Agenda and minutes

The Chair outlined to Members the achievements of Eve Thompson, a 16 year old pupil at Hermitage Academy, who had recently won Gold medals in 50m and 100m breast stroke at the Scottish Summer Championships in the under-18 category. Among Eve’s other achievements are being part of the “Scotland” team in the Tri-Nations tournament last year and qualifying for the Commonwealth trials in butterfly, breast stroke and freestyle. She also holds a number of records in West Dunbartonshire swimming club. She is dedicated to sport, training 5 times a week before and after school. Eve has recently learned that she has been accepted to study Sports Science at Stirling University where she will be able to combine her studies with swimming at the National Swimming Academy. Eve was unable to attend the meeting but the Area Committee congratulated Eve on her achievements and wished her every success for the future, and noted that the letter and congratulations would be passed on to her.

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

Councillor Richard Trail

Councillor James Robb

Councillor MacIntyre declared a non-financial interest in Item 6(a) on the agenda due to his involvement with Rosneath Highland Games because there may be a reference to the organisation during discussion of this item.  He advised that he would take no part in the discussion of this item where it specifically related to that group.

The Minute of the previous meeting held on 9 June 2015 was approved as a true record.

The Chair invited questions from the public in attendance at the meeting.

Mr Sephton MacQuire raised his concerns in regards the item at 6(a) Third Sector Grants with particular reference to the recommendation relating to Helensburgh Highland Games and asked Members to give consideration to the points he had raised.

The Chair noted the points that Mr MacQuire had drawn attention to and that Members would take cognisance of these during their deliberation of this issue.

Mr Tony Davey, Cardross Community Council, highlighted the increase in volume of HGV traffic in Carman Road, Cardross and outlined the impact on local roads by recent road traffic accidents in the area. He continued that the local Community Council had raised the issue of advisory signage being erected at the entrance to Carman road.

Tom Murphy, the Amenity Services Manager reported that he was in the process of reviewing this and appropriate signage would be actioned.

Mr Davey expressed concerns in regards the detrimental state of the grassed areas and flower beds in Cardross and how this detracted from the image of ‘Cardross being the front door to Argyll and Bute’. He requested that attention be given to tidying up these areas.

Mr Murphy acknowledged that there had been a resource issue in the Cardross area and advised that he would arrange a meeting to further discuss Mr Davey’s concerns.

Mr Alan MacFadyen asked Members to confirm what form the signage would take at the new office building in Helensburgh.

Councillor Ellen Morton confirmed that there would be appropriate signage at the new building.

Members also agreed to have a report on advisory signage and road traffic management contingency plans to a future meeting.

Report by Executive Director – Customer Services. 

The Committee considered a report which presented the Area Scorecard, with exceptional performance for financial quarter 1 of 2015-16 (April – June 2015).

Discussion took place in regards dog fouling fines and the indicators relating to the economy .

Decision

Members agreed:-

1.    To note the report.

2.    That the Programme Manager would look to include the number of planning applications submitted in future Scorecard reports.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services, dated 11 August 2015, submitted).

Report by Executive Director – Community Services.

The Committee considered a report which provided the detail of recommendations for the award of Third Sector Grants (including Events and Festivals) to Third Sector organisations in Helensburgh and Lomond.  It also provided recommendations in relation to grants which had previously been awarded.

Discussion followed in relation to the Helensburgh Highland Games and the recommendation that the group be asked to return a proportion of their grant as the event had been cancelled due to inclement weather. The Community Development Officer provided information on the contractual elements which related to the grant

award

Decision

Members agreed:-

1.    That the 8 organisations listed below are awarded funding from the Third Sector Grant budget; and

2.    To defer consideration of the recommendation relating to Helensburgh Highland Games to a Special Area Committee scheduled for September 2015.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services, dated 11 August 2015, submitted).

Report by Executive Director – Community Services.

The Committee considered a report which highlighted how the funding from grants to the Third Sector was spent in 2014/15.  Information was taken from the end of year project monitoring reports returned by those organisations awarded funding.

Discussion took place on the procedures in place for groups to submit the End of Project Monitoring form and the Community Development Officer agreed to forward on the documentation to local Members.

Decision

1.    To note the report;

2.    To note that those organisations who do not submit an end of project monitoring report are not eligible for funding from this grant scheme in future years;

3.    That the Gibson Community Centre Committee is requested to return £1,644 of the £2,514 Third Sector Grant it received in 2014/15  as the actual cost of the events it had proposed was £1,740 rather than the projected cost of £5,770.

4.    That the funds to be returned by the Gibson Community Centre Committee are reallocated in a third round of Third Sector Grant funding in Helensburgh and Lomond in 2015/16.

5.    To recommend to the Policy and Resources Committee that any balance remaining in the Third Sector Grants budget which is above the threshold of the 10% already agreed be carried forward to the 2016/17 Financial year for allocation.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services, dated 11 August 2015, submitted).

Report by Executive Director of Community Services

The Committee considered a report which provided the detail of schools holidays and in-service days for 2016/2017 in the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

Decision

Members agreed to endorse:-

1.          The final pattern of school holiday and in-service days for session 2016/2017; and

2.          That the details of school holidays and in-service days for 2016/2017 be circulated to schools and all relevant organisations..

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services, dated 11 August 2015, submitted).

Report by Economic Development Manager.

The Committee considered a report which provided the detail on the proposed Helensburgh and Lomond Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP), 2015/16.

Discussion took place on the work being undertaken to promote tourism in the local area and the roll-out of superfast broadband locally.

Decision

Members agreed:-

1.    To approve the Helensburgh and Lomond Economic Development Action Plan as a working document for 2015/16; and

2.    To request a report on the roll-out of superfast broadband for the September Business Day meeting.

(Reference: Report by Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation, dated 11 August 2015, submitted).

