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Argyll and Bute Council · 23 August 2022
Back to Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group — 23 August 2022 and its agenda

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MINUTES of MEETING of HELENSBURGH AND LOMOND COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP
held BY MICROSOFT TEAMS 
on TUESDAY, 23 AUGUST 2022 
Present: David Moore (Chair), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Shona Barton, Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council
Angela Anderson, Time for Change Argyll and Bute/Plastic Free Helensburgh
Paula Darbyshire, Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface
Sarah Davies, Fun First/Plastic Free Helensburgh/Helensburgh Community
Council
Rhona Grant, Live Argyll – Community Learning Service
Thomas Guy-Conroy, Live Argyll – Community Learning Service
John Lewis, Males Tales/Females Tales
Morevain Martin, Garelochhead Station Trust
George Freeman, Garelochhead Residents Association
Susan MacRae, Skills Development Scotland
Kirsty Moyes, Community Development Officer, Argyll and Bute Council
PC Drew Omand, Ministry of Defence Police
Alison Gildea, Grey Matters Active Ageing
Jayne Burnett, Visiting Friends
Councillor Gemma Penfold
Councillor Fiona Howard
Andrew Galloway, Local Democracy Reporter 
1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES 
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting highlighting some new members of the
Group including the newly elected Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament, and
the three Elected Member representatives, Councillors Gemma Penfold, Fiona
Howard and Mark Irvine who had been appointed as members of the Area
Community Planning Group for the term of this Council following the recent Local
Government Elections. 
The Chair then outlined the process for the meeting.   
Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of:- 
Jen Broadhurst, Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
Sam Campbell, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) 
Allan Comrie, Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT)
Fiona Baker, Rhu and Shandon Community Council and Destination Helensburgh
Duncan MacLachlan, Arrochar & Tarbet Community Development Trust, Friends of
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs and Argyll & the Isles Coast & Countryside Trust 
Theresa Bain, University of Highlands and Islands (UHI)
Gordon Boyle, Scottish Fire and Rescue

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Carol-Anne McDade, Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP)
Lucy Dunbar, Community Planning Team
John McLuckie, Community Planning Team
Chief Inspector Samantha Glasgow, Police Scotland
Christopher Casey, Scottish Fire and Rescue
Charlotte Wallace, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
Colin Crichton, Live Argyll 
PC Laura Evans, Police Scotland
Neil McFarlane, Transport Scotland
Alasdair MacCuish, Helensburgh Gaelic Group
Councillor Ian Shonny Paterson 
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 
There were no declarations of interest intimated.   
3. MINUTES 
(a) Meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning
Group held on Thursday 21 April 2022 
The minutes of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning
Group meeting held on 21 April 2022 were approved as a correct record.   
4. PARTNER UPDATES 
(a) Scottish Fire and Rescue 
The Group gave consideration to a report highlighting the Scottish Fire
and Rescue Service’s (SFRS) FQ1 review of local performance across
Helensburgh and Lomond for the period 2022-23.  The report included
information around incidents during this period, recent community safety
activity and the local firefighter training plan.   
Decision 
The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group
considered and noted the information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, submitted) 
(b) Police Scotland 
Having noted that there was no one in attendance from Police Scotland,
the group gave consideration to a written update which included
information on the ongoing work of the Service; staff resourcing; a number

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of initiatives including Keep Safe – Ukranian Support and Doorstep Crime
Guidance.  Information in relation to road safety, youth engagement and
suicide prevention was also provided.  The report also outlined the details
of this year’s annual Police survey. 
The Chair advised that any questions or comments for Police Scotland in
relation to the update should be forwarded to the Committee Manager,
who would feed these back and request an update at the next meeting.   
Decision 
The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group
considered and noted the information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Police Scotland, submitted) 
(c) Argyll & Bute Citizens Advice Bureau Community Planning Update
August 2022 
Having noted that apologies had been received from Jen Broadhurst, the
group gave consideration to a written update which highlighted the
unprecedented rise in requests for advice and support from clients across
all areas of Argyll and Bute and outlined that the impact of the cost of
living crisis had pushed energy enquiries up by 89% between September
and July compared to the same period last year.  Information was also
provided on the relocation of the office to the Helensburgh Community
Hub; the recommencement of the Volunteer Adviser Training Programme
and the upcoming AGM, which is scheduled to take place on 22
November 2022.   
The Chair advised that any questions or comments for the Citizens Advice
Bureau in relation to the update should be forwarded to the Committee
Manager, who would feed these back and request an update at the next
meeting.   
Decision 
The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group
considered and noted the information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau, submitted) 
(d) Public Health 
Having noted the apologies of the Health Improvement Principal, the
group gave consideration to a written update which provided information
in relation to the Money Counts Level 1 Training Course; Smoke Free
Hospital Ground’s Legislation and Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Strategy
Consultation. 
The Chair advised that any questions or comments in relation to the
update should be forwarded to the Committee Manager, who would feed
these back and request an update at the next meeting.

