Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and general introductions were made.

Apologies were received from Councillor Iain Paterson.

The Chair moved and the Committee unanimously agreed to move item 8 (Helensburgh and Lomond Festive Lighting 2017) to the end of the agenda. The Chair also advised that it was her intention to move an exclusion of press and public for this item as it contains financial background information and the applicant has not given permission for this information to be dealt with in the public domain.

Councillor Trail declared a non-financial interest in relation to Item 13 on the agenda – Request from Helensburgh Heritage Trust – Bonar Law House by reason of him being a Member of the Heritage trust, but having had regard to the objective test in the Councillors Code of Conduct advised that he would remain in the room and take part in the discussion on the item.

Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee - 13 June 2017

The minute of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee meet held on 13^th June 2017 was approved as a correct record.

There were no questions from the public submitted.

Report by Community Planning Manager

A report highlighting the positive outcomes for communities in Helensburgh and Lomond through the allocation of the Council’s Third Sector Grant funding in 2016/17, was submitted.

Decision

The Committee agreed the recommendations in the report.

(Ref:  Report by Community Planning Manager dated 8^th September 2017, submitted).

Report by Business Partner, HROD

The Committee considered a report from the Head of Improvement and HR on the development of the Area Scorecards.

Decision

The Committee:-

1. Noted the new look Council scorecard;
2. Noted the roles and responsibilities of elected Members with regard to performance monitoring, review and scrutiny, as set out in the PIF; and
3. Noted the plans for the future development of Area Scorecards, including informal consideration by Members prior to the next Area Committee.

(Ref:  Report by Head of Improvement and HR dated 21^st September 2017, submitted).

Report by Project Officer – Transformation

The Committee considered a report, which provided an update on the James Street Community Garden Association, who are working with the Council to improve the James Street Community Play Park with external funding.

Decision

The Committee:-

1. Approved the terms of the revised agreement;
2. Requested that the Head of Roads and Amenity Services takes all necessary steps to sign the agreement on behalf of the Council;
3. Agreed to endorse the work of the James Street Community Garden Association to bring the area back to life.

(Ref:  Report by Project Manager – Transformation dated 8^th September 2017, submitted).

Report by Strategic Transportation Delivery Officer

A report updating the Committee of the progress made since the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee on 13^th June 2017, in relation to the delivery of Argyll and Bute Council’s long-standing commitment to the provision of a dedicated, high quality walking and cycling route linking Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton, was considered.

Councillor Ellen Morton seconded by Councillor David Kinniburgh moved the following motion:-

The Area Committee agrees:-

1.    To note the contents of the update report and additional briefing note, including the progress reported with route identification and public consultation since the last report to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee on 13^th June 2017;

2.    To endorse the identification of a preferred route via Geilston Park road, Cardross Park and Geilston Farm access road for the phase planned for construction in 2017/18 following public consultation and consultation with Cardross Community Council;

3.    To note that the design work to update the specification of the cycleway to current best-practice design standards will be complete by mid-October 2017;

4.    In order to deliver the decision of Members at the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee on 13^th June 2017, to approve the Council’s continued commitment, as detailed in the update report and additional briefing note, to seek to purchase the necessary land by negotiation with relevant landowners between Cardross and Helensburgh prior to making recommendation to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee as to a requirement for new Compulsory Purchase Order.  The revised timescale for progression of land negotiations means the recommendation on the requirement for a CPO will be provided to this Committee on 22^nd March 2018, with an update on negotiations provided to the Committee on 21^st December 2017; and

5.    To support the commitment to consultation on the route within Helensburgh, including efforts to ensure a wide range of stakeholders are involved in the process.

Decision

The Committee resolved accordingly.

(Ref:  Report by Strategic Transportation Delivery Officer dated 4^th August 2017, submitted).

Report by Strategic Transportation Delivery Officer

A report informing the Committee of the plan to construct a Park and Ride car park on the former Gasometer site in Grant Street, Helensburgh in 2017/18 was considered.

Decision

The Committee:-

1. Agreed to support the provision of a Park and Ride car park in Grant Street, Helensburgh which will increase the parking provision for commuters and rail users in Helensburgh and relieve pressure on the Town Centre car parks;
2. Noted the requirement to close the HLCC Council Staff car park to all users for the period of the construction works, estimated at 10 weeks;
3. Agreed to support the use of a pay and display system to manage the Park and Ride car park; and
4. Agreed that following completion of construction the Park and Ride car park will be managed and maintained as part of the Council’s wider parking estate.

