SERVING the community and making a positive change for Bute and Cowal are on the agenda for the local area committee’s chair in 2026.
Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle (SNP, Isle of Bute), who recently became chair of the committee, has reflected on the successes and challenges for Argyll and Bute Council in 2025.
She also told the Local Democracy Reporting Service of the goals for the authority, in the locality and across the entire area, in the New Year.
She said: “Argyll and Bute Council exists to serve our communities. Community engagement is crucial to enable understanding of their needs and priorities.
“A good example is the input from community councils, providing important sounding boards and feedback on a wide range of interests and issues.
“Another is engagement with business representatives through Business Improvement District organisations for Bute and Dunoon, which enabled development of the Empty Commercial Properties initiative.
“For next year, I am looking forward to further engagement with the developing Youth Action Councils. If we are to retain and grow our population, meet our climate change ambitions and tackle poverty, particularly for Bute and Cowal, their voices will be crucial.
“I am looking forward to seeing positive change through collaborative working across sectors and greater cooperation to boost Bute and Cowal economies.
“As a ward councillor, I hope that some of the stickier issues are resolved, such as demolition of the old lower academy, building of new family homes and bringing empty homes back into use, and the continued success of local third sector organisations such as Port Bannatyne Development Trust and Bute Community Land Company.
“These community leaders inspire greater confidence in a more sustainable future through their initiatives.”
Reflecting on the challenges and positives for the council this year, Councillor Kennedy-Boyle said: “There have been several successes which have been significant for Bute and Cowal and the wider region.
“In March, Argyll and Bute Council finalised the Rural Growth Deal. The signing took place on Bute, which was fitting as the deal brings a major investment for the Pavilion, a building which has international appeal and will be a catalyst for economic development.
“Most recently announced is over £5m of investment to improve Dunoon Public Realm and restoration of the former Royal Hotel, Rothesay, which has been a blight on the island’s townscape for decades.
“I feel that the council is improving in a range of areas: we invested strongly in roads and infrastructure in recognition of the challenges to community connectivity and coastal supply chains.
“We are working more collaboratively with community planning partners. As an example, the commitments made in the community wealth building charter are welcome; we have been solution-focused on the housing crisis, with policy on taxing second homes achieving the outcomes we hoped for; and the development of the Aspiring Places portal has made a positive start to working with community organisations in a more strategic approach to addressing local priorities.
“The main challenge has been population. Whilst the decline has slowed, we have not achieved net inward migration. This means challenges in recruitment across the region and sectors.”
Looking ahead to 2026, she added: “At this time, we do not know what the settlement will be from the Scottish Government for local authorities. The lateness of the budget will be very challenging for us.
“Indications are that there are significant gaps, and difficult decisions will need to be made that balance delivery of statutory duties and services with other services which are important to our communities.
“We will need to explore income generation mechanisms available to us to enable investment in economic growth.
“I think it is important for Argyll and Bute Council to understand the needs of our communities and be flexible in our responses to meeting those needs.
“We also want to collaborate with third and private sector organisations to enable progress on social, economic and environmental aspirations.
“In the role of chair of the Bute and Cowal area committee, I will be programming a number of engagement events that will enable local dialogues so we can continue making progress and understand where we need to adapt or change our plans.”
