Agenda and minutes

Venue: Microsoft Teams

Contact: Iona Campbell, Senior Committee Assistant - 01436 658 801 

Items
No. Item

The Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed, to a variation in the order of business to facilitate officer attendance. The minute reflects the order in which items were discussed.

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor Iain Paterson.

2.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

Councillor Barbara Morgan declared a non-financial interest at Agenda item 7 (Supporting Communities Fund 2021/22) with specific reference to the application from Garelochhead Station Trust, as she is a Trustee of this group. Councillor Morgan advised that she would leave the meeting if the Committee agreed to take the applications individually.

 

Councillor Lorna Douglas declared a non-financial interest at Agenda item 7 (Supporting Communities Fund 2021/22) with specific reference to the application from Plastic Free Helensburgh, as she is a Committee member of this group. Councillor Douglas advised that she would leave the meeting if the Committee agreed to take the applications individually.

 

Councillor Gary Mulvaney declared a financial interest at Agenda item 7 (Supporting Communities Fund 2021/22) with specific reference to the application from Visiting Friends, as he has a business relationship with this group. Councillor Mulvaney advised that he would leave the meeting during consideration of the application from this group.

3.

Minutes

3a

Minute of the Meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee held on Thursday, 25 March 2021 pdf icon PDF 200 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee held on Thursday, 25 March 2021 were approved as a correct record. 

4.

Public Question Time

Minutes:

Angela Anderson, Plastic Free Helensburgh, submitted the following question to the Committee:

 

“Plastic Free Helensburgh (PFH), Helensburgh Community Council, and others undertake regular beach cleans and litter picks throughout out our area. PFH understand that provision and collection of bins in remote areas is difficult and we are grateful to those citizens who regularly collect rubbish as part or as the aim of a walk. However, we are continually concerned and in despair over the inadequate provision on the sea front where, on sunny days, bags of rubbish pile up around the bins. The observation is that bins on the shop side and near take always are under used and that most of the rubbish on the front is bagged and placed near the bins and there is an intent to dispose of it properly.

 

We also commend the work undertaken by council employees on cleaning up each morning. There seems to us a dislocate in cost benefit and environmental impact between adequate provision of bins and clean up. The main beneficiary is the seagull population.

 

PHF are undertaking a survey of single use plastic and polystyrene in the takeaway businesses in Helensburgh in an effort to reduce this use.”

 

Ms Anderson asked the Committee if there were plans to put in place bigger, better bins in the area or if there was a plan for the future provision of recycling facilities for the disposal of litter.

 

The Network and Standards Manager advised that he had discussed this matter with colleagues prior to the meeting and could confirm that additional staff would be working throughout the Summer period from 2:30pm-8pm in Helensburgh, Luss and Duck Bay to assist in collecting excess waste. The Network and Standards Manager confirmed that active efforts were being made to address the issue and he would be happy to discuss the question around recycling facilities further with Ms Anderson following the meeting. Ms Anderson noted that legislation would be changing soon and provision would require to be in place for recycling going forward.

 

Councillor Freeman advised that there had been major problems with litter at Luss and Arrochar, noting that communities in ward 9 should be included in any discussions around additional bins or resources being put in place. Councillor Freeman advised that he thought it would be beneficial to review the effect of additional resource being put in place following the Summer period, to confirm whether further additional resource or bins were required.

 

Councillor Douglas noted that she had received representations from constituents around the bins in Helensburgh overflowing, advising that she was pleased that additional staff resource would be in place over the Summer to assist in tidying this up. Councillor Douglas added that she was aware that littering in general was an issue, however the design of bins was having an impact on this as many people were putting litter into bags which could not then fit into the bins and were being left beside them. Councillor Douglas noted that concerns around the bin design and capacity had been raised before, however it would be useful for this to be investigated again.

 

Councillor Douglas asked if there was an update for constituents around the availability of a street cleaning machine for the Helensburgh and Lomond area. The Network and Standards Manager confirmed that one street cleaning machine was shared between the Helensburgh and Lomond and Bute and Cowal areas, noting that unfortunately the machine had broken down when returning to the Helensburgh and Lomond area previously. The Network and Standards Manager confirmed that the machine serviced both areas according to a regular, cyclic programme, and that there was less resilience within the Council than had previously been the case where breakdowns occurred, as a result of budget constraints. The Network and Standards Manager confirmed that the machine was currently in the Bute and Cowal area, however it would be returning to the Helensburgh and Lomond area soon as part of the normal programme. The Network and Standards Manager noted that the Council did try to hire vehicles where longer term breakdowns had occurred whenever possible, however there were limited numbers of machines available to hire and high demand from other local authorities. The Network and Standards Manager confirmed that the Council would try to fix smaller issues with the machines within the department as quickly as possible, however there had been supply issues, with parts and materials taking longer than usual to arrive.

