Agenda and minutes

Venue: Microsoft Teams

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

Items
No. Item

1.

WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed everyone and outlined the procedure for the meeting.

 

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:

 

Councillor Barbara Morgan;

Councillor Graham Archibald Hardie;

Inspector Roderick MacNeill, Police Scotland;

Chief Inspector Emma Grimason, Police Scotland;

Sergeant Alan Heron, Police Scotland;

Janice Kennedy, Scottish Enterprise;

Fiona Baker, Destination Helensburgh;

Rhona Grant, Argyll and Bute Council;

Alasdair MacCuish, Helensburgh Gaelic Group;

Lynn Campbell, Department for Work and Pensions;

Eddie Cusick, Helensburgh Community Hub;

Susan MacRae, Skills Development Scotland; and

Jayne Burnett, Visiting Friends.

 

2.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

3.

MINUTES

3a

Meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group held on Thursday, 20th May 2021 pdf icon PDF 331 KB

Minutes:

The Minute of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Thursday, 20th of May 2021 was approved as a correct record.

4.

PARTNERS UPDATES

4a

Transport Scotland Update

Verbal Update by Transport Scotland

Minutes:

Neil MacFarlane, Transport Scotland, advised the Group that following extensive resurfacing earlier in the year on Loch Lomondside there were no current programmed works in the area, however it was hoped that another 24/7 resurfacing project would take place prior to the end of the financial year. Neil confirmed that partners would be notified of any such works due to successful foliage clearing and litter picking works which had been undertaken alongside roadworks previously. Neil also provided information to the Group around a project to revamp the road signs on the A82, scheduled to take place between 13th September and 22nd October 2021.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

4b

Police Scotland Update pdf icon PDF 235 KB

Update by Police Scotland

Minutes:

The Group considered a written update from Police Scotland, providing information around the impact of Covid-19; future planning for the COP26 Climate Change Conference being held in Glasgow in November 2021; work around increased visitor numbers to the area; fraud prevention; online child exploitation; local crime figures; a national metal theft campaign; and the Keep Safe initiative providing safe places for vulnerable people to seek support.

 

PC Laura Evans provided the Group with information around the Herbert Protocol and the new Suicide Bereavement Support Service, encouraging partners to highlight and engage with these initiatives. It was agreed that PC Evans would provide information in relation to these initiatives to be shared with the Group.

 

Discussion took place around the best way to share information around fraud prevention with the community and steps which should be taken when someone was thought to have been the victim of fraud. PC Evans noted that Sergeant Littlejohn had provided face-to-face support to the Garelochhead Station Trust around this following the last meeting of the Group, and agreed to arrange similar support for Grey Matters Active Ageing as requested.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

 

(Reference: Report by Inspector Roderick MacNeill, Police Scotland, submitted)

4c

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Update pdf icon PDF 329 KB

Update by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Minutes:

The Group considered a report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ1 review of local performance across Helensburgh and Lomond for 2021-22.

 

The Chair outlined the information contained within the report and highlighted the impact of a large influx of visitors to the area on statistics. The Chair noted that he would also be providing information in relation to water safety at a later point in the meeting.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

 

(Reference: Report by Allan Gemmel, Watch Commander/Local Authority Liaison Officer, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, submitted)

4d

Argyll College UHI Update pdf icon PDF 266 KB

Update by Argyll College UHI

Minutes:

The Group considered a written update from Argyll College UHI which provided a brief summary of their activities. The update also included information on student success, as well as information around applying for courses and accessing support.

 

Dr Faye Tudor advised that work was still taking place remotely, with ongoing consultation around government guidelines and health and safety information. Dr Tudor provided details of support with remote learning which had been made available to students during the previous academic year, noting that she hoped that this could be put in place for the upcoming academic year if necessary. Dr Tudor explained the reasons that remote learning was necessary for Argyll College UHI and noted that this would be continually re-assessed in line with changing Government guidance.

 

Discussion took place around the benefits of more courses focused on sustainability and for training around the maintenance of heat pumps, where skills were in high demand. Dr Tudor provided information around the relevant courses currently offered and agreed to give the matter further consideration.   

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

 

(Reference: Update by Dr Faye Tudor, Learning Centre Manager, Argyll College UHI, submitted)

 

4e

Helensburgh Community Council Update pdf icon PDF 259 KB

Update by Helensburgh Community Council

Minutes:

The Group considered a written update from Helensburgh Community Council which provided an overview of their activities and local issues, covering the period August 2019 to May 2021.

