HELENSBURGH COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the Helensburgh Community Council Meeting
Thursday 30th June 2005
In the Chair: H. Stewart Noble.
Apologies: Nigel Millar, Clare Greig, Gordon Tran.
Present: Catriona Malan, Marion Gillies, Sonya Aitken, Bill Brackenridge, Kathleen Siddle, David Sinclair, Jim Gorie, John White, Alastair Macbeth, Jim Milligan, Maggie Sheen, Richard Trail, Cllr Ellen Morton.
1. Welcome
The Chair welcomed the newly co-opted member Kathleen Siddle to the Council.
2. Public Session
Cllr Morton reported on the debate at the Argyll & Bute Council meeting regarding Regional Transport Partnerships. The question of whether ABC should join Hitrans or WestTrans or be split between the two, has been under review over the past 18 months. A new development occurred in Dumfries & Galloway in that they are applying to own their own Transport Partnership. At the Council meeting a motion for ABC to do the same was proposed. The Helensburgh & Lomond Councillors expressed their concern that this was a new proposal which had not been considered before and they had not enough information on what impact this choice would have. However the motion was passed.
The Chair thanked Cllr Morton for her report and opened the discussion to the Council. There emerged a consensus that ABC going it alone was not a good idea and not good for Helensburgh in particular. Historically our links were to Glasgow and that our interests would be better served by being part of WestTrans. It was agreed to send a letter to the Transport Minister at Holyrood expressing our views, and to copy the letter to our MSP and MP.
3. Town Issues
3.1 It was pointed out that the litter bins along the front were inadequate and on fine days during the summer they were filled to overflowing. Cllr Morton advised that she had already been contacted about this by a member of the public. It was agreed to send a letter to Alan Kerr the Roads Director asking that the bins be emptied more frequently.
3.2 Marion Gillies noted that additional lights had been installed in Colquhoun Square car park and praised the efforts of Cllr Tacchi for this.
3.3 A member of the public had drawn attention to the overgrown state of the James Street playground. It was agreed to ask Alan Kerr that maintenance be carried out on a regular basis.
3.4 The change in the method of recycling paper in the town was commented on. Cllr Morton reported that the current system was only capturing around 10% of recyclable material. When the new wheelie bins are working it is hoped to increase that to around 70%.
4. Correspondence
The Secretary reported that letters had been sent out to ABC and Scottish Water regarding the approach to the town via Sinclair street. An acknowledgement had been received from Scottish Water and a report expected shortly. Cllr Morton reported that the state of the Skating Pond is to be reviewed in the autumn and it is hoped that action will follow. There had also been correspondence regarding the state of Kidston Park toilet with the Council.
Bill Brackenridge reported that a delivery vehicle for implementing the Vision Group's deliberations had now been agreed.
5. Minutes
The minutes were adopted without amendment on a motion by Bill Brackendridge and Jim Milligan.
6.Matters Arising
2.1) The member of the public who initiated the appeal to have gates repainted between the booking office of the rail station and the Municipal building, has successfully negotiated a grant of £300 from the Railway Heritage Trust towards the full cost of £600. Several members expressed their appreciation of her initiative and proposed that the Council make a donation of £100. Others proposed that we formulate a policy on what projects we may support financially. After much discussion it was agreed that letters be sent to other organisations that may be willing to make a grant towards this worthwhile project.
2.2) Alastair Macbeth reported that the dead birds found in Duchess woods were most probably young ones that had fallen from their nests. in other words he considered their deaths were more likely due to natural causes rather than malicious action by humans. The dog droppings on the path are a problem and it will be put to the woods management committee that additional signs be erected at the bins to emphasis the responsibility for dog owners to pick up the droppings and deposit them in the bins.
2.3) The chair reported that the intent of Community TV is to
encourage people to take part in their community and that no further action was
to be taken.
2.4) The executive proposed that the police be invited to attend the first meeting of the autumn. Any questions that members may have for them should be advised to the Secretary or Chair so that they can be forwarded to the police beforehand.
7. Working of HCC
The executive propose that nominated members be invited from 3 groups:
1) a representative from Colgrain. It was suggested that a letter be sent to the school boards of Colgrain and St. Joseph's seeking nominations.
2) Business community either the Retailer's Association or the Chamber of Commerce
3) Youth. This could be a young person or a youth worker. Backchat in Churchill estate was suggested as one source of nominations.
8. Report from Other Organisations
A) Catriona Malan gave a report on the Access Forum. A written copy of the report was tabled.
B) Marion Gillies reported on the Community Safety Forum meeting held in earlier in the day. As a result of discussion on the CCTV cameras, Cllr Morton offered to invite the CCTV Trust to the next Business Day of the local Area Committee.
C) John White reported on the AGM of the Association of Argyll & Bute Community Councils.
D) Jim Gorie reported on the Community Care Forum. During discussion following the report it was suggested that Forum give more publicity to what medical services are still available at the Vale of Leven Hospital. Bill Brackenridge suggested that some representative from Argyll & Clyde Health Board be invited to speak to us on what options are available following the David Kerr report on Health services.
The Chair thanked the representatives for their reports and reminded them that they should highlight any way in which the HCC can offer support for these organisations.
Planning
No planning applications were highlighted as causing concern.
Local Plan
Alastair Macbeth reported that the distribution of the Bulletin had been successful, 7,000 leaflets delivered by 46 volunteers. He outlined the likely total cost at £350 and would report back if there was a deficit in funding.
He passed round a draft response on behalf of the HCC to the Local Plan and highlighted the key points in that. The date for final responses to be submitted is 15 July and the Council unanimously agreed that Alastair coordinate any further submission on their behalf.
Alastair will prepare a short report on the
Planning White Paper for the next meeting.
Any Other Business
Sonya Aitken advised that there was to be a meeting later this month in Colgrain regarding the nuisance being caused by youngsters to some residents.
Several members pointed out that the minutes of the meeting should include the sederunt, and that the meeting room should be booked timeously. An address list of members will be provided at the next meeting.
The next meeting will be held on 29th September, in the Victoria Halls at 7pm