Capital budget proposals ready for debate

[Kintyre Forum News]

Argyll and Bute Council will discuss proposals to finalise its capital budget at a meeting on Thursday 10 March. The council has a total of £87.2 million in funding over the next three years.

The proposals include spending £15.5 million in the next three years on the area’s roads. In the first year £6.9 million would be spent on upgrading and maintaining the network, in the second year £4.8 million and in the third £3.8 million. Included in the 2011-12 amount is the £3 million approved at the council budget meeting on 10 February.

When it comes to school buildings there is £15.8 million to invest. The council will consider improvements like rewiring, window replacement and re-roofing to safeguard the condition of these buildings.

The proposals could also see money allocated to better lighting if approved. £600,000 has been set aside for new LED lighting as it’s more powerful, lasts longer and is lower energy.

Nearly £7 million pounds has been set aside for approval for community facilities and private sector housing. This could see Dunoon, Rothesay and Helensburgh having their swimming pools improved. The money could also see upgrades to the community education centres in Lochgilphead, Bute, Kintyre and Dunoon.

Leader of the council, Councillor Dick Walsh said “we have already made some of the toughest budget decisions in years and are undergoing a number of painful cuts but we must also concentrate on keeping our remaining buildings, schools, roads and libraries in the best possible condition we can for the future. The Capital plan aims to improve the potential of our people, our communities and our area.”

The Capital Plan includes some projects which have already been approved by the council. The CHORD programme will see investment in the waterfronts of Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay and Dunoon. The Tayinloan slip will have the breakwater and land bridge fixed so it will be fully compatible with the proposed ferry service to Gigha. In Helensburgh, the council will merge some of its smaller offices and bring staff together in one new building. Another project which has already got the go ahead is the Mull and Iona progressive care facility which will prevent local elderly people being moved to care homes on the mainland. In Dunoon’s John Street there’ll be work to alleviate the flooding at the Milton burn.

Detailed reports of the Capital programme can be found at http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/moderngov ... 7&MId=4563

[Davie P]

Nearly £7 million pounds has been set aside for approval for community facilities and private sector housing. This could see Dunoon, Rothesay and Helensburgh having their swimming pools improved. The money could also see upgrades to the community education centres in Lochgilphead, Bute, Kintyre and Dunoon.

And out of the blue, no mention of funding for the All Weather Pitch despite the facility being identified as the Council's number 1 sports priority. That on top of the money spent on taking the project forward to a Stage 2 Applictaion and Full Planning Application. How embarrassing and just goes to highlight that Councillors elsewhere really don't care what happens elsewhere in Argyll despite the Council's motto - Realising OUR potential TOGETHER

Apparently the funding is to come from elsewhere but at what expense?

Certainly not what we were led to believe for the last 3 or 4 months..........

[doogs8]

The AWP is mentioned in the doc-no? I skimmed through it yday just assumed it was still ok tho was now next week for decision

[Dunc R]

Have looked at the Document and under Strategic Change Projects and at Line 4 there is funding of £340,000 in FY 11/12. But when you look at other parts of the Document the Pitch only Scores 67.50 on the project score.

Can anyone explain what the project score means, looking at other projects they are in the high 80's.

[John S]

At the same time - and out of the blue this paper arrived - make of it what you will..........but within the space of few weeks the AWP has gone from a top priority of the council to a bargaining chip....and only a week to do anything about it!!!!!

http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/moderngov ... Public.pdf

Yes there is a funding crisis but, looking at some of the spending in the capital program, you would think that the AWP as a stated priority would appear fully funded in the papers !!! as it is its £450k short......something is wrong in the New Administration.

I know there are a lot of people in the Alliance of Independent Councillors who think Kintyre is getting more than its fare share but when the SNP group was in power with them we managed to subdue their more primitive tendencies till it came to the School Estate. It is clear that their new partners are out of the same mold as them. We are being punished !!!

[Nancie]

So it's the AWP or the marina. Campbeltown loses out again. What is going on at Kilmory and how much has already been spent on feasibility studies and business cases for the apparently dead in the water marina and does anyone care?

The whole CHORD programme was a mirage anyway. £10million available for major towns which magically became £30million when business cases for Oban and Dunoon did not stack up. And all borrowed money too to be paid back with interest burdening the local authority and us with even more debt. Now the pack of cards has fallen about their ears and the usual will happen - it wisnae me, a big boy did it and ran away.

