Town Infrastructure -Council level

Strong evidence exists that at the capital level ABC per capita funding is much higher for other parts of A&B than for the Helensburgh and Lomond Area. While some differential may be justifiable, the extent of the difference appears to be too great. Helensburgh is the Council’s largest settlement and represents one-sixth of its population. It is one of the main contributors both directly (Council Tax) and indirectly (central government grants linked to population) to Council revenue. It should therefore be one of the main recipients of Council capital expenditure.

The planning area designated as “Helensburgh and Lomond” in the Structure Plan is massively larger (in terms of population) than other planning areas in Argyll & Bute. It includes rural, military and conurbation elements which would be more usefully separated for planning and other purposes.

Helensburgh has one-sixth of the Council’s population. This should be recognised in its administrative structure and its distribution. ABC is reported as having difficulty in recruiting staff because Lochgilphead is remote; Helensburgh does not suffer from this disadvantage. Our location provides an opportunity to rectify that situation while simultaneously giving proper recognition of the central role of Helensburgh in the authority’s structure.

INITIATIVES

• Council capital expenditure should be distributed fairly and without distortion across all local communities especially the six largest settlements. Financial data should be published regularly and openly.
• Three planning sub-areas should be introduced into H&L. These would be (i) the Clydeside Strip (from Cardross to Shandon),
  (ii) the Rosneath Peninsula, and (iii) the militarised zone centred on the Faslane Naval Base
• Helensburgh is officially recognised as the authority’s “Second Administrative Capital”. Whenever a new Council unit or office is to be set up, it should be sited in Helensburgh town centre.
  

N.B. In the document, Initiatives that can be achieved fairly quickly are marked “-qw” (quickwin)

"To turn the vision into reality is a very big job, but it is well worth doing. We need to stop the neglect of Helensburgh, turn it around and put it on the road to excellence."

The Helensburgh Vision Steering Group