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Decision 
The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group
considered and noted the information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Health Improvement Lead, Argyll and Bute Health
and Social Care Partnership, submitted) 
(e) Helensburgh Community Council 
Consideration was given to an update from Sarah Davies, Helensburgh
Community Council, which paid tribute to the sad passing of two
prominent members of the Community Council, John Tacchi and Roger
Ferdinand.  The update also provided details of an annual review on a
number of areas, including Visions for Helensburgh; The Pier and
Helensburgh Leisure Centre.  It also highlighted areas considered an
issue which included the maintenance of the infrastructure of the town;
communication and engagement issues between the Community Council
and Argyll and Bute Council and the need to look at ways of improving
consultation processes. 
Sarah took the opportunity to seek assistance from Partners in the
recruitment of new members for the Community Council in the upcoming
Community Council Elections.   
Decision 
The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group
considered and noted the information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Helensburgh Community Council, submitted) 
(f) UHI Argyll 
Having noted the apologies of Theresa Bain, the group gave
consideration to a written update which included information on the
commencement of the forthcoming academic year and outlined the
courses that were available in the Helensburgh area.  It was noted that
applications were still being taken for the available courses.   
The Chair advised that any questions or comments in relation to the
update should be forwarded to the Committee Manager, who would feed
these back and request an update at the next meeting.   
Decision 
The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group
considered and noted the information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Argyll UHI, submitted)

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(g) Argyll TSI 
The group gave consideration to an update by Paula Darbyshire of Argyll
TSI which included information on the recent Volunteer of the Year
Awards; the distribution of the Community Based Adult Learning Fund; the
announcement expected from the Scottish Government on the
Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund; the new Joint
Commissioning Strategy, as agreed by the Integration Joint Board, at its
meeting on 30 March 2022 and the YPG Mentor and Volunteer Placement
Programme.   
Decision 
The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group
considered and noted the information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Argyll TSI, submitted) 
(h) Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) 
Having noted the absence of Alan Comrie, Strathclyde Partnership for
Transport (SPT), the Group considered an update which included details
of their agreed capital programme for Argyll and Bute. The update also
included information on supported bus services and other work streams,
which included developments led by CMAL at Kilcreggan and
Gourock/Cowal; rail service timetables and the recently launched
consultation on the Regional Transport Strategy.  It was noted that the
consultation could be accessed at https://www.spt.co.uk/spt-across-the-
region/what-we-are-doing/regional-transport-strategy/vision/ 
The Chair advised that any questions or comments for Strathclyde
Partnership for Transport in relation to the update should be forwarded to
the Committee Manager, who would feed these back and request an
update at the next meeting.   
Decision 
The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group
considered and noted the information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Senior Transport Planner, Strathclyde Partnership
for Transport, submitted) 
(i) Opportunity for Verbal Updates (Pages 17 - 44)  
Fun First 
Sarah Davies provided a short update on the ongoing work of the Fun
First charity, which included information on their scheduled sessions and
activities; the forthcoming fundraising activities and the charities success
in being awarded a grant from Comic Relief.  Sarah spoke of the need to
recruit new trainers and leaders to the group and urged Partners to direct

