Printed minutes
Argyll and Bute Council · 9 December 2025
Back to Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee — 9 December 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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MINUTES of MEETING of HELENSBURGH & LOMOND AREA COMMITTEE held in the HELENSBURGH CIVIC CENTRE AND BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on TUESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2025 Present: Councillor Fiona Howard (Chair) Councillor Math Campbell- Sturgess Councillor Graham Hardie Councillor Ian MacQuire Councillor Iain Shonny Paterson Councillor Gary Mulvaney Councillor Gemma Penfold Councillor Paul Donald Kennedy Councillor Iain Shonny Paterson Councillor Gary Mulvaney Councillor Gemma Penfold Councillor Paul Donald Kennedy Attending: Stuart McLean, Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council Inspector Bart Simonis, Police Scotland Colin Young, Transport Planner, Development and Economic Growth, Argyll and Bute Council Mark Calder, Project Manager, Roads and Infrastructure Services, Argyll and Bute Council Jon Simmons, Scott & Simmons Architects 1. APOLOGIES The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Councillor Maurice Corry. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Councillor Gary Mulvaney declared a non-financial interest in Item 10 of the Agenda (Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy) due to a previous association with the automotive sector. Councillor Mulvaney confirmed that as the Area Committee were not being asked for a decision on this matter he would remain in the meeting for consideration of this item. 3. MINUTE OF THE MEETING OF THE HELENSBURGH AND LOMOND AREA COMMITTEE, HELD ON TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2025 The Minute of the meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, held on 9 September 2025, was approved as a correct record. 4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME The Committee Manager advised that a number of questions had been submitted by members of the public in advance of the meeting and invited Lizzie Donaldson and Sarah Hawkins of Parents for Active Learning Hermitage Primary School to present their questions.
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Lizzie Donaldson, Chair of Parents for Active Learning Hermitage Primary School Question 1 We continue to be a group of parents and community representatives incredibly worried about standards of the Hermitage primary playground and access to facilities for our children to practice sports. We have a derelict piece of land in our playground and school boundary wall which urgently needs converted to a sports pitch but instead it continues to sit as derelict since April 2022 fire. We asked the question the last time around the timeline and a list of decisions that had been made to put Hermitage Primary school playground land- the Annex- into scope for the build of affordable and social housing. The answer said it was declared surplus to education back in 2019 and by 2023 it was considered for housing because of the housing emergency. We understand officers are still considering a wide range of options and assessing suitability of sites. Can the Council confirm that no formal decision has been put to the Councillors yet to explain the viability of the playground site and will the Council confirm when that report will be forthcoming and can the Trust have a copy please?. The Committee Manager confirmed that on receipt of this question he had passed it to colleagues within Education and Estates who provided the following response: The site of the old annex is fenced off from the school playground. As stated the land was declared surplus by Education and that position has not changed. The current school site meets the statutory requirements for a Primary School the size of Hermitage. Councillor Gary Mulvaney responded that officers regularly assess the Council’s assets and whether it has a purpose or function and if not it is declared surplus. Councillor Mulvaney advised that there is little support for this land not remaining within the education estate and consideration needs to be given to its future use. Councillor Mulvaney added that there requires to be a clear decision that this area is no longer considered as surplus and that officers engage with the Head Teacher and other parties to establish a common view as to what this area be used for. Councillor Graham Hardie agreed with Councillor Mulvaney and that he would like it removed from the surplus asset list and as Depute Policy Lead for Education would like to engage with the Parents for Active Learning Hermitage Primary School on this matter. Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess advised that he would be loathed to lose the area as once it is developed into housing it is never likely to revert to the Education Department and would welcome if consideration could be given to its future use for educational purposes. Councillor Iain Shonny Paterson advised that he fully supported the Parents for Active Learning Hermitage Primary School and their efforts to develop the land into a better facility for the children and would welcome a visit to the site. Following a suggestion by Councillor Mulvaney Councillor Fiona Howard agreed that she would liaise with Officers to explore the possibility of removing the land from the
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surplus asset list and what, if any, budget could be secured to support its redevelopment. Question 2 Sarah Hawking, Vice-Chair of Parents for Active Learning Hermitage Primary School The playground space is not sufficient as it is, we had a Health and Safety inspector visits in September 2025 and much of the area has decreased due to fencing being installed with any investment being for the removal of structures rather than adding value. Councillor Howard thanked the representatives for this second contribution and advised this would be reflected upon during conversations with Officers. The Committee Manager confirmed that on receipt of this question he had passed it to colleagues within Education and Estates who provided the following response: A contractor has been instructed to remove all unsafe equipment, prepare the ground and lay fake grass, this will happen in January. The Headteacher has advised there are sports resources already available that will be used in the refurbed area and pupils will also be consulted on further resources to be purchased. An area of red ash on stairs is also to be replaced with resin to improve safety and the aesthetics of the play area. As stated previously the school continues to have shared access to the sports pitch at Parklands school. Health and Safety in the playground is the responsibility of the Headteacher who is a senior officer of the council. The size of the school site is compliant with the 1967 regulations. The Education service are investing in improving the existing play area in collaboration with the Headteacher. The Education Service declared the annex site surplus and that position is not altered. Mr Neil Walden Question 1 Who authorised the production of a so-called "Strategic Development Framework" for the Helensburgh and Cardross area, that directly contradicts the existing Council Green Belt policy? The Committee Manager provided the following response on behalf of the Corporate Support Manager, Development Policy and Housing Manager and Senior Planning and Strategy Officer: The Helensburgh Strategic Development Framework is well established in Council priorities since its emergence in the public domain in 2017 as follows: • 2017; Included in the Main Issues Report (question 9), on which an 8 week consultation was run between October and December 2017. • 2019; LDP was subject to formal consultation between Nov 2019 and Jan 2020. • 2022; Considered in the Report of Examination by a DPEA Reporter between Jan 2022 and Jan 2023 - Scottish Government - DPEA - Case Details. • 2024; LDP2 was approved by full Council on 22 February 2024 for adoption.
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• 2025; Established as a priority within the Argyll and Bute Corporate Plan 2025 - 2027 under the theme of Housing. With regards to the Green Belt (and any) policy, it is good practice to review these and ensure they remain fit for purpose. Question 2 Why were the landowners and tenants, in properties likely to be affected by this ‘Framework’, not informed directly before the plans were made public in the press? The Committee Manager provided the following response on behalf of the Corporate Support Manager, Development Policy and Housing Manager and Senior Planning and Strategy Officer: The 'framework' is preliminary work ahead of the formal process for the next Local Development Plan (LDP3). This framework is an ambitious effort to look 40 years ahead and seek to understand the barriers to the growth of the towns of Helensburgh and Cardross and what will be required to realise growth. The options that are made public are no more than early indicative options based on an understanding thus far of the challenges and opportunities. This will feed into the LDP3 process which will be the formal mechanism of any land allocations and will involve its own formal statutory public consultation process and subsequent examination. At that stage all landowners will have the same formal opportunity at the same time, to make representations about any proposal. This wider framework, once completed, will be refined over that period as each 10 year LDP cycle is produced, and with further consultation with the public and landowners at those stages. Question 3 Who authorised the employment of external consultants to work on this ‘Framework’, for an 18 month period, at a cost of £200,000? The Committee Manager provided the following response on behalf of the Corporate Support Manager, Development Policy and Housing Manager and Senior Planning and Strategy Officer: In order to meet the national requirements of developing a Local Development Plan including submissions of a range of technical evidence (i.e. flooding, environmental, transportation, housing need, energy etc), a multi-disciplinary approach of specialist skills is required which the Council either does not have, or the capacity. Due to the established importance of this work within the organisations priorities, a joint resource of £450,000 (between the Oban and Helensburgh Strategic Development Frameworks) was agreed at Policy and Resources Committee in February 2024. Stantec were appointed as consultants in December 2024. This allows the Council and the communities to have an evidenced and informed understanding of the opportunities and challenges before considering the next Local Development Plan.
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Question 4 Why were local people not informed of the existence of this "Framework" until late November 2025, when it was leaked in the press - given that the Council discussed the proposals in detail with the Royal Navy at a joint meeting in May? The Committee Manager provided the following response on behalf of the Corporate Support Manager, Development Policy and Housing Manager and Senior Planning and Strategy Officer: As outlined in the response to question 1 above, the 'Framework' was first publicly proposed in 2017. Following Stantec's appointment in December 2024 and initial work in early 2025, Press Releases were issued by Argyll and Bute Council to the local press in: • June 2025 - Public discussions begin on long term plan for Helensburgh and, • November 2025 - Public event - Help shape the future of Helensburgh and Cardross. In addition, all the Community Council’s for the Helensburgh and Lomond area were invited to a preliminary meeting on 24 June 2025 and was attended by representatives of Helensburgh Community Council. A follow up session was held with the community councils on the afternoon of the 26 November in the hours before the public event. The Joint Meeting with the Royal Navy on 29 May 2025 is a matter of public record as the Council publishes the minutes of these meetings on its website. The Council CEO was promoting the plans to ensure that our strategic plans are aligned in the best interests of the community. Councillor Gary Mulvaney welcomed the approach being taken by officers and the Councils commitment to explore and expand options for housing projects. Councillor Mulvaney added that even though the project is at an early stage, the ongoing development of the project is good news for Helensburgh and will help the town to grow. Councillor Campbell-Sturgess agreed that this is a positive step and that while he had reservations around building on green-belt there is a need for more, modern housing in the area and that to delay would only create more problems. Questions 5 & 6 In recent years, the Council has changed over its street lighting to L.E.D. bulbs, to save money and energy. What steps is the Council taking to improve pavement, footway and street lighting, to enable pedestrians to see and be seen during the dark hours of winter? The poor lighting of pavements is exacerbated by snow and ice, what plans does the Council have to improve the clearing of snow and ice from pavements and what plans does the Council have to acquire modern footway snow blowers or snow ploughs?
