Iona Community Council
Draft minutes of the quarterly meeting held in Iona Village Hall on Wednesday 4 December 2024 at 7.30pm
Present: Shiona Ruhemann (chair), Toben Lewis (minutes), Rob MacManaway, Jane Martin, Dot Stewart, 18 members of the public, and 1 visitor.
Apologies: Rhona Hastings, Jane Kindlen, Ailidh Lennon, Gordon MacCormick, Jenny McLellan, Rona Muckhart, Katy Russon
Minutes of the previous meeting: signed off without amendments
Reports from organisations:
Iona Village Hall Community Trust
Jane Martin read a report from Anja Jardine –
Community Consultation
We have mentioned before that we are to hold a community consultation together with ICC to better understand the needs of island residents and how the Village hall can help meeting some of those. There will be a survey launched at the start of next year.
Village Hall Fundraisers
We had some successful fundraisers in the past month:
The Fireworks night raised £795 for food and £70 in fireworks donations
Saturday’s Christmas Craft Fair brought in £897 for food and table sales.
A big thank you to Cara who organised another Clothes swap which raised £236.40 for hall funds.
The Iona Village Hall Photo Calendars are out for sale now, too. They are already selling well. Please contact us if you are interested, or buy via our website ionavillagehall.org.
Winter Events
Films: we are hoping to show a few movies again this winter. First one will be a Christmas movie on Sunday, 8th December, in the afternoon.
Hogmanay: Jamie Chandler has offered to organise a party in the hall. Please look out for message on Iona Stuff re support, timing, etc.
Community Cafe: we are hoping to hold our successful Community Cafes again. Probable dates are 22nd January, 31st January, and 12th of February. Dates will be confirmed. Please look out for announcements on Iona Stuff and public notice board.
Iona Renewables
Shiona Ruhemann –
We’ve had a lot of support from our MSP throughout this year, and a lot of engagement at Ministerial level. On 30 October we had an in-person meeting at the Scottish Parliament with the Minister for Climate Action and our MSP regarding the Iona project.
The CEO of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA) Scotland joined the meeting, and says the importance of the Iona project “cannot be overstated”. Phil Long, CEO of NTS, has also written to the Minister about NTS’ support, which we really appreciate.
This was a useful meeting; it followed Scottish Government’s due diligence contractor setting out a list of recommended funding conditions for the Iona project, which almost entirely reconfirm recommendations already set out in a Scottish Government funded report.
We’re progressing the project with support of funders including Crown Estate Scotland.
From 19 to 25 Nov, the potential lead contractor has been on site carrying out intensive surveys of all buildings – this reinstates the fundamental data (following the pandemic-driven halt) and is the foundation for all other final development stages. Scottish Government’s senior official would have come to Iona for this site work but for leave commitments and is seeking to arrange another visit.
From the perspective of the potential lead contractor – as we’ve heard from specialists throughout the life of this project – this project is entirely unique and is “gold dust”, echoing GSHPA’s position that it’s a breakthrough project for decarbonisation especially in rural areas.
Currently, there’s a lot of follow up work to the surveys, which is progressing at the moment.
Discussion –
Bénédicte Scholefield: it was great to meet the head of the potential lead contractor organisation with Iona Community at the Abbey, was very impressed by his level of experience and enthusiasm for the project, its uniqueness and importance. SR: this has been our experience throughout, that experts in the field recognise this as a very significant project.
Iona Broadband Committee
Jane Martin read a report from Gordon MacCormick –
R100 Fibre Network
Openreach’s contractors were on Iona in November to install the ducting for the new fibre cables. That work is now complete on the south end of the island and in the village area.
There is one section, of about 100 metres, at the North end, next to the Abbey, which remains under discussion with HES. Openreach expects those discussions to be finalised soon and their contractors to return to the island, in two to three weeks, to complete that last section of ducting.
The fibre cables are now being installed in the ducting and on the existing telegraph poles, throughout the island, to build the network.
For most of the island, the fibre network is on schedule to be ready for connections by the end of December or early January. The northern end of the network may take a few weeks longer to complete.
Connecting to the Fibre Network
Upgrading from our ADSL broadband to fibre does not happen automatically. We must enter a new contract, with our chosen Internet Service Provider (ISP), for a fibre service.
Openreach will then build the fibre connection between the network and our premises.
To make the building of those initial connections more efficient, for both them and us, Openreach have asked everyone intending to upgrade their service, when the network goes live, to register their interest in receiving an Ultrafast broadband service. Many have done so, and Openreach now have a list of all those premises wanting a connection.
At some point within the next few weeks, all those who have registered an interest, should expect a visit from an Openreach engineer to check what is required to build your connection and to advise you when to sign up, with an ISP, for your fibre service.
