Issue - meetings

Ian Chatton, a resident from Shandon highlighted concerns in regards to the condition of the old A814 road with particular reference to the detriment to footpaths and the designated cycle path in Shandon which become water logged due to existing pot holes and drainage issues. He asked for clarification in relation to how decisions are made in relation to maintenance and how it is decided what goes into the maintenance programme

He also drew attention to the recent work at the two bus stops on the A814 in Shandon. There were no dropped kerbs at these bus stops to assist with disabled access and he requested that work be undertaken to remediate this.

The Contracts Manager explained that there was an inspection regime in place which determined priorities on roads across Argyll and Bute. He agreed to investigate the issues raised.

There were no further questions submitted.

The Chair stated that he had received 2 questions from Tony Davey, Convener Cardross Community Council regarding the Charity and Trust Funds report on the Agenda.

1.    Has the Council the power in relation to the Cardross War Memorial Trust to make the proposed allocation as detailed within the report.

2.    In relation to the Cardross War Memorial, at a previous meeting of the Area Committee it was agreed that consultation would take place with Cardross Community Council and the Cardross Trust, clarification was sought in relation to what consultation had been undertaken.

The Area Committee Manager clarified that the Area Committee,  acting in the capacity as ‘Trustees’, could make decisions providing that these met the original objectives of the relevant fund.

The Chair advised that the clarification sought at the previous Area Committee was in regard to who currently maintains the War Memorial. It had now been clarified that Roads and Amenity Services provide this service as the Memorial is owned by the Council, and as such no consultation with the Community Council or the Cardross Trust had been required.

The Chair invited questions from the members of the public in attendance at the meeting.

Denise McLaughlin enquired if Members would accept a petition from Barbara Morgan which had been signed by the local community in Rosneath supporting a pedestrian crossing in Rosneath. The Chair accepted the petition and advised that Members would be discussing this issue at Item 10 on the Agenda.

Kenneth Smith, Convener of Rosneath and Clynder Community Council also drew attention to the crossing in Rosneath and highlighted that there was no school crossing patrol at this point.

There were no further questions.

The Chair invited questions from the members of the public in attendance at the meeting.

The following questions were submitted to Members by Mr Neil Waldron:-

Notice Boards

The lack of information provided in regards Area Committee meeting dates and venues.

The Area Committee Manager confirmed that an advert was placed routinely in the Helensburgh Advertiser providing the detail and venue of Area Committees. She would ensure that a notice providing this information was also placed in local notice boards.

Yellow traffic lines

The time taken to reinstate yellow and white lining on local roads following resurfacing.

The Amenity Manager outlined the difficulty in procuring the services of companies to undertake road lining work. He advised that plans were being progressed to liaise with other local authorities to work in partnership and procure this service.

Action: The Amenity Manager would contact Mr Waldron to provide further information regarding progress of this issue.   

Train Service – Helensburgh to Glasgow

The initial temporary timetable had been made permanent without notification or consultation with the local community. Train times and stopping points were causing problems and some consternation to local travellers.  Mr Waldron enquired if Argyll and Bute Council intended holding discussion with Abelio to address this.

The Chair affirmed that Helensburgh Community Council had been active in addressing this issue and outlined a recent meeting held between the local MSP and the Managing Director of Abellio. In addition, local Members advised of a forthcoming meeting with the Head of Business Development at Abelio and regular meetings with Strathclyde Partnership Transport (SPT). SPT were pursuing an impact statement from Abellio on the current timetable in place.

Norman Muir, Helensburgh Community Council asked a question in regards to the wording contained within the minute relating to Area Scorecards. Members highlighted that the wording could be misconstrued and that the phrasing could perhaps be changed.

Action:  The Programme Manager would be requested to provide a short, introductory sentence to clarify the terminology.

A reporter from the Helensburgh Advertiser asked for clarification in regards if a decision had been made on further evening Area Committee meetings.

The Chair affirmed that discussion had taken place at the September Business Day meeting and Members were agreeable to holding some evening meetings during the course of the year. This would not be routine, but some would be scheduled to take place in the evening.

There were no further questions and the Chair thanked the public in attendance for the questions submitted.

The Chair invited questions from the members of the public in attendance at the meeting.

No questions were submitted.

The Chair invited questions from the public in attendance at the meeting.

Two members of the public raised their concerns in regards the proposed cuts in the ASN provision and requested local Members views on this issue.

Members outlined the amount of savings that Argyll and Bute Council would need to make and highlighted that the forthcoming Public Consultation would provide the local community the ability to feed into this process to help ensure that the right decisions are made. It was highlighted that an all party group had determined the proposals and the resulting paper would hopefully enable the public to make an informed decision.

The issue of the legal duty of Argyll and Bute Council was raised in regards to Additional Support Needs (ASN) and Members requested that the Area Committee Manager liaise with the Education Service on this issue and provide this information accordingly.

The Chair invited questions from the public in attendance at the meeting.

Mr Sephton MacQuire raised his concerns in regards the item at 6(a) Third Sector Grants with particular reference to the recommendation relating to Helensburgh Highland Games and asked Members to give consideration to the points he had raised.

The Chair noted the points that Mr MacQuire had drawn attention to and that Members would take cognisance of these during their deliberation of this issue.

Mr Tony Davey, Cardross Community Council, highlighted the increase in volume of HGV traffic in Carman Road, Cardross and outlined the impact on local roads by recent road traffic accidents in the area. He continued that the local Community Council had raised the issue of advisory signage being erected at the entrance to Carman road.

Tom Murphy, the Amenity Services Manager reported that he was in the process of reviewing this and appropriate signage would be actioned.

Mr Davey expressed concerns in regards the detrimental state of the grassed areas and flower beds in Cardross and how this detracted from the image of ‘Cardross being the front door to Argyll and Bute’. He requested that attention be given to tidying up these areas.

Mr Murphy acknowledged that there had been a resource issue in the Cardross area and advised that he would arrange a meeting to further discuss Mr Davey’s concerns.

Mr Alan MacFadyen asked Members to confirm what form the signage would take at the new office building in Helensburgh.

Councillor Ellen Morton confirmed that there would be appropriate signage at the new building.

Members also agreed to have a report on advisory signage and road traffic management contingency plans to a future meeting.

The Chair invited questions from the public in attendance at the meeting.

Mr David Patterson from Luss commented that, in his perception, the Traffic Management and Parking Review had been rushed and had not given due consideration to local opinion and views. He commented that only 30 local residents had been consulted with and drew attention to the lack of notice received by the local community advising on the informal public consultation in March 2015. 

The Chair highlighted the various workshops and open sessions which had been undertaken to gauge local responses and reiterated that the process had not been hurried. He continued that the statutory consultation would ensure a full and extensive engagement with the community.

There were no further questions from the public in attendance at the meeting.