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any young families who would benefit from meeting other families, to the
group’s Facebook page.  
Having previously advised of their nomination for Military Charity of the
Year at the Celebrating Forces Families Awards 2022, Sarah advised of
their success in winning the award, which has helped raise the profile of
Fun First both locally and nationally.   On behalf of the group, the Chair
congratulated Sarah and her team on their success and for continuing to
deliver a valuable service across the Helensburgh and Lomond area.   
Garelochhead Station Trust
Morevain Martin provided a short update on the ongoing work of
Garelochhead Station Trust.  She advised of the many activities that are
planned in the near future including a special Hawaiian Brunch Club and
regular monthly bus trips with planned visits to the Royal Yacht, Britannia
and the Burrell Collection.  Morevain advised of the upcoming office move
to the Garelochhead Station Building, and advised Partners that she could
be contacted by email (morevain@garelochheadstationtrust.co.uk) and
telephone (07541 777559). 
Skills Development Scotland (SDS)  
Susan MacRae advised of the current workloads of the Skills
Development Scotland team with Creative Advisors back in schools
supporting senior phase pupils in making future plans and in working with
Partners to ascertain the destinations of those just left.  She advised of
the deadlines involved in this workload and advised that she was hopeful
that she would be bringing a report back to this meeting in February 2023
highlighting the outcomes.  Susan provided an update on the refreshed
partnership working between the Department for Work and Pensions
(DWP) and SDS and confirmed that SDS were working in the
Helensburgh Job Centre on an adhoc basis.   
Jean’s Bothy
An update was provided by Katrina Sayer on the workstreams of Jean’s
Bothy, which included the work of focus groups to look at the lockdown
impact on mental health; the annual fundraising cycle around the island of
Millport in support of ENABLE Scotland and the development of the play
“Included” which is due to go on tour in October with the launch taking
place in Greenock and then travelling around Argyll and Bute with
scheduled performances in Helensburgh, Dunoon, Oban and
Campbeltown.  
MOD Police
Having noted that this was his first time in attendance at the meeting,
Constable Andrew (Drew) Omand took the opportunity to introduce

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himself to the group and outlined his role within the community working
with Police Scotland, Argyll and Bute Council and the Base Warrant
Officer from HMNB Clyde.  Drew advised his of his contact details which
are as follows:
Andrew (Drew) Omand
Constable | Defence Community Police Officer (DCPO)
Churchill Community Police Office, Churchill Square, Helensburgh, G84
9HL, UK
Phone: 01436 678 046
Mobile: 07773 973088
Email: andrew.omand100@mod.gov.uk 
Plastic Free Helensburgh
Angela Anderson spoke to the terms of the written update that had been
circulated by email to the group prior to the meeting:  
This Saturday 27th August and Saturday 24th September HCC Beach
Clean at the pier.
On Saturday 17th September East Bay Clean as part of the Great British
Beach Clean
On Saturday 2nd October PFH is running a sustainability Event in the
Parish Hall Colquhoun Square as part of the Climate Fringe Week 
We have continued holding monthly steering group meetings and are
keen to recruit some new members to the core team.
We continue to support HCC with their last Saturday in the Month Pier
Beach clean and organise regular cleans at the East Bay.
We undertook a large scale clean at Craigendoran Pier with Scottish
Water, a visiting church group and a number of our regular enthusiast.
There is still a high volume of Sewage related plastics and wipes on the
beaches. We think these are coming from elsewhere but ask everyone to
remember the three pees. Pee, Poo and Paper. Anything else puts a
burden on the system. 
We continue to survey local take a ways on the single use plastic ban and
distribute leaflets from the GRAB Trust.
Together with HCC we re-surveyed the litter bins along the front and
Colquhoun Square and sent the results and pictorial evidence to A&B. We
subsequently meet with the amenities manager and expect some
improvement in the capacity of public bins soon.
We were invited by KSB (Keep Scotland Beautiful) to speak at a seminar
in Dumbarton and gain at the Glasgow Science Centre. This has linked us
up with groups from other LAs who are part of the Upstream Clyde Battle.
We have attended various meeting etc with SAS (Surfers Against
Sewage) and continue on the journey as an accredited plastic free town