 

Ms Anderson advised that she would be happy to document what was being left beside the bins in Helensburgh prior to them being tidied up, as well as an analysis of what was being disposed of in terms of whether it would be worthwhile to have recycling bins in place. Ms Anderson noted that she would also be happy to undertake a survey around whether people would be willing to use recycling bins, however she believed the answer would be yes if there was an adequate provision. Ms Anderson added that most of the rubbish which was being left beside bins had already been placed in bags, so it would be beneficial if the bins were large enough to place a bag into.

 

The Committee Manager agreed to pass Ms Anderson’s details to the Network and Standards Manager.

 

Councillor Hardie asked if it may be useful for signs to be in place around Helensburgh asking people to take their litter home if the bins were full, as had been utilised in the National Park. Ms Anderson advised that a lot of people travelling to the area were coming by train or car and were reluctant to take rubbish with them, noting that ideally people would take their rubbish home with them but in catering to tourists coming to the area it would be more beneficial to have an increased provision of suitable places to dispose of litter available.

 

5.

Police Scotland Update pdf icon PDF 123 KB

Report by Inspector Roderick MacNeill, Police Scotland

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report and verbal update from Inspector Roderick MacNeill updating Members on current issues being dealt with by Police Scotland in the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted the contents of the report and information provided.

 

(Reference: Report by Inspector Roderick MacNeill, Police Scotland, dated 17 June 2021, submitted)

6.

Primary School Report 2020-21 - Helensburgh and Lomond pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Education

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a progress and statistical update report on the Primary Schools in the Helensburgh and Lomond area for the 2020/2021 session.

 

The Education Officer noted that information contained within the report around achievement of levels was information from 2019 as no information uplift had taken place in 2020 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Education Officer confirmed that a further information uplift around achievement of levels was taking place in June 2021.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Education, dated 7 May 2021, submitted)

7.

Supporting Communities Fund 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 267 KB

Report by Chief Executive

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report recommending the distribution of awards for the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund (SCF) 2021/2022 for the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

 

Councillor Mulvaney, having declared a financial interest in relation to the application from Visiting Friends, left the meeting during consideration of, and took no part in the discussion for, this application.

 

The Committee agreed to award funding to Visiting Friends as detailed in the decision below.

 

Councillor Mulvaney returned to the meeting following consideration of the Visiting Friends application.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed to award funding from the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund Budget 2021-22 for the Helensburgh and Lomond area as follows:

 

Ref

No

Organisation

Grant 20/21

Total Project Cost

Amount Requested

Award
2021/22

1

Albatross Arts CIC Jean's Bothy

No

£4,385

£2,500

£2,500

2

Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Energy Agency (ALIenergy)

No

£3,700

£625

No award

3

Cove and Kilcreggan Youth Café

No

£2,500

£2,500

No award

4

Family Mediation Argyll & Bute

No

£19,500

£2,500

No award

5

Friends of Duchess Wood

No

£8,215

£2,500

£1771.07

6

Gareloch Riding for the Disabled Association

Yes

£2,500

£2,500

No award

7

Garelochhead Station Trust

Yes

£1,808

£1,808

£1,808

8

Geilston Hall Management Committee

No

£3,950

£2,500

£2,500

9

Grey Matters Active Ageing

Yes

£2,742

£2,500

No award

10

Helensburgh Amateur Swimming Club

No

£2,750

£2,500

£2,500

11

Helensburgh and District Access Trust

No

£2,589

£2,089

£1771.07

12

Helensburgh Art Hub

Yes

£3,174

£2,500

£2,500

13

Helensburgh Tree Conservation Trust

No

£6,250

£2,500

No award

14

Males Tales Helensburgh

No

£12,780

£2,500

£2,500

15

Plastic Free Helensburgh

No

£1,603.58

£1,603.58

£1,603.58

16

Rosneath Community Garden

No

£2,145.02

£952.37

£952.37

17

Visiting Friends

No

£3,227

£2,417

£2,417

 

 

Total Available

£22,823.09

 

* Events & Festivals

Total Recommended

£22,823.09

 

 

Having moved an Amendment, which failed to find a seconder, Councillor Freeman asked for his dissent from the foregoing decision to be recorded.

