Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Graham Hardie and Iain Paterson.

Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess declared a non-financial interest in relation to item 11 of the agenda (Supporting Communities Fund 2024/25) as a family member attends Route 81. He advised that he would leave the room and take no part in the consideration of this item of business.

The Minute of the meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, held on 12 March 2024 was approved as a correct record.

Having noted that there were members of the public in attendance, the Chair invited them to submit any questions they may have.   

Sarah Davies, Helensburgh Community Council

Why is the Helensburgh Waterfront Development not on the Agenda today?

At the last meeting a decision was taken, in private, to choose two preferred bidders and since then we have heard nothing. We had expected the decision to be discussed at the next Policy and Resources Committee but once again it was not on the agenda. Why was that?

We had heard that this Committee would be holding a Business Day to discuss the bids further, has this happened? If not, when will it happen, who will be involved and how will any decisions be reported to Helensburgh residents.

Following the decision to move forward without the Helensburgh Community Council’s bid, we wrote to all Argyll and Bute Councillors expressing our serious concerns with the process. We believe community views have been excluded from the process and the overall selection of bids is based on a flawed process and weak evidence. We are concerned this will lead to a large retail development on the waterfront site, against the wishes of the community and harmful to existing and fragile retail in our town.

This letter was sent to all Argyll and Bute Councillors, the Leader and Chief Executive of the Council our local MSP’s and Mp’s. We have since then had replies and discussions with our local MSP and MP.

We have had acknowledgements from some Argyll and Bute Councillors, but not a single response from any of you our local councillors who sit on this Committee that made that decision.

We have received a response from an officer, Ross McLaughlin Head of Commercial Services informing us that the Community Council will be further consulted once the selection has been made and the proposal moves to planning. In our view this is too late.

What will now be the process for the final selection of a bidder for the Waterfront?

When and how will the community be informed or involved in any of the decisions or discussions about the development of this prime and valued site in our town?

How and when will this committee engage with the community about their plans?

The Chair advised that an Area Committee Business Day was scheduled for 26 June for Members and Officers to discuss the Helensburgh Waterfront Development further and that a report regarding the project would be considered at a future meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.

Angela Anderson, Plastic Free Helensburgh

Question 1

Plastic Free Helensburgh have seen an increased amount of litter around Helensburgh Pier and beach area, as a consequence of the better weather and longer evenings. However, we are concerned that it has been reported that Argyll and Bute Council consider the increase of litter and vandalism due to the opening of the Skatepark and in Plastic Free Helensburgh’s opinion even though both happened around same time we do not consider them linked. Can you agree that these are not linked as suggested in the report?

Councillor Campbell-Sturgess agreed that it would be impossible to link the litter and vandalism with the opening of the Skatepark.

The Project Manager advised that there was no intention to cast dispersion on anyone in the Roads and Infrastructure weekly update to Members and that it was simply to highlight the increase of vandalism and littering in that area.

Question 2

This is the third quarterly meeting I have brought up the issue of drainage and flooding which continues to be an issue in the locality, especially due to the increased rainfall in the last week.

Plastic Free Helensburgh are keen to work with the Council on these issues and would like to have a campaign locally to ensure the community are looking after the drainage system but we feel we cannot do this in an enabling way without support from the Council. I have been told that the drains are classed as ‘not blocked’ if there is no standing water on them, which doesn’t help when the town is built on a hill.

Can the Committee ensure this issue will be looked into?

The Chair advised that there is a significant amount of ongoing work looking into drainage and that further discussions on this matter would take place at the Roads and Infrastructure Services Update item.

Councillor MacQuire advised that clarification is needed on when drains are being cleared as he had received mixed communications from the Roads Department.

Lindsey Young, Cyclepath Action Group

I would like the Committee to consider the outstanding work undertaken WSP which is listed in the Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton Cyclepath update report. A lot of this work can only be done in the summer months, consequently if it is not done within the next 2 or 3 months it won’t be able to be done until next year, meaning another year to wait. Can the Committee ensure that these studies are completed this summer?

The Chair advised that he would raise Ms Young’s comments to the Project Lead at the agenda item.