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and are working in unison with Plastic Free Fife on a number of issues
and consultations.We were invited by SEPA to walk the beaches and
point out where debris collects and continue to pass on information.
We had a follow up meeting with SEPA, Scottish Water and Marine
Scotland again arranged by Jackie Ballie and have a good understanding
of how the sewer system works here and up and down the Clyde. Work
has been undertaken to remediate the problem areas we identified and
there is a working agreement to continue to monitor the outflows etc.
We gave a talk to Rhu Primary P1,2 and 3 and also to P4, 5, 6 & 7.
Our social media is busy with requests for school uniforms. 
Time for Change, Argyll and Bute
Angela Anderson spoke to the terms of the written update that had been
circulated by email to the group prior to the meeting:  
As part of Climate Fringe Week
Sunday 2nd October 2022 1600 – 1800 at Lochgilphead High School.
A conversation on the use and care of Argyll’s Land and Sea 
Climate Action Hub
Appointment of Marie Stonehouse
Argyll & Bute Regional Network Engagement Coordinator 
Time for Change are encouraging participation in Community Councils
and Elections
We have a meeting with Jenni Minto MSP for the rest of Argyll.
This is Stop Jackdaw week of action.
Jackdaw is the largest gas field to be approved by the UK government
since the IEA said we can't have any more new fossil fuel projects if we
want to stay within safe climate limits.
It would be on Stream until 2026 and will produce for some 40 years.   
Community Learning Service
Rhona Grant provided an update in relation to Adult Learning and
confirmed the recent recruitment of an Adult Learning Worker.  She also
introduced the Lead Youth Worker for Live Argyll, Thomas Guy-Conroy to
the group.  Thomas provided a short update on the work he has been
undertaking in relation to tackling anti-social behaviour in youths, which
included running a Friday night football session for 12 -16 year olds with
input from the National Football Unit on hate crime and anti-social
behaviour within communities.  Thomas advised that the Scottish Fire and
Rescue Service had purchased the equipment needed to enable this

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session, and took the opportunity to thank them publically for their help
and support.  Thomas further advised of the Youth Action Group which
was now up and running in the Helensburgh area.   
Visiting Friends
Jayne Burnett provided a short verbal update on the ongoing work of the
Visiting Friends group.  She advised of the dip in volunteer numbers and
outlined ways in which the group were focussing on retaining their current
volunteers.  Jayne spoke of a number of events including the joint event
which took place in July with the Pavilion Café in Hermitage Park and the
upcoming joint event with Garelochhead Station Trust to the Burrell
Collection.  Further information was provided in relation to the Visiting
Friends Coffee morning in the Helensburgh Community Hub which was
due to take place on Saturday 3 September and encouraged everyone to
participate.   
Community Development, Argyll and Bute Council
Kirsty Moyes provided a short update in relation to the Risk Management
training that is due to take place on 24 and 25 August 2022 in partnership
with Argyll TSI and Live Argyll.  She thanked everyone who had taken the
time to complete the training needs analysis questionnaire and advised
that she would take away an action to consider the difficulties in recruiting
and retaining volunteers.   
Community Council Elections
Shona Barton provided a short update on the process of the Community
Council elections.  She advised that there were 56 Community Councils
across Argyll and Bute and that nominations were now open.  She
advised that the closing date was 8 October 2022 and provided the
following link to nomination packs:-  
https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/community-council-elections-20-october-
2022 
Helensburgh Gaelic Club
In the absence of Alasdair McCuish, the Committee Manager provided the
following update:- 
The Helensburgh Gaelic Group will re-start on Tuesday 20 September at
2:00pm in Helensburgh Parish Church An additional evening session may
be available is there is sufficient interest
Christie Moore is calling a meeting in Helensburgh to develop a Gaelic
Hub.

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The Chair, David Moore advised that the following updates had been
circulated by email prior to the meeting:-  
Rhu and Shandon Community Council
Rhu and Shandon Community Council (RSCC) has, as usual, spent the
vast majority of its time reacting to various issues affecting the community.
These include:
 The Empowering Educators ‘consultation’ which has proved a
contentious issue throughout Argyll and Bute and the CC is
grateful for the input from Rhu Primary School Parent Council.
 Investigating and recording road safety issues in the villages.
 Assessing and responding to several planning issues.
 Request to Argyll and Bute Council to tidy up some areas of the
village which we are advised this is in hand.
 Request to Argyll and Bute Council to provide two defibrillator signs
to alert the public to the presence of a defibrillator at Rhu Football
Club. This is proving rather difficult to achieve and is ongoing. 
Forestry matters including the imminent commencement of in-forest road
building for the new plantations at Letrault and Stuckenduff and the
resumption of harvesting of Highlandman’s and Torr forests.  RSCC have
objected to the use of Pier and Station Roads for timber haulage since
2017 and continue dialogue with Scottish Woodlands and Scottish
Forestry to secure the construction of a new forest road that would
remove 44 ton timber lorries using the roads through the village which are
steep and too narrow for vehicle pass-through, with blind summits, a 90°
turn and no pavements in places.
At Torr Farm approximately one hundred native woodland  trees, in
excess of the permitted felling allowance for native woodland, were felled
early in 2021.  Scottish Forestry first indicated enforcement action would
be taken but have subsequently supported the landowner with developing
a draft management plan for the felling of 685 trees or 26%  of the
woodland.  The CC assessed the draft management plan, canvassed
local opinion and submitted a response.  A revised management plan will
be circulated for consultation in due course.  
Rhu War Memorial 
The Royal British Legion Scotland Helensburgh and District Branch have
undertaken a great deal of work in cleaning and tidying up Rhu War
Memorial.  They have been assisted by HMNB Clyde and new bedding
plants in the Legion’s blue and gold colours were provided by Argyll and
Bute Council.  We are grateful to the Legion, the Navy and Mark the
gardener from A&B C for their efforts.  The memorial has been cleaned

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and the benches refurbished and a lot of gardening has been done.   The
Memorial won first place as the Best Kept War Memorial in the new
entries section and is now in the running against all memorials in Scotland
for RBLS’s best kept war memorial.  
Aldonaig Farm
Aldonaig Farm continues to be a source of problems in Rhu.  The
landowner asked the current tenants to leave several months ago and the
former tenant is now squatting on the land.  400 sheep were removed by
the SSPCA after we contacted various authorities including DEFRA in
July following high numbers of dead animals on the site.  The issues are
ongoing with more concerns of animal welfare, environmental pollution,
quad and scramble bike noise and damage, and a great deal of local
upset at the flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Taliban flag)
being flown at the site.  The CC continue to engage with various
authorities to try and resolve the situation. 
Destination Helensburgh
Destination Helensburgh have undertaken various promotional activities
over the summer and have noted a distinct increase in visitor numbers at
the visitor information centre in Helensburgh.  We are currently
undertaking statistical analyses of the first year of operations which we
hope will be useful in building a baseline picture of visitor demographics
over a year. 
In 2022 we have hosted social media influencers Scotland with the Wee
White Dug and Watch Me See. The social media reach for the influencers
was 254k with 38.5k engagements.  We also supported the BBC TV
series Escape to the Country on their recent visit to the area, and worked
with the Green Action Trust (John Muir Way) on a social media campaign
promoting their new cycling route through Glen Fruin. 
Print advertising has been placed in two issues of The Scots magazine,
Holiday West Highland, and the Sunday Mail.  A digital billboard campaign
showcasing outdoor adventure in H&L ran at Queen St rail station over 2
weeks, reaching footfall of approximately 861k. 
Four promotional videos (HELLO Winter, HELLO Adventure, HELLO
Spring and HELLO Holidays) have been filmed, and these will be
embedded on our website and promoted on social media at the
appropriate times of the year. These will be a major promotional tool going
forwards. We have also commissioned professional photography to build
up our image bank of the area. 
We completed a contract for Argyll and Bute Council to provide the
content for a new app Discover Helensburgh.  The app features eight
walking trails with information on marked points of interest and includes
an eye spy game featuring little details around the town such as the stone
cat on the Municipal Buildings. Discover Helensburgh can be downloaded
free from the App Store and Google Play and we will shortly be supporting

