Iona Community Council

DRAFT MINUTES

Iona Community Council Meeting: 3rd December 2025

 

PRESENT

Rob MacManaway (acting chair), Jane Martin, Katy Russon (Acting minutes

APOLOGIES

Toben Lewis, Shiona Ruhemann, Dot Stewart

Minutes from previous meeting – proposed by Dean & seconded by Katy

 

ORGANISATION REPORTS

Iona Housing Partnership

IHP is holding an EGM on Monday 8th December.  The purpose of the EGM is to amend our Articles of Association to bring them up to date so we can be considered an “eligible body” to potentially pursue the registering of Community Interests over land/property and thereafter exercising Community Right to Buy.  Those who have applied for membership, or who wish to apply for membership, are invited to attend the EGM on Monday.

Iona Village Hall Community Trust – written report from Anja Jardine read out at the meeting

EVENTS – Please keep an eye on the notice board and “Iona Stuff” on Facebook.  Pilates and circuits are both held weekly and Tai Chi on a Wednesday.  Book Group and a Sewing Group meet monthly.  The hall will host a gingerbread house competition on 7th December and are hoping to schedule winter films TBA.  Community Cafes are again scheduled for the New Year on 20th January, 3rd and 17th February.

The Hall Committee will not be holding a Hogmanay event, but the hall is available should anyone wish to hire the hall and run an event

The Committee are looking into acoustic panels (baffles) to try and reduce the echo in the main hall.

2026 calendars are on sale – contact Gordon Bruce or Anja.

2026 will see a price increase for the first time since the hall has been opened – commercial off island rates will increase to £18/hr for the main hall and £12/hr for the meeting rooms.

There have been some drainage issues on the High Road – John and Cameron MacInnes have done work there recently to help rectify.  Please drive over the new surface slowly and carefully to minimise the movement of the new gravel.

IVHCT AGM – 25th February

QUESTION FROM THE FLOOR – regarding the internal lighting of the hall.  To save on electricity costs, could light switches control fewer lights so that not so many “excess” bulbs are lit when you may only need to light a smaller area?  ICC will pass on this comment/question to the Hall Committee.

Iona Renewables

Shiona Ruhemann had sent her apologies and her report was read out.

“As you know, we’ve been doing everything we possibly can to restore the Heat Network to the fully-funded status it held in 2020 before the project was halted solely due to the pandemic.

This effort is premised on Scottish Government (SG) officials recommitting in principle in 2021 to install a Heat Network on Iona, via directly funding the project and supporting us to reinstate the full funding package.

Throughout this time, Iona’s Heat Network has been recognise by specialists as a unique breakthrough project, including as a much-needed model demonstration of what can be achieved in one of the UK’s most challenging contexts.

However, since SG officials’ re-committed support, progress has been stalled by administrative delay and repeated reassessment.  Officials have:

• Taken two years to permit submission of a funding application
• Taken 11 months to assess that application, resulting in four conclusions that didn’t have factual basis, and
• Now spent more than a further year reviewing their own assessment – and still not concluded that review

In September, the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action & Energy confirmed in writing to our MSP that officials would conclude their self-review of their 11 month assessment by the end of September.  We didn’t believe that officials would deliver on that assurance, even though it was in writing from a Cabinet Secretary – and they didn’t.

Since the post-pandemic commitment to progress a Heat Network on Iona, officials have repeatedly changed eligibility interpretations, revisited settled questions, disregarded their own experts’ finding and imposed heavy unresourced demands on the community.  Each “review” has deferred action whilst draining community energy, resources and trust.  Meanwhile, we’ve worked very hard and continuously to adapt the project and maintain viability and full stakeholder buy-in.

We still require officials to be transparent and accountable, and provide a robust, fully defensible, policy-coherent review of their assessment of the Iona project (which, by definition, includes review of their four conclusions).  We’ve had to conclude meanwhile that it’s not possible to continue trying to work with SG officials on low carbon heat.  Obviously, this is not the outcome we’ve worked so hard to achieve.  On the other hand, we’re positively excited to release our energy for much-needed productive purposes rather than costly, unproductive, nugatory processes.

Iona Renewable’s AGM is at 7pm in the Hall on Wednesday 10th December – please come along.

Broadband Committee – written report provided by Gordon MacCormick & read out

Gordon is working with Openreach on identifying and resolving the failures of their backup power units, at both Pennyghael and Fionnphort exchanges during power outages and Gordon hopes to have an updated on the issue for the next meeting.  Val was able to provide an update that Openreach hope to work on the Pennyghael exchange during December.

Meanwhile the switch off of the copper network is expected to continue on schedule

Mull & Iona Ferry Committee/Harbours – written report provided by Finlay MacDonald & read out

FERRIES

Craignure to Oban route – Finlay has asked, in the event that we have single vessel Loch Frisa service next winter, that the Clansman (or similarly sized vessel) is available to do the Monday morning school run where there is a known peak in demand – it can’t be deployed this year as it timetabled to Coll/Tiree (which it appeared not be last winter), but it could be made to work with some additional planning for next year.  There is a new Area Operations Manager – he has had the Clansman providing additional capacity on its available days this winter (and indeed other ferries when storm bound from going to other islands) so he is more open to creative thinking and definitely fighting our corner more than previous incumbents.