Just to be clear, all premises on Iona will have access to the new fibre network and you can sign up for a fibre connection at anytime, after the network goes live. You do not need to register your interest to get connected.
Registering of your interest is just a method that Openreach is using, on the islands, to coordinate the building of as many of the initial connections as possible, while their engineers and plant are still in the area.
Discussion –
Jane Martin: OpenReach has removed their application for scheduled monument consent for the section at the Abbey as they have found another way forward.
Robin MacCormick: my understanding is if you go to a pure fibre connection you lose your copper connection unless you stick with BT. Rob MacManaway: that wasn’t the information I have been given, we had been told the fibre connection will be run alongside the copper (not disconnecting the copper). Dean Snell: they are two separate items. You have to order your fibre broadband through whichever ISP you choose, and they will contract OpenReach to lay the fibre line. RM: they are not disconnecting phone lines on the islands yet, the information may be correct for the mainland but not here. JM: will ask Gordon McCormick for clarification.
Ferries and Breakwater
Finlay MacDonald –
On Frisa only timetable until March, will then go on to Isle of Mull only timetable as the Frisa goes away. Isle of Mull will be here for a short time between Christmas and New Year during the reduced holiday service.
CalMac have a new chief exec called Duncan Mackison He attended the most recent ferry committee meeting. Hoping the Glen Sannox will be in service in the new year. A new smartphone app has been launched. Some issues have already arisen but please let Finlay know (fin9nro@hotmail.com) of any you spot.
Request sailings: have asked the 8.15 sailing just runs, rather than having it a request only sailing, especially now this is the timetable for the remainder of the winter. It’s used almost every day and takes the time of both CalMac and the ferry passengers in having to request. The argument against this is that it shouldn’t be run every day in case it’s for nought. Craignure is keen for it to come off request only as it would alleviate their workload.
The Sunday connections have been tweaked slightly to better line up with Oban sailings. If you’re coming via Lochaline the Iona ferry will wait an extra 15 minutes for you to drive across Mull IF they are made aware in advance. You can also request that your 30 minute check in at Craignure can be waived if you are attempting to make a very tight connection.
Sunday summer bus timetable remains a problem, as the ferry will still not wait for the bus.
Islander priority booking system survey is on line, please fill it in if you haven’t. Finlay will post the link on Iona Stuff again.
Argument with CMAL about the procurement system is ongoing. We want them to use the public contracting system. CMAL claims this will cost money – it does not.
Council have not updated their website, but Foyle Marine have been appointed for the breakwater project. They appear to be competent, have done similar projects around Scotland and have all the necessary equipment. Theoretically starting in February. Timeline is 18 months on the Iona side followed by 18 months on the Fionnphort side. There should not be any disruption to service when works are on the Iona side. Works will include the wee pier and a new toilet block.
Discussion –
Shiona Ruhemann: the Council has emailed looking for accommodation on Iona from 1 February 2025 to 31 May 2026. Will mailchimp this out and pass on to SWMID as well. Dot Stewart: Council has confirmed that two temporary toilets will be provided during the works to the toilet blocks. Jane Martin: asked if it will only be day time works. FM: unknown, but presumably, unless the barge is affected by tides. SR: reference to timing of works in Environmental Impact Assessment report.
National Trust for Scotland
Harrie Burnie –
Renovating Maol Cottage has gone out to tender, six responses came in. WT Architects (the same that worked on the hall) have been selected. There may be opportunity to use the byre outback to make two units.
They are planning to hold an online community design process on 17 December, will share on Iona Stuff.
Fibre works have been messy and we are in touch with the companies doing the work.
Gates, bridges, and fences will be worked on over the coming months.
Volunteers were here doing the archeology, also had them trimming the fuchsia and doing some path work. Hoping to do more residential volunteer groups, please let us know if there are any pressing jobs needing looked at.
Proposal to have livestock at the farm again has been accepted and will move forward.
Mink eradication process is being put together with some potential funding coming. Also working to undertake this on Mull so the mink don’t just swim back over.
Iona Community including MacLeod Centre update
Caro Penney –
Had a great islanders’ tea, thank you to those that came. Nice to have the school children involved as well. Camas Centre on Mull will not be open next season for maintenance reasons. Sunday services over the winter are trying to match up with the Parish Church, will be discussing with the new minister.
Graham Bell –
Has been a series of consultations with people on the island about the future of the MacLeod Centre (the Mac). Had a session yesterday that included a tour of the building, which was the first visit for some people. Hoping to change the use of the building to something that will benefit the island community. What that looks like requires the input of the island to help shape it.
