Agenda and minutes

The Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed, to a variation in the order of business to facilitate officer attendance. The minute reflects the order in which items were discussed.

The Chair, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated Paul Collins on his election to represent Ward 9, Lomond North, and noted that she looked forward to working with him in the future.

An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Councillor Lorna Douglas.

Councillor Graham Hardie noted in relation to item 15 (Argyll & Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Annual Performance Report 2020/2021) that he was appointed to the role of non-Executive Member of NHS Highland Board by the Council.  Having taken note of the updated Standards Commission Guidance in relation to declarations (issued 7 December 2021) with specific reference to section 5.4(c) he did not consider that he had a relevant connection and as such would remain in the meeting and speak and vote on the report.

Councillor Gary Mulvaney, prior to consideration of item 15 of the agenda (Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Annual Performance Report 2020/21), noted that he was appointed as a Member of the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership Integration Joint Board (IJB) by the Council.  Having taken note of the updated Standards Commission Guidance in relation to declarations (issued 7 December 2021) with specific reference to section 5.4(c) he did not consider that he had a relevant connection and as such would remain in the meeting and speak and vote on the report.

The minutes of the meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee held on Thursday, 16 September 2021 were approved as a correct record.

Dave Pretswell, Luss and Arden Community Council, submitted the following question in writing for consideration by the Committee:

“During the last local Area Committee meeting, and in the context of the Committee's deliberations upon the draft Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) for Luss village, the Committee was advised by Ms Rowena Ferguson, representing the Coach House Coffee House, Luss, that she had submitted some seven counts of Complaint alleging misconduct by Luss and Arden Community Council, allegedly material to the Committee's consideration of these TROs.

Can the Members of the Committee each confirm that they have been made aware of the outcome of the Council's Conduct Panel Review of 5th November which duly considered these allegations and subsequently dismissed all seven out of seven points of Complaint as being entirely without merit?”

The Chair advised that the minutes of the Community Council Conduct Review Panel meeting were publicly available on the Council’s website and, on this basis, she was confident that all Members would be aware that the Panel made the decision not to uphold the seven points of complaint made against Luss and Arden Community Council.

Alastair Moore, John McGall and Laura Freeland submitted the following question to the Committee:

“At the Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee Meeting of January 2019 we, as a Rhu Village residents group, put forward the case for the creation of a footpath on lower Pier Road, Rhu, a stretch of road identified as dangerous particularly for pedestrians.  This proposition gained full Council support subject to funding availability and possibly the completion of other historical footpath projects.

We note that the footpath work plans unveiled in a report and voted through on 2 September 2021 unfortunately did not include our footpath proposal.  

Could we please have an update on our proposal and what timescale is anticipated for this much needed road safety measure.”

Councillor Freeman provided information around a site visit that had taken place in 2019, which had involved a number of parties discussing the highlighted concerns. He noted that it was his understanding, following this site visit, that the Head of Roads and Infrastructure Services would investigate funding for the purposes of implementing a footpath. He asked that an update be provided on the progress of this to Mr Moore, Mr McGall, Ms Freeland and all Members.

Councillor Paterson noted his agreement with what Councillor Freeman had said, and asked that an appropriate update be provided in order for the matter to be addressed.

The Chair confirmed that the Committee Manager would feedback this question to the appropriate Council officers, and that any response would be circulated to Mr Moore, Mr McGall, Ms Freeland and all Members following the meeting.

Councillor Gemma Penfold joined the meeting during discussion of the foregoing item.

Report by Inspector Roderick MacNeill, Police Scotland

The Committee gave consideration to a report which updated Members on Police Scotland’s activities in the Helensburgh and Lomond area and noted that there were no Police Scotland representatives available to speak to the report due to conflicting operational requirements.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Inspector Roderick MacNeill, Police Scotland, dated 2^nd December 2021, submitted)

Report by Head Teacher

The Committee gave consideration to a progress report for Hermitage Academy, which provided information in relation to recognising wider achievement; SQA performance; pupil and staff wellbeing; blended and home learning; contingency planning; school successes; the school roll; clothing and footwear grants; free school meals; and attendance, absence and exclusions.

