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Question from Alan Kennedy, Rhu Resident

Since 2019, Residents of Quarryknowe in Rhu have been trying to work with both Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ Community Housing Association (ACHA) and Luss Estates in an attempt get them to Repair, Upgrade and implement a maintenance plan for their own individual areas of responsibility. The main issues faced include the Residents Car Park, surrounding pavements, walkways and walls (ACHA) and the adjoining Ardenconnel Path which connects the top of Rhu to the bottom of Rhu through Ardenconnel Woods (Luss Estates), both of which now present a major Health & Safety issue to residents due to years of disrepair and neglect. Residents have spoken with local MP’s, MSP & Councillors however to date nothing has been done to address any of these issues. 2 residents have sustained injuries in the last 2 weeks as a result of the uneven and broken paving stones which have previously been reported to ACHA.

Can I ask the members if they are aware of these ongoing issues that residents of Quarryknowe are facing and what can they do to support our voices being heard and ultimately ACHA and Luss Estates taking responsibility to carry out upgrades and repairs which drastically need done. Can I further ask if any of the members would be willing to meet with residents to see the issues for themselves with a view to putting pressure on both ACHA and Luss Estates to take on the responsibility of carrying out these repairs and upgrades?

Councillor Penfold advised that she was not aware of these issues. Councillor Corry highlighted that he was fully aware of the issues and has had meetings with residents on site and assured Mr Kennedy that he was working with the residents and the Council to tackle the issues.

Councillor Mulvaney advised that there has been issues in this particular area for many years adding that on passing through recently he noted that the area had deteriorated and highlighted that he was happy that fellow Members were working on the issue.

Question from Jackie Hood, Helensburgh Skate park Committee

Jackie Hood, Helensburgh Skate park Committee submitted the following question, which was read out by the Governance Manager:-

"Once the skatepark equipment is reinstated to allow discharge of Planning Condition 15 of the Waterfront Development, what will happen to it? Could the council confirm what the long-term plans are for the skatepark once the retail development goes ahead? Will the current 20m x 30m area remain for community use adjacent to whatever retail development goes ahead or will the skatepark become homeless? If the latter is the case, where does the council intend to move the skatepark to, bearing in mind the importance of it to the local community particularly youngsters and teenagers? "

Councillor Penfold advised that the Committee would seek clarification from the appropriate department and get a response for Ms Hood.

Questions from Ali Mills, Kilcreggan Resident

Ali Mills asked a number of questions in relation to the plans for the development of a new ferry terminal in Kilcreggan.Ìý She advised that there are 4 houses which will be directly affected by the proposals and that she lives in one of these.Ìý She highlighted that the outline business case had been published in 2021, stating that there would be a public consultation carried out, which to her knowledge has not been taken forward.Ìý She asked the Committee to confirm why the consultation did not happen?

Ms Mills advised that further to the initial outline business case being published there has be no further engagement with local residents on the options for the new terminal.Ìý She highlighted that local residents have engaged with Councillors, MPs and MSPs to raise awareness of the issue.

Ms Mills asked why it appears that Mott MacDonald have continued to develop option 4A presented in the Outline Business Case for over a year without any consultation or public engagement withÌý the community.

She noted that a consultation exercise is now underway and that an online survey is available for completion on the Council website.Ìý She asked the Committee why has the current online survey not been publicised – highlighting that at a recent meeting of the campaign group it was noted that only a small number of people were aware of the ongoing consultation.

Further to this, Ms Mills asked for information on the online survey and why it appears that the content of the survey has been amended since it was first published.

Councillor Penfold advised that the Committee would seek a response to the questions raised on behalf of Ms Mills from the Marine Operations Manager.

It was noted that Councillor Corry was a member of the Ferry Reference Group and was aware of the issues raised by Ms Mills.

Councillor Hardie advised that the Audit and Scrutiny Committee ,of which he is a Member, are currently conducting a scrutiny review in relation to consultation processes.Ìý He advised that he would be keen to hear from Ms Mills on her experiences which he could then input into the scrutiny review.

Councillor Howard noted that she had been unaware of the consultation until she had seen it referenced in a local press article.

Question from John McGall, Rhu and Shandon Community Council

In 2017 A&BC roads authority, in collaboration with Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ Timber Transport Group (ATTG), under the Agreed Routes Maps Scheme decided to classify the minor roads Station & Pier Roads in Rhu Conservation Village as a consultation route for the purposes of the timber haulage by large 44 ton HGV’s. In consequence a Timber Transport Management Plan (TTMP), a voluntary agreement without legal status, was developed by a Roads Officer and an ATTG representative in private and without community consultation.

It authorised up to 5,000 HGV journeys per year and included agreed pre-conditions, rules to be adhered to including for example set periods to be avoided for school run times when children would be walking on the road. Unfortunately the rules of this agreement were ignored and 30 individual  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4