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Consideration was given to a report updating Members on the progress made since the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee on 13 June 2023 in relation to the delivery of a dedicated, high quality walking and cycle route linking Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton.

Members agreed that they wished to discuss the information contained in appendix 2 of the report and agreed to exclude the press and public to allow consideration of this information.ÌýÌý

Decision

The Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee:

1.    welcomed the award of contract to Civic Engineers for £99,333.00 for the identification of a route linking Morrisons Supermarket/Hermitage Academy to Helensburgh Town Centre/Waterfront, and development of this to Concept Design stage;

2.    noted the agreement of one (1) change requests from WSP at an additional cost of £5,285.53, taking the total cost of WSPs work to £265,913.00. This additional cost is covered by externally secured funding;

3.    noted the continued efforts by WSP and Officers to engage with landowners;

4.    noted the high-level options for land acquisition laid out in this report;

5.    approved Officers to contact colleagues in Highland Council to understand their experience of Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 Section 22 Orders;

6.    approved Officers to engage with Scottish Government civil servants to identify the current requirements for a Compulsory Purchase Order. For clarity, this exploratory engagement would not include submission of any Compulsory Purchase Order, which would require approval of full Council and/or the appropriate Committee prior to submission;

7.    gave consideration to the need to secure 30% match funding of the cost of construction from non-Transport Scotland sources; and

8.    gave consideration to identifying how future maintenance of the path would be funded and undertaken, given the current situation where no path specific maintenance funding is provided to the Council; and

9.    agreed that officers would bring forward a report to the next Area Committee outlining progress made and suggested next steps.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth, dated 28 August 2023, submitted)