Fionnphort to Iona route – the lack of vehicle ferry provision when the ramp on the Loch Riddon failed was a perfect storm of circumstances – lack of certified skippers, available relief vessels and the Miss Marley not being immediately available.  CalMac are doing some internal administration to try and avoid this again – but involves skippers going through long college courses to enhance the qualification on their tickets.

CMAL – Everyone is encouraged to attend the meeting on Tuesday 9th December when CMAL will be discussing the new Craignure to Oban vessels.  Please give them as much information as possible as this is the initial engagement that will be the starting point of their design process.  They have indicated their preferred option to be a 3 vessel service allowing a longer day and spreading out the influx of vehicles (though with fewer onboard services).  These are likely to be medium sized vessels – like the MV Argyle and MV Bute that serve the Isle of Bute.  However all ideas & suggestions are welcome.

CMAL procurement review – ongoing battle.  With CMAL choosing who would be appointed, it missed the independent point of view and was a whitewash.  The Ferry Committee are instead looking to get some qualified naval architects to do their own to review to show the faults of the current CMAL procurement system

Finlay is in a FOI process with CMAL trying to establish why Murdo MacLennan was not reappointed to the Board – he was the only islander on the board and a great resource for them but seems to have been forced out by internal politics, and islander voices less represented.  So far the FOI has produced almost entirely redacted documents

PIERS

Work on the wee pier and repairs on the South side of the big pier are now complete.

Scott Reid from ABC has confirmed that the work on the breakwater has made up lost time and is now back on/ahead of schedule, though they anticipate weather issues over the winter, but this is to be expected and is factored into the overall project timeline.  An update on Fionnphort is expected in the new year.

NTS – reported on by Harrie Burney

Maintenance teams have been on the island and have been working on the path below the Abbey (returning there in April) and have been working on the gully down to St Columba’s Bay.  This winter they are working on gates and fencing from Bishops House along to Grianan, and sections of boardwalk.

The dry stone walling “workshops” were a success, with 45 metres of wall complete.  They will be returning in March and will again be open as a teaching opportunity.

Various Trust properties are having septic tanks emptied in February, so be in touch with Harrie if you would also like to join that list.  Likewise, they are expecting a surveyor to carry out EPCs next week, should anyone else on the island also be in need of that service.

QUESTION FROM THE FLOOR – regarding progress on Maol Cottage.  This had stalled a little due to an issue identified in the drawings.  These are in the process of being redone and they hope to be submitting an application for planning permission “soon”.

Iona Community – reported by Caro Penney

The Abbey is now closed to resident guests over the winter, with Caro being the only staff currently in residence.  The Abbey will reopen with the 2026 programme in March.

QUESTION FROM THE FLOOR – regarding the external lighting at the Abbey and whether it was necessary given it is unoccupied.  Caro and HES will liaise on this.

QUESTION FROM THE FLOOR – regarding the future of Camas.  Iona Community leadership will be meeting on this early in the New Year.

SWMID – reported by Ailidh Lennon

There is lots of activity at SWMID – too much to report on really – and anyone with specific questions on specific projects should contact Ailidh.

They have recently held engagement sessions regarding the future of the organisation – Ailidh has been pushing for such a session to also be held on Iona but this may be unlikely.  It’s more likely a detailed survey will come out instead – posted via Iona Stuff – and we are encouraged to participate in that survey to ensure they can also represent Iona voices.

AGM coming up towards the end of January.

MICT – reported provided by Sarah Akehurst and read out

Moray Finch has recently retired and will be replaced in the new year by Denise Baxter (currently HR at Island Biscuits).

MICT are working on a site at Fishnish for the siting of 6 houses, and also 12 units in Tobermory.  They are also in the process of acquiring a property in Craignure, to be rented affordably and are undertaking feasibility work on developing a plot as woodland crofts.

 

DISCUSSIONS/UPDATES

MACLEOD CENTRE – delivered by Katy who sits on the MICT Steering Group as both Iona Community Council and Iona Housing Partnership.

This project is being led by MICT with a Steering Group that includes Iona representation from Iona Housing Partnership, Iona Community Council and Iona Village Hall Community Trust.  The project has been awarded funding for a feasibility study, on which we have been out to tender for architect involvement – from 5 bids WTA (Iona Village Hall and Iona Wool Shop) have been appointed.  The feasibility will include some community engagement sessions on design possibilities to consider.  This is a very early stage of a potentially very large project and, even at feasibility stage, there are some gaps in funding so much work to be done, but exciting to have things moving.

