SUPPORT has been voiced for Bute to stage a Scottish version of a festival originating in Denmark.
The island has been suggested as a possible venue for the People’s Meeting, which allows people of all political parties to come together in a neutral environment.
Argyll and Bute Council’s chief executive Pippa Milne will travel to the Danish festival on Bornholm in June, along with one of the area’s councillors, on a fact-finding mission.
The full council unanimously agreed to the trip, with councillors also voicing their support, at a full meeting on Wednesday, April 29.
Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle (SNP, Isle of Bute) said: “I warmly welcome this initiative, and I think Bute is the ideal place for this to happen.
“We have experience of hosting things like the Isle of Bute Festival, and Rothesay Pavilion has much to offer.
“There will be a lot of knowledge and learning exchanged and I would ask that members on Bute are included in dialogue, so that if delegates going to Denmark have any questions then answers can be provided to bring this to the region.”
Ms Milne said: “Absolutely, we have already heard that the scheme in Denmark relies heavily on local community groups.
“It is important that we do that and we need to ensure we share the learning from the trip, and would anticipate dealing with those on the island.”
Council leader Councillor Jim Lynch (SNP, Oban South and the Isles) remarked that the idea was “worth exploring”.
He also said that if the proposal was backed by the council, then Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess (SNP, Helensburgh and Lomond South) would replace him in visiting the festival in Denmark.
Councillor Campbell-Sturgess, who is the policy lead for business development, said: “The reason I think this is a very positive idea is that Bute is almost a carbon copy of the island in Denmark where the festival takes place.
“We should do everything in our power to support this. The people element of this cannot be overstated and everything that can be done is vital. It will be Bute’s festival and the people of Bute will be the ones that help it to happen.”
The council then unanimously approved sending Councillor Campbell-Sturgess and Ms Milne to the festival in Denmark in June.
They will then report to the council’s June meeting before a decision is made on whether to support a bid.