Councillors are accountable and well paid and should be explaining in words of one syllable what is going on. Those who are in the administration particularly those who forced their way on through the schools debacle are responsible and the electorate will hold them responsible.

[Davie P]

Council are saying the Marina plans are not viable but how much money do they need to waste to get to that conclusion and it seems crazy to suggest it isn't viable given the proposals were a scaled down version of the original intentions. Extra berthing added to the current marina. The issues with the loch are hopefully finally coming to an end so it seemed an excellent opportunity to build on the current marina and advertise this for what must be one of the most natural best lochs in the west coast of Scotland.

It does make sense however, to take advantage of the funding from SportScotland (£350,000) but as mentioned we were led to believe this would come from the Capital programme. The Council shouldn't have the community choosing between projects when I am sure there is money within the CHORD project that could ensure the delivery of both a marina and the AWP. Not enough people locally are taking an interest in the CHORD project and as a result no-one is asking the serious questions that should be getting asked. The idea of spending hundreds of thousands pounds on nice new fancy lamp posts, bins, seats etc is all very well but shouldn't be before more important priorities in the town. Just where exactly is the money going? No one seems to be able to give any straight answers. Allegedly nearly £2 million (yes £2 million) will go to ACHA from the CHORD programme to develop housing around the new road. Was ANY of the CHORD money used to relocate the Council's Road Department for example? And if so WHY when the relocation isn't anywhere in the town. (fair enough to remove the site but shouldn't be used to actually locate elsewhere).

Too many Councillors outside of South Kintyre think Campbeltown is getting more than others when the reality is we are finally getting investment for years of neglect. The development of the new grammar school for example is being used as an example of the Council's investment in Campbeltown. That shouldn't be used as the bottom line is we are DUE a new school as they have been delivered everywhere else!

Certainly happy that funding may be allocated to the All Weather Pitch but saddens me that it has to be done in this manner. Surely the Council paper at the very least should say the remainder of the £1.2 million allocated to the marina project (£720,000) should be used to ensure the long term sustainability of the existing marina, develop it and also look at ways of drawing in additional funding?

[Davie P]

The AWP is mentioned in the doc-no? I skimmed through it yday just assumed it was still ok tho was now next week for decision

Have looked at the Document and under Strategic Change Projects and at Line 4 there is funding of £340,000 in FY 11/12. But when you look at other parts of the Document the Pitch only Scores 67.50 on the project score.

Can anyone explain what the project score means, looking at other projects they are in the high 80's.

Just for clarity -

"The Campbeltown AWP was in our Capital Programme but in the later years section with no financial commitment."

That was part of a response from the leader of Argyll & Bute Council Dick Walsh but actually contradicts itself as if there is no financial commitment it basically isn't there!!

So the proposal now is a paper goes forward to the CHORD Project Management Board on Thursday to fund the All Weather Pitch from the CHORD project as a viable project and more importantly to take advantage of the funding from SportScotland. If they don't then we can kiss could bye to the All Weather Pitch too. So while senior Council Offers and Officials made the recommendation of the AWP be funded from the Capital Programme political pressure from elsewhere was enough to make changes and really have our local councillors over a barrel - fund the AWP with money allocated to the CHORD Marina project or don't fund it at all. In addition the Council are saying the Marina proposals are NOT viable and there are now questions on how viable the Marina Project is in terms of the estimated total costs, available monies and deliverability in particular delivery within the three years of our Capital Planning. So, take 1 or you might not have either! Reading between the lines however, there has been some sterling work from our local councillors over the last few days and the hope is the remaining money will remain in the CHORD project for the marina. So having gone from potentially 1 of 2 or 0 of 2 we may get both. We will hear more on Thursday following the Council meetings.

There was a real bad taste left in the mouths of the campaigners for the All Weather Pitch when we heard the news on Friday as we never intended at any stage to be in coflict with any other local project - especially the marina. We also appreciate the support the local berthing company has shown towards the All Weather Pitch campaign and this is very much appreciated by all. Likewise we offer our support to the future developments of a marina in Campbeltown. As mentioned before, there are some serious questions the community should be asking of the CHORD project as a whole and perhaps some of these will be aired and answered either on here or in the local press.

Our feelings where summed up by fellow AWP Campaigner and President of Campbeltown Pupils AFC who wrote to one of our local councillors saying "The real disappointment is the failure of the council to include the AWP in its capital programme - as we were assured it would happen as a matter of course. Given the economic climate, I always felt this would be our Achilles Heel. We were lulled into a false sense of security through the council's efforts of leading from the front in the application process. I still don't believe they would pay a professional organisation to present a viable scenario to Sportscotland and then cut its own project adrift. " How true indeed......

