities Fund 2024/25), declared an interest in an application from the Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Mid Argyll, as a Board Member for the organisation. Having sought advice from the Governance Manager, Councillor Philand advised that he would leave the meeting during this item if applications to the Fund were considered by Members on an individual basis. 3. MINUTE OF THE MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE AND THE ISLANDS AREA COMMITTEE HELD ON 28 FEBRUARY 2024 The Minute of the meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee, held on 28 February 2024, was approved as a correct record. Councillor Tommy MacPherson joined the meeting during discussion of the following item. 4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME The Governance Manager advised that there had been no public questions submitted in advance of the meeting. Having noted that there were members of the public in attendance, the Chair invited them to submit any questions they may have. Rickeera Kaur (Present) Ms Kaur asked the following question to the Committee: “Given the appalling racist opinions that have been shared publicly by some Councillors, how can residents of Argyll be assured that these prejudices do not affect decision making forums within Council processes? We’re particularly concerned given the targeting of minority groups. Our community are concerned about the influence that that will have on our resettlement projects that have been successful in Argyll, and we’re seeking to know Page 4
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the Council’s views and actions relating to this and views and actions relating to the ongoing genocide in Gaza.” The Governance Manager agreed to feedback this question to the Council Leader and Council Administration, and to provide a response to this query following the meeting. Ms Kaur asked for clarification of how this information would be shared with the community, and the Governance Manager confirmed that an answer would be provided following the meeting to Ms Kaur and the Committee Members by e-mail which could be disseminated by them to any interested parties. David Moncrieff (Present) Mr Moncrieff advised the Committee that he had asked a question about school transport safety concerns at the last meeting, and had received a response from the Council advising that the safety and wellbeing of children were the Council’s top priority. He advised that following this response, he had sent further e-mails to Elected Members, which he had discovered were being intercepted by the Council. He advised that he would be taking this forward as a Data Protection concern. Mr Moncrieff confirmed that he had received clarification from the Scottish Government that school transport was the responsibility of local government authorities. Mr Moncrieff outlined the reasons that he disagreed with the Council’s response to his question, and advised that he felt that the Council were knowingly endangering school children, and deliberately thwarting Scottish Government guidance in relation to seatbelts on school transport. The Chair and Governance Manager advised that a response had already been provided to this question by the Council, even if Mr Moncrieff did not agree with the answer provided. Mr Moncrieff advised that, at the last meeting of the Committee, the previous Chair of the Committee had provided assurances to Mr Moncrieff that an answer would be provided to all of his questions, however he felt that only of the questions had been answered. The Chair advised that a response had been provided to Mr Moncrieff via the Council’s Customer Contact Centre on 15 March 2024, and on this basis he was content that all of Mr Moncrieff’s previous questions had been responded to. The Chair advised that he was happy for Mr Moncrieff to ask any further questions that did not relate to the questions to which an answer had already been provided. Mr Moncrieff advised that he had not been provided with answers to the questions which he had raised previously. The Governance Manager outlined a history of the responses which had been provided to Mr Moncrieff previously, and agreed to provide a summary of this to Mr Moncrieff by e-mail via the Council’s Customer Contact Centre following the meeting. Mr Moncrieff asked the Committee to confirm that all child safety seats on the Council’s school transport vehicles were being checked to ensure that they were fit for purpose and only being used within the manufacturer’s recommended dates of use. The Governance Manager agreed to feedback this question to the relevant officers following the meeting, and to provide a response to Members and Mr Moncrieff via the Council’s Customer Contact Centre. 5. ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL SECONDARY SCHOOL ATTAINMENT REPORTS (a) Campbeltown Grammar School Page 5
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The Committee heard from Ms Donnelly, Acting Head Teacher of Campbeltown Grammar School, who spoke to the school report which had been provided to Members. The report included information on S3 ACEL attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; and data from Insight Scotland. Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment; and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided. Decision: The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Ms Donnelly for her informative presentation and noted the contents of the report and information provided. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 5 June 2024, submitted) (b) Islay High School The Committee heard from Mr Harrison, Head Teacher of Islay High School, who spoke to the school report which had been provided to Members. The report included information on S3 ACEL attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; and data from Insight Scotland. Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment; and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided. The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, wished Mr Harrison well in his retirement. Decision: The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Mr Harrison for his informative presentation and noted the contents of the report and information provided. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 5 June 2024, submitted) (c) Lochgilphead Joint Campus The Committee heard from Mr Helbert, Head Teacher of Lochgilphead Joint Campus, who spoke to the school report which had been provided to Members. The report included information on S3 ACEL attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; and data from Insight Scotland. Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment; and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided. Decision: The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Mr Helbert for his informative presentation and noted the contents of the report and information provided. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 5 June 2024, submitted) Page 6
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(d) Tarbert Academy The Committee heard from Mr McKnight, Head Teacher of Tarbert Academy, who spoke to the school report which had been provided to Members. The report included information on S3 ACEL attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; and data from Insight Scotland. Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment; and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided. The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, wished Mr McKnight well in his retirement. Decision: The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee thanked Mr McKnight for his informative presentation and noted the contents of the report and information provided. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated 5 June 2024, submitted) 6. ARGYLL AND BUTE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP PERFORMANCE REPORTS - FQ3 AND FQ4 2023/24 Consideration was given to the Health and Social Care Partnership Performance Reports for financial quarters 3 and 4 of 2023/24. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee considered and noted the Performance Reports for financial quarters 3 and 4 of 2023/24. (Reference: Report by Business Improvement Manager, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated 5 June 2024, submitted) 7. ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES UPDATE The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided links to the recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure Services. The report also provided an update on works on the B8001 Claonaig Road; the Campbeltown Flood Prevention Scheme; and the replacement of ‘Wall A’ at Campbeltown Harbour. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated May 2024, submitted) 8. KILKERRAN CEMETERY UPDATE REPORT Page 7
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The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided a short update on the works which had been carried out to identify a suitable site for building a new cemetery for Kintyre. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee: 1. noted the remaining availability at Kilkerran Cemetery, which officers estimate will be less than 8 years; 2. noted the proposed cemetery development adjacent to the current Kilkerran Cemetery, the positive discussions with the land owner, and the rejection by the Kings Harbour Master and the MOD; and 3. agreed to write to the MOD to support officers’ attempts to purchase the land which will benefit the local residents and Kintyre communities. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated May 2023, submitted) 9. TARBERT HERITAGE REGENERATION SCHEME (HRS) DEVELOPMENT PHASE UPDATE The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided Members with an update on the progress of the Tarbert Heritage Regeneration Scheme (HRS) Development Phase. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee: 1. considered the contents of the report; 2. agreed to make a Delivery Phase submission to Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and National lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for Heritage and Place Programme (HPP) funding; and 3. noted that if the Delivery Phase application is successful, the Council would be required to identify funding towards the Delivery Phase costs. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 19 April 2024, submitted) 10. SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES FUND 2024/25 Consideration was given to a report which detailed recommendations for the award of the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund (SCF) for the 2024/25 round of funding that had been made available for distribution by the Council to organisations in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area. Decision Page 8
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The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed that the 15 applications, marked as ‘Award’ or ‘Partial Award’ within Appendix 1 of the report, are awarded funding from the Supporting Communities Fund totalling £29,617.50, as follows: Ref Applicant Recommendation Amount Requested Award 2024/25 1 Achnamara Community Trust Award £1,100.00 £1,100.00 2 Moving On Mid Argyll Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 3 Youth Impact Award £1,700.00 £1,700.00 4 Tayvallich Initiative Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 5 Kilmory Dunadd Camanachd Award £2,128.00 £2,128.00 6 Islay and Jura Community Enterprises Ltd Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 7 Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle/ Islay Gaelic Centre Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 8 South Kintyre Development Trust Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 9 Carradale Coastal Creatives Award £1,896.00 £1,896.00 10 Tarbert and Skipness Community Trust Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 11 MACC Business Park Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 12 Campbeltown Picture House Partial award £2,500.00 £2,000.00 13 MAC Pool (Mid Argyll Community) Partial award £2,500.00 £500.00 14 Dochas Carers Centre Partial award £2,286.48 £2,000.00 15 Citizens Advice MAKI Partial award £2,300.00 £793.50 16 Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Mid Argyll No award £2,500.00 £0.00 17 Craignish Village Hall No award £2,500.00 £0.00 Page 9
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18 The Community Bureau No award £2,360.00 £0.00 19 Live Music Now Scotland No award £614.40 £0.00 20 Inveraray Senior Citizens No award £1,243.00 £0.00 21 South Kintyre Seniors Forum No award £2,500.00 £0.00 22 Ford Hall No award £2,500.00 £0.00 23 Isle of Jura Development Trust No award £2,500.00 £0.00 24 1st Campbeltown Brownies No award £2,130.00 £0.00 25 Ardrishaig Community Trust No award £2,500.00 £0.00 26 Bruichladdich hall committee No award £1,690.00 £0.00 27 Cairnbaan Community Trust No award £2,170.00 £0.00 28 Culture Heritage and Arts Assembly CHARTS No award £2,474.80 £0.00 29 Kintyre Seasports No award £2,500.00 £0.00 30 Argyll Talking Newspapers No award £666.66 £0.00 31 Campbeltown Christmas Lights No award £2,500.00 £0.00 32 Argyll FM No award £833.34 £0.00 33 JamDram Jura Amateur Dramatic society No award £1,500.00 £0.00 34 South Islay Development No award £2,500.00 £0.00 35 West Kintyre Promotions No award £2,500.00 £0.00 36 Shopper Aide No award £2,500.00 £0.00 Page 10
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37 Kintyre Way No award £2,400.00 £0.00 38 Cantilena Festival No award £2,500.00 £0.00 TOTAL £81,992.68 £29,617.50 11. AREA PERFORMANCE REPORT - FQ4 2023/24 Consideration was given to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 4 of 2023/24 (January to March 2024), which illustrated the agreed performance measures for the period. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee noted and considered the performance and supporting commentary as presented. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 7 February 2024, submitted) 12. APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS A report asking the Committee to consider making appointments to a number of local bodies/organisations within the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area was considered. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed: 1. to continue consideration of appointments relating to the Tarbert and Skipness Community Trust, Kintyre Youth Fund, and Islay and Jura Community Enterprise Ltd. to the next meeting of the Committee, following the conclusion of the upcoming Ward 2 by-election; 2. to appoint Councillor Jan Brown to the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Locality Planning Group; 3. to appoint Councillor Jan Brown to Urras Achadh An Droighinn/The Auchindrain Trust; 4. to appoint Councillor Jan Brown to the Argyll and Bute Renewables Trust (formerly the Windfarm Trust); 5. to continue consideration of the second Member appointment to the Argyll and Bute Renewables Trust (formerly the Windfarm Trust) to the next meeting of the Committee, following the conclusion of the upcoming Ward 2 by-election; 6. to appoint Councillor John Armour to the Campbeltown Ferry Committee; and Page 11
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7. to continue consideration of the second Member appointment to the Campbeltown Ferry Committee to the next meeting of the Committee, following the conclusion of the upcoming Ward 2 by-election. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 13 May 2024, submitted) 13. MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE AND THE ISLANDS AREA COMMITTEE WORKPLAN The Committee gave consideration to the Area Committee workplan for future meetings. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the workplan. (Reference: Area Committee Workplan, dated 5 June 2024, submitted) 14. CAMPBELL AND MCNEIL BEQUESTS AWARD RECOMMENDATIONS The Committee gave consideration to a report regarding applications for support from the Campbell and McNeil Bequests. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee agreed: 1. to award £100 to the two family applicants who meet the criteria; and 2. to award £50 to the single individual applicant who met the criteria. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated May 2024, submitted) Page 12
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Skills Development Scotland Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Annual Update 4th September 2024 Page 13 Agenda Item 5
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Service Delivery in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands School Service Offer Campbeltown Grammar, Islay High School, Lochgilphead Joint Campus and Tarbert Academy Our careers advisers work delivering career guidance to enable young people from S1-S6 to develop their Career Management Skills via a range of group work and 1-1 coaching conversations. We work closely with our partners within the school to identify young people who are considered most at risk of not making a positive progression from school. Helping those young people to develop their career management skills and move onto education, employment, or training when they leave school. For more information click this link What We Do - Scotland’s Career Service Update School Leaver Destinations Follow Up • Over the school holidays we currently contacting all school leavers Campbeltown Grammar, Islay High School, Lochgilphead Joint Campus and Tarbert Academy (approx.178 pupils) to ensure that they have secured a positive destination post leaving school and offer support to any that haven’t. • These results will be published by the Scottish Government sometime in the new year. • Please click here to see last year’s results. Scottish Government School Leaver Destinations 22-23 Exam Results Helpline 2024 As Scottish learners in received their results on Tuesday 6th August, Skills Development Scotland’s Results Helpline was there to offer information, advice and guidance to Scotland’s young people and their parents and carers. Early reports on response to the Results Helpline has reinforced the vital support the SDS service offers to young people and their families across the country. As soon as the helpline opened at 8am on Tuesday, advisers across the regions were busy taking calls on a range of issues, including the appeals process, Confirmation and Clearing, and help with options on the back of Highers and Nationals results. First Minister, John Swinney was quick to post a message of support, highlighting the Results Helpline as a support service for candidates. Education Secretary, Jenny Gilruth and Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey also promoted the helpline on social media. The Contact Centre team that manages the helpline were also quick to respond to the issue with blank e- mails to learners from SQA by putting in place signposting to the SQA candidate advice line until the problem was resolved. Latest statistics from the Helpline team show that, by the time of closure at 8pm on the first day, numbers of calls had gone up by 17% versus last year. On trend with previous years, the majority of calls were from candidates whilst a third were from parents/carers. Following the ministerial photocall on Monday, there has been nationwide media coverage and CIAG colleagues have continued to support the effort to drive awareness of the helpline. Helpline manager Ruth Scott and a number of advisers have been sharing their guidance and tips on our own social channels and national and regional print and broadcast media, including STV news, BBC Radio 1, BBC Reporting Scotland and Heart FM. Page 14
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Here's a snapshot of some of the coverage achieved to date..... • Listen to BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland news and also listen to Erin Bartley at 1.14 • Listen to Ruth Scott on BBC Radio Scotland Drivetime from 38.30 • Watch Ruth on The Nine from 07.25 • Listen to Erin on Radio 1 Newsbeat at 09.30 • Watch a Sun online interview with Gina Kelly • Read about Jen Whelan helping her daughter Olivia in the Daily Record • When Louise met Maxine - video on My World of Work social media Post School Service Offer Our Next Steps service supports young people aged 16 – 18 (extended to 26 for care experienced young people) who are unemployed, helping them to build up their career management skills and move on to and sustain a range of options as appropriate. We also offer a service to any adult who wishes to develop their career management and employability skills and move into employment or support a career change. Individuals can access help at our local centres at the following locations. Campbeltown, 40 Hall Street, PA28 6BU (based within JobCentre Plus). Please contact 01586 552795 for an appointment. Islay, Islay High School, Flora Street, Bowmore, PA43 7JY. Please contact 01496 545 990 for an appointment. We also can offer virtual and telephone support if required. PACE: Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) PACE is the Scottish Government’s initiative dedicated to responding to redundancy situations. Through providing skills development and employability support, PACE aims to minimise the time individuals affected by redundancy are out of work. PACE brings together 24 organisations, together with the Scottish Government to provide free and impartial advice, guidance and support for individuals affected by redundancy. Our PACE activity is co-ordinated by our Chair Pamela Little. Update • In the current quarter of the financial year, we have had limited PACE activity. However we have offered and delivered PACE support to employees at Ardnahoe Distillery Café and Menzies Parcels. Please contact pacenationalteam@sds.co.uk for any further information Page 15
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Annual Participation Measure The Annual Participation Measure (APM) reports on the education and employment activity of 16 to 19 year olds in Scotland. It is the source of the Scottish government's national performance indicator “Percentage of young adults 16 to 19 year olds participating in education, training or employment”. The APM method takes account of all status of 16- to 19-year-olds in Scotland over one calendar year from the 1st of April to the 31st of March. We report on if they are participating, not participating and unconfirmed is based on which status an individual spent to the greatest numbers of days within the year. See below the Annual Participation Measure from 2023 Update • The 2024 Annual Participation Measure if due to be published on 31st August. • This link will take you to the where the information will be published Link to Annual Participation Measure Page 16
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Local Partnership Support SDS local teams are involved in supporting the following partnerships. • DYW – supporting our DYW colleagues with employer events in schools. • Local Employability Partnership - member of the LEP • Corporate Parent responsibilities – supporting Corporate Parent Board and working closely with the Through Care Forums • CLD – supporting CLD Partnership Board • Community Justice – member of Community Justice Board Skills Development Scotland - General Update Skills Reform SDS has long been an advocate for changes to the learning and skills system to deliver the best results for the people and businesses of Scotland. SDS is working constructively with Scottish Government and partners to realise this ambition. The need for the services delivered by SDS has never been greater. As we look to the future, enabling the people and businesses of Scotland to thrive in a highly disruptive and uncertain world will be essential to Scotland’s future economic growth and prosperity. The Scottish Government’s Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape and the Purpose and Principles on Post-school Education, Research and Skills set out a framework for changes in how these services are delivered. The Scottish Government launched a public consultation into options for the reform of Scotland’s post- school education system on 2 July. The consultation focusses on the areas of funding and provision of apprenticeships and the funding of learner support, and will remain open until 20 September 2024 Apprenticeship funding SDS administers Modern Apprenticeship (MA) funds on behalf of the Scottish Government, and funds independent learning and Local Authority providers of Foundation Apprenticeships. FA provision led by colleges and Graduate Apprenticeships are funded by the Scottish Funding Council. For more info on Foundation Apprenticeships statistics click here. For more info on Graduate Apprenticeship statistics click here SDS continues its work with learning providers to maximise MA and FA starts within our available budget in 2024/25, and in line with previous years. SDS contributes to the costs of training and assessing Modern Apprentices. The level of our contribution depends on the age of the apprentice, the qualification level, and the industry sector. We make enhanced contributions for disabled and care-experienced apprentices up to and including age 29 The Modern Apprenticeship (MA) statistics for 2023-24 have been published on the SDS corporate website. Modern Apprenticeships statistics for 2023 -24 There were 25,365 MA starts created in 2023/24, with 38,607 MAs in training at the end of the financial year. In Argyll & Bute from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 we supported 387 Modern Apprenticeship starts. 62.5% of the starts in the local area were aged 16-24. • 23.5% of MA starts resided in the 20% most deprived areas, compared to 13.8% from the 20% least deprived areas. Page 17
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MA achievement rate increased across all age groups year on year at 76%, with more completing an apprenticeship at higher SCQF levels (76.3% at SCQF L6 and above). The Modern Apprenticeship achievement rate in Argyll & Bute is 74.3%. Individual Training Account (ITA) funding The Scottish Government (SG) have confirmed that funding for Individual Training Accounts will not be available in the SDS budget in 2024/25. In the context of unprecedented pressures on the SG and SDS budget, Ministers have asked SDS to maximise apprenticeship starts in 2024/25. Individuals looking for training opportunities and funding can continue to contact SDS for advice on available options and access SDS career information, advice and guidance services. My World of Work also offers access to a wide range of online learning including free courses. Individuals who successfully applied to the scheme in 2023/24 and have not yet used their funding can still do so until the end of their learner year – 12 months from the approval date of their funding. Flexible Workforce Development Fund and the Apprenticeship Levy The Scottish Government made no funding available for the Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF) for the academic years 2023-24 and 2024-25, in the Scottish Budget 2024-25 announcement. This is a Scottish Government decision and SDS is therefore unable to comment or advise. The Apprenticeship Levy is a UK Government employment tax affecting all UK employers with annual salary bills exceeding £3 million. The levy is collected by HM Revenue and Customs. HM Treasury allocates funding to the Scottish Government through the block grant, and the SG do not receive a separate allocation through the levy. The Scottish Government determines how the funding is spent and so any queries should be directed to the Scottish Government. A recent SG response to the Economy and Fair Work Committee includes detail on levy funding in the annex, section 9. Young People’s and Parents Research The Pupil Voice 2023 research gathers input from senior phase pupils (S4-S6) in Scotland on CIAG services, Foundation Apprenticeships, and the My World of Work web service. Young People Career Ambitions (YPCA) provides insights on the career choices, influences and motivations of school leavers across Scotland. Young People in Scotland, conducted in partnership with Ipsos, explores the views of young people aged 11-18 years, specifically focusing on their plans after school, key influencers and their views and perceptions of careers. Parent and Carers Research provides insight on parents’ perceptions and attitudes towards work-based learning, as well as knowledge of CIAG services and confidence having career conversations with their child. The results from these research projects are shared across SDS to help shape and improve service delivery, and with our government colleagues to inform their evidence base and policy development. The outputs are also available on the SDS corporate website Page 18
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Scottish Apprenticeship Week Many thanks to all stakeholders who made another successful Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2024 possible, with over 140 registered partner events taking place across the country. The annual campaign celebrating apprenticeships will return next year, 3-7 March 2025. Scottish Careers Week Our annual campaign delivered with a wide range of partners who support people in Scotland to make informed career choices. Save the dates! Now in its 4th year, it will run from 11-15 November 2024! Employer Support Skills Development Scotland works directly with employers across Scotland, providing trusted advice that helps employers invest in existing skills, develop new talent using equal and inclusive recruitment, and get the right products to grow their business. We have a series of employer webinars which are free to join or watch back covering a range of themes around skills, recruitment, retention and workforce development. Skills for Growth is a free service for SMEs between 5 – 250 employees from any sector or location in Scotland Find out more at our employer hub SDS Employer Hub or contacting us on 0800 783 6000 Local contact Susan MacRae Area Manager Argyll & Bute and Eilean Siar susan.macrae@sds.co.uk Further information skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk - Corporate Website myworldofwork.co.uk - for all your work, skills and learning needs apprenticeships.scot - for all the latest on apprenticeships Page 19
