HELENSBURGH COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

“Helensburgh – Be Better : Be Excellent”

 

 

Minutes of the Helensburgh Community Council Meeting

Thursday 27th April 2006

 

Present : Karen Brabender, John Croy, Marion Gillies, Jim Gorie, Alastair Macbeth, Finlay McQuarrie, Nigel Millar (Chair), James Robb, Kathleen Siddle, David Sinclair, Richard Trail, John White, Councillor Al Reay.

 

Apologies : Sonja Aitken, Nick Cowie, Ronnie Finnighan, Clare Greig, Catriona Malan, Jim Milligan, Stewart Noble, Maggie Sheen, Gordon Tran.

 

1                        Welcome :

Nigel Millar welcomed the members and a Local Councillor to the meeting.

 

2                        Public Session

2.1 Community Owned Renewable Energy Project

The Chair welcomed Dr Andrew Cruden (Strathclyde University) who spoke about the possibilities of establishing a project for renewable energy to serve Helensburgh (see his paper in the Appendix). There followed a discussion and a number of points came out:—

·               The question of visual impact is very much a personal opinion.

·               Wood for combustion may be brash (the wood rubbish left after forestry operations) or may be grown specially.

·               Mini windmills on individual houses have their own disadvantages.

·               A wind farm requires a land area to be available.

·               There needs to be a process devised for gaining public support.

·               AliEnergy supports the efforts of small communities.

·               It is better to consider what energy can be provided in an area, rather than to consider what energy a community might require, and to attempt to provide that.

It was agreed that Richard Trail would investigate how such a concept could be developed in Helensburgh.

 

2.2 Liaison with Police

The Chair welcomed Inspector Kenny Boyter (Strathclyde Police, Helensburgh). He indicated that he had been appointed as replacement for Inspector Stewart Stenhouse, who had retired in February. There followed an informal discussion at which various points were made:—

·                    He seeks to be as accessible as possible.

·                    He may be contacted by telephone through the police call centre in Govan at 01436 633 600.

·                    It was agreed to include him on the circulation list of the Community Council.

·                    He indicated that he needs to be aware of the issues in order to be able to attempt to address them.

·                    The situation at Churchill Square is not as serious as has been suggested in the press. The press reports did not originate in the shop. Some of the perpetrators are already known to the Police, and some are currently out of circulation.

·                    Within the community the powers of the Service Police are merely those of citizens in general.

·                    Strathclyde Police cover the whole area, built up and rural.

·                    It was agreed to invite Insp Boyter to the June meeting of the Community Council to speak on 3-4 issues of concern to people (of which he would be advised well in advance).

 

3.                      Town Issues

3.1 Reservoirs

It was reported by Alistair Macbeth that:—

·               The angling club were considering forming themselves into a limited company.

·               That, in the event that Scottish Water seek to dispose of the reservoirs, the angling club would have a six month window in which they would have first refusal.

·               The angling club have not made any decision as to whether they might want to acquire the reservoirs or not.

·               Scottish Water have indicated that they will not be making a decision as to whether to dispose of the reservoirs in 2006.

 

The Chair indicated that there were issues involving the reservoirs:—

·               Who owned the land? Was there a reversion clause in favour of Luss Estates?

·               The Community Council could not contemplate purchasing them nor directly establishing an organisation to do so. They would however seek to facilitate such a process.

·               There is to be a meeting on 3rd May of interested parties.

 

3.2 Hill House UNESCO Bid

Glasgow City Council and Argyll and Bute Council are preparing a bid for World Heritage status for the Mackintosh School of Art and Hill House. This will be in competition with other potential sites in Scotland. Any such bid must display clear community support.

The following emergency motion was agreed :.

 

“ The Helensburgh Community Council enthusiastically gives its full support to the bid for UNESCO World Heritage Site status to the Hill House in Helensburgh aand to the mackintosh Building in the Glasgow School of Art. Charles Rennie.Mackintosh is recognised world wide as one of Scotland’s most creative architects and designers of the 20th century. Thes two buildings are his two most important surviving examples of his work sand are worthy of international recognition.”