 

Sarah Davies advised that a further written update providing information around the Community Council’s recent activities would be circulated to the Group following the meeting. Sarah confirmed that Webinars would be continuing via Zoom, however it was hoped that face-to-face activities could resume soon. Sarah also provided information around a focus on environmental issues on the run up to the COP26 Climate Change Conference; some problems caused by an increase in visitors to the area during the Summer; discussions with Council officers around street-cleaning, bins, and parking issues; consultations with Taylor Wimpey around proposed building works; the Helensburgh Summer Festival; and the purchase of the old Visitors Book of Helensburgh.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

 

(Reference: Report by Norman Muir, Helensburgh Community Council, dated 17th June 2021, submitted)

4f

Community Learning Service Update pdf icon PDF 232 KB

Update by Community Learning Service

Minutes:

The Group considered a written update from the Community Learning Service which detailed information around the transfer of Community Learning Services to Live Argyll; the re-instatement of the Health and Wellbeing Project; the Enhanced Summer Programme being delivered throughout July and August; and the continued development of a new Community Learning and Development Plan for 2021-24.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group:

 

  1. considered and noted the information provided; and
  2. noted that in the absence of a representative from the Community Learning Service, any questions could be sent to Rhona Grant following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group.

 

(Reference: Update by Rhona Grant, Community Learning Team Leader, Live Argyll, submitted)

4g

Opportunity for verbal updates by Area Community Planning Group Partners

Minutes:

Barbara Warren, Grey Matters Active Ageing

 

Barbara Warren advised that the organisation had been very busy during the pandemic, with lots of online activities taking place. Barbara noted that previous funding from TSI for a co-ordinator had ended in March 2021 and attempts were ongoing to access funding to continue this post.

 

Barbara advised that the Group faced an issue where some members were ready to return to face-to-face activities and some members remained wary, so the organisation was proceeding with a mix of activities whereby some would take place online and some would take place face-to-face in line with government guidance.

 

Barbara encouraged any organisations to contact Alison Gildea around volunteering and opportunities to link with other organisations, as many members of Grey Matters Active Ageing were very skilled and looking to get involved with the community. Barbara advised that she would also be grateful for any assistance with identifying funding sources.

 

Sarah Davies, Fun First

 

Sarah Davies provided an update on Fun First and noted that the organisation did not usually carry out activities during the Summer holidays, but had run some very successfully attended stay-and-play sessions during this period. Sarah confirmed that daily sessions had resumed in Helensburgh and Garelochhead as schools had returned this week. Sarah noted that some difficulty was being experienced in locating suitable venues as many places remained closed, however they were currently using the Drumfork Centre and Gibson Hall.

 

Sarah advised that Fun First were hoping to employ some extra leaders, and to appoint a new manager, and encouraged anyone who had any suggestions in relation to this to contact her directly.

 

Councillor Lorna Douglas

 

Councillor Douglas provided an update on the Helensburgh Community Hall, noting that the work which had been highlighted at the May meeting of the Group had now been completed. Councillor Douglas advised that the Hall was starting to fill up with community groups using the space, including a new youth group which was scheduled to begin next Friday. Councillor Douglas advised that a new Development Manager had been appointed and was starting in post in September.

 

Allan Comrie, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT)

 

Allan Comrie advised that work was ongoing with cycle schemes from Dumbarton to Helensburgh and Helensburgh to Faslane. Allan noted that issues had arisen with the cycle paths, particularly around land ownership, but the schemes were moving on. Allan advised that SPT were also in discussions with Argyll and Bute Council and other partners around proposals for a railway station at Faslane.

 

Allan provided information around Scottish Government funding for public bus services providing links to vaccine centres, due to the downturn in the use of public transport during the pandemic. Allan also noted that confirmation had been received that young people under 22 would be eligible for free bus travel from January 31st 2022.

 

Allan advised that rail services were being looked at in detail at a national level, with early proposals being circulated around potential changes to services after May 2022. Allan noted that early proposals did not indicate large changes for the Helensburgh and Lomond area, however it would be for Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government to agree this in due course. Allan noted that ScotRail were also investigating ways to rebuild patronage and confidence in using trains. Allan advised  that concerns from ScotRail around  difficulties in training drivers could impact services in future if staffing levels were reduced. 

