HELENSBURGH COMMUNITY COUNCIL
The Vision : “Helensburgh – Be Better : Be Excellent”
Minutes of the Helensburgh Community Council Meeting
Thursday 27th October 2005
Sederunt: Nigel Millar, Stewart Noble, Richard Trail, Jim Gorie, Alastair Macbeth, Kathleen Siddle, Marion Gillies, Catriona Malan, Gordon Tran, David Sinclair, Sonja Aitken, Jim Milligan, Bill Brackenridge and Clare Greig
Apologies: Maggie Sheen
There is a slight change in the order of the Agenda
The Chair welcomed all the members and guests to the meeting, particularly Councillor Mulvaney who was present to discuss NHS Boundary changes.
1.1 Thanks were expressed to Catriona Malan for the leaflet that she has produced as a guide to local medical treatment.
1.2 Thanks were also expressed to all the HCC members who had helped canvass opinions on the NHS boundary changes, especially Marion Gillies, Catriona Malan and Kathleen Siddle.
2. Public Session
No public session took place as no members of the public were present.
3. Town Issues
3.1 The legality of cars from Glenan garage that are for sale being parked on the street was questioned. It was stated that if they display a current road tax that it is legal, but Councillor Mulvaney pointed out that displaying a price board is illegal.
3.2 Alastair Macbeth raised the question of Vodaphone Telecom's mast at Craigendoran. Applicants are requesting consultation with HCC. 15m high wooden mast on shore ward at Craigendoran Pier. CM/MG to attend.
3.3 Alastair Macbeth informed the meeting of a response from A&B Council to the Duchess Wood Management Committee's request for signage re: dog fouling. Two proposed signs were shown to the meeting, one a very wordy notice re: why dog fouling matters and the other a visual representation. The appropriateness of the signs was discussed and changes were suggested. Argyll & Bute Council's initiative was welcomed. It was suggested that the signs should be displayed on a sign post and then a bit of fence beside the gates. It was agreed that the Rugby Club should also be included. The comments of the meeting will be passed back to the Duchess Woods Committee with the recommendations for use. A.Macbeth
3.4 Stewart commented on a letter in the paper recently with reference to the Council's care of building. It was agreed that it was worth putting pressure on A&B Council encouraging it to 'get its act together'. The Municipal Building has foliage growing out of it. Windows and down pipes are in a bad state.
3.5 Parklands School Gardens - an e-mail has been sent to Lynn Smilie and a reply received from Ronnie Gould in Dunoon. The sensory garden was donated to the school and maintained by
people no longer connected with the establishment. It has therefore
deteriorated. A new Head Teacher is in situ and may look at the
situation. Discussion ensued. Stewart will contact Lynn Smilie to suggest
that colleges may be asked to take over the garden as part of
practical work for courses. Alternatively, could A&B be persuaded
to take on the maintenance? S. Noble
3.6 Kathleen Siddle has received an e-mail from Jenny Carlile
asking if HCC would like to think about setting up a small
group to appraise the current Conservation Area and Town
Centre. If agreed, the group could maybe comprise 1 or 2
representatives from HCC, The Study Group and The Civic
Society. Maggie Sheen from The Millig Conservation Group
is keen and thinks that others should be encouraged to take
up the offer.
Alistair Macbeth and David Sinclair pointed out that there
are currently 2 Conservation Areas in Helensburgh, one around
Hill House and the other around Upper Helensburgh.
Alastair queried whether or not Rhu should be brought in as
well. Kathleen pointed out that Article 4 is attached to their
area and so circumstances are different.
3.7 Bill and Nigel discussed the fact that Scottish Enterprise
Dunbartonshire along with a consultant from A&B Council
were setting up a business plan for a Helensburgh partnership.
This is a very positive special purpose vehicle aimed at
talking to people, raising money and corralling and cementing
commitment. A full-time official would be appointed to drive change in Helensburgh especially the Town Centre and the Waterfront. The group would be chaired by someone who will be appointed. The controlling board made up of independent people, will advertise, interview and appoint.
