Town Centre and Waterfront Project - PLEASE SUPPORT!

[4th gen Suthen']

The methodology is poor in my view because so much money has been wasted on detailed engineers’, surveyors’ and consultants’ reports for towns that are not going any funding. Abortive work costs. It is not a good use of tax-payers money, I would suggest. Nor is the process properly strategic, and it has taken far too long. I would challenge the Council to show any precedent for such a methodology anywhere else in Scotland. Our councillors could sensibly ask such questions: How much has this abortive work cost? Where else has this process been used, for different areas to produce outline business cases that are then scored? When other authorities – including SNP ones- want to make this sort of investment they first decide where they want to focus it. Then they commission the technical reports for that one place. That makes sense. Instead we have got five sets of reports, and only one (or two) will be taken forward.

Reading that you would think you don't want Campbeltown to succeed!? Isn't fair to have towns going against each other but at this point and time I'm only interested in Campbeltown!

Never one to be confrontational or beligerent, and not just sticking up for my cuz, but I dont see how you can POSSIBLY read that into what MaryG wrote.

[deirdreh]

Here are the emails for the other Councillors who have them. I would suggest sending them in smaller groups rather than one long list which may get blocked by the Council's Intranet. The Forum will only let me send them 10 at a time:

robin.currie@argyll-bute.gov.uk: john.mcalpine@argyll-bute.gov.uk; alison.hay@argyll-bute.gov.uk; donald.macmillan@argyll-bute.gov.uk; dougie.philand@argyll-bute.gov.uk

[deirdreh]

Gordon.Chalmers@argyll-bute.gov.uk; marydevon@tiscali.co.uk; roderick.mccuish@argyll-bute.gov.uk; donald.mcintosh@argyll-bute.gov.uk; donald.macdonald@argyll-bute.gov.uk; duncan.macintyre@argyll-bute.gov.uk; Neil.Mackay@argyll-bute.gov.uk; elaine.robertson@argyll-bute.gov.uk

[deirdreh]

bruce.marshall@argyll-bute.gov.uk; alex.mcnaughton@argyll-bute.gov.uk; ron.simon@argyll-bute.gov.uk; alister.mcalister@argyll-bute.gov.uk; james.mcqueen@argyll-bute.gov.uk; dick.walsh@argyll-bute.gov.uk

[deirdreh]

robert.macintyre@argyll-bute.gov.uk; len.scoullar@argyll-bute.gov.uk; isobel.strong@argyll-bute.gov.uk;

george.freeman@argyll-bute.gov.uk; daniel.kelly@argyll-bute.gov.uk; william.petrie@argyll-bute.gov.uk;

[deirdreh]

vivien.dance@argyll-bute.gov.uk; gary.mulvaney@argyll-bute.gov.uk; al.reay@argyll-bute.gov.uk; James.Robb@argyll-bute.gov.uk; andrew.nisbet@argyll-bute.gov.uk; david.kinniburgh@argyll-bute.gov.uk; ellen.morton@argyll-bute.gov.uk

[Mary G]

Very helpful Dierdre! Ta for that. I hope plenty people make contact, because it should help.

4th Gen is right - I have supported the town all along - because it has the strongest case! But I would still contend that the excessive duration, the scope for some towns to get 'two bites' by hiring additional consultants, the fact that all tax-payers are paying for abortive work , etc, etc, proves that the process was an unsatisfactory one.

That does not mean that I don't like the proposed result.

And Ta, cuz - much appreciated comment - you read me right

[Ship called Dignity]

The methodology is poor in my view because so much money has been wasted on detailed engineers’, surveyors’ and consultants’ reports for towns that are not going any funding. Abortive work costs. It is not a good use of tax-payers money, I would suggest. Nor is the process properly strategic, and it has taken far too long. I would challenge the Council to show any precedent for such a methodology anywhere else in Scotland. Our councillors could sensibly ask such questions: How much has this abortive work cost? Where else has this process been used, for different areas to produce outline business cases that are then scored? When other authorities – including SNP ones- want to make this sort of investment they first decide where they want to focus it. Then they commission the technical reports for that one place. That makes sense. Instead we have got five sets of reports, and only one (or two) will be taken forward.

Reading that you would think you don't want Campbeltown to succeed!? Isn't fair to have towns going against each other but at this point and time I'm only interested in Campbeltown!

Never one to be confrontational or beligerent, and not just sticking up for my cuz, but I dont see how you can POSSIBLY read that into what MaryG wrote.

So what is it you read into mine? "how you can POSSIBLY read ino" is a very strong statement.

I know Mary is very supportive of the town from the outset - there is no challenging that.

But read the quote again - "I would challenge the Council to show any precedent for such a methodology anywhere else in Scotland. "

Lets hope no-one from Dunoon, Oban or Helensburgh is reading....

[Ship called Dignity]

4th Gen is right - I have supported the town all along - because it has the strongest case! But I would still contend that the excessive duration, the scope for some towns to get 'two bites' by hiring additional consultants, the fact that all tax-payers are paying for abortive work , etc, etc, proves that the process was an unsatisfactory one.

That does not mean that I don't like the proposed result.