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE AND THE ISLANDS AREA COMMITTEE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE 4 SEPTEMBER 2024 SERVICES ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES UPDATE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 A Roads and Infrastructure standing report was a fixture on Area Committee agendas throughout the life of the last Council. In the first two rounds of Area Committee meetings in the new Council feedback was sought on the value of these updates, and their format and frequency. Generally Members felt having a standard item was beneficial and it was acknowledged that the Roads and Infrastructure weekly briefings issued to all members each Friday afternoon provide for the main sources of live information on current activities. On top of these briefings there is a bank of resources on the new Member Zone system which include the weekly briefings, subject specific briefings, ad hoc short briefings on issues, relevant previous committee reports, operational service procedures, legislation and Council policies. 1.2 In the last Council the purpose of these reports was to provide an update on service activities but since weekly briefings these have largely superseded the original stated purpose of these reports. 1.3 On the basis of the above this new format has been agreed through the December 2022 round of area committees for this standing item. This format removes duplication for Officers and rather links to existing published information, with additional updates only in the body of the reports if these are specifically requested/noted from previous meetings. The report remains as a standing item and continues to provide the opportunity for Officer engagement at the committee meetings. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that the Area Committee: 2.1 Note and consider the contents of this report. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 Roads and Infrastructure Services provides Members with weekly briefings on topical service activities which are all available here. Page 21 Agenda Item 6
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3.2 As part of the resources on the new Member Zone system there are various key documents available in an online library here. 3.3 There are also additional online resources covering the streetlighting, footway, surface dressing and roads reconstruction programmes available on the website here. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 This report provides links to existing published information on service activities and provides for the opportunity for officer attendance and engagement at committee meetings. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – Roads and Infrastructure work to a number of policies across the range of service areas. 5.2 Financial – revenue and capital budgets are in place to deliver projects and cyclic work. 5.3 Legal – Roads and Infrastructure Services work to a number of different pieces of legislation such as the Roads Scotland Act 194 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990. 5.4 HR – none known. 5.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: 5.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – where appropriate EqSEIAs will be carried out to identify any implications. 5.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – where appropriate EqSEIAs will be carried out to identify any implications. 5.5.3 Islands – where appropriate Island impacts assessments will be carried out to identify any implications. 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 – risk managed through toolbox talks, safety briefings and where appropriate risk registers – all of the above are monitored through the RIS leadership and management teams. 5.8 Customer Service – none known. Page 22
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5.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – none known. Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, Kirsty Flanagan Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services, Councillor John Armour August 2024 For further information contact: Jim Smith, Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services or Mark Calder, Project Manager Page 23
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL MID ARGYLL KINTYRE AND ISLANDS AREA COMMITTEE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES 4 SEPTEMBER 2024 RECYCLING AND RECOVERY PERFORMANCE 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 Argyll and Bute Council is both a waste collection and waste disposal authority. 1.2 Waste disposal is dealt with by 3 separate models across the council as follows: • Island sites e.g. on Mull and Islay where landfill sites are operated directly by the council; • Helensburgh and Lomond area where waste is disposed of at sites outside of Argyll and Bute; • A 25 year (2001 – 2026) Waste PPP contract which covers the rest of Argyll and Bute. 1.3 Waste figures for all four administrative areas have been summarised within this report. Due to the way the reporting is carried out it is not possible to accurately break down the information on an area by area basis for all data. 1.4 National policy decisions, guidance and regulations e.g. relating to the Biodegradable Municipal Waste landfill ban will have a significant impact on future recycling, composting and recovery performance. 1.5 It is recommended that Members note and give consideration to the details as outlined in this report and the national policy drivers that will likely impact over the coming years. Page 25 Agenda Item 7
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL MID ARGYLL KINTYRE AND ISLANDS AREA COMMITTEE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES 4 SEPTEMBER 2024 RECYCLING AND RECOVERY PERFORMANCE 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 Argyll and Bute Council is both a waste collection and waste disposal authority. Recycling, composting and recovery (i.e. other landfill diversion) statistics are reported quarterly within the council’s performance management system. Statutory returns to SEPA e.g. licensed site tonnage, landfill tax and waste data flow vary from quarterly to annual. 2.2 This report provides details on the council’s recycling and landfill diversion performance along with national policy, targets and regulations which are likely to impact on future performance. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 It is recommended that Members note and give consideration to the details as outlined in this report and the national policy drivers that will likely impact over the coming years. 4.0 DETAILS 4.1 The Council’s waste strategy was approved by the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee in September 2019. Whilst this strategy will emerge in line with government guidance, regulation legislation, and contractual requirements the Strategy is predicated on the model shown below in Figure 1. Page 26
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Figure 1 4.2 Argyll and Bute Council operates a performance management system. Quarterly recycling/composting, recovery and landfill percentages are included and split between the Islands waste disposal sites, Waste Management PPP and Helensburgh/Lomond areas. These details include: • percentage of waste recycled and composted; • percentage of waste recovered e.g. other landfill diversion; • combined percentage of waste recycled, composted and recovered; • percentage of waste to landfill; • tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste to landfill. Percentages Summary of Landfill, Recycling, Composting and Recovery 2022 and 2023 2022 2023 Argyll & Bute wide % of waste recycled, composted and recovered 51.8% 53.0% % waste recycled and composted 37.6% 43.3% % waste recovered 14.2% 9.7% % waste landfilled 48.2% 47.0% Tonnes of municipal waste to landfill 28,265 30,872 Page 27
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Waste PPP % of waste recycled, composted and recovered 57.6% 61.2% % waste recycled and composted 36.3% 46.0% % waste recovered 21.3% 15.2% % waste landfilled 42.4% 38.8% Helensburgh & Lomond % of waste recycled, composted and recovered 44.7% 39.5% % waste recycled and composted 40.6% 39.3% % waste recovered 4.2% 0.2% % waste landfilled 55.3% 60.5% Islands % of waste recycled, composted and recovered 37.3% 36.3% % waste recycled and composted 36.7% 36.3% % waste recovered 0.6% 0 % % waste landfilled 62.7% 63.7% 4.3 Some points to note are as follows: • There was an overall improvement in recycling performance in 2023 which was mainly due to an increase in green garden waste, soils and rubble tonnages recycled by Renewi from the PPP area. • There was a drop in recovery performance in 2023 compared to 2022. This was in part due to an energy from waste trial carried out by Renewi in the PPP area in 2022, whereby Renewi sent circa 1,500 tonnes of general mixed residual general waste to an energy from waste (EFW) plant in the central belt. A similar but smaller trial was carried out by Renewi in 2023, whereby a reduced amount of circa 700 tonnes of residual general waste was sent to EFW during the year. • The drop in recovery performance was also due to a reduction in recovery from the Helensburgh and Lomond area. Following The Scottish Government introduction of a Landfill Tax Abatement Order legislation in 2022, Barr Environmental decided to discontinue their waste treatment plant from July 2022 and landfill all residual general waste at their Auchencarroch landfill site near Alexandria. With no recycling or recovery occurring from the mixed general waste at the Barr site from July 2022 onwards, this had a Page 28
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negative impact on overall recycling and recovery rates from the Helensburgh and Lomond area. The negative impact affected 6 months of figures in 2022 and the full year in 2023.This also had a minor impact on the Islands waste recovery rate which fell from 0.6% in 2022 to 0% in 2023 as the Tiree/Coll general waste was transferred to the mainland and disposed of at the Auchencarroch site. • The overall combined recycled, composted and recovery rate however increased from 51.8% in 2022 to 53% in 2023. This is mainly due to the increased recycling in the PPP area described in the first bullet point above. • The recovery in the Waste PPP area is carried out by Renewi mainly through residual waste mechanical biological treatment plants based at their waste facilities near Oban, Dunoon and Lochgilphead. In 2022 and 2023 Renewi also sent some residual general waste to an energy from waste (EFW) plant in the central belt. Waste sent for energy from waste is also classed as recovery. • The recovery in the Helensburgh and Lomond area was carried out by Barr Environmental at their Auchencarroch waste facility, near Alexandria. As described, Barr ceased operation of their mixed residual waste treatment plant following The Scottish Government Landfill Tax Abatement Order which was introduced from July 2022. Since July 2022 until the end of 2023, Barr landfilled all mixed general waste at their Auchencarroch Landfill Site. In January 2024, Barr Environmental closed the Auchencarroch landfill site and ceased operations completely at the end of March 2024. Since January 2024, Helensburgh and Lomond’s general waste has been going for refuse derived fuel (RDF)/energy from waste which will see a significant increase in recovery tonnages for 2024. • Cardboard is consistently now the most prominent recycling material in the blue recycling bin (previously paper which was the highest proportion pre- pandemic). The increase in the cardboard proportion in recent years is likely due to more on-line purchasing while newspapers are not as widely purchased in hard copy compared to previous years. • The overall percentage waste to landfill in 2023 (47.0%) was a lower percentage than 2022 (48.2%) due to the increased recycling levels in the PPP area relating mainly to green garden waste ,soils and rubble. • The tonnage of municipal waste to landfill, however in 2023 (i.e. 30,872 tonnes) was more than in 2022 (i.e.28,365 tonnes).This was mainly due to the Renewi energy from waste trial being smaller in 2023 than in 2022, plus Barr Environmental landfilled all general waste in 2023 following the cessation of their waste treatment plant from July 2022. • Recycling and composting is mainly from recycling collections to households and businesses, bring sites and segregated wastes from recycling/civic amenity sites. Recovery is predominantly moisture/process loss and compost like output from mixed waste treatment plants operated by Renewi. Page 29
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In addition there was also some recovery from a Renewi energy from waste trial where some residual general waste was sent to an energy from waste plant in the central belt. • SEPA published annual recycling, recovery and landfill data for local authorities focuses mainly on recycling/composting from household waste and less on recovery in line with the waste hierarchy. Landfill Ban 4.4 The Waste (Scotland) Regulations were introduced by the Scottish Government in 2012 and included a landfill ban of biodegradable waste from 2021. 4.5 The landfill ban planned for 2021 was subsequently delayed by The Scottish Government until the end of 2025. This delay was welcomed by the Council and provided more time for alternative solutions and funding to be sought. An update report on the Waste PPP/Landfill Ban was included in the June 2024 Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee plus additional Scottish Government funding of £1.5 million towards compliance in the PPP contract area was announced in July this year. Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) 4.6 The UK Government had indicated a planned start date of October 2025 for a UK wide deposit return scheme, however this has since been delayed until 2027. 4.7 A UK wide DRS scheme may result in an overall increase in recycling including other environmental benefits e.g. current non-recyclers may use the scheme plus there should be less littering of such items. The scheme may however, see a slight reduction in Council recycling performance if plastic drinks bottles and cans are no longer handled by Council recycling collections albeit they should still be recycled in future via the UK wide DRS scheme. Scottish Government Circular Economy Bill 4.8 During June 2024, The Scottish Government published details of its Circular Economy Bill. Further details on these Scottish Government proposals and Bill have been and will be reported at future ED&I Committees as they progress. Some of the main proposals which relate to local authorities recycling are as follows: • A Duty of Care on households regarding their waste and recycling with new powers given to local authorities for the issuing of fixed penalties to enforce this. • Local Authorities will be required to comply with a statutory code of practice on recycling. • The Scottish Government will have the powers to set mandatory recycling targets on Local Authorities from 2030 onwards. Page 30
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5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 In concluding this report, steady progress was made on overall recycling and composting performance during 2023. Recovery performance however decreased which resulted in increased tonnages to landfill in 2023. Landfill should be reduced in 2024 as the Barr Environmental Auchencarroch landfill site (near Alexandria) closed at the end of 2023.The council now uses alternative providers for the Helensburgh and Lomond general waste which now goes mainly for recovery e.g. refuse derived fuel/energy from waste. National Policy drivers such as the ban on municipal waste to landfill, the deposit return scheme and the circular economy bill will have significant implications for future recycling, composting and recovery performance. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy National policies and regulations will likely impact on future recycling, composting and recovery performance. The council’s policy is to reduce landfill. 6.2 Financial The end of 2025 ban on biodegradable waste to landfill will have financial implications. An update report was included in the June 2024 Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee. 6.3 Legal The landfill ban is a legal requirement under the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012. Other legal requirements may likely result following The Scottish Government Circular Economy Bill e.g. statutory code of practice for recycling. 6.4 HR None known. 6.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: 6.5.1 Equalities – protected characteristics None known. 6.5.2 Socio-economic Duty None known. 6.5.3 Islands The landfill ban will require increased transport of waste off the islands of Mull and Islay from the Glengorm (Mull) and Gartbreck (Islay) waste and recycling facilities. 6.6 Climate Change The landfill ban will significantly reduce methane emissions from landfill sites however there will be additional transport related emissions with waste Page 31
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having to travel longer distances for treatment/disposal. 6.7 Risk Risks to the council on the landfill ban and any other future statutory requirements are mainly financial. A future UK wide deposit return scheme for plastic drinks containers and cans will hopefully have an overall environmental benefit, although it may impact on council recycling rates. 6.8 Customer Services None at present. 6.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) None known Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services: Kirsty Flanagan Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services: Councilor John Armour For further information contact: John Blake – Fleet, Waste & Transport Manager Page 32
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL MAKI AREA COMMITTEE ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE 4 SEPTEMBER 2024 SERVICES KILKERRAN CEMETERY UPDATE REPORT 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 This report provides a short update on the works carried out to identify another site to build a new cemetery for Kintyre. 1.2 It was previously reported to the MAKI Area Committee in March and December 2023 that there were no cemeteries with less than 5 years capacity in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area, with Kilkerran Cemetery having a maximum of 8 years of availability according to current calculations based on lairs being sold at first point of requirement (i.e. no pre-sale of Lairs). 1.3 A further update report was presented to the June MAKI Area Committee as per the below link: June 2024 MAKI Area Committee Kilkerran Cemetery Update Report 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 The MAKI Area Committee are asked to: • Note that officers have continued to try and engage with the MOD as well as the Kings Harbour Master to discuss their objection to our initial request to re- purpose the land adjacent to the current cemetery. This has been further supported by a letter being sent from the MAKI Area Committee Chair to the MOD and the Kings Harbour Master requesting a suitable date to meet on site. • Note that a meeting took place on Thursday 22 August with the Kings Harbour Master (KHM), MOD estates, Argyll and Bute Marine Officers and Network and Standards Officers to discuss the MOD’s initial letter of objection. This was a positive meeting where the KHM and the MOD agreed that having looked at the Council’s proposal for the purchase and use of the land as a cemetery in more detail, they were of the opinion that this would not likely have any effect on the Ship Light Beacon provided no LED or lights were placed on grave stones and no gravestones were erected which were above 6 feet. • Note that the KHM and MOD will now look at internal processes for the potential purchase or lease of the land to Argyll and Bute Council, however this would be dependent on their estates and legal sections agreeing. Page 33 Agenda Item 8
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• Note that the Assistant Network and Standards Manager will now make contact with the local land owner with a view to entering into negotiations for the other part of the cemetery. 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 Officers previously reported that the alternative site at Moy on the B842 last year was no longer available to purchase, and that there is now very limited availability of land to create a new cemetery in the Campbeltown area. 3.2 Having discussed and identified the local landowner of a site to the north of the current cemetery, as well part of the land being owned by the MOD; officers have had positive discussions with the local landowner and thereafter have, for several months, engaged with the MOD to purchase the land for a cemetery extension. 3.3 In June 2024, the MOD refused the purchase of the land and its use as a cemetery stating that the Kings Harbour Master rejected our request for cemetery development as “any development in the vicinity of this site could impact/obscure the rear leading navigation light into Campbeltown Harbour”. 3.4 Whilst the above comments are noted, officers requested a meeting preferably on site with the MOD and the Kings Harbour Master to discuss our plans which we feel may still be able to allow the development of a cemetery at the location without impacting on any visibility of the beacon. This meeting took place on Thursday 22 August 2024 with a positive outcome that the KHM has agreed that the suggested development of the land into a cemetery was not likely to cause any issues for the lighting beacon or ships coming into the area. 3.5 It was agreed that the MOD and KHM would discuss the potential purchase or lease of the land to the Council and a further meeting will be scheduled in approximately 6 weeks’ time for further discussions. The MOD have confirmed that this may be a complex matter regarding the purchase or lease of the land and will take some time to go through their relevant estates and legal sections, however they will progress. 3.6 If the MOD land is not available for sale but agreement to a cemetery extension in the field is accepted by the MOD, vehicle access issues will still remain. A revised design will necessitate use of the farm track and potentially breaking through the existing Kilkerran Cemetery boundary walls in places, to provide suitable vehicular routes. 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 Kilkerran cemetery has sufficient overall capacity for a maximum 8 years, restrictions are in place to preserve remaining lair space, however we have limited availability for any other land to provide a new cemetery in the Kintyre area. Officers would highlight that if successful in negotiating the purchase of land at Page 34
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Kilkerran, this would facilitate an extension to the current cemetery at Kilkerran which we estimate will allow at least 30 years lair availability. 4.2 A further update will be provided to the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee once discussions have progressed. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – None known. 5.2 Financial – Cemetery extensions and new developments require additional Capital funding, to provide “ready to use” infrastructure to sustain the burial service at local levels. 5.3 Legal – The Council, as Burial Authority, must provide at least one cemetery. 5.4 HR – None known. 5.5 Fairer Scotland Duty: None known. 5.5.1 Equalities - protected characteristics – None known. 5.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – Provision of the burial service at local level sustains the business models of both the Council and private providers and reduces the overall cost to customers. 5.5.3 Islands – None known. 5.6 Climate Change – None known. 5.7 Risk – Land suitability, availability and development costs, may affect the viability of retaining a local burial service. 5.8 Customer Service – Cemetery development programme aims to provide and maintain the burial service at local level wherever practicable. 5.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – None known. Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services: Kirsty Flanagan Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Councillor John Armour August 2024 Page 35
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For further information contact: Jim Smith, Head of Road and Infrastructure Services jim.smith@argyll-bute.gov.uk Hugh O’Neill, Network and Standards Manager hugh.oneill@argyll-bute.gov.uk Page 36
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 04 September 2024 Craighouse to Corran Sands, Isle of Jura Active Travel Route Progress Report 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1. This report updates Members on the progress made in relation to developing plans to improve opportunities to walk, wheel or cycle between Craighouse and Corran Sands on the Isle of Jura. This project was identified as a priority for the community in the Isle of Jura Community Action Plan 2018 – 2023. 1.2. Officers secured external funding in 2023/24 from the highly competitive Transport Scotland Places for Everyone (PFE) programme, administered by Sustrans, to enable initial feasibility (stage 1) and development of concept designs (stage 2). 1.3. A project steering group including representatives of Jura Community Council, Jura Community Development Trust, Argyll and Bute Council and Sustrans was formed. The steering group helped guide the project to ensure it delivered to the needs of the community. 1.4. Two design options have been developed to concept design, a do-minimum option which remains within the existing adopted road corridor of the A846 and a do-something option which provides a higher level of service to users but requires additional land. While concept design usually produces a single, preferred option, two options were developed as the community preference is for a do-something option but there are challenges in securing landowner agreement to the very high specification for an off-road path imposed by Sustrans. 1.5. A 2024/25 funding application has been submitted to Transport Scotland’s Places for Everyone (PFE) programme to enable identification of a final preferred option, and for this option to be progressed through Developed Design (stage 3) in 2024/25 and Technical Design (stage 4) in 2025/26. A decision in regard to 2024/25 funding is expected in late summer 2024. Should members decide not to support the future development of the project the funding application will be withdrawn. 1.6. Technical design (stage 4) is the final stage of the design process and a further report will be presented to Members prior to commencement of any construction. RECOMMENDATIONS 1.7. It is recommended that the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands members: Page 37 Agenda Item 9
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1.7.1. Support progression of the project to full Technical Design, as required by the external funder. 1.7.2. Instruct Officers, subject to securing external funding, to identify a single preferred option and to continue development of the designs for this option to Developed Design (stage 3) and Technical Design (stage 4). Page 38
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 04 September 2024 Craighouse to Corran Sands, Isle of Jura Active Travel Route Progress Report 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1. This report updates Members on the progress made in relation to developing plans to improve opportunities to walk, wheel or cycle between Craighouse and Corran Sands on the Isle of Jura. This project was identified as a priority for the community in the Isle of Jura Community Action Plan 2018 – 2023. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1. It is recommended that the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands members: 3.1.1. Support progression of the project to full Technical Design, as required by the external funder. 3.1.2. Instruct Officers, subject to securing external funding, to identify a single preferred option and to continue development of the designs for this option to Developed Design (stage 3) and Technical Design (stage 4). 4.0 DETAIL 4.1. The Council’s Active Travel Team, 1.7 FTE (Full Time Equivalent employees), is part of the Strategic Transport Team within the Development and Economic Growth Service. No Council funding is currently received by the Active Travel Team. All project costs, including internal staff costs, have to be funded via successfully securing highly competitive external challenge funds. 4.2. In 2023/24 the Active Travel Team secured £2.56M external funding for the development and delivery of a total of 22 projects across Argyll and Bute, including the Craighouse to Corran Sands Active Travel Route. This required 18 separate competitive funding applications, to 5 separate funds. Funding 4.3. Transport Scotland’s Places for Everyone (PFE) programme is the primary external active travel design funding available in Scotland. It is structured around 8 project stages with a competitive challenge fund, with the 32 local authorities, 7 regional transport partnerships, two national parks and numerous community groups across Scotland competing against each other to secure the funding each project requires. Page 39
