Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and took the opportunity to acknowledge the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, 8 September 2022. 

There were no apologies for absence intimated.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minute of the meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, held on 14 June 2022 was approved as a correct record.

The Committee Manager read out a question from Sarah Davies of Helensburgh Community Council in relation to the Helensburgh Waterfront Development:- 

“Could the committee please let us know how and when the Helensburgh Community is going to be consulted on the redevelopment of the grey area now that the Leisure Centre is finished?  The waterfront paper being presented to this meeting today refers to demolishing the pool and creating a cycle path on West Clyde Street (I am not sure what this is linked to and from).  It was also agreed with Scottish Water and Andrew Collins that that a Top Up Tap would be installed at the corner opposite the old bank / The Journey building to provide refill facilities for the John Muir Way, residents and visitors to the seafront.  However there is no further information about the return of the Skateboard Park or retail units.”

The Committee Manager advised that the Head of Commercial Services was currently on leave and would provide a response to this question on his return to work.  She further advised that the response would be circulated to Members also.

The Committee Manager read out a second question from Sarah Davies of Helensburgh Community Council:-

“The community is very appreciative of the hard work which has gone in to the completed Leisure Centre.  It is mentioned in the waterfront report that this compliments the Chord Project in Colquhoun Square and the regeneration of Hermitage Park.  Both projects are again appreciated by the community, however they are also areas which are frequently raised with the community council with regards to ongoing maintenance.  In the square lights, benches and bins require repair and refurbishment.  In the park there are a number of areas which need completing and there is broken play equipment.  It seems that the capital works are completed, but then there isn’t a regular maintenance schedule to keep these areas in good condition.  This was highlighted in the recent Conveners report to the Helensburgh Community Council AGM which was also presented to the last Helensburgh and Lomond Planning Group.  Is there a regular maintenance schedule for these areas?

When will the larger bins budgeted for and discussed jointly with HCC and Plastic Free Helensburgh be in place?  The community works hard to monitor the bins, clean the beaches and tidy the shrub beds, we would welcome support with the other areas to ensure Helensburgh is the clean, green and well maintained town I am sure we all desire it to be.”

The Committee Manager advised that she would forward the sections of the question that related to the Leisure Centre to the Head of Commercial Services, who would provide a response on his return from leave. 

The Project Manager provided a short update on routine maintenance and advised that as he didn’t have the information to hand, he would provide further details on the schedules following the meeting.  

The Chair advised of a recent Business Day meeting which took place at Hermitage Park and spoke of the broken play equipment.  She advised of supply chain issues that were delaying the process of repair. 

The Committee Manager undertook to seek combined responses from the relevant departments and provide a response to Ms Davies in respect of her question.  

The Committee Manager read out a further question from Stuart Paul, a Helensburgh resident regarding street name signs in Helensburgh:-

“When are we going to get new ones? Many existing ones have faded and now unreadable.  What is the plan and timetable, if any?”

The Project Manager confirmed that a programme of sign replacement was currently underway but advised that the revenue budget for this was relatively small.  He advised that the programme would look to replace the worst affected signs first.  Discussion was had on the possibility of replacing old signs with embossed signs; and a number of areas throughout the locality that should be addressed, with signage at Faslane Cemetery being of particular concern.  The Project Manager advised that he would look into the issues raised and report back to the Committee in this regard. 

Update from Inspector Andrew Barron, Police Scotland

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the work of Police Scotland.  The report included information on the resourcing of staff; the recent engagement of Inspector Barron with the ASB group and co-ordinator; the ongoing roll out of Operation Balaton to deal with the increased footfall across the area during the summer months; joint patrols with National Park Rangers on Loch Lomond to ensure that loch users are acting responsibly and the joint patrols with the Royal Navy Police and the Ministry of Defence Police to promote the safety and wellbeing of members of the public and prevent criminality taking place or escalating.  Further information was provided on the support offered to families affected by drug deaths in the community; the weekly midnight football league at Hermitage Academy; the efforts to reduce speed across the locality and the commencement of training for selected officers in Distress Brief Intervention (DBI).

The Committee took the opportunity to thank Police Officers involved in events that took place to commemorate the life of the late Queen. 

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee considered and noted the information provided in the report.

(Reference: Report by Inspector Andy Barron, Police Scotland, dated 20 September 2022, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

Consideration was given to a report which presented the Area Performance Report for Financial Quarter 1 2022/23 (April to June 2022) and illustrated the agreed performance measures.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

1.    Noted and considered the performance and supporting commentary as presented;

2.    Noted that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report the Area Committee should contact either the Responsible Named Officer or Sonya Thomas with any queries; and

3.    Noted that work is ongoing and to respond to Sonya Thomas 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 20 September, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

Consideration was given to a report which provided a general update on key activities of the Service over recent months and highlighted works being undertaken which were of relevance to the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

Discussion was had in relation to the value of quarterly reporting on this subject given the implementation of the new Member Zone system and the availability of briefing sheets and key policy documents, with it being noted that Members appreciated the opportunity to discuss matters of importance with an officer in a formal setting. 

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 20 September 2022, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Amenity Services

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

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted and gave consideration to the details as outlined in the report and the national policy drivers that will likely impact over the coming years.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated 20 September 2022, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services

Consideration was given to a report which provided a project position update together with confirmation that the Certificate of Practical Completion for Phase 1 of Helensburgh Waterfront Development had been issued with the new Helensburgh Leisure Centre handed over by Heron Bros on Friday 29th July 2022 and fully opened to the public on 3 September 2022.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

1.    Noted and considered the contents of the Report and

2.    Commended the work of the project team and the contractors in delivering the project on time and within budget.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services, dated 20 September 2022, submitted)

Extract of Minute of Audit and Scrutiny Committee held on 23 June 2022 and report by Chair of the Community Asset Transfer Scrutiny Panel

A recommendation from the Audit and Scrutiny Committee held on 23 June 2022 in respect of the facilitation of the promotion of the Community Asset Scrutiny Review Report to community groups was considered.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted the recommendation from the Audit and Scrutiny Committee.

(Reference: Recommendation by Audit and Scrutiny Committee held on 23 June 2022, submitted)

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Workplan was before members for information.

Decision

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

(Reference: Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Workplan dated 13 September 2022)

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and 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. 

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Consideration was given to a report providing an update on the progress made in relation to the delivery of a dedicated, high quality walking and cycle route linking Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton.

Members agreed that they wanted to discuss the information contained in Appendix 2 of the report so they agreed to exclude the Press and public to allow for consideration of this information.  

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

1.    Noted the continued efforts of Officers to engage with WSP Design Consultants and instructed officers to provide a report to the next meeting of the Area Committee on the legal aspects of the design contract and the options available to the Council for expediting the design aspects and facilitating the construction thereafter;

2.    Instructed officers to continue to provide reports on a quarterly basis; and

3.    Welcomed the securing of funding from the highly competitive Places for Everyone Programme for initial design development of Phase 3, Helensburgh Town.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 20 September 2022, submitted)