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The Chair invited Mark Calder, Project Manager, Roads and Infrastructure Services, Argyll and Bute Council to respond to the questions raised. Mr Calder advised the Council receives more complaints that the LED lights are too bright rather than not being bright enough and the project to switch to LED lights was undertaken to reduce energy, carbon and maintenance costs. Mr Calder further advised that LED lighting provides more directional light than the older sodium lights. Mr Calder invited Mr Walden to identify specific locations of concerns and that consideration could be given to adjusting the splay. Mr Calder highlighted the Councils Winter Services Policy that is considered each year at the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee and that this policy focuses on pre-treating the carriage way network with reactive treatment of the footway network after that, with town centres being treated first. Mr Calder confirmed that to the best of his knowledge the Council doesn’t have or plan to have footway snow blowers or snow ploughs with much of the work being done by hand. The Vice-Chair shared Mr Walden’s frustration as his partner is disabled and during the winter the footways can be difficult to traverse but felt that the resource required to invest in footway snow blowers or snow ploughs would be an unforgivable waste of resources for equipment that would be seldomly used. Councillor MacQuire advised that a snow plough did operate in Helensburgh previously and that to the best of his knowledge was stored in the local depot. Councillor Paterson added that he has never had any reports that the street lighting is too dull and agreed with the Vice-Chair that the cost of purchasing the suggested equipment could not be justified. Ian Clement In the absence of Mr Clement, the Committee Manager presented his submitted statement on his behalf: I was hoping to raise the issues we have on limited access roads in Cardross for refuse and recycling collection. I am constantly having to call because of issues with collection. My recycling has not been uplifted for a number of weeks now despite our very full bins being ready since 14th November. Nothing ever seems to get done and the responses/reasons I get are unacceptable. The main road through Cardross is still without line painting, months after being resurfaced. The state of Red Road/Stoneymollan Road is dreadful and nothing is ever done. I really don’t think Argyll & Bute Council are fit for purpose. It makes one wonder where my (not insignificant) council tax monies are going to. I am not sure if this is the correct forum, but I get nowhere via any other route, and quite frankly I am fed up with the ineptitude of this Council. On invitation from the Chair Mark Calder advised that the Department has experienced some vehicle breakdowns across the fleet and that he expected the issues faced in Cardross to be addressed imminently.
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Mr Calder confirmed that the road lining issues highlighted by Mr Clement had been passed to a contractor and that this work can only be undertaken during periods of dry weather. Councillor MacQuire believed that Helensburgh should be next for junction markings and white and yellow lines. Jeanette Carver In the absence of Miss Carver the Committee Manager presented her submitted questions on her behalf: Question 1 Are the costs of repairing the roof and interior damage at the leisure centre being covered by insurance? Question 2 What is the position regarding insurance cover to this high risk building once repairs are completed? The Committee Manager confirmed that on receipt of the questions he had passed them to the Head of Legal and Regulatory Support and the Head of Commercial Services who had responded: The Council is currently working with its insurers in regard to the costs of repair and that is an ongoing matter with the repair process already underway. The Council’s insurers will continue to provide insurance cover in respect of the building once repairs are complete. Having noted that there were members of the public in attendance, the Chair invited them to submit any questions they may have. Vivienne Dance Question 1 A comment was made that the minute of the previous Area Committee was inaccurate, this was supported by two elected members. Was this minute updated before it was approved? The Committee Manager confirmed that he had received no such feedback and that the minute of the meeting held on 9 September 2025 was considered and approved earlier in proceedings. Question 2 Mrs Dance commented that it was reported by the Chair that we need to find a way forward for the waterfront. Has there been a discussion on the way forward, when did the Area Committee discuss this and could an indication of what this way forward will likely be?