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4.4. As of 2024/25, the construction element of the funding has been taken into a separate competitive fund, Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Infrastructure Fund (ATIF). ATIF still requires a separate competitive application to be submitted but is, currently, only open for applications once a year. All projects submitted to ATIF must be ready in all respects to commence construction, including having any legal or regulatory approvals required in place. 4.5. A minimum of three new competitive funding submissions are required to complete a project using external funding, with competitive applications required, as a minimum, to PFE prior to Stage 0 (Strategic Definition) and Stage 3 (Developed Design) and to the new Transport Scotland ATIF prior to Stage 5 (Construction). The project stages are (0) Strategic Definition, (1) Preparation and Brief, (2) Concept Design), (3) Developed Design, (4) Technical Design, (5) Construction, (6) Handover & Close Out, and (7) In Use. 4.6. Officers have submitted a funding application for 24/25 funding from Transport Scotland’s Places for Everyone Programme to enable this work continue the design process through Developed Design (stage 3) in 2024/25 and Technical Design (stage 4) in 2025/26. A decision in regard to 2024/25 funding is expected in late summer 2024. Should members decide not to support the future development of the project the funding application will be withdrawn. Community Engagement 4.7. The Craighouse to Corran Sands route was identified by the community as a key missing link to enable more people to choose to walk, wheel or cycle for everyday journeys on Jura. The community have already constructed a rough path linking Knockrome to the Corran Sands car park. 4.8. Several rounds of community engagement were undertaken including in-person events on Jura and online events/consultation website. The consultation identified: • Strong community support for improvement. • Preference for an alternative to walking on the 60mph single track A846 outside Craighouse where possible. • Concerns regarding visibility especially due to vegetation growth along side of A836, and a lack of suitable locations to ‘step-off’ the single track A846 to allow vehicles to pass. • Desire the route included the new housing at Otter Brae on the south of Craighouse which were developed without a footway connection to Craighouse. The study area was altered to include these new dwellings. Concept Design 4.9. In addition to linking around 80% of all dwelling on Jura, the route will also provide a suitable opportunity to choose to walk or cycle to the Small Isles Primary School, Jura Distillery, Jura Hotel, Jura Service Point, Community Shop, Community Hall, Church, Playpark, Pier, Community Fire Station and the Coastguard Station. Page 40
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4.10. The paid PFE fund administrators, Sustrans, impose a significant number of design conditions on the PFE funding. These include an aim of providing a high level of service under Cycle by Design (2021) guidance and limitations of a minimum 3m width for off-road paths and a maximum gradient of 7%. Where cyclists are expected to on road Sustrans require designs to include a maximum 20mph speed limit. 4.11. A number of design options were identified for discussion with the community, Argyll and Bute Council Roads and Infrastructure Service, landowners and other stakeholders. From these discussions two options were developed to concept design stage, a do-minimum option and a do-something option. Both option include new pedestrian footways within Craighouse, with the main differences being outside Craighouse between the village edge and Corran Sands. 4.12. Do-minimum option aims to minimise any private land required and therefore restricts the design to the current corridor of the A846. As such, outside Craighouse it consists of minor interventions on the A846 to improve visibility, manage vehicle speeds are key locations and improve opportunities for pedestrians and cyclists to ‘step-off’ the A846 to allow vehicles to pass. While a cheaper option and deliverable without private land take, the do-minimum option fails to provide a high level of service under Cycle by Design. 4.13. Do-something option aims to provide a high level of service under Cycle by Design and to meet more of the Sustrans imposed design requirements. As such, outside Craighouse the proposal was for an off-road wide path which mirrored the alignment of the A846 but would require access to private land. To reduce cost, the design proposed returning onto the A846 for short distances to cross 3 larger rivers using the existing A846 bridges rather than constructing new bridges specifically for the path. To more closely align with Sustrans design requirements, the do-something option was proposed at 2m wide with a bound surface. The proposed width still requires to be agreed with Sustrans, as while it is more in keeping with the rural location it is lower than Sustrans stated design requirements. While supported by the community, the main landowners expressed concern that the provision of an off-road path was out of keeping with Jura and therefore have not agreed to this option at present. 4.14. The community expressed a preference for the do-something option, but agreed with the view that the Sustrans imposed minimum width of 3m for a share-use path is excessively wide for the likely user numbers on Jura, and that a 2m wide path would be more appropriate. Unfortunately, engagement to date with Sustrans has failed to secure their agreement to a derivation from the design standards imposed to enable a less obtrusive path width to be considered. It is planned to continue engagement with Sustrans, community and landowners in future design stages. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1. Provision of an improved walking, wheeling and cycling route linking Craighouse and Corran Sands on the Isle of Jura would provide opportunities for residents and visitors to travel more sustainably and actively by walking and cycling. This Page 41
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will provide an alternative to having to use a private car to travel between these communities and help lower Argyll and Bute’s carbon footprint. Funding for the development of designs to date has been secured from Transport Scotland’s Places for Everyone (PFE) Programme with further competative applications having been submitted, but not yet funded, to enable the design process to be completed in 2024/25 and 2025/26. 5.2. The delivery of the route is dependent on completing the design work, securing highly competitive external challenge funding, committing appropriate match funding and potentially securing access to private land should the do-something option continue to be the preferred option. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1. Policy Completion of this project will support the Council’s SOA outcomes 2: We have infrastructure that supports sustainable growth and 5: People live active, healthier and independent lives. The project also supports achievement of the Scottish Government’s objectives set out in the Cycling Action Plan for Scotland (CAPS) and Let’s Get Scotland Walking - The National Walking Strategy. 6.2. Financial The design, construction and land purchase will be funded by external competitive funding applications. External funding is not currently available to cover maintenance costs. To date, the Council has not contributed any funding to design or capital costs. There is strong evidence that people who are more active, for example by walking or cycling, have been physical and mental health and are less likely to require social care services in later life which could result in a future saving to the Council or HSCP. 6.3. Legal Future input will be required from Legal Services to support land agreements should these be deemed necessary. 6.4. HR None. 6.5. Fairer Scotland Duty: 6.5.1 Equalities Completion of this project will provide opportunities for the majority of the population of Jura to travel more sustainably and actively by walking, wheeling and cycling. The route will be been designed to be DDA compliant and will provide a safe and accessible route for those Page 42
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with mobility aids including wheelchairs and parents/guardians with a child’s pram or buggy. 6.5.2 Socio- economic Duty The route, once completed, will offer residents and visitors the opportunity to choose to travel using active modes, which are lower cost than alternative modes of transport. The route will also improve access to essential services, retail, leisure and employment opportunities for residents living along the route. The path will also offer opportunities for individuals to travel for leisure. 6.5.3 Islands There are no adverse impacts. 6.6. Climate Change Active Travel is the least carbon intensive mode of travel. Providing the opportunity for residents and visitors to consider an alternative to having to use a private car to travel between these communities will help lower Argyll and Bute’s carbon footprint. 6.7. Risk There is a reputational risk to the Council if the project is not completed within a reasonable timeframe. 6.8. Customer Services None. 6.9. The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Active travel is the most accessible mode of travel to young people, as it does not have any minimum age limits, does not require any form of licence, is free to use and is not tied to any fixed timetable. All new active travel infrastructure is designed to be utilised by an unaccompanied 12 year old. Engagement feedback demonstrates even stronger support for the delivery of the active travel route from younger members of the community than the already high overall level of community support. Wider engagement with school pupils indicates that the vast majority of pupils strongly support the provision of new active travel infrastructure, even where it would adversely impact other modes of transport. Executive Director with the responsibility for Development and Economic Growth: Kirsty Flanagan Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services: Councillor John Armour 19 July 2024 For further information contact: Colin Young Strategic Transportation Delivery Officer Colin.Young@argyll-bute.gov.uk Page 43
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Tel: 01546 604275 Page 44
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Mid-Argyll, Kintrye & Isles ARGYLL & BUTE COUNCIL AREA COMMITTEE SUMMARY REPORT August 2024 CULTURE, HERITAGE AND ARTS ASSEMBLY, ARGYLL AND ISLES (CHARTS) 2023-2024. ‘To raise our profile as a centre for cultural activity and vibrant and sustainable creative sector’ Argyll & Bute Council Economic Strategy 2019 -2023 For details see Annual Review 2023- 2024 Page 45 Agenda Item 10
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This report highlights CHARTS work including impact and key projects: W e support Argyll and Bute’s culture, heritage and arts sector under 4 strategic areas, Achieve, Connect, Promote, Sustain: • Key project supporters 2023-2024, include the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Creative Scotland, the Art Fund, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Museums and Galleries Scotland and the Scottish Government (islands) • National collaborators include the School of Innovation and Technology at the Glasgow School of Art, University of St Andrews, University of Glasgow • Key regional partners include Live Argyll, the Argyll and Bute Tourism Cooperative and the Argyll and Bute Museum and Heritage Forum • W e support 680 professional members, including individuals, cultural organisations and venues PHOTO CREDITS; Argyll Collection at Mount Stuart June 23 (top) , Campbeltown Museum Aug 24 Page 46
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Local impact 23/24 to date • Reflect, Remembering Together –community projects create places of memory across 4 Argyll locations as part of a national post-covid memorial programme (November 23- August 24). This included Campbeltown Museum and the Linda McCartney Memorial Trust working in partnership with lead artist Kirsten Millar and local artists to design a new sundial for the garden. Project participants included the Friends of Campbeltown Museum, Kintyre Care Centre, the Woodlands Centre and primary schools; Castlehill, Clachan, Rhunahaorine and home school groups in South Argyll. See film link enclosed: Our Community Reflects Day (August 24), including participants across the 4 Reflect Argyll locations. Funder, The Scottish Government, partners, Greenspace Scotland, Argyll and Bute Council. • Visual Artists and Craft Makers Awards (VACMA) – 7 VACMA awards were distributed throughout Argyll and Bute. This included 3 artists receiving professional development awards based in Mid-Argyll. Funders, Creative Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council. • Islands Support projects, funded by the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland included participation by island resident artists in business mentoring and international development projects. This included CHARTS supporting an artist in Jura to make new work links in Norway and Denmark. • See also Heritage & Museums and Youth Training & St Columba/Colmcille Exhibition Tour information to follow: Page 47
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Heritage & Museums Leadership includes Youth Training & Routes to Employability Campbeltown Museum CHARTS partnership with liveArgyll: • CHARTS manages the development of Campbeltown Museum; collections support, future planning, staffing, exhibitions, events and workshops • Facilitating an apprenticeship in Museums and Galleries Studies, supported by Museums Galleries Scotland (23—23) resulted in a new job for a local resident; Heritage Access and Learning Assistant (2023-current) • The museum now provides school and outreach education access and school holiday events • 1914 visitors (April 23-24) • See international visitor map created: • https://www.chartsargyllandisles.org/projects-and- showcases/campbeltown-museum/ Complementary CHARTS support includes Gaelic Culture Officer, communications and marketing, fundraising and project support to improve museum access. Page 48
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Heritage & Museums, Youth Training Local impact to date Argyll Aspires • Argyll Aspires – 14 month paid Archive Assistant Traineeship created at the Argyll Papers supported by Friends of the Argyll Papers and Argyll Estates. • 95 Schoolchildren took part in tours and talks and over 80,00 visitors saw the temporary exhibitions created by the trainee at Inveraray Castle. - Professional Youth-Peer Networks created at Campbelltown Museum - Collaboration with Developing Young Workforce led to films for national Creative Careers Week with outreach activities at Campbelltown Museum Funder – National Heritage Lottery Fund, supported by the Gannochy Trust • Archive Assistant Traineeship featured as national case study in Scottish Archives & Records Year in Review • See Argyll Aspires Evaluation Report at the CHARTS website: • https://www.chartsargyllandisles.or g/media/7335/argyll-aspires- report.pdf Page 49
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ST COLUMBA/ COLMCILLE EXHIBITION Five Venue Tour 23 -24 Campbeltown Museum Islay Gaelic Centre Kilmartin Museum Rockfield Centre, Oban Iona Community Hall Page 50
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Colmcille Tour Achievements 2023-2024 • 400+ attendees at launch events • 6,000+ people viewed the exhibition • 15 musicians employed from Argyll and Ireland • 4 artists employed to lead workshops • 1 young person event management experience • 4 photographers employed • 4 young musician performers employed • 1 Gaelic Cultural officer supporting launch events • 1 co-ordinator employed, managing the tour • 4 local caterers employed for launch events • Local accommodation providers utilised • New partnership with Donegal Museum, enabled through matched funding between Scotland and Ireland • Campbeltown Museum staff trained to facilitate the regional Colmcille tour by Donegal Museum • Tour concluding in Iona, included 5 venues including Islay Gaelic Centre (4280 visitors) and Kilmartin Museum event (454 visitors) • Campbeltown Museum year-long tour launch (1021 visitors) Page 51
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Key Support THE ARGYLL COLLECTION, RECONNECTED 23 -24 • New CHARTS partnership with Argyll and Bute Council, Education • £50k fundraised from the Art Fund (UK) to review cultural value and build awareness of the Argyll Collection • Youth training, regional school and community activities also supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Gannochy Trust • Collection inventory and condition check - 179 council owned art works in every school and library • Collaborators include, University of Andrews, University of Glasgow, Makerere University, Kampala Page 52
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Key Support GAELIC LANGUAGE & CULTURE HIGHLIGHTS • Gaelic Culture Strategy under development; region- wide consultation events took place including at Campbeltown Museum • Gaelic Culture Officer, reports to the Gaelic Policy Lead Group, Argyll and Bute Council. Funder Bòrd na Gàidhlig. • Gaelic Culture Officer supports development and delivery of the Argyll Gaelic Gathering working in collaboration with the Council. • Projects include building relationships between Argyll and Ireland – CHARTS commended by Bòrd na Gàidhlig • Match project funding developed for Colmcille Exhibition Tour from Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Foras na Gaeilge in Ireland • PHOTO CREDITS: (Top) Gaelic environment event Kilmartin Glen; Gaelic strategy consultation Page 53
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Our Impact 2023-2024 Argyll and Bute Council funding of £75k (23-24) enabled CHARTS to generate a total of £371,825, to support cultural development. Impacts included: • 67,700 views to the CHARTS website • 25 media features – regional and national press & tv • 33 opportunities created to work in Argyll • 5 paid apprenticeships/traineeships delivered for young people • 11 countries and 4 continents hosted international work by Argyll’s artists • 24 arts and heritage commissions created • New Gaelic connections made between Argyll and Ireland • New Argyll Collection connections made: W orking with Makerere University, Uganda, regarding African art in the collection Profiling the collection via the world leading Smartify App Page 54
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CHARTS grows local opportunity, creating work in partnership with others regionally and nationally to support and raise the profile of the cultural sector in Argyll and Bute. Argyll and Bute Council funding of £75k (24-25) despite inflation, enables CHARTS to continue its valuable work for education, employment, social and economic development. This currently includes CHARTS management and research of the Council-owned Argyll Collection, further to the Council’s additional request for support and new investment secured by CHARTS from the Art Fund (£50k -2023/4),to enable first stage review of the collection’s cultural significance; educational, economic and social values. This project has resulted in wide-ranging interest in this heritage asset created by the Council in the1960s and has built its profile regionally, nationally and internationally. As the Art Fund’s support for this first phase review is due to end in Autumn 2024, this means that additional funds will be required for continued Argyll Collection development facilitated by CHARTS in partnership with the Council. Since 2020 CHARTS has fundraised more than £1.4m in total - including and due to annual Council investment (2020-25). Our work brings significant return. For further information, contact CHARTS Board Seymour Adams Seymour@chartsargyllandisles.org https://www.chartsargyllandisles.org CHARTS is a SCIO registered in Scotland SC049113 Page 55
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Annual Review 2023–24 Page 57
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The CHARTS network supports a sustainable future for the culture, heritage and arts sector in Argyll and Bute. It was developed through the Creative Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council Place Partnership Programme, with additional European funding secured through the Leader programme. Following extensive consultation with the sector, CHARTS became a registered, membership-guided charity (SCIO) in 2019. We aim to: z Foster collaborative working across the whole culture, heritage and arts sector z Build the area’s cultural profile z Co-operatively grow our audiences and customers by marketing ourselves and others locally, nationally and internationally z Co-design and deliver partnership projects that engage communities and visitors z Advocate for the needs and benefits of cultural activity About Welcome 1 HOW WE WORK 2 The Board & Core staff 2 Infrastructure, Working groups and Steering Group 3 Delivery themes 4 Our impact 5 Key funders, partners & collaborators 6 DELIVERY THEMES & CASE STUDIES 8 A. Supporting islands as distinct cultural centres 8 Case study: Coastal Cultures 10 Case study: Ràmh 12 Case study: Donald MacDougall 12 Case study: Shannen Calderwood 13 B. Increasing access to heritage 14 Case study: Argyll Aspires 16 Case study: The Argyll Collection, Reconnected 18 Case study: The Argyll Collection, Reconnected – Research 23 Case study: Lily Vaughan 24 C. Gaelic development 25 Case study: Cuairt Chaluim Chille // Touring St Columba 27 Case study: Feàrna/Alder 29 Case study: Embroidery Workshop 31 D. International support 32 My experience: Miel Zwamborn 35 E. Member support 36 F. Supporting engagement, post pandemic 40 Remember Together, Reflect 41 Case study: How it Feels to be Apart 42 OUR TEAM 43 OUR FUTURE 44 Page 58
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In my fifth and final year as Chair, I am delighted to introduce our Annual Review 2023–24 on behalf of the CHARTS Board. Throughout this period, a huge amount of work has been delivered, built on an ethos of co-working and collaboration across the culture sector in Argyll and Bute. The organisation has supported its membership comprised of 678 individuals, arts centres and heritage organisations through building connectivity, the development of new commissions, profile raising, mentoring and assisting businesses and existing projects to sustain and grow their practice, all made possible by the invaluable support of the many funding streams and partnerships outlined in this review. Our services are increasingly in demand from our members, so to meet goals more effectively, we have continued to grow our relationships with key regional and national bodies. These include the Scottish Government, liveArgyll, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Foras na Gaeilge, greenspace scotland, Creative Carbon Scotland, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the School of Innovation and Technology at the Glasgow School of Art. For the first time this year, with funding from Creative Scotland, we piloted international development support, leading to opportunities for members in eleven countries worldwide. Additionally, through the review of the outstanding council- owned Argyll Collection, which includes artworks by prominent African artists, the organisation rekindled links between Argyll and Uganda, first forged in the 1960s. In turn, this has grown the range of collaboration with academic bodies, now including close working with the University of St Andrews and Makerere University, Kampala. CHARTS projects work in iterative cycles, enabling us to learn as we develop; the Business Plan for 2025–28 shows the areas CHARTS continues to grow, based on the outcomes of past projects. Reflecting on my five years as Chair, the organisation has grown exponentially in ambition and scope. This would not have been possible without the dedication of the staff and trustees, past and present, and without the ongoing funding support from Argyll and Bute Council and Creative Scotland, amongst others. In a difficult funding climate, organisations such as CHARTS have a hugely important role to play in encouraging and profiling the sector. I will watch with interest as CHARTS continues to grow and support culture, heritage and the arts in the region. Jo McLean CHAIR Welcome 1 CHARTS Annual Review 2023–241 Page 59
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How we work Core staff Kathleen O’Neill DIRECTOR Kirsten Millar COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING MANAGER Rhiannon McIntyre VIRTUAL CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER Project teams consist of highly experienced freelance staff commissioned on a project-by-project basis. These staff members work to fixed-term contracts to support arts and heritage commissions and projects with costs met by project funders. Additionally, during 2023–24, Bòrd na Gàidhlig provided funding to secure the employed positions of Gaelic Culture Officer Àdhamh Ó Broin and Islands Culture Officer Caitlin McNeill. All staff work closely across project themes as appropriate, forging skills networks to ensure that all strategic goals are met. Argyll and Bute Council provide year-round in-kind support and, during 2023–24, provided a foundational grant to contribute in part towards core staffing costs and operational delivery. WE LISTEN WE CO-DESIGNMEMBERS WE FUNDRAISEWE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES WE SUPPORT PROJECT DELIVERY WE EVALUATE Our way of working creates a virtuous cycle focused on members and their needs. The Board (2023–24) Jo McLean CHAIR Seymour Adams VICE-CHAIR Julian Forrester Rachel Kellow Cllr Ross Moreland (RESIGNED APRIL 2023) Ex-Officio Trustees: Cllr Luna Martin (APPOINTED JUNE 2024) Dr Michael Pierre Johnson SCHOOL OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART The Board is supported by: Arlene Cullum ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL TRANSFORMATION AND REGENERATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Eleanor McKinnon CHAIR. CHARTS STEERING GROUP Image: Coastal Cultures, Between the Tides, Mary Morrison (CHARTS) and Jen Skinner (Screen Argyll). © CHARTS 22 Page 60
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Steering Group The Steering Group is an important part of the organisational structure, keeping staff and board informed of needs at local level. This group represents the CHARTS membership and currently comprises 12 people supporting arts, heritage and area profile raising initiatives at a local and regional level. Members of the Steering Group are invited as leaders in their field with an understanding of strategic development and/or by leadership roles in their local council area. Representation includes: z Oban, Lorne & Isles – The Rockfield Centre z Mid Argyll, Kintyre & Isles – Iain Johnson (Kintyre Cultural Forum) z Bute and Cowal – Jenny Hunter (Dunoon Burgh Hall) & Julie Tait (Rothesay Pavilion) z Helensburgh & Lomond – Alexia Holt (Cove Park) z Island Development – Jen Skinner (Screen Argyll, Tiree) Other strategic representation includes: Brian Barker (ArtMap Argyll on behalf of arts collectives); Giles Perring (member support); Anne Cleave, Chair, Argyll and Bute Museums and Heritage Forum; Robert Judge, Operations Manager Kintyre, liveArgyll; Arlene Cullum, Senior Economic Regeneration Officer, Transformation and Regeneration, Argyll and Bute Council; and Antonia Baird, Community Learning and Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council. The role of the Steering Group is to assist in facilitating change, advancing knowledge and sharing experience to build the capacity of the CHARTS network. Representatives undertake to: z Attend regular group meetings z Feed into the direction of CHARTS’ core activity z Represent CHARTS throughout the region z Maintain contact with members and groups in the areas represented to disseminate information z Offer direct hands-on support to projects, also supported by member champions based locally. This enables strongly networked communications to help inform organisational development. Working groups Working groups are also attached to award- giving, project commissioning and staff recruitment processes to assist the membership in meeting project milestones. These are strategic groups with specialist stakeholders, often including funders and partnership representation, to support and signpost engagement. Board members, steering groups, and staff also contribute to working groups. Image: Coastal Cultures, Between the Tides (2023). © Jack Lockhart # 33 Page 61
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Delivery themes A. Supporting islands as distinct cultural centres B. Increasing access to heritage C. Increasing the visibility of Gaelic culture D. International support E. Member support F. Supporting engagement post-pandemic Funders 2022–23 have so far supported investment in the following areas: The CHARTS model is based on co-working and collaboration. Project managers work together across shared themes and Steering Group members support project development in local areas, as appropriate. To further support our membership, made up of individuals and organisations (including arts centres and museums), we also create working groups to grow development themes and projects. These groups are comprised of staff, trustees and other professionals, bringing together a wealth of skills and experience matched to the job at hand. This is critical to our success, maximising capacity through joining intellectual and material resources to reach the best possible outcomes for people and projects. - Kathleen O’Neill, Director, CHARTS 44 Page 62
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660 MEMBERS COMBINED FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND X FOLLOWERS ARTS & HERITAGE COMMISSIONS 25 MEDIA FEATURES INCREASE IN WEBSITE VIEWS Our impact 5 PAID APPRENTICESHIPS & TRAINEESHIPS Figures relate to the period 2023–24 OPPORTUNITIES CREATED IN ARGYLL TO WORK FOR CHARTS 11 55% 33 24 4,200+ £371,825 CONFIRMED INCOME RAISED FOR 2023–24 ACTIVITIES WEBSITE VIEWS 65,700+ COUNTRIES AND 4 CONTINENTS HOSTED INTERNATIONAL WORK 5 CHARTS Annual Review 2023–245 Page 63
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Key funders Partners & collaborators 6 CHARTS Annual Review 2023–246 Page 64
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7 CHARTS Annual Review 2023–247 Page 65
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A. Supporting islands as distinct cultural centres Recognising the distinct identities of communities across Argyll’s islands, the Ràmh programme, meaning ‘sharing the same oar’, seeks to create connections and opportunities to better understand the context in which island practitioners and organisations work. Initial scoping included an islands survey and provided insights and recommendations to help inform our work. The most strongly expressed needs from survey respondents were around support for creative development, accessing opportunities and increasing visibility for practitioners, all of which continue to be addressed across our programme for island-based members, with specific initiatives developed for islands through the development framework of Ràmh. ‘Coastal Cultures, Islands’ was designed as an innovative programme of placemaking and community engagement across Argyll’s islands. The project created new commissions for artists to work with island communities, further embedding social-engagement as part of their practice and reinvigorated local economies in three island locations. The project was built on support from the Scottish Government and developed artist-led residencies, embedding socially engaged practice that responded to the uniqueness of island locations, building networks, and promoting participation and audiences. 1. Case study: Coastal Cultures, Island Residencies: Between the Tides 2. Case study: Coastal Cultures, Island Residencies: Expressing an Island 3. Coastal Cultures, Island Residencies: Feàrna / Alder (see page 29) 4. Case study: Ràmh development Funded by: Supported by: 88 Page 66
