Leader admits no targets set for population growth

GROWING Argyll’s population is proving more difficult than councillors initially thought.

For many years, one of the stated key objectives of Argyll and Bute council is to increase the number of people living in the area.

Population figures in the local authority area are falling quicker than most places in the UK.

But at a meeting of the full council last week, leader Dick Walsh ( pictured) admitted he had no idea what progress had been made.

When questioned by former council leader, councillor James Robb, Dick Walsh confirmed that targets would have to be introduced.

Mr Walsh said: ‘The question of the growth of Argyll and Bute council lies at the door of all parties including the Scottish government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.’

After the meeting, Mr Robb said: ‘Increasing population is not a meaningful objective in itself. It is largely a consequence of a growing economy either creating more local jobs or at- tracting retired people. Still, it is surprising that there is no target or monitoring of progress.

‘It all seems to be a bit of a smokescreen by an administration which is falling short in growing our economies and communities.

‘An objective that isn’t being monitored and measured is meaningless,’ he added.

A CARD and present celebrating the marriage of council leader, Dick Walsh, and his long- term partner, Tina, was given at the start of the full council meeting last Thursday.

Mr Walsh, who has been council leader on a number of occasions over the last two decades, said he was genuinely speechless at the council’s kindness.