Democracy Spraffa

Helensburgh Chord Bins

Argyll and Bute Council · 10 December 2024
Back to Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee — 10 December 2024 and its agenda

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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL             HELENSBURGH AND LOMOND AREA                                                      
COMMITTEE 
ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES       10 DECEMBER 2024 
HELENSBURGH CHORD BINS 
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1  This report proposes the removal of the silver bins in Helensburgh following
representation received from local Members. 
1.2 As part of the public realm improvements in Helensburgh a number of years ago
silver bins were installed in the streetscape and concreted into place. These bins
have proven to be neither durable nor operationally suitable, with the result that
additional cabinet style bins have been procured and placed out alongside them. 
2.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 It is recommended that members of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee: 
2.1.1 Allocate funds from the surplus CHORD budget to the removal of the operationally
unsuitable silver bins and; 
2.1.2 Consider the future use for the model of the PS ‘Comet’ and for the ‘Flotilla’ of
‘Comets’. 
3.0 DETAIL
3.1  As part of the public realm improvements in Helensburgh a number of years ago
silver bins were installed in the streetscape and concreted into place. These bins
have proven to be neither durable nor operationally suitable, with the result that
additional cabinet style bins have been procured and placed out alongside them. 
3.2 The cabinet style bins are more durable, are consistent with other public bins across
the area, and, because they use a traditional wheelie bin inside the cabinets, have a
standard 240litre capacity and are therefore larger than the silver bins, as well as
being much easier and therefore more efficient to service. 
3.3 The removal of the silver bins, because they are concreted in place, is not
straightforward and there are costs associated to this for excavation, removal and
reinstatement. There are around 40 of the bins around the town. The costs have
been estimated at £21,016.35.

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3.4 These works could be undertaken by our local roads team after the turn of the year.
It has been suggested that the bins could be taken for use elsewhere, but they are
not considered viable for use elsewhere for the reason noted above. 
3.5 There is £28,000 left in the CHORD surplus funds budget, the management of
which sits with the local area committee. This funding has previously been allocated
to:
1. an encapsulated and lit model of the PS ‘Comet’ along with
2. the ‘Flotilla’ of ‘Comets’ which were rescued from the old lighting columns.
3.6 All of these are currently held in storage by Wave Particle on behalf of the Council
until a decision as to how they are to be installed/displayed is taken. If Members
wished to reallocate funding towards the removal of the silver bins, it would be
important to consider:
1. any potential fees associated to the storage of the above items given the length
of time they have been stored for the Council by Wave Particle
2. what should happen to the items. 
4.0 CONCLUSION
4.1 This report proposes the removal of the silver bins in Helensburgh following
representation received from local Members. 
5.0  IMPLICATIONS
5.1 Policy – None known.
5.2 Financial – CHORD surplus funds budget.
5.3  Legal – public street bins in busy urban areas help contribute towards our duties
under the Environmental Protection Act.
5.4  HR – None known.
5.5  Fairer Scotland Duty: None known.
5.5.1   Equalities - protected characteristics – None known.
5.5.2   Socio-economic Duty: None known.
5.5.3 Islands – None known.
5.6 Climate Change – None known.
5.7 Risk – None known.
5.8  Customer Service – larger and more durable bins, consistent with other public bins
across the area, which will be easier and more efficient to service.
5.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – None known. 
Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure, Kirsty Flanagan 
Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services, Councillor John Armour 
November 2024                                                  
For further information contact: 
Jim Smith, Head of Road and Infrastructure Services 
Jim.Smith@argyll-bute.gov.uk