Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Paterson.

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

 

The Chair advised that there was a petition being submitted to the Area Committee and that she would receive this at Public Question Time.

 

The Chair ruled and the Area Committee agreed to take the agenda items out of sequence in order to facilitate Officers.

Councillor Hardie declared a non-financial interest in relation to item 17 Helensburgh Waterfront Development because he is a Board member of Live Argyll, he claimed the benefit of the dispensation contained at Section 5.16 of the Standard’s Commission Guidance and dispensation note to enable him to speak and vote.  He also advised that he would take no part in the PPSL Committee consideration on this matter.

 

Councillor Kinniburgh advised that because he is the Chair of the PPSL Committee he would take no part in the discussion or decision of item 17, Helensburgh Waterfront Development and would leave the room during consideration of that item.

 

Councillors Freeman, Trail and Douglas all advised that they are Members of the PPSL Committee, but would participate in the discussion and decision of item 17, Helensburgh Waterfront Development.

The Minute of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee meeting held on 22^nd March 2018 was approved as a correct record.

The Area Committee received a petition from Jackie Hood, Chair of Helensburgh Skate Park Project and three young committee members of the Group which has received over 1,117 signatures in support of proposals to build a new concrete skate park at Helensburgh Pierhead site.  She advised that the Group were supportive of the plans for the Waterfront Development and asked the Council to support the skate park proposals, inviting the Area Committee to their open day on Saturday 23^rd June at 3pm at Helensburgh Pierhead.

 

Norman Muir, Convenor of Helensburgh and Lomond Community Council had submitted a question in writing but was unable to be in attendance.  The Area Committee Manager read out the question on his behalf.

 

1.          The Waterfront Project has been slowly gestating since 2009 and a Masterplan was adopted after public consultation in 2012. In December 2017 the Area Committee changed the location of the leisure centre on the pierhead site, laid out in the still-current 2012 Pierhead Masterplan Addendum.

 

This was done for unclear reasons and without public consultation. This was clearly a premature decision and unfounded in the light of the potential risk of wave damage and flooding identified in the subsequent pre-application consultation process held in the town.

 

In the light of community feedback on the development, will the Area Committee re-visit its December decision, honour the agreed Pierhead Masterplan and re-instate the leisure centre in its original location? 

 

The Regeneration Project Manager advised that officers have checked with planning and their advice is that as long as there is no deviation from the elements in the Masterplan, or any defined areas for those elements, then there is no issue in terms of their specific locations.

The survey undertaken by Helensburgh Community Council supports the preferred location. The report at Agenda Item 17 addresses the concerns over potential wave damage and flooding.

 

2.          Dr Peter Brown, Vice Convenor of Helensburgh Community Council asked a couple of questions:-

 

The following statements appear in A&BC's Standing Orders (https://www.argyllbute.gov.uk/sites/default/files/constitution_part_b.pdf):

 

• 19.2 Standing Orders marked CS will apply to meetings of any Committee, Sub-Committee and Short Life Working Group with suitable modification.
• CS 3.3 Copies of the Agenda and, except as set out in paragraph 3.4 below, copies of any report for a meeting will be open and available at the Council’s Headquarters and on the Council website for at least 3 clear days before the meeting for any members of the public who may wish to look at these.
• In 2.1, the phrase "Clear days" is defined:

-       “Clear days” excludes the day of publication and the day of the meeting and does not include Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.

 

Reports for this meeting, on Thursday 21st June 2018, should therefore have been made public on Council received the Waterfront Development End Stage Report at 5pm on Monday 18th June. Does the Area Committee agree that this is a breach of its standing orders, and provides insufficient time for the public to assess this significant document?

 

The Chair responded:-

 

I don’t accept that there hasn’t been sufficient time to consider this report as this is the conclusion of a very substantial public engagement by the Council and it is partly because of the tremendous response from the public that the report was only issued to everyone on Monday of this week.  I think it is now a matter of urgency that we consider this report as the people in Helensburgh are expecting us all to make positive progress in respect of this matter.

 

3.          I have points that I would like to put to the Area Committee regarding the flood protection of the proposed leisure centre.

 

i)      The End Stage Report on the Waterfront Development states that “the Finished Floor Level of any building to be constructed on the site will be set no lower than 5.4m Above Ordnance Datum (AOD), which is some 0.75m higher than the predictions for a 1-in-200year event”. The ground floor plan clearly indicates that the floor of the Plant Room will be at 4.7m AOD, which is much lower than the 5.4m recommended in the Kaya Consulting flood risk assessment. Why is this critical part of the building being constructed such that it will be susceptible to flooding?

