Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of the following:-

Councillor Gary Mulvaney

Councillor Aileen Morton declared a non financial interest to the third sector grant application received from the Friends of Duchess Wood, as the Chair of the Duchess Wood Local Nature Reserve, which the Friends are represented on an contribute to the work of.  She claimed the benefit of the dispensation contained at Section 5.16 of the Standard Commission’s Guidance and Dispensation Note dated December 2010 to allow her to speak and vote on this item

The Minute of the previous meeting held on 11 June 2013 was approved as a true record.

Minute from Meeting 17 May, 2013

The Minute of the previous Community Safety Forum held on 17 May 2013 was noted.

No questions submitted.

The Committee were given an update with regards to recent events within the Helensburgh and Lomond area, and on the recent introduction of Police Scotland by Superintendent Barry McEwan.

Members noted the information provided.

Report by Area Governance Manager

The Committee considered a report providing an update on arrangements which are in place for telephone call handling in Police Scotland.

Decision

Members agreed to note the report and asked that Superintendent McEwan provide further statistical information in regards any reduction in the inappropriate use of 999 by callers to the service.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director of Customer Services, dated 15 July 2013, submitted).

Report by Community Development Officer

The Committee considered a report which detailed the recommendations for the award of Third Sector Grants (including Events and Festivals) to Third Sector organisations within the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

Decision

Members agreed to award all of the grant recommendations detailed in the papers submitted by the Community Development Manager.

(Reference:  Report by Community Development Manager, dated 5 August 2013, submitted).

Report by IOD Programme Manager

The Committee considered a report presenting the Area Scorecard, with exceptional performance for financial quarter 1 of 2013-14 (April to June 2013). 

Decision

Members agreed to note the report.  The Executive Director of Community Services agreed to review and ascertain the statistics with regard to the number of Children on Child Protection Registers in particular with regard to where the influx of families are coming from, and disseminate to Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee members.  Councillors Ellen Morton and George Freeman congratulated David Clements for providing clear information. They also congratulated the Waste Management Team with regards to the improvement in terms of the waste collection complaints as it was noted that the waste collection statistic was inclusive of both general waste and recycling.

(Reference:  Report by Improvement and Organisational Development Programme Manager, dated 13 August 2013, submitted).

The Committee considered a report providing an update on the 1^st quarterly evaluation of the Care at Home provision within the Helensburgh and Lomond area, following the externalisation of services on 21^st January 2013. 

Decision

Members agreed to note the report.  The Executive Director of Community Services agreed to provide information in relation to how much time a carer spends with a client on a week-to-week basis and disseminate to Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee members. 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director of Community Services, dated 13 August 2013, submitted).

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure

The Committee considered a report providing an update of the draft Hermitage Park vision and the subsequent application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Parks for People.

Decision

Members agreed to note the report and the changed timelines for activities and budget.  The members also reconfirmed their support for this project and agreed to actively support future applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund. 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director, Development and Infrastructure, dated 13 July 2013, submitted).

Report by Contracts Manager

The Committee considered a report detailing the current level of expenditure of the Roads Operations Revenue Budget. 

Decision

Members agreed to note the report.  The Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure agreed to provide a clear breakdown of where the central budget of £1.4 million is spent to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee members.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure, dated 17 July 2013, submitted).

Report by Head of Roads and Amenity Services (to follow)

The Committee considered a report proposing a draft service delivery model for 2014/15 and also proposing that a stakeholder workshop event be held.

Decision

The Area Committee unanimously agreed that:-

Due to the damaging impact these cuts could have on the maintenance of open spaces within Helensburgh and Lomond, and the resultant negative impression this would give to residents and visitors, the Area Committee agrees that no action be taken on this matter at this time.

The Committee further requests that the Council considers whether this budget saving is necessary in light of the 2012-13 underspend, and demand pressures identified in the 2013 Budget that are no longer required.

In addition the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee requests a report to this Committee on the methodology used to define the allocation of the area budget for the Streetscene service.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director of Development & Infrastructure, dated 13 August 2013, submitted).