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Staff Coastal Cultures – Islands Residencies Mary Morrison PROJECT MANAGER Deidre McKenna ENGAGEMENT SUPPORT MANAGER Ràmh Island Culture Officer CAITLIN McNEILL There tends to be more need for interdisciplinary ways of working, within the industry or in even wider ways such as working with community groups/ schools/businesses. This is a benefit as it builds relationships in the community between people and practices, ultimately contributing to better health and wellbeing as well as building sustainability and a strong sense of investment in the place you live and work in. You are more likely to consider ‘people’ as part of your work because you rely on each other to make islands a great place to live. - Amy Dunnachie, Artist, Jura Image (right): Between the Tides project launch, Tiree (August 2023). © Jack Lockhart Image (below): a writing workshop led by Norman Bissell in summer 2023 as part of the Expressing an Island project (Coastal Cultures, Island Residencies). © CHARTS 99 Page 67
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Throughout each project, artists engaged communities in socially inclusive, imaginative and meaningful ways, including sharing their work through curated events, exhibitions and knowledge exchange events, both live and digital. On Luing and neighbouring Slate Islands, writer and director of the Scottish Centre for Geopoetics Norman Bissell led Expressing an Island. Alongside Luing-based artist Lottie May and others, Norman delivered a series of monthly workshops in creative writing, arts, crafts and geology with the aim of building creative networks and creating new work for print and exhibitions.As Lottie May said, the project was about “creating connections not only within communities but across them”. On Tiree, filmmaker Jack Lockhart and a small team of collaborators developed the project Between the Tides with Screen Argyll. The project provided a range of creative opportunities for the local community to engage with tidal themes and work alongside Jack as he created a time-lapse film exploring Tiree’s tides. On the Mull archipelago, Alice Stillman and Rhona Dougall developed Feàrna / Alder, with Dr Alasdair Whyte supporting phase one of the project. Feàrna used trees and human connections as a starting point for focused place-based conversations with the wider community on Mull and explored questions around how to work meaningfully within the constructs of Gaelic language and culture. (See page 29 for more information about this project.) All three projects were delivered by artists and collectives embedded in their communities, and between July 2023 and January 2024, nearly 500 people engaged with the projects. In addition, 16 local organisations and venues were supported. Nineteen significant paid opportunities were created for creative practitioners, including two distinct project management roles within the CHARTS team. This work included cross-cutting themes of place, young people and Gaelic language and culture. Image: Between the Tides project launch, Tiree (August 2023). © Jack Lockhart CASE STUDY: Coastal Cultures Islands Residencies Tiree, Mull and the Slate Islands You are really changing young people’s lives with these activities. They take part in things that not only do they have fun and enjoy but they can have a huge effect on their future; it can influence their pathways in life enormously. - Participant, Between the Tides, Tiree 1 1010 Page 68
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There were multiple outputs from all projects, including four films, publications, podcasts, exhibitions and presentations of new work, which strengthened creative networks across the islands. Each of the projects has identified further development opportunities that CHARTS will seek to support in an ongoing dialogue and by extending our work and focus on islands and coastal areas in the region. An additional 13 artists who engaged through the residency project activities were supported by Coastal Cultures, Islands Engagement Manager Deirdre MacKenna in a development process, which enabled some of them to secure significant funding for projects, including through a concurrent CHARTS project, Growing Global Networks. In January 2024, CHARTS hosted an online event for ‘Coastal Cultures, Islands, Residencies’ with lead artists sharing the learning and processes of their very different projects to a national audience. I’ve found teaching these workshops enormously beneficial to both myself and those who attend. It is hard to quantify this sort of feeling into concrete results, but I can tell you that we’re most definitely making a difference to people’s lives and local communities. - Lottie May, Lead Artist, Expressing an Island, Luing and Slate Islands Image (above): Between the Tides project lauch, Tiree (August 2023). © Jack Lockhart Image (right): Expressing an Island, Cyanotype workshop with Lottie May (2023). © Expressing an Island 1 2 1111 Page 69
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The Ràmh Islands Survey ran from April 2023 to September 2023 and elicited 90 responses from individuals and organisations based across 17 islands. More than 40 areas of work in arts, culture and heritage were represented, and individual comments, thoughts and requests for support were generously provided. Key findings The majority of respondents recognised the importance of culture and heritage to island economies. Consistent with national surveys, 50% of respondents made less than £5,000 a year from their work in arts and culture, including a large number who did not earn from their work. This means that investment into paid opportunities for work on islands is a key priority for us. Higher responses to the survey came from islands where there were active networks linking back to CHARTS support, reinforcing the importance of someone on the ground with established relationships and knowledge and the value of our developing Island Satellite programme. Other findings indicated a strong inward migration, with 60% having started their businesses within the last ten years. 77% of respondents were over 45, reflecting census data but pointing to issues around the engagement and retention of a younger CASE STUDY: Ràmh development demographic on islands. Ràmh is prioritising the engagement and design of support with and for this younger demographic. A significant number of respondents said they had a disability of some kind. Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a key priority for CHARTS and eliminating barriers to participation and providing access to support and participation will be a significant aspect of our work. Three respondents spoke Gaelic, though over a third of respondents spoke “a little”. We aim to identify areas where there are still higher levels of spoken Gaelic and where Gaelic is influencing creative work. Ongoing Ràmh support Feedback has identified priorities to strengthen and nurture networks and enable exchange and shared learning. This has been addressed in a number of ways. Four Knowledge Xchange Webinars delivered in spring 2023 reached online audiences from Argyll and Bute and other Scottish island communities. Speakers Rhoda Meek (isleDEVELOP CIC, isle20, Tiree), Rutger Emmelkamp (KNOCKvologan, Mull), Amy Gear (Gaada, Shetland) and Amy Dunnachie Jura (SO:AR, CHARTS) gave warm, rich and diverse presentations on their practices fostering a great range of conversations. Gaelic Language is imperative in understanding the consciousness of the Gael. And this is a consciousness that is desperately needed in the world today. - Island survey respondent Image: Rubh’ an Eun, still from the film, ‘Sketches of Bute’, by Scott O’Neill (2024). © Scott O’Neill 4 1212 Page 70
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Direct support was also given to three practitioners through Ràmh Islands Artists Support with bursaries enabling them to undertake projects throughout 2023 and 2024: z Mhairi Killin, Iona: ‘Conversations with a Whale’ residency at Grinneabhat, Isle of Lewis z Scott O’Neill, Isle of Bute: ‘Sketches of Bute’ film and photography project z Kate Clayton, Isle of Bute: ‘Broken Blue’ a mixed media installation and performance as part of Bute Open Studios 2023 For further information, visit: www.chartsargyllandisles.org/ projects-and-showcases In order to strengthen creative networks in Argyll’s islands and to counter isolation, particularly in the winter months, CHARTS established the Islands Satellite Group. The group is an extension of the CHARTS Steering Group and is designed to connect islanders with CHARTS and our resources. Throughout winter 2023 and early 2024, four Island Advocates in North Mull, the Ross of Mull, Iona and Bute, hosted nine informal gatherings in their respective communities, enabling people to come together and share information about opportunities, challenges and the needs of local practitioners. These regular meetings continue to foster connections and a sense of community among those in arts, culture and heritage, providing mutual support, inspiration and collaboration. The meetings are delivered with ongoing support from CHARTS Steering Group member for Islands, Jen Skinner, and we aim to expand this network to other island communities, including on Tiree and the Slate Islands, where Ràmh staff met with local creatives and heritage professionals throughout 2023. Recommendations based on learning, delivery and consultation to date inform our work around island-based support and investment under Ràmh. Current and future work will continue to strengthen networks – including inter-island connections, support to arts and heritage trails and mapping projects, and focus on young islanders. An Islands Working Group has been established to support Ràmh activity in addition to regular member meetings taking place on Bute, Mull and Tiree. The group includes CHARTS staff, Jen Skinner, Steering Group (Islands), Arlene Cullum, Senior Economic Development Office from Argyll and Bute Council, and ex-officio Trustee Dr Michael Pierre Johnson, representing the School of Innovation and Technology at Glasgow School of Art. Image: Tobermory High School Careers Day (2023). © Caitlin McNeill I am so excited about the possibilities of the island support to grow networks and strengthen links, both in island and the connections that we can make across islands. Through this we can develop more opportunities for those working in culture, heritage and the arts in islands and build audiences, support and connections. Through championing the activity that is happening on islands, we can strengthen it and also encourage and support young people living in islands to work in these sectors, ensuring they continue to develop in the future. Our islands are all so different, with so much to offer and many talented people working hard to support the infrastructure, across culture, heritage and arts often in isolation. This support is vital, to bring people together and to help these sectors grow and flourish. - Jen Skinner, Producer, Screen Argyll and CHARTS Steering Group Member (Islands) 1313 Page 71
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B. Increasing access to heritage 1. Case study: Argyll Aspires 2. Case study: The Argyll Collection, Reconnected (region-wide) 3. Case study: The Argyll Collection, Reconnected – Research (region-wide) 4. Case study: Lily Vaughan Exhibition Trainee Funded by: Argyll and Bute faces multiple challenges to both sustain and grow the heritage sector particularly due to the region’s geography and its ageing population, many of whom work as volunteers to support public access to venues. CHARTS aims to assist by working with others to create supported training opportunities for young people, establishing new routes to employability for the next generation of heritage professionals.During 2023–24, CHARTS supported young people to learn about local heritage and improve their skills and qualifications. We did this by working creatively with young people, schools and host museum and heritage venues, including two significant programmes of work; Argyll Aspires and the Argyll Collection, Reconnected. Argyll Aspires built on evidence of the need to develop opportunities in the museums and heritage sector for young people across Argyll and Bute, drawn from the evaluation of an earlier project, ‘Heritage Horizons’, developed with the Argyll and Bute Museums and Heritage Forum (2021–22). Argyll Aspires evolved over two years and included paid traineeships and apprenticeships alongside school projects and outreach activities. The programme successfully offered young Argyll residents routes to employability with recognised UK qualifications and, for many others, insight into how the sector is managed and the wealth of careers and topics to be explored through heritage. The project was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and supported by Argyll and Bute Council Education and Economic Development Services and the Gannochy Trust. Taing dhan | Made possible with 1414 Page 72
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Staff Claire McDade PROJECT MANAGER, ARGYLL ASPIRES Lucy McAra Neish SCHOOLS MANAGER, ARGYLL ASPIRES Sarah Longfield EXTERNAL EVALUATOR AND PROJECT MANAGER, ARGYLL ASPIRES Rosalyn McKenna PROJECT MANAGER, THE ARGYLL COLLECTION, RECONNECTED Kirsty MacNab RESEARCH MANAGER, THE ARGYLL COLLECTION, RECONNECTED Lily Vaughan EXHIBITION TRAINEE, THE ARGYLL COLLECTION RECONNECTED Khara McPhail HERITAGE LEARNING AND ACCESS ASSISTANT, CAMPBELTOWN MUSEUM Muriel MacKavenay PROJECT SUPPORT COORDINATOR, CAMPBELTOWN MUSEUM Argyll Aspires provided me with the opportunity to provide a paid traineeship for an archivist to learn ‘on the job’ whilst also studying for a professional qualification – a rare opportunity in the archives sector. The benefits have absolutely not been solely for the trainee: I have gained so much from having a colleague working with me in the archives, supporting visitors, cataloguing and developing exhibitions and displays amongst many other activities. I have really enjoyed supporting his learning and being able to share and discuss ideas, and I have learned a huge amount from his personal knowledge, experience and specific skills. He has also fitted perfectly into the warm and cohesive environment of archives, volunteers and Friends [group]. - Alison Diamond, Archivist, Argyll Estates The Argyll Collection, Reconnected, made possible with support from the Art Fund, focused specifically on a unique collection of artworks owned by Argyll and Bute Council; to review the cultural significance of the collection since it was first conceived several decades ago. The Argyll Collection is a unique group of 179 art works collected between 1960–90 by political activist and author Naomi Mitchison, and Argyll County Council Arts Advisor Jim Tyre, as an educational resource for the young people of Argyll and Bute. Working with the council-owned Argyll Collection has enabled increased access to art and heritage for Argyll’s young people. Image: a pupil from Glenbarr Primary working with John R Brunsdon. © CHARTS/Rosalyn McKenna 1515 Page 73
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CASE STUDY: Argyll Aspires Heritage training collaborations developed through our Argyll Aspires programme included with Campbeltown Museum (liveArgyll), Campbeltown; Dunollie Museum, Oban; Auchindrain Historic Township, Inveraray; and The Argyll Papers, Inveraray Castle. We also worked with pupils of Rothesay Academy and Dunoon Grammar School alongside Mount Stuart on Bute to support and raise awareness of the council-owned Argyll Collection located throughout the region. Pupils from other Argyll schools also attended bespoke events designed by trainees. Young people were recruited for paid assignments through modern apprenticeships, traineeships and internships, learning how to care for collections, curate displays, manage volunteers, market heritage assets, fundraise, provide public access, and assist researchers. Young people who engaged with Argyll Aspires not only gained qualifications and, in some cases, new jobs but also built knowledge and pride of place through raised awareness of heritage. For further information, read the Argyll Aspires Evaluation Report. Outcomes: z Two professional entry-level heritage positions were created at Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds, and at Inveraray Castle for the Argyll Papers. z One internship was created at the Argyll Papers supported by Friends of the Argyll Papers and Argyll Estates. z Professional peer networks were created including Campbeltown Museum, supported by liveArgyll. z Co-curation of an exhibition from The Argyll Collection with pupils from Rothesay Academy at Mount Stuart, developed skills and an understanding of the employment opportunities in the arts and heritage sector. z Argyll Collection collaboration development led to an Exhibition Research Traineeship. z Argyll Collection Exhibition Traineeship exhibition created at Dunoon Burgh Hall. z Collaboration with Developing Young Workforce led to films for national Creative Careers Week (autumn 2023) and developing outreach activities with Dunoon Grammar School and Campbeltown Museum. Three young people participating in Argyll Aspires were offered jobs with host organisations at the end of the project. z Developing Young Workforce and the Gannochy Trust supported complementary school projects exploring local design and heritage included new accreditation for participants. z National archives and museum conferences were attended by apprentices and trainees in Belfast and Gateshead. z Engagement totalled 1,042 direct beneficiaries, 100,958 indirect beneficiaries (visitors who would have benefited from Argyll Aspires team input) and 2,848 website engagements between winter 2022 and summer 2024. z Argyll Aspires case studies were included in two UK publications: Scottish Archives & Records, Year in Review 2022–23 (page 16) and 32nd edition Group for Education in Museums UK Case Studies: Reimagining Engagement (page 28). 1 1616 Page 74
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My role here at Dunollie has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on me. It has allowed me to learn about working with collections, as well as all the other activities that go into keeping visitor attractions such as Dunollie Museum, Castle and Grounds running smoothly. I have learned about the vast history of both the site itself – the Clan MacDougall, Miss Hope MacDougall as a social historian – and the wider history of Argyll and the Isles. I have been encouraged to feel confident in my abilities, to learn new things and to present ideas despite being very new to the team. I have never felt part of a more supportive, kind and hardworking team and I feel really lucky to be here. - Shannen Calderwood, Apprentice I first started working with The Argyll Collection in 2018, when I began research on the important cluster of African art works within it that had been long overlooked. In the past year, I have been thrilled to continue this work with colleagues at CHARTS, with a particular focus on thinking about artwork conservation and increased educational access. The loan of the African artworks to the School of Art History at St Andrews this past academic year, in particular, has enabled me to integrate direct artwork engagement into my ‘African Modernisms’ Honours course–something that my students were deeply appreciative of. It is a real privilege to be able to study up close important artworks from the era of independence, and all the more exciting that these works belong to a collection here in Scotland. - Dr Kate Cowcher, School of History, University of St Andrews Image (right): Argyll Aspires Trainees visit to Dunollie Castle. Left to right; Donald MacDougall, Khara MacPhail, Jamie MacGregor (Dunollie staff), and Shannen Calderwood (August 2023). © CHARTS Dunoon Grammar School trip to the University of St Andrews, led by Dr Kate Cowcher, showing works from the Argyll Collection. © CHARTS/Rosalyn McKenna 1717 Page 75
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CASE STUDY: The Argyll Collection, Reconnected CHARTS worked with the local authority to develop ‘Argyll Collection Reconnected’, a project to reinvigorate and reimagine ways of working with the collection, ensuring that this cultural asset is better understood, curated and conserved for future generations. Over many years, prior to CHARTS’ collaboration, due to a lack of external funding, infrastructure and dedicated staff, the collection had been under used and acknowledged. CHARTS’ collaboration with Argyll and Bute Council has succeeded in raising awareness and understanding of a significant range of opportunities. The Argyll Collection is currently located within Argyll and Bute's primary and secondary schools and several libraries . The essential first step was to undertake a new detailed inventory of the collection in collaboration with Argyll and Bute Council education services. The purpose was multifold: z To ascertain the precise location of work and how it was exhibited or stored, thus enabling the Reconnected team to update the catalogue, essential in the ongoing care and maintenance of the collection. z Carry out conservation checks, thereby establishing a baseline understanding of the status of all pieces from which we can monitor their condition in the future. z Identify needs in terms of a Collection Management Strategy, namely suitable ongoing storage solutions, models of best practise for handling, packing, moving, storing, installing and exhibiting, as well as the best way forward for documenting the collection and its records. z Building a strong understanding and knowledge of the individual works that make up the collection, essential in the future planning of research needs, exhibition and event programming and exploration of the diverse thematic approaches that can be explored. In addition to these outcomes, the Inventory was invaluable for other reasons: z As there was such a lack of awareness of the collection, physically visiting each school and library was critical in understanding their individual, complex requirements and in establishing trust and building strong working relationships. These connections are essential in ensuring the future development of the project. z Building a real, working understanding of the geography of Argyll and Bute and the associated logistics of managing the 2 collection – a 'museum without walls' – and thereby establishing the need for dedicated technical support as well as access to fit-for-purpose transport and packaging solutions. Image, from left: Prof. Christina Young, Exhibition Trainee Lily Vaughan, Project Manager Rosalyn McKenna, Research Manager Kirsty MacNab and Sylvia Kraus, along with artworks ‘Ostriches’ by Hezbon Owiti, ‘The Fishermen’ by Louis Mbughuni and ‘Cutting Wood’ by Sam Ntiro. © CHARTS 1818 Page 76
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Argyll and Bute Education Services and CHARTS have been working in close partnership to effectively manage, conserve and promote The Argyll Collection. The Argyll Collection is owned by Education Services but CHARTS staff have been instrumental in supporting the council to manage this valuable asset, particularly given the unique, democratic nature of the artworks. The first task faced by CHARTS staff was to complete an up-to-date and comprehensive inventory of the pieces within the collection. This was a challenging project, given that pieces are stored in a range of schools across the authority and other council-owned buildings. CHARTS staff built positive relationships with staff in schools while compiling the inventory and checking the condition of the art works, designing a programme of conservation. As specialists in their field, CHARTS staff are best placed to address the long-term storage needs of the pieces and nominate appropriate locations. This is of tremendous importance given the social, cultural, historic and monetary value of the collection. CHARTS staff have been instrumental in supporting Education Services in the movement of pieces between schools and universities for exhibition, teaching and conservation purposes. - Catriona Garvin, Education Officer, Curriculum (2–18) with Gaelic, Music and Culture, Argyll and Bute Council Image (top): Rosalyn McKenna on location (2024).© CHARTS/Kirsty MacNab Image (right): Islay High School art teacher Dawn Worsley condition checks work by Duncan MacLeod. © CHARTS 1919 Page 77
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In facilitating the loan of the artworks, CHARTS enabled me to introduce the collection to Dr Angelo Kakande from Makerere University (Kampala, Uganda) when he was Global Fellow at St Andrews in 2023–24. With CHARTS, we hope to build further connections with Makerere University, whose own art collection contains several works by artists who have pieces in The Argyll Collection. One particularly exciting aspiration is to revive Naomi Mitchison’s founding vision to encourage international connections for communities in Argyll and Bute. The African artworks, all from the 1960s and 70s, provide an ideal anchor for connecting contemporary artists here with creative practitioners in East and Southern Africa, to share expertise, inspirations and collectively explore historical legacies. Finally, it has been great to work with Rosalyn McKenna on opportunities for schools’ outreach, and looking forward to hosting a group of students from Dunoon Grammar School later this month for an ‘Art History Taster Day’. I share with CHARTS a commitment to diversifying and democratising access to arts and culture, and really appreciate the vital work they have been doing through the Reconnected Project. I look forward to continuing to work with CHARTS in the next academic year. - Dr Kate Cowcher, University of St Andrews ENGAGEMENT Prior to the commencement of Reconnected, The Argyll Collection had already generated interest and engagement from academics and universities. With the development of the project, the Project Manager and Research Manager have been able to harness this into highly effective collaborative partnerships. This has included working with Dr Kate Cowcher of the School of Art History, University of St Andrews, and Professor Christina Young of the Conservation and Technical Art History department, University of Glasgow. The value of a community-academic partnership in relation to this project is particularly evident in the research support and educational outreach that Dr Cowcher and Professor Young are able to provide. The revival and future care of The Argyll Collection is contingent upon an appraisal of its history, the provenance of its artworks and the dissemination of that information to the wider community. The assembling of archives requires a collective effort, and Dr Cowcher's expertise as an art historian has been particularly valuable in identifying materials relevant to the collection's history. Professor Young's contributions to the technical analysis of some of the artworks align with CHARTS’ longer- term commitment to developing community- based systems of monitoring and care, and we welcome her expertise in technical art history and conservation as we work to assess the collection's needs. CHARTS also welcome the introduction that has been made to conservator Sylvia Krauss, and are currently working with her to build a conservation needs working plan for the collection. Dr Cowcher has shown tremendous commitment to collaborating with the community in Argyll in the development of this project, including leading a study trip for a group of senior secondary students from Dunoon Grammar school to the University of St Andrews. CHARTS look forward to working with both Dr Cowcher and Professor Young on further developments over the coming years. Image: Dean Amanda Tumusiime, Dr Kate Cowcher, Dr Deirdre MacKenna, and Dr Angelo Kakande at Makerere University (January 2024). © Kate Cowcher 2020 Page 78
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Schools’ engagement with The Argyll Collection increased with CHARTS support. This included: z Primary and Early Learning Centre sessions introducing the collection and the development of continual professional development training for teachers and the Superpower of Looking project scheduled with Art UK for autumn 2024. z Developing relationships with secondary school teachers and the benefits of working with the collection in classroom learning. z Planning for the development of new school and library displays for autumn 2024. z Planning for the development of pupil engagement and co-curated exhibitions. Being able to show the students a Joan Eardley painting, a real Joan Eardley, after discussions about her work, which I do with first years regularly, makes it more real, more tangible. She was a real artist who painted in Scotland and this is a piece of her work. The Argyll Collection can be used in many more ways than just an Art class. It can be a starting point for creative writing sessions or for a history lesson. For example, Anda Paterson’s ‘Victims of War’ can be used in cross-curricular lessons about war, poetry or social commentary. - Alison McAlpine, Art & Design Teacher, Tarbert Academy CHARTS came to Glenbarr Primary as part of an interdisciplinary learning project that had outdoor learning and nature at the heart of it. The students had been looking at their local environment and drawing inspiration from what they saw, felt, heard and smelt. They then used this to create art, which was to be exhibited locally. When we reached out to Ros [McKenna, Project Manager] to visit us with work from The Argyll Collection we really had no idea how amazing it would be. The students were able to experience the pieces she brought up close. They then used the artwork as inspiration for their own creations and the outcomes were superb. Talking through the pieces Ros brought gave the children the confidence to paint, layer, chalk and draw. They were so pleased with their creations and were excited to show them at their exhibition. The visit by CHARTS fitted perfectly with the structure of the project, and as a school, we could not have been more proud of the children’s engagement. - Colette Quinlan, Acting Principal Teacher/Pupil Support Teacher Dalintober Primary School & Early Learning Centre and Glenbarr Primary School Image: Looking at a Bel Cowie piece with children from Kilmodan Early Learning Centre. © Kilmodan ELC/Deborah Hardy 2121 Page 79
