Cost to repair damage caused by Storm Eowyn in Argyll and Bute passes £4m

The estimated cost of Storm Eowyn to Argyll and Bute Council has passed the £4 million mark – but funding for most of it has been identified.

However, the cost of repairing Helensburgh Leisure Centre is not factored into the estimate in a report, with final figures yet to be confirmed.

It is also proposed to extend the existing £65,000 a month support arrangement with liveArgyll by a further six months in view of the centre’s continued closure.

Storm Eowyn took place on Friday, January 24, causing major damage across Argyll and Bute. A claim has been submitted to the Bellwin scheme for funding.

The details feature in a report to the council’s policy and resources committee for its meeting on Thursday, February 19. It is a report for noting, meaning that there will be no discussion.

Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “Financial services staff have conducted a review of the cost of the repairs and other remedial works in respect of the damage caused by Storm Eowyn.

“It should be noted that all costs in relation to Storm Eowyn are not fully known or confirmed yet, and therefore the figures presented in this report are a snapshot at this time and may be subject to change when the final costs are known.

“In addition to the Bellwin Scheme claim, funding totalling £4.092m has been identified by the council and environment, development and infrastructure committee to be used to meet the cost of the impact the storm on the council.

“Overall, £0.244m of the funding provided to meet the costs of the storm has still to be allocated. It is expected, however, that there will be additional costs incurred in relation to the repairs at the Helensburgh Leisure Centre and that the surplus will reduce.

“Once all of the costs are finalised, it is recommended that any remaining surplus is returned to the unallocated general fund.”

Ms Flanagan also said: “The council agreed on June 26, 2025, to provide financial assistance to liveArgyll whose financial position has been significantly impacted due to the closure of the Helensburgh Leisure Centre.

“The financial assistance extended to liveArgyll included £65,000 per month for seven months, at an estimated cost of £0.455m. It should be noted that the time period agreed for this support was not fixed by members but was based on an assumption on the likely timescale for repairs to be completed and the centre to reopen based on the information available at the time.

“The assistance agreed also provided Live Argyll with to access the council’s redundancy earmarked reserve up to a maximum of £0.100m.

“Due to a combination of complexities during the initial phases of the repair work and the need for further surveys to be completed, a review of the programme of works at the Helensburgh Leisure Centre is currently being completed.

“The outcome of the review will be known in the coming weeks however it is likely that the reopening will be delayed.

“Subsequently, it is recommended that the £65,000 per month financial assistance provided to Live Argyll in lieu of lost income is extended by a further six months to reflect the anticipated delay in reopening, increasing the estimated cost of the support by £0.390m to £0.845m.

“Redundancy costs for liveArgyll employees made redundant as part of the cost saving programme undertaken to limit the company’s financial deficit as much as possible have yet to be finalised but will not exceed the £0.100m agreed previously by the council.”