 

There is to be a meeting in the Victoria Halls on Tuesday 23 May at 1900 when local organisations will be briefed on the bid and asked to give it their wholehearted support.

 

4.                      Previous Minutes

The minutes from the February meeting were approved, proposed Marion Gillies, seconded Karen Brabender, subject to :—

·                Alastair Macbeth was not present and his name should have been spelt Macbeth in the apologies.

·                Ally Energy on Page 3 should read ALIenergy.

 

5.           Matters Arising from Minutes

5.1 — 2.1 Citizens’ Advice Scotland : It was reported that no branches are to re-open within the next three months. The Dumbarton office has noticed a 20% increase in workload following the closure of the Helensburgh and Clydebank offices.

 

5.2 — 3.1 Esso Garage : It was noted that posts have been erected to prevent motorists from driving over the footway into / out of the complex. The intensity of the lighting is being reduced and the lighting on the car wash is now extinguished late on in the evening rather than being left on permanently.

 

5.4 — 3.3 Libraries : Karen Brabender reported that there was still a problem with noise (it is said largely arising from the staff). It was agreed to keep matters under observation meanwhile.

 

5.3 — 3.4 Urban Design Strategy : Kathleen Siddle reported on what was happening:—

·               The CD of the exhibition is to hand. However it was agreed to await circulating it until the results of the questionnaires were available. It will then be circulated widely.

·               The exhibition is now on display in Art and Architecture in Leith. The interest in it there is not as great as it was in Helensburgh. Jackie Ballie has visited the site and has spoken enthusiastically about it.

·               It was agreed that the Community Council should seek to be proactive in matters of design when considering planning applications.

 

5.5 — 5.4 3G Mast :. The remark concerning the size of masts involved noted at the last meeting is in fact erroneous. Operators as a matter of policy do not wish to share masts.

 

5.5 — Web Site : Kathleen Siddle reported on the situation with the web site:—

·               The site requires ongoing maintenance. It is necessary to get someone to do this.

·               There is to be a link to clubs and groups within the area.

·               Material for the web site should be sent to Richard Trail.

·               It was agreed that the Community Council would be happy to publish factual reports by the Helensburgh Study Group.

·               It was noted that there is to be a proposed correspondence page. It was agreed that any such page would need to be moderated for content. In the meanwhile Richard Trail would do this.

·               Richard Trail volunteered his daughter to undertake work in the interim on the web site.

·               Kathleen Siddle was thanked for her efforts on this project.

 

6.                      Town Issues

6.1         Helensburgh Conservation Area Group

Kathleen Siddle reported on this group’s activities:—

·               The group was jointly chaired by Kathleen Siddle and Jenny Carlile (Argyll and Bute Council)

·               Kathleen Siddle, Maggie Sheen and David Sinclair from the Community Council are members of it.

·               It was agreed that the group should be considered as a group of the Community Council.

7.                  Statutory Plans Sub Group

Alastair Macbeth reported: —

1.       The Statutory Plans Group had received from Sybil Johnson a summary of main points arising from the meeting held between HCC and the ABC regarding the HCC's submission on the Finalised Draft Local Plan.

There would be a meeting of the Statutory Plans Group to consider that summary and respond to it. Any member of the HCC was welcome to attend.

 

2.            The final version of Scottish Planning Policy 21 : Green Belts has just been released by the Scottish Executive (27.4.06). A first examination of it indicates that it remains similar to the draft version, with the aims of strengthening and enhancing the role of Green Belts. There are some minor improvements to the text, but ambiguities may cause problems in the future.

Scottish Planning Policy 8 : Town Centres has not yet been issued.