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DIGITISING THE COLLECTION The Reconnected team are currently working to digitise The Argyll Collection for global exposure after being chosen to participate in a unique collaboration between XpoNorth Digital, Highlands and Islands Enterprise's specialist digital support programme for the creative and heritage sectors, and Smartify, the world's most downloaded museum app. Alongside the Orkney Museum and Strathnaver Museum, also supported by XpoNorth, the Reconnected team will be able to feature The Argyll Collection online, enabling new ways of telling the collection's story and opening innovative connections with national and international audiences. The Smartify platform enables digitised versions of The Argyll Collection and exhibitions such as the recent exhibition, ‘Awaken’. But it doesn't stop there. The platform will also provide commissioned content, offering bold and immersive digital narration of the artworks, artists, and the stories they tell. This multimedia tour, accessible online, will allow smartphone users worldwide to engage with the collection in a whole new way. Image (left): The Argyll Collection, Reconnected, Project Manager Rosalyn McKenna (2024). © CHARTS/Kirsty MacNab Image (below): Smartify is partnered with over 700 cultural organisations throughout the world. CHARTS is thrilled to be collaborating with Smartify. This presents an extraordinary opportunity to connect a global audience with The Argyll Collection, to both champion the collection and explore the many stories that it can tell. - Rosalyn McKenna Project Manager, Reconnected, CHARTS 2222 Page 80
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CASE STUDY: The Argyll Collection, Reconnected – Research Kirsty MacNab, Research Manager for The Argyll Collection, Reconnected, has been delving into the history of the collection and the artworks it contains. This research is key to better understanding the collection – the motivation behind it, how it was amassed, the reasons for choosing particular pieces or artists, and learning about the artworks themselves. This knowledge helps us engage new and current audiences, consider how to develop the collection in the future, advocate for the collection's care, and assess its national and international significance. Research began by interviewing Gillian Brown, daughter of Jim Tyre. Gillian recalled that as Art Advisor, her father bought works for the collection and toured them around the county in his Austin van. She spoke about visiting galleries with her father and said that her brother Colin accompanied their dad to the home of Robin Philipson. She stated that her father loved his job and that he and Naomi Mitchison got on very well. This friendship is evident in the copies of their letters held at liveArgyll Archives in Lochgilphead. It is fascinating to read their correspondence, sales receipts, exhibition catalogues, and letters to discover how they purchased work for the collection. On 1st March 2024, Kirsty used her research to give a presentation at the Scottish Society for Art History's anniversary conference, ‘Forty Years of Art and Art History in Scotland, 1984–2024’ at the Pleasance Theatre in Edinburgh. Attendees included art historians, lecturers, art curators, colleagues from Art UK, and members of the public. Many were very intrigued by the collection and its history, opening the door for multiple possible future partnerships. Image: the Scottish Society for Art History’s 40th anniversary conference (2024). © CHARTS/Rosalyn McKenna Researching The Argyll Collection is an amazing task. Knowledge of its history and the artworks contained within it enables CHARTS to create truly meaningful engagement opportunities. - Kirsty MacNab, Research Manager The Argyll Collection, Reconnected, CHARTS 3 2323 Page 81
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CASE STUDY: Lily Vaughan, Exhibition Trainee The Argyll Collection, Dunoon Burgh Hall From January to April 2024, Lily Vaughan, from Innellan, near Dunoon, undertook an Exhibition Traineeship with ‘The Argyll Collection Reconnected’ project. Based at Dunoon Burgh Hall, Lily had the opportunity to curate a public exhibition from The Argyll Collection on a theme of her choice. This was made possible with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, linked into the Argyll Aspires programme. Lily, a promising young ceramicist, applied for the opportunity so that she could learn how to curate and display a group of artworks. She first encountered the collection at Dunoon Grammar School and was excited to discover more. With a public opening date of April 2024, Lily worked hard to get through all the steps of her exhibition in time. Her first step was to learn about the collection and those who created it. Next, she began looking at the individual artworks. With 179 pieces, Lily had lots to choose from and a lot of work to whittle down her selection to 12. Quickly, however, she settled on the theme of the five senses, following her preference for trying to imagine the sounds, smells, sights, tastes, and tactile experiences an artwork presents. My time with CHARTS has had a huge impact on me. It has shown me how capable I am. Seeing my vision come to life was just fantastic. It has shown me I’d definitely like to open a gallery alongside my pottery studio. - Lily Vaughan 4 Lily learnt that her selection would also have to give way to practical considerations such as wall space and the physical condition of the artworks. Bearing this in mind, she developed an exhibition layout and consulted condition reports to make sure artworks were suitable for display. Lily gave a lot of consideration as to how to interpret her exhibition. In addition to traditional written interpretation, she created auditory, olfactory, and tactile opportunities for visitors to interpret the works. Lily's hard work came to fruition on the evening of 11th April 2024, when 78 people celebrated the opening of ‘Awaken’. Between 10th–28th April, a further 341 peopled visited her display. Lily learnt the practical skills around curating an exhibition, and in a fantastic outcome, outwith our original aims, delivered creative workshops with school pupils at Dunoon Grammar School and with members of the public at Dunoon Burgh Hall. Lily gave her community the chance to experience an art collection that was historically not often on public display and was successful in achieving her SVQ unit; ‘Support the organisation of an event or exhibition’. 2424 Page 82
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C. Gaelic development Gaelic development in Argyll and Bute is underpinned by the CHARTS role of Oifigear Cultair Ghàidhlig, currently funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Argyll and Bute Council support this role in growing opportunities in Gaelic language and culture and embedding Gaelic across a range of services. Work to date has included developing a Gaelic Culture Strategy with key stakeholders, establishing projects and creating Gaelic resources. This role has increased the visibility of Gaelic language and culture in Argyll, and grown support for Gaelic speakers relating to both regional and national priorities. This work also supports the intergenerational transmission of Gaelic language and lore within Argyll and encourages an environmentally sustainable working culture informed by Gaelic traditions and outlook. During the financial year 2023–24, CHARTS’ Gaelic engagements have included collaboration with Donegal Museum to develop the flagship Cuairt Chaluim Chille exhibition tour and the development of Fearna through the islands support programme. Bòrd na Gàidhlig has commended CHARTS for building relationships between Ireland and Argyll and for the development of Cuairt Chaluim Chille, supported by Foras na Gaeilge, the public body responsible for the promotion of the Irish language throughout the island of Ireland, both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. 1. Arrochar 2. Campbeltown 3. Cove 4. Craignish Funded by: 5. Case study: Cuairt Chaluim Chille // Touring St Columba 6. Case study: Feàrna/Alder 7. Case study: Embroidery Workshop 2525 Page 83
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Staff Àdhamh Ó Broin OIFIGEAR CULTAIR GHÀIDHLIG, GAELIC CULTURE OFFICER Rody Gorman TRANSLATION SUPPORT Muriel MacKaveney PROJECT FACILITATOR (EVENTS) Khara McPhail CAMPBELTOWN MUSEUM EXHIBITION & WORKSHOP SUPPORT Mary Morrison ISLANDS SUPPORT Far-reaching intergenerational support for Gaelic culture has included bringing together tradition bearers from Gaelic and Traveller communities across the region. Working together with Gaelic speakers and learners, our work profiling the Gaelic language has included exploring Gaelic culture through topics of climate change and the natural environment. This has included working in collaboration with Glasgow University and Mull tradition bearer Dr Alasdair Whyte, focussing on oyster populations, both contemporary and historical, and how they have been referenced in Gaelic song (August 2023) and a climate challenge-focused event ‘Dùthchas Beò’ in Knapdale, led by Àdhamh Ó Broin (May 2024). These events brought positive attention to elements of the local countryside in order to foster a sense of responsibility and care for Argyll’s natural environment. Contributions to Seachdain na Gàidhlig, World Gaelic Week have included co-hosting an intergenerational lore and language share with Companaich Dhail Riada and Kilmartin Museum (February 2024) and through this work Elders from mid-Argyll, whose voices are seldom heard, have been enabled to pass on their knowledge and stories, sharing local myths and legends, supported by music, reviving tradition in the area. Supporting collaboration and partnership across Gaelic communities is central to our work and developing events through which to explore the role of Gaelic in contemporary Argyll. This includes supporting the Argyll Gaelic Gathering and language lessons, for example, at Arrochar’s Three Villages Hall, by providing tuition for those seeking to place language learning at the heart of their community. CHARTS have given Gaelic in Argyll a new boost during the last two years. It is evident that there is more support from the organisation for the language and it is a great encouragement to me personally that they have a Gaelic Culture Officer. It is not just that this officer is there though; it is clear that there is far more Gaelic and Gaelic lore woven into the work and the aims of the organisation as a whole. Furthermore, the officer himself, Àdhamh, is to be commended on what he has managed to achieve in the role. - Dr Alasdair Whyte, University of Glasgow Dùthchas Beò, Revitalising Reciprocity with the Gaelic Landscape, Dunadd Fort (May 2024). © CHARTS 2626 Page 84
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Cuairt Chaluim Chille // Touring St Columba was made possible by a matched funding partnership between Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Foras na Gaeilge. Created for Colmcille 1500 by Donegal Museum, this exhibition was loaned to CHARTS for one year to tour throughout Argyll and Bute, culminating on the Feast Day of St Columba, 9th June 2024. The exhibition travelled to five locations, bringing the CHARTS’ staff team into contact with over 400 people at launch events with a total participation of over 6,000 through associated audience visits and workshops, including Gaelic song, poetry and talks. The project covered an estimated 1,500 miles across Argyll and included 17 ferry crossings for the staff team. This collaborative project was designed to explore the cross-cultural links between Ireland and Scotland, language, culture and heritage, and events at each host venue included Gaelic speakers and performers: 15 musicians from Argyll and Ireland were commissioned to perform at these events. CASE STUDY: Cuairt Chaluim Chille // Touring St Columba Fabulous ceilidh in the best sense of the word – story, song, music, Book of Kells, fun, deep, moving – come back! - Caro Penney, Iona Community at Iona Abbey As leth Bòrd na Gàidhlig, bu mhath leinn CHARTS a mholadh air son an dàimh eadar Éirinn ’s Alba a neartachadh. Tha sinn air ar dòigh taic a chur ri taisbeanadh Cuairt Chaluim Chille gus dualchas beairteach na Gàidhlig a tha air a roinn eadar Éirinn ’s Alba a chomharrachadh.” On behalf of Bòrd Na Gàidhlig, we would like to commend CHARTS in strengthening the bonds between Gaelic Ireland and Scotland. We are delighted to support Cuairt Chaluim Chille // Touring St Columba Exhibition and celebrate the rich Gaelic heritage shared between Scotland and Ireland. - Brian Ó h-Eadhra, Manaidsear Chom- pàirteachasan is Leasachaidh, Bòrd Na Gàidhlig / Brian Ó h-Eadhra, Partnerships and Development Manager, Bòrd Na Gàidhlig Image (top): harpist Ciorstaidh (Kirsty) Beaton performs at Iona Village Hall (June 2024). Both images © CHARTS Image (right): the exhibition was launched at Islay Gaelic Centre. 5 2727 Page 85
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Dair a bha sinne òg, bha a h-uile duine ’dèanadh tuilidh am miosg a chéile. Chan eil an uiread dheth sin ann a-nis seach mar a b’ àbhaist dha bhith, daoine ’cur seachad ùine le seanairean ’s seanmhairean. Mar sin, chan eil iad a’ togail eachdraigh an àite. An ceann fichead bliana, bidh iad an aithreachas nach d’ fhuair iad tuilidh. Tha daoine tuilidh ’s a’ chòir fad ás bho chéile. Tha iad uile cho trang a’ tighinn bèo. When we were young, everyone was doing more among others, together. There’s not the same amount of that happening the way it used to, people spending time with grandfathers and grandmothers. Therefore, they are not learning the history of the place. In twenty years’ time, they will be regretting that they didn’t learn more. People are too far away from one another. They are all too busy surviving. - Àirtidh MacColla, Lios Mór / Archie MacColl, Isle of Lismore Air son an cànan a ghleidheil mar a b’ àbhaist dhì bhith, dh’fheumadh ead a bhith ann gu domhain. ’S e an aoin dòigh gun toireadh tu Gàilig air ais, nach biodh ead a’ bruidhinn an còrr ach Gàilig. Gàilig, Gàilig, Gàilig, o mhoch gu dubh. ’S e sin an aoin dòigh a theirinns’ a gheobhadh tu air ais i. Feumaidh tu cainnt an àite anns an do rugadh tu a ghleidheil cuideachd. Theirinn gum biodh rudaigin air a chall mur an gleidh sinn sin. In order to preserve the language as it used to be, people would need to be in deep. The only way that you would bring Gaelic back would be not to be speaking anything but Gaelic. Gaelic, Gaelic, Gaelic, from morning till night. That’s the only way I would say that you’d get it back. You need to preserve the dialect of the place you were born in too. I’d say that something would be lost if we don’t keep that. - Uilleam Mac an Sporain MBE, Giogha / Willie MacSporran MBE, Isle of Gigha Image (left): Dr Rosemary Power at Iona Village Hall. Image (right): Argyll Elders with Àdhamh Ó Brion, at Kilmartin Museum (February 2024). Both images © CHARTS 2828 Page 86
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CASE STUDY: Feàrna / Alder Coastal Cultures – Islands Residencies Mull Feàrna was developed by Alice Stillman and Rhona Dougall, with Alasdair Whyte supporting the project's first phase by sharing research around Gaelic place names relating to trees as part of a ‘counter-mapping’ process. Feàrna took trees as a starting point for human connections, particularly their symbolic importance in Gaelic culture. Trees’ long life spans remind us of the past and link us with the future. The emphasis of this project was on process, focusing on slow growth and relationship building to foster trust and enable a safe space for dialogue. After an initial period of developing the project through research, gathering resources and creating a framework for engagement, Feàrna hosted gatherings in different locations around Mull using the traditional ‘house cèilidh’ as a template for events’ format. People with local roots in each area of Mull and/or Gaelic speakers were invited. In the second stage, the Feàrna collective developed further gatherings, events, and activities around the island, shaped by collaborators who joined the project as it moved forward. In the final months of the project, the focus was on documentation, review and gathering materials to disseminate and share project outputs. Resources were created around the processes undertaken during the project and around issues of decolonising and re-indigenising art practices in the Gàidhealtachd from the point of view of both Gaelic and non-Gaelic artists. This included sharing certain elements of practising well via questions, Gaelic terms/concepts and facilitated discussion. The project was motivated by observations and from Rhona and Alice’s individual experiences around how to practise more inclusively in the contemporary Highlands, a much more diverse community than it used to be. There was a shared understanding of imbalances and of certain people not being ‘in the room’. As someone of Gaelic heritage working in the arts, I had been very conscious of [imbalances] for some time and the patterns of (non)participation we were seeing in arts and community projects, where often the ‘local’ people of Gaelic heritage are not present. We started by looking at ourselves, working out how to navigate having sometimes uncomfortable conversations, and then looking at how to expand that to the wider community. - Rhona Dougall Image: Coastal Cultures, Island Residencies, Feàrna. © Rhona Dougall 6 2929 Page 87
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The emphasis on process and building trust in this project created the space for developing conversations and methodologies. In the final phase of the residency, Rhona and Alice held a gathering at Knockvologan on the Ross of Mull, with a small, mixed group invited. They were able to test out some of the working methodologies which they’d developed through Feàrna, including sharing certain Gaelic terms and concepts, such as Gàidhealtachd, dùthchas and brìgh. Feàrna worked with Mull-based filmmaker Nina Pope to create a filmed conversation between Alice and Rhona about the project's development and processes. The film evidences the collaborative working relationship and trust established between Rhona and Alice during the project, which clearly had a profound impact on their own practices. A project website for Feàrna was created with Lenny Stillman, sharing learning, processes and resources relating to decolonising, understanding and connecting with Gaelic culture and heritage in the Highlands and Islands. These conversations continue. There is amazing potential in this sense. Gaelic culture can be ignored totally, with no engagement. We need these conscious opportunities to immerse ourselves in it. - Participant, Feàrna Funding to give us the time and resources to do this – while we’ve both done unpaid work of this type at times – allowed us to prioritise this work and achieve more than we could have otherwise. It also allowed us to engage others (dendrochronologist Dr Coralie Mills, filmmaker Nina Pope, and web designer Lenny Stillman) with particular expertise to achieve specific goals. Everyone we worked with at CHARTS seemed to understand and appreciate how we worked – process-oriented rather than outcome-orientated – and it was really valuable to feel supported and understood in this aspect. - Rhona Dougall, Artist, Feàrna Image (above, left): Coastal Cultures, Island Residencies, Feàrna. © Sarah Darling Image (above, right): Coastal Cultures, Island Residencies, Feàrna, Counter Mapping Gatherings (September 2023). © Feàrna 3030 Page 88
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CASE STUDY: Embroidery Workshop Campbeltown Museum Building on interest in Gaelic heritage in Kintyre, public engagement workshops were developed at Campbeltown Museum including Gaelic- speaking hosts and Colmcille embroidery workshops were led by artists Kirstie Campbell and Aoife Cawley. These were designed to complement the travelling Cuairt Chaluim Chille // Touring St Columba exhibition, which was based at Campbeltown Museum from June to October 2023, as visitor responses highlighted the missing interactive element of the exhibition. Museum activities allowed participants to learn or develop needlework and embroidery techniques by creating a medieval-inspired design. These were informal workshops aimed at participants of all ages and skill sets and were to encourage people to step back in time and take part in an activity that Colmcille/St Columba, would have undertaken. Participants took inspiration for colours, themes, designs, and lettering from the exhibition panels and used stencils and pre-made designs based around Irish saints and creatures, guided by Kirstie and Aoife. Sessions prompted conversation and encouraged participants to engage with the Irish language, folklore and culture, which evolved into conversations around the connections between Ireland and Scotland. These skill-sharing sessions, involving people aged in their 20s to 60s, also allowed for stereotypes of museums as old places reserved only for history lovers to be broken down. This has acted as a foundation for our upcoming warm spaces programme in autumn and winter. Overall, the positive response to the education programme has highlighted the need for increased, consistent engagement in the community by using museum objects and themes to create relaxed, informal events. Feedback and response from all activities help create new outreach projects, including with local schools, and an increased number of family and intergenerational activities are now taking place. The ongoing liveArgyll and CHARTS partnership supports all aspects of development at Campbeltown Museum, started after the pandemic when the museum was reopened with limited opening hours. CHARTS manages museum staff to run events tailored to the needs and demands of the local community, with extended access during weekends and school holidays. Loved the chat and the teaching from people who were experts and keen to share their talents. Enjoyed the history session as well. Would definitely come back, thank you. - Participant Colmcille embroidery workshop at Campbeltown Museum, Aoife Cawley workshop leader and participant Mary Cook (October 2023). © CHARTS 7 3131 Page 89
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D. International support Growing Global Networks During 2023–24, CHARTS delivered its first international support programme with the sector. Growing Global Networks (GGN) was the first of its kind in the history of our region, aiming to facilitate discussion and growth around international practice and including webinars and mentoring support for CHARTS’ members to undertake international working and a series of online case studies. Grown from a previous CHARTS project, ‘Placemakers: Microcluster Networks’, Growing Global Networks was developed in collaboration with ex-officio Trustee Dr Michael Pierre Johnson, Creative Economy Innovation Leadership Fellow at the School of Innovation and Technology at the Glasgow School of Art. A key resource generated from Dr Johnson’s Placemakers publication, titled The Value of Creative Growth, continues to inform, guide and encourage Growing Global Networks development. Funded by: Image: Dr Deirdre MacKenna, Dr Kate Cowcher and Dr Angelo Kakande with delegates from the British Council in Kampala, Uganda (2024). © Kate Cowcher Staff Deirdre MacKenna PROJECT MANAGER 3232 Page 90
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CHARTS is for creative people in Argyll and Bute and thus for their audiences across Scotland. But in a shrinking world, the sympathies or otherwise of geography and culture lying beyond our borders matter more than ever. Indeed, CHARTS recognises the most welcome ambition of many of its members to work on a broader canvas and aims to support them. - Julian Forrester, Trustee Growing Global Networks included: z International knowledge exchange, to support research, enquiry-driven and social-engagement member interests, to develop and grow international relationships, exchange and collaborations. z International export, supporting enterprise and commercially driven member interests to develop and grow international routes to market for artists’ cultural products. z International tourism, supporting place- based member interests to develop and grow international visitor markets and experiences; outcomes included the development of products and visits to Argyll for individual practitioners. z Nine artists benefited directly from facilitated international visits, including to Norway, Denmark, Brooklyn (USA), Zürich (Switzerland), County Donegal (Republic of Ireland), Mauritius, Kyushu (Japan), and Worcester (USA). During January 2024, by invitation of Dr Kate Cowcher, School of History, University of St Andrews, the Growing Global Networks project manager visited Uganda and met with the British Council to further develop the scope for collaboration between CHARTS, the University of Makerere (Dr Angelo Kakande) and the Ugandan Arts Trust. This work highlighted how CHARTS staff work together addressing cross-cutting themes, by bringing together the Growing Global Networks and Argyll Collection, Reconnected projects, to maximise positive outcomes. The visit also built on themes of regional identity in Uganda and Argyll, which were first initiated by Naomi Mitchison through her links to the development of council-owned The Argyll Collection. Image: Dr Deirdre MacKenna in Kampala, Uganda. © CHARTS 3333 Page 91
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About the Growing Global Process Growing Global Networks was designed to develop the capacity of CHARTS members to successfully work internationally and consider new routes to market for commissions and sales. These new relationships led to members taking steps to join global networks, making new work and developing new collaborations. This assisted knowledge about how coastal Scotland shares issues and characteristics with communities and places around the world. Structured to explore member needs towards new collaboration in ways which would increase communication, early project planning included to roll-out framing questions, seeking response from members, generating many insights as well as requests for dialogue and support. Members were asked to consider their motivations (why) and who their work is for; in turn, they expressed that this had led to deeper consideration of how to approach and plan for their international working, and what might be expected of them. As the project progressed, there was a growing level of dialogue between members, and it was recognised that at the formative stages, time was needed for collaboration to grow. Concurrently, we worked to create an ethos of sharing; reciprocation and exchange within the dialogues around members' practices. Feedback gathered during well attended webinars generated a very rich source of information to enable CHARTS to shape its support for international working. Micro-projects generated as an outcome of the project reached a large number of people in eight countries outside the UK. Seven members undertook travel and exchange with collaborators they would not otherwise have been able to work with and this has led to more opportunities, sales of work and to reciprocally hosting visitors in Argyll. Image: ‘Evergreen’, Eve Campbell’s work made for the Worcester Centre for Crafts, USA. © Eve Campbell This international working has led to my practice being programmed within a forthcoming group exhibition in New York as well as a reciprocal visit from USA to Argyll of artists to continue and further build from their peer-to-peer collaboration. - Adrien Howard This project has already begun to grow my international market, and it is important that I follow through and use this opportunity for growth. Many benefits come from working internationally including not relying entirely on one market. I have also created a group with international followers who would like workshops. I intend to attempt to arrange a workshop for them and this may lead to new opportunities. - Eve Campbell 3434 Page 92
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My encounters at Kyushu University re-framed, re-contextualised and re-positioned my own practice, stimulating many ideas of how I could further develop my visual and poetry work with scientific work. Some of the insights I gained included: z the joy of seeing the endless possibilities of seaweed showcased (in food), z increased definition of the question of how to incorporate food in my practice, z a larger awareness and appreciation for our natural environment, z awareness of the challenges involved in translating all these discoveries into creative work. On this journey, I became much more aware of how I should/could/will engage with the landscape around me at Knockvologan [in Mull], Argyll; I realised that my practice is enabling me to collect and generate material and time-sensitive information and that these could/can contribute to deeper awareness and understanding of climate change. I also understood the importance of collaboration across the ocean and experienced how those different partners could benefit from each other and how working internationally enables me (and others) to: z learn about related projects in rural situations, z connect with like-minded people beyond my immediate horizons, z have a stronger and more diverse frames of reference through which to make sense of and evaluate my work, z gain awareness of my own locality, z find more routes to sell my work, z share my knowledge (and gain a sense of value while doing so), z promote cultural exchange as a worthwhile activity, z be challenged by opportunities that will strengthen and enrich my practice. The next steps include to design and organise the first summer school at Knockvologan on Mull. Both images: Mekari Shinji ceremony, Kitakyushu City, Japan, supported by CHARTS’ Growing Global Networks programme (2024). © Miek Zwamborn MY EXPERIENCE: Miek Zwamborn 3535 Page 93
