Agenda and minutes

The Committee Manager welcomed everyone to the meeting and highlighted that both the Chair and Vice-Chair were unable to attend and had submitted apologies for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:

David Moore (Chair), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service;

Sarah Davies (Vice-Chair), Fun First/Plastic Free Helensburgh/Helensburgh Community Council;

Fiona Baker, Destination Helensburgh;

Katrina Sayer, Jean’s Bothy;

Alasdair MacCuish, Helensburgh Gaelic Group;

Anthony Mallon, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services; and

Councillor Mark Irvine.

In the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair, Councillor Fiona Howard chaired the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minutes of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Tuesday 14 February 2023 were approved as a correct record.

Presentation by the Community Planning and Development Team

Consideration was given to a presentation by the Council’s Community Planning team on their recent consultation ‘Improving Lives in Argyll and Bute’. The presentation included information on the promotion of the consultation; the support provided for non-digital participation and Community Groups and the responses received from the survey. It was noted that the top three priorities were transport and infrastructure, housing and community wellbeing. Information on how the information collated from the consultation would be used to progress the 2023-2033 iteration of the Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan (ABOIP) was also provided.

Decision

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

(Reference: Presentation by Community Planning and Development Team, Argyll and Bute Council)

The Group gave consideration to a report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ4 review of local performance across Helensburgh and Lomond for the period 2022-23. The report included information on the local firefighter training plan; incidents during this time period; unwanted fire alarm signals; road and water safety campaigns; community engagement activities; East and West Dumbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Local Senior Officer Activities and home fire safety. 

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update which included information on the ongoing work of the Service and provided information on the start-up of the Police Scotland Youth Volunteer (PSYV); internet safety school sessions; the Helensburgh Drive Scot Free road safety event and the roll-out of Naloxone to officers in Argyll and West Dunbartonshire.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, submitted)

Consideration was given to a written update by PC Drew Omand, Ministry of Defence Police. The update included information on arrests made at protests which took place at HMNB Clyde; temporary traffic control on the A814 at the North Gate of HMNB Clyde; the collaboration with Police Scotland on holding a Community Drop in and the work with the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV).

It was noted that if any organisation have any ideas or would like assistance from the PSYV’s then to contact PC Drew Omand or the Youth engagement officer PC Mark Toner.

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 Ministry of Defence Police, any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group.

(Reference: Report by Ministry of Defence Police, submitted)

The Group gave consideration to an update from Neil MacFarlane from Transport Scotland. The update advised that road resurfacing would be getting carried out at the Rest and be Thankful from the 31 May until the 11 June, with no works being carried out on Friday and Saturday nights. Mr MacFarlane further advised that layby and cycleway vegetation cut-backs had been carried out on the A82 Loch Lomondside with more planned and Solar bollards had been installed at Loch Lomondside laybys and an overhaul of the brown and white tourist signage at the same location is also in planning.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Transport Scotland, submitted)

Consideration was given to a quarterly update from Argyll and Bute Citizen’s Advice Bureau which provided statistical information highlighting the rise of clients and advice being given by the Bureau in 2022/23 compared to 2021/22. The update also provided information on the recruitment of volunteer advisors and the advice and support CAB can provide. Partners noted that they could participate in a survey and give their views on the work that the Bureau does in the community, which could be found at: Argyll and Bute CAB Community Partner Survey 2023 (smartsurvey.co.uk)

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Argyll and Bute Citizen’s Advice Bureau, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update from David Haggerty, Community Development Officer at Argyll and Bute Council. The update included information on assessments which are currently being undertaken for Argyll and Bute Council’s 2023/2024 Supporting Communities Fund which closed for applications on 30 March 2023.

The Group noted that recommendations would be made to Elected Members at Area Committees in June for consideration on which organisations would receive funding.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council, submitted)

The group gave consideration to an update by Paula Darbyshire of Argyll and Bute TSI which included information on local strategic partnerships; year 3 funding for the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund; future networking breakfasts; the Argyll and Bute Community Directory; volunteer of the year awards and the Argyll and Bute Positive Destinations project.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Argyll and Bute TSI, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update by UHI Argyll. The update highlighted that all staff have now returned to working from their local learning centre and that they expect all students to return to the centres from August. The update also advised that all UHI centres continue to provide additional support in response to rising living costs; that they will be holding an open day at the beginning of June and that they will be having a stall at the Helensburgh Highland Games on Saturday 3rd June.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by UHI Argyll, submitted)

The Group gave consideration to an update by Rhona Grant, Live Argyll - Community Learning Service, which provided information on the Scottish Youth Parliament Elections which are due to take place in November and information on the new Youth Work Services Team Leader, Wendy Reid. The update also provided information relating to adult learning in Helensburgh which includes a family reading group on Wednesday afternoons and basic IT classes running on Tuesday afternoons.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Team Leader – Community Learning Services, Live Argyll, submitted)

The Group considered a written update from Katrina Sayer, Jean’s Bothy. The update included information on the current membership numbers; the monthly programme of activities and groups; fundraising events planned; the collaboration work on the Big Community Bake Sale; the ‘Peace of Mind’ book; Jean’s Bothy ‘on location’; mental health awareness week and The Life Aquatic Project” expedition.

