CHAIRMAN'S FOREWORD...
Helensburgh has gone through some difficult years. It has been uncertain of its future. It was to fill this vacuum that the Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee of Argyll & Bute Council asked the Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) to produce the VISION FOR HELENSBURGH - and it provided financial support to do this. The Vision was made part of the Area strategy. To create this Vision the HELENSBURGH VISION STEERING GROUP (HVSG) was established under the HCC. Its tasks were :
- To draw upon the substantial work which had already been undertaken (outlined in Annex A)
- To develop that work further by involving as many Helensburgh residents as possible
- To produce a compelling Vision for the town
- To test that Vision with the residents of Helensburgh and gain their commitment to it.
These have been done. This document sets out the Vision for Helensburgh the HVSG believes is right for Helensburgh. The key message is that Helensburgh should aim for dynamism and growth which builds on its past, its unique location, its enterprise and on its heritage. Helensburgh does not want to rest on its laurels or ring fence itself It wants to become a town to proud of The Vision for Helensburgh is :
"HELENSBURGH - BE BETTER: BE EXCELLENT"
The Vision for Helensburgh has credibility. It stands on the shoulders of a large body of work that has gone before. Hundreds of individuals and groups have contributed to the Vision process. It has been developed under the auspices of the Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) -a statutory and democratic body representing all of Helensburgh, and one of the most active in Scotland. The HCC speaks for the whole of Helensburgh. It commends the Vision for Helensburgh set out in this document.
The HVSG welcomes the Yellow Book Study which deals with the Town Centre and the Pier. The Vision covers the whole town. Each has drawn on the other for inspiration. For improvements to be made and change to happen they have to be integrated if the Helensburgh we want to see is to become a reality.
It is evident that merely having a Vision is not enough. It has to be delivered. In itself the Vision will not deliver the changes needed. While the Vision gives the destination and the direction of travel it does not map out the route. For Helensburgh to achieve the step change it craves for three key drivers have to be put in place :
- Public Involvement in identifying , refining and selecting the initiatives which will deliver the Vision
- Political Commitment in achieving the Vision - not just from Argyll & Bute Council but also from our MP and MSPs
- Professional Help to create the bold initiatives. to harness support and to raise the finance for them
The HELENSBURGH VISION STEERING GROUP believes the successful implementation of the Vision is the real task now. Identifying a Vision which residents of Helensburgh could commit to was the first step. The process now is to drive through change. Having thought about the Vision residents have indicated in no uncertain terms they are up for the change. They want to make more of their town. They want to see the Vision become reality. Having come so far we must not let them down now.
Bill Brackenridge Chairman, Helensburgh Vision Steering \Group