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E. Awards & member support As a member-guided SCIO, it is critical that CHARTS supports its members in meeting their needs and assisting cultural development and sustainability. Our programmes underline this year-round, and the organisation supports its members individually. This has most recently included through the annual Artists and Craft Makers Awards (VACMA) scheme, managed by CHARTS on behalf of Argyll and Bute Council and Creative Scotland, and via bespoke mentoring services offered as part of the island development programme, Ràmh; through application processes and general feedback, the island team became aware of members needing critical one-to-one mentoring and development support. VACMA-supported artists were based in Ardfern, Dunoon, Innellan, Iona, Lochgilphead and Oban. Communities in many other locations also benefited from one-to-one mentoring leading to new commissions and opportunities. This included artists based on the islands of Mull, Tiree, Luing, Jura, Seil and Bute. . Funded by: 3636 Page 94
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Visual Artist and Craft Makers Awards Argyll and Bute The Visual Artist and Craft Makers Awards (VACMA) offers small grants to visual artists and craft makers for creative development at all career stages, offering two levels of bursaries: £500 and £750. Through VACMA, awardees have greatly benefited from the award's financial support; many have gone on to achieve successful Creative Scotland Open Funding for Individuals applications, develop sustainable practice, participate in national art festivals, and host solo exhibitions. Over the last five years, CHARTS has received a high number of applications showing the need for support and investment in the region. VACMA is a highly regarded national programme, and this year, it received a breadth of applications from established artists and makers in Argyll and Bute, focusing on sustainability and climate adaptation. Seven awards were granted in February 2024. Awardees included Lizzie Rose, who received support in February 2024 to undertake a two- day tailor-made intensive pigment-making course with London Pigment to further integrate sustainability into Lizzie’s practice by equipping them with the knowledge of how to create botanical dyes and earth, waste streams and lake pigments. Image: Blue Pigment, Lizzie Rose, VACMA (2024). © Lizzie Rose Thanks to a VACMA, I was enabled to delve into the world of pigment making through a two-day course with London Pigments. It opened my eyes to the potential all around us and into the empathy with place that using found and foraged pigments can offer and will slowly become part of my practice – I hope to enable a transition to a more caring place. - Lizzie Rose 3737 Page 95
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Mentoring CHARTS Members Responsiveness to members' needs lies at the heart of CHARTS' method of working. Mentoring used an iterative and formative approach through dialogues and member feedback to identify how artists could undertake processes in their work, which would lead to deeper engagement with people/stakeholders/ participants. This led to greater insights about member artists, their roles, motivations and methods of working. Mentoring support encouraged artists to undertake periods of reflection, stop production and assess the value of their work for the people they wanted to work with/for. This process of identifying value and significance enabled artists to think through the detail of the dynamics between themselves and their constituents and During 2023, Renuka Ramanujam also received support to create brushes, pigments and inks using a suite of plant and food waste derivatives in the form of prototypes such as 'natural pigment crayons'. Renuka was able to engage in several knowledge-sharing events, including an ink and dye-making demonstration as part of cultural textile workshops in collaboration with The National Archives (Manchester) and a circular economy workshop at Easdale Primary School. The VACMA grant has been instrumental in enabling me to take time to learn a skill that can benefit my practice in so many ways. I am so excited to be able to take what I’ve learned into further projects and continue to develop more opportunities for myself with it. - Renuka Ramanujam Images from Renuka Ramanujam’s Colours of Oban project (2023). © Renuka Ramanujam 3838 Page 96
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Having a series of dialogues with CHARTS in the context of international working was really useful for my work. I have found it challenging but important to reflect on the value of international working while working locally in Argyll, and to present those values to wider audiences. As CHARTS’ staff are experienced cultural producers working internationally, I was grateful for their advice and critical friendship. - Naoko Mabon As part of my Mekari project in Japan, CHARTS helped me formulate a plan of action. Because of their precision and encouragement, I left with a clear head and could also fall back on what we discussed and the notes we took in the process. Normally I would quickly lose overview, but I was able to do very focused research. CHARTS has given me a lot of support since my arrival on Mull, both in the form of two awards to date and mentally. I feel very lucky that such enthusiastic and professional people take care of the work and wellbeing of artists. That is certainly not something that can be taken for granted. - Miek Zwamborn how each of these is unique and requires effort and consideration. Only a few of the artists had undertaken a process like this before. In many cases, members successfully applied these insights to their work reporting successes, including major funding awards and greater levels of satisfaction/impact with their collaborators. They reported an increase in confidence in their work, more critical progress in their development, that their ambitions had grown, and deeper insight into the places their work operates in and represents. They also reported expanded thinking into new places and contexts. Mentoring has helped achieve/fulfil CHARTS' aim of co-producing with its members and also encouraging members to collaborate and create natural clusters of collaboration through common themes, locations and other aspects. Throughout all of this, CHARTS staff achieved deeper levels of collaboration with their members and more insight into both the characteristics of the places they work in and ways to support their work. Image: Naoko Mabon and Deborah Gray approaching Belfast, supported by CHARTS Growing Global Networks programme (2024). © Naoko Mabon 3939 Page 97
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F. Supporting engagement, post pandemic CHARTS is taking part in Scotland's Covid Community Memorial Programme, ‘Remembering Together’, working in partnership with greenspace scotland and Argyll and Bute Council. As an arts-led national project involving 32 local authority areas, Remembering Together encourages acts of reflection, remembrance, hope and healing within communities across Scotland. Further to community consultation across the region, CHARTS commissioned four artist and community partnerships, creating outdoor artworks, concluding in a celebratory hybrid event, 'Our Community Reflects' on 17th August 2024 which we will feature in more depth in next year’s review. Commissions have included engagement with people of all ages and outreach workshops in the community, schools and care homes. 1. Remembering Together, Reflect 2. Case study: How it Feels to be Apart Funded by: 4040 Page 98
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As Chair of the Steering Group, I have this year enjoyed working on the management of Reflect supporting the lead artists in local areas across Argyll. Designed to understand the impacts of the pandemic in our region, it has been specially important to highlight healing aspects of the outdoor environment. This project has built on the knowledge across the CHARTS network at local level to enable regional participation, engaging typically under-represented communities in a national programme. I am pleased to have been part of this project with such a lasting legacy. - Eleanor McKinnon, Chair, Steering Group We at greenspace scotland have really enjoyed working with CHARTS on Remembering Together since 2021. Given the co-created and collaborative nature of the project, CHARTS has been an ideal local partner to deliver this community and artist-led project as it required an organisation with not only local knowledge of the diverse communities and local artists but also sensitivity to the subject and ability to manage the challenges of such a complex project. - Carla Almeida, Remembering Together Programme Co-Lead Remembering Together, Reflect lead artists Emma Henderson CENTRE 81, GARELOCHHEAD Kirsten Millar LINDA McCARTNEY MEMORIAL GARDEN, CAMPBELTOWN NINA POPE & KAREN GUTHRIE (SOMEWHERE) AROS PARK WALLED GARDENS, ISLE OF MULL Luke Winter SAWA, ISLE OF BUTE Paul Campbell LEAD FILM MAKER Sean Catlin ASSISTANT FILM MAKER Image: community workshop in Rothesay led by Luke Winter (June 2024). © Luke Winter 4141 Page 99
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CASE STUDY: Nina Pope and Karen Guthrie How it Feels to be Apart, Isle of Mull I’ve begun from my own experience of lockdown – spent in Tobermory – but having arrived here with my young family only a few months before it began. Working under the title ‘THIS IS ENOUGH’ the project celebrates the many small acts of kindness and support I saw unfold around me during that time and builds on the sense that having time to look closely at our own surroundings and celebrate what we can make and grow ourselves 'at home' can be of value. I was extremely grateful to find myself somewhere with an overgrown garden during lockdown and took a lot of pleasure from growing and gifting flowers – sometimes, I admit, as an escape from home schooling! In August, I co-hosted a day at Aros Park Walled Garden near Tobermory where I invited people to come together and use the simple activity of making a hand-tied posy as a way to think together about this time. Using home-grown and wild flowers, we made up bunches to take away and gift to those we wanted to remember or thank from that time – a helpful neighbour, delivery driver, Co-op shopper, relative or friend. ‘Unprecedented’ was heard so often during the pandemic, and we all knew that, for once, what we were enduring really did fit this description. And yet, what the days often demanded of us during the crisis could seem modest. Making the most of a walk, missing friends and family, meeting one person outside, innovating meals with what we had in the cupboard and growing what we could with the seeds we had. This had to be 'enough', even when we had all had enough. Here on Mull, the first months of lockdown were blessed with uncharacteristic sunshine, an absence of traffic noise and a tourist season that didn't begin. Infrequent, almost empty ferries diminished even the usual hum of boat noise from the Sound. The continual news stream detailing the daily Covid-19 mortality rates contrasted with domestic excursions, and both could seem strange and sad, close by and far, far away. Many of us looked in detail again at our immediate surroundings, at the landscapes with which we believed we were familiar. In August I was delighted to collaborate with Alasdair and Georgia Satchel as part of a special in-person screening of ‘Islands in film’ – created during lockdown and featuring footage from 75 of us! In celebration of the fact we can all now come together in person to once again enjoy music, film and company and everyone was invited to continue to share reflections. Image: a posy-making workshop using home-grown and wild flowers was held in Tobermory. © Nina Pope Artist Nina Pope of Somewhere, describes the approach to her work involving the Aros Park Walled Garden and her experience on Mull. 2 4242 Page 100
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Our team We employ a highly experienced and dependable workforce, with dedicated managers at the helm of every themed programme guided by Director, Kathleen O’Neill. Operating a Fair Work policy, we ensure that individual team members, whether employed or freelance, are afforded professional development opportunities, funds permitting. During 2023–24, we offered training to three staff to become Arts Awards moderators to provide accreditation for young people and communities across a range of projects. Staff have also been supported in participating in professional network events, training courses, and conferences, as well as developing relationships with peers across Argyll and nationally. I have wanted to take part in [Arts Awards] training for many years [prior to working with CHARTS]. Through my work with developing young people’s visual literacy skills, I recognised the value of acknowledging and celebrating their achievements and, in turn, the increased importance that schools could place on arts learning in the future. Within my work for CHARTS, the potential to deliver arts awards is hugely exciting and paves the way for increasingly meaningful and directed work with young people across the region. - Rosalyn McKenna, Project Manager, The Argyll Collection, Reconnected I originally began working with CHARTS as their Modern Apprentice in Digital Marketing in 2021, after finishing a Master of Arts in Contemporary Art Practice. This apprenticeship enabled employment using my creative skills and equipped me with the tools to work confidently as part of a remote digital team. I have continued developing my skills post- apprenticeship, included undertaking courses such as ‘Developing My Leadership’, delivered by Social Enterprise Academy and Museum and Galleries Scotland. This course helped crystallise my understanding of management and allowed me to gain further skills and confidence in management, action planning, resilience and delegation - Kirsten Millar, Communications and Marketing Manager CHARTS is an essential resource that nourishes my sense of professional identity, my belief in my ambitions and my general mental wellbeing. Without CHARTS I would not be able to stay in Argyll. - Deirdre MacKenna, Engagement and International Project Manager 2023–24 We have increased work opportunities across Argyll and Bute: currently 50% of our staff team are resident in the region, and others are based in Angus, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and the Isle of Lewis. Although mostly working remotely, staff are exceptionally close-working, communicating regularly via digital channels and meeting in person as necessary. We also commission members across all Argyll and Bute Council community areas to support projects at a local level. Our model delivers to a high standard, addressing local needs: work during the year 2023–24 included international research and development for Growing Global Networks, The Argyll Collection, Reconnected and Gaelic Culture staff teams. Image: from left, Rosalyn McKenna, Kirsty MacNab and Muriel MacKaveney. 4343 Page 101
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Our future Since 2019, CHARTS has grown from an innovative Place Partnership into a key strategic supporter of the cultural and heritage sectors in Argyll and Bute. As we enter our sixth year, we aim to build on the successes of our key projects and also extend our operations into areas of continuing unmet need, with a particular focus on islands, on Gaelic culture, and upon creating opportunities for young people in heritage and the creative industries. Our mission is to ensure Argyll and Bute has a growing and sustainable arts and heritage sector which makes a valued contribution to community wealth building throughout the region. In order to continue to advance this agenda, we need to strengthen our organisational capacity through a programme of carefully targeted increased investment in our management and communication infrastructure and also to recruit new trustees to our Board who will more fully represent the range and diversity of those who live and work in Argyll and the Isles. These will be priorities over the coming year. Alongside this, we will continue to grow our membership by a projected 25% over three years and strengthen the support provided to our Steering Group by increasing our use of task-orientated working groups, including membership at Board level. Our new three-year Business Plan sets out how we will achieve these ambitious aims. CHARTS prides itself in punching above its weight, and we are gaining increasing recognition, both nationally and internationally for our work, including inclusion in national reviews and case studies. We fully expect to continue building Argyll and Bute's reputation as a beacon of excellence in the creative arts and heritage sectors over the coming year. - Seymour Adams, CHARTS Vice-Chair Image (above): Dunoon Grammar School pupils at the University of St Andrews’ Argyll Collection. Image (right): Campbeltown Museum’s Burnett Building. The partnership between liveArgyll and CHARTS continues to go from strength to strength, improving on the strong foundations put in place back in 2022 regarding Campbeltown Museum’s fine art, social history and natural history collections. Kathleen and her team bring a high level of assistance and expertise to the daily operations of the museum, and their creativity has been instrumental in ensuring the delivery of a wide range of projects, exhibitions and events benefit the general public. I very much look forward to the partnership continuing, and am excited about what this will bring to the museum in the future. - Robert Judge, Area Operations Manager, liveArgyll 4444 Page 102
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Image (right): Campbeltown Museum, Colmcille Embroidery Workshop (October 2023). © CHARTS Image (below, right): Reflect sundial experiments, Campbeltown (May 2024). © Kirsten Millar Image (below): Growing Global Networks, Entebbe Airport, Uganda (January 2024). © CHARTS/Deirdre MacKenna For more information about CHARTS projects and members visit: www.chartsargyllandisles.org/ projects-and-showcases Page 103
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Cover image: Coastal Cultures, Expressing an Island, group shot – Patrick Corbett Geology-Poetry Workshop (July 2023). © Glenda Rome Review designed by CHARTS members, Abigail Daly (ruskinlane.co.uk) and Hannah Clinch (tacit-tacit.co.uk). The Culture, Heritage and Arts Assembly, Argyll and Isles, is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in Scotland: SC049113 Stay in touch info@chartsargyllandisles.org chartsargyllandisles.org /CHARTArgyllIsle /chartsargyllandisles Become a member of CHARTS for free: www.chartsargyllandisles.org/register /CHArtsArgyllandIsles Page 104
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1 ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL MID-ARGYLL, KINTYRE AND THE ISLANDS AREA COMMITTEE CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES 4 SEPTEMBER 2024 AREA PERFORMANCE REPORT – FQ1 2024/25 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 This paper presents the Area Performance Report for Financial Quarter 1 2024/25 (April to June 2024) and illustrates the agreed performance measures. 1.2 The features of the Performance Report are as follows:- Indicators are grouped by Corporate Outcome. The data table for each indicator is coded to identify the level of reporting. o Area level measures are blue o Council level measures are grey o COI measures are white Each indicator details the o Target, Actual and Performance status (Green / Red / No Target) for the current and four previous financial quarters. o Commentary for the current financial quarter only. o Narrative explaining the performance trend e.g. This indicator is above Target and performance has improved since the last reporting period. o Where appropriate a Performance Trend Line has been added. o The name of the Responsible Officer. o Where possible performance is presented at both Area and Council level. 1.3 The commentary for each indicator helps ‘Tell Our Story’ and enables Elected Members to put the performance data into perspective and understand if an issue is local in nature or should be escalated up to a Strategic Committee. 1.4 As part of our improvements to performance reporting and making best use of the digital technology available to us, the information contained in this report is also available in your online scorecard. If support is required to navigate the online scorecard please contact lorna.gillies@argyll-bute.gov.uk 1.5 To improve the response to performance queries, it is requested that should there be any queries that either the Responsible Person or Kay Owen are contacted. This should enable some queries being resolved or clarified prior to the Area Committee meeting, and therefore being carried forward as Actions at a subsequent meeting. Page 105 Agenda Item 11
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2 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Area Committee – a) Notes and considers the performance and supporting commentary as presented. 3.0 IMPLICATIONS 3.1 Policy All of the indicators in this report are based on agreed Council policy. 3.2 Financial All indicators with financial implications are actively managed through agreed budget monitoring processes. 3.3 Legal All appropriate legal implications are complied with. 3.4 HR All HR implications are actively managed through agreed Wellbeing and Management monitoring processes. 3.5 Fairer Scotland Duty See below. 3.5.1 Equalities All activities comply with Equal Opportunities/Fairer Scotland Duty policies and obligations. 3.5.2 Socio-economic Duty All activities comply with the council’s socio- economic duty. 3.5.3 Islands Duty All activities comply with the council’s islands duty. 3.6 Climate Change The Council is committed to working towards net zero. 3.7 Risk Without this information Elected Members are less informed of activities within their area. 3.8 Customer Service All activities with customer feedback or insight are rigorously monitored for improvement. 3.9 The Rights of the Child This report highlights examples of how the Council is (UNCRC) committed to, and working towards reducing child poverty and improving outcomes for every child. Kirsty Flanagan, Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services Jane Fowler Head of Customer Support Services 6 August 2024 For further information, please contact: Kay Owen Team Lead - Organisation Development Project Office - Customer Support Services 01546 604073 Appendix 1: FQ1 2024/25 MAKI Performance Report Page 106
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Appendix 1 Page 1 All Areas FQ1 2024/25 Overall Performance Summary The information presented is a summary of the agreed measures. Unless stated otherwise, performance is presented at both Area and Council-wide levels. The measures show the performance against target for the current and previous three reporting periods with an explanation of performance trend. The data table for each indicator is colour coded to identify the level of reporting: Area level measures are blue. Council level measures are grey. Corporate Outcome Indicators (COIs) are white. Where appropriate a Trend Line has been added to illustrate movement in ‘Actual’ over the reporting period. Page 107
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Appendix 1 Page 2 Performance Reporting All Areas .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Performance Reporting .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Corporate Outcome No.1 – People live active, healthier and independent lives ............................................................................................................................ 5 COI – Maximise distribution of Scottish Welfare Fund ................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Corporate Outcome No.1 – People live active, healthier and independent lives ............................................................................................................................ 6 COI – Percentage of clients satisfied that they are better able to deal with their financial problems following our support and intervention ...................... 6 Corporate Outcome No.2 – People live in safer and stronger communities .................................................................................................................................... 7 Number of parking penalty notices issued – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay .................................................................................................................................. 7 Number of parking penalty notices issued – Argyll and Bute ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 Corporate Outcome No.2 – People live in safer and stronger communities .................................................................................................................................... 8 Car parking income to date – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay .......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Car parking income to date – Argyll and Bute ............................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Corporate Outcome No.2 – People live in safer and stronger communities .................................................................................................................................. 10 Dog fouling – total number of complaints – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay ................................................................................................................................. 10 Dog fouling – total number of complaints – Argyll and Bute ...................................................................................................................................................... 10 Corporate Outcome No.3 – Children and young people have the best possible start ................................................................................................................... 12 COI – Increase the percentage of our care experienced young people that have the recommended additional tracking and monitoring plans in place .... 12 Corporate Outcome No.3 – Children and young people have the best possible start ................................................................................................................... 13 COI – Provide quality meals with cost margins to all pupils ....................................................................................................................................................... 13 Corporate Outcome No.4 – Education, skills and training maximises opportunities for all .......................................................................................................... 14 Maximise the percentage of 16-19 years olds participating in education, training or employment – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay ...................................... 14 Maintain the percentage of 16-19 years olds in Argyll and Bute participating in education, training or employment services – Argyll and Bute ................ 14 Corporate Outcome No.5 – Our economy is diverse and thriving .................................................................................................................................................. 16 Number of affordable social sector new builds completed per annum – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay ................................................................................... 16 Page 108