 

3.       Consultants called Rocket Science have been commissioned by the Scottish Executive, SCVO and COSLA to carry out a national review of support services for the voluntary sector in Scotland. Two attempts to hold a public focus group in Helensburgh for voluntary organisations across Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire had to be cancelled due to low response. It seems that publicity was not very effective.

          A new date has been set. May 10th (2 - 4 pm).

 

Alastair Macbeth requested that the existing HCC lists of voluntary groups in the area to be given to Rocket Science. It was agreed that the Community Council should not provide the information on contact details.

There is to be a meeting of the group on Monday 8th May at 10.30 hours in Room 2 of the Victoria Halls to review the situation.

The question of what constitutes a community or a local community was raised. These terms appear to be undefined. Various apparent definitions have appeared. It was agreed that James Gorie should investigate how these terms are defined in England.

 

8.                      Planning Sub Committee

The following planning matters were noted:—

·               Erection of house at 117 West King Street — The new property is to be located behind an existing one. No difficulties are forseen.

·               Plot at 40 Campbell Street — This is the third application for development on this very restricted site. The proposals do not appear to be significantly different from earlier ones. An objection has been submitted.

·               Flats at 16 Millig Street — A fresh application has been submitted for twelve flats on this site. The approach seems to be rather more sympathetic than earlier. The height is between the height of the property to the west and the property to the east. The front façade is on the same line as the present building. The rear of the property is consequently nearer its northerly neighbours. It was agreed to defer responding to this until a discussion could be held with Jenny Carlile.

·               Cumberland Avenue — It was noted that in this revised application there were the numerous communications of support and opposition as there were on previous occasions.

·               Council Yard, Sinclair Street — It was noted that an application to develop this site had just been advertised.

 

Town Environmental Group

The question of membership of the group was discussed. Clare Greig had expressed an interest in being involved with it. It was agreed that the group should meet in evenings to allow her to be able to attend. It is thought that both Gordon Tran and Duncan McCallum may also wish to be involved.

Councillor Reay reported that Argyll and Bute Council are to establish a flying squad which would deal with environmental repairs etc which can be undertaken within 4 hours.

 

9.                  Financial Report

It was reported that the accounts for last year are likely to show a surplus of 78 pence of income over expenditure without taking into account any monies which may still be received from Argyll and Bute Council and Scottish Enterprise Dumbarton in respect of the urban design exhibition.

 

10.             Any Other Business

It was noted that Elizabeth Marion had been instrumental in establishing a credit union in the Kirkmichael Centre. It is not being advertised widely just now, as more volunteers are needed to run it. It will be open to the whole of the town. Currently it operates on Thursdays from 18.00 to 20.00 hours.

 

11.             Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on 25th May at 19.00 hours in the Victoria Hall.

APPENDIX

Helensburgh Community Council

 

This is a short presentation to introduce the idea of a Community Owned Renewable Energy project.

 

Firstly, to introduce Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Energy Agency. We're a Scottish Charity and a Company Limited by guarantee. We're five years old and have undertaken a number of activities across Argyll. We undertake educational activity in schools, promote energy efficiency and develop smaller scale community renewable energy projects. While we are not responsible for the development of Community Renewable Energy Schemes in Lomond - that function is contracted by the Scottish Executive to an Organisation called Strathclyde and Central Energy Efficiency Advice Centre in Glasgow, we have been active in your area. We have a staff of six, mostly part time.

 

This school session John Logie Baird School is one participant in our Schools Solar Car Challenge - a fun way of educating children about photovoltaic power. We have also ensured households in Helensburgh and Lomond benefit from increased insulation, and many low energy lightbulbs have been given out free through Scotcourt house - and at events here in Victoria Halls.

 

ALIenergy has been responsible for getting renewable energy into community owned buildings - like solar panels on Oban Rugby Clubhouse, and into Housing association properties - there are now heat pumps on homes in Islay, solar ventilation in Campbeltown and two large schemes in Oban and Lochgilphead where single woodchip boilers heat water for over 40 homes.

