Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Councillor Mark Irvine.

 

 

Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess declared a non-financial interest at agenda item 5 (Primary School Report 2022-23 - Helensburgh and Lomond Area), as a family member attends one of the schools. He advised that he did not consider the connection to be significant and as such would remain in the meeting and take part in discussion and decision on this item.

 

Councillor Gary Mulvaney declared a non-financial interest at agenda item 9 (Cemetery Maintenance and Roads Access Fund), as he is a member of Friends of Helensburgh Cemetery. He advised that he would leave the meeting during the consideration of this item.

 

The Minute of the meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, held on 14 March 2023 was approved as a correct record.

 

Questions from Angela Anderson

 

Angela Anderson asked the Committee if they could expedite the installation of the larger replacement bins along the Helensburgh waterfront, advising that the community had hoped that these would be in place before the spring season. Angela also asked if the Committee could look into the removal of the silver bins along the waterfront.

 

Councillor MacQuire advised that he had been asked to look into these issues by Helensburgh Community Council.  Councillor MacQuire reported that the bins should be installed shortly and that a contractor would be required to remove the silver bins as they are cemented into place and that this is being taken forward.

 

Councillor Mulvaney advised that the Committee would get confirmation on the timescale for both the replacement bins and the removal of the silver bins.

 

Questions from Sarah Davies

 

Sarah Davies asked the Committee how community groups were chosen to be part of the consultation for the Helensburgh Waterfront project and highlighted that Friends of Hermitage Park and Helensburgh Skatepark Project had not been invited to take part.

 

Councillor Mulvaney advised that officers chose the community groups through multiple lists and added that as Policy Lead he was happy to take this issue forward and arrange for Friends of Hermitage Park and Helensburgh Skatepark Project to be invited to take part in the consultation.

 

Sarah also enquired about the area where the top-up tap is installed on the waterfront. She advised that when she had worked on securing the tap, the masterplan showed that there would be no traffic entering the area. Sarah highlighted that the tap had been damaged by a vehicle only 3 weeks after installation and asked for clarification on the accessibility of the area advising that while this is no longer a carpark road lining and lack of signage suggests parking is permitted.

 

Councillor Penfold advised that the Committee would seek clarification from the appropriate department and respond in due course.

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee gave consideration to a report and presentation which provided a range of key information about primary school provision in the Helensburgh and Lomond area during the school session August 2022 to June 2023 and reported the National collection of attainment and achievement data from June 2022.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated June 2023, submitted)

 

Report by Head Teacher, Hermitage Academy

The Committee heard from Mr Morgan, Head Teacher of Hermitage Academy, who picked out some highlights from the school report which had been provided to Members. The report included information in relation to S3 attainment of Curriculum for Excellence levels in literacy and numeracy and Gaelic; the pass rates of National qualifications and the Insight dashboard. Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Head Teacher, Hermitage Academy, dated June 2023, submitted)

 

Update from Inspector James McArthur, Police Scotland

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on the ongoing work of Police Scotland. The report included information on celebrating Pride Month 2023; the Community survey 23/24; the ‘Don’t Feed Hate’ campaign; Operation Balaton; Summer speed watch and water safety events.

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Sergeant Eddie McGunnigal, Police Scotland, submitted)

 

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

Consideration was given to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 4 of 2022/23 (January to March 2023) which illustrated the agreed performance measures for this period.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

 

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

 

2.    agreed 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 4 May 2023, submitted)

 

Councillor Gary Mulvaney having declared an interest in relation to the following item of business, left the meeting and took no part in the consideration of this item.

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report that provided options on how to spend £75,000 that had been allocated from the Crown Estates funding to a Cemetery Maintenance and Roads Access Fund.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

 

1.    agreed the package of proposals up to the value of £75,000; and

 

2.    noted that regular updates would be provided via the Roads and Infrastructure weekly briefings.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated May 2023, submitted)

 

Councillor Gary Mulvaney re-joined the meeting at this point

Report by Chief Officer, Argyll and Bute HSCP

Consideration was given to the HSCP Annual Performance Report for 2022-23. The report detailed how the HSCP had performed and also provided progress updates on how they have improved and adapted services which are fit for the future. 

