Document Control Lochgoilhead Jetty Trust

Project Name Upgraded Pontoon

Project Number Lochgoil 001

Document Feasibility Study for Upgraded pontoon

TRUST SUMMARY:

The lack of a decent up to date pontoon in the Lochgoilhead Community has been highlighted as an issue for several years. Pontoon users from the local community, visiting yachts, and cruise ships have experienced problems using the out of date facilities.

COMMUNITY FEED IN:

The Lochgoilhead Jetty Trust facilitated two workshops at their annual BBQs in 2017 and 2018, debates at local clubs, notices in the Post Office window and Bus Stop notice board, discussions with yacht visitors, and several articles in the Wee Goil magazine. Most of these interactions with the community proved positive to the updating of the existing pontoon.

ISSUES:

1. The existing pontoon is of an old box section design and has deteriorated over the past few years. Visiting yachts and local users have complained about the pontoon leaning at an angle due to water ingress. 2. Because of water ingress the pontoon requires regular pump outs. The frequency of these pump outs has become more frequent over the past year. 3. The existing pontoon is rusting badly and has come to the end of its useful life. 4. Due to the problems experienced with the existing pontoon it is becoming a Health and Safety issue that must be addressed.

PRINCIPLES:

The Lochgoilhead Jetty trust aims to undertake sustainable development to enhance and maintain environmental values. Our concept is to manage use, and resources in the marine environment in a sustainable way that improves social, economic, and ecological health. This will increase certainty for the economic, cultural, and social goals of our community.

VISITORS:

Lochgoilhead has a small population of Approx. 350 people. The lochgoil area is a popular destination for recreational boaters and tourists in the summer season. Tourism is the main source of employment in Lochgoilhead.

FRAGILITY RATING:

Loch Goil area has an HIE 2014 Fragility Rating of 11; SIMD stats for Lochgoilhead evidence 90 people income deprived and 40 employment deprived and the datazone sits within the 5% worst for geographical access. This project will help to address sustainability of the area by contributing to the local economy. LOCAL PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND DISCUSSION:

The jetty trust has kept the local community fully informed over the last two years on the progress of the project with articles in the, Wee Goil magazine, information on the community notice board, post office and our two fundraising dances held in the village, when we tabled the drawings and invited questions at these venues. The Trust has also carried out word of mouth discussions at local events, and around the village. We have been incredibly pleased with the positive comments, and feedback from the community our project has received over the last two years.

EVALUATION:

Initially the Lochgoilhead Jetty Trust considered a new installation with respect to the upgrading of the existing pontoon. Due to restrictions with respect to mainstream funders, and this being compounded by the Covid 19 Pandemic, the Trust found funding challenging. To progress this important project within Lochgoilhead, the Trust turned their attention to pre-owned refurbished pontoon modules. This was successful and brought the cost of new, versus pre-owned refurbished cost down from, Approx. £90,000, to Approx. £28,000.

RISK MANAGEMENT:

The Lochgoilhead Jetty trust has a, ‘Risk Management Policy’. This policy identifies the risks, assesses the risks, then evaluates what action to take. New, verses pre-owned refurbished pontoon units, were evaluated as Highly probable, (5) risk and Highly possible, (3) risk respectively.

COMMUNITY IMPACT:

1) Who in the community will benefit? The jetty is an essential part of village life. The pontoon allows visitors access to Lochgoilhead via . Lochgoilhead National Activity Centre, and Ardroy Outdoor Centre rely on the pontoon as part of their outdoor activities programme. Members of the community use the pontoon regularly for fishing and accessing their small watercraft. Having a safe accessible pontoon attracts cruise ships, day trippers, and longer stay visitors to Lochgoilhead, this in turn helps to bolster employment, and the economy. The general community will benefit from a modern aesthetically pleasing pontoon.

2) How long will the benefits last? The benefits to the village of Lochgoilhead will be sustainable, and last well into the future.

3) Ongoing maintenance costs, and how will these be met? The Lochgoilhead Jetty Trust has been operational since 2001. From 2001 to date the Trust have proved they can meet the ongoing running costs of the pontoon.

4) Will there be immediate benefits? The replacement pontoon will improve the benefits the pontoon provides to the village of Lochgoilhead. Apart from the removal of the old pontoon and replacement of the updated pontoon that will take approx. one week the interruption to the benefits will be seamless.

5) What risks are there in delivering the benefits? The three main risks the Trust has identified are:

i) Cost Risk: Escalation of project costs due to poor cost estimating accuracy and scope creep. ii) Schedule Risk: The risk that activities will take longer than expected. iii) Performance Risk: The risk that the project will fail to produce results consistent with project specifications.

These risks have been fully discussed by the Trust and their contractors. The Trust has had close working relations with both the contractors being used on this project for many years. They are highly respected in the and Bute area and have worked previously on large contracts for major businesses and local authorities. in .

How has the need been determined, and quantified? From the past, Lochgoilhead, a peaceful little place, with its lovely surroundings of wood and water, mountain, and glen. It is serviced by a steamboat pier where a coach communicates daily with , and by steamer with Greenock.

As a coastal community Lochgoilhead has required the need for a facility to access the water of Lochgoil for watercrafts. Originally it was serviced for many years by a wooden pier. Unfortunately, this pier had to be removed in the 1970s, and a small wooden jetty installed. In 2001 the Lochgoilhead Jetty trust was formed and replaced this small wooden jetty with the pontoon we have now. The replacement pontoon will preserve the heritage of the pier facility in Lochgoilhead for many years to come. This will make our, ‘peaceful little place’ a pleasure for residents, and visitors to enjoy in the future.

MAINSTREAM FUNDERS APPLIED TO:

1) Awards for All. 2) Barack Charitable Fund. 3) Weir Fund. 4) Robertson Fund. 5) leader. 6) Costal fund, Robertson Trust. The Jetty trust worked in collaboration with Argyll and Bute Development and Infrastructure Services on the applications to the funders mentioned. Unfortunately, the funders declined our applications.

LOCHGOILHEAD JETTY TRUST FUNDRAISING:

Due to the lack of mainstream funding available, the Lochgoilhead Jetty Trust raised £10,000 by local fundraising. This came from the local community, and businesses supportive of our project. These included the local community, who supported our two BBQ dances held on 2017 and 2018. The local community, who donated to our collection boxes located in local businesses in the village. The following local businesses supported us with cash donations, Argyll Holidays, Qinetiq, Western Ferries, The Scout Centre, Lochgoilhead Watersports Club and The Wee Goil.

The Trust contacted the Scout organisation asking if they could donate cash to the Jetty trust project. However, like most charitable organisations they have been hit hard financially by the Covid 19 pandemic and have no spare cash at present.

Argyll Holidays have generously agreed to lift the old pontoon out of the water, and transport it to be scrapped free of charge.

CONCLUSION:

The Lochgoilhead Jetty trust have been successful in sourcing pre-owned pontoons. These units will be available in October 2020. A local contractor has been consulted and a quote received to refurbish the units, deliver them to Lochgoilhead, remove the old pontoon, and install the new pontoon. The complete project should be complete for the commencement of the 2021 season.