A report describing Helensburgh as ‘a world class waterfront town’ has been ‘over-egged’, according to a senior councillor.
The final draft of the Making Places document, put together after a lengthy consultation process, went before members of Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee on Wednesday.
But deputy council leader Gary Mulvaney suggested the description of the town was slightly over the top.
The document was produced as part of a regeneration project for the town, with work having begun in May last year.
Cllr Mulvaney said: “The vision statements pick up three bullet points, describing Helensburgh as welcoming, vibrant and having a strong sense of community.
“It also says it is a world class and forward-thinking waterfront town.
“Coming from a sales background, you sell what you have got in your product.
“Helensburgh is a superb town to live in – I’ve lived in it for 20 years – but when you use the term ‘world class’ are we setting ourselves up for a fall?
“We are not just noting this report, we are endorsing it.
“I would love to have Helensburgh as a world class town, but I think we are over-egging it and creating difficulties for ourselves. I think that is one we need to have a look at.
“Some of the funding for this report has come from the council and some has come from the Scottish Government.
“It is all public money, and if I am being cynical and critical, it is actually taