Community learning transfers to Argyll and Bute trust

Plans to transfer Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Learning and Development service to live Argyll have been formally approved.

The arrangement comes as part of a leisure review in the council’s budget planning process for 2021-22.

Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for education Councillor Yvonne McNeilly said: ‘As part of the leisure theme review, the council and live Argyll mutually agreed it would be beneficial to transfer Community Learning and Development over to live Argyll.

‘There are clear similarities between the services that live Argyll offers and those which are delivered by Community Learning and Development, so it is in the best interests of everyone for them to be delivered under the one umbrella. By doing so, this will enhance service delivery and ensure long-term sustainability for our communities.’

Kevin Anderson, general manager for live Argyll, said: ‘A working group has been established and plans are at an advanced stage. We have been working hard to ensure all necessary preparations are put in place for services to be transferred by June 20 this year. This is an exciting time for the live Argyll team and we look forward to welcoming the Community Learning and Development team on board.’

The council will still have overall responsibility for Community Learning and Development but live Argyll will produce and implement the Community Learning and Development Plan on its behalf.

A Leisure and Libraries Charitable Trust was approved in November 2016 and live Argyll was officially launched in 2017 to deliver services including libraries, leisure centres, Active Schools, archives, halls, sports development, museum, community centres and community lets.

‘This is an exciting time for the live Argyll team’