 

ii)     The Report states “the Design Life for the new Leisure Building is 40years and that the Climate Change impacts, upon which we have based our design, are forecast out to 2080, or some 20 years after the new building would have reached the end of its operational life”. What, therefore, will be the wave overtopping rate (the amount of water that comes over the sea defence) in a 1-in-200 year weather event in 2050, which will be well within the lifespan of the building, and will this be less than 1 litre/s/m, which is the maximum above which damage would occur to the building?

 

Fergus Murray, Head of Economic Development and Strategic Transportation responded:-

 

i)      The predicted 1-in-200 year’s water levels are 4.06m AOD for 2018, 4.48m AOD for 2080 and 4.65m AOD for 2100 respectively.

 

The lowest proposed level of 4.7m AOD for the Plant Room and the Car Park is set 220mm above the predicted level of 4.48m AOD for 2080.

 

Our Project Team has concluded that the proposed levels are appropriate for a 1-in-200 year in respect of the still sea water level (i.e. astronomical tide + storm surge):

 

·         4.7m AOD for Car Park and Leisure Centre Basement

·         4.8m AOD for footways

·         5.1m AOD for future development area and

·         5.4m AOD for buildings and the top of the sea defence crest.

 

ii)     The proposed flood defence design levels are above the flood and overtopping requirements for the joint probability analysis of the 1-in-200 years’ water levels for 2018.

 

The unacceptable overtopping levels are calculated from the sea water level for 2080.

 

Our design proposals have mitigated this by allowing sufficient space around the perimeter of the development site to allow for the sea defences to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Update by Allan Kirk, Police Scotland

Inspector Allan Kirk of Police Scotland introduced himself and gave an update to the Area Committee.

 

He gave an overview on the 5 main priorities for Police Scotland and the Helensburgh and Lomond area which are:-

 

• Road Safety/Road Crime
• Violent Disorder and Anti-Social Behaviour
• Serious Organised Crime
• Counter Terrorism/National Security
• Protecting People at Risk of Harm

 

He advised Helensburgh and Lomond remains a lovely place to live with crime levels being low but confirmed there are problems.

 

He advised that 200 driving penalty tickets were issue between January – June 2018 and fatalities and serious road accident figures have dropped.

 

Inspector Kirk confirmed that violent disorder and crime figures are the same as last year with a reduction of 13% in anti-social behaviour issues.  He advised that Police Scotland have a good working relationship with licence holders and take the pub watch system seriously.

 

He confirmed that there were 132 missing person reports recorded last year with a reduction to 53 reported this year.

 

He advised that the level of crime in Helensburgh and Lomond is very low and across the whole division from Clydebank to Oban, there were only 18 house break ins, in the last year.  He confirmed that shop lifting continues to be a problem but the use of the CCTV systems help to try and detect this issue.

 

He gave an update on major crime in the area which is updated in the Helensburgh Advertiser, advising that recent drug searches were carried out with firearms being detected.

 

He advised that the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers Scheme would be starting in August which targets 10-18 year olds.

 

Inspector Kirk also answered a number of questions from Members of the Committee, particularly in relation to road safety and speeding.

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee noted the information provided.

 

(Ref:  Verbal update by Inspector Kirk, Police Scotland dated 21^st June 2018, submitted).

Presentation by Commander J K Hayle, MA Royal Navy

The Area Committee heard a presentation from Commander Jim Hayle on HM Naval Base Clyde.

 

He spoke about the history and future of the Faslane Base, the Maritime Change Programme and the opportunities the base provides for the local community.

 

Commander Hayle also answered a number of questions from Members.

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee noted the information provided and thanked Commander Hayle for an informative presentation.

 

(Ref:  Presentation by Commander Hayle dated 21^st June 2018, submitted).

Report by Development Officer

A report providing an update to the Area Committee on the Maritime Change Economic Opportunity Study, which is currently being delivered in collaboration with Scottish Enterprise, was considered.

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee:-

 

1. Noted the contents of the report; and
2. Agreed that a further report be brought back later in the year.

 

(Ref:  Report by Development Officer, Transformation Projects and Regeneration dated 9^th May 2018, submitted).

Report by Community Development Officer

The Community Planning Manager presented a report on Monitoring of Supporting Communities Funding 2017/18, which asked the Area Committee to agree that Rhu and Shandon Community Council return the sum of £3,420 to the Council.