There is very little funding available but there could be a
tremendous outcome for the town.
3.8 Camis Eskan -
An 'umbrella meeting' has taken place and the consensus is that
everyone is keen to carry on. There have been some imaginative
solutions put forward.
The Steering Group - want to devise a competition or body to access funds.
David Robertson, John Urquhart and John Young are to meet with the
owner's representative.
HCC need to provide a representative other than Nigel.
3.9 Golf Club -
Douglas Dalgleish has requested the opportunity to address HCC
about proposals to build houses on golf club land. He will be
invited to the November meeting. N.Millar
3.9.1 Urban Design -
Kathleen Siddle has met with 4th year Architecture students from the Glasgow School of Art who will be doing a 3 week project on urban design. It is hoped to generate a lot of publicity and to establish contact with local,
influential people. Kathleen will make contact with GSA and report back.
Jim Milligan and Alastair Macbeth expressed complete support for the
proposal. K. Siddle
4. Statutory Plan Sub-Group
4.1 It was reported that Cybil Johnson has joined the Statutory Plans Unit at Kilmorie. She would welcome a 'get to know you' meeting with community groups on Monday 31st October. This would be limited to 2 representatives per organisation. Nigel, Sonja, Jim Milligan and John White will be involved. Cybil Johnson has requested information about the roles and functions of the different groups. At the meeting, she will outline the timetable of the final draft of the Local Plan.
4.2 A response to the consultation of Green Belts has been sent off. It was similar to the version circulated.
4.3 The Statutory Plan sub-group have looked at SPP8 - a consultation draft on Town Centres which is very relevant to Helensburgh. The sub-group invite comments which must be in by 11.11.05. Any observations should be passed to members of the sub-group by 3.11.05. This document ties in very well with the Yellow Book. It urges a mix of uses in the town centre, not just retailing. Housing in town centres is considered a feature as is vertical development. The SPP has not been referred to Area Committee Members. Councillor Banks has decided not to go to the Area Committees and therefore an official will respond to it. It will then be circulated to AC's for information.
Jim Milligan summarised the document as follows:
· Town Centres are to be viewed as community heartlands. Paragraph 2 of the draft is emphatic about the early involvement of community groups.
· Town Centre strategies should be developed with strategies and involve stakeholders ie: local communities, representatives from public/private sectors and voluntary organisations.
· Paragraph 5 suggests the necessary agency people to be involved.
· Proposals must be evidenced based. It is therefore important to have good survey data.
· The draft paper is very welcome .
· Is a Town Centre Partnership the answer?
The Chairman expressed thanks to Jim Milligan and Maggie Sheen for their work with this document.
4.4 Marion Gillies requested more copies of the Yellow Book to be available in the public library and also for clarification with library staff as to whether or not they are available for loan. Marion and Kathleen will approach the librarians to discuss the Yellow Book and Vision Document. Mike Davis was named as the best person to contact.
5. Reports
5.1 Planning Sub-Group - It was reported that there has been a lull in activity.
5.11 The application to build flats at 16 Millig Street has been withdrawn. The applicant is now seeking to build a villa-style building, reusing materials from the existing building which will be demolished.
5.1.2 The application to build new toilets/cafe at Kidston Park has also been withdrawn. Argyll & Bute Council are looking to set an architectural competition to propose a design for the new facility. HCC reinforced placement objections and have requested more liaison with the local community before any decisions are made.
5.2 Treasurer's Report
HCC currently holds £1677 in funds and a grant for £350 has been received for Remembrance Sunday activities. Catriona Malan is owed £65.
5.3 Association of Scottish Community Councils
The Annual Conference and AGM takes place in Pitlochry Town Hall
on Saturday 19th November 2005. A representative from HCC usually
attends. If interested, a programme of the day is available from Clare.