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Appendix 1 Page 3 Number of affordable social sector new builds completed per annum – Argyll and Bute ........................................................................................................ 16 Corporate Outcome No.5 – Our economy is diverse and thriving .................................................................................................................................................. 17 Percentage of pre-planning application enquiries processed within 20 working days – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay ........................................................... 17 Percentage of pre-planning application enquiries processed within 20 working days – Argyll and Bute ................................................................................ 17 Corporate Outcome No.5 – Our economy is diverse and thriving .................................................................................................................................................. 19 Householder planning applications – average number of weeks to determine – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay ...................................................................... 19 Householder planning applications – average number of weeks to determine – Argyll and Bute ........................................................................................... 19 Corporate Outcome No.5 – Our economy is diverse and thriving .................................................................................................................................................. 21 COI – Number of new homeless applicants who required temporary accommodation this period ......................................................................................... 21 Corporate Outcome No.5 – Our economy is diverse and thriving .................................................................................................................................................. 22 COI – Maintain the percentage of local suppliers that benefit from the awards of contracts via the procurement portal .................................................... 22 Corporate Outcome No.5 – Our economy is diverse and thriving .................................................................................................................................................. 23 COI – Increase the number of community benefits that are delivered through contracts we award locally ........................................................................... 23 Corporate Outcome No.6 – We have infrastructure that supports sustainable growth ............................................................................................................... 24 Street lighting – percentage of faults repaired within 10 days – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay ................................................................................................. 24 The percentage of street lighting faults are completed within 10 working days – Argyll and Bute .......................................................................................... 24 Corporate Outcome No.6 – We have infrastructure that supports sustainable growth ............................................................................................................... 25 Total number of complaints regarding waste collection – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay .......................................................................................................... 25 Total number of complaints regarding waste collection – Argyll and Bute ............................................................................................................................... 25 Corporate Outcome No.6 – We have infrastructure that supports sustainable growth ............................................................................................................... 26 COI – Percentage of waste recycled, composted and recovered ................................................................................................................................................ 26 Renewi (formerly Shanks) – Percentage of waste recycled, composted and recovered ........................................................................................................... 26 Islands – Percentage of waste recycled, composted and recovered .......................................................................................................................................... 27 H&L – Percentage of waste recycled, composted and recovered ............................................................................................................................................... 27 Corporate Outcome No.6 – We have infrastructure that supports sustainable growth ............................................................................................................... 29 Page 109
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Appendix 1 Page 4 COI – The number of tonnes of waste sent to landfill ................................................................................................................................................................. 29 Corporate Outcome No.6 – We have infrastructure that supports sustainable growth ............................................................................................................... 30 LEAMS (Local Environment Audit and Management System) – Mid Argyll................................................................................................................................ 30 LEAMS (Local Environment Audit and Management System) – Kintyre ..................................................................................................................................... 30 LEAMS (Local Environment Audit and Management System) – Islay ......................................................................................................................................... 31 LEAMS (Local Environment Audit and Management System) – Argyll and Bute ....................................................................................................................... 31 Making It Happen.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 32 Teacher sickness absence – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay ........................................................................................................................................................... 32 Teacher sickness absence – Argyll and Bute ................................................................................................................................................................................ 32 Making It Happen.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 33 LGE staff (non-teacher) sickness absence – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay .................................................................................................................................. 33 LGE staff (non-teacher) sickness absence – Argyll and Bute ....................................................................................................................................................... 33 Making It Happen.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 34 COI – Increase the percentage of all self-service automated contacts ....................................................................................................................................... 34 Page 110
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Appendix 1 Page 5 Corporate Outcome No.1 – People live active, healthier and independent lives COI – Maximise distribution of Scottish Welfare Fund This indicator is a Corporate Outcome Indicator that is reported quarterly. The performance presented is Council-wide only. Reporting Period Target Actual Status FQ1 2023/24 95.3% 112.9% Green FQ2 2023/24 95.3% 134.3% Green FQ3 2023/24 95.3% 138.2% Green FQ4 2023/24 95.3% 128.6% Green FQ1 2024/25 95.3% 94.0% Red This indicator for FQ1 has is lower than the target and the actual has decreased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment As of 30 June 2024, our expenditure stands at £107,676, which is £6,894 below the profiled budget. This reduction in cost is primarily because the cost of white goods has decreased, leading to an average reduction of £120 in our standard community care grant awards. The number of awards we have made has increased this year and we are able to support more vulnerable claimants within the budget. Responsible person: Fergus Walker Page 111
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Appendix 1 Page 6 Corporate Outcome No.1 – People live active, healthier and independent lives COI – Percentage of clients satisfied that they are better able to deal with their financial problems following our support and intervention This indicator is a Corporate Outcome Indicator that is reported quarterly. The performance presented is Council-wide only. Reporting Period Target Actual Status FQ1 2023/24 100% 100% Green FQ2 2023/24 100% 100% Green FQ3 2023/24 100% 100% Green FQ4 2023/24 100% 100% Green FQ1 2024/25 100% 100% Green This indicator for FQ1 has met the target with no change in performance since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment This is a voluntary survey with no obligation for clients to respond either in full or in part. It is also common for incomplete returns to be received. In FQ1 2024/25, 19 survey forms were distributed to clients. 1 was returned. Of this 1 return, 1 responded to the question relating to being better able to deal with their financial problems. Of this 1 respondent 1 responded positively, whilst 0 responded negatively. Accordingly, 100% of clients that responded were positive about their experience i.e. no negative comments or responses were reported. Responsible person: Lee Roberts Page 112
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Appendix 1 Page 7 Corporate Outcome No.2 – People live in safer and stronger communities Number of parking penalty notices issued – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 No target 51 No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 36 No target FQ3 2023/24 No target 69 No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 21 No target FQ1 2024/25 No target 89 No target The indicator for FQ1 shows the number of parking penalty notices has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment There has been an approximate increase of 70% PCNs (51 to 89) issued in MAKI compared to last year's FQ1, this is due in part to the warden being more prevalent in MAKI at the request of local members. Responsible person: Hugh O’Neill Number of parking penalty notices issued – Argyll and Bute Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 No target 1,816 No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 1,172 No target FQ3 2023/24 No target 1,015 No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 1,196 No target FQ1 2024/25 No target 1,763 No target This indicator for FQ1 shows the number of parking penalty notices has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment In comparison to last year's FQ1 figure, there is a very slight overall drop in PCNs issued across the full area of 3%. This is in line with budget expectations. Responsible person: Hugh O’Neill Page 113
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Appendix 1 Page 8 Corporate Outcome No.2 – People live in safer and stronger communities Car parking income to date – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Performance is presented cumulatively for both Area and Council-wide levels. For individual car parks, the income presented is on a quarterly basis. Reporting Period Target (Cumulative) Actual (Cumulative) Status FQ1 2023/24 £16,315 £19,706 Green FQ2 2023/24 £40,722 £38,087 Red FQ3 2023/24 £55,578 £65,965 Green FQ4 2023/24 £67,493 £66,252 Red FQ1 2024/25 £28,262 £17,072 Red This indicator for FQ1 shows the cumulative amount of income collected is lower than the cumulative target. There is no performance trend as this data is cumulative. FQ1 Comment At present we are unable to explain why there is a shortfall in the MAKI area. The weather may well be a contributing factor along with the cost of living crisis which may prevent people from travelling. All car parks are open, and the warden is in the area as often as possible. Responsible person: Hugh O’Neill Actual quarterly income collected in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay during FQ4 and FQ1. Car Park Location FQ4 Actual FQ1 Actual Fisher Row, Inveraray £34 £2,589 The Avenue, Inveraray £106 £5,896 Front Street and Toilets, Inveraray £148 £8,579 Lorne Street, Lochgilphead £0 £8 MAKI (parking permits) £0 £0 Total £288 £17,072 Page 114
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Appendix 1 Page 9 Car parking income to date – Argyll and Bute Performance is presented cumulatively for both Area and Council-wide levels. Reporting Period Target (Cumulative) Actual (Cumulative) Status FQ1 2023/24 £234,056 £253,705 Green FQ2 2023/24 £584,204 £486,151 Red FQ3 2023/24 £797,331 £807,348 Green FQ4 2023/24 £968,262 £937,090 Red FQ1 2024/25 £289,219 £247,216 Red This indicator for FQ1 shows the cumulative amount of income collected is lower than the cumulative target. There is no performance trend as this data is cumulative. FQ1 Comment At present we are unable to explain why there is an overall shortfall across all areas. The weather may well be a contributing factor along with the cost of living crisis which may prevent people from travelling. All car parks are open, and the wardens are in the areas as often as possible. Responsible person: Hugh O’Neill Page 115
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Appendix 1 Page 10 Corporate Outcome No.2 – People live in safer and stronger communities Dog fouling – total number of complaints – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 No target 32 No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 23 No target FQ3 2023/24 No target 24 No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 28 No target FQ1 2024/25 No target 27 No target This indicator for FQ1 shows the number of dog fouling complaints has decreased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment There were 27 dog fouling reports this month for the whole of the MAKI area, there were 3 reports for the Isle of Islay, however Kintyre received 14 and Mid Argyll received 10. Responsible person: Tom Murphy Dog fouling – total number of complaints – Argyll and Bute Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 No target 60 No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 51 No target FQ3 2023/24 No target 46 No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 65 No target FQ1 2024/25 No target 57 No target This indicator for FQ1 shows the number of dog fouling complaints has decreased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment This quarter the section has received a total of 57 dog fouling complaints and only 1 fine was issued in the Kintyre area. This is quite a high number and our Warden service where possible will continue to monitor this when they can. Dog fouling fines are difficult to enforce as the Warden would actually have to witness Page 116
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Appendix 1 Page 11 the act and even then, the dog owner may have a medical reason as to why they are unable to pick up after their dog. However, this will not deter the Wardens and they will continue to educate people on this matter. Responsible person: Tom Murphy Page 117
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Appendix 1 Page 12 Corporate Outcome No.3 – Children and young people have the best possible start COI – Increase the percentage of our care experienced young people that have the recommended additional tracking and monitoring plans in place This indicator is a Corporate Outcome Indicator that is reported quarterly. The performance presented is Council-wide only. Reporting Period Target Actual Status FQ1 2023/24 100% 100% Green FQ2 2023/24 100% 100% Green FQ3 2023/24 100% 100% Green FQ4 2023/24 100% 100% Green FQ1 2024/25 100% 100% Green This indicator for FQ1 has met the target with no change in performance since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment Each care experienced child and young person enrolled in an authority school has tracking and monitoring plans in place via our education management information system knowns as Seemis. Data collated includes attendance, exclusion, progress and attainment and wellbeing information. The Virtual Head Teacher (VHT) for Care Experienced Children and Young People (CECYP) works closely with the education data team and receives monthly reports specific to CECYP. The VHT offers both support and challenge to Designated Managers for CECYP across authority settings to ensure each young person has the correct framework of support to help them achieve success. The profile of our CECYP continues to be raised through system improvements, training opportunities, information sharing (as appropriate) leading to greater consideration of personalised support at all stages of the young person’s educational journey. We continue to develop and refine our tracking and monitoring systems to ensure data is relevant and meaningful. This happens through self-evaluation and linking with wider local authorities to ensure best practice. Next steps include developing a system to formally track and monitor CECYP who are out-with our authority schools. A data sharing agreement is currently being produced for this purpose. Responsible person: Louise Chisholm Page 118
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Appendix 1 Page 13 Corporate Outcome No.3 – Children and young people have the best possible start COI – Provide quality meals with cost margins to all pupils This indicator is a Corporate Outcome Indicator that is reported quarterly. The performance presented is Council-wide only. Reporting Period Target Actual Status FQ1 2023/24 +/-5.00% 5.00% Green FQ2 2023/24 +/-5:00% -7.07% Red FQ3 2023/24 +/-5.00% 4.12% Green FQ4 2023/24 +/-5.00% -3.44% Green FQ1 2024/25 +/-5.00% 0.48% Green This indicator for FQ1 is within the +/-5.00% target variance and performance has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment Work continues to monitor all schools that are out with the Food cost percentage target. B&C 8.89% H&L 0.25% MAKI -4.68% OLI 1.58% Responsible person: Christine Boyle Page 119
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Appendix 1 Page 14 Corporate Outcome No.4 – Education, skills and training maximises opportunities for all Maximise the percentage of 16-19 years olds participating in education, training or employment – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 94.00% 94.85% Green FQ2 2023/24 94.00% 97.28% Green FQ3 2023/24 94.00% 96.11% Green FQ4 2023/24 94.00% 96.32% Green FQ1 2024/25 94.00% 96.64% Green This indicator for FQ1 is above the target and performance has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment As of 4th July 2024, the participation figure (16-19 year-olds in employment, training or education) in Mid-Argyll, Kintyre and Islay was 1,064 young people, which equates to 96.64%. This is 2.64% above the target and 1.04% above the annual Argyll and Bute participation figure of 95.60%, which was released by Skills Development Scotland at the end of August 2023. The participation figure of 96.64% for FQ1 of 2024/25 is an increase of 0.32% on the participation figure for FQ4 of 2023/24. Responsible person: Jennifer Crocket Maintain the percentage of 16-19 years olds in Argyll and Bute participating in education, training or employment services – Argyll and Bute Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 94.00% 93.75% Red FQ2 2023/24 94.00% 95.94% Green FQ3 2023/24 94.00% 94.37% Green FQ4 2023/24 94.00% 93.59% Red FQ1 2024/25 94.00% 94.99% Green This indicator for FQ1 is above the target and performance has increased since the last reporting period. Page 120
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Appendix 1 Page 15 FQ1 Comment As of 4th July 2024, the participation figure (16-19 year-olds in employment, training or education) for the whole of Argyll and Bute was 4,287 young people, which equates to 94.99%. This is 0.99% above the target and 0.61% below the annual Argyll and Bute participation figure of 95.60%, which was released by Skills Development Scotland at the end of August 2023. The participation figure of 94.99% for FQ1 of 2024/25 is an increase of 1.40% on the participation figure for FQ4 of 2023/24. Responsible person: Jennifer Crocket Page 121
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Appendix 1 Page 16 Corporate Outcome No.5 – Our economy is diverse and thriving Number of affordable social sector new builds completed per annum – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Reporting Period Target Actual Status FQ1 2023/24 0 0 Green FQ2 2023/24 0 0 Green FQ3 2023/24 0 0 Green FQ4 2023/24 0 0 Green FQ1 2024/25 0 0 Green This indicator for FQ1 shows the number of completions has met the target for the reporting period. FQ1 Comment There were no completions for Mid Argyll, Kintyre & Islay during this period. Responsible person: Kelly Ferns Number of affordable social sector new builds completed per annum – Argyll and Bute Reporting Period Target Actual Status FQ1 2023/24 26 26 Green FQ2 2023/24 40 40 Green FQ3 2023/24 0 0 Green FQ4 2023/24 0 0 Green FQ1 2024/25 12 12 Green This indicator for FQ1 shows the number of completions has met the target for the reporting period. FQ1 Comment There were 12 units completed during this period. Dunbritton Housing Association – 12 units in Helensburgh 8 x 1 bed and 4 x 2 bed. B&C 0 MAKI 0 H&L 12 OLI 0 Responsible person: Kelly Ferns Page 122
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Appendix 1 Page 17 Corporate Outcome No.5 – Our economy is diverse and thriving Percentage of pre-planning application enquiries processed within 20 working days – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 75.0% 51.7% Red FQ2 2023/24 75.0% 8.3% Red FQ3 2023/24 75.0% 28.1% Red FQ4 2023/24 75.0% 29.3% Red FQ1 2024/25 75.0% 19.5% Red This indicator for FQ1 is below the target and performance has decreased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment Performance across the Development Management Service continues to be impacted as it works through a backlog of casework that has accumulated through the Covid pandemic and which has been exacerbated by extended periods of operating with reduced staffing levels due to issues with recruitment to vacant posts, and the introduction of National Planning Framework 4. Whilst vacancies across the service have now largely been filled the focus of officers remains geared toward the resolution of statutory casework with the handling of pre-application enquiries afforded lower priority in caseload management. To assist with the management of reduced customer expectations the target for responding to pre-app enquiries has been temporarily extended to 6 weeks. During FQ1 the MAKI team has been impacted by significant periods of staff absence which has prevented recovery of performance. During FQ1, 41 pre-apps were responded to within MAKI. 29.3% were issued within 6 weeks. Responsible person: Peter Bain Percentage of pre-planning application enquiries processed within 20 working days – Argyll and Bute Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 75.0% 55.4% Red FQ2 2023/24 75.0% 47.5% Red FQ3 2023/24 75.0% 49.1% Red FQ4 2023/24 75.0% 55.0% Red FQ1 2024/25 75.0% 49.5% Red This indicator for FQ1 is below the target and performance has decreased since the last reporting period. Page 123
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Appendix 1 Page 18 FQ1 Comment Performance across the Development Management Service continues to be impacted as it works through a backlog of casework that has accumulated through the Covid pandemic and which has been exacerbated by extended periods of operating with reduced staffing levels due to issues with recruitment to vacant posts, and the introduction of National Planning Framework 4. Whilst vacancies across the service have now largely been filled the focus of officers remains geared toward the resolution of statutory casework with the handling of pre-application enquiries afforded lower priority in caseload management. To assist with the management of reduced customer expectations the target for responding to pre-app enquiries has been temporarily extended to 6 weeks. During FQ1, 105 pre- apps were responded to across ABC. 57.1% were issued within 6 weeks. Responsible person: Peter Bain Page 124
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Appendix 1 Page 19 Corporate Outcome No.5 – Our economy is diverse and thriving Householder planning applications – average number of weeks to determine – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 8.0 weeks 21.4 weeks Red FQ2 2023/24 8.0 weeks 24.4 weeks Red FQ3 2023/24 8.0 weeks 23.4 weeks Red FQ4 2023/24 8.0 weeks 26.0 weeks Red FQ1 2024/25 8.0 weeks 22.8 weeks Red This indicator for FQ1 has not met the target however performance has increased since the last reporting period (lower is best). FQ1 Comment This measure only relates to planning applications received for alterations to existing premises. Performance across the Development Management Service continues to be impacted as it works through a backlog of casework that has accumulated through the Covid pandemic and which has been exacerbated by extended periods of operating with reduced staffing levels due to issues with recruitment to vacant posts, and the introduction of National Planning Framework 4. Improving resource availability has allowed the focus of the DM Service to shift from the prioritisation of the most significant applications to addressing the accrued backlog of older applications. The determination of a higher-than-normal volume of older cases has a significant impact on "average time taken" performance measures as a relatively small number of older cases can skew the outcome. It is also noted that these performance measures are based on "raw data" and as such have not been adjusted to take into account delays to determination out with the control of the planning authority. FQ4 has seen the determination of 2 'legacy' applications and continued high volume of newer case work. Performance overall has improved significantly although it is noted that the determination of older applications continues to impact on the headline figure however 83% of applications determined in FQ1 were less than 6 months old; these items were determined in an average time of 9.6 weeks. Responsible person: Peter Bain Householder planning applications – average number of weeks to determine – Argyll and Bute Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 8.0 weeks 21.6 weeks Red FQ2 2023/24 8.0 weeks 18.1 weeks Red FQ3 2023/24 8.0 weeks 16.8 weeks Red FQ4 2023/24 8.0 weeks 20.0 weeks Red Page 125
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Appendix 1 Page 20 Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2024/25 8.0 weeks 16.1 weeks Red This indicator for FQ1 has not met the target however performance has increased since the last reporting period (lower is best). FQ1 Comment This measure only relates to planning applications received for alterations to existing premises. Performance across the Development Management Service continues to be impacted as it works through a backlog of casework that has accumulated through the Covid pandemic and which has been exacerbated by extended periods of operating with reduced staffing levels due to issues with recruitment to vacant posts, and the introduction of National Planning Framework 4. Improving resource availability has allowed the focus of the DM Service to shift from the prioritisation of the most significant applications to addressing the accrued backlog of older applications. The determination of a higher-than-normal volume of older cases has a significant impact on "average time taken" performance measures as a relatively small number of older cases can skew the outcome. It is also noted that these performance measures are based on "raw data" and as such have not been adjusted to take into account delays to determination out with the control of the planning authority. FQ4 has seen the determination of 2 'legacy' applications and continued high volume of newer case work. Performance overall has improved significantly although it is noted that the determination of older applications continues to impact on the headline figure however 83% of applications determined in FQ1 were less than 6 months old; these items were determined in an average time of 9.6 weeks. Responsible person: Peter Bain Page 126
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Appendix 1 Page 21 Corporate Outcome No.5 – Our economy is diverse and thriving COI – Number of new homeless applicants who required temporary accommodation this period This indicator is a Corporate Outcome Indicator that is reported quarterly. The performance presented is Council-wide only. Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 No target 32 No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 36 No target FQ3 2023/24 No target 26 No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 30 No target FQ1 2024/25 No target 26 No target This indicator for FQ1 shows the number of applicants has decreased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment During FQ1, the housing service provided temporary accommodation for 26 new homeless households. B&C: 10 households (1 x Private Sector Property, 6 x Serviced Accommodation, 3 x Bed & Breakfast). H&L: 0 new households. MAKI: 2 household (1 x Bed & Breakfast, 1 x Serviced Accommodation). OLI: 14 households (1 x Registered Social Landlord, 4 x Private Sector Property, 1 x Serviced Accommodation, 4 x Supported Accommodation, 4 x Bed & Breakfast). Please note: • The Registered Social Landlord and Private Rented Sector properties are leased by the Council and sub-let to homeless households as temporary accommodation. • Serviced Accommodation is available in Cowal and Helensburgh and is for single people providing an en-suite bedroom and shared kitchen facilities. • Supported accommodation is provided in Lorn by Blue Triangle Housing Association. • Accommodation may be offered outwith the HMA area that the homeless application was taken due to availability i.e. application taken in Oban and the applicant offered accommodation in Dunoon as there was no accommodation available in Oban. B&C 10 H&L 0 MAKI 2 OLI 14 Responsible person: Morven Macintyre Page 127
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Appendix 1 Page 22 Corporate Outcome No.5 – Our economy is diverse and thriving COI – Maintain the percentage of local suppliers that benefit from the awards of contracts via the procurement portal This indicator is a Corporate Outcome Indicator that is reported quarterly. The performance presented is Council-wide only. Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 20.0% 10.8% Red FQ2 2023/24 20.0% 26.5% Green FQ3 2023/24 20.0% 27.8% Green FQ4 2023/24 20.0% 14.3% Red FQ1 2024/25 20.0% 36.0% Green This indicator for FQ1 is above the target and performance has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment FQ1 – 36.0% (an increase from previous quarter 14.3%). From the 24 contracts awarded, 11 local suppliers submitted a bid, 9 of which were successful (81.8%) with an estimated contract value of £10.1m. The Procurement, Commercial and Contract Management Team will continue to support local suppliers by providing useful information on the Council's website. Responsible person: Anne MacColl-Smith Page 128
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Appendix 1 Page 23 Corporate Outcome No.5 – Our economy is diverse and thriving COI – Increase the number of community benefits that are delivered through contracts we award locally This indicator is a Corporate Outcome Indicator that is reported quarterly. The performance presented is Council-wide only. Reporting Period Target Actual Status FQ1 2023/24 No target - No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 37 No target FQ3 2023/24 No target - No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 37 No target FQ1 2024/25 No target - No target This indicator is reported in FQ2 and FQ4. This indicator for FQ4 shows the number of community benefits has remained the same since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment The next report will be due in October 2024. Responsible person: Anne MacColl-Smith Page 129