 

Motion

 

The Area Committee agrees that Rhu and Shandon Community Council return £3,420 to the Council.

 

Moved by Councillor Ellen Morton, Seconded by Councillor Morgan.

 

Amendment

 

The Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee:-

 

(a)  Agrees to note the contents of the report on Monitoring of Supporting Communities Funding 2017/18;

(b)  Notes that the Rhu and Shandon Conservation Area Appraisal work, that the £3,420 was awarded to the Rhu & Shandon Community Council to cover part of the costs of carrying out this work, would normally be work that Argyll & Bute Council is required to carry out as part of the Planning and Regulatory Services 2017-20 Service Plan;

(c)  Agrees to support the request from the Community Council for this funding to be carried forward into 2018/19; and

(d)  Agrees that the Area Committee should seek the appropriate approval for this carry forward from the Policy and Resources Committee if this is not within the delegated powers of the Area Committee.

 

Moved by Councillor Freeman, Seconded by Councillor Trail.

 

Decision

 

On a show of hands vote the Motion was carried by 7 votes to 2 and the Committee resolved as follows:-

 

The Area Committee agreed that Rhu and Shandon Community Council return £3,420 to the Council.

 

(Ref:  Report by Community Planning Manager dated 12^th June 2018, submitted).

Report by Development Officer

A report asking the Area Committee to endorse a continued focussed approach to economic development activity in Arrochar was considered.

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee:-

 

1. Agreed that members of the Arrochar, Tarbet and Ardlui Community Council Forum be invited to a Business Day to discuss their priorities; and
2. Agreed that a report come to the next Area Committee.

 

(Ref:  Report by Senior Development Officer dated 21^st June 2018, submitted).

Report by Development Officer

The Area Committee considered a report in respect of the offer of a grant in support of the first application to the Outdoor Museum Arts Fund.  The report also requested the agreement to open the fund to a second round of applications in 2018.

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee:-

 

1. Approved Application 3 – Gareloch One Design Class Association; and
2. Agreed to open the fund to a second round of applications in 2018.

 

(Ref:  Report by Development Officer dated 21^st June 2018, submitted).

 

Councillor Freeman left the meeting at 11:50am, prior to consideration of the following items of business.

Report by Performance Manager and Improvement Officer

The Area Committee considered a report which presented the Area Scorecard and Report for Financial Quarter 4 2017-18 (January – March 2018).

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee:-

 

1. Agreed the contents of the scorecard;
2. Agreed that Parking Penalty Notices should be reported on a regular basis and therefore added to the Scorecard;
3. Noted and agreed the proposed method of presenting the Recycling of Waste information and removal of the Waste by Tonne measures; and
4. Noted that work is ongoing and agreed to respond to Sonya Thomas with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the Report and Scorecard.

 

(Ref:  Report by Performance and Improvement Officer dated 21^st June 2018, submitted).

 

Councillor Freeman returned to the meeting at 11:58am at conclusion of the foregoing item of business.

Report by Head of Education

The Area Committee considered the Primary Area report for the Helensburgh and Lomond area.  Robyn McIlroy, Education Officer took the Committee through the report and responded to questions from Members.

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee noted the contents of the report.

 

(Ref:  Report by Education Officer dated 21^st June 2018, submitted).

Report by Team Leader – West

The Area Committee gave consideration to a report which detailed the increase in the number of homeless applications taken by the local authority in Helensburgh and Lomond during 2017/18.

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee:-

 

1. Noted the contents of the report; and
2. Agreed that a further report come back to the Area Committee in 6 months.

 

(Ref:  Report by Team Lead – Housing Strategy dated 21^st May 2018, submitted).

 

Report by Project Manager – Transformation

A report providing the Area Committee with an update on the effective use of the funding provided by the Council to Helensburgh Festive Lighting Charitable Trust (HFLCT) to provide festive lighting in Helensburgh in 2017; as well as updating on the overall financial position, was considered.  The report asked the Area Committee to determine a new funding request from HFLCT for 2018 and 2019.

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee:-

 

1. Endorsed the effective delivery of festive lighting by the Helensburgh Festive Lighting Charitable Trust (HFLCT) in 2017, which was made possible with funding provided from the Council;
2. Agreed to award a grant of up to £10,000 to HFLCT for Christmas 2018 subject to the submission of satisfactory audited annual accounts and the conditions outlined at Appendix Three;
3. Agreed to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure to allocate the remaining balance of the festive lighting funds for the Helensburgh and Lomond area pro rata to HFLCT for Christmas 2019 subject to the Council confirming the decision of the EDI Committee made in March 2018;
4. Noted that in granting this funding request the remaining monies should be more than adequate to facilitate events on the basis of historic arrangement in the remaining Helensburgh and Lomond villages, and that discussions on future arrangements in these areas continue; and
5. Agreed that a further report come back to the September Area Committee meeting.