[Kintyre Forum News]

Argyll and Bute Council has agreed to invest £87.2 million on assets projects over the next three years.

Improving the road network is one of the council’s top priorities, with £15.6 million being spent over the next three years on improvements and upgrading. Almost £7 million will be spent in 2011-12, with an additional £4.8 million and £3.8 million in the second and third years. The investment in 2011-12 includes £3 million approved at the council budget meeting on 10 February.

Almost £16 million will be spent to maintain school buildings. This includes rewiring, window replacement and re-roofing to improve the condition of these buildings.

And there’s a brighter future for street lighting, with £600,000 set aside for new LED lighting, which is more powerful, longer lasting and lower energy than traditional lamps.

Nearly £7 million will be spent on community facilities and private sector housing support. Swimming pools in Dunoon, Rothesay and Helensburgh will be improved and there will be money spent to upgrade community education centres in Lochgilphead, Bute, Kintyre and Dunoon.

And the council agreed to continue with capital investment which is already underway. Waterfront improvements in Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay and Dunoon will continue under the CHORD project. Money from the CHORD project will be invested to provide a new all weather football pitch in Campbeltown. In addition the Tayinloan slip will have the breakwater and land bridge fixed so it will be fully compatible with the proposed ferry service to Gigha.

In Helensburgh, the council will merge some of its smaller offices and bring staff together in one new building. Another project which has already got the go ahead is the Mull and Iona progressive care facility which will prevent local elderly people being moved to care homes on the mainland. In Dunoon’s John Street there’ll be work to alleviate the flooding at the Milton burn.

Leader of the council, Councillor Dick Walsh said “Even though we have had to make cuts in some areas we have to continue investing in roads, buildings and other structures which allow us to work, learn, travel and do business in Argyll and Bute. We need to make sure we spend our budget wisely concentrate on keeping our remaining buildings, schools, roads and libraries in the best possible condition we can for the future. We have a limited budget, but by focusing it on priority areas we can help improve the potential of our people, our communities and our area.”

The council agreed its capital plan budget at its meeting on Thursday 10 March.

[Kintyre Forum News]

Here is a copy of the letter Cllr Donald Kelly sent to the Courier and should be published tomorrow. It is good to see questions of the developments at Park Square being raised. The development of the marina is more important and the economic benefit is more important to Campbeltown.

‘I have received many enquiries from constituents seeking clarity as a result of the report on the funding for the All Weather Pitch in last week’s Courier, therefore I feel it is appropriate to give my opinion on these matters.

‘Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Sports Council All Weather Pitch Campaign Group for their unstinting commitment and determination, without which, this project may never have reached this stage. I have been delighted to have been able to offer my full support to the project from the outset. The All weather Pitch will greatly benefit both present and future generations of local sportsmen and women and I look forward in the very near future to seeing the first turf cut on Kinloch Green. Whilst this is a very welcome development for the area, I, as a local Councillor have a duty to question the ‘powers that be’ in Kilmory who, in order to achieve this, decided to take the required funding from the Campbeltown Marina element of the CHORD project as opposed to supporting the All Weather Pitch through the Council’s Capital Programme as previously agreed – A point I vehemently argued in the Council Chambers. Regardless of what has been previously reported, it is my opinion that the Campbeltown Marina project has not been properly evaluated as to its viability and, in my view, is the most likely element of the CHORD project to bring economic benefit to the area. It is therefore essential that this project continues to be supported. I believe an alternative option would be to reduce the proposed funding for the cosmetic and Public Realm work which is earmarked to enhance the Kinloch Road Regeneration Project, the cost of which, in my opinion, will be excessive. This is a point which I have previously raised with Argyll and Bute Council’s Director of Roads & Amenity Services. The specification of the proposed works intended for this project are, in the current economic climate, extremely lavish and go far beyond what is required to enhance the area. As a believer in practical projects which deliver best value for the public purse , I feel that a proportion of the Kinloch Road funding should be redirected to support the Campbeltown Marina development, thus ensuring ALL three elements of the CHORD project are successfully delivered’.

Councillor Donald kelly
Argyll First

[John S]

I have no doubt if the political posturing is put to one side that a positive outcome for the marina can be achieved. I think that now that the AWP is secure, maybe we should all apply the pressure in the same way to the marina development.