It was also noted that Katrina Sayer the Development Manager had been shortlisted in the Argyll & Bute HSCP Excellence Awards in the Partner Category with her and 2 members from Jean’s Bothy due to attend the Ceremony on the 12 May.

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 Jean’s Bothy, any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group.

(Reference: Report by Development Manager, Jean’s Bothy, dated May 2023, submitted)

The Group considered an update by Angela Anderson of Plastic Free Helensburgh, the update provided information on beach cleans that resumed in January; the Keep Scotland Beautiful Upstream Battle anchor group meeting and the Coastal Communities and Scottish Island Federation Marine Litter Conference which representatives had attended.

It was highlighted that Plastic Free Helensburgh are continuing to explore ways in which they can sustainably dispose of the huge quantities of plastic contaminated debris washed up during the winter storms and discourage littering.

Angela highlighted her thanks to Councillors for supporting the ban on single use vapes.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Plastic Free Helensburgh, submitted)

Consideration was given to a written update from Sarah Davies, Helensburgh Community Council, which provided an overview of the Community Council’s activities. The update provided information on The Community Clubs event which was a great success; a survey conducted in relation to the waterfront development; a local businesses meeting; the monthly beach cleans and the cleaning and tidying up of the shrub beds in Colqhuon Square.

It was noted that Helensburgh Community Council have applied for a grant through the Supporting Communities Fund so that they can pay for skips to continue to remove the marine litter from Helensburgh beaches and the Clyde.

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 Helensburgh Community Council any questions could be forwarded to them following the meeting and any responses circulated to the Group.

(Reference: Report by Helensburgh Community Council, submitted)

Helensburgh Community Hub

Gill Simpson highlighted that the Hub had been working on tackling unexplored topics such as death advising that they had held events on demystifying death week which had brought a lot of conversation with Gill encouraging partners to get involved. Gill also advised of the Menopause cafe which is held every month and the building of their volunteer offers, highlighting that they are holding a volunteer recognition event for local groups and informal volunteers with it being noted that if anyone knows anyone who should be invited then to get In touch.

It was also advised that there is a Big Community Bake Sale with the Hub raising funds for the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT)

Allan Comrie highlighted that the bus network in Helensburgh and Lomond is stable with no changes to the concessionary fares and the uptake of the under 22 free bus travel scheme is much greater now with more young people taking advantage of the scheme.

Report by Health Improvement Lead, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

The Group considered a public health report on the ongoing wellbeing and prevention activities overseen and delivered by the HSCP Public Health Team in Argyll and Bute. The Interim Health Improvement Lead presented a number of key messages from the 2022 annual report of the Director of Public Health on Prevention. The full report can be found at: NHSH DPH Annual Report 2022 (adobe.com)

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Interim Health Improvement Lead, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, submitted)

Presentation by Susan Tuite, Senior Welfare Rights Officer

Consideration was given to a presentation by Susan Tuite, Senior Welfare Rights Officer. The presentation included information on the welfare rights service; their aims and roles; what information/advice and help they can provide; partnership working; 2022/23 highlights; customer satisfaction and information on how to contact the Welfare Rights team.

Decision

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

(Reference: Presentation by Senior Welfare Rights Officer, Argyll and Bute Council)

Presentation by Andy McClay, Luss and Arden Community Council

The Group gave consideration to a presentation by Andy McClay, Luss and Arden Community Council. The presentation included an introduction to the Luss and Arden Local Place Plan; information on community issues and aspirations; priority actions and next steps. It was noted that the Plan is available to view at www.bit.ly/luss-arden-LPP.

Decision

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

(Reference: Local Place Plan by Luss and Arden Community Council, submitted)

Presentation by Laura Eales, Home Start Lomond

The Group gave consideration to a presentation by Laura Eales from Home Start Lomond. The presentation included information on who Home Start are and what they do; the impact they have on parents; the volunteers and staff; the support and services they provide and the families they support. Laura also provided information on referrals; direct support activities and the great feedback they have received from families they’ve helped.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report Manager, Home Start Lomond, submitted)

Presentation by Gail Broadhurst

Consideration was given to a verbal update by Gail Broadhurst on behalf of the Helensburgh Winter Festival. Gail provided information on the initial plans for the Festival this winter and the work being taken forward regarding encouraging other organisations to participate. It was also highlighted that the Festival is to celebrate Helensburgh and attract people to the town.

Decision

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

(Reference: Verbal report by Gail Broadhurst, Helensburgh Winter Festival)

Report by Chair of Climate Change Working Group

Consideration was given to a report which highlighted the ongoing work of the Climate Change Working Group. The report outlined the proposal to produce a strategic Action Plan as a means to address the climate emergency in Argyll and Bute; the approved governance arrangements to support the Climate Change Project Manager post and the ongoing work on the recruitment of a Project Manager.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Chair of the Community Planning Partnership Climate Change Working Group, dated 27 April 2023, submitted)

Report By Committee Manager

Consideration was given to a briefing note which provided information on matters discussed during a meeting of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee, held on 23 March 2023.

The Committee Manager outlined a number of key highlights from the meeting including the Child Poverty Report; the work around financial Inclusion; the community wealth building audit and the digital communities work.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, submitted)

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 22 August 2023.

The Chair thanked everyone in attendance at the meeting, and thanked all partners for their continued proactive work in the community.

The Group noted that the next meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group would take place on Tuesday 22 August 2023.