ÓûÂþɬ

What we asked

The main purpose of the consultation was to ascertain: 
With budget gaps forecast to continue for ÓûÂþɬ Council services, we ran a high level survey seeking views of our citizens on priorities for the council.
 

What the response was

There was a total of 871 responses, and more than 2,000 comments the headline response was:

We asked people which three council services they use the most: 

The response was: Bins/waste, Roads, and Public Transport Services

We asked people which three council services they believe are most important for the area: 

The response was: Roads, Bins/waste, and Education/Early years
Respondents to the consultation were found to be fairly evenly split on whether they would pay more, and also on stopping some services that are not a council’s duty.

Where people indicated a level of support for paying more for council services, comments on this indicated support on the basis that costs are affordable and fair, and take into account those in lower income households. We also received suggestions for raising income.

What was decided as a result of the response

We have increased investment in our road network from £2 million to £10 million; and we have set aside nearly £3 million for storm recovery support, in case our communities need this again from their council. Combined, this investment is the equivalent of over one percent of council tax income.

Our additional £1.2 million for health and social care – supporting the most vulnerable in our communities – equates to around two percent of council tax income.

Our rural communities depend on our school and public transport services. These contracts are increased by £1.7 million between this year and last year’s, a cost we couldn’t avoid – that’s the equivalent of nearly 3% of council tax.

There’s a £0.5 million increase in support for transport for young people with additional support needs – equating to nearly 1% of council tax.

Protecting and maintaining the buildings and IT equipment that our school pupils use is worth around £655,000, or 1% of council tax.

Keeping council tax lower would have meant cuts to services that people value – taking services away from their communities so Council Tax will be raised by 9.9%.

Thank you to everyone who gave views on council budget priorities earlier this year. We welcomed 800 responses and around 2,000 comments. You can find out how the council listened to what you said in the decisions made about the council’s budget.

/news/2025/feb/council-budget-invests-roads-and-social-care

What we asked

The main purpose of the consultation was to ascertain: 

Whether residents of and organisations within ÓûÂþɬ agreed with the Equality Outcomes we had drafted to cover the period 2025-2029.

Legislation requires us to develop Equality Outcomes. In preparing these, we must take reasonable steps to involve people who share relevant protected characteristics and people who represent the interests of people with protected characteristics.   

What the response was

There was a total of 24 responses, 20 from individuals and four from organisations. The headline response was in favour of the equality  outcomes proposed:

The public consultation was published on the council’s website and publicised through the council’s weekly ‘ÓûÂþɬ News Round Up’ email. In addition, organisations known to the Community Development team were emailed to promote the consultation with the intent to reach community groups working with individuals who have one or more of the nine protected characteristics.

Two responses out of the 24 disagreed with all the equality outcomes. One of these was on the basis that making things ‘easier’ for people with protected characteristics will build resentment between them and other groups because this was not seen as equality. The other was on the basis that the outcomes rely too heavily on third sector organisations for their delivery and these are not council led.

While the majority of respondents agreed with the outcomes we had drafted, some suggestions were received. These suggestions were of two types. The first suggested changes to the wording and scope of the outcomes themselves. The second related to the kinds of actions required to deliver the outcomes.

What was decided as a result of the response

We reworded three of the six proposed outcomes.

Several responses to the public consultation raised concerns that reference to protected characteristics in the outcomes was too limiting and that actions should extend to groups who experience serious deprivation and poverty. However, the wording of the equality outcomes, and specific reference to protected characteristics has been retained because this reflects the requirements of the PSED. Equality outcomes are not delivered as an alternative to work the council already does to address issues relating to deprivation and poverty.

Some comments were received in response to the rationale behind the outcome. These related to the need to maintain single sex spaces, domestic violence against men, and types of bullying to be addressed. As these relate to specifics around work being carried out, these responses will be considered in more detail as we develop an action plan to support the delivery of these outcomes.

The new Equality Outcomes were approved by the Policy and Resources Committee on 20 February 2025 and have been published in our Equality Mainstreaming Report 2025.

What we asked

The main purpose of the consultation was to: Inform customer service strategy actions and provision of services based on customer preferences (Design with, not for).

What the response was

There were a total of 580 responses, and telephone and email are still the preferred channels of choice for contacting the council, followed by online service and then face to face at Service Points. Customers said their priority was to get a responsive service with great ease of access to information and 92% had used the council website in the past year.

What was decided as a result of the response

There remains a place for face to face service provision, particularly in remote areas and there is a big appetite for improved online services; particularly around social care. Although Facebook remains the preferred social medium for keeping up to date with council developments, over a third of respondents would like to use Whatsapp. When reporting on performance response and resolution times are the most popular followed by satisfaction levels. So all the above are featured in team plans for 2025-26.

Customer Service Preference Survey Results

What we asked

The main purpose of the consultation was to ascertain: To hear views on the draft strategy and the priorities within them.

What the response was

There was a total of  responses, and the headline response was:

There were 65 responses received 

65 responses were received, 51% of which were from the general public, and 25% from ÓûÂþɬ Council employees as the two largest response groups. This was an increase from the 47 responses received for the similar consultation undertaken in 2021.

65% of respondents found the Sustainable Procurement Strategy to be either informative or very informative, and 16% of respondents stating that it was uninformative or very uninformative.

50% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the strategy was easy to read; while 25% disagreed or strongly disagreed.

51% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the format of the strategy made it easy to follow; while 20% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed.

46% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the Procurement Strategy is comprehensive; while 21% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed.

49% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the key priorities within the Strategy are clear; while 28% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed.

The stakeholder responses received included well-considered comments which we have found very valuable. The strategy has been streamlined in response to the comments and we have ensured that all matters highlighted by stakeholders have been included. Furthermore, we will take into account the suggestion of a summary page setting out the key points when we draft the next strategy

Following the consultation process, the Strategy has been updated as follows:

Sustainable procurement means making purchasing decisions that balance environmental protection, social progress, and economic development, both for present and future generations. For the council, this means: 

• Environmental Sustainability: Making procurement decisions that minimise negative environmental impacts, support climate resilience, and contribute to our net-zero targets through reduced carbon emissions, protection of biodiversity, and responsible resource use.
• Social Sustainability: Delivering positive outcomes for our communities through fair work practices, skills development, and enhanced community wellbeing and resilience.
• Economic Sustainability: Creating lasting economic benefits through support for local businesses, innovation, and long-term value for money.

Here’s a link to the Stakeholder Report published on our website.

What we asked

The main purpose of the consultation was to ascertain: The main purpose of the consultation was to seek views on a proposal to extend the catchment area of Dalmally Primary School.

What the response was

There was a total of [   ] responses, and the headline response was: No written responses were submitted to the Council in relation to this consultation exercise.

What was decided as a result of the response 

The Council's Community Services Committee agreed to extend the catchment area of Dalmally School to include the entire catchment area of the former Bridge of Orchy Primary School, with effect from 6th March 2025.

Further details about this consultation exercise can be found within the published Consultation Report.

What we asked

The main purpose of the consultation was to ascertain: 

To seek input from members of the public, local businesses, and stakeholders on the Draft Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES).

What the response was

There was a total of [  ] responses, [% for / against etc.] and the headline response was:

A total of 112 responses were received, and the pertinent feedback has informed the final version of the Strategy and Delivery Plan.

69% strongly agreed or agreed with the aims of the LHEES

54% agreed the priorities in the LHEES were the right ones for ÓûÂþɬ

59% said that improving energy efficiency was very important

67% said that it is very important / quite important that the LHEES prioritises zero-emission heating

51% agreed that it was important that communities that generate zero carbon energy should benefit from doing so

60% agreed that the ÓûÂþɬ LHEES should aim to tackle fuel poverty

What was decided as a result of the response

Pertinent feedback has informed the final version of the Strategy and Delivery Plan.

Stakeholder input will continue to shape the LHEES Strategy and Delivery Plan, as the LHEES is characterised by its iterative nature, and the documents are designed to be dynamic and adaptable rather than static. The Council plans to establish an interagency delivery group to develop detailed actions to implement LHEES priorities. In addition, the LHEES Officer will continue to work closely with the Community Planning Partnership while they develop a Regional Climate Change Plan for ÓûÂþɬ.

See the Consultation Feedback in full here: 

/moderngov/documents/s213752/APPENDIX%203%20-%20SUMMARY%20OF%20PUBLIC%20CONSULTATION%20FINDINGS.pdf

And the LHEES

/moderngov/documents/s213750/APPENDIX%201%20-%20LHEES%20STRATEGY.pdf

Discussed at Council

What we asked

The main purpose of the consultation was to ascertain the demand for an all-Gaelic School within the local authority area.  

What the response was

The headline response was that 45% of respondents were in favour of an all Gaelic School, with 55% of respondents not in favour – there was a total of 673 responses.

What was decided as a result of the response

The motion from the administration (Council Decision - item 13) sets out what was decided by Council – point 6 of the motion agreed that against a backdrop of reducing budgets and competing priorities, the Council is not in a position to pursue this matter any further at this time, and will continue to pursue a more equitable approach of provision of Gaelic in existing schools across the wider area, thereby ensuring more pupils have access.

Dunoon to Hunters Quay Active Travel Route -  15 May 23 - 20 Jun 23 

383 responses were received to this consultation. 68% of respondents were not supportive of the design. This was primarily due to the proposed loss of on street parking that would be required in order to deliver a segregated cycle track. It was agreed to amend the design and hold further consultation with the community. 

Dunoon to Hunters Quay Active Travel Route - 29 Jan 24 - 23 Feb 24 

The new consultation received 207 responses and although the new design did not receive the same level of objections 45% of responses remained unsupportive and only 42% of responses were supportive with 13% being neutral or undecided. It was decided to pause the project until additional external funding could be secured to try and produce a new design that could be supported by the community.

104 survey responses were received. 52% of surveys received were not supportive of the design. The objections focused on the principle of the scheme (to encourage people to walk, wheel and cycle more), the cost, the possible loss of parking and the design worsening the levels of congestion currently experienced in the town. Some of the objections felt that the proposed concept design did not do enough to help cyclists and that the designs should be more radical. A report went to Oban Lorn and Isles Area Committee on 12 June 2024 where Member agreed that they were unable support the project in its current form. The project has been put on hold until additional external funding can be secured to review and redesign this project into a design that could be supported by the community.

The consultation received 99 responses, with 59% of respondents supportive of the proposal. A report went to Mid Argyll Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee on 28 Feb 2024 where Members agreed to  support the continuation of the project. The project is currently in design stage 3 and will progress to design stage 4 If it receives 2025/26 funding from Transport Scotland.