(Ref:  Report by Strategic Transportation Delivery Officer dated 4^th August 2017, submitted).

Report by Regeneration Programme Manager

A report providing the Committee with a progress update on the delivery of the Helensburgh Waterfront Development Project, was considered.

Decision

The Committee:-

1. Noted the current position in relation to the Helensburgh Waterfront Development;
2. Agreed the next steps in progressing stakeholder engagement;
3. Agreed with officers recommendations that no new licences for the pierhead carpark should be considered after this season licence ends, on the 20^th November 2017; and
4. Agreed the reporting tolerances for the project as set out at section 6.2 and section 6.4 of the report.

(Ref:  Report by Helensburgh Regeneration Project Manager dated 12^th September 2017, submitted).

Report by Regeneration Programme Manager

A report providing the Committee with an update on the progress of the Helensburgh CHORD – Surplus Fund Works, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the position in relation to project delivery of the Helensburgh CHORD – Surplus Fund Works.

(Ref:  Report by Helensburgh Regeneration Project Manager dated 12^th September 2017, submitted).

Report by Property Development Manager

A report providing the Committee with an update on the development and sale of properties in the Helensburgh and Lomond area, was considered.

Decision

The Committee noted the position as outlined in respect of the various properties.

(Ref:  Report by Property Development Manager dated 14^th September 2017, submitted).

Report by Area Committee Manager

The Committee considered a report providing detail on the request from the Helensburgh Heritage Trust in relation to the naming of the former Janitor’s House at the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre.

Decision

The Committee agreed the request from the Helensburgh Heritage Trust to name the former Janitor’s House at the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre to “Bonar Law House”.

(Ref:  Report by Area Committee Manager dated 7^th September 2017, submitted).

Report by Area Committee Manager

The Committee considered a report, providing an update on the responses received following the letter that was issued in July 2017, following their last Area Committee meeting in June.

Decision

The Committee agreed to pursue this initiative but in the first instance have a Business Day meeting with Members only in attendance  on a date to be agreed.

(Ref:  Report by Area Committee Manager dated 29^th August 2017, submitted).

The Committee considered the Helensburgh and Lomond work plan for September 2017.

Decision

The Committee noted the Helensburgh and Lomond Work Plan.

(Ref:  H&L Work Plan dated September 2017, 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 item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Project Manager – Transformation

A report outlining the arrangements for festive lighting in Arrochar, Roseneath, Kilcreggan, Rhu, Garelochhead and Cardross, as well as asking members to determine a funding request from a community group in Helensburgh to deliver festive lighting independently, was considered.

Councillor Mulvaney seconded by Councillor Ellen Morton moved the following motion:-

The Area Committee:-

a)    Agrees the recommendation as per the paper in respect of the work programme for the villages (4.1);

b)    Welcomes the request from Helensburgh Festive Lighting Charitable Trust to take forward expanded community delivery in 2017 and agrees the funding request, as per the standard Council conditions as set out at 5.4 of the report;

c)    Agrees that any grant award is subject to the following additional conditions:

1.    The company or organisation providing paid services to the group should be an arms-length organisation, not connected, associated with the group, or members or trustees of the group.

2.    Volunteer and benefit-in-kind contributions are not eligible for grant award.

3.    The grant award is for the provision of Christmas Lights in Helensburgh on the basis of historic arrangements; their erection and removal; PAT testing and maintenance until Christmas Eve as outlined in the application.

4.    Any goods/items purchased with the funding from the council shall be retained by the group for the provision of festive lighting, and made available to the local community to provide festive lighting if the group is no longer in a position to do so.

5.    Goods/items purchased with the assistance of the grant cannot be disposed of without the prior written consent of the council.

6.    All publicity material, websites, marketing material, switch-on events should prominently and publicly acknowledge the grant award and funding from Argyll and Bute Council.

7.    Funding will be released to cover festive lighting costs in the current year (2017). A bid for funding to support delivery in 2018 will only be considered on the basis of successful delivery in 2017, along with evidence of longer-term sustainability.

d)    Delegates to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Area Committee to conclude such agreement with the Helensburgh Festive Lighting Charitable Trust, or otherwise ensure the delivery of festive lights across Helensburgh and Lomond in 2017.

Decision

The Committee resolved accordingly.

(Ref:  Report by Project Manager – Transformation dated 19^th September 2017, submitted).