Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:

Rona Gold, Communities and Partnerships Manager, Argyll and Bute Council

Seonaid Cameron, ACHA

Katrina Sayer, Jean’s Bothy

Councillor Mark Irvine, Argyll and Bute Council

Sheelagh O’Reilly, Cove and Kilcreggan Community Council

Alasdair MacCuish, Helensburgh Gaelic Group

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

The Minute of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group meeting held on Tuesday 13 May 2025 was approved as a correct record.

The Group considered the actions from the previous meeting and noted that the majority had been completed or were in the process of being completed. Paul Ashworth from Live Argyll provided a verbal update on the Helensburgh Leisure Centre advising that the Council had appointed a specialist contractor to undertake the roof repairs, and no date had yet been set to restore the gym and library to their original locations.  Paul also highlighted the impact assessment being undertaken with Council colleagues on the proposed closure of Cardross Library; the current survey being undertaken of library members and engagement with Cardross Primary pupils for feedback.

ACTION - Paul Ashworth to action a link to the survey being added to Live Argyll’s website.

ACTION – Paul Ashworth to send the link to this Group admin to be distributed to the Group.

ACTION – Paul Ashworth to liaise with colleagues to consider a child-friendly version of the Cardross Library survey and potential Sunday opening of the library.

Report by Governance Officer, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to a report by the Governance Officer and nominations for Chair were invited.  Gill Simpson was nominated to take on the role of Chair with no further nominations being received.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group appointed Gill Simpson as Chair.

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

Presentation by Corporate Support Manager and Area Plans Officers, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to a presentation by Stuart Green, Project Manager for Aspiring Places: Community Projects in Argyll and Bute.  The presentation included details of the last update to Community Planning Groups, launch of the platform, expressions of interest, funding streams and next steps.

Stuart highlighted that prior to the project, information gathering was ad-hoc as funding became available, and as funding deadlines had shortened over time there were missed opportunities.  He noted that the project had provided a comprehensive picture of aspiring community projects which were ready to be matched with external funding opportunities as they arise.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group noted the

provided information.

(Reference: Report by Project Officer, submitted)

Update by Community Planning Team, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group gave consideration to an update by John McLuckie regarding the progress of Transport in relation to the Argyll and Bute Outcomes and Improvement Plan. 

John highlighted the work undertaken at the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee meeting in June to refine the actions for the CPP around Transport; to establish what resources Partners could bring both to develop actions, to commence work on the actions and to seek financial input from Partners.  He further noted the actions to establish a Helensburgh Transport Working Group and to consider a Community Active Travel Network.

Decision

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

Action – John McLuckie to update the Group at the next meeting on what the finalised CPP actions were and how they would be taken forward.

Action – Lindsay Young to lead on establishment of the Helensburgh Transport Working Group.  Any group member wishing to join the working group to contact Group Admin.

(Reference: Report by Planning Lead, submitted)

i)             Introduction into Housing

Update from Community Planning Team

ii)            Local Housing Strategy

Update from Housing Strategy Manager

       I.          The Group gave consideration to a presentation from John McLuckie of the Communities and Partnerships Team, Argyll and Bute Council, which highlighted the agreed objectives of the Argyll and Bute Outcomes and Improvement Plan to tackle Housing issues in Argyll and Bute. The Group were advised that a list of questions would be circulated amongst Partners following the meeting. 

Decision

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

ACTION - John McLuckie to share a list of questions with Partners for consideration and feedback to the Communities and Partnership Team. Partners to form a sub-group to respond to the questions collectively should they wish to, noting that no resource from the Council would be available to facilitate this.

(Reference: Presentation by Planning Lead, Argyll and Bute Council, submitted)

     II.          The Group gave consideration to an update by Douglas Whyte, Housing Strategy Manager, Argyll and Bute Council, regarding the progress of the  Housing Emergency Action Plan. The update highlighted the granting of planning consent; Scottish Government Engagement; Strategic Development Frameworks; External Investment; Improving Home Energy Efficiency and Fuel Poverty; Worker Accommodation from Infrastructure Providers;  Empty Homes for Workers; RSL Housing Provision & Pipeline; Community Housing Projects; engagement with CPP/ABOIP.

Matt Mulderrig, Development Policy and Housing Manager, Argyll and Bute Council,  spoke to the report, highlighting that sustainability and consideration of environmental impacts were woven into the planning and construction of housing.  Matt also highlighted the Housing Management Team’s collaboration with community housing trusts and noted that issues or concerns around current regulations could be raised with relevant bodies during periodic reviews.

