Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor G Mulvaney.

Councillor Vivien Dance declared a non-financial interest in relation to item 6 (Kidston Park), of this minute on the basis that she is related to the Volunteer Project Engineer.  She left the room during discussion of this item and took no part in the decision making process.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond  Area Committee held on 11^th December 2012 were approved as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Special Helensburgh and Lomond  Area Committee held on 15^th January 2013 were approved as a correct record.

Mr Finlay Craig spoke on his concerns regarding the proposed Council Budget and asked for assurances the roads in the Lomond North area would be dealt with.  Mr Craig further asked if the Arrochar and Rhu public toilets could remain open.

Councillor Robb explained how the roads budget is spent and the Local Members said they were aware of the problems and it would depend on funding.  Councillor Morton explained that the proposed Council Budget sets out to make 8.1% cuts in the Streetscene budget and it was not certain if this would come from less grass being cut, litter being picked or toilets being closed so Members could not give assurances that these toilets would not be closed.

Mr Andrew Nesbit also expressed concern over the proposed Council Budget and advised that the Helensburgh and Lomond area were already making significant savings within Streetscene because they have adopted different practices and asked if it was fair to ask to cut 8.1% in this area. Councillor Robb agreed that the other three areas needed to catch up and supported a level playing field.

Mr Andrew Nesbit further asked about the 2.9% saving in the Home Care Budget and 7.3% saving in the Care Home budget saying these were contrary to trends and asked how the Adult Care budget was put together.  Mr Nesbit was assured a full answer would be sought from the Head of Adult Care and relayed to him

Members heard an informative presentation from Pat Trehan on the Argyll and Bute Autism Strategy.  Pat spoke on the Autism Spectrum, the amount of people who are on the spectrum, the Government initiatives, the Scottish Strategy for Autism and the ten indicators from the national strategy.

Members asked questions and the Chair thanked her for her informative presentation.

Councillor Dance, having previously declared an interest in the following item, left the room at this point.

Report by Executive Director Development and Infrastructure (To Follow)

Members were updated by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services on the play area improvements at the Kidston Park. 

Decision

Agreed to note the contents of the submitted report.

(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services dated 4^th February 2013 – submitted)

Councillor Dance returned to the meeting at this point

Report by Area Governance Manager

Members were asked to note a report by the Area Governance Manager, which advised them of the current position in regards Capital Receipts, to allow forward planning on the use and allocation of this funding.

Decision

Agreed to note the contents of the submitted report

(Ref: Report by Area Governance Manager, dated 8 November 2012,

submitted)

Report by Area Governance Manager

Members were asked to note the updated position in regards the Dunbartonshire Educational Trust and to consider appointing an Elected Member to serve on the Trust until the next election.

Decision

Agreed to appoint Councillor David Kinniburgh to serve on the Trust.

(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Customer Services dated 11^th January 2013 – submitted)

Report by Iain Welsh, Project Manager, Development and Infrastructure

Members were advised on the current position relating to Japanese Knotweed control measures following instigation of a programmed control regime in 2010 and updated on the position in relation to the Council’s responsibility.

Decision

Agreed to note the contents of the submitted report

(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, dated 22 January 2013, submitted)

Report by Executive Director – Community Services

The Committee considered a report for the appointment of a Children’s Champion in Helensburgh and Lomond.

Decision

Agreed there were no nominations from the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

(Ref: Report by the Executive Director of Community Services dated 26^th November 2012, submitted)