 

Morevain Martin, Garelochhead Station Trust

 

Morevain Martin confirmed that Garelochhead Station Trust bus trips had recommenced, with a trip to Skermorlie in June; Inveraray in July; Ayr in August; and a planned trip to East Fortune Aircraft Museum in September. Morevain noted that a new craft group and a new Airfix group were also starting up. Morevain advised that fortnightly brunch clubs with activities were continuing and the Garelochhead Station Trust AGM would take place after the brunch club on the 14th September.

 

Morevain noted that some of the Trustees had recently visited Nairn Station to see the work that they had carried out on the building in turning it into a Men’s Shed following a takeover of the building by a third sector organisation, and thanked SPT for the free transport to the venue. Morevain confirmed that the Trust had been successful in raising funds to have a septic tank fitted, with the majority of funds coming from the Railway Heritage Trust with support from the Friends of the West Highland Lines as they are hoping to develop the switch room.

 

Morevain advised that the Trust had been successful in securing Covenant funding for a 12 week course aimed at recent or planned military leavers which would provide them with a variety of advice and support from various organisations, including courses on basic cookery, stress management, and budgeting. Morevain noted that the last week of the course would include advice on how to cook a Christmas dinner, and they would cook Christmas dinner for the rest of the members.

5.

COMMUNITY FOCUS

5a

Cardross Climate Action Network

Verbal Presentation by Heather Munro, Cardross Climate Action Network

Minutes:

Heather Munro, Cardross Climate Action Network (CardrossCAN), provided the Group with recent statistical information around climate change. Heather also provided information around the background of the organisation and their aims as a network of people in sharing knowledge to encourage and support people to make the changes needed to tackle climate issues. Heather advised that the Group consisted of people who had wide-ranging expertise across many climate issues. Heather noted that the network currently communicate via mailing list but are also on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

 

Heather advised that CardrossCAN hold monthly Zoom meetings with relevant speakers, and have built up a network linking people with similar interests and creating various project groups. Heather noted that the project groups include work around home energy efficiency; recycling; Cardross Bay; and the potential start of a community garden.  Heather noted that a further project group was being formulated around sustainable transport.

 

Heather advised that CardrossCAN were co-ordinating with Plastic Free Helensburgh to promote events for Climate Fringe Week and were also creating a short film, describing their hopes for the future and envisaging what Cardross could look like as a net-zero community in 2045.

 

Heather advised that the organisation had taken off more than expected since its creation as more and more people were concerned about the future and climate change information, however CardrossCAN are a deliberately non-judgemental group who understand that net-zero lifestyles cannot be achieved overnight. Heather noted that CardrossCAN aim to have fun and keep activities family friendly, with enthusiasm growing for the project as changes are made over time.

 

Kirsty Moyes encouraged Heather to get in touch if she would be interested in having any of the Group partners attend any future events as many of the projects discussed were in line with Community Planning thematic priorities and it could be useful to make connections with different organisations.

 

Shona Barton and the Chair invited Heather to attend future meetings of the Group, and Heather confirmed that she would be happy to do this.

 

PC Evans offered support where required from Police Scotland, suggesting possible assistance with bike marking during events in relation to sustainable travel.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group:

 

  1. considered and noted the information provided; and
  2. agreed to invite Cardross Climate Action Network to attend future meetings of the Group.

5b

Discussion around future Community Focus items

Minutes:

The Chair led discussion around future Community Focus items which could be of interest to the Group, and suggested Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service could provide updates on local activities and initiatives during the Community Focus item in future.

 

Kirsty Moyes outlined the background to the Community Focus section of the agenda, and discussion took place around the way in which it had previously functioned on an area or thematic basis. Angela Anderson suggested that having an area-based approach could encourage local groups to contribute. Sarah Davies suggested that it may be beneficial to attempt to engage with more community groups and Community Councils to encourage them to attend, particularly to encourage those whose attendance may have been impacted by the pandemic, and Shona Barton agreed to look into this.

 

Further discussion took place around community interaction and places where many community groups came together, and it was agreed that Kirsty would invite the Development Manager, Helensburgh Community Hub, to a future meeting of the Group.

