Agenda and minutes

Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Chairman, on behalf of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, paid tribute to Councillor Al Reay, following his untimely death.  She also passed on the good wishes of the Committee to Councillor Daniel Kelly and wished him a speedy recovery following his recent hospital stay.

The Chairman ruled and the Committee agreed, in terms of Standing Order 3.2.2 that a report regarding the Playing Fields at Rhu Road Higher, Helensburgh – Proposed Improvements by Helensburgh Cricket and Rugby Football Club, dealt with at item 9 of this minute, be taken as a matter of urgency as it is essential to implement these works prior to the commencement of the Helensburgh Highland Games on 2 June 2012.

Apologies were intimated from:-

Councillor George Freeman

Councillor Daniel Kelly

Councillor William Petrie

Councillor Andrew Nisbet declared a non-financial interest in relation to item 9, ‘Playing Fields At Rhu Road Higher, Helensburgh - Proposed Improvements by Helensburgh Cricket & Rugby Football Club’ , of this minute on the basis that he is a patron and past President of the Helensburgh Cricket and Rugby Football Club.  He left the meeting during discussion of this item and accordingly took no part in the decision making process

The minute of meeting 20 February 2012 was approved as a correct record.

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.

Members considered a report by the Quality Improvement Officer regarding a  bid placed by Argyll and Bute Council Education Service for funding from the £3m Support Fund for Schools with Service Children and were advised that the service had been successful in its bid under a number of headings, including £1000 to set up and run a Steering Group.

Decision

1. Agreed to endorse the composition of the Steering Group as set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report.

2. Agreed that details of the Steering Group should now be circulated to all relevant organisations.

3. Agreed to note that Councillor representation on the Steering Group will be finalised by the Area Committee post election.

4. Agreed to record their congratulations to officers for securing the award

(Report by Quality Improvement Officer, dated 22 March 2012, submitted)

Twenty Third-Sector Grant Applications were presented for consideration

Decision

1.      Agreed that all Third Sector Grant applications are treated on merit.

2.      Noted the Helensburgh and Lomond Third Sector Grant budget of £35000 for the financial year 2012/ 2013.

3.      The Third Sector Grants  were determined as follows:-

4.      Agreed that these awards are pending confirmation of receipt of End of Year Reports for 2011/12, outstanding documentation and financial assessment and that the amount available for consideration at the August 2012 Area Committee would be £7560

(Report by Community Development Officer, dated 17 April 2012 submitted)

Members were briefed by the Quality Standards Manager on the current process for the provision of information on primary school achievements to elected members and advised of the complexity and time-consuming nature of this approach.

Decision

1. Agreed that Education Scotland (HMIE) reports on individual schools be presented to the relevant Business Day by the head teacher following the report’s publication.

2. Agreed that the Quality Improvement Officer(s) for the schools in each area attends the Area Committee on an annual basis to provide a brief update on issues pertaining to the schools in the area, eg. Awards, new appointments or major curriculum developments.

3. Agreed that the Quality Improvement Officer(s) attend the Local Area Community Planning Group on an annual basis to present the Education Service’s Standards and Quality Report, outlining any local issues.

(Report by Quality Standards Manager, dated 17 April 2012, submitted)

Members were briefed by the Head Teacher, Hermitage Academy on the contents of the Attainment and Achievement Report for 2012.  The SQA results were outlined and members heard an update on the Curriculum for Excellence.

Decision

1. To note the update by the Head Teacher, Hermitage Academy.

2. Agreed to request that the Head Teacher, Hermitage Academy, circulate benchmarking report in the form of DVD to members.

3. Agreed to congratulate the pupils, Head Teacher, staff and parents of Hermitage Academy on their achievements.

(Hermitage Academy Attainment and Achievement Report, dated April 2012, submitted)

Members were briefed on a report by the Leisure Performance Manager which outlined the performance of Helensburgh Pool comparing a full year in 2008/9 to a full year in operation in 2011/12.  Members were also provided with the user numbers for the Victoria Halls over the past two years.  A Power-point presentation by the Facility Manager on the current and ongoing development of the Helensburgh Swimming Pool and Victoria Halls was also given.

Decision

1. To note the contents of the report and presentation.

2. Agreed to commend the Officer and staff on their commitment and performance in the successful management of both facilities.

(Report and Powerpoint Presentation by Leisure Performance Manager, dated 17 April 2012, submitted)

Members were briefed by the IOD Project Officer on a report on the findings following the data workshop session on 20 February 2012 which members had attended and also on the draft Area Scorecard which was based on those findings.

Decision

1. Agreed to review the findings of the data selection session.

2. Agreed to adopt the resultant area scorecard but refer the further refinement of performance data to the new Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee.

3. Agreed that all references to LEADER funding in the scorecard be amended to read ‘External Grants’ in order that it is relevant to Helensburgh and Lomond area.

(Report by Performance Manager, dated 17 April 2012, submitted)

Members were briefed by the Area Governance Manager on a report which outlined the background to ‘The Big Lunch’ event and which proposed how the Council can support this as part of the celebrations for HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Decision

1. Agreed that this initiative is dealt with in the same manner as other events to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by disseminating this to community councils to promote within their local communities.

2. Agreed that the paperwork is circulated to the relevant services to ensure that support for the event is provided where possible.

(Report by Executive Director, Customer Services, dated 4 April 2012, submitted)

Members were advised in a report by the Senior Estates Surveyor, of a request from the Helensburgh Heritage Trust to erect a two-dimensional silhouette of Henry Bell’s ship ‘The Comet’ on a grassed amenity area forming part of the Helensburgh Pier.  The proposed location was indicated on an attached plan.

Decision

1. Agreed to note the content of the submitted report.

2. Agreed that additional information is gathered regarding the structure and whole life costs of the proposed silhouette and a further report brought to the next meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee for consideration.

(Ref: Report by Senior Estates Manager, dated 17 April 2012, submitted.)

Members were advised by the CHORD Project Manager, that the Full Business Case (FBC) for the consolidation of depot services in Helensburgh to Blackhill Depot was now complete and will go forward to the Executive in May for approval.

Decision

1. Agreed to note that the FBC will be presented to the Executive in May 2012 for approval.

2. Agreed to request that an update report be brought to the June 2012 Area Committee.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 11 April 2012, submitted)

Members considered a report from the Access Manager on the objections received following the public consultation for the Core Paths Plan following the Public Consultation which closed on 4^th April 2011.

Decision

1. Agreed to note the content of the submitted report.

2. Agreed that members are invited to make comments on the submitted reports during the 4 week consultation period that commences at a date after 17^th April 2012.

3. Agreed that members encourage Community Councils to discuss and comment on the submitted reports.

(Ref: Report by Access Manager, dated 17 April 2012, submitted)

Having earlier declared an interest in the following item, Councillor Andrew Nisbet left the room and took no part in the discussion of this item.

Members were asked to note the contents of a report by the Estates Surveyor, on the proposed improvement works proposed by the Helensburgh Cricket and Rugby Football Club (HCRFC) to the leased playing fields at Rhu Road Higher, Helensburgh.

Decision

Agreed to note the content of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by Estates Surveyor, dated 17 April 2012, submitted.)

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 1.15pm and the Chair gave her thanks to all members and officers for their commitment over the past five years, and on behalf of the present Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, wished the new Committee all the very best for the future.