Decision

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

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

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

The Group gave consideration to a report provided by the Health Improvement Principal, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership which highlighted Community Link Work; Community Link Working – Remote and Island Evaluation; Suicide Prevention Training; Argyll and Bute Living Well; Art of Hosting methods; Launch of the Population Health Framework and an update regarding Living Well next steps.

Gill Simpson noted that she had some questions about the update report that was in the agenda pack, advised that she would contact Public Health directly, and that further engagement from the Public Health Team would take place at a future meeting.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group noted the

information provided.

(Reference: Report by Health Improvement Principal, submitted)

Presentation by Senior Service Planning Manager and Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Lead, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

The Group considered a presentation by Samantha Sommers, Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Lead, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, which highlighted the Health and Social Care Partnership plans in place to support Telecare users in the event of a prolonged power outage. Samantha highlighted the technology used to manage crisis situations and noted that the service had a Critical Recovery Plan which incorporated monitoring connection using a traffic light system which flagged up when an operator goes down. She highlighted that the service continued to bottom-out issues with successive tiers of resilience and welcomed feedback from the Group on any specific examples of crisis issues.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group noted the

information provided.

(Reference: Report by Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Lead, submitted)

The Group  considered a report highlighting Police Scotland’s priorities for the Cowal, Bute and Helensburgh areas. Inspector Bart Simonis of Police Scotland highlighted seasonal anti-social behaviour driven by lighter nights; increased theft around farms; speed checks in response to community complaints and noted that work around building an intelligence picture of individuals who were repeat shoplifting offenders had resulted in convictions, which had in turn resulted in a reduction in shoplifting. Bart confirmed that the CCTV funding bid had been approved by Argyll and Bute Council, with environmental concerns being considered in relation to the siting of cameras.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, submitted)

The Group considered a report highlighting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ1 review of local performance across Helensburgh and Lomond for the period 2025-26.  The report included statistics on the activity of the Service. 

Station Commander Robert Taylor of SFRS delivered a presentation on the Service Delivery Review currently being undertaken. Robert highlighted that the review was based on current community risk index models and encouraged engagement with the Review.

The Chair noted the change of format for the quarterly briefing report, and that the figures were notably different.  She sought clarification of any change in the manner of collating the statistics. 

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group noted the

information provided.

Action – Robert Taylor to request clarification from Anthony McGloin about which area the statistics refer to for the next meeting.

Action – Robert Taylor to send information about registering interest in the Helensburgh Public Meeting regarding the Service Delivery Review to Group admin for distribution.

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

Consideration was given to an update from the Adult Learning Team, Live Argyll. The update highlighted Adult Learning provision and Youth Work in the

Helensburgh area. Caroline Whitson of Live Argyll highlighted the work of the team at Jean’s Bothy in completing the Health Issues in the Community course.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Live Argyll, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update from Transport Scotland. Ian Woodcock of Transport Scotland highlighted that the road closure on the A82 may need to be a full road closure; shared details regarding closures of the Rest and Be Thankful for ongoing ground investigation works and advised that the outline business case for the potential changes to the Gourock/Kilcreggan ferry route continued to be under consideration with an update scheduled by the end of the year.

Decision

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

(Reference: Report by Area Manager, Transport Scotland, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update from David Hagerty, Community Development Officer at Argyll and Bute Council. The update included information on the ongoing work with community groups, an upcoming meeting of the Community Learning and Development partnership, information on the Supporting Communities Fund and information about the Recovery Orientated Systems of Care.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group noted the

information provided.

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

Consideration was given to an update from Caryl Mclean from Argyll and Bute TSI. The update included information about the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund opening, HR support, TSI Strategy Review 2026-2031, Community Directory and Funding Platform refresh, and the Wellbeing Development Manager update.  Caryl highlighted the TSI collaboration work with the Poverty Alliance noting that the Scotland Demands Better campaign would be holding a march to the Scottish Parliament.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group noted the

information provided.

ACTION – Becky Hothersall of the Poverty Alliance to share information about the upcoming march with Group admin for distribution.

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

Consideration was given to an update from Helensburgh Community Hub, which highlighted the work of the Hub including Helensburgh’s first Pride event, Helensburgh Repair Café Launch and an upcoming collaboration with Fun First.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group noted the

provided information.

 (Reference: Report by Helensburgh Community Hub, submitted)

Consideration was given to a written update from Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) which included information about Planning, Music in the Square, Town Improvement, Community Council meetings and an update on the status of office bearers.  Elizabeth Lambert, HCC Secretary, highlighted that the current HCC priority was to get the Place Plan out to consultation.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group noted the

provided information.