Update from Inspector Bart Simonis

Consideration was given to an update which provided information on the ongoing work of the Service and information on crime statistics; engagement with housing providers and Argyll & Bute ASB to target anti-social behaviour among individuals and properties; support to reduce the impact of acquisitive crime; continuing to support and improve awareness to front-line officers to ensure they are equipped and trained to provide a victim centred approach; road safety work and youth engagement activities.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee considered and noted the information provided in the report.

(Reference: Report by Inspector Bart Simonis, Police Scotland, dated June 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education

The Committee heard from Ms Kennedy and Ms Stewart, Depute Head Teachers at Hermitage Academy, who spoke to the school report which had been provided to Members. The report included information on S3 ACEL attainment in literacy and numeracy; the pass rates of national qualifications; and data from Insight Scotland. Information in relation to wider achievement qualifications; equity and attainment; and Pupil Equity Funding was also provided.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted and considered the contents of the report and information provided.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education, dated June 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services

The Committee gave consideration to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 4 of 2023/24 (January to March 2024) which illustrated the agreed performance measures for this period.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted and considered the performance and supporting commentary as presented;

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 15 May 2024, submitted)

Having noted the officers in attendance, the Chair advised that it was his intention to vary the order of business to take the following agenda items out of sequence. The order in which they are minuted, is the order in which discussion took place.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided links to the recent activities of Roads and Infrastructure Services.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

1.    considered and noted the contents of the report; and

2.    agreed that a Business Day be held to explore flooding related issues within the Helensburgh and Lomond Area with relevant stakeholders invited to attend and contribute.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated May 2024, submitted)

Report by Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

Consideration was given to the Health and Social Care Partnership Performance Reports for financial quarter 3 and 4 of 2023/24.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee considered and noted the Performance Reports for financial quarter 3 and 4 of 2023/24.

(Reference: Report by Head of Strategic Planning, Performance and Technology, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated June 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing background to the Helensburgh Outdoor Museum, its governance and funds. The report also invited Elected Members to take up the Chair and Vice Chair roles of the Design Panel as well as seeking approval for a change to the Terms of Reference.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

1.     agreed that the Chair and Vice Chair of the Area Committee be invited to fill the positions of Chair and Vice Chair of the Design Panel; and

2.     approved the change to the Terms of Reference to allow the Design Panel to approve variation to funding amounts of approved applications that do not amount to more than the 50% of the total project costs.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 30 April 2024, submitted)

Report by Chief Executive

Consideration was given to a report which detailed recommendations for the award of the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund (SCF) for the 2024/25 round of funding that had been made available for distribution by Council to organisations in the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed that the 17 applications, marked as ‘Award’ and ‘Partial Award’ within Appendix 1 of the report, are awarded funding from the Supporting Communities Fund Budget totalling £31,175.50, as follows:

(Reference: Report by Chief Executive, dated 11 June 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

A report providing information on a request from the Helensburgh and District Twinning Association for financial assistance to help assist with the costs of hosting visitors from Thouars in 2025 was considered.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed to award the sum of £625 from the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Twinning Budget for 2024/25 to Helensburgh and District Twinning Association.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated May 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

A report asking the Committee to consider making appointments to a number of local bodies/organisations within the Helensburgh and Lomond area was considered.

Decision

The Committee agreed to make the following appointments:

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated 13 May 2024, submitted)

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee workplan was before members for information.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Committee noted the contents of the workplan.

(Reference: Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee workplan, dated 11 June 2024)

Having noted members intentions to raise questions that would likely involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 the Chair moved and the Area Committee agreed to the exclusion of the press and public in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

Report by Executive Director with Responsibility for Development and Economic Growth

Consideration was given to a report updating Members on the progress made since the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee on 12 March 2024 in relation to the delivery of a dedicated, high quality walking and cycle route linking Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton.

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

1.     instructed Officers, subject to securing external funding, to seek a new design team to continue development of Phase 1 and Phase 2 designs to complete Developed Design and Technical Design stages; and

2.     supported progression of the project to full Technical Design, as required by the external funder.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 17 May 2024, submitted)