 

ALIenergy owns and operates its own demonstration woodfuel boiler in the Mid Argyll Community owned swimming pool at Lochgilphead. The new swimming pool in Campbeltown also has a woodchip boiler - the first installation in a building owned by Argyll and Bute Council.

 

But the main focus of this talk is on wind energy.

Wind energy includes smaller scale turbines - made in Stewarton, Ayrshire - which can typically contribute to the energy needed to heat a village hall like the 6 kilowatt model at An Talla hall on Tiree - right through to very large machines of over two megawatts each in the new windfarms to be built on Lochaweside or in Kintyre.

 

These large windfarms are developed by big companies - like Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy. Typically, the developer and operator provide a payment to the community around the windfarm for the locals to spend on community projects. In Carradale east Kintyre for example £30,000 per year is received and allocated through the windfarm trust sub committee of the East Kintyre Community Council to a diverse range of projects including trips for children, local environmental improvement and meeting the costs of additional leisure activities around their area.

The islanders on Gigha, who look across to the Kintyre windfarms, were not entitled to any community benefit. This was one reason that they decided to see if they could build their own small windfarm. They reckoned if multinational companies could build and operate wind turbines on the mainland that the new Ilse of Gigha Heritage trust could do the same in an island context. ALIenergy was part of the project from the outset.

 

The Gigha islanders now own and operate three 225kilowatt machines at Leim, on the southern end of the island. The windfarm - which locals call the Dancing Ladies - produced over 2 million kilowatt hours in the first twelve months of operation to January 2006. There is a similar proposal in development for the Isle of Tiree, and ALIenergy has just commenced measuring the wind resiource at Moleigh, just south of Oban. Moleigh is a landfuill site which will soon be full. Composting machines and civic amenity activities will continue.

 

So, what's the attraction of community wind power?

Put bluntly, it makes money for communities to spend on projects they want to see happen. It gives them cash to kickstart or match fund projects which would otherwise never go ahead.

 

Wind power is a mature technology - that means that the machines are reliable and proven, that they can be insured, that banks will lend on them, and that operators have a guaranteed income whenever the wind blows.

 

The object of the Gigha windmills is to produce energy to sell to the grid, through a registered electricity supplier, and to obtain income from the sale of that power and the green energy certificates called ROCs -Renewable Obligation Certificates - which together make the production of electricity from the wind lucrative.

 

So how do you get from an idea to having a wind turbine making money for you?

Well, a great number of factors must be in your favour before you start, and some factors that are not need to overcome either through work, persuasion or the application of cash!

 

First of all you need to have a body to take forward the proposal. 'The Applicant' In Gigha we had Gigha Heritage Trust, on Tiree there is the Tiree Development Partnership, on the Isle of Muck there was isle of Muck Community Enterprise. This should be a locally accountable body which may have charitable status, but which has clear aims of community benefit.

 

Second, I suppose you need a windy site! Perhaps this is in public ownership - like Forestry Commission or Argyll and Bute Council. Ideally the site should have an uninterrupted windpath. This may also mean that the site is visibly prominent - which can cause problems later.

Thirdly, the idea is to sell power to the grid, so close proximity to an existing grid line is highly desirable. The costs of long cables to access grid lines can easily scupper a project. In addition, there needs to be a study - which the community group must commission, to ask if the existing grid can accept the power input proposed.

 

Fourthly there's local opinion. Local opinion must be in support of scheme if it is to fulfil the requirements of a public benefit group. If there is no prospect of local consensus then another site should be considered.

 

Fifth, would come consent issues. Even before planning issues are considered, the site should be assessed for natural heritage issues - flora and fauna, visual intrusion, effects on managed landscapes or even proximity to dwellings are all issues. Environmental designations, Ministry of Defence (especially around flightpaths or sensitive installations where radar is involved) can scupper a project. Maybe Helensburgh is more prone to these.

