COUNCIL officials insist that the Argyll Rally has been given full consideration ahead of the event taking place later this month.
Concerns have reportedly been voiced about stages of the rally on some roads around the area, including the B836 and B8000.
However, Argyll and Bute Council bosses have been satisfied that the event can take place on June 20 and 21, while councillors are also working to establish the full role of local area committees.
David Eaglesham submitted a question on the subject, which was raised during public question time at the councils Bute and Cowal area committee on Tuesday, June 3.
Mr Eaglesham was not in attendance at the meeting, with clerk Stuart McLean reading out the question on his behalf.
He made the assertion that a community council had expressed the view that the Friday evening stage, on the B836 Old Course Road, should only go ahead if the road was fully repaired.
He also expressed the belief that there was considerable opposition to the B8000 stage of the rally, adding: What is the point of democracy if Argyll and Bute Council ignores the views of residents?
Hugh ONeill, the councils network and standards manager, responded: The council is duty bound to look at applications for all events. In relation to this event, we have to look at the economic impact of events that we consider relevant.
We have attended community council meetings, some of them special meetings, and have been part of organisers meetings.
Three of the four community councils gave the feedback that they were supportive on this occasion.
We have looked at this across the board and recognise that the rally organisers have done a bit of work. We consider we are not in a position to withhold approval and the order was granted.
We will continue to work with the organisers for future events.
Councillor Gordon Blair (SNP, Cowal), who chairs the area committee, added: We agreed at the last area committee to hold a business day to discuss the Argyll Rally with the organisers and representatives invited.
I then decided not to hold it, because dialogue had continued with the rally, the roads authority and the community councils.
At Colintraive Community Councils meeting, dialogue between the parties was raised. I was content not to regurgitate discussions, which was not in the best interests given the timeline that the organisers were working to.
I also mentioned that the new administration was keen to review the role of area committees in relation to delegated responsibilities. All the chairs were to meet about how localised issues are determined at area committee level.
All area committee chairs, apart from Councillor John Armour (SNP, South Kintyre, chair of Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands area committee) had a meeting, and arrangements were made to meet with Douglas Hendry (executive director).
That work is ongoing, but I felt continued dialogue was the best way to move forward for the 2025 rally. It is not going away, but issues must be resolved amicably as far as possible at local level.
My apologies for not having the business day, but we are committed to giving the role of area committees full assessment.
The Argyll Rally organisers have been contacted for comment.
Andrew Galloway
Local Democracy Reporter
