Argyll and Bute Council must repay missing regeneration fund

[Kintyre Forum News]

Argyll and Bute Council must repay missing regeneration funding

SNP Councillor John Semple is calling on Argyll and Bute Council to repay a borrowed £480,000 to secure the future of the Campbeltown Marina project.

Last year, Kintyre Councillors reluctantly agreed money could be spent on an all-weather pitch from the CHORD funding and as such the future of the marina was put at risk. But now a huge council surplus has come to light and the money should be put back into the project immediately, demands the councillor.

Cllr Semple said: ‘Argyll and Bute councils draft budget this year provides the opportunity to end the uncertainty of the Marina project. When the SNP were part of the ruling administration we set in motion a wide ranging service review which is now in its third year, that review is paying dividends the Council Leader has a budget surplus of nearly £4.5 million this year.

‘I am calling on the administration to reinstate the funding which was diverted from the CHORD Project to the All Weather Pitch, The marina project is important for the regeneration of Campbeltown’s waterfront, consultants have calculated that it could bring one million pounds of income to the town centre every year.

‘If the present administration of the council is to salvage any credibility in the way they have handled CHORD they must repay Campbeltown’s missing regeneration funds.’

[Ship called Dignity]

I'm not entirely sure the above news release calling for a refund of money to the CHORD project has been thought through at all and could be read by some as a tad insensitive. Given there are front line services being cut to ribbons, staff losing their jobs, salary cuts being forced on staff and vital facilities being closed would it not be more prudent use of this money to save some of these services?

Afterall, if you wanted to find £480,000 couldn't it simply have been found from finer scrutinisation of the CHORD project on the whole? There are huge amounts of money in the Campbeltown CHORD project being thrown about and very little accountability. (can anyone find exactly how the money is being spent???) The Council (and our Councillors) had the option to allocate CHORD funding of £400,000; £800,000 or £1.2 million towards the Acha housing development at the former Park Square site. They chose £800,000 - this on top of the £1 million funding the Council had already allocated to this development. Quote

"They requested that ACHA present information on what could be achieved with funding levels of £400,000; £800,000 and £1.2 million. Based on the information presented, the Project Board agreed that £800,000 was an appropriate level of fundig as it delivers high quality finishes; helps produce a desirable development but tempers this with value for money."

For high quality finishes? Why not fund it £400,000 and straight away there was a saving of £400,000! Why not make savings elsewhere too instead of throwing money at developments and projects that have no benefit to the community?

It beggars belief how little interest there is in what is actually happening in the CHORD project and the rubbish that is flying around about it.

[weetoonboy]

@ Ship

Well Put. Council needs to prioritise a little here.

The UK government is introducing a bill that will require the government to send out statements on how our taxes are spent. I think its a great idea, and perhaps ABC should start dong the same, and the local tax payers/voters can make a more informed decision on who we vote for, and where our priorities lie. See what councillors shout for what/where/when if we know the true costs.

Someone really should have been held to account over the money being spent on the former Park Square housing development. I find it all rather disgusting the taxes being spent.

Peoples aspirations should not be "to get a Cooncil Hoose." Social Housing should not equate to Luxury Housing.

[John S]

Davie, I don't disagree that their are many aspects of the current CHORD project that seem out of kilter but it must be remembered that it is a regeneration project, local people are being employed as a result of it and the end product will make the centre of town a more attractive place to live, work and visit. which can only be good for trade in the town. A key aspect of regenerating town centres is to provide attractive housing close to the town centre.

There 32 properties in the development so the 400k spent on the medium grade finish is £12k per property, that is the difference between a concrete finish which can quickly become weathered and grey and a stone effect finish which will will require less maintenance in its lifetime and will remain bright and attractive. Proprieties in the town centre are for everyone's benefit, we all have to look at them, not just those who live in them. I hope you will agree with me when they are finished.

Wetoonboy agree totally, I have been pressing the Campbeltown project to take into account value for money in the decisions it faces next month on how it funds the remaining project elements.

[francii]

I absolutely agree with the reallocation of funds to the marina project. I spent quite a bit of time down there last summer whilst working for Sanda (and will most likely be again this year) and heard many that use it complaining of the missed opportunities from Campbeltown not having a sufficient marina. It's all very well and good making businesses and homes in the centre of town look nicer and more attractive to visitors, but there are less visitors to the town than there could be due to the inadequate marina facilities! I don't pretend to be particularly well informed about CHORD and other council spending but I would have thought that with the proximity of the marina to the newly (and beautifully I must say) renovated Royal Hotel, there would have been great scope to increase its business also.

[gizmo]

If £480,000 could be found by finer scrutinising of accounts, maybe the accountants should be getting their backsides kicked.

[smiles]

Davie, I don't disagree that their are many aspects of the current CHORD project that seem out of kilter but it must be remembered that it is a regeneration project, local people are being employed as a result of it and the end product will make the centre of town a more attractive place to live, work and visit. which can only be good for trade in the town. A key aspect of regenerating town centres is to provide attractive housing close to the town centre.

Its a pity the actual work didn't go to a local company too eh? McLeods mind you seem to have everything sewn up so what chance do local firms have?