Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies intimated.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee – 21^st September 2017

The Minute of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee meeting held on 21st September 2017 was approved as a correct record.

There were no public questions asked.

Report by Head Teacher

The Head Teacher of Hermitage Academy took the Committee through a progress update report on the schools achievements for the 2017 session.

Decision

The Area Committee:-

1.    Noted the contents of the report; and

2.    Commended the work being done by the school.

(Report by Head Teacher, Hermitage Academy dated 21^st December 2017, submitted).

Report by Community Planning Manager

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing information on Supporting Communities Fund – Participatory Budgeting Pilot Approach 2018/2019.

The Chair introduced Helensburgh and Lomond’s new Community Development Officer to the Area Committee, Kirsty Moyes.

Decision

The Area Committee noted the role of the Area Committee in the Participatory Budget approach to distributing the Supporting Communities Fund.

(Ref: Report by Community Planning Manager, dated 21^st December 2017, submitted).

Report by Finance Manager

A report setting out the proposed method for distribution of the charities and trust funds in the Helensburgh and Lomond area was considered.

Decision

The Area Committee agreed:-

1. The proposed distribution of the available funds;
2. That Officers confirm the arrangements for the transfer of the Clydesdale Air Raid Distress Fund; and
3. That Officers investigate the possibility of winding up these trusts with a report to a future Area Committee.

(Ref: Report by Finance Manager dated 21^st December 2017, submitted).

Report by Head of Improvement and HR

The Committee considered the Area Scorecard for financial quarters 1 and 2 of 2017-2018 (April to September 2017).

Decision

The Area Committee:-

1. Noted the performance presented on the scorecard;

2. Noted work is ongoing to embed the new reporting process going forward; and

3. Agreed to discuss this item further at a Business Day meeting.

(Ref: Report by Performance and Improvement Officer dated 21^st December 2017, submitted).

Report by Development Officer

A report providing the Committee with detail on the proposed operation and management of the Helensburgh Arts Strategy Fund, relative to the town’s award winning Outdoor Museum, was considered.

Decision

The Area Committee approved the proposed operation and management of the Helensburgh Arts Strategy Fund, relative to the town’s award winning Outdoor Museum.

(Ref:  Report by Helensburgh & Lomond Development Officer dated 21^st December 2017, submitted).

Report by Property Development Manager

A report providing the Committee with an update on the development and sale of properties in the Helensburgh and Lomond area, was considered.

Decision

The Area Committee:-

1. Noted the position as outlined in respect of the various properties; and
2. Congratulated Officers on the work undertaken to date.

(Ref:  Report by Property Development Manager dated 8^th December 2017, submitted).

Report by Senior Transportation Delivery Officer

A report updating the Committee of the progress made since the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee on 21^st September 2017 in relation to the delivery of Argyll and Bute Council’s long-standing commitment to the provision of a dedicated, high quality walking and cycling route linking Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton, was considered.

Decision

The Area Committee:-

1. Noted the contents of the report including the progress reported since the last report to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee on 21^st September 2017;
2. Noted the Council’s continued commitment to seek to purchase the necessary land by negotiation with relevant landowners between Cardross and Helensburgh prior to making a recommendation to the 22^nd March 2018 Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee as to the requirement for a new Compulsory Purchase Order; and
3. Endorsed the continued efforts of Council Officers to progress designs and land negotiations in order to construct the planned section from Cardross Station to the A814 in 2017/18.

(Ref:  Report by Strategic Transportation Delivery Officer dated 11^th November 2017, submitted).

Report by Regeneration Project Manager

A report providing the Committee with a progress update on the delivery of the Helensburgh Waterfront Development Project to date and seeking approval for a limited number of changes to the Leisure Centre Design Brief, was considered.

Decision

The Area Committee:-

1. Approved  the recommended changes to the Project Brief for the Leisure Centre as set out in Recommendations 1 through 6, (Section 5.1 of the report); and
2. Noted the current position in implementing the Stakeholder and Community Engagement process.

(Ref:  Report by Helensburgh Regeneration Project Manager dated 15^th December 2017, submitted).

Report by Traffic and Development Manager

A report updating the Committee on the layby on the Main Road at Cardross located at its junction with Scott Gardens, advising that it is increasingly being used for a parking place, was considered.  The report also advises that this has resulted in a restriction of the sightline visibility for vehicles entering the Main Road from Scott Gardens which is now a road safety concern.

Decision

The Area Committee

1. Noted the information contained in the report; and
2. Agreed to permit the proposed No Waiting restriction in the layby at Scott Gardens, Cardross and to have the layby marked with double yellow lines.

(Ref:  Report by Traffic and Development Manager dated 21^st December 2017, submitted).

Report by Traffic and Development Manager

A report providing a summary of the parking review process to date and the issues raised through the members workshop and informal public consultation, was considered.

The report also provided an overall programme for the implementation of any changes to the current arrangements and the associated statutory consultation process.

Decision

The Area Committee agreed:-

1. That the no waiting at any time restriction at the West Montrose Street/Sinclair Street junction is approved; and
2. That the 60 minute restriction for James Street and John Street is not progressed, however, that the bays and signs in both sections are marked correctly.  These locations would remain unrestricted in regards to permitted period of stay but vehicles would be required to park in marked bays.  Any vehicle out-with marked bays may be subject to Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).

(Ref:  Report by Traffic and Development Manager dated November 2017, submitted).

Report by Traffic and Development Manager

A report providing a summary of the parking review process to date, was considered.  The report also provided a number of options available to Members for consideration.

