Executive Summary - Argyll and Bute Council

Oban Action PlanConsultationsThe study has been progressed in close consultation with a Client Steering Group formed by members and officers ofArgyll and Bute Council, Argyll and Isles Enterprise and Caledonian MacBrayne (Calmac) and including regular reportingand presentations to Lorn and the Isles Area Committee members.Consultations have included local interests covering business, civic and special interest groups along with the police,harbour/ pier authorities, Scottish Executive, and statutory agencies and various departments of Argyll and ButeCouncil. A day and evening Consultation Forum was held in the Corran Halls to allow wider stakeholders theopportunity to participate and discuss individual interests and requirements.Key Issues, Opportunities and ChallengesThe strategic partnership comprises Argyll and Bute Council, Argyll and the Islands Enterprise together with keydevelopment partners and stakeholders including CalMac/ Health Board/ Education Sector / Local Economic Forum/Community Planning Forum/ Private Sector. Key issues for the Action Plan include:the need to focus on economic growth that can help add value and extend opportunity for sustainabledevelopment both for Oban and associated hinterland in Lorn and The Isles.Executive Summarythe scale of potential projects and funding is very substantially beyond current capital programmes and eitheradditional new funding needs to be found or project priorities will need to be tightly definedthe scale of development pressures relative to Oban’s size (population/ services/ community infrastructure/economy, etc) requires clear priorities if the Action Plan is to compete with other demands within Argyll and Butethe need to support the delivery of the Development Plan addressing the key constraints and opportunities forgrowth and urban developmentThe Development Plan and both Argyll and Bute Council and Argyll and the Islands Enterprise recognise opportunitiesand constraints to growth. The scale of the required infrastructure (transport/ roads utilities/ harbour/ place building)requires substantial investment and choices are inevitable to determine priorities.Clarifying a Shared VisionOur Vision:We will promote and secure a dynamic, economically sustainable role for Oban building on the quality of place andfulfilling its key function as the capital of the Western Highlands and Islands.iiIronsideFarrar