Helensburgh Community Council Update

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HELENSBURGH COMMUNITY COUNCIL UPDATE FOR THE COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP
MEETING MAY 9TH 2023 
 The Community Clubs event held at Hermitage Academy was a great success. More than fifty
local clubs attended along with a steady flow of residents throughout the day. Feedback was
positive from both. The Community Council used it as a chance to engage with the public re
the current plans for the Waterfront. Thanks to the Garelochead Rotary who worked jointly
with us on this event.
 The HCC conducted a survey with the community with regards to the proposed development
on the waterfront. We received more than 1200 replies. The ideas for development were
varied but there was an overwhelming desire to retain the site for leisure activities and in
particular those for  youth activities including the development and retention of the
skatepark. There was a desire for a more varied provision of shops in particular a budget
supermarket,  not on this site but elsewhere in the town. 
 As a result of the survey the HCC has submitted an expression of interest for the Waterfront 
Site on behalf of the community.
 A meeting of local business owners was held at Victoria Halls. This was attended by more
than 30 local shops and businesses, the Federation of Small Businesses and Destination
Helensburgh. An excellent discussion was held on how we as the HCC and local businesses
can work together to support each other through the current difficult times. A What’s App
group was set up to improve communication and the group will meet again in June. 
 Our  monthly Beach Cleans returned in February we are now regularly getting 25 plus
members of the community volunteering. An extra clean was held at The East Bay Beach and
promenade to clear the huge amount of debris which had accumulated on the grass area
and beach following the winter storms. More than 40 volunteers adults and children heeded
the call and 611 kilos of rubbish including a large amount of plastic was removed. Thanks to
Plastic Free Helensburgh, the Helensburgh Community Hub and Jean’s Bothy for their
support with this
 The HCC has applied to the Supporting Communities Fund for a grant to pay for skips to
continue to remove the marine litter from Helensburgh beaches and the Clyde.
  HCC volunteers cleaned and tidied the shrub beds in Colqhuon Square in preparation for 
the Easter Weekend
 The HCC wrote to Argyll and Bute Council with regards to problems with maintenance and
repair of the infrastructure in the town. Concerns included damagedrubbish bins, unrepaired
street furniture and repairs to the outdoor museum.It also highlighted the problem of 
rubbish bins promised in last years budget not materializing.  A meeting to discuss these
issues will be held on May 19th  with Tom Murphy, which we hope will begin to find
permanent solutions.
 A delegation of seven visitors from Le Taillin near Bordeaux France visited and were
entertained by members of the HCC and local community during April. They visited places of
interest and local schools with a view to setting up a new twinning arrangement. They were
entertained by a local dance school and a Town Ceilidh at the Civic Centre. Thanks to the
Civic Centre and Argyll and Bute for their support with this. Preparations are being made for
a return visit.
 Visiting speakers at HCC  meetings have included the NTS re the Hill House, The Mackintosh
Club, The Winter Festival and Virgin Broadband.
 The group working on the redevelopment of Helensburgh Pier reported on their current
work and plans at the April Meeting.