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the Council with a launch campaign. 
We continue to promote and support local businesses and community
organisations through advertising services and events on our website and
online events calendar, social media and through flyers and posters at the
visitor information centre. 
Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development Trust
Most of our Directors time and focus has been on maintaining our Three
Villages Community Hall in operation with events and activities to
encourage local groups and visiting hires to return, to use our facility
which has not seen a return to previous booking levels as zoom / MS
Team meetings are now the new normal, rather than gathering for face to
face meetings in Arrochar as had been very popular pre-pandemic.
A double edged sword with a number of NHS bookings for Covid
Vaccination Clinics and public meetings being held for planning
consultations on SSEN Power line upgrades, Fish Farm developments,
Forestry Harvesting Operations and private development at the Former
Torpedo Range site.
Community Council and Trust members have been involved in a Steering
Group that is conducting a Community  wide Survey that will inform an
updated Community Action Plan or as it is currently called a Local Place
Plan.
There has been further consultation and involvement with Loch Lomond
and the Trossachs National Park on improved Visitor Infrastructure and
services on West Loch Lomond following intervention and temporary
seasonal arrangements that have been necessary in the last two years,
since the large scale emergence from lockdown and resulting Staycation
experience.  This prompted production of a strategic document for
submission and consideration by Visit Scotland for Rural Tourism
Infrastructure Funding to realise necessary improvements.
Meantime the A&T Development Trust with collaborative partners the
Friends of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs secured funding to continue to
operate our Two Lochs Villages Visitor Services project.  This funding
has come from: Nature Scot’s Better Places Green Recovery Fund Round
3; Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Authority; Argyll & Bute
Council and a number of Lochside Businesses, who now sponsor Litter
Bins in the A82 Lochside Laybys and a twice weekly uplift service. 
A pedestrian bridge restoration over the Tarbet Burn was funded for the
local community by the Hannah Stirling Loch Lomond Fund and co-
ordinated by the Trust and Friends of Loch Lomond in time for the
Queen’s Jubilee celebration.
As outlined to ACPG members previously we installed temporary toilets at
both Car Parks at the Head of Loch Long, along with a 7 day per week
Visitor Warden Service, operating around Arrochar and Succoth, and at
the request of LL&T NP to visit the Tarbet Pier Car Park and Picnic Area

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which was experiencing high volumes of activity and littering, including its
use as base for touring Motorhomes and Campervans.  The wardens then
assisted visitors to understand the National Park Authority's change of
rules for the Tarbet Pier Car Parking area that no longer could
accommodate motorhomes and campervans parking overnight.  Dispersal
arrangements were introduced to other locations around the Arrochar &
Tarbet area, including Commercial sites, F&LS sites at Tarbet Isle,
Ardgartan and Honeymoon Bridge which has been working quite well to
date.
This operation has contributed to a pilot proposal for overnight Aires
parking in the area, which is now published for consultation and has been
adopted in other parts of Scotland experiencing similar pressures.  A copy
of the pilot is attached to this Minute.
The efforts of the Wardens, now up to full strength with 4 local village
residents employed on a part-time rota, provide a community-wide
service, looking after the temp toilets, litter picking around the 2 Lochs
area, attending to overgrown bushes and shrubs, blocked drainage and
minor repairs on local paths and pavements.  They also provide
information and advice to visitors unfamiliar with walks and outdoor
activities in our area.  We’ve continued again this season a small scale
the cutting back of overgrown vegetation and self-seeded trees on the
West Loch Lomond Cycleway, to open up viewing “Windows on the
Loch” and surrounding hills for cyclists, walkers and vehicles travelling
along the A82, to enable them to actually see the “Bonnie Banks”.  We are
currently working at a section south of Culag Farm towards the Luss
Camping Ground – have a look the next time you are passing to see the
difference it makes. 
Our Wardens have undertaken training and development on Loch
Lomond and Camping By-laws to better assist the public. They regularly
meet and discuss issues with A&B Council Car Park Wardens along with
the Council’s Seasonal Staycation Officer for the area. They also work
alongside LL&T NP environmental officers and Park Rangers to counter
the never-ending amounts of litter and fly-tipping that they have to deal
with. They also integrate with the Community Service Team who are also
actively picking up litter around the Lochside areas, behind the scenes in
undergrowth and along stretches of the shorelines.  The combined efforts
are making a difference beside roads, paths and open land areas used for
picnics and camping, which then leaves the Lochs and marine litter which
the GRAB Trust and local efforts try to clean the waterborne litter that
arrives on our shoreline.
The VS Wardens will continue to undertake the work as detailed above
and target a few more community benefit activities, as visitor numbers tail
off with the onset of Autumn and early Winter weather and the project
draws to a close at the end of October. 
Apologies if I’ve missed anything else of common interest in this brief
summary and wish all the other communities around Helensburgh &