 

Decision

 

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

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Officer, Health and Social Care Partnership, dated June 2023, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

Consideration was given to a report asking members to approve a grant offer of up to Forty One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty Four Pounds and Twenty Five Pence. (£41,764.25) to the owner of the shopfront at The Scandinavian Shop 53 Sinclair Street, Helensburgh.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee approved the grant offer of up to Forty One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty Four Pounds and Twenty Five Pence. (£41,764.25) to the owner of the shopfront at The Scandinavian Shop 53 Sinclair Street, Helensburgh.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 28 April 2023, submitted)

 

Report by Chief Executive

Consideration was given to a report which detailed recommendations for the award of the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund (SCF) for the 2023/24 round of funding that had been made available for distribution by Council to organisations in the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed that the 20 applications, marked as ‘Award’ within Appendix 1 of the report, are awarded funding from the Supporting Communities Fund Budget totalling £38,450, as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ref	Applicant	Recommendation	Amount Requested	Award 2023/24
1	*Rosneath Community Hub	Award	£2,489.00	£2,489.00
2	*Police Scotland Youth Volunteers	Award	£2,500.00	£2,500.00
3	**Plastic Free Helensburgh	Award	£2,350.00	£2,350.00
4	**Friends of Hermitage Park Association	Award	£2,500.00	£2,500.00
5	**Cove Park	Award	£2,500.00	£2,500.00
6	*Rosneath Peninsula Amenity Society	Award	£500.00	£500.00
7	Jean's Bothy	Award	£2,500.00	£2,500.00
8	Garelochhead Station Trust	Award	£1,108.00	£1,108.00
9	Scottish Women's Institute - Millig	Award	£1,426.00	£1,426.00
10	Helensburgh Art Hub	Award	£2,500.00	£2,500.00
11	Princess Louise Hall	Award	£2,446.00	£2,446.00
12	Cove and Kilcreggan Lunch Club	Award	£1,013.00	£1,013.00
13	Helensburgh Bowling Club	Award	£2,500.00	£2,500.00
14	Geilston Hall	Award	£2,500.00	£2,500.00
15	Fun First	Award	£2,500.00	£2,500.00
16	Rosneath Peninsula West Community Development Trust	Award with conditions	£2,500.00	£2,500.00
17	**Helensburgh Community Council	Award	£2,160.00	£2,160.00
18	Loch Long Jetty Association	Award	£558.00	£558.00
19	Arrochar Tarbet & Ardlui CC	Award	£650.00	£650.00
20	Helensburgh Amateur Athletic Club	Award (partial award)	£2,000.00	£1,250.00
21	Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs	No award	£2,500.00	£0.00
22	Alzheimer Scotland- Action on Dementia	No award	£2,500.00	£0.00
23	Cove and Kilcreggan Youth Café	No award	£2,500.00	£0.00
24	Helensburgh Writing Circle	No award	£700.00	£0.00
25	Carr Gomm	No award	£625.00	£0.00
26	Helensburgh Lunch Club	No award	£2,250.00	£0.00
27	Helensburgh Community Council	No award	£2,500.00	£0.00
28	Garelochhead & Rosneath Peninsula Community First Response	No award	£2,220.00	£0.00

 

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive, dated 12 May 2023, submitted)

 

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

A report providing information on a request from the Helensburgh and District Twinning Association for financial assistance to help with a visit to Thouars in July 2023 and a visit to Helensburgh by residents from Thouars in 2025 was considered.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed to award the sum of £833 from the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Twinning Budget for 2023/24 to Helensburgh and District Twinning Association.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated 15 May 2023, 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 June 2023)

 

 

The Chair advised that in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, relating to the following item of business would require the exclusion of the press and public should Members wish to discuss the content of appendix 2 on the grounds that it would likely involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

 

Consideration was given to a report updating Members on the progress made since the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee on 14 March 2023 in relation to the delivery of a dedicated, high quality walking and cycle route linking Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton.

 

Members agreed that they wished to discuss the information contained in appendix 2 of the report and agreed to exclude the press and public to allow consideration of this information.  

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

 

1.    noted the agreement of one change requests from WSP at an additional cost of £6,479.51, taking the total cost of WSPs work to £259,907.47 and that this additional cost is covered by externally secured funding;

 

2.    noted the amended completion date submitted by WSP of end-July 2023;

 

3.    noted that some elements of work would require to be completed separately following completion of WSPs work to finalise the full package required for construction;

 

4.    welcomed the progress towards the award of contract for the section of route linking Morrisons Supermarket/Hermitage Academy to Helensburgh Town Centre/Waterfront, and development of this to Concept Design stage;

 

5.    noted appendix 1 in the paper with projected compulsory purchase orders in 2026/27, 2028/29, and 2029/30 at various phases of the scheme; and

 

6.    agreed that officers would bring forward a report to the next Area Committee outlining:

 

a.    a quantification of the projects risks; and

 

b.    options for next steps including bringing forward compulsory purchase orders to expedite construction of the Helensburgh to Cardross phase.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 27 April 2023, submitted)

 

 

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 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

 

 

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

 

The Committee gave consideration to a report which asked Members to approve grant offers to the owners of 1-5 Colquhoun Street, and 25-26 West Clyde Street, Helensburgh and to the owners of 17-19 West Clyde Street Helensburgh as part of the Helensburgh CARS Scheme as Priority Building.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee approved the grant as detailed in the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 14 April 2023, submitted)