Machair Wind – reported by Ailidh Lennon

Machair Wind’s internal consultation processes have now come to an end, and their next step will be to apply for planning “early next year”.  SWMID and ICC have been working together to try and establish some headline facts:

• Scottish Power have leased this “land” under the Scottish Government’s Sectoral Marine Plan – it is one out of 27 sites identified in the waters around Scotland
• The area for development is approximately the same size as Mull – with 91 turbines of 335m and another 100+ turbines of 280m, so will have a huge visual impact
• There will be a Community Benefit fund – the rates of this have not yet been set but it will not be comparable to what can be paid for onshore wind farms
• Colonsay have entered a Minute of Agreement with Machair Wind – although hugely impacted, they feel there are socio-economic benefits to be gained working together.  We are hoping to meet with them, along with other affected islands, to see what can be achieved by working collaboratively
• The project team have now added a strand to evaluate impact on tourism, as well as an environmental impact assessment – these will be carried out by external consultancy firms.

For us as residents, it is important to remember that the planning process will be public – when they submit their application in the New Year (and they will also be at our next meeting to present their planning application), there will be a 6 week period in which comments/objections can be lodged for consideration as part of the planning process.  Individuals can lodge their own comments – BOTH SWMID AND ICC WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER HOW EFFECTIVELY THEY CAN RESPOND AS AN ORGANISATION TO REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY VOICE WHERE THERE IS SOME DIVISION IN COMMUNITY OPINION.

POWER CUT RESILIENCE

ICC were invited by Mull Community Council to join in discussions about community resilience following the Level 2 power cut event (Level 2 is the highest level) during/after Storm Amy.  As Iona is quite distinct, and we are better placed as a community and individuals to be flexible and pivot to looking after those who may need it, we are not working together will Mull on this but are reviewing our own on island resilience arrangements.  There is some discussion about the possibility of community generators for example, but any input from the community is welcomed.

ISLAND BUSINESS RESILIENCE FUND

ICC, along with Joe Reade of the MIFC and other signatory organisations, have corresponded with the Scottish Government about the unfair qualification criteria but have received no response – SG has recently been holding community engagement events and we’re not sure if this is them trying to reverse engineer their community consultation/Island Acts consultation.

At least one local business attended one of those events.  The impression they got was that this fund wouldn’t be available to the excluded islands but there might be a future fund.  It was unclear but they got the impression that there was only a finite fund and that, by allowing access to a wider range of islands, the net result would be to spread that funding thinner.

POST MEETING UPDATE – only £1m of the £4.4m fund was used to compensate businesses on the islands that met the original criteria and the fund has now been extended to other islands, including Iona.  New applications are welcome and should be made by 12th January – there are still eligibility gaps (eg farmers/crofters getting livestock to market) which Joe Reade of MIFC continues to work on.

 

AOB

TOILET BLOCK LIGHTS

The new public toilets have not yet been signed off – in particular there is currently a step up to the ramped access so levelling this out is probably one of the outstanding pieces of work.  There have however been observations made about the external lighting – very bright and on all night, with some drivers having described the light as blinding.  ICC have written to ABC to request some mitigation in the external lighting – any other feedback from the community is welcomed.

FIRST AID TRAINING

Following a recent first aid incident on the island, we are working along with David Allaway of the Iona Volunteer Firefighters to schedule first aid courses available for islanders.  Watch this space but, in the meantime, similar courses are available online with the British Heart Foundation – there are a number of defibrillators on the island, with a map of locations, and our First Responder system is currently “staffed” by Jane and Rhona.

Iona Cottage – open day on Friday 5th December 11am – 4pm; all are warmly invited.

BULK UPLIFT

This has been carried out the last couple of years on a pro bono community basis but, if it is to be done again, ABC will require us to pay for the service – approximately £190 for one vehicle load.  Please contact Rob MacManaway to let him know if you’re interested so that we can assess whether there will be sufficient demand, and we will be asking for a contribution towards cost.

Noted that some people may require assistance in getting larger items to the pick-up point and also to consider booking/prioritising space for those who have missed out on previous occasions.

LETTER FROM SURGERY

The response received from Bunessan Surgery (regarding prescriptions, shortage of appointments on Iona etc) has been shared via our mailing list.

Method or delivery of prescriptions is currently under review – Dean continues to do what he can but, if not received with your post delivery, please check in at the Post Office.

Bunessan cannot/will not offer us longer surgery hours on Iona, which would be to the detriment of other services run from Bunessan – they emphasise the usefulness of telephone consultations and we are urged to use that system where possible.  They do also point towards appointments sometimes not being in great demand – only one person apparently attended the Iona surgery last week – so any anecdotal evidence of people struggling to be seen due to capacity issues could be helpfully fed back to us.

QUESTION FROM THE FLOOR – regarding surgery capacity missing the point of the difference in our population between winter and summer.  Reminder that surgery are stating that visitors and temporary residents should only be seen at Bunessan (in order to preserve capacity for permanent residents) – may need to clarify exactly what these definitions are and consider whether this is acceptable.

 

Date of next meeting – Wednesday 4th March at 7.30pm