Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor Freeman

There were no declarations of interest.

The Minute of the previous meeting held on 10 June 2014 was approved as a true record.

The Chair invited questions from any members of the public who were in attendance.

Mr McFall introduced himself to Members and asked what was being done in relation to the sewage leaks between Claddoch and Craigendoran Pier. 

Discussion in relation to a recent visit by the Ward 11 Members ensued, with it being identified that due to pressure within the burst pipe, raw sewage was spilling out on to the beach.  Councillor E Morton confirmed that she had been advised by Scottish Water that a replacement pipe was on the 2015-18 programme of works, but with the urgency of the situation she had been advised that this would be carried out in 2015, subject to funding. 

Decision:

1. Members agreed that immediate action should be taken in regard to  

      notifying the Council’s Environmental Health team of the problem;

2. That a strongly worded email be sent from the Director of Development and Infrastructure Services to SEPA and Scottish Water with information to be provided also to the Scottish Ministers and to the Director of Public Health outlining the issues and the continuing problems and advising that no action is being undertaken to fix the problem; and
3. That they are kept updated in terms of the actions undertaken.

Annual Update by Alastair MacGregor

The Committee heard a presentation by Alastair McGregor, Chief Executive of ACHA, which outlined the investment programme in Helensburgh and Lomond from transfer to 31 March 2014; the new build programme; updates in regard to Welfare Reform and the bedroom tax and key elements from the Housing (Scotland) Bill. 

Discussion took place in relation to ongoing issues, with reference made to the challenges surrounding common works, the arrangements for veterans in relation to the new Housing Options Scheme and the policy with regard to evictions.  Mr McGregor agreed to provide further information to Members by email in regards to the proposed start date for works at Maitland Court and in relation to a specific case of Japanese Knotweed.

Decision

Members agreed to note the presentation.

(Ref:  Presentation by Chief Executive of ACHA, submitted.)

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

Members considered a report outlining performance in exception for financial quarter 1 of 2014-15.  Discussion was had in relation to the car park income, with Members agreeing that it would be useful if an indicator was incorporated into future Scorecards to show the trend in relation to whether the revenue from enforcement within the town centre covers the costs of the wardens employed following the Decriminalisation of Parking Enforcement (DPE).  The Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services confirmed that following the review of DPE after year 1 work would be undertaken to identify an appropriate indicator. 

Members noted that in terms of dark street lamps there was no data.  The Contracts Manager confirmed that this was because the inventory of street lamps had not yet been completed.  He advised that once the task had been completed, targets would be identified.  Members requested that the information be collated and brought to the Business Day meeting in September for further discussion.  

Decision

Members agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director, Customer Services, dated 12 August 2014, submitted)

Report by Executive Director of Community Services

Members considered a report outlining the recommendations for the award of Third Sector Grants (including Events and Festivals) to Third Sector organisations in Helensburgh and Lomond.  Discussion took place in relation to the rationale for grant allocation.

Motion:

That the Area Committee defer decision on the grants until September and if necessary convene a Special meeting of the Area Committee to allow the Chair, in his capacity as Depute Policy Lead for Strategic Finance, time to hold discussions with the Leader of the Council and the Head of Strategic Finance with a view to seeking approval for the Area Committee to have the ability to carry forward money not allocated from the Third Sector Grants budget to the following financial year.

Moved by Councillor E Morton, seconded by Councillor R G MacIntyre.

Following discussion, the Area Committee agreed to vote on whether to defer the decision on all grants as per the Motion or whether to proceed with determining the grants on an individual basis.

On a show of hands vote, 4 Members voted in terms of the Motion and 5 Members voted to proceed with determining the grant applications on an individual basis.

Decision:

1. Members agreed the following: 

(i)                  Artmap Argyll - Defer consideration of this application as per the terms of the motion proposed previously;

(ii)                Gibson Community Centre Committee - Defer consideration of this application as per the terms of the motion proposed previously;

(iii)               To grant the application from Helensburgh and Lomond Autism/Aspergers Society in the sum of £1,500;

(iv)              To grant the application from Helensburgh Savoy Musical Club in the sum of £1,125;

(v)                To grant the application from The Royal British Legion – Helensburgh and District Branch in the sum of £407; and

(vi)              Following a show of hands vote by 5 votes to 4 to grant the application from the West of Scotland Military Wives Choir in the sum of £645.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director, Community Services, dated 12 August, 2014, submitted)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

Members considered a report providing an update of the Roads Revenue budget position at the end of the financial year 2013/14.  The Contracts Manager advised that a report outlining the budget position for financial quarter 1 of the financial year 2014/15 would be brought to the Area Committee Meeting in October. 

Decision:

Members agreed to note the report.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director, Development and Infrastructure, dated 12 August  2014, submitted)

Report by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services

Members considered a report outlining roads-related issues in the Helensburgh and Lomond Area with particular regard to the progress of the Capital Programme and Revenue works. 

