Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated by Councillor Ellen Morton

Councillor Vivien Dance declared a non-financial interest in relation to item 5, Request for Financial Assistance, Helensburgh-Thouars Twinning Committee, of this minute on the basis that she is a member of the Twinning Committee.  She left the room during discussion of this item and took no part in the decision making process.

Minute of Meeting of Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee  9 April 2013.

The Minute of Meeting of Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee  9 April 2013 was approved as a correct record.

There were no questions from the public.

Councillor Dance, having earlier declared an interest left the room at this point and took no part in the discussion of the following item.

Report by Area Governance Manager

Members were asked to consider a request received from the Helensburgh Twinning Committee for financial assistance from the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Twinning Budget 2013/14 towards the costs of hosting the 30^th Anniversary visit to Helensburgh in July 2013.

Decision

1. Agreed to note the request and to grant the sum of £833 from the Twinning Budget for 2013/14 towards the costs of this initiative.

2. Agreed that a report be brought back following the exchange visit to a future meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee detailing how the activities undertaken by the visitors had contributed to the objectives of the Twinning Arrangement.

(Ref: Report by Area Govenance Manager, dated 10 May 2013, and letter from Helensburgh Twinning Committee, submitted)

Councillor Dance rejoined the meeting at this point.

Report by Quality Improvement Officer, Community Services

Members were briefed by the Quality Improvement Officer, on the new  Curriculum for Excellence which provides a more flexible and enriched curriculum. Members were also provided with an overview of the work undertaken and activities carried out in Helensburgh and Lomond primary schools.

Decision

That the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agree:-

1. to note the contents and details contained within the submitted report.

2.  to commend the officers and staff on the depth of work carried out in the implementation of this initiative.

3. to circulate a hard copy of the submitted appendix to Members.

4. to request the Quality Improvement Officer to provide further information regarding the policy of homework and information on guidance to facilitate third sector engagement to local elected Members.

(Ref: Report and Appendix by the Quality Improvement Officer, dated 17 May 2013, submitted)

Councillor Corry joined the meeting during discussion of this item.

Report by Service Officer, Community Regeneration

Members were asked to consider the contents of a report by the Community Development Manager advising them of the total Third Sector Grants budget made available by the Council for allocation in Helensburgh and Lomond for 2012/13 which was £35,000.  Members were also asked to note that Awards were distributed in Helensburgh and Lomond at Area Committee meetings in April and August and that  organisations have up to three months from the end of the project to complete and return the end-of-project reports.

Decision

1.      Agreed  to note the contents of the report.

2.      Agreed that organisations that do not submit an end of project monitoring report will not be eligible for funding from this grant scheme in future years.

(Ref: Report by Community Development Manager, dated 3 June 2013, submitted)

Report by Head of Strategic Finance

Report by Improvement & Organisational Development Programme Manager

Members were briefed in a presentation by the IOD Programme Manager on the Area Scorecard exceptional performance for financial quarter 4 of 2012 – 2013.

Decision

Members agreed:-

1.      to note the exceptional performance presented on the Scorecard

2.      to request information on the rationale for the target figure for affordable social sector new builds.

3.      to request the Streetscene Manager to attend the September Business Day to address issues around dog fouling and to provide analysis of waste complaints.

(Ref: Report by IOD Programme Manager, dated 11 June 2013, submitted)

Report by the Area Governance Officer

Members considered a report by the Area Governance Officer requesting them to appoint an elected Member to represent the Council on the ACHA Local Area Committee following the resignation of Councillor Ellen Morton due to other commitments.

Decision

To agree to appoint Councillor Aileen Morton to ACHA Local Area Committee.

Ref: Report by Area Governance Officer, dated  17 May 2013, submitted)

Report by Area Governance Officer

Members considered a report by the Area Governance Officer advising them of a request by the Chairperson of Hermitage Academy School Parent Council, inviting them to appoint an elected Member to represent the Council as a co-opted member of the Parent Council.

Decision

To agree to appoint the following Members each to serve on the Hermitage Academy School Parent Council for a period of one year:-

Year 1 – Councillor James Robb

Year 2 – Councillor Vivien Dance

Year 3 – Councillor David Kinniburgh

Year 4 – Councillor Gary Mulvaney

Ref: Report by Area Governance Officer, dated  17 May 2013, submitted)

Report by Area Governance Officer

Members considered a report by the Area Governance Officer inviting them to appoint an elected Member to represent the Council on the Bute, Cowal, Helensburgh and Lomond Joint Locality Management Group.

Decision

Agreed to note that the governance arrangements of the Bute, Cowal, Helensburgh and Lomond Joint Locality Management Group do not adequately reflect the circumstances in Helenburgh and Lomond and asked that the make up of the Joint Locality Group be reconsidered to take cognisance of these unique service delivery arrangements.  The Area Committee further requested that the appropriate persons be invited to attend the September Business Day of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee to discuss the concerns of the Area Committee in this regard.

Ref: Report by Area Governance Officer, dated  17 May 2013, submitted)

Report by Area Governance Manager

Members were briefed in a report by the Area Governance Manager that following a recent presentation to the Area Committee Business meeting, Members agreed to consider appointing a “champion” for the Helensburgh Heroes Project.

Decision

Agreed not to appoint an elected Member to work in a “champion’s” role in relation to the  Helensburgh Heroes Project.

Ref: Report by the Area Governance Manager, dated 3 June 2013, submitted)

For Noting

Members were asked to note the minute of a meeting of the Duchess Wood Local Nature Reserve (DWLNR) Committee held on 13 May 2013.

Decision

Agreed to note the submitted minute.

(Ref: Minute of Meeting of DWLNR 13 May 2013, submitted)

Members were asked to note the minute of a meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Community Safety Partnership held on 17 May 2013.

Decision

Agreed to note the submitted minute.

(Ref: Minute of Meeting of Helensburgh and Lomond Community Safety Partnership 17 May 2013, submitted)

Report by Area Governance Officer

In a report by the Area Governance Manager,  Members were asked to give consideration to a venue for the August 2013 Area Committee meeting given that the Victoria Halls is not available for use on 13 August 2013.

Decision

Agreed that the August meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee be held in the Ceremonies Room, West King Street, Helensburgh

(Ref: Report by Area Governance Manager, dated 20 May 2013, submitted)