Agenda and minutes

The Chair advised that an additional report had been submitted and required to be dealt with as a matter of urgency by reason that an urgent decision is required on this matter to allow for the process to begin which will allow the Traffic Regulation Order to be made permanent. The Committee agreed to consider this as an urgent item. The Chair advised that she would consider this item following item 11 of the agenda. The minute reflects the order in which the items were discussed.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

There were apologies for absence intimated on behalf of Councillor Ellen Morton.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Minute of the Meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, held on Thursday, 19 March 2020 was approved as a true record.

The Minute of the Special Meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, held on Wednesday, 24 June 2020 was approved as a true record.

Chris Smith asked the Committee if they had an opinion on the recent planning application for Portincaple and if there were plans in place for further development at Portincaple as it appeared from the planning departments actions that assumptions had been made that Portincaple was available for development. It was noted that the Area Committee do not have a role in planning and a number of the Members of the Area Committee were Members of the Planning, Protective Services and Licencing Committee and could not make any comment in relation to the application. There were no further comments made by the Committee.

Presentation by Contracts Manager and Community Benefits Manager, Heron Brothers

The Committee gave consideration to a presentation from the Contracts Manager and Community Benefits Manager, Heron Brothers, in relation to the Helensburgh Waterfront Development.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted the contents of the presentation and information provided.

(Reference: Presentation by Contracts Manager and Community Benefits Manager, Heron Brothers, submitted)

Report by Inspector Roderick MacNeill, Police Scotland

The Committee gave consideration to a report and verbal update from Inspector Roderick MacNeill updating Members on current issues being dealt with by Police Scotland in the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted the contents of the report and information provided.

(Reference: Report by Inspector Roderick MacNeill, Police Scotland, submitted)

Councillor Paterson left the meeting at this point.

Reports by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance, Health and Social Care Partnership and Associate Director of Public Health, Health and Social Care Partnership

The Committee gave consideration to reports summarising performance data for the Argyll & Bute Health and Social Care Partnership during Financial Quarter 4 of the 2019-2020 reporting period and providing an update on Covid-19 public health.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed:

1. to note the FQ4 report performance data National Health and Well Being scorecard performance for the FQ4 (19/20) reporting period;
2. to note the considerable impact COVID-19 restriction had with regards to available data;
3. to note the COVID-19 reflection on performance for FQ1 and 2 of 2020; and 
4. to note the Public Health Update.

(Reference: Reports by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance, Health and Social Care Partnership and Associate Director of Public Health, Health and Social Care Partnership, dated 17 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing key information in relation to primary schools in the Helensburgh and Lomond area and highlighting activities undertaken during the session 2019-20.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Education, dated 17 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing income lost due to the temporary siting of portaloo facilities at Luss car park.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted that the National Park intends to remove the temporary toilet facilities by the End of October 2020.  Therefore, the Committee recommends to Council that the charges for the parking bays continue to be waived until the toilets are removed but not beyond 31st October 2020.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 17 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing a summary of activity carried out by the Roads and Infrastructure Services’ operations team across the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed to note the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 17 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing the council’s recycling and landfill diversion performance and providing information around national policy, targets and regulations which are likely to impact on future performance.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed:

1.    to note the contents of the report; and

2.    to note the national policy drivers that will likely impact over the next few years.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 17 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update on the development of new proposals for the traffic issues in Luss and proposing to Members two draft Orders, one covering traffic management and one on speed restrictions, to go forward into the formal TRO process.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed:

1.    to note the complexities of the issue and endorse the work to reach this point;

2.    to note the success of the recent changes taken forward in response to Covid-19 in the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order;

3.    that both of the draft Orders produced by the Community Council appended to the report should be the basis on which the proposed TRO is taken forward via the formal Traffic Regulation Order process, a key part of which involves community consultation, with the following amendments:

(i)            Permit charges to be adjusted in line with the Council’s current scheme of fees and charges

(ii)           Reference to PCNs removed;

4.    to delegate authority to the Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services to, prior to advertising, make any such technical changes to the forms of control in the draft Orders as he considers would be appropriate and competent, while retaining the principles contained within the current draft;

5.    to note that officers will engage with ACHA in respect of the adopted car parking area within Murray Place, which is not under the Council’s ownership or control;

6.    to note that advertising the draft Orders is the start of the process and that final proposals will come back to the Area Committee for approval; and

7.    that officers should consider restricting street traders from operating within the proposed TRO area at Luss.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 17 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing proposals in relation to the ongoing management of the 8 Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds for which the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee are Trustees and seeking agreement on distribution proposals.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed:

1. that the charities and trust funds are awarded on the basis outlined in paragraph 7.1 of the report;
2. the distribution of the Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds outlined within Appendix 1 of the report; and
3. to note that proposals for the remaining Bequests and Trust Funds with no defined distribution will be brought to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 17 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining a request for financial assistance from the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Twinning Budget 2020/21 from the Helensburgh and District Twinning Association which would assist with the costs of a visit from residents of Thouars to Helensburgh scheduled to take place in 2021.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed to grant the sum of £833 from the Twinning Budget for 2020/21 towards the costs of the visit.

Having moved an Amendment, which failed to find a seconder, Councillor George Freeman asked for his dissent from the foregoing decision to be recorded.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 17 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Performance and Improvement

The Committee gave consideration to a report presenting the Area Report and Scorecard for Financial Quarter 4 2019/20 (January-March 2020) and illustrating the agreed performance measures.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed:

1. to note the performance presented on the Scorecard and supporting commentary;
2. that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report the Area Committee contact either the Responsible Named Officer or Sonya Thomas with any queries; and
3. to note that work is ongoing and to respond to Sonya Thomas with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the Report and Scorecard.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Performance and Improvement, dated 17 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report detailing the progress made since 19 March 2020 in relation to the delivery of a dedicated, high quality walking and cycle route linking Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed:

1.    to note and welcome the progress made with construction of the 285m section of the route in Cardross Park and the Geilston Burn; and

2.    to note and particularly welcome the confirmation from SUSTRANS of the award of 2020/21 funding to progress the design of the remainder of the route linking Colgrain to the Geilston Burn and Ferry Road, Cardross to Dumbarton.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 17 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Interim Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

A report providing Members with an update on the development and sale of properties in the Helensburgh and Lomond area was before the Committee for noting.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services, dated 17 September 2020, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

A report providing Members with an update on future plans for the ‘Dunoon to Gourock’ and ‘Kilcreggan to Gourock’ ferry services along with potential effects on the Council’s marine infrastructure at Dunoon and Kilcreggan was before the Committee for noting.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted the contents of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 17 September 2020, submitted)

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Workplan as at September 2020 was before the Committee for noting.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted the contents of the workplan.

(Reference: Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Workplan, submitted)