 

(Ref:  Report by Transformation Manager dated 12^th June 2018, submitted).

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Report by Area Committee Manager

The Area Committee considered a report on appointments to outside organisations for the ACHA Area Committee for Helensburgh and Lomond and the Glasgow Airport Consultative Committee.  The Committee noted that ACHA were currently in the process of looking at a reorganisation of their Area Committees.

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee:-

 

1. Agreed to appoint Councillor Paterson as the Council representative on the Glasgow Airport Consultative Committee; and
2. Agreed to continue the appointment to the ACHA Area Committee until clarification is received in relation to the future operation of that Committee.

 

(Ref:  Report by Area Committee dated 25^th April 2018, submitted).

Report by Area Committee Manager

A report advising the Area Committee on a request from the Helensburgh and District Twinning Association for financial assistance which would help with a visit to Thouars in 2019, was considered.

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee agreed to grant the sum of £833 from the Twinning Budget for 2018/19 towards the cost of the visit.

 

(Ref:  Report by Area Committee Manager dated 1^st May 2018, submitted).

 

The Chair ruled and the Committee agreed to adjourn the meeting at 1:45pm.  The Committee reconvened at 1:55pm with all members present as per the sederunt with the exception of Councillor Freeman and Councillor Kinniburgh.  As noted previously Councillor Kinniburgh had indicated that he would take no part in the discussion on the following item of business.

 

The Chair advised that Appendix E of the following item of business was not available to the public as it contained some commercially sensitive information.  She confirmed it was her intention to have the discussion in public, but if Members wished to discuss the information contained in the Appendix, she would be asking the Committee to agree that the press and public leave the room.

Report by Regeneration Project Manager

A report providing the Area Committee with a progress update on the delivery of the Helensburgh Waterfront Development Project, following the completion of the current stage of design development, was considered. 

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee:-

 

1. Approved the End Stage Report;
2. Approved the submission of the formal planning application by the project team;
3. Approved the commencement of the next stage of project development as set out in Section 8 of the Report; and
4. Thanked the Officers for their enormous efforts and hard work in getting the Helensburgh Waterfront Project to this stage.

 

(Ref:  Report by Helensburgh Regeneration Project Manager dated 18^th June 2018, submitted).

Councillor Freeman re-entered the meeting at 1pm during discussion of the foregoing item of business.

 

Councillor Kinniburgh returned to the meeting at conclusion of the foregoing item of business.

 

The Chair advised that the Appendix to the report for the following item of business was not available to the public as it contained some commercially sensitive information.  She confirmed it was her intention to have the discussion in public, but if Members wished to discuss the information contained in the Appendix, she would be asking the Committee to agree that the press and public leave the room.

A report advising the Area Committee on the background of, progress to date and future programme for delivery of the Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton Cycleway, further to previous reports to the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, most recently on 21^st December 2017, was considered.

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee noted the progress to date and future programme for delivery of the Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton Cycleway.

 

(Ref:  Report by Strategic Transportation Delivery Officer dated 21^st June 2018, submitted).

Report by Development Officer

A report providing the Area Committee with an update on ‘Making Places Helensburgh’ further to the Business Day presentation on 14^th February 2018, was provided for information.

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee noted the contents of the report.

 

(Ref:  Report by Development Officer, Transformation Projects and Regeneration dated 21^st June 2018, submitted).

Report by Property Development Manager

A report providing the Area Committee with an update on the development and sale of properties in the Helensburgh and Lomond area was provided for information.

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee noted the position as outlined in respect of the various properties.

 

(Ref:  Report by Property Development Manager dated 19^th May 2018, submitted).

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Workplan was provided for information.

 

Decision

 

The Area Committee noted the Workplan.

 

(Ref:  Helensburgh and Lomond Workplan dated 21^st June 2018, submitted).

E1       Paragraph 6  Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority); and

E1       Paragraph 13  Information which, if disclosed to the public, would reveal that the authority proposes-

 

(a)          to give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person; or

(b)               to make an order or direction under any enactment.

E2   Paragraph 8  The amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by  the authority under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services; and

Paragraph 9  Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.