Motion

1. The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee notes:

• The number and range of objections
• The different and often competing desires of different sectors of the community
• The identification that the real issue in the village centre is traffic movement through the village streets and the limited number of on street parking spaces available.
• The legal advice from council officers and external and independent counsel that it is not possible under current legislation to restrict access to a public road to certain classes of road users although it is possible to restrict it to certain types of vehicles only, for example buses or taxis.
• The extensive consultation carried out.
• The council owns no land in the area which could be used for another public car park.
• The possible impact on local businesses who employ staff from out with the village if the draft proposals were to proceed.

2. In light of the above, the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agrees:

• NOT to progress the current draft TRO.
• To write to Transport Scotland requesting the rationalisation of signage by removing signs directing traffic from the A82 into the south end of Luss village. Thus reducing the traffic flow into the village and bringing traffic in to arrive first at the public car park.
• To arrange for the erection of additional signs directing traffic to the public car park, reducing potential for visiting traffic to continue on to the residential areas of the village.
• To note that the Council does not own any developable land in the immediate vicinity of the village and if the community wish to seek to acquire land ,under the community right to buy provisions ,to invite them to contact the Scottish Government Community Land team to seek advice on the process required 
• To promote a twenty mile an hour speed limit on parts of the old A82 and in the residential areas of the village in the interests of road safety.
• To progress a TRO to introduce the drop off bay to be advertised in due course for public consultation.
• To ask officers and Police Scotland to monitor and evaluate the impact of these changes on traffic movement in the village.

Moved by Councillor Ellen Morton, seconded by Councillor Barbara Morgan

Amendment

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee notes the contents of the report and the officer’s recommendation relating to the traffic management and parking review at Luss.  The Area Committee also notes the significant number of objections that have been submitted and sustained against the draft Traffic Regulation Order (TROs).

The Area Committee confirms that it wishes to work with the Luss community in finding an acceptable solution to the ongoing traffic problems within the village and does not want to impose a scheme on the community that has virtually no support from within the community.

Given the above, the Area Committee agrees:

(a)  To accept Option 1 within the report to do nothing at this time, which reflects the strength of feeling and the significant number of objections to the Council’s draft proposals.

(b)  That officers and Ward Councillors should arrange to meet with Luss and Arden Community Council with a view to agreeing those aspects within the TROs that are acceptable to the community and that can be progressed at an early date and any other proposals that are considered to be beneficial to the community.

Moved by Councillor George Freeman, seconded by Councillor Lorna Douglas

Councillor Trail asked if additional wording could be inserted into the terms of the motion as follows:  “To arrange for the erection of appropriate advisory signage at the entrance to the residential areas of the village to discourage traffic from entering this area”.

Councillor Ellen Morton with the consent of her seconder Councillor Morgan, agreed that this wording be inserted and the amended version became the substantive motion.

Decision

On a show of hands vote the Motion was carried by 7 votes to 3 and the Committee resolved as follows:-

1.The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee notes:

• The number and range of objections
• The different and often competing desires of different sectors of the community
• The identification that the real issue in the village centre is traffic movement through the village streets and the limited number of on street parking spaces available.
• The legal advice from council officers and external and independent counsel that it is not possible under current legislation to restrict access to a public road to certain classes of road users although it is possible to restrict it to certain types of vehicles only, for example buses or taxis.
• The extensive consultation carried out.
• The council owns no land in the area which could be used for another public car park.
• The possible impact on local businesses who employ staff from out with the village if the draft proposals were to proceed.

2. In light of the above, the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agrees:

• NOT to progress the current draft TRO.
• To write to Transport Scotland requesting the rationalisation of signage by removing signs directing traffic from the A82 into the south end of Luss village. Thus reducing the traffic flow into the village and bringing traffic in to arrive first at the public car park.
• To arrange for the erection of additional signs directing traffic to the public car park, reducing potential for visiting traffic to continue on to the residential areas of the village.
• To arrange for the erection of appropriate advisory signage at the entrance to the residential areas of the village to discourage traffic from entering this area.
• To note that the Council does not own any developable land in the immediate vicinity of the village and if the community wish to seek to acquire land ,under the community right to buy provisions ,to invite them to contact the Scottish Government Community Land team to seek  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Cumberland Avenue, Helensburgh

The Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee:

1.    Notes the proposals for the Cumberland Avenue site that the Helensburgh Community Woodland Group (HCWG) has developed, based on local consultation

2.    Welcomes the Helensburgh Community Woodland Group (HCWG’s) aspirations to ensure that this green space is developed appropriately, including:

a)    Reinstating and maintaining broadleaved woodland

b)    Ensuring public access through the site

c)    Enhancing the biodiversity of the site

Proposed by Councillor Aileen Morton           Seconded by Councillor Gary Mulvaney

Councillor Aileen Morton, seconded by Councillor Gary Mulvaney had given notice of the following motion:-

The Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee:

1. Notes the proposals for the Cumberland Avenue site that the Helensburgh Community Woodland Group (HCWG) has developed, based on local consultation
2. Welcomes the Helensburgh Community Woodland Group’s aspirations to ensure that this green space is developed appropriately, including:

a)    Reinstating and maintaining broadleaved woodland

b)    Ensuring public access through the site

c)    Enhancing the biodiversity of the site

The Area Committee resolved accordingly.

The Committee considered the Helensburgh and Lomond Workplan for December.

Decision

The Committee noted the workplan.

(Ref: Helensburgh and Lomond Workplan dated 21^st December 2017, submitted).