COUNCILLORS have heard of a “productive” meeting with the cabinet secretary on education provision on Mull.
Argyll and Bute Council leader Jim Lynch (SNP, Oban South and the Isles) gave an update to the full council on a meeting with Mairi McAllan MSP, which took place last month.
Councillor Lynch submitted apologies for a full council meeting on Wednesday, September 23, but depute leader councillor Ross Moreland (Liberal Democrat, Dunoon), who also attended the meeting, gave a further update.
He said that a further meeting was planned, and told another Oban Lorn and the Isles councillor that information would be shared as soon as possible, although attendance at the meeting itself was at Ms McAllan’s discretion.
Cllr Lynch wrote in his report prior to the council meeting: “Along with the policy leads for education and commercial services, councillors Green (Kieron, Independent, Oban North and Lorn) and Moreland, I met with the cabinet secretary for education, culture and Gaelic, Mairi McAllan MSP, for a positive discussion about education for young people on Mull.
“Engagement is set to continue with a further discussion bringing together national and local government representatives, and wider stakeholders. Arrangements for this follow-up discussion are in hand at the time of writing.”
Councillor Amanda Hampsey (Reform UK, Oban South and the Isles) said: “The report referred to a meeting with the cabinet secretary on education provision in Mull. I was looking to see if the leader could say what arose from that meeting?”
Cllr Moreland said: “It was a very productive meeting with the cabinet secretary, and we have agreed to have another.
“I think everybody in the meeting appreciated the cabinet secretary’s time. It is a very big project we are looking at, but we are committed to delivering it for the children of Mull.”
Cllr Hampsey then said: “Is it possible, going forward, to have greater engagement with the local ward councillors in terms of outcomes of the likes of the meeting?
“As a council that is open and transparent, it is good for us to take every opportunity possible to ensure there is transparency right across the board, and we are all sighted on as much information as possible.”
Cllr Moreland responded: “The invite list to the actual meetings would be a matter for the cabinet secretary.
“From the council side, we have always put information out as quicky as we have it to all members, and will continue to do so.”