6. Minutes & Matters Arising
6.1 Minutes A change to the Minutes of the last meeting was requested. Item 10 should read:
Alastair Macbeth presented a summary report of the actions of the Sub-Group during the summer. He also explained about two Scottish Executive Planning Policy (SPP) consultations. Regarding SPP21 on Green Belts, the Sub-Group had provided a draft response and HCC members were asked to give suggested amendments to the Sub-Group by 14.10.05 and it was delegated to the Sub-Group to finalise and send off the HCC response. Regarding draft SPP8 on Town Centres, the deadline for this is 11.11.05. There will be a draft
to consider at the October HCC meeting.
6.2 Matters Arising
6.2.1 Scottish Water - property at top of Sinclair Street. Richard Duncan
looked into the issue and contacted Richard Trail. The site is now
considered a redundant asset and the Estates Group has not yet
decided what to do with it. As soon as a decision is made, HCC will
receive a written report.
Gordon Tran queried whether the whole site could be for sale because
of the filter beds.
HCC have requested that the site be tidied up, but no response has
been received.
6.2.2 Jim Gorrie had approached Hermitage Academy re: HCC website.
No further progress has been made.
Kathleen Siddle mentioned a colleague at CAB, David White, who
has volunteered to design the website. He will provide 2 different
designs for HCC to choose one. Nigel, Kathleen and Jim to meet
David next week. In the meantime, old website will be retained.
Kathleen requested members to let her know what is wanted on the
site.
7. Correspondence
No correspondence was tabled.
8. NHS Boundary Changes
These will be effective from 1st April 2006.
The local doctors have opted for Helensburgh to join NHS Highland.
Argyll & Bute Council Area Committee have opted to join NHS Highland.
HCC decided to wait until the public meeting had been held in St. Joseph's Hall on 6th October 2005, to conduct an exercise in engaging the opinion of the townsfolk to use in our formal response.
Bill Brackenridge drew the meeting's attention to the Minister in Parliament and the Delivery of Care Report which states that:
a) Services should be as local as possible.
b) Local Community Health Centres should be developed.
He withdrew from the meeting at this point.
Marion Gillies reported on the canvassing exercise carried out by HCC members.
300 leaflets advertising the public meeting were distributed. Notices were displayed around the town. Forms indicating the choice of individuals were distributed at the public meeting and collected in over the subsequent few days. A stand was set up at the Co-operative store and shoppers were asked to express their opinions.
Results:
Option 1 (inclusion into Highland) 11% of the number of returns
Option 2 (Helensburgh into Glasgow) 81% of the number of returns
Option 3 (H'burgh + other areas to Glasgow) 6.6% of the number of returns
Other opinions 2.4% of the number of returns
This gives a total vote in favour of joining NHS Glasgow of 87.6%.
The Chairman pointed out that although the poll was statistically small, the result was nevertheless significant.
Much discussion took place with a whole variety of arguments being put forward.
Councillors Reay and Mulvaney commented that there was still not much information available on which to base a fully-researched decision. However, both put forward arguments for joining NHS Highland.
The Chairman pointed out to the meeting that as Helensburgh Community Councillors the members were not delegated but were empowered to represent. Gordon Tran commented that we have made an honest attempt to ascertain the will of the people and that we have a duty to respond to their opinion. Further discussion amongst members took place and The Chairman summed up by stating that he was proud of the way HCC had gone about the business, pointing out that it was the only organisation to have tried to gauge public opinion.
A motion was proposed by David Sinclair and seconded by Clare Greig that:
We support the view expressed by this poll, to accept option 2 and convey such decision to the Executive.
This motion was carried by 11 votes for and 1 abstention.
HCC Executive will construct a response to the Scottish Executive.
9. Dates of Future Meetings
The Next Meeting will take place on Thursday 25th November at 7.00 pm in The Victoria Halls. The December meeting will be on Thursday 22nd December.