DRAFT

HELENSBURGH COMMUNITY COUNCIL

“Helensburgh – Be Better : Be Excellent”

Minutes of the Helensburgh Community Council Meeting

Thursday 30^th November 2006

Present: Karen Brabender, Ronnie Finnigan, Marion Gillies, Catriona Malan, Alastair Macbeth, Compton MacGill, Findlay McQuarrie, Nigel Millar, Jim Milligan, James Robb, Maggie Sheen, Kathleen Siddle David Sinclair, Richard Trail, Gordon Tran and John White.

Councillors Ellen Morton and Al Reay.

In the chair Nigel Millar.

Apologies: Sonja Aitken, John Croy, Jim Gorie Claire Greig and Stewart Noble.

Topic	Minute	Decision / Action
1. Welcome	The Chair welcomed the members, Fergus Murray (A&BC Planning) and Richard Horrer (Helensburgh and Gareloch Rotary).
2. Local Plan	Fergus Murray spoke to the Community Council on the preparation of the local plan. He made a number of points. There is a question mark on the area for business at the east end of the town. It is desirable to agree as much as possible of the plan prior to the Public Local Enquiry(PLI) The objections made by Helensburgh to the Plan represent a significant proportion of the total number in the whole of Argyll and Bute (3500 out of 6000). Argyll and Bute Council have engaged Alan Thompson to act as reporter for the PLI.
2. Local Plan (cont’d)	A draft timetable for the hearing has been established. The will be a meeting on 7^th & 8^th February to enable the Reporter and the Objectors to discuss procedures. There are three ways in which evidence may be presented — formally with legal representation; informally with no legal representation; and by written submission. It is likely to last six months and will deal with matters in the following order: — strategic issues, Helensburgh specific issues, issues relating to the rest of Argyll and Bute and finally controversial issues (eg renewable energy). The report is due to be made by mid 2008. No action on developing major sites in Helensburgh to which objections have been made e.g. the pier site, the open space adjacent to the Clyde Street school, the business site at the east end and the Hermitage Academy site will take place until then The local plan will come to the public’s attention in January when a 1500 page database of comments by the public will be issued. A number of points were raised by members of the Community Council: — The Local Plan process is long drawn out. It started with the preparation of the Structure Plan in 2000 which was finalised in 2002 which allowed a start to the \|Local Plan process. The first draft (unacceptable) was completed in 2003 and the final draft in 2005. The Local Plan will be valid for five years from the time of its adoption, ie probably to 2013. There were 3500 objections in Helensburgh compared with one in Campbeltown and five in Dunoon. The opportunity for submitting objections has passed. A single material objection can prevent development on a particular site until the Reporter has submitted his report. Other parties other than Argyll and Bute Council may be involved in negotiations with objectors. While the Helensburgh Community groups are generally supportive, they are not the only source of delay in the process, eg the housing survey and population assessments which has yet to issued.
	Some aspects of economic regeneration are delayed by the Local Plan such as the council office strategy, the East Clyde Street school site, Hermitage Academy site, the Golf Club site, the Drumfork Farm site and Dobbies Garden Centre site, plus a number in and about Cardross. The Chair and the Community Council thanked Fergus Murray for his contribution.
3. Adopt A Beach	Richard Horrer of the Helensburgh and Gareloch Rotary Club spoke about the Adopt a Beach Scheme. The concept was that individuals, informal groups, clubs and firms might adopt a beach. The Rotary would provide support in the form of expertise, sponsorship and insurance. It is proposed that there should be an initial clear-up in April of next year. The area envisaged extends from Helensburgh round the coats to the Rosneath Peninsula, but would exclude are parts of the shore already adopted (eg East Bay, Helensburgh). It was noted that Argyll and Bute Council assist with such schemes by the provision of black bags, gloves and other protective gear. It was noted that Argyll and Bute Council are introducing a StreetScene scheme, but it is understood that it will not change matters greatly in a compact area such as Helensburgh. The Chair and the Community Council thanked Richard Horrer for his contribution.	It was agreed that the Community Council would support this venture by providing space on their web site for publicity and by making available their notice board in Colquhoun Square.
