THE future of libraries and event venues in all areas of Argyll and Bute is under scrutiny in a new report to go before councillors.
Cardross, Rosneath, Tarbert, Tiree and Rothesay Libraries are all listed for potential closure as a result of a further reduced management fee by the council to liveArgyll.
Helensburgh Library could also move into the town’s Waterfront leisure centre, while Oban Library could be relocated to the Corran Halls.
The Victoria Halls in Helensburgh, the Campbeltown Museum, and the Riverside Leisure Centre in Dunoon, are also listed as potential closures within the report.
Reduced leisure centre opening hours, and a 10 per cent decrease in library staffing hours, also feature within the document.
The council had already agreed a 10 per cent reduction in liveArgyll’s management fee when it set its 2025/26 budget in February 2025. However, the reduction was delayed until 2026/27.
It is now proposed to reduce the fee by a further five per cent, meaning the total reduction comes to £467,000.
LiveArgyll is currently conducting a public consultation on its services and the effects of potential closures. The survey will run until Sunday, February 15.
The budgeting pack will go before councillors at a meeting of the authority’s policy and resources committee on Thursday, February 19. The council will set its budget on Wednesday, February 25.
The report said: “In 2025/26 a 10 per cent reduction in management fee was approved at the February 2025 budget meeting but was deferred to this financial year.
“This totalled £311,000 and has been deducted from the 2026/27 management fee within the budget outlook.
“For 2026/27 it is proposed that a further five per cent reduction is applied to the management fee totalling £156,000. The total reduction to the management fee over the two-year period 2025-2027 is therefore £467,000.
“The table shows scenarios, service changes and balancing actions outlined by Live Argyll to respond to the proposed management fee reduction.”
A total of 15 possible options, with a total value of £590,000, is then listed.
The report added: “All scenarios/options listed will be required to be delivered to reach the £467,000 target as outlined.
“A decision by the Live Argyll Board in 2025 to close a number of smaller libraries has been publicly unpopular and has not been progressing in 2025/26. This proposal supersedes that previous decision.
“During January and February 2026, liveArgyll have been undertaking engagement with liveArgyll members and wider public relating to how communities may be affected by potential changes to service provision relating to leisure, libraries, culture, halls, active schools and community learning development.
“Engagement has included online surveys, attendance at staff workshops and community planning events.”