 

So, in choosing a site a dump, former landfill site or other brownfield site might be advantageous. Even ScottishPower realised that its new windfarm near Shotts and Climpy would be more attractive to all as it resulted in the reclamation of an abandoned open cast coal mine and degraded area.

 

Obtaining Planning Consent from the local authority for the erection of wind turbines will depend on how the project accords with the adopted plans of the local authority, and the stated assessment criteria of Scottish Natural Heritage. It is as well to sound out officers and elected members sooner rather than later about all these factors.

 

So, if most of the factors are looking good, what should happen next?

An assessment of the wind resource is the next big thing to consider. Perhaps wind records are kept for a weather station close by. These will be useful, but getting wind data for the site you have chosen will take time. Putting up a small mast with a wind speed and directional monitoring and recording device is essential. This data will show how strong the wind is, for how long it blows and where it comes from. If you were to erect a 1000 kilowatt machine and the wind records showed that wind blew at useable strengths for 30% of the time you could expect 300 kilowatt hours per hour from your machine. Over a year you could expect to gross this up, and show how many megawatt hours of power the turbine would produce.

 

This data can then be translated into the cash you could expect to sell this power for, and the associated Renewable Energy Certificates. (ROCs) The total, less the costs of insurance and maintenance will show how much income you will receive, and therefore what external borrowings or equity repayments you could service from the installation

 

Pre development costs can include

Feasibility studies including grid study costs

Professional advice and the production of information The production of project and financial plans

Planning fee costs

Wind Measurement Cost

Technical help

Community consultations and familiarisation trips to existing installations

 

The Capital cost of installing a turbine, assuming all pre-development costs are met, include the following

The cost of the turbine, tower

The cost of the foundations and erection

The cost of control gear

The costs of connecting to the grid

The costs to the grid operator for their connection

The costs of any tracks or roads required fro construction

The costs of re-instatement, environmental or other measures such as habitat improvement, re-seeding or forest clearance.

 

The operating costs of the turbines may include

Ground Rent

Operation and maintenance contracts with installers/manufacturers Insurances

Management costs

Company costs like annual accounts

Interest, bank charges

 

Other costs to consider once operating may be

Repayment of loans

Purchase of external equity

Cash for reserves, replacement or sinking funds.

Decommissioning funds or bonds

 

Finance

So how can this all be funded?

 

Well, community groups can call on help to meet some of the pre-development costs. In the Helensburgh area Neil Philips from Strathclyde and Central Energy Efficiency Advice Centre in Glasgow helps community renewable energy projects with his time and access to the Scottish Community and Householder Renewable Initiative (SCHRI).

 

You can see how trail blazers like Gigha Heritage Trust have succeeded and follow them. They have raised money through a mix of enterprise grant, public sector equity, social investment loan and their own resources to fund over £400,000 of capital cost.

 

Commercial loans and partnerships are also possible from developers, however it may be necessary for you to give away a proportion of ownership of the project in return for the finance to get it built.

 

For the finance to stack up, the capital costs have to be as low as possible, so a good site close to suitable power lines with plenty wind is really essential. Access to roads is also desirable. For small projects the development costs can be proportionately higher, the costs of building a single turbine on a site can often be great compared to the connection and build costs for two for example.

 

So, to conclude

Wind turbines in community ownership provide an opportunity for community groups to fund public benefit activities at their own hand for a period of up to 25 years.

 

All the effort has to go in at the beginning!

 

Local people know what's acceptable and what isn't.

If you use the points above to assess an idea in the first place and think there is more in favour than against then you will get help.

If want a copy of a new booklet and CD guide to developing a Community Energy project please let me know. If you want to visit Gigha or Oban this can be arranged.

 

If you are interested in seeing what a wind monitoring mast looks like we are putting one up here in Oban - 40 metres high, today, Thursday. A big day for us.

 

Our website is www.alienerqy.orq.uk

Steven Watson or Paul Phare cannot attend this meeting, but would be happy to come to a future meeting of the Council.