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Lomond all the best in their ongoing projects and activities.
On a positive note, amid all the fears and concerns for the coming winter,
costs of energy and general living, the small Arrochar Community
Hydro Scheme has donated significant funds to the communities in
Arrochar and Luss from good levels of generation this year, for the benefit
of residents and those living and working in the villages.  Residents in
Arrochar are looking to organise more daytime activities in a fully heated 3
Villages Hall that could help offset individual heating issues at home,
during this difficult time. This being an unfortunate example of a circular
economy.
Tarbet Burn Bridge following restoration in 2022 
5. COMMUNITY FOCUS 
(a) Males Tales and Females Tales - Mental Health and Wellbeing
Database 
John Lewis of Males Tales/Females Tales gave a short guided tour of the
Mental Health and Wellbeing website, which provides a guide to Mental
Health organisations and support groups throughout the Helensburgh and
Lomond area.  John highlighted the “Crisis and urgent assistance
required” section of the website, which provided details of different types
of crisis’ with information and details on the appropriate action to take and
advised how other organisations and support groups could apply to have
their information included in the website.

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The website can be found at www.hlwellbeing.com 
Decision 
The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group
considered and noted the information provided. 
(Reference: Guided Tour by John Lewis, Males Tales/Females Tales) 
6. CLIMATE CHANGE 
(a) Report by Chair of Climate Change Working Group 
Consideration was given to a report which highlighted the ongoing work of
the Climate Change Working Group.  The report outlined the proposal to
produce a strategic Action Plan as a means to address the climate
emergency in Argyll and Bute; the development of governance
arrangements and structures to support the Climate Change Project
Officer post.  Information was also provided on the funding options for the
project. 
It was noted that should anyone wish to discuss anything relating to the
update further, they should contact Angela Anderson of Time for Change
and she would direct them to the appropriate Partner.   
Decision 
The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group
considered and noted the information provided. 
(Reference: Report by Stan Phillips, Chair of the Climate Change Working
Group, submitted) 
7. COMMUNITY PLANNING PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
UPDATE 
Consideration was given to a briefing note which provided information on matters
discussed during a meeting of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP)
Management Committee, held on 22 June 2022. 
Decision 
The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group considered and
noted the briefing note. 
(Reference: Report by Shona Barton, Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council,
dated 23 August 2022, submitted)

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8. APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR OF HELENSBURGH AND LOMOND
COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP 
The group gave consideration to a report which provided information in relation to
the appointment of a Vice-Chair for the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community
Planning Group.  The report outlined the expected time commitment and provided
information on the role.   
Angela Anderson nominated Sarah Davies, this was seconded by the Chair, David
Moore.  Sarah confirmed that she would be happy to take up the post of Vice-Chair
of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group.  With there being
no other nominations, this became the decision of the group.     
Decision 
The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group appointed Sarah
Davies as Vice-Chair. 
(Reference: Report by Shona Barton, Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute Council,
dated 23 August 2022, submitted) 
9. REVIEW OF FUTURE MEETING ARRANGEMENTS 
The Committee Manager provided a verbal update on the review of future meeting
arrangements.  Discussion was had on the possibility of conducting a survey to
ascertain the preference of the group as a whole as to meeting arrangements going
forward.  It was noted that the survey should include how meetings are to be
conducted and preferred timings.   
Decision 
The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Community Planning Group:- 
1. noted the information provided; and 
2. requested that the Committee Manager conduct a survey of all Partners on future
meeting arrangements and provide feedback at the next meeting of the Group.   
(Reference: Verbal Update by Shona Barton, Committee Manager, Argyll and Bute
Council) 
10. DATE OF NEXT MEETING 
The Chair thanked everyone in attendance at the meeting, and thanked all partners
for their continued proactive work in the community. 
The Group noted that the next meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area
Community Planning Group would take place on Tuesday, 8 November 2022 at
10am.