Issue - meetings

Fun First

Sarah Davies highlighted that Fun First continued to run throughout the summer holidays which was very successful and appreciated by families and advised that they have at least one session on every day in either Rosneath, Cardross, Garelochhead or Helensburgh. Sarah asked that the Group continue to direct people with young children to Fun First.

Garelochhead Station Trust

Morevain Martin advised that the Station Trust are currently in negotiations with Network Rail for the lease of the station building and hope to have the lease secured by the end of the year.

Morevain highlighted that they have been working with the UHI to explore how well the Station Trust are delivering services and that a number of their members spent time in Summer School in Inverness. Morevain also highlighted that they were the only organisation in Argyll and Bute and 1 of 7 organisations in Scotland to be chosen to be part of The Ideas Fund. It was noted that they continue to run the fortnightly brunch clubs, weekly line dancing and carpet bowls, monthly bus trips, and fortnightly craft and modelling groups.

Transport Scotland

In the absence of Neil MacFarlane the Committee Manager provided the following update which was submitted before the meeting:

I can report that there will be one major road resurfacing scheme ongoing by the time the meeting is held on the 22^nd.

Starting on the 20^th for 4 nights there will be convoy works at Stuckgowan to facilitate the resurfacing works.

Plastic Free Helensburgh

Angela advised that Plastic Free Helensburgh held a meeting with Public Health Scotland who are looking in to developing relevant case studies. Angela also highlighted that large black bins have been installed along the Helensburgh Waterfront beside the silver bins and added that there has been difficulties with the removal of the silver bins due to those being cemented in.

Angela reported that Plastic Free Helensburgh had received money through the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund to get skips for the beach cleans and for litter picking stations and added that 40-50 volunteers regularly attend organised beach cleans.

Destination Helensburgh

Fiona Baker highlighted that there has been a 30-50% increase of footfall with visitors now coming for longer holidays, and that she hopes to have more precise statistics for the next meeting. Fiona also highlighted that the first Cruise ship, the Silver Seas Endeavour, arrived in May with Destination Helensburgh organising excursions with the most popular being the walking tours to Rhu and Glenarn and that hopefully 4 cruise ships will be arriving next year.

Fiona advised of a collaboration with Glasgow School of Art on a branding project of Helensburgh; the participation in the new Helensburgh business group and the start of Christmas advertising.

The Group noted that they should notify Destination Helensburgh of any events to allow these to be included on their ‘What’s on’ calendar and ‘What’s on this weekend’ social media post.

Discussion took place in relation to the works being done in the Helensburgh town centre and the Group highlighted their dismay that this had been done in summer holidays time. Sarah advised that the Community had no communication regarding this and wondered what permissions were agreed by the Council. Angela advised that a lot of litter had been left over following the works.

Action – The Committee Manager to seek clarification from the Roads department and respond to the Group in due course.