 

The Chair encouraged anyone who had any further ideas for future Community Focus items to provide these by e-mail following the meeting.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group agreed:

 

1.    to invite Police Scotland and the Scottish and Fire Rescue Service to provide information on local activities and initiatives at the Community Focus item of a future meeting of the Group;

2.    to engage with local community groups and Community Councils to encourage them to attend future meetings of the Group;

3.    to invite the Development Manager, Helensburgh Community Hub, to a future meeting of the Group; and

4.    that partners could contact the Chair, Shona Barton, or Iona Campbell with suggestions for any future community focus items by e-mail following the meeting.

6.

CLIMATE CHANGE

6a

Climate Change Working Group - Involvement of Area Community Planning Groups pdf icon PDF 315 KB

Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

Minutes:

The Group gave consideration to a briefing note providing information on the Climate Change Working Group which had been formed by the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee, the aims of the Group and the ways in which the Area Community Planning Groups could become more involved with it.

 

Heather Munro suggested that it may be beneficial for the Climate Change Working Group to get involved in the cycle path from Dumbarton to Helensburgh, in an aim to overcome issues with progress. Morevain Martin suggested that it would be useful to also look at all of the cycle paths in the area, highlighting an issue with a cycle path on the peninsula near Rosneath as there is a point where it stops at a very dangerous part of the road on a hairpin bend.

 

Angela Anderson advised that she would be very happy to get involved with the Climate Change Working Group and be the Group representative. Angela advised that climate change was very important to Argyll in particular as a coastal area, and she believed that more organisations and expertise feeding in to discussions would be beneficial. Angela confirmed that she would be happy to discuss and feed in local issues to the Climate Change Working Group. Angela also advised that the Council were being encouraged by local groups to include a section indicating any potential implications for climate change in Council reports.

 

Sarah Davies confirmed that she would be happy to be the substitute representative for the Group on the Climate Change Working Group.

 

Following discussion around how feedback from the Climate Change Working Group could be communicated to the Group, Shona Barton advised that it was hoped that Climate Change could become a standing item on Area Community Planning Groups agendas and that any representatives from the Group who were nominated to the Climate Change Working Group could take this opportunity during meetings to provide feedback on their activities. 

 

The Group noted that Cardross Climate Action Network, Plastic Free Helensburgh and Time for Change Argyll and Bute were already included in the ACT interactive map. The Chair asked anyone who was aware of any other relevant projects or organisations for inclusion in the ACT interactive map to send them on by e-mail following the meeting.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group;

 

1.    discussed the information outlined in the briefing and provided suggestions for actions for the Climate Change Working Group;

2.    nominated Angela Anderson to represent the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group on the Climate Change Working Group;

3.    nominated Sarah Davies to be a substitute representative for the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group on the Climate Change Working Group;

4.    agreed to provide details of any relevant projects/organisations that could be put forward as an addition to the ACT interactive map by e-mail following the meeting; and

5.    agreed to add Climate Change as a standing item to future meeting agendas.

 

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 19th August 2021, submitted)

6b

Plastic Free Helensburgh pdf icon PDF 12 KB

Report by Plastic Free Helensburgh

Minutes:

The Group gave consideration to a written report and verbal update from Angela Anderson, Plastic Free Helensburgh, providing information on the background of the group and their plans to achieve Plastic Free town status as part of the Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Communities project. Angela also outlined information around Plastic Free Helensburgh’s activities and provided information on their plans for the future, including a programme of events scheduled for Climate Fringe Week which would also be advertised in the press.

 

Angela advised that the group did require more members for their steering group and encouraged anyone who was interested to get involved. The Chair suggested that Basecamp could be a good way for groups to advertise any events or vacancies arising.

 

Angela also asked if clarity could be received from Argyll and Bute Council Officers around local waste strategies and Shona Barton agreed to liaise with Angela following the meeting around the information she required in order to direct her queries to the appropriate Officer.

 

Angela also offered congratulations to a number of Olympians who had trained at Rhu. Angela noted her concerns that water quality in Rhu was already poor and could be affected by the planned development of additional housing there.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

 

(Reference: Report by Angela Anderson, Plastic Free Helensburgh, submitted)

6c

Time for Change Argyll and Bute pdf icon PDF 121 KB

Report by Time for Change Argyll and Bute

Minutes:

The Group gave consideration to a written report and verbal update from Angela Anderson, Time for Change Argyll and Bute, providing information on the background and aims of the organisation. Angela also provided an overview of their activities, including details of how to join an upcoming Argyll and Bute Climate Summit as part of Climate Fringe Week.

