Minute of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group Held on Wednesday 27 August 2025
Argyll and Bute Council · 5 November 2025
Back to Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group — 5 November 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE AND THE ISLANDS AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP HELD ON A HYBRID BASIS IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, KILMORY, LOCHGILPHEAD AND BY MICROSOFT TEAMS ON WEDNESDAY, 27 AUGUST 2025 Present: Councillor Anne Horn (Chair) Lynsey Innis, Committee and Democratic Services Officer, Argyll and Bute Council John McLuckie, Partnerships Lead - Community Planning, Argyll and Bute Council Antonia Baird, Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council Caitlin Marini, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Caitlin McNeill, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI) Darren Gibb, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Dawn Park, Community Learning Services, Live Argyll Jamie Titterton, Community Learning Services, Live Argyll Councillor Garret Corner Councillor John Armour Ian Woodcock, Transport Scotland Jeni West, Forestry and Land Scotland Moira MacLaren, UHI Argyll Terry Williams, CalMac Inspector Matthew Shaw, Police Scotland Angela Coll, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Andy Macpherson, Argyll & the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (ACT) Valerie Nimmo, Campbeltown Community Council Ian Brodie, East Kintyre Community Council Chris Abell, Islay Community Council Sandy Taylor, Islay Community Council Katie Anderson, ACHA Stephen Wood, Calmac Susan Paterson, Shopper-Aide Attending: Councillor Jan Brown Douglas Whyte, Housing Strategy Manager, Argyll and Bute Council Stuart Green, Corporate Support Manager, Argyll and Bute Council Karen McCurry, Mid Argyll MS Centre (Snowdrop Argyll) Danny Renton, Seawilding – Craignish Andrew Galloway, Local Democracy Reporter, Argyll and Bute 1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and general introductions were made. Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of: Iona MacPhail, Fyne Homes;
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Fergus Murray, Head of Development and Economic Growth, Argyll and Bute Council; Malcolm Sinclair, Lochgilphead Community Council; Becky Hothersall, The Poverty Alliance; Muriel MacKaveney, Culture Heritage & Arts Assembly (CHARTS), Argyll & Isles; and Jane Cowen, Tarbert & Skipness Community Trust. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest intimated. 3. MINUTE OF THE MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE AND THE ISLANDS AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP HELD ON WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2025 The Minute of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Wednesday 7 May 2025 was approved as a correct record. 4. COMMUNITY FOCUS (a) Mid Argyll MS Centre (Snowdrop Argyll) Consideration was given to a presentation from Karen McCurry, Manager of the Mid Argyll MS Centre which outlined the work of the Centre in delivering support in local communities. The presentation included information on the delivery of their two main projects, Snowdrop Argyll and the Long Term Conditions Outreach Project across the MAKI area. The presentation also provided a brief history of the centre and the challenges faced in accessing support in the community. The Group commended Karen for the work undertaken by herself and all of the staff who work at the Mid Argyll MS Centre. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Presentation from Manager, Mid Argyll MS Centre (Snowdrop Argyll)) 5. ASPIRING PLACES; COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN ARGYLL AND BUTE The Group gave consideration to a presentation by the Project Manager from Argyll and Bute Council, in relation to the Council’s Aspiring Places; Community Project in Argyll and Bute. The presentation provided background information in relation to the previous project approach; the launch of the Argyll and Bute Voices and Aspiring Places Platform; the Funding Connections Roadshow that was delivered at various locations throughout April and May 2025; the available funding streams; the number of project submissions and expressions of interest and next steps. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided.
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(Reference: Presentation from Corporate Support Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, submitted) 6. COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS The Group gave consideration to a report which outlined matters discussed during the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee meeting held on 6 June 2025. The report provided information on the CPP Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan; the Community Wealth Building (CWB) Charter; the Transport Infrastructure Priority Outcome and the Introduction to Housing Priority Outcome. The report also highlighted the Service Delivery Review currently being carried out by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Partnerships Lead, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 27 August 2025, submitted) 7. COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP PRIORITIES (a) Transport Update The Group gave consideration to a presentation which was delivered by the Partnerships Lead of the Community Planning Team. The presentation highlighted information on how the Community Planning Partnership would seek to improve transport infrastructure taking into consideration the agreed objectives of the 2024- 2034 Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan (ABOIP). The presentation also included information on the work by the CPP Management Committee and the actions of the Transport Integration Working Group and Community Active Travel Network. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Presentation from Partnerships Lead - Community Planning, Argyll and Bute Council) (b) Introduction into Housing Consideration was given to a presentation which was delivered by the Partnerships Lead of the Community Planning Team. The presentation outlined how the Community Planning Partnership would seek to improve housing taking into consideration the agreed objectives of the 2024-2034 ABOIP. The presentation also provided information on the agreed actions to be developed; the agreed actions which were progressing and the online survey which was developed to help understand the area’s housing needs and neighbourhoods.