Mary - not for a second did I think you weren't supportive of the town, you know that I know that! Its testament to our current Councillors that we got this chance. Lots of money wasted and as I said it is terrible for towns to go against each other but I'd rather this process to get the right the result. 18 months ago Dunoon and Helensburgh were the front runners - the process does show which towns need it the most and that is Campbeltown and Rothesay.

[4th gen Suthen']

So what is it you read into mine? "how you can POSSIBLY read ino" is a very strong statement.

I know Mary is very supportive of the town from the outset - there is no challenging that.

But read the quote again - "I would challenge the Council to show any precedent for such a methodology anywhere else in Scotland. "

Lets hope no-one from Dunoon, Oban or Helensburgh is reading.... [/quote]



I just could not see how you could take from Mary's words that others might think she did not want Campbeltown to win...

That's a' ... right!

Anyway, none of that matters, lets just hope the decision goes the right way. I am sure Messrs Colville, Kelly and Semple are doing their utmost to prove Campbeltown has the strongest case.

[Ship called Dignity]

I just could not see how you could take from Mary's words that others might think she did not want Campbeltown to win...

That's a' ... right!

Anyway, none of that matters, lets just hope the decision goes the right way. I am sure Messrs Colville, Kelly and Semple are doing their utmost to prove Campbeltown has the strongest case.

No probs 4th Gen - I perhaps should have worded or added smilies to my post - I posted in a hurry. It wasn't an angry "Reading that you would think you don't want Campbeltown to succeed!? " I should have added or the likes at the end. I still think

I would challenge the Council to show any precedent for such a methodology anywhere else in Scotland. Our councillors could sensibly ask such questions: How much has this abortive work cost? Where else has this process been used, for different areas to produce outline business cases that are then scored?

Would be the kind of post I'd expect to see on the Oban, Dunoon forum etc

All in all I agree with what Mary says in terms of the money spent to get where we are but from a Campbeltown point of view it could prove to be the correct process. 18 months ago we didn't have a chance...

Fingers crossed for la morrow.

[rainbowsprite]

Anyone know the result of todays meeting

[deirdreh]

I think Campbeltown got the £6.5 million but I am looking for official confirmation before getting too excited.

[John A]

ARGYLL AND BUTE TOWNS TO BENEFIT FROM SHARE OF £31 MILLION
Argyll and Bute councillors of every political shade came together today as Argyll United when they unanimously agreed a package of measures which will provide the launch pad for regeneration projects in five Argyll and Bute towns.

At a meeting of the full Council in Dunoon, over £31 million was allocated for development projects in Campbeltown, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Oban and Rothesay.

The announcement came as councillors agreed a proposal that an additional £20 million be added to the £10 million already set aside for town centre and waterfront projects.

Council Leader and spokesperson for the Alliance of Independent Councillors, Councillor Dick Walsh, said: "Today is a real milestone in the history of Argyll and Bute. It is day when all political parties came together to agree this ambitious and forward-looking programme and to make an important commitment at a time of economic uncertainty.

"This will help to create confidence in a vibrant future for our towns and their communities and we will be moving swiftly on now to plan the process for taking this through to implementation.”

The programme should be extended over a fifth year with an additional £.2.5 million from the capital programme. It was also agreed to increase the budget for loans charges by £100,000 over the next five years, thereby providing funding for a further £7 million of capital expenditure, and that £6 million from the capital plan's unallocated 2012 roads budget is awarded for the Oban Development Road.

Depute Leader, and SNP group leader, Councillor Robert Macintyre, agreed: "This is an historic day for Argyll and Bute. All five business cases were recommended by the consultants RPS as worthy of being taken forward to a final business case.

"The injection of £30 million by the Council over the next five years will ensure a level of investment in these harsh economic times that will give a lot of hope for the future."

Councillor Ellen Morton, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: "The decision is in accordance with the Government's agenda for growth and is even more timely in the current economic climate. We can help to generate jobs in Argyll and Bute and to sustain and support local businesses. We can draw in external investment to our local economies, all of which is highly desirable and to be welcomed."

Councillor Gary Mulvaney, Leader of the Conservatives, said: "There were no winners and losers. Each area had a strong case in its own right and the real winners are the people of Argyll and Bute. Today this body of 36 members of all parties and none can justifiably say that we have delivered for Argyll and Bute's residents a legacy that will be there long after we have gone."

The money will be allocated as follows:

Rothesay Pavilion and other townscape improvements in the town will receive £2.4m

Campbeltown will receive £6.5m to revitalise the strategic Kinloch Road area of the town, develop the existing marina and improve and restore heritage and conservation sites in the town centre.

Helensburgh will receive £6.66m for a major traffic management and street improvement scheme to transform the town centre and to redevelop the esplanade.

A total of £6m is allocated to the Oban Development road which will provide new routes into the town and open up areas for residential and commercial development, along with £0.9m to support development of a yacht haven in Oban Bay or actions to improve the efficiency of the harbour itself.

£8.3m will go towards the redevelopment of Dunoon Pier to facilitate economic growth.

[Mary G]

Thanks for highlighting this, John A.