Minutes:
Peter Brown (Present),
Helensburgh Community Council
The Skatepark group is on record
at the 12 September 2023 area meeting stating it does not wish to be relocated
from the waterfront, even if a larger site is available within Helensburgh. Do
the councillors agree that spending £80,000 on investigating alternative
options is not an appropriate use of precious council resources when cuts are
being made elsewhere in the budget?
Councillor Penfold advised that the
Helensburgh Pierhead had always been an option for the Skatepark if no
alternative option was found as it has more space available. Councillor Penfold
further advised that the Estates Team do not envisage using the whole £80,000
for initial investigations and appreciates that people would rather the money was
used on the actual Skatepark.
Councillor Penfold advised that
this question would be passed onto the Head of Commercial Services for a fuller
response.
Sarah Davies (Present),
Helensburgh Community Council
1.
How will
the Levelling Up Fund be allocated in Argyll and Bute and what role will
communities play in the allocation?
Councillor Mulvaney advised that Argyll
and Bute Council representatives will be holding discussions with The Department for Levelling
Up to confirm the criteria that must be used and that the outcome of these
discussions will be considered by the Council in due course.
2.
Investigations
have highlighted that there is nowhere to go for those seeking a warm space
from 6pm on weekdays, nowhere after 1pm on a Saturday and nowhere at all on a
Sunday. Other Councils have a full page of Warm Spaces but nothing on Argyll
and Bute Councils website. How are warm spaces being co-ordinated and
advertised across Argyll and Bute? Is there an officer, committee or
organisation that Helensburgh Community Council can work with to ensure those
who need support get it?
The Committee Manager advised
that this issue would be added to the agenda for the next meeting of the
Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group, scheduled for February 2024.
Mr McLean added that he would raise this issue with colleagues within the
Welfare Rights Team and advise Miss Davies on these discussions.
The Committee recognised that
there are a number of warm spaces available within the area but not everyone
knows about them and that hosting this information on a website is not always
the best approach to reach those in need.
Angela Anderson (Present),
Plastic Free Helensburgh/Time for Change Argyll and Bute
1.
I would
like the Committee to acknowledge and welcome the new regional Argyll and Bute Climate
Action Network (ABCAN) which is a collaboration between Argyll and the Isles
Coast and Countryside Trust, Argyll and Bute TSI and Time for Change Argyll and
Bute.
2.
I would
like the Committee to acknowledge and welcome the collaboration between
Scottish Water and Plastic Free Helensburgh.
3.
I would
like the Committee to acknowledge and act on the issues resulting from the
heavy rain and flooding. There are a number of drains which are blocked and
have been reported as slow draining. This issue is causing traders located on
the South Side of West Princes Street to have to close due to the amount of
water being pushed into the shops by passing vehicles. Can these drains be looked
at and would the Area Committee support a trusted traders scheme that would
allow a selected number of individuals to close roads when incidences of
flooding occur?
Councillor Mulvaney advised that
the Committee would ask the Network and Standards Manager for an update
regarding gulley maintenance and clearing and what the plan is going forward in
this regard.
Councillor Hardie advised Miss
Anderson to pass the specific details onto him and he would contact the Head of
Roads on her behalf.
Councillor Corry advised that
there are a number of identified hot spots for all drainage systems in
Helensburgh and Lomond and that these are prioritised during periods of
flooding.
Lindsey Young (Present),
Cyclepath Action Group
I would like to introduce a new
community group that formed in October as sub group of Cardross Community
Council but has members from Helensburgh to Ardoch.
Our objectives are to:
-
Scrutinise
progress with the Cyclepath between Helensburgh and Dumbarton
-
Provide a
voice on behalf of the local community and provide updates to the community
-
Undertake
action as appropriate to expedite the implementation of the route.
We have had 154 members of the
public sign up to receive communications from us thus far and we aim to get an
introductory email out shortly to the group. We look forward to supporting the
Council with its efforts to make this active travel route a reality.
Polly Jones
The Committee Manager read out
the below question submitted by Polly Jones:
In the
minutes of the meeting of 12 September 2023 the minutes in section 5 record the
following:
‘The Head of Commercial Services advised that he would provide Mrs Jones with
a written response by email following the meeting.’
Three months have passed and I have not received
any response to the questions I raised at the meeting, given this has been a
crucial period for the preparation and submission of bids for the Waterfront
Development this is a failure of due process and public scrutiny.
When can I expect a response to my questions from
the 12 September?
How will the Councillors ensure public questions
are taken seriously and responded to appropriately, Including by officers of
the council?
For reference the questions I asked are recorded in
the minutes as:
1.
Does the Committee believe that it is prejudicial
to be asked to agree the following recommendation ‘the waterfront site is not considered to be a
suitable long term location for the skatepark as initial marketing of the site
has highlighted that the site is not large enough to accommodate a larger scale
skatepark which the group are seeking as well as a viable commercial
development’ outlined within the associated report before considering the
report ‘Helensburgh Waterfront Development (Commercial Area) – Update &
Shortlisting of Offers’, as the location is dependent
on what the plans are for the waterfront?
2.
Helensburgh Community Council have undertaken a
number of consultation exercises, and have had 4,500 people participate, more
than the 83 responses mentioned in the associated report. How will the
Committee include the views of the 4,500 alongside the plans and responses?
3.
There is reference in the summary of the report at
item 13, others would welcome a retail or hospitality option, how many people
are included in this statement?’
The Committee Manager apologised
that Ms Jones questions from the previous Area Committee remain unanswered and
advised that he would contact the Head of Commercial Services at the conclusion
of this meeting and advise him of Miss Jones concerns.