4. Minute of Previous Meeting	The minutes of the meeting of 26^th October were considered and it was noted that Jim Milligan was present but not noted as attending; in item 1 *Andy* Kerr should read *Alan* Kerr; in item 4.5 *James* White should read *John* White. Moved by John White and seconded by Ronnie Finnigan.	It was agreed that the minutes as adjusted represented a fair record of the meeting.
5. Matters Arising	5.1 Visit by Police The Police (Insp Boyter) are scheduled to attend the Community Council at their January meeting.
	5.2 Esso / Tesco A meeting was held last Friday (24^th) with Tesco / Esso and the Roads Department. Examples of the difficulties complained of were witnessed. Much of what needs to be done now rests with Argyll and Bute Council.	The position was noted.
	5.3 Helensburgh Upper Station The Chair reported that he had received confirmation from First ScotRail that there was no threat of closure to Helensburgh Upper Station.	The position was noted.
	5.4 Shop at corner of Princes St / Sinclair St The proprietor had been contacted about the state of the premises. There has been no reaction.	The position was noted.
	5.5 Jeannie Deans Unit It was reported that the Jeannie Deans Unit is closing, but that the whole Victoria Infirmary site is remaining as a NHS facility.	The position was noted.
	5.6 Community Care Forum The Community Care Forum are having a meeting on Monday (4^th) about care of the elderly. From Argyll and Bute Council will be Councillor Dick Walsh, Douglas Hendrie, Jim Robb and Ann Austin. An aspect will be the alleged £4m underfunding in social care by Argyll and Bute Council compared with the alleged £4m overfunding of education.
	5.7 Traffic Lights at Sinclair St / Clyde St	It was agreed to leave consideration of this matter to the Community Safety Forum
	5.8 Community Outreach It was reported that the recent meeting had been a good presentation and well attended.
6. Public Session	There were no members of the public present.
7. Town Issues	7.1 Community Council Web Site Richard Trail was thanked for the improvements to the Community Council’s web site.
	7.2 Conservation Area Group The Group under the direction of Kathleen Siddle are, uniquely in Scotland, undertaking the preparation of an Appraisal for the two Conservation Areas in Helensburgh. This will lead to a Review and Management Plan for the areas. The Appraisal will appear in January. It is hoped that members of the Community Council will comment on it. Kathleen Siddle was thanked for her work on this. There will be an exhibition in the Victoria Halls 27^th January to 3^rd February with a preview for the invited on the evening of the 26^th.
	7.3 Remembrance Day Parade The Community Council extended their appreciation to the Royal British Legion for their organisation and running of Remembrance Day.	It was agreed that this was a suitable remit.
	7.4 Quality Retail Grocery It was reported that the Helensburgh Chamber of Commerce considered that Helensburgh had a need for a quality retail grocery outlet in Helensburgh to do away with the perceived need by many people to go to Dumbarton for their supermarket shopping. It is considered that such an outlet would result in a spin-off into other retail outlets in the town. It is essential to retain core spending within the town	It was agreed to request Marks and Spencer to give a note of their requirements / considerations for establishing a retail food outlet within a community.
8. Group Reports	Response to Planning Applications ¨ Catriona Mallan reported that plans in respect of the Hermitage Academy site had been submitted. The size of property varied between two bedroom flats to 5 bedroom villas. ¨ The proposal for a development in Victoria Road near Charlotte Street (not opposite Prince Albert Terrace) had been considered.	It was agreed that a request for an extension of time for submission of comments to the Hermitage Academy site should be requested. It was also agreed that the Planning Group would report their viewed to the December meeting.
9. Finance	It was reported that there the bank balance stands at £1387.88 with some expenditure in connection with the Remembrance Day parade still to come.	The position was noted.
10. Next Meeting	The next full meeting will be held on 21^st December at 19.00 hours in the Victoria Halls. Alan Reid and Derek Anderson will be giving short presentations.