The land boundary for the Mac is tight to the building itself. It was based on the footprint of the old youth camps.
The Mac has been operating since late 80s, largely as complementary accommodation to the Abbey. Did similar work to the Abbey but more relaxed and informal with communal facilities.
The design of the building was a contemporary imagining of monastic accommodation with an open cloister.
The presumption had been that the Iona Community would have to invest in a full refurbishment of the building and resume its former use as was. This instigated a fresh look at what the building is actually used for, are the facilities appropriate to today’s world, the demand for this sort of accommodation, etc. Consultations were undertaken internally last year.
The broader context is that fundraising requires evidence of need – on Iona this is clearly housing, as has been shown in MICT surveys and work. Particularly employment related housing. The term ‘employment related’ has a wide scope from volunteers to seasonal workers to key workers.
Are now looking at how / if the Mac could be adapted to answering this need. There are larger community rooms in the centre of the building (craft room, community room, kitchen). The smaller rooms are about the same size as a modern hotel room with ensuite and perhaps a tea point. The larger dorm rooms could potentially have room to include a small kitchenette area.
This suggests a hostel hotel for longer term but still temporary accommodation.
This is a halfway house, it is not completely independent living. It would still need managed. The kitchen would still be in use communally.
The feedback has been that social housing is a greater need than this sort of transitory housing. Now looking at fewer but larger units. Currently that would 11 units in a mix of 1 and 2 bedrooms. The craft room would remain as a common space, either as a craft room or a communal lounge. That would also potentially open up more room in the upper floor (as the community room would no longer be a double height space).
Currently feedback is that overall this would be more helpful to the island. Feedback around if the mix of sizes is appropriate was received yesterday, asking for slightly more smaller units, and perhaps a 3 bedroom unit.
An expression of interest has been submitted to the Rural Housing Fund to see if this would be eligible. That would only cover a portion of the full cost. Potentially Argyll and Bute Council could also contribute £12 000 per unit. This still leaves a shortfall, but one that feels achievable.
Feedback is required within the next month or so on what the final mix of units should be. The project would need to be completed by the end of March 2026 for these funding streams. This would mean going out to contract by late spring / mid summer 2025.
There might be potential for phasing the work – leaving the more difficult and expensive units to a second phase.
Wanting to know what the best way to reach the island as a whole is, both for updates and for feedback.
Discussion –
Shiona Ruhemann: asked what is driving the March ’26 deadline. GB: the Rural Housing Fund ends at that point. SR: if that’s Scottish Government funding, they surely have another line of funding coming to replace it. Davey Kirkpatrick: instead of converting the community room to two flats, could it be one flat and one storage area (for bikes, outdoor gear, etc of the residents). GB: that is a potential, and we would need to have that sort of space for something like this anyway. DK: was the Iona Community going to do the roof, fascias and windows anyway? GB: yes, that needs done. DK: so if you are going to making the building wind and watertight anyway, the flat and the large kitchen with the community room could become two usable living spaces to help fund the further works. Morag Snell: the craft room could be used for storage. GB: questions were asked yesterday over whether the communal area would be good in terms of people feeling isolated or if it would be better used for storage or another unit. Jann Simpson: Iona Housing Partnership will be looking for new trustees soon. Will be happy to help with setting up communication. Alison Johnston: the big change over the last 30 years is that more people are living alone. It would be a great pity therefore to cut down the number of 1 bedroom units. Robin MacCormick: asked why communication can’t happen through the ICC. Dot Stewart: having your own Mailchimp would allow you direct access, and means communication is two way rather than one way. We can help to some extent. Mark Jardine: have you had access to the various surveys that have happened over the last few years, to feed into your decisions? GB: yes, and we also want to get fresh feedback from people on the island now. JS: the people who can’t be here also need a say; those that can and have been employed and wanted to stay but couldn’t because they weren’t able to secure accommodation. SR: could the craft room be another unit and the large foyer be a communal space instead of the craft room? Phil Ruhemann: supported accommodation, or accessible accommodation of a small unit on the ground floor may extend the time some people are able to stay on the island rather than moving away.
Further discussion ensued.
MICT
Rob MacManaway –
In terms of housing MICT has discussed what a key worker is and the conclusion is anyone who has got or has been offered a job.
Still on the board of MICT, and additionally Sarah Akehurst is now the Iona Community Council rep on the Board.