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John outlined a series of questions which would be circulated to Partners by email following the meeting. He advised that as part of the ongoing conversation, the Community Planning Team would welcome any additional comments in response to the questions by Wednesday, 3 September 2025. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the presentation. (Reference: Presentation from Community Planning Partnerships Lead, Argyll and Bute Council) (c) Housing Emergency Update Having noted that the Council declared a Housing Emergency in June 2023, the Group gave consideration to a report which provided a snapshot of the wide- ranging activity that has taken place in the housing system over the last six months. Activity included engaging directly with the Scottish Government; developing Strategic Development Frameworks to facilitate long-term delivery, securing national funding investment into housing projects in the area; engaging with infrastructure providers to provide worker housing and partnering with Registered Social Landlords (RSL’s) and community housing groups to facilitate housing developments. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the content of the report. (Reference: Report by Report by Housing Strategy Team Lead, Argyll and Bute Council, dated July 2025, submitted) 8. PARTNER UPDATES (a) Police Scotland Update Consideration was given to an update which provided information on the ongoing work of the Service and information on serious and organised crime; acquisitive crime; road safety and road crime; violent crime; public protection and agricultural crime. The update also provided information on feedback on investigating complaints and user/customer satisfaction; the Inveraray Road Safety Day which was on 18th May; drug education in schools and police presence at recent events. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided.
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(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, submitted) (b) Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Update The Group gave consideration to a report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ1 review of local performance across Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands for the period 2025-26. The report gave a breakdown of 90 fires and special services incidents which occurred in the MAKI Area within that period. A presentation in respect of the Service Delivery Review was also considered. The presentation highlighted that the Service Delivery Review is looking at all aspects of the operational models of SFRS to meet Scotland’s changing risks and demands, including where stations are based and how appliances are staffed and advised that they need to match their operational resources to risk and demand. It was highlighted that the public consultation runs until September and following the closure of the consultation, the responses would be reviewed and a decision would be made at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Board meeting in December. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, submitted) (c) Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Public Health Update Consideration was given to a public health update from Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Public Health Team on the ongoing wellbeing and prevention activities overseen and delivered by them in Argyll and Bute. The update provided information on the support provided by Community Link Workers and where they are located; Community Link Working – remote and island evaluation; Suicide Prevention Training available to those in Argyll and Bute; the Argyll and Bute Living Well Programme Board and their focussed areas of work; the Art of hosting at The Living Well Programme; the launch of the Population Health Framework and the Working Well with Communities update Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Health Improvement Lead, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated August 2025, submitted) (d) Live Argyll Community Learning Services - Youth Learning Update Consideration was given to a report from the Live Argyll Community Learning Service, which provided an update on Youth Work in Kintyre. The report provided information on the work of the Kintyre Youth Action Group and Kintyre Youth Action Council; the Ben Nevis Expedition which young people across Argyll and Bute took
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part in; the Isle of Bute Camping Trip which young people from Kintyre Youth Active Group attended; the continued support provided to young people in Campbeltown, Tarbert and Islay secondary schools to access and achieve Wider Achievement Awards; support from Alasdair Paisley MSYP who is leaving his role as a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Argyll and Bute and regular ongoing projects. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Live Argyll Community Learning Services, submitted) (e) Live Argyll Community Learning Services - Adult Learning Update Consideration was given to a report from the Live Argyll Community Learning Service, which provided an update on Adult Learning in Mid Argyll and Kintyre. The report provided information on the Mid Argyll Community Learning and Employability Hub; Mid Argyll Digital Skills for Life sessions; Mid Argyll Let’s Grow Group; Mid Argyll Women Coming Together; Kintyre Workshop/Hub; SQA awards group; Digital Skills course and Crafty Tuesdays Alzheimer’s Group. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Live Argyll Community Learning Services, submitted) (f) Transport Scotland Update Consideration was given to an update from Transport Scotland which highlighted a variety of different works being undertaken including drainage and resurfacing works at different locations along the A83 and the ongoing work on the A83 Rest and Be Thankful. It was highlighted that implementation of the 20mph zones within a number of towns within the Kintyre peninsula is being progressed and all locations should be fully installed throughout Argyll and Bute by the end of 2025. Ian further advised that BEAR are currently developing a scheme to cut back the vegetation on the A83 and would be implemented during the autumn/winter months this year. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Area Manager, Transport Scotland, submitted) (g) Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI) Update The Group gave consideration to an update from Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI). The update provided information on TSI Scotland work; the Public
