An informal referendum on the public realm works in Colquhoun Square in Helensburgh is taking place on Monday 25 June 2012 between 8am and 8pm in the main hall at the Victoria Halls in Helensburgh. It comes after a motion put forward by Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee Lead Councillor James Robb was agreed at the first meeting of the new council on 22 May.

The motion included an informal referendum on possible options for the improvements in Helensburgh’s Colquhoun Square. Details of the three options included in the referendum are available from Monday 18 June in a number of places. You will find them at online at http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/helensburghchordreferendum. Details will also be available at Scotcourt House in Helensburgh and Helensburgh Library from the same date and they will be displayed in the Victoria Halls on the day of the referendum. Voters will be asked to choose one of the options when they vote. It will also be possible for you to comment on the proposals by post, e-mail, online or at the Victoria Halls, to be received before close of poll on 25 June, whether or not you choose to vote in the referendum.

Argyll and Bute Council leader Roddy McCuish said “The council decided there should be one last opportunity for the public to be consulted and offered a genuine choice on the design proposal for Colquhoun Square with the Helensburgh Public Realm Improvement (CHORD) Project. The funding is ring-fenced and ready to be drawn down to progress whatever option is selected and taken forward by the council.”

In order to be eligible to vote in the referendum you must be a resident in Ward 9 Lomond North, Ward 10 Helensburgh Central and Ward 11 Helensburgh and Lomond South. You must be aged 18 or above on or before 25 June.

If there are any doubts about the eligibility of anyone to participate in the process due to age, residence or another reason then polling staff will ask for evidence of eligibility to vote.

The results of the informal referendum will be considered by the council when looking at how to progress the improvement works.

Contact details:

By Post:  Douglas Hendry, Executive Director of Customer Services, Argyll and Bute Council, Kilmory, PA31 8RT

By e-mail: helensburghchordreferendum@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Online at http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/helensburghchordreferendum