Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated from Councillor Maurice Corry.

Councillor Richard Trail declared a non-financial interest in relation to Item 7c) (Proposed Comet Archway, Helensburgh Pier), of the agenda, on the basis that he is a member of the Helensburgh Heritage Trust.  He left the meeting during discussion of this item and accordingly took no part in the decision making process

The Minute of Meeting 17^th April 2012 was amended to note that Councillor Ellen Morton had left the meeting prior to discussion of Item 9 of the minute. The amended minute was not approved by members.  Further clarification on matters outstanding from the minute was requested by members and these matters were addressed by officers.

Andrew Nisbet, local resident,  asked for clarification on how it was proposed to meet the requirement of Councillor Robb’ motion to report the outcome of the Informal Referendum on the Helensburgh Public Realm Improvements to the full council within the required timescale.

Councillor Robb responded that the findings would be reported within the timescale and that details of elegibility to vote would be made public in a forthcoming press release and that he felt it was courtesy to advise members in the first instance.

Nigel Millar, Helensburgh Community Council, enquired as to whether the methodology which would be used in forthcoming Informal Referendum would be representative of the area’s views and would not be open to manipulation in the wording of the relative options.

Councillor Robb responded that cognisance of this had been taken into consideration. He advised that every effort had been made to ensure that the methodology was robust and democratic.  .

Kathleen Siddle, Helensburgh Community Council, enquired as to what form the Informal Referendum would take, to which the Chair responded that this information would be made available following this meeting and that he would advise accordingly.

Andrew Nisbet enquired as to whether the shuttlebus service which would be implemented during the Cardross – Helensburgh road works would include pick up and drop off at Ardarden. 

Callum Robertson, Roads Asset Manager responded to this by advising that the shuttle service would include only points on  the A814 from Cardross to Helensburgh.

Members were briefed by the Improvement and Organisational Development Programme Manager on the latest Area Scorecard which had been adopted following workshops with the Area Committee during 2011/2012 and which reports the latest Area performance across the range of services selected.

Decision

1.      Agreed to review the performance reported on the Area Scorecard

2.      Agreed to participate in further development of the Area Scorecard to better reflect current topics of interest at a future Business Day.

(Report by Improvement and Organisational Development Programme Manager, dated 12 June 2012, submitted)

Members were asked to note the contents of a report by the Development Policy Manager on the sites in the Helensburgh and Lomond Planning are that have been submitted in response to, and as part of the public consultation on the Main Issues Report of the Local Development Plan (LDP).  The appendix details potential additional sites for consideration for inclusion in the Proposed LDP and which details of the three categories are identified.

Decision

1. Agreed to note the content of the submitted reports and the additional sites as detailed in the Appendix.

2. Agreed that the sites at Ardencaple, Fort Road Kilcreggan, and Linn Botanic Gardens, Cove, as detailed in the Appendix, be subject to a minimum 28 days public consultation to help inform the preparation of the proposed LDP.

(Ref: Report by Development Policy Manager, dated 12 June 2012, submitted)

Members were asked to note the contents of a report by the Roads Performance Manager, on the revised budget scheme allocation and progress to date on the delivery of the works programme.

Decision

Agreed to note the Scheme list, sequence and progress to date on the planning, consultation and implementation of the works programme.

(Ref: Report by Roads Performance Manager, dated 12 June 2012, submitted)

Members were updated in a report by the Area Governance Manager on the current status and membership of local Community Safety Forums (CSFs) and briefed on where these lay in relation to other groups such as LACPGs and the Argyll and Bute Community Safety Partnership.

Decision

1. Agreed to note the current status of the CSF in the Helensburgh and Lomond Area.

2. Agreed to appoint two members to the Helensburgh and Lomond CSF as follows :

Councillor Gary Mulvaney and Councillor Vivien Dance

3. Agreed to note the intention to schedule meetings to facilitate improved communications with Helensburgh & Lomond Area Community Planning Group.

(Ref: Report by Area Governance Manager, dated 12 June 2012, submitted)

Members were invited to consider appointments to local bodies/organisations within the Helensburgh and Lomond area

Decision

Agreed to appoint the following Elected Members to the outside bodies/organisations as detailed below.

(Ref: Report by Area Governance Manager, dated 12 June 2012, submitted)

Councillor Richard Trail, having earlier declared an interest in the folloiwng item, left the room at this point.

Members were updated in a report by the Senior Estates Manager, on the request from the Helensburgh Heritage Trust to erect a two dimensional silhouette of Henry Bell’s ship ‘Comet’ on a grassed area forming part of Helensburgh Pier and on the findings of the Council’s consultant engineers with regard to the proposed silhouette.

Decision

Agreed that, regrettably, the Area Committee could not support the proposal

(Ref: Report by Senior Estates Surveyor, dated 12 June 2012, submitted

Councillor Trail rejoined the meeting at this point.  There followed a short break and the meeting reconvened at 11.15am.

Members were asked to consider the contents of a report by the Senior Development Officer, advising them of the response to the request from Friends of Hermitage Park Assocation that the Council submits a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund ‘Parks for People’ programme for the 31 August deadline and to note that the proposal is unachievable within the proposed timeframe.

Decision

1. Agreed to note the contents of the submitted report and acknowledged that a further report which should recognise timelines for funding submission dates, should be submitted to next scheduled meeting of Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Business day and to invite representatives from Friends of Hermitage Park Association and relevant Council Officers to that meeting for the purpose of discussing the matter.

2. Noted that the Area Committee support this project in principle and expect that sufficient officer time is provided to the group to ensure a robusst bid for HLF funding can be submitted in advance of the next submission deadline of 28^th February 2013, and asked that the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure attend and provide a timescale and programme of support to the August Business Meeting in order that this can be achieved.

(Ref: Report by Social Enterprise Snr Development Officer, dated 12 June 2012, submitted)

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the public for the following items of business on the grounds that they were likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Paragraph 9               Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.

Members were asked to consider a report by the Amenity Asset Manager, on the current improvements being developed at Kidston Park.

Decision

1. Agreed to note the contents of the submitted report

2. Agreed to instruct officers to:-

a)       investigate acceleration of repairs to sea wall

b)      provide updates to Members on the progression of order of works by e-mail on an ongoing basis

c)      ensure safe access to the café and play area in the event of work on the sea wall having to continue once the café and play park are in use.

d)      ensure safe site access in the event that the café and play park are completed in advance of sea wall repair.

(Ref: Report by Amenity Asset Manager, dated 12 June 2012, submitted)

Members considered a report by the Estates Surveyor on the Sale of the Old School, Kilcreggan

Decision

Agreed to the recommendations contained within the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Estates Surveyor, dated 11 June 2012, submitted)

Members considered a report by the Estates Surveyor on the request received from Cove and Kilcreggan Youth Café.

Decision

Agreed to the recommendations contained within the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Estates Surveyor, dated 12 June 2012, submitted)