 

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive, dated 19 May 2021, submitted)

 

Councillor Penfold briefly left and re-joined the meeting due to technical issues during discussion of the foregoing item.

8.

Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Update pdf icon PDF 436 KB

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the progress of the Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) process, background on the current backlog of TROs and the impact of statutory Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTRO) and Traffic Notices on the progression of permanent TROs.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee considered and noted the update on Traffic Regulation Order progress.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Infrastructure Services dated May 2021, submitted)

9.

Integration Joint Board- Performance Report (March 2021) pdf icon PDF 843 KB

Report by Head of Strategic Planning and Performance, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Partnership

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update from the Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) on the service performance impact resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and the progress made with regard to remobilising health and social care services.

 

The Committee noted that, in the absence of an officer from the Health and Social Care Partnership at the meeting, any questions on the report could be passed to the Committee Manager to seek a response.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

 

1.    noted and considered the HSCP performance progress regarding remobilisation of activity in line with NHS Highland performance targets for 2020/21 agreed with the Scottish Government to 70%-80% of 2019/20 activity; and

2.    noted and considered the extension to the reporting timescales for the Annual Performance Report and review guidance with regards to the Strategic Commissioning Plan and Integration Scheme.

 

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Planning & Performance, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated March 2021, submitted)

 

10.

Roads and Infrastructure Services Update pdf icon PDF 201 KB

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided an update on the recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure Services and highlighted works being undertaken in the Helensburgh and Lomond Area. 

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated May 2021, submitted)

 

11.

Area Scorecard FQ4 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 533 KB

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Customer Support Services

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report presenting the Area Report and Scorecard for Financial Quarter 4 2020/21 (January-March 2021), which illustrated the agreed performance measures.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed:

 

  1. to note the performance presented on the Scorecard and supporting commentary;
  2. that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report the Area Committee contact either the Responsible Named Officer or Sonya Thomas with any queries; and
  3. to note that work is ongoing and to respond to Sonya Thomas with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the Report and Scorecard.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 17 June 2021, submitted)

12.

Helensburgh Waterfront Development (HWD) - Project Position Update pdf icon PDF 433 KB

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Commercial Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided Members with a project position update in relation to the Helensburgh Waterfront Development (HWD) project.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the report.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Commercial Services, dated 26 May 2021, submitted)

13.

Request for Financial Assistance from Helensburgh and District Twinning Association pdf icon PDF 283 KB

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report outlining a request for financial assistance from the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Twinning Budget 2021/22 from the Helensburgh and District Twinning Association which would assist with the costs of a visit from residents of Thouars to Helensburgh, scheduled to take place in 2022.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed to grant the sum of £833 from the Twinning Budget for 2021/22 towards the costs of the visit.

 

Having moved an Amendment, which failed to find a seconder, Councillor Freeman asked for his dissent from the foregoing decision to be recorded.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 27 April 2021, submitted)

 

14.

Appointments to Area Community Planning Group and Outside Organisations pdf icon PDF 274 KB

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report seeking confirmation of the appointment of an Elected Member to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Group and also seeking the nomination of an Elected Member to represent the Council on the Cardross Trust.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed:

 

1.    to appoint Councillor Gemma Penfold as the remaining Elected Member representative to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group; and

2.    to appoint Councillor David Kinniburgh as the Elected Member representative to the Cardross Trust.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 18 May 2021, submitted)

15.

Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Workplan pdf icon PDF 329 KB

Minutes:

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Workplan as at June 2021 was before the Committee for noting.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted the contents of the workplan.

 

(Reference: Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Workplan, submitted)

16.

Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton Cyclepath Update

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to a report updating Members on the progress made since the previous report to the Committee on 25 March 2021 in relation to the delivery of Argyll and Bute Council’s long-standing commitment to the provision of a dedicated, high quality walking and cycle route linking Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

 

  1. welcomed the recommencement of the construction of the section linking Cardross Railway station to the Geilston Burn, Cardross; and
  2. noted the rescheduling of the community engagement to inform the design to June 2021.

 

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 17 May 2021, submitted)