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Appendix 1 Page 24 Corporate Outcome No.6 – We have infrastructure that supports sustainable growth Street lighting – percentage of faults repaired within 10 days – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 75% 17% Red FQ2 2023/24 75% 63% Red FQ3 2023/24 75% 57% Red FQ4 2023/24 75% 50% Red FQ1 2024/25 75% 87% Green This indicator for FQ1 is above the target and performance has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment Given the summer months, the number of faults reported in FQ1 has reduced, allowing our electrician in this area to attend and repair the majority of faults. Responsible person: Tom Murphy The percentage of street lighting faults are completed within 10 working days – Argyll and Bute Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 75% 37% Red FQ2 2023/24 75% 43% Red FQ3 2023/24 75% 46% Red FQ4 2023/24 75% 49% Red FQ1 2024/25 75% 93% Green This indicator for FQ1 is below the target however performance has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment Given the summer months, the number of faults reported in FQ1 has reduced, allowing our electricians in all areas to attend and repair the majority of faults within the timescales set out. We have now fully recruited our team of electricians. We are in the process of recruiting a Street Lighting Inspector who will oversee all areas and assist our Team Leader on the ground. Responsible person: Tom Murphy Page 130
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Appendix 1 Page 25 Corporate Outcome No.6 – We have infrastructure that supports sustainable growth Total number of complaints regarding waste collection – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 No target 6 No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 10 No target FQ3 2023/24 No target 3 No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 3 No target FQ1 2024/25 No target 4 No target This indicator for FQ1 shows the number of waste collection complaints has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment Only 4 waste collection complaints were received this quarter in the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay areas. Given the number of properties serviced another good level of service. Responsible person: Tom Murphy Total number of complaints regarding waste collection – Argyll and Bute Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 No target 67 No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 101 No target FQ3 2023/24 No target 18 No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 7 No target FQ1 2024/25 No target 38 No target This indicator for FQ1 shows the number of waste collection complaints has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment A total of 38 waste collection complaints were received this month for the whole of Argyll and Bute. This is an excellent level of service given the number of properties serviced and the various waste collected. Any complaints received are acted on timeously by the administration staff and waste collection staff. Responsible person: Tom Murphy Page 131
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Appendix 1 Page 26 Corporate Outcome No.6 – We have infrastructure that supports sustainable growth COI – Percentage of waste recycled, composted and recovered Performance is presented by Council-wide service provision. Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 45.0% 47.6% Green FQ2 2023/24 45.0% 59.8% Green FQ3 2023/24 45.0% 49.0% Green FQ4 2023/24 45.0% 74.0% Green FQ1 2024/25 45.0% 68.4% Green This indicator for FQ1 is above the target however performance has decreased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment 68.4% recycling, composting and recovery during the quarter (40.9% recycling/composting plus 27.5% recovery). Figure is high mainly due to significant recovery from Helensburgh and Lomond’s general waste which now all goes for refuse derived fuel (RDF)/energy from waste (EFW) instead of being landfilled. Responsible person: John Blake Renewi (formerly Shanks) – Percentage of waste recycled, composted and recovered Performance is presented by Council-wide service provision. Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 No target 53.0% No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 68.7% No target FQ3 2023/24 No target 55.3% No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 66.5% No target FQ1 2024/25 No target 56.2% No target This indicator for FQ1 shows the percentage of waste recycled has decreased since the last reporting period. Page 132
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Appendix 1 Page 27 FQ1 Comment 56.2% recycling, composting and recovery during the quarter (40.2% recycling/composting plus 16% recovery). Recovery levels back to normal in this quarter after previous time limited trial by Renewi ended whereby during the trial some general waste from their sites was sent for energy from waste (EFW). Responsible person: John Blake Islands – Percentage of waste recycled, composted and recovered Performance is presented by Council-wide service provision. Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 No target 39.2% No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 35.6% No target FQ3 2023/24 No target 34.2% No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 41.5% No target FQ1 2024/25 No target 45.8% No target This indicator for FQ1 shows the percentage of waste recycled has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment 45.8% recycling, composting and recovery during the quarter (32.8% recycling/composting plus 13% recovery). Increase is due to more recovery because Tiree/Coll general waste goes to same contractor as Helensburgh and Lomond. The Tiree/Coll general waste therefore is no longer landfilled and instead goes for refuse derived fuel (RDF)/energy from waste (EFW), which is classed as recovery. Responsible person: John Blake H&L – Percentage of waste recycled, composted and recovered Performance is presented by Council-wide service provision. Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 No target 40.1% No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 41.6% No target FQ3 2023/24 No target 41.5% No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 100.0% No target Page 133
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Appendix 1 Page 28 Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2024/25 No target 100.0% No target This indicator for FQ1 shows the percentage of waste recycled has remained the same since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment 100% recycling, composting and recovery during the quarter (44.9% recycling/composting plus 55.1% recovery). Figure is high mainly due to significant recovery from Helensburgh and Lomond’s general waste which now all goes for refuse derived fuel (RDF)/energy from waste (EFW) instead of being landfilled. Recycling and composting was also higher than similar quarter in FQ1 last year mainly due to increased wood recycling and green garden waste composting from these segregated waste streams via the Blackhill Recycling and Civic Amenity Site (Helensburgh). Responsible person: John Blake Page 134
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Appendix 1 Page 29 Corporate Outcome No.6 – We have infrastructure that supports sustainable growth COI – The number of tonnes of waste sent to landfill This indicator is a Corporate Outcome Indicator that is reported quarterly. The performance presented is Council-wide only. Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 5,850 5,075 Green FQ2 2023/24 5,550 5,510 Green FQ3 2023/24 5,100 4,253 Green FQ4 2023/24 5,000 2,567 Green FQ1 2024/25 5,850 3,200 Green This indicator for FQ1 is below the target (lowest is best). FQ1 Comment Biodegradable municipal waste to landfill figure is well within target mainly due to significant recovery from Helensburgh and Lomond’s general waste which now all goes for refuse derived fuel (RDF)/energy from waste (EFW) instead of being landfilled. New waste disposal contractors have been appointed to deal with the general waste from the Helensburgh and Lomond area following the closure of Barr Environmental operations. Responsible person: John Blake Page 135
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Appendix 1 Page 30 Corporate Outcome No.6 – We have infrastructure that supports sustainable growth LEAMS (Local Environment Audit and Management System) – Mid Argyll (Monthly data combined to show quarterly average) Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 73 77 Green FQ2 2023/24 73 77 Green FQ3 2023/24 73 89 Green FQ4 2023/24 73 79 Green FQ1 2024/25 73 81 Green This indicator for FQ1 is above the target and performance has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment Another good level of service provided by the Mid Argyll team this quarter, April 74, May 77 and June 93. Responsible person: Tom Murphy LEAMS (Local Environment Audit and Management System) – Kintyre (Monthly data combined to show quarterly average) Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 73 82 Green FQ2 2023/24 73 83 Green FQ3 2023/24 73 84 Green FQ4 2023/24 73 79 Green FQ1 2024/25 73 83 Green This indicator for FQ1 is above the target and performance has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment Kintyre this quarter have a street cleanliness figure of 83, this is very good. Responsible person: Tom Murphy Page 136
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Appendix 1 Page 31 LEAMS (Local Environment Audit and Management System) – Islay (Monthly data combined to show quarterly average) Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 73 84 Green FQ2 2023/24 73 82 Green FQ3 2023/24 73 81 Green FQ4 2023/24 73 81 Green FQ1 2024/25 73 82 Green This indicator for FQ1 is above the target and performance has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment Islay again this quarter have exceeded the target figure, showing another good effort by the team. Responsible person: Tom Murphy LEAMS (Local Environment Audit and Management System) – Argyll and Bute (Monthly data combined to show quarterly average) Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 73 84 Green FQ2 2023/24 73 83 Green FQ3 2023/24 73 85 Green FQ4 2023/24 73 83 Green FQ1 2024/25 73 84 Green This indicator for FQ1 is above the target and performance has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment All areas in Argyll and Bute have again this quarter well exceeded the target LEAMS figure, showing a very good level of street cleanliness. Responsible person: Tom Murphy Page 137
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Appendix 1 Page 32 Making It Happen Teacher sickness absence – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 No target 1.68 days No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 1.13 days No target FQ3 2023/24 No target 3.26 days No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 2.25 days No target FQ1 2024/25 No target 1.84 days No target This indicator for FQ1 shows the number of sickness absence days has decreased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment There has been an increase of 0.29 days on the same quarter last year. There has been a decrease of 0.24 days on FQ4. Most work days lost have been due to Mental Health Reasons (although not by a large margin which bucks the trend of the other areas). Responsible person: Jennifer Crocket Teacher sickness absence – Argyll and Bute Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 No target 2.15 days No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 1.25 days No target FQ3 2023/24 No target 2.82 days No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 2.82 days No target FQ1 2024/25 No target 2.14 days No target This indicator for FQ1 shows the number of sickness absence days has decreased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment Work days lost has remained almost the same as the same quarter last year. It has decreased by 0.68 days on the same quarter last year. Most work days have been lost due to Mental Health related absence reasons. Responsible person: Jennifer Crocket (B&C and MAK) and Wendy Brownlie (H&L and OLI) Page 138
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Appendix 1 Page 33 Making It Happen LGE staff (non-teacher) sickness absence – Mid Argyll, Kintyre and Islay Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 No target 2.87 days No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 2.77 days No target FQ3 2023/24 No target 3.09 days No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 3.73 days No target FQ1 2024/25 No target 3.57 days No target This indicator for FQ1 shows the number of sickness absence days has decreased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment There has been an increase of 0.70 days on the same quarter last year. There has been a decrease of 0.16 days on the last quarter. Mental Health related absences account for the largest number of work days lost. Responsible person: Caroly Cairns LGE staff (non-teacher) sickness absence – Argyll and Bute Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 No target 3.53 days No target FQ2 2023/24 No target 3.18 days No target FQ3 2023/24 No target 3.73 days No target FQ4 2023/24 No target 4.12 days No target FQ1 2024/25 No target 3.85 days No target This indicator for FQ1 shows the number of sickness absence days has decreased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment There has been an increase of 0.32 days absence on the same quarter last year. There has been a decrease of 0.27 days on the last quarter. Most work days lost have been due to Mental Health related reasons. Responsible person: Carolyn Cairns Page 139
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Appendix 1 Page 34 Making It Happen COI – Increase the percentage of all self-service automated contacts This indicator is a Corporate Outcome Indicator that is reported quarterly. The performance presented is Council-wide only. Reporting Period Target Actual Status Trend of ‘Actual’ over the period FQ1 2023/24 70.0% 80.7% Green FQ2 2023/24 70.0% 72.1% Green FQ3 2023/24 70.0% 72.7% Green FQ4 2023/24 70.0% 70.1% Green FQ1 2024/25 70.0% 71.6% Green This indicator for FQ1 is above the target and performance has increased since the last reporting period. FQ1 Comment In FQ1 there was 41,574 transactions dealt with by Customer Service Agents (28.4%) and 105,051 automated or self-service transactions (71.6%) so the 70.0% target was exceeded. Responsible person: Robert Miller Page 140
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Legal and Regulatory Support 4 September 2024 Area Committee Meetings – 2024-2025 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The dates for meetings of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee have been agreed up until June 2025. 1.2 The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee have asked officers to look at the possibility of holding the meetings across the MAKI Area and this report outlines the options for taking this forward. 2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 The Area Committee is asked to agree that the meetings until June 2025 will be held as follows:- 4 December 2024 – Campbeltown Community Centre 5 March 2025 – Inveraray Conference Centre (Inveraray Primary School) 4 June 2025 – Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile (Islay Gaelic Centre) 3.0 DETAIL 3.1 The dates for the Area Committee meetings until the end of June 2025 have already been agreed. Prior to Covid, the Area Committee meetings would rotate around the MAKI Area with one island visit taking place in June each year. The Chair and Vice-Chair have asked officers to look at reinstating this arrangement and this report takes forward that request. 3.2 Currently meetings of the Area Committee are held on a Hybrid basis with in person attendance available at the Council Chamber, Kilmory. The Governance Team have equipment which will enable the Area Committee to meet on a Hybrid basis at venues across the area, subject to a reliable and robust Wi-Fi connection. The option to provide Hybrid will ensure that all Members can attend and will also provide the opportunity for appropriate officers to attend via Teams. 3.3 Officers have looked at options for the 3 meetings until June 2025 and would suggest the following:- Page 141 Agenda Item 12
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4 December 2024 – Campbeltown Community Centre 5 March 2025 – Inveraray Conference Centre (Inveraray Primary School) 5 June 2025 – Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile (Islay Gaelic Centre) 4.0 CONCLUSION 4.1 Members are asked to give consideration to the options for holding the MAKI Area Committee meetings at venues across the area. 5.0 IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – none 5.2 Financial - there will be costs incurred in terms of Members attending these meetings. 5.3 Legal - none 5.4 HR – none 5.5 Fairer Scotland Duty – none 5.5.1 Equalities – protect characteristics – none 5.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – none 5.5.3 Islands – none 5.6 Climate Change - none 5.7 Risk – none 5.8 Customer Service – none 5.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) - some appointments to bodies and committees may have direct involvement with this. Douglas Hendry Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support 20th August 2024 Councillor Mark Irvine – Policy Lead for Community Planning and Corporate Services For further information contact: Shona Barton, Governance Manager (01436) 657605 Page 142
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Legal and Regulatory Support 4 September 2024 Appointments to Outside Organisations 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 The purpose of this report is to consider appointments to local bodies/organisations within the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area. 1.2 The Area Committee is asked to consider making appointments to those bodies/organisations listed in Appendix 1 to the report. Page 145 Agenda Item 13
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee Legal and Regulatory Support 4 September 2024 Appointments to Outside Organisations 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 Following the Council meeting held on 25th April 2024, a report was submitted to the June meeting of the Area Committee to take forward the decision of Council that all area based appointments to outside bodies and organisations should be taken to the next meetings of the Area Committees. At the meeting in June the Area Committee agreed:- 1. to continue consideration of appointments relating to the Tarbert and Skipness Community Trust, Kintyre Youth Fund, and Islay and Jura Community Enterprise Ltd. to the next meeting of the Committee, following the conclusion of the upcoming Ward 2 by-election; 2. to appoint Councillor Jan Brown to the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Locality Planning Group; 3. to appoint Councillor Jan Brown to Urras Achadh An Droighinn/The Auchindrain Trust; 4. to appoint Councillor Jan Brown to the Argyll and Bute Renewables Trust (formerly the Windfarm Trust); 5. to continue consideration of the second Member appointment to the Argyll and Bute Renewables Trust (formerly the Windfarm Trust) to the next meeting of the Committee, following the conclusion of the upcoming Ward 2 by-election; 6. to appoint Councillor John Armour to the Campbeltown Ferry Committee; and 7. to continue consideration of the second Member appointment to the Campbeltown Ferry Committee to the next meeting of the Committee, following the conclusion of the upcoming Ward 2 by-election. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 The Area Committee is asked to consider making appointments to those bodies/organisations listed in Appendix 1 to the report. 4.0 DETAIL 4.1 The Council at the meeting held on 25th April 2024 made a number of Page 146
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appointments to outside bodies/organisations within Argyll and Bute and agreed that all area based appointments should be taken to the next meetings of the Area Committees. At the meeting of the Area Committee held on 5 June 2024 a number of appointments were made and a number were continued until this meeting to allow for the Ward 2 By-election to be concluded. 4.2 The table at Appendix 1 provides information on those organisations which have vacancies and their request for Elected Member representation. Members of the Area Committee are asked to consider making appointments to the organisations listed. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 This report takes forward the remaining Area Committee appointments which were vacated following the recent changes in political management arrangements. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy – none 6.2 Financial - there will be costs incurred in terms of Members attending these meetings. 6.3 Legal - none 6.4 HR – none 6.5 Fairer Scotland Duty – none 6.5.1 Equalities – protect characteristics – none 6.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – none 6.5.3 Islands – none 6.6 Climate Change - none 6.7 Risk – none 6.8 Customer Service – none 6.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) - some appointments to bodies and committees may have direct involvement with this. Page 147
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Douglas Hendry Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support 8th August 2024 Councillor Mark Irvine – Policy Lead for Community Planning and Corporate Services For further information contact: Shona Barton, Governance Manager (01436) 657605 APPENDICES Appendix 1 – Table listing outside bodies/organisations which have requested Elected Member representation. Page 148
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Appendix 1 Organisation Purpose Elected Member Essential/Desirable Term of Appointment Tarbert and Skipness Community Trust To distribute funds from the Srondoire Windfarm and further community benefits from the Freasdail Wind Farm 1 Elected Member (Ward 2) Essential Till next Local Government Elections. Kintyre Youth Fund To distribute grants to assist with education for young people who live in Kintyre. The Fund is currently dormant due to lack of available funds. Ward 1 and Ward 2 Members (historically the Common Good Trustees have administered this Fund). Essential Till next Local Government Elections. Argyll and Bute Renewables Trust (formerly Windfarm Trust) The management and oversight of windfarm benefits which are paid to the Council and managed by Community Councils across the MAKI area. Requirement to attend one annual meeting per year. Councillor Jan Brown 1 vacancy Essential Till next Local Government Elections. Campbeltown Ferry Committee This Committee was set up following the introduction of the Campbeltown to Ardrossan Ferry service. Is the formal consultee in terms of timetabling and operation of this service and has membership from a variety of Councillor John Armour 1 vacancy Essential Till next Local Government Elections. Page 149
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Organisation Purpose Elected Member Essential/Desirable Term of Appointment partners in the Campbeltown/Kintyre area. Islay and Jura Community Enterprise Ltd To provide a range of educational, social, sporting and leisure activities/services for the communities of Islay and Jura. 1 Member (Ward 2) Essential Till next Local Government Elections. Page 150
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Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Workplan 2024 – 25 Committee Date Report Description Lead Service and contact officer Regularity of occurrence/consideration Date for Reports to Committee Services Additional Comment September 2024 September 2024 Recycling and Recovery Performance Jim Smith Roads and Infrastructure Services Annual Report September 2024 Roads and Infrastructure Services Update Jim Smith Roads and Infrastructure Services Quarterly Report September 2024 Area Performance Report FQ1 24/25 Jane Fowler/Sonya Thomas Performance and Improvement Quarterly Report September 2024 Skills Development Scotland Susan MacRae Skills Development Scotland Annual Report September 2024 Area Committee Workplan Shona Barton Legal & Regulatory Support For updating September 2024 Campbell and McNeil Bequest Award Recommendations Shona Barton Legal & Regulatory Support Quarterly Report No report due to no applications to Fund. September 2024 CHARTS Argyll and Isles – Argyll Collection Seymour Adams CHARTS Annual Report September 2024 Kilkerran Cemetery Update Report Hugh O’Neill Roads and Infrastructure Services Regular Report September 2024 Appointments to Outside Organisations Shona Barton Legal and Regulatory Support One off Report Page 151 Agenda Item 14
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Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Workplan 2024 – 25 Committee Date Report Description Lead Service and contact officer Regularity of occurrence/consideration Date for Reports to Committee Services Additional Comment September 2024 Craighouse to Corran Sands, Isle of Jura Active Travel Route Progress Report Colin Young Development and Economic Growth Regular Report September 2024 Area Committee 2024-25 Shona Barton Legal and Regulatory Support One off Report December 2024 December 2024 Area Performance Report FQ2 24/25 Jane Fowler/Sonya Thomas Performance and Improvement Quarterly Report December 2024 HSCP Bi-Annual Update Report Charlotte Craig/Fiona Davies Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Bi-Annual Report Annual Performance Report & Performance Update – inc. verbal update on Patient Transport Policy review December 2024 ACHA Annual Update Chief Executive ACHA Annual Report December 2024 Charities and Trust Funds Shona Barton Legal and Regulatory Support Annual Report Page 152
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Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Workplan 2024 – 25 Committee Date Report Description Lead Service and contact officer Regularity of occurrence/consideration Date for Reports to Committee Services Additional Comment December 2024 Roads and Infrastructure Services Update Jim Smith Roads and Infrastructure Services Quarterly Report December 2024 Area Committee Workplan Shona Barton For updating December 2024 Campbell and McNeil Bequest Award Recommendations Shona Barton Legal & Regulatory Support Quarterly Report December 2024 Tarbert Heritage Regeneration Scheme Project Update Claire Hallybone Development and Economic Growth Regular Report Deferred from September 2024 meeting. December 2024 Fisher Bequest Update (TBC) Shona Barton Legal & Regulatory Support One off report March 2025 March 2025 Transport Scotland Update Ian Woodcock Transport Scotland Annual Report March 2025 Scottish Water Update Georgie Reid Scottish Water Annual Report March 2025 Area Performance Report FQ3 24/25 Jane Fowler/Sonya Thomas Performance and Improvement Quarterly Report March 2025 Roads and Infrastructure Services Update Jim Smith Roads and Infrastructure Services Quarterly Report Page 153
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Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Workplan 2024 – 25 Committee Date Report Description Lead Service and contact officer Regularity of occurrence/consideration Date for Reports to Committee Services Additional Comment March 2025 Roads Capital Programme Report Jim Smith Roads and Infrastructure Services Annual Report March 2025 Strategic Housing investment plan (SHIP) Douglas Whyte Development and Economic Growth Annual Report March 2025 2024/25 Active Travel Progress Report Colin Young Development and Economic Growth Annual Report March 2025 Primary Area Attainment Report: MAKI Brendan Docherty Education Annual Report March 2025 Supporting Communities Fund 2023/24 End of Project Monitoring Reports Antonia Baird Chief Executive’s Unit Annual Report March 2025 Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds Stuart McLean Legal & Regulatory Support Update Report March 2025 Area Committee Workplan Shona Barton Legal & Regulatory Support For updating March 2025 Campbell and McNeil Bequest Award Shona Barton Legal & Regulatory Support Quarterly Report Page 154
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Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Workplan 2024 – 25 Committee Date Report Description Lead Service and contact officer Regularity of occurrence/consideration Date for Reports to Committee Services Additional Comment Recommendations June 2025 June 2025 Islay High School Report TBC Head Teacher Annual Report June 2025 Tarbert Academy Report TBC Head Teacher Annual Report June 2025 Campbeltown Grammar School Report Kirsty Donnelly Head Teacher Annual Report June 2025 Lochgilphead High School Report Jay Helbert Head Teacher Annual Report June 2025 Roads and Infrastructure Services Update Jim Smith Roads and Infrastructure Services Quarterly Report June 2025 Area Performance Report FQ4 24/25 Jane Fowler/Sonya Thomas Performance and Improvement Quarterly Report June 2025 HSCP Performance Report Charlotte Craig/Evan Beswick Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Bi-Annual Report June 2025 Supporting Communities Fund Applications 2025/26 Suzanne Mason Chief Executive Annual Report June 2025 Campbell and McNeil Bequest Award Shona Barton Legal & Regulatory Support Quarterly Report Page 155
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Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Workplan 2024 – 25 Committee Date Report Description Lead Service and contact officer Regularity of occurrence/consideration Date for Reports to Committee Services Additional Comment Recommendations June 2025 Area Committee Workplan Shona Barton Legal & Regulatory Support For updating Future Items Patient Transport Policy Health and Social Care Partnership One off Report Update on new policy following completion of review. Flooding issues in MAKI Roads and Infrastructure Services Ongoing MAKI Accessibility and Footway Survey TBC TBC Kilkerran Cemetery Hugh O’Neill Ongoing Agreed at December 2023 AC to be a standing item until such time as new Cemetery identified and agreed. March 2026 Supporting Communities Fund 2024/25 End of Project Monitoring Suzanne Mason Chief Executive’s Unit Regular Report Page 156
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