Argyll and Bute councillors have recommended to release £15,000 to support the development of a Business Improvement District (BID) in Oban.

The recommendation was made today by the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area committee, which also agreed to appoint two new core members to the Oban CHORD project board – Councillors Mary –Jean Devon and Neil Mackay.

The Oban BIDS company had previously secured a £20,000 Scottish Government grant and £8,700 from LEADER funding.

The recommendation from the Area Committee will be discussed at the CHORD Programme Management Board later this month.

Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, chair of the area committee and of the Oban CHORD project board, said: “We are very pleased to support the Oban BIDS initiative, and wish the BIDS team success with the ballot.

“This is an exciting project which has the potential to have a major impact on the Oban economy, and we look forward to being updated on its progress over the next few months.”

The area committee also discussed a report detailing developments to date on the Oban CHORD project, for which the funding to progress was approved in April.

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The approved outline project proposals, which are now moving forward to full business case stage, come under the ‘Waterfront Areas for Action’ heading. They include:

* Refreshing the Oban Action Plan, which will allow any new studies or developments which have emerged since its original publication in 2006 to be taken into account.

* Looking at town centre traffic management, for which a traffic model has been developed as an integral part of the proposed Oban Development Road.

* Reconfiguring Oban Bay/Harbour to better meet the needs of all users.

* Developing the transport interchange for trains, buses and ferries, adjacent to and incorporating the existing ferry terminal.

Councillor MacIntyre said: “Any projects brought forward as part of this proposal will need to provide a sound rationale for a share of the £6.9million CHORD allocation for Oban.

“Any business or organisation has to ensure that its investment decisions are based on sound principles, and the council is no different.

“This is particularly the case in the current challenging economic climate. All potential investments must be assessed, demonstrate value for money and meet the objectives set for the project.”

The scope of the CHORD programme was established in a series of Outline Business Cases for each of the five towns involved – Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay and Dunoon – in 2008.

Councillor MacIntyre said: “Our aim is to develop Oban Bay/Harbour in such a way as to benefit the optimal number of users and set the foundations for an exciting and successful future for the town.We must ensure that any projects remain within the established scope for them to be eligible for the allocated funding.We are continuing to take a very disciplined approach to all projects within the scope of Oban’s CHORD plans.

“Initial contact has already been made with key stakeholders and we look forward to consulting with all stakeholders throughout the process as the project progresses.”

(GK)