Decision:

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

(Reference: Report by Head Teacher, Hermitage Academy, dated November 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Commercial Services

The Committee considered a report which provided Members with an update on the development and sale of properties in the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee considered and noted the position as outlined in respect of the various properties.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services, dated 3^rd December 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Commercial Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided Members with an update on the progress of the Helensburgh Waterfront Development (HWD) project since the previous report to the Committee in June 2021.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services, dated 6^th December 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee considered a report asking Members to agree to the proposed governance arrangements for the Helensburgh Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) (2021-2026).

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed to the governance arrangements proposed for the Helensburgh Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) as detailed in paragraphs 4.8 to 4.10 of the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 4^th November 2021, submitted)

The Committee gave consideration to a presentation by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), which provided an overview of the programme dependencies; programme scope; programme governance; and programme milestones for the Gourock, Dunoon and Kilcreggan Infrastructure and Vessel Project.

Decision

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

(Reference: Presentation by Harbour and Engineering Liaison Manager, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, submitted)

The Committee gave consideration to a report which updated Members on the planning timeline for development of infrastructure and the Terms of Reference for the Gourock, Dunoon and Kilcreggan Harbour Reference Group.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the report, including the updated Terms of Reference.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated December 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure Services and highlighted works being undertaken which were of relevance to the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated November 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Committee considered a report seeking the appointment of an Elected Member to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group and to the Gourock, Dunoon and Kilcreggan Harbour Reference Group.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed:

1.    to appoint Councillor Iain Paterson as the Ward 9 (Lomond North) Elected Member representative to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group; and

2.    to appoint Councillor George Freeman as the Elected Member representative to the Gourock, Dunoon and Kilcreggan Harbour Reference Group.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 16^th November 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided information on proposals relating to the ongoing management and proposed distribution arrangements for the Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds for which the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee are Trustees.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

1.    noted the financial position of the Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds as of July 2021;

2.    agreed that a moratorium be placed on the distribution of funds from the following funds: Helensburgh and Faslane Cemeteries Fund, Ballyhennan Churchyard, Cardross War Memorial and Sundry Bequests – Former Dumbarton Cemeteries, until such time as sufficient interest has been accrued;

3.    agreed that the ‘John Logie Baird Prize Fund’ prize be limited to £30;

4.    agreed that all other Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds are awarded on the basis outlined in paragraph 5.5 and defined within appendix 1 of the report; and

5.    noted that officers are in ongoing dialogue with representatives from the Lord Advocates office to establish appropriate methods of distributing funds from the Clydesdale Air Raid Distress Fund.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated October 2021, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee considered the Area Scorecard report for Financial Quarter 2 of 2021-2022 (July to September 2021), which illustrated the agreed performance measures.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

1.    noted and considered the performance and supporting commentary as presented in the report;

2.    noted that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report the Area Committee Members could contact either the Responsible Named Officer or the Performance Improvement Officer with any queries; and

3.    noted that work was ongoing and to respond to the Performance Improvement Officer with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the Performance Report and Scorecard.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 17^th December 2021, submitted)

Report by Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology – Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

The Committee gave consideration to the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Annual Performance Report for 2020/21.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee considered and noted the Annual Performance Report for the Health and Social Care Partnership for the year 2020/21.

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated 17^th December 2021, submitted)

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Workplan as at December 2021 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)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report updating Members on the progress made since the previous report to the Committee on 16^th September 2021 in relation to the delivery of a dedicated, high quality walking and cycle route linking Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton.

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and public for discussion of appendix (b) in relation to the report 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.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

1. welcomed the construction of the bridge over the Geilston Burn, Cardross;
2. welcomed the progress of the surfacing of the path linking Cardross Station to the Geilston Burn;
3. noted the commencement of the community engagement to inform the design; and
4. noted the potential for increased project cost in relation to project change requests submitted by the contractor appointed to complete the design of the route linking Colgrain to Geilston Burn, Cardross and Ferry Road, Cardross to Dumbarton.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 25^th November 2021, submitted)