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Service Reform and Population Health; the Scotland demands better campaign; the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund year 5 and 6; the ABTSI Strategy review 2026-2031; the Community Directory and Funding Platform refresh and the work of the Wellbeing Development Manager. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface, submitted) (h) Forestry and Land Scotland Update The Group gave consideration to a report which highlighted the ongoing workstreams of Forestry and Land Scotland within the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area. Information was provided in relation to local Land Management Plans; work to combat phytophthora ramorum disease in larch trees; progress with peatland restoration; and details of upcoming operations. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Report by Forestry and Land Scotland, dated August 2025, submitted) (i) Opportunity for Verbal Updates Community Development Team, Argyll and Bute Council Antonia Baird, Community Development Officer highlighted that arising from SSEN’s infrastructural work in the area, there is to be a new Community Benefit Fund for the MAKI area, comprising of £3.2m, to be called the Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Local Fund. Antonia advised that the delivery of the fund was currently being designed, and if members of the Group wanted to have a say on the priorities, the level of disbursement and the area of benefit for the fund, there were some community engagement events happening between the 8th and 10th September at Dalmally, Lochgilphead, Tarbert, Carradale and Inveraray, as well as 2 online events the following week. Further information can be found here: Argyll and Kintyre 275kV - SSEN Transmission Antonia highlighted that in partnership with the TSI, the Community Development Officer and the Third Sector Support Officer are hosting a third sector networking event on the 2nd October in Tarbert Arts and Leisure Centre, Tarbert, between 10:30am and 1pm, exploring whether a new regular network would be of benefit to the sector and if so what it should deliver for the sector. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Caitlin Marini referred to the update provided by Antonia Baird in relation to the launch of the new Community Benefit Fund. Caitlin highlighted the in-person and
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virtual events being held throughout Argyll. Discussion was had around areas not included within the fund, with it being noted that it was only available in areas with live projects. Chris Abell, Islay Community Council Chris Abell advised that he found the Partner Updates section of meeting very informative, however he voiced his disappointment that the Scottish Ambulance Service did not attend the meetings or provide updates. The Committee and Democratic Services Officer advised that, although the Scottish Ambulance Service was not a formal Partner of the MAKI Area CPG, they had previously indicated their willingness to attend meetings and provide updates, which they had done on prior occasions. In light of the expressed interest from the Chair and Partners present, Lynsey undertook to extend an invitation to attend a future meeting of the Group. Shopper-Aide In the absence of Susan Paterson, Shopper-Aide, The Committee and Democratic Services Officer read out the following update submitted before the meeting: “Following on from our survey report Antonia Baird (ABC) has been working with us to set up a Focus Group Listening Café which will take place on 1st September in Campbeltown. We are looking at three main points – 1.What does independence mean for an older person 2.What does Shopper-Aide do well and what more could they do, 3. What more can be done for older people in Kintyre. Over the summer we have been very busy with some challenging times as staff have taken holidays, a break down with one of the washing machines in the laundry and problems with our aging vehicles. Storm Floris meant we had to cancel Elderberries but the staff went out to visit the members to ensure they were ok. We have received funding from the National Lottery £135k over three years – not as much as we would have liked and some donations from local people for our Elderberries group and the new Pharmacy in Campbeltown ran a raffle and also doubled the amount. £500+. We are in a better position than last year but like all charities still need support from funders and communities due to higher costs, juggling with older vehicles, lack of volunteers and the need for more staff to enable us to do more as the population in the older age groups expands.” Members of the Group highlighted the great work undertaken by Antonia Baird, Community Development Officer and Inspiralba in assisting Shopper-Aide overcome some of their many challenges.
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9. CLIMATE CHANGE (a) Seawilding - Craignish Consideration was given to a presentation from Danny Renton, CEO, Seawilding, Craignish. The presentation highlighted that Seawilding is a Community-led Marine Habitat Restoration and that their native oyster and seagrass projects deliver Climate Change; Community Wealth Building and future-proofing of the marine ecosystems. Danny advised that approximately 514 people have visited or been involved in the projects in Loch Craignish and Loch Broom since January 2025. The economic impact for Loch Craignish was highlighted and it was noted that the project had created many green jobs including 6 full time employees; 18 paid seasonal/part time jobs; 3 community members trained in green skills and Workshop Leaders. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group noted the information provided. (Reference: Presentation from CEO, Seawilding - Craignish) (b) Opportunity for verbal updates on community based initiatives Argyll and Bute Climate Action Andy Macpherson, ACT Climate Project Manager provided a short presentation outlining the progress of Climate action to date. Andy advised that his post (ACT Climate Project Manager) had been extended until July 2026 and that he would be supporting communities with resilience planning and would be exploring options to establish pilot groups within each of the administrative areas. 10. APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR OF THE MID ARGYLL, KINTYRE AND THE ISLANDS AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP The Group gave consideration to a report providing information relating to the appointment of a Vice-Chair for the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group. The report also outlined the expected time commitment and information on the role. The Chair took the opportunity to record her thanks to Ian Brodie for his commitment and support as Vice Chair and for his hard work and dedication as previous Chair of the Group. Decision The Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group agreed to continue consideration of the appointment of a Vice-Chair to the next meeting of the Group (Reference: Report by Committee and Democratic Service Officer, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 27 August 2025, submitted)
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11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The Group noted that the next meeting of the Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Community Planning Group would take place at 10.30am on Wednesday 5 November on a hybrid basis in the Kintyre Community Centre, Campbeltown and by Microsoft Teams.