HELENSBURGH COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Helensburgh – Be Better : Be Excellent

Minutes of the Helensburgh Community Council Meeting : 26 April, 2007

Apologies : Sonja Aitken, Karen Brabender, John Croy, Clare Greig, Duncan McCallum, Catriona Malan : David Sinclair, Stewart Noble,

Richard Trail, Gordon Tran

TOPIC	MINUTE	DECISION/ACTION
1. Welcome & Introductions 2. Statutory Plans Group Report 3. Helensburgh Gala Day : - 28 July - E King Street Playing Fields 4. Public Meeting on the Pier Car Park Site and adjacent Open Space Planning Group Report Finance Report Next Meeting	¨ The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Ian MacQuire from the ¨ For some months the Group’s focus was on the Public Enquiry (PI) into A&B Council’s Modified Finalised Draft Local Plan. The Enquiry would hear objections to the Plan in two basic stages: MAY : Strategic Issues – the Nature of Helensburgh : Population & Housing JULY : Site Specific Issues e.g. Open Spaces : the Business Site (may be withdrawn) ¨ Basically the HCC supported much that was in the Plan and had made this clear from the outset. So far 15 of its original objections had been withdrawn but those listed above remained and would be taken by the Reporters. ¨ Getting ready for the PI had been difficult. Deadlines to submit materials etc had been extremely tight. Some A&B Council material had been submitted very late indeed, e.g. the Arneill Johnston Housing market Study There had been insufficient time to study and discuss them in detail either within the HCC or with A&B Council officials. ¨ Alastair would be stepping down as Chair of the Statutory Plans Group but would be staying on as a member. Findlay McQuarrie had kindly agreed to take over as Chair and this was welcomed by HCC members. The HCC thanked Alastair for his hard work and dedication in ensuring the interests of Helensburgh were ably represented in our dealings with A&B Council on strategic planning matters. ¨ The HCC welcomed Ian MacQuire Gala Events Co-ordinator & Chair – 01389 841270 : 07835 403508 : ian,macquire@jacobs.com ¨ The gala began in 1978 in Kirkmichael and Churchill before moving to Hermitage Academy. Unfortunately it ceased in 1985. This year would see its rebirth. Why a Gala Day? ¨ There is not a great deal of information available on organised/facilitated activities for young adults in the area. ¨ It was hoped 3-4K people would attend on the day. There would be displays from the Fire Brigade, MOD Police dog handlers, Royal Marines, Pipe Bands, Highland Dancers, 7-a-side football, netball, family events ¨ The Day will cost £10K to put on. £6K had been given by Awards for All but £2K had still to be found. ¨ The HCC stressed the importance of a multi pronged approach to publicising the day as widely as possible. Compton McGill agreed to bring the Day to the attention of the Helensburgh business community to see if any support would be forthcoming. Nearly 150 residents had attended the two public meetings on proposed development of the pier Car park Site and the Open space next to the old Clyde Street Centre. Notes of the meetings are attached. The HCC stance was defined in its Vision for Helensburgh. Development should be confined to Tourism Recreation and Leisure with related, small-scale retail outlets. On the other hand the Helensburgh Partnership was promoting its 3Rs approach – Recreation : Retail and Residential - as private enabling development was needed to fund to fund modern up-to-date recreation facilities. The draft Local plan in effect said development of the area concerned was in the hands of the Partnership so, technically the HCC was formally objecting to that. Should the HCC maintain its objection or should it now support the Partnership? The purpose of the public meetings was to inform the HCC on resident views before coming to a decision. A wide range of views was expressed. For example : ¨ The HCC objection should be maintained The car park site was open space, which would be lost forever if it were built upon. Private development would be driven solely by the profit motive so there would be little public space made available. The quality of architecture and design would be poor and second rate ¨ Private development would interrupt the open views of the Clyde estuary from the front and down Sinclair & Colquhoun Streets. ¨ If there was to be a new leisure pool/leisure centre private money had to be involved, A&B Council did not have the funds. ¨ The objection should be maintained to ensure maximum leverage in any subsequent negotiation with the Council. ¨ Any commercial development should be subject to Development Brief being in place and a Design Competition. ¨ The Open Space next to the Clyde Centre was designated as such in the current (West Dunbartonshire Local Plan). No reasons had been given in the draft Local Plan why this should be withdrawn In the event no consensus emerged and it was agreed to defer coming to a decision until the May meeting. This was necessary. The HCC objection to the Local Plan was due to be heard in July with the essential paperwork lodged in June. If the HCC position was to be changed it had to be notified by then. This was not taken at the meeting and would be circulated with the minutes. Stewart submitted inn writing the Unaudited Revenue Account for Year ended 31 March 2007.Through sound financial management the surplus to be carried forward to 2007/08 totalled £1412.02. However since 31 March £123 (17.5% of our annual grant) has been paid to Workforce largely for expenses associates with the HCC costs related to the PI on the Local Plan. This sum will increase. ¨ Thursday 31 May. This will be our AGM where we shall elect our Office Bearers	The HCC would give a prize of £50 for one of the competitions