COUNCIL workers have recovered 11 trolleys during a clearance of the river behind Oban’s Tesco store, an official has said.
Councillors have also called for a community-led working group to be formed to work on efforts to combat flooding in the town.
An update was given on local flood risk management, with the town deemed a potentially vulnerable area by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
The discussion took place at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Oban Lorn and the Isles area committee on Wednesday, March 11.
Councillor Amanda Hampsey (Conservative, Oban South and the Isles) said: “We are getting reports and having conversations, but not seeing action.
“The impact has been massive in every year since I have been on the council, and my inbox has had correspondence from constituents.
“I know that before my time it had been ongoing, but what action are we seeing to bring forward new actions?”
Councillor Kieron Green (Independent, Oban North and Lorn) then said: “One question raised during public question time was about a stakeholder group.
“I know one of the actions was to engage with elected members, the community council and members of the public to investigate reported flood incidents.
“This is described as a flood resilience working group. How does that all fit in?”
Elsa Simoes, the council’s infrastructure design manager, responded: “Somebody has to get this group together, and I do not think it is me.
“It is very frustrating to come here with report after report and then not do anything, but we actually do something as we are clearing the river up.
“Yesterday we found 11 trolleys in the river next to Tesco. We found tyres, baby trolleys and garbage from people.”
Mark Calder, the council’s project manager, said: “If such a group was considered to be beneficial, we would need to be clear what its purpose was.
“If a community-led flood forum would assist the council in capital funding for flood works, that would be beneficial, but we do not believe that is the case.
“That being said, there are examples of local resilience partnerships where the community has assisted with the impacts of flooding or severe weather events.
“From my and Elsa’s perspective, such a group is something that should be community-led.”
Councillor Hampsey said: “I believe a community-led resilience would be beneficial for the area, and would call on my colleagues to also back the community to create a group.”
Councillor Green suggested the possibility of staging a business day to work with the flood resilience team.
Councillor Hampsey then said: “I understand you may find it helpful, but I do not feel the need to go to a business day and make decisions behind closed doors. I am happy to have conversations now if possible.”
Councillor Green responded: “There was a meeting earlier this year which agreed actions, and it would be important to ensure any action we were taking was in line with those actions.
“We can come back to a future meeting of the area committee, but it would be helpful to work out how these groups are going to be interfaced. It is important we all work together.”
Councillor Julie McKenzie (Independent, Oban North and Lorn) said: “I agree with Councillor Hampsey that there is a need for action here.
“It is also clear to me that the community has waited long enough and taking it back and forward to business days is not the appropriate approach.”
The committee agreed to note the contents of the flood risk management report. Councillor McKenzie moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Hampsey, to say that the contents should be noted with concern, but it was defeated by five votes to two.
