Minute of the meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, Held on 13 June 2023
Argyll and Bute Council · 12 September 2023
Back to Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee — 12 September 2023 and its agenda
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE HELENSBURGH & LOMOND AREA COMMITTEE HELD ON A HYBRID BASIS BY MICROSOFT TEAMS AND IN THE MARRIAGE SUITE IN THE HELENSBURGH AND LOMOND CIVIC CENTRE ON TUESDAY, 13 JUNE 2023 Present: Councillor Gemma Penfold (Chair) Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess Councillor Maurice Corry Councillor Graham Hardie Councillor Fiona Howard Councillor Paul Donald Kennedy Councillor Ian MacQuire Councillor Gary Mulvaney Councillor Iain Paterson Attending: Stuart McLean, Committee Manager Mark Calder, Project Manager Colin Young, Senior Transportation Delivery Officer Dianne Richardson, Helensburgh CARS Officer Ailie Law, Community Development Officer Wendy Brownlie, Head of Education – Learning and Teaching Brendan Docherty, Education Manager Douglas Morgan, Head Teacher, Hermitage Academy Mhairi Stewart, Depute Head Teacher, Hermitage Academy Kelly Girling, Head Teacher, Cardross Primary School Maria McArthur, Head Teacher, Garelochhead Primary School Jillian Torrens, Head of Adult Services, Mental Health, Acute and Complex Care, HSCP Inspector James McArthur, Police Scotland 1. APOLOGIES The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Councillor Mark Irvine. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess declared a non-financial interest at agenda item 5 (Primary School Report 2022-23 - Helensburgh and Lomond Area), as a family member attends one of the schools. He advised that he did not consider the connection to be significant and as such would remain in the meeting and take part in discussion and decision on this item. Councillor Gary Mulvaney declared a non-financial interest at agenda item 9 (Cemetery Maintenance and Roads Access Fund), as he is a member of Friends of Helensburgh Cemetery. He advised that he would leave the meeting during the consideration of this item. 3. MINUTE OF THE MEETING OF THE HELENSBURGH AND LOMOND AREA COMMITTEE, HELD ON 14 MARCH 2023 The Minute of the meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee, held on 14 March 2023 was approved as a correct record.
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4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME Questions from Angela Anderson Angela Anderson asked the Committee if they could expedite the installation of the larger replacement bins along the Helensburgh waterfront, advising that the community had hoped that these would be in place before the spring season. Angela also asked if the Committee could look into the removal of the silver bins along the waterfront. Councillor MacQuire advised that he had been asked to look into these issues by Helensburgh Community Council. Councillor MacQuire reported that the bins should be installed shortly and that a contractor would be required to remove the silver bins as they are cemented into place and that this is being taken forward. Councillor Mulvaney advised that the Committee would get confirmation on the timescale for both the replacement bins and the removal of the silver bins. Questions from Sarah Davies Sarah Davies asked the Committee how community groups were chosen to be part of the consultation for the Helensburgh Waterfront project and highlighted that Friends of Hermitage Park and Helensburgh Skatepark Project had not been invited to take part. Councillor Mulvaney advised that officers chose the community groups through multiple lists and added that as Policy Lead he was happy to take this issue forward and arrange for Friends of Hermitage Park and Helensburgh Skatepark Project to be invited to take part in the consultation. Sarah also enquired about the area where the top-up tap is installed on the waterfront. She advised that when she had worked on securing the tap, the masterplan showed that there would be no traffic entering the area. Sarah highlighted that the tap had been damaged by a vehicle only 3 weeks after installation and asked for clarification on the accessibility of the area advising that while this is no longer a carpark road lining and lack of signage suggests parking is permitted. Councillor Penfold advised that the Committee would seek clarification from the appropriate department and respond in due course. 5. PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT 2022-23 - HELENSBURGH AND LOMOND AREA The Committee gave consideration to a report and presentation which provided a range of key information about primary school provision in the Helensburgh and Lomond area during the school session August 2022 to June 2023 and reported the National collection of attainment and achievement data from June 2022. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Education dated June 2023, submitted)
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6. HERMITAGE ACADEMY ATTAINMENT REPORT The Committee heard from Mr Morgan, Head Teacher of Hermitage Academy, who picked out some highlights from the school report which had been provided to Members. The report included information in relation to S3 attainment of Curriculum for Excellence levels in literacy and numeracy and Gaelic; the pass rates of National qualifications and the Insight dashboard. 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 the contents of the report and information provided. (Reference: Report by Head Teacher, Hermitage Academy, dated June 2023, submitted) 7. POLICE SCOTLAND UPDATE Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on the ongoing work of Police Scotland. The report included information on celebrating Pride Month 2023; the Community survey 23/24; the ‘Don’t Feed Hate’ campaign; Operation Balaton; Summer speed watch and water safety events. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee considered and noted the information provided in the report. (Reference: Report by Sergeant Eddie McGunnigal, Police Scotland, submitted) 8. AREA PERFORMANCE REPORT - FQ4 2022/23 Consideration was given to the Area Performance Report for financial quarter 4 of 2022/23 (January to March 2023) which illustrated the agreed performance measures for this period. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee: 1. noted and considered the performance and supporting commentary as presented; 2. agreed that upon receipt of the Quarterly Performance Report the Area Committee should contact either the Responsible Named Officer or Sonya Thomas with any queries; and 3. noted that work is ongoing and to respond to Sonya Thomas with requests or comments regarding the layout and format of the Performance Report and Scorecard. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services, dated 4 May 2023, submitted)
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Councillor Gary Mulvaney having declared an interest in relation to the following item of business, left the meeting and took no part in the consideration of this item. 9. CEMETERY MAINTENANCE AND ROADS ACCESS FUND The Committee gave consideration to a report that provided options on how to spend £75,000 that had been allocated from the Crown Estates funding to a Cemetery Maintenance and Roads Access Fund. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee: 1. agreed the package of proposals up to the value of £75,000; and 2. noted that regular updates would be provided via the Roads and Infrastructure weekly briefings. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services, dated May 2023, submitted) Councillor Gary Mulvaney re-joined the meeting at this point 10. HSCP ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT 2022-2023 Consideration was given to the HSCP Annual Performance Report for 2022-23. The report detailed how the HSCP had performed and also provided progress updates on how they have improved and adapted services which are fit for the future. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee considered and noted the contents of the report. (Reference: Report by Chief Officer, Health and Social Care Partnership, dated June 2023, submitted) 11. HELENSBURGH CONSERVATION AREA REGENERATION SCHEME (CARS) RECOMMENDATION OF AWARD Consideration was given to a report asking members to approve a grant offer of up to Forty One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty Four Pounds and Twenty Five Pence. (£41,764.25) to the owner of the shopfront at The Scandinavian Shop 53 Sinclair Street, Helensburgh. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee approved the grant offer of up to Forty One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty Four Pounds and Twenty Five Pence. (£41,764.25) to the owner of the shopfront at The Scandinavian Shop 53 Sinclair Street, Helensburgh.
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(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 28 April 2023, submitted) 12. SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES FUND 2023/24 Consideration was given to a report which detailed recommendations for the award of the Council’s Supporting Communities Fund (SCF) for the 2023/24 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 20 applications, marked as ‘Award’ within Appendix 1 of the report, are awarded funding from the Supporting Communities Fund Budget totalling £38,450, as follows:
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Ref Applicant Recommendation Amount Requested Award 2023/24 1 *Rosneath Community Hub Award £2,489.00 £2,489.00 2 *Police Scotland Youth Volunteers Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 3 **Plastic Free Helensburgh Award £2,350.00 £2,350.00 4 **Friends of Hermitage Park Association Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 5 **Cove Park Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 6 *Rosneath Peninsula Amenity Society Award £500.00 £500.00 7 Jean's Bothy Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 8 Garelochhead Station Trust Award £1,108.00 £1,108.00 9 Scottish Women's Institute - Millig Award £1,426.00 £1,426.00 10 Helensburgh Art Hub Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 11 Princess Louise Hall Award £2,446.00 £2,446.00 12 Cove and Kilcreggan Lunch Club Award £1,013.00 £1,013.00 13 Helensburgh Bowling Club Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 14 Geilston Hall Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 15 Fun First Award £2,500.00 £2,500.00 16 Rosneath Peninsula West Community Development Trust Award with conditions £2,500.00 £2,500.00 17 **Helensburgh Community Council Award £2,160.00 £2,160.00 18 Loch Long Jetty Association Award £558.00 £558.00 19 Arrochar Tarbet & Ardlui CC Award £650.00 £650.00 20 Helensburgh Amateur Athletic Club Award (partial award) £2,000.00 £1,250.00 21 Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs No award £2,500.00 £0.00 22 Alzheimer Scotland- Action on Dementia No award £2,500.00 £0.00 23 Cove and Kilcreggan Youth Café No award £2,500.00 £0.00 24 Helensburgh Writing Circle No award £700.00 £0.00 25 Carr Gomm No award £625.00 £0.00 26 Helensburgh Lunch Club No award £2,250.00 £0.00 27 Helensburgh Community Council No award £2,500.00 £0.00 28 Garelochhead & Rosneath Peninsula Community First Response No award £2,220.00 £0.00 (Reference: Report by Chief Executive, dated 12 May 2023, submitted)
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13. REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM HELENSBURGH AND DISTRICT TWINNING ASSOCIATION A report providing information on a request from the Helensburgh and District Twinning Association for financial assistance to help with a visit to Thouars in July 2023 and a visit to Helensburgh by residents from Thouars in 2025 was considered. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee agreed to award the sum of £833 from the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Twinning Budget for 2023/24 to Helensburgh and District Twinning Association. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated 15 May 2023, submitted) 14. 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 13 June 2023) The Chair advised that in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, relating to the following item of business would require the exclusion of the press and public should Members wish to discuss the content of appendix 2 on the grounds that it 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. 15. 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 14 March 2023 in relation to the delivery of a dedicated, high quality walking and cycle route linking Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton. Members agreed that they wished to discuss the information contained in appendix 2 of the report and agreed to exclude the press and public to allow consideration of this information. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee: 1. noted the agreement of one change requests from WSP at an additional cost of £6,479.51, taking the total cost of WSPs work to £259,907.47 and that this additional cost is covered by externally secured funding;
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2. noted the amended completion date submitted by WSP of end-July 2023; 3. noted that some elements of work would require to be completed separately following completion of WSPs work to finalise the full package required for construction; 4. welcomed the progress towards the award of contract for the section of route linking Morrisons Supermarket/Hermitage Academy to Helensburgh Town Centre/Waterfront, and development of this to Concept Design stage; 5. noted appendix 1 in the paper with projected compulsory purchase orders in 2026/27, 2028/29, and 2029/30 at various phases of the scheme; and 6. agreed that officers would bring forward a report to the next Area Committee outlining: a. a quantification of the projects risks; and b. options for next steps including bringing forward compulsory purchase orders to expedite construction of the Helensburgh to Cardross phase. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 27 April 2023, submitted) The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the press and public for the following item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. 16. HELENSBURGH CONSERVATION AREA REGENERATION SCHEME (CARS) RECOMMENDATION OF AWARDS - PRIORITY BUILDINGS The Committee gave consideration to a report which asked Members to approve grant offers to the owners of 1-5 Colquhoun Street, and 25-26 West Clyde Street, Helensburgh and to the owners of 17-19 West Clyde Street Helensburgh as part of the Helensburgh CARS Scheme as Priority Building. Decision The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee approved the grant as detailed in the report. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated 14 April 2023, submitted)