Discussions:
Mull Campus
Shiona Ruhemann –
As we always stress, Iona very strongly supports communities and bodies on Mull in their assessment that Tobermory High School needs to be replaced, and strongly supports Mull communities in finding the right solution for that replacement. At a session by the Mull Campus Team on Iona in September, a unanimous view was expressed – and subsequently unanimously confirmed by parents of school children (current parents and those with children coming into nursery in the next two years) – that Iona wants to remain in Oban High School’s catchment area. It's important that community views are conveyed to elected representatives. Organisers of the session raised the possibility of Iona being removed from the process, but subsequently advised that decision has to be made by full Council; it’s unknown when elected representatives will make decisions.
Jann Simpson –
Parents are emailing elected representatives to confirm this is the view.
Meeting with Argyll and Bute Council (bins)
Dot Stewart –
With Katy Russon, met with Tom Murphy and Ian Elwis from A+BC. Most of the public bins are wheelie bins on stands. Most are not on their stands, stands are broken, or the bin is missing. They are looking into replacing these with the cabinet style.
Looking at doing domestic uplifts over the winter. The proposal is that they will have two advertised days for people to meet the lorry at the jetty and load up with oversize items. Confirmation of dates and times will be last minute. In the future this may have a charge.
Still looking to recruit someone on the island to clean the toilets and undertake other Council tasks, perhaps grass cutting, gritting, etc. Please get in touch with Tom Murphy if interested.
Verge cutting once a year could potentially happen if that is desired – they have got complaints about wildlife corridors in other places.
The grit bin at the surgery has been asked to be fixed and filled.
Discussion –
Dean Snell: if the verges are cut it may encourage tourists to use them. Davey Kirkpatrick: are the toilets going to get fixed? DS: unknown, I would guess not given that they are going to come down for replacement.
Visitor Levy
Shiona Ruhemann –
Scottish Government has passed legislation to allow Councils to put in a levy on short term accommodation. A+BC is looking at this. We’ve heard from another island Community Council which discussed the levy and the view was strongly against: the levy would go into central coffers, islanders would have to pay the levy when travelling to/from the mainland including e.g. for medical appointments, and contractors would have to pay it making any works even more expensive.
This CC has asked the Council about whether an island community impact assessment has been done; initially the feedback was that one hasn’t been done but Council officials have since advised they’ve put one together – without the knowledge let alone involvement of the island communities, which are the primary if not only source of evidence of impacts. This handling doesn’t comply with the guidance or the Council’s section 7 duties as a Relevant Authority:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/island-communities-impact-assessments-guidance-toolkit-2/: "This guidance stresses the importance of consultation and robust community engagement ... It also addresses the need to consult island communities in order for a Relevant Authority to comply with the Section 7 duty. It's important to also note that the Act (Section 11) requires that a Relevant Authority must have regard to this guidance."
Discussion –
Jann Simpson: Visit Mull and Iona have also sent extensive letters to councillors.
AOB:
MachairWind
Shiona Ruhemann –
The team for this wind farm development was on the island earlier this year, and is looking to come back early 2025 to speak to the community. It’s a huge project, e.g.: Max. Capacity 2,000 MW; Site Area 510 km2; Average Water Depth 53 m; Turbine Range 88 to 147.
We’ve had to respond to a scoping report, main report +500 pages. Our comments are consistent with those conveyed to the team when they were on Iona about the necessity of presenting the full picture very clearly and transparently, not parts of it in isolation. E.g. the scoping report addresses the generation infrastructure but the transmission infrastructure is excluded, so there’s no information currently on the routes and impacts of substations and battery storage required to store and send this power south. The scheme is Spanish owned but it’s not clear what the chain of ownership and financial benefits would be, nor is there yet a clear, comparative, quantified account of all benefits (precise amounts/ locations of jobs etc) to all parties - development owner, land owner, island communities etc. In a climate crisis, mega projects will have their place, but there needs to be balance with e.g. community energy projects that have a genuinely circular economy of profits and benefits to the local community.
The MachairWind team requested a standalone meeting with ICC members in the New Year but we’re advising that if they wish to meet with ICC they should come to the next Community Council meeting instead.
Discussion –
Mark Jardine: asked what the fisherman think. Davey Kirkpatrick: because they’re rooted to the ground, you can fish in among them. It’s the ones further out that need anchored that create issues with fishing. Alison Johnston: they weren’t able to tell us when we asked where the energy will be used (ie in Scotland or if it’s being exported). DK: the wind turbine areas should become marine protected areas, they become a natural marine habitat anyway.
Further discussion ensued.
SSEN
Shiona Ruhemann –
Aiming to join next meeting to brief us on the subsea cable that’s being installed between Mull and Iona in late summer 2025. For information rather than consultation: what’s happening, timescales, assurance of no disruption etc.
Parish Church
Shiona Ruhemann –
New church minister was inducted last week and will take her first service on Iona on Sunday if weather doesn’t disrupt the ferry.
Date of next meeting: 5 March 2025