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The Chair confirmed that there was no statement made on behalf of the Area Committee and that she merely stated that the Council and local members have to find a way to work through this process together. The Chair added that no discussions have been held nor plans developed, but as soon as there are plans people will be informed or invited to speak to the Area Committee. Cameron Foy, Destination Helensburgh Question 1 Mr Foy asked why there was only 1 weeks’ notice publicised for the meeting regarding the Helensburgh Strategic Development Framework and why was it held on only 1 day? Question 2 Are the Area Committee aware of Scottish Land Estates Groups who presented a report to the Scottish Parliament last week to tackle rural de-population and would you recommend that the Planning Department investigate that report and invite Patrick Colquhoun, of Luss Estates, who has examples of de-population counter measures to address the Area Committee ? The Chair agreed to address matters around rural de-population by way of an Area Committee business day. Question 3 Mr Foy asked why the area is lagging behind others in terms of numbers of electric vehicles chargers and would the Area Committee support a more ambitious programme? Mark Calder confirmed that the Council had recently received over £1m from the Scottish Government to help support the roll out of additional electric vehicles chargers across Argyll and Bute. Mr Calder reported that as the resource is now confirmed the Council have revisited the original delivery strategy and that a proposal to move towards a hub delivery model would be considered by the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee on the 18 December 2025. This approach will focus on concentrating initial investment on a network of well- equipped, high-use charging hubs in key towns and island centres which would then be followed by a second phase of smaller ‘spoke’ installations across smaller settlements and in other key areas. Councillor Campbell-Sturgess responded that the number proposed chargers for Helensburgh equates to roughly 1 charger per thousand residents and that it does seem small for the increasing number of electric cars. Councillor Campbell-Sturgess added that the housing stock in Helensburgh, given its age, doesn’t lend itself to installing home based charging solutions and that this is something that elected members will need to consider going forward given the scaling back of petrol and diesel cars. Question 4
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There are a number of dead trees in Colquhoun Square when considering the Sakura Cherry Tree Project can the Area Committee please consider locating them in the Square ? Question 5 When considering the CHORD Legacy Fund report will the Area Committee please note that the raised crossings along Princes Street are getting badly eroded and corroded and are becoming dangerous? The Chair responded that Colquhoun Square is receiving allot of attention and that there is plan in the making to resolve these issues. Mark Calder confirmed that the report is seeking to establish a high-level framework for the potential reinvestment of remaining CHORD legacy funds and that a balance of approximately £57,000 remains unallocated and presents an opportunity to deliver enhancements that support the usability, quality and civic function of Colquhoun Square. Mr Calder added that consultation will be taken to ensure that residents priorities are reflected in the project. The Chair ruled, and the Committee agreed to change the order of business in order to facilitate Officer attendance. 6. POLICE SCOTLAND UPDATE Consideration was given to an update which provided information on the ongoing work of the Service and information on serious and organised crime; acquisitive crime; road safety and road crime; anti-social behaviour and violent crime; public protection; and community engagement. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Inspector Bart Simonis, Police Scotland, dated December 2025, submitted) 5. HELENSBURGH, CARDROSS AND DUMBARTON CYCLEPATH UPDATE Consideration was given to a report updating Members on the progress made since the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee on 9 September 2025 in relation to the delivery of a high quality walking and cycle route linking Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee: 1. Welcomed the continued positive engagement of landowners. 2. Supported the updated layout for the junction of A814 / Ferry Road / Craigend Road.
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3. Instructed Officers to progress the Phase 1 route on basis of the one which was identified as the most deliverable following conclusion of the deliverability review. 4. Supported efforts of Officers, subject to receiving suitable tender returns, to seek to appoint a design team to complete development of Phase 3 designs through Developed Design and Technical Design stages. (Reference: Executive Director with the responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 28 November 2025, submitted) 7. AREA COMMITTEE QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORTS - FQ2 2025/26 The Committee gave consideration to the Area Performance report for financial quarter 2 of 2025/26 (July – September 2025) which illustrated the agreed performance measures for this period. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted the performance and supporting commentary as presented. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 7 November 2025, submitted) 8. ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES UPDATE 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 noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 11 August 2025, submitted) 9. COLQUHOUN SQUARE - CHORD LEGACY FUND: PRINCIPLES FOR REINVESTMENT The Committee gave consideration to a report that sets out a high-level framework for the potential reinvestment of remaining CHORD legacy funds associated with the 2015 Helensburgh public realm improvements. The report sought agreement on the core principles that should guide future spend and proposes that officers undertake targeted engagement with local stakeholders to inform a costed delivery plan. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:
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1. noted the remaining balance of circa £57,000 from the original CHORD programme; 2. agreed that future spend would focus on enhancing the usability, amenity and presentation of Colquhoun Square as a civic and public event space; 3. endorsed the principle that replacement or rationalisation of street furniture, particularly benches, would form part of this reinvestment; and 4. Requested that officers undertake stakeholder engagement (including with community organisations, event organisers and local businesses) and return to Committee with a detailed reinvestment proposal. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure, dated 20 November 2025, submitted) 10. ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STRATEGY The Committee gave consideration to a presentation on the Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy and the list of current and proposed locations for electric vehicle chargers. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted the information provided. (Presentation by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated 20 October 2025, submitted) 11. HELENSBURGH SKATING POND IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT The Committee gave consideration to a presentation and report on the key findings and options for both ecology and recreation improvements at the Helensburgh Skating Pond. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee: 1. Noted and considered the findings and that the preferred option was the Hybrid Option which delivers both ecology and visitor benefits, and that officers are continuing to explore long terms options for the Skating Pond site. 2. Noted that circa £1m is required to deliver the project in full which had not yet been identified, and that officers continue to seek external funding. 3. Noted the £75k allocation of Nature Restoration Fund towards ecological improvements.
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4. Agreed to receive updates regarding Skating Pond improvements as and when additional funding was secured. (Presentation by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 29 October 2025, submitted) 12. CHARITABLE TRUSTS, BEQUESTS AND TRUST FUNDS The Committee gave consideration to a report which provided details relating to the ongoing management of Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds for which the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee are Trustees. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee: 1. considered the financial position of the Charitable Trusts, Bequests and Trust Funds as of August 2025; 2. agreed to make available all unrestricted funds from the Helensburgh & Faslane Cemeteries Fund to Roads and Infrastructure and thereafter to place a moratorium on the fund; 3. agreed that the ‘John Logie Baird Prize Fund’ prize be limited to £30, and 4. agreed that the Miss Annie Dickson Bequest is awarded on the basis outlined in paragraph 5.4 and defined within appendix 1 of the report. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated December 2025, submitted) 13. ARGYLL AND BUTE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP PERFORMANCE REPORT - FQ1 2025/26 (APRIL TO JUNE) Consideration was given to the Health and Social Care Partnership Performance Reports for financial quarter 1 of 2025/26 (April – June). Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted the: 1. revised suite of 77 Key Performance Indicators within the Integrated Performance Management Framework for 2025/26; 2. performance for FQ1 2025/26 (April – June 2025); 3. Delayed Discharge Sitrep as of 30 Jun 2025, as at Appendix 1 of the report; and 4. latest performance against the National Health & Wellbeing Outcomes and Ministerial Steering Group Integration Indicators, as at Appendix 2 of the report.
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(Reference: Report by Senior Manager Performance & Improvement, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, dated November 2025, submitted) 14. SAKURA CHERRY TREE PROJECT UPDATE A report providing an update on Argyll and Bute’s Sakura Cherry Tree Project was before members for information. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory support, dated 7 November 2025, submitted). 15. DRAFT HELENSBURGH AND LOMOND AREA COMMITTEE WORKPLAN The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee workplan was before members for information. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee noted the contents of the workplan. (Reference: Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee workplan, dated December 2025) 16. NOTICE OF MOTION UNDER STANDING ORDER 13 The following Notice of Motion moved by Councillor Fiona Howard, seconded by Councillor Graham Hardie was before the Committee for consideration. Dumbarton to Helensburgh – Bus Timetable A new bus timetable, recently introduced on the Dumbarton to Helensburgh route, leaves some Hermitage Academy pupils and parents, who live in Cardross, with a choice of leaving very early, meaning they have to hang around waiting for the school doors to open, or catching the next, later bus which is often delayed and means pupils miss registration or even the start of period one. Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, therefore, agrees that the Chair write to SPT and First Bus asking that the service bus timetable between Dumbarton and Helensburgh be adjusted in the morning to allow pupils travelling from Cardross by bus to get to Hermitage Academy in time for registration rather than arriving just in time for the first class. And to also seek the support of Council SPT representative Councillor Gordon Blair and Policy Lead - Roads, Transport and Amenity Services John Armour in seeking this alteration to the timetable. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed the terms of the Motion.
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(Reference: Notice of Motion under Standing Order 13 by Councillor Fiona Howard, seconded by Councillor Graham Hardie, submitted)