Oban councillors agree to move on outstanding issues

It is not only communities that are frustrated by the lack of progress on issues affecting Oban, Lorn and the Isles.

Elected members charged with representing their interests are also exasperated by the inactivity on certain developments.

Speaking at last Wednesday’s meeting of the area committee, Roddy McCuish, who represents Oban South and the Isles stated: ‘We really have to start achieving some of these goals and getting things done.’

Mr McCuish’s outburst came as the committee moved on to the final item on the agenda, Oban, Lorn and the Isles Committee Workplan 201920, which includes an itinerary of reports on items that have already been on the agenda for quite some time.

In particular Mr McCuish referred to a report on the seemingly stagnant development project for Oban Airport Business Park.

Councillors were told: ‘The airport business park was placed on the open market in the summer. A limited number of offers have been received and they are being considered by council officers before being presented back to the area committee for a decision on how to proceed.’

McCuish said: ‘It’s all very well getting a report done every now and then but, without being disrespectful, I could have written that one myself. If we have had offers as long as a year ago and we still have not had an update, we want to know what these offers are and why this area committee is still asking questions.

‘We need this sooner rather than later. Given the work that has gone on, we need to get this business park up and running. Why are we not getting feedback from the officers?’

Councillor Elaine Robertson, who chairs the committee, defended the lack of information put forward on the day but agreed more had to be done. She said: ‘I share the frustration and, like all the members here, would like to see results.’

Councillor Jim Lynch said: ‘Perhaps the reason we didn’t get an in-depth report is because there’s nothing to report?’

Mrs Robertson responded: ‘This is something that we, as a council, have to take some responsibility for.

‘We have constantly been reducing spend which ultimately means there aren’t enough officers around to do the work that needs to be done.

‘It’s all part of the issues we have with the local authorities and it’s not just us, it’s right across the country.’

Mr McCuish commented that if that was the case then private project partnerships may be the answer.