Issue - meetings

Mr Bill Jones

Mr Jones enquired as to whether members were aware of the recent success of the Helensburgh Rugby Club this season in:-

• Winning the RBS West League Division 2 title and being promoted to the RBS West League Division 1
• Winning the RBS Reserve League West Pod A and getting promoted to RBS Reserve League West Division 1
• Winning the RBS West Regional Bowl Final and qualifying for the National Bowl Final.

Mr Jones was asked to pass on the heartiest congratulations from Committee and also their very best wishes on these recent successes. 

It was proposed that a letter be sent to formally congratulate the teams.

Mr Alastair Macbeth passed on his congratulations to the Area Committee for their success in securing funding for the Pool and Leisure Facility and other Capital Gains secured for the Helensburgh area and asked whether this had been achieved through individual or cross party co-operations, to which he was advised that it had been the latter.

Members were in agreement that consensus was always required to ensure these outcomes and were keen that the work of securing further funding would continue, as there were still some improvements to be made regarding the leisure facilities and also that credit should be given to Councillors Argyll and Bute wide as well as previous Councillors. 

Mr Macbeth also referred to his previous concerns that Helensburgh and Lomond did not receive their ‘fair share’ of funding and whilst he recognised the rural nature of much of Argyll and Bute, he felt that this was still not being addressed.

In discussion, members felt that it should be said that ‘fair share’ should not be confused with ‘same share’ and examples were given of why this should be and that quality of service was paramount.

The importance of increased public awareness and engagement was highlighted as one of the positive outcomes in the area, particularly during the recent consultation exercises in the town.

Tony Davey – Cardross Community Council

Mr Davey welcomed the proposed increase to the community council administration grants of £10k Argyll and Bute wide and referred to the much valued goodwill and voluntary work carried out by community councillors in the area.

Mr Davey then asked that recognition be given to Councillor Reay, who had recently passed away, for his enthusiasm and zeal as spokesperson for the Veterans, and trusted that this would be continued to the same extent following the forthcoming elections.

Sephton MacQuire – Helensburgh Highland Games

Mr MacQuire passed on his thanks to Argyll and Bute Council for funding which had enabled a further championship to be held at the Helensburgh Games.  He advised that there were now a total of four of these championships which in turn increases the amount of competitors that the Games attract.