Discussion took place on the protocol for roadside grass cutting, the money allocated for footpath repairs and the ongoing utility works within the town centre.  The Contracts Manager outlined the protocol that Utility companies must adhere to on roads maintained by Argyll and Bute Council and agreed to provide an email update to Members in relation to this and any future utility works.

Decision:

Members agreed to note the report.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director, Development and Infrastructure, dated 12 August  2014, submitted)

Proposed by Councillor Robb, seconded by Councillor Trail

The Area Committee instructs officers to repair the existing skate board facilities on the pier head at Helensburgh or arrange for replacement equipment if required.  

The Area Committee agrees, and if required recommends to the Council that, the associated cost be vired from the Helensburgh CHORD Project budget.  

In terms of Standing Order 13 the following Notice for Motion had been received for consideration at this meeting.

Motion:

The Area Committee instructs officers to repair the existing skate board facilities on the pier head at Helensburgh or arrange for replacement equipment if required. 

The Area Committee agreed, and if required recommends to the Council that, the associated cost be vired from the Helensburgh CHORD Project budget. 

Moved by Councillor Robb, seconded by Councillor Trail

Amendment:

The Area Committee notes:-

·         That the skateboard equipment on the Pierhead was installed a number of years ago following the actions of a group of local young people, supported by the Helensburgh Lions’ Club and the Council;

·         That the wooden equipment was recently declared as being beyond repair and had to be removed;

·         That the remaining equipment is still usable but requires repair/replacement, the cost of which has not been confirmed by Council officers;

·         That the play area adjacent to the skate park is in an even poorer condition;

·         That the Lions Club has been in touch and offered support if another group of young people wished to redevelop the skateboard space;

·         That the equipment at the Kirkmichael skate park has endured better and is still available;

·         That the Skateboard park is due to be relocated as part of the Pierhead Masterplan;

·         That the Pierhead project is now moving forward with the recruitment of a Project Manager underway.

In light of these facts the Area Committee requests that a report be brought back by the appropriate officers to a future meeting to cover:

·         How local young people want to see skateboarding facilities and other play equipment developed;

·         What the financial implications would be;

·         How this fits in to the redevelopment of the pierhead area.

Moved by Councillor E Morton, seconded by Councillor Mulvaney.

Decision:

On a show of hands vote the Amendment was carried by 5 votes to 4 and the Area Committee resolved accordingly.  

Report by Project Manager – Helensburgh CHORD

Members considered a report which outlined the progress to date in delivery of the Artwork element of Helensburgh CHORD town centre improvement works funded through the main CHORD budget allocation and the S75 Artworks fund.

Decision:

1. Members agreed to note the report; and
2. Agreed that a further CHORD Artwork Progress Report be brought to the Area Committee meeting in October.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director, Development and Infrastructure, dated 12 August 2014, submitted)

Report by Project Manager – Helensburgh CHORD

Members considered a report which outlined progress to date in the delivery of the Helensburgh CHORD town centre Public Realm Improvement works.  It was noted that £150k in additional funding had been received from Sustrans for the provision of additional cycle ways in the Helensburgh area.  The Programme Manager advised that this work would be overseen by Strategic Transportation Officers from the Council and that a report would be submitted to the October Area Committee detailing the timescales and plans.

Discussion took place on the drainage improvements in West Clyde Street, the arrangements made for the existing memorial benches in Colquhoun Square, the issue in William Street in regards to cycle traffic, the ongoing problems with chewing gum on the pavements and the access arrangements at St Andrews Kirk, with the Project Manager agreeing to hold discussions with funeral directors in this regard. 

Decision:

1. Members agreed to note the progress report;
2. That a further progress report be brought to the October Area Committee;
3. Agreed to allow the Contractor to continue to use the compound on the Pier car park until the completion of the CHORD works and to continue to make no charge for the use of this area;
4. Requested that a paper be brought to the Committee’s Business Day in September providing information on the work being undertaken to obtain a machine for the removal of chewing gum; and
5. Requested that a paper be brought to the Area Committee meeting in October detailing how the Sustrans money is to be spent in terms of cycle paths.  

(Ref: Report by Executive Director, Development and Infrastructure, dated 12 August  2014, submitted)

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Governments (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Project Manager – Helensburgh CHORD

Members considered the risk description, impact, rating, mitigating actions and current status.

 Decision

Members agreed to note the information provided.

(Ref:  Risk Register provided by Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services, submitted)

Report by Project Manager – Helensburgh CHORD

Members considered a report outlining the key stages of the project plan with the original and revised start and completion dates, including budget management information. 

Decision:

1. Members agreed to note the report;
2. Requested to be kept informed in terms of completion dates; and
3. Agreed to recommend to Policy and Resources Committee that the first two hours of parking in Sinclair Street car park in Helensburgh will be free from the 1^st September – 31^st December 2014 to compensate for the loss of on street parking (approximately 47 spaces) during the phase 3 and 4 CHORD public realm works.

(Reference: Report by CHORD Project Manager, dated 14 July  2014, submitted)