 

Angela advised that she was encouraged by the news that the Council would be offering Climate Literacy training to Elected Members and suggested that it may be beneficial to share future training opportunities with the Group if anyone would be interested in this. Angela noted that Time for Change Argyll and Bute was a very good organisation to be a part of and encouraged people to get involved if they had an interest in climate change.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

 

(Reference: Report by Angela Anderson, Time for Change Argyll and Bute, submitted)

7.

WATER SAFETY

Discussion Facilitated by Chair

Minutes:

The Chair led the Group in a discussion around water safety, following a number of local tragedies. The Chair provided details of the way partnership working was being utilised to analyse trends and hotspots and to identify areas where attention was needed, particularly during the periods of peak concern between April-September. The Chair noted that a Working Group involving relevant partners was liaising with Water Safety Scotland to adopt consistent messaging at a national level.

 

Discussion took place around the benefits of increased water safety signage; the dangers that jet skis could present on the water and the need for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park to introduce bye-laws to address this; the impact of shelving on water temperatures; the differences between swimming in freshwater and saltwater; and the need for increased education around water safety.

 

Sarah Davies advised that there had been a long period where swimming lessons were not available during the pandemic and there were now long waiting lists for swimming lessons locally. The Chair agreed to approach Live Argyll for further information in relation to this and circulate any response to the Group.

 

Kirsty Moyes noted that she had shared information from Water Safety Scotland on the Basecamp site for the Group and encouraged anyone who may require assistance with printing resources to contact her.

 

The Chair advised that many of the issues raised were being considered by Water Safety Scotland at a national level and water safety issues would require a prolonged, targeted approach and early education to resolve. The Chair confirmed that he would continue to provide the Group with information as it became available, and would aim to provide a further update to the Group at a meeting prior to Summer 2022.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group:

 

1.    considered and noted the information provided; and

2.    agreed to approach Live Argyll for further information in relation to long waiting lists for swimming lessons and any plans to resolve this in future; and

3.    noted that a further update in relation to water safety would be provided at a future meeting of the Group and prior to Summer 2022.

 

8.

AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING ACTION PLAN UPDATE

Verbal Update

Minutes:

The Chair provided an update to the Group on behalf of the Community Planning Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, as follows:

 

Work on Locality Plans for Area Community Planning Groups is currently postponed due to staff vacancies within the Community Planning and Development Team.”

 

The Chair advised that he would aim to provide a further update in relation to this at the next meeting of the Group.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the information provided.

9.

COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE pdf icon PDF 220 KB

Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

Minutes:

The Group considered a briefing note which provided information around matters discussed during a virtual meeting of the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee, held on 30th June 2021.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the briefing note.

 

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 19th August 2021, submitted)

10.

CHAIRS REMARKS

Minutes:

The Chair thanked everyone for all of their hard work and advised that the work which had taken place throughout the Covid-19 pandemic had been particularly admirable. The Chair advised that all efforts were very much appreciated and he wanted to take the time to ensure that people were given deserved praise for their actions.

 

The Chair thanked Laura Cameron and Samantha Somers for all of their efforts with the Group and congratulated them on their new career paths. The Chair also took the opportunity to welcome Shona Barton to the group and to thank Kirsty Moyes and Iona Campbell for their assistance.

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group considered and noted the Chairs remarks.

11.

APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR OF THE HELENSBURGH AND LOMOND AREA COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP pdf icon PDF 130 KB

Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

Minutes:

The Group considered a report providing information relating to the appointment of a Chair of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group and outlining the expected time commitment and information about the role.

 

As there were no nominations for a Chair at the meeting, it was agreed that the report would be continued to the next meeting of the Group and that further information in relation to the role of Chair would be circulated by e-mail. Shona Barton advised that she would be happy to discuss the role with anyone who may be interested and advised that Kirsty Moyes, Iona Campbell and the Vice-Chair would also offer their assistance wherever possible. 

 

Decision

 

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group:

 

1.    agreed to continue consideration of the report and appointment of a Chair to the next meeting of the Group; and

2.    noted that further information in relation to the role of Chair would be circulated to the Group by e-mail.

 

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, dated 19th August 2020, submitted)

12.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Group will take place on Thursday, 18th of November 2021.

Minutes:

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group would take place on Thursday, 18th of November 2021.