(Reference: Report by Helensburgh Community Council, submitted)

Consideration was given to a written update from Rhu and Shandon Community

Council (RSCC) which included information about ongoing planning matters and forestry work, development of the LPP, highlights of the work being undertaken by the Environment and Infrastructure Group, as well as noting Active Travel and Footpath issues.  Fiona Baker of RSCC highlighted that the current issues being addressed were the impact of bank charges on charitable groups and lack of public toilet facilities in Rhu.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group noted the

provided information.

(Reference: Report by Rhu and Shandon Community Council, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update from UHI which highlighted increased interest in particular courses, the breadth of courses on offer, ongoing collaboration with Hermitage Academy and the continuing work to increase awareness of UHI Argyll in Helensburgh.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group noted the

provided information.

(Reference: Report by UHI Argyll, submitted)

Consideration was given to an update from the Grab Trust which included the Trust’s work to fund the application process for a CivTech Challenges contract.  A successful application would provide the Trust with funding to find an innovative solution to the ‘marine litter sink’ at Arrochar.  Jacqui Willis of the Grab Trust sought support from Partners for both financial contributions and for  sharing the funding request with their networks.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group noted the

provided information.

ACTION – Jacqui Willis to share information on the funding application with Group admin to be distributed to Partners.

(Reference: Report by The Grab Trust, submitted)

Garelochhead Support Trust (GST)

The Group considered a verbal update from Morevain Martin of GST who highlighted upcoming activities of the Trust.

Destination Helensburgh

The Group considered a verbal update from Fiona Baker from Destination Helensburgh who highlighted the number of visitors asking about Public Toilet facilities in the town due to the closure of the Pier facilities. Councillor Fiona Howard noted that the issue had been raised with the Council.

Plastic Free Helensburgh

The Group considered a verbal update from Angela Anderson from Plastic Free Helensburgh who highlighted work being carried out to test for contaminants, funded by Surfers Against Sewage, and offered support to Partners wishing to participate in the next Water Blitz event.

Time for Change

The Group considered a verbal update from Angela Anderson from Time for Change who highlighted work being carried out to engage with farmers in respect of Climate Change and the effect various Climate Change policies had had on them.

Cardross Community Council

The Group considered a verbal update from Lindsey Young from Cardross Community Council who highlighted the Community Council’s focus on the potential impact of local house building on the Local Place Plan.

Presentation by Director, Scott + Simmons Landscape Architects

The Group gave consideration to a presentation by Jon Simmons, Director of Scott + Simmons Landscape Architects, which outlined the project being undertaken to ascertain viable options for the future of the former Skating Pond at the top of Sinclair Street in Helensburgh.  Jon’s presentation highlighted the need to balance the requirements of local users of the site with the ecological and environmental impacts of various potential courses of action.  Jon noted that the identified options would be presented to Argyll and Bute Council for consideration and the outcome of the deliberations would be published after the December Area Committee Meeting.

Decision

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

(Reference: Presentation by Scott + Simmons, Landscape Architects, submitted)

Report by Climate Change Project Manager, Argyll & the Isles Coast and

Countryside Trust

The Group considered a presentation by Andy MacPherson, Project Manager for Argyll and Bute Climate Action which highlighted the Project remit and vision, progress, and steps being taken to reinforce Community Resilience.  Andy highlighted that information-gathering work with Hermitage Academy pupils had yielded results which aligned closely with the CPP Management Committee priorities.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group noted the

provided information.

(Reference: Presentation by Climate Action Project Manager, submitted)

There were no verbal updates provided.

Report By Partnerships Lead, Argyll and Bute Council

The Group  considered a report from the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) Management Committee which provided an update from the Management Committee meeting in June.  The report highlights included Area Community Planning Group Updates; CPP Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan; Community Wealth Building Charter; Priority Outcome – Transport Infrastructure; Introduction to Priority Outcome – Housing, and SFRS Service Delivery Review.  John McLuckie, Partnerships Lead, advised that the Chair of the Management Committee, Pippa Milne, had noted thanks to Sarah Davies on behalf of the Management Committee for her work as Chair of Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group noted the provided

information.

(Reference: Report by Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership, submitted)

Report by the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group

Community Wealth Building Short Term Working Group

Consideration was given to a report updating the Group on the activity of the Community Wealth Building Short-Term Working Group, which had been  established at the August 2024 meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group. The report highlighted the STWG activity exploring what realistic action could be taken locally to progress community wealth building, with the outcome being to seek a small amount of funding for a project officer to set up a collective to explore the creation of a community shop

Decision

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

(Reference: Report from the Area Community Planning Group Community Wealth Building Short-Term Working Group, submitted)

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 11 November 2025

The date of the next meeting was noted as Tuesday 11 November 2025.