Report by Executive Director – Community Services.

The Committee considered a report which updated on the findings of the continuing quarterly evaluation of the Care at Home provision within the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

Discussion followed and the Area Team Leader updated Members on the main issues contained within the report and advised that the Management structure was more stable in the local area.

Members questioned the level of Service Monitoring visits and frequency of visits by Social workers.  The Area team Leader Advised that the frequency of visits related to the individual risk assessments.

Decision

Members agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services, dated 11 August 2015, submitted).

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services

The Committee considered a report providing the detail of the findings of the Internal Audit Review of the CHORD Programme in February 2014/15 which had identified two areas for action, one relating to project governance and the other to do with managing risks. The report provided an overview of the current governance arrangements.

Decision

Members agreed to note the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure,  dated 29 June 2015, submitted).

MOTION

ART WORK ON NEW COUNCIL OFFICES ON EAST CLYDE STREET, HELENSBURGH

Concerns continue to be raised in the media and with a number of Members relating to the appropriateness of the “Art Work” on the front elevation of the new Council offices on East Clyde Street, Helensburgh. A number of Members have stated publicly that they believe that the Art Work is not appropriate in its current location and should be relocated within the development and replaced by the Council’s corporate logo or more appropriate “Art Work” which should be agreed by the Area Committee.

A number  of Members are disappointed that the Area Committee were not consulted on the Art Work and believe that the views of Helensburgh and Lomond Members should have been sought before a final decision was taken on commissioning the current Art Work.

Although all those concerned in the delivery of this project should be complemented on a most impressive building that clearly enhances the image of Helensburgh, there are concerns that it is not obvious to those viewing this outstanding building that this is the corporate centre of Argyll and Bute Council within the Helensburgh and Lomond Area and, as such, fails to enhance the corporate image of Argyll and Bute Council.

Motion: That the Area Committee agrees that:

a.    Officers should prepare a report for the next meeting of the Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee which will provide Members with options for relocating the art work from the front elevation of the new Council offices on East Clyde Street, Helensburgh along with approximate costs for such work.

b.    Members should provide officers with suggestions on alternative corporate signage or art work to replace the existing art work that will enhance the Council’s corporate image within the Helensburgh & Lomond area that officers should include within their report referred to at (a) above for the October Area Committee meeting.

Proposed by Councillor George Freeman

Seconded by Councillor Robert G MacIntyre 

Councillor Freeman, seconded by Councillor Robert G MacIntyre had given notice of the following Motion:-

Motion

a.    Officers should prepare a report for the next meeting of the Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee which will provide Members with options for relocating the art work from the front elevation of the new Council offices on East Clyde Street, Helensburgh along with approximate costs for such work.

b.    Members should provide officers with suggestions on alternative corporate signage or art work to replace the existing art work that will enhance the Council’s corporate image within the Helensburgh & Lomond area that officers should include within their report to at (a) above for the October Area Committee meeting.

Moved by Councillor Freeman, seconded by Councillor Robert G MacIntyre

Amendment

Members note previous advice from officers that it would not be cost neutral to relocate the artwork from its present position and agree to take no further action.

Moved by Councillor Mulvaney, seconded by Councillor Ellen Morton.

The requisite number of Members required the vote to be taken by calling the roll, and Members votes as follows:-

Motion                                                                        Amendment

Councillor George Freeman                           Councillor Gary Mulvaney

Councillor Robert G Macintyre                        Councillor Ellen Morton

Councillor Vivien Dance                                  Councillor Aileen Morton

Councillor Maurice Corry                                Councillor David Kinniburgh

On their being an equality of votes, the Chair gave his casting vote for the Amendment.

Decision

The Area Committee resolved accordingly in terms of the Amendment.

Report by Executive Director – Development and Infrastructure Services – TO FOLLOW.

Discussion followed in regards the proposed maintenance of the Ponds within the park and Officers confirmed that there would be a clear planting policy, providing the right balance  to ensure that as much as possible they were self-managing.

There was also discussion on the costs for maintenance, particularly in years 6-10, and the potential implication if the Council breached the maintenance agreement.

Motion

That Members approve and adopt in principle the ten year Management and Maintenance Plan and associated financial resources needed to deliver the plan, which must meet and achieve Green Flag Standards for ten years after project completion, and recommend approval of these to Policy and Resources Committee.  Funding will come from within existing amenity services budgetary spend for Hermitage Park.

That Members delegate authority to the Director of Development and Infrastructure to intimate agreement to HLF and recommend approval of this to Policy and Resources Committee.

Moved by Councillor Mulvaney, seconded by Councillor Ellen Morton

Amendment

That Members defer a decision until consideration of the Budget figures for 2016.

Moved by Councillor Freeman, seconded by Councillor Robert G Macintyre

On a show of hands vote, the Motion was carried by  6 votes to 2 and the Committee resolved accordingly.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Executive Director of Development and

Infrastructure, dated 11 August 2015, submitted).

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(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 Paragraphs 8 & 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Executive Director  - Customer Services.

The Committee considered a report which provided a further update on progress with respect to the Helensburgh Office project.

Members gave consideration to information from the Head of Facility Services.

Decision

Members agreed to the recommendations contained within the report.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Customer Services, dated 11 August 2015, submitted).

Report by Executive Director – Community Services.

The Committee considered a report which provided the detail of the proposed new model of care which is intended to be trialled in two localities.

Discussion followed and the Performance Improvement Officer provided information on the pilot project for Helensburgh Central on the new Model of Care.

Decision

Members agreed to note the content of the report and the trial of the new model.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director – Community Services, dated 11 August 2015, submitted).