Campbeltown Community Council
Minutes of Meeting 14/10/25
held in Campbeltown Town Hall
Present: V Nimmo (Chair), C Dobbie (Minutes), A Baker, J Martin, C McCulloch, J McCallum,
E Grabowska
In attendance: Cllr J Armour, Argyll and Bute Council
- Welcome: V Nimmo welcomed everyone to the meeting.
- Declaration of Interest: None
- Apologies: A Gallacher, D Allen, E Glendinning, A McMillan
- Review of Minutes of last meeting 09/09/25
The following corrections were made:
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- Correspondence Tangy Wind Farm have applied for planning permission for 16 turbines@200m tall.
MAKI meeting, the suggestion to reduce the speed limit to 20mph was from Transport Scotland, not A & B Council.
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- AOCB meeting held recently with Chief Executive and Leader of the Council, not Provost.
The minutes were agreed, proposed by C McCulloch, seconded by A Baker.
- Public Questions
None.
- Police Report
No report received. A Baker raised concerns about drug use/dealing in some houses. There was agreement that drug use has increased and the smell of cannabis is more widespread. A letter is to be written the Chief Inspector with our concerns and once again, asking that a representative be sent to our meetings.
- Councillor’s Report
Cllr Armour gave the following updates:
Pedestrian crossings on A83 in town are to be completed by March 2026 as is whtelining on Stewarton/Southend road.
Ferry. The ferry committee was not consulted, Argyll and Bute Council not informed and the community not involved in CALMAC’s announcement last week that there would be no Ardrossan- Campbeltown seasonal ferry service. It was agreed this isn’t acceptable. Our local MSP, MP and Councillors have requested a meeting with the Scottish Minister responsible for Connectivity/Transport.
20mph speed limit in town. This has been set up by Transport Scotland, not Argyll and Bute Council for a trial period of 18months. There was no consultation prior to this and there is confusion as to which roads are affected. Some of the new signs are too low and could be hazardous to pedestrians. It would have been better to consult first, then choose 20mph limits. A representative from Transport Scotland attends MAKI meetings, the next one is on 5/11/25.
Rest and Be Thankful. Councillors whose wards are affected met recently with BEAR, Transport Scotland, hauliers, tourism providers to express concern at plans to make road one way whilst canopy construction is underway for a period of at least 4 years. Everyone agrees this is unacceptable and adds to the costs for businesses and individuals. Recent landslides have not been in the area identified, last one in the propoased canopy area was 2020.
Hospital beds are to be increased from 6 to 10. This was welcomed.
Storm Amy. The A83 was closed overnight due to fallen trees between Inveraray and Cairndow, causing major disruption. Several buses were blocked overnight. Police Scotland failed to identify that responsibility for the A83 lies with BEAR Scotland. Contractors came from Perth to cut and remove trees, local contractors would have been quicker.
Refuse. Green bins. A review has been carried out and has updated its approach to providing a second green bin for general waste which target those most in need:
Households with 2 or more children under 4years using disposable nappies.
One or more resident has a medical condition resulting in clinical/ medical waste
5 or more people are resident in the household
The need for this service will be checked every 2 years.
All households can request an additional free blue bin.
Questions
JMcC asked if drains in town centre could be cleared as flooding was occurring especially outside TOFFS.
AB asked why there was a one way system in operation at RABT when no work was being carried out. He also asked for arrows on roads to show direction of traffic.
JM told meeting that re roughcasting a house was stopped because there was no planning permission. Unclear. Hole in wall at Witchburn Rd still awaiting repair.
V Nimmo urged members to write/report problems to Argyll and Bute Council re their concerns with Cllr Armour saying that specific details are required to look into problems.
AB felt that the local roads were in better condition than they had been in years.
- Treasurer’s Report
A Gallacher was unable to attend.
Main account £12,874.73
Quesada account £1985.20
CC Windfarm Fund £53,591plus £15,238.59 in Savings Account.
- Correspondence
All correspondence circulated to CCC members.
Email from A&B Council suggesting a By-election take place soon to formalize our 5 co-opted members, giving us 12 full members. Max is 16 so still space for others to join. All agreed.
- Ferry
Already discussed.
11.Resilience
V Nimmo contacted E Spence from SKDT. He is planning to arrange a meeting in November but no details yet.
- AOCB
Airport Users Forum. C Dobbie, J Armour, J Martin and J McCallum attended last month’s meeting.
The PSO ( public service obligation) contract is in place until October 2027. Tender for service is likely to be carried out in Spring 2027. The PSO doesn’t specify aircraft, its up to the airline to decide how they wish to provide the minimum capacity that is required.
It was agreed that a business case for the expansion of the service needs to be put together and led by businesses. Mach Dunes has already carried out work on this but needs to shared and widened. J Martin has contacted Jane MacLeod about setting up a local Chamber of Commerce.
The Health Board’s policy for financial assistance has been recently reviewed, with the eligibility for patient transport by air now stricter. Transport Scotland were not made aware of this.
HIAL are holding a drop in event at the airport terminal on Wednesday, 22nd October from 10:30-12:30 for anyone who would like to give them their views.
C McCulloch asked if CCC could make a donation to Heritage Walks led by A McKinven and J Bakes. Agreed.
Poppy wreath for Armistice Sunday. JMcC agreed to present this on behalf of CCC.
JMcC spoke about the increasing number of empty commercial properties in the town centre, many of which are owned by one or two individuals who live elsewhere. They are mainly in a very poor state and are not being maintained. He and J McGowan from Olfactory shop are looking into setting up a CIC (Community Interest Company) to try and improve this if they can source funding.
Ferry Committee. It was agreed that there should be a rep from CCC on this and D Allen was proposed. To be asked.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
TUESDAY 11th NOVEMBER at 7:30PM in CAMPBELTOWN TOWN HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS