Community Development Update

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Classification: OFFICIAL
Community Development Update
Helensburgh & Lomond Area Community Planning Group  November 2025 
ROSC / ADP – Community Development have been working with the NHS and Alcohol and
Drugs Partnership to start a quarterly recovery network in the Helensburgh area. The first
meeting took place on Thursday 23rd October at H&LCC with 11 attendees representing With
You, New Way, Fire Service, Welfare rights, NHS and ABC Housing team. 
It is hoped that more people shall join the network, which is looking to share experiences and
resources. The aim is to have a regular opportunity for agencies to come together to coordinate
services to help in people’s recovery from addiction. Next meet January 2026. 
Princess Louise Hall – The group continue to meet council officers from Property, Estates, and
Community Development, having regular update sessions.  The current stage of the project is
focusing on delivering a schedule of repairs and improvement works. The group are in
discussions with Property services to finalise specifics. The goal is to offer some smaller
activities and community events in the hall, starting before the next financial year. This will be
the first step to a staged programme of improvements over the coming years. 
Kirkmichael Community Development Group are in process of clearing dilapidated
Portakabin from the playground area. An initial clearance of rubble has occurred with the group
leading this; working with Comm Dev the KCDG have secured a mixture of funds from AB
Council, Dumbritton Housing, Scottish Fire Service and Police Scotland to remove the
remainder of the structure. 
The group are proposing an open day (date TBC) in January to discuss future developments and
are keen to hear from anyone who may be interested in developing a men’s shed. 
Friends of Hermitage Park recently held a development meeting with CDO to review their
annual plan, prior to their AGM. A group member has recently met with Live Argyll, Comm Dev.
and the Resettlement team to look at developing volunteering opportunities for existing and
new volunteers.  The FoHP continue to take part in quarterly steering group meetings with
Amenities. 
Climate Action Plan for Helensburgh – Members of ABCAN, Community Planning Partnership
and CDO had an initial meeting with a representative from Keep Scotland Beautiful on the
possibility of a Climate Action Plan for Helensburgh and Lomond with a culture and heritage
focus. A follow-on meeting is proposed for mid-November to discuss how this could be put into
practice, with key community groups. 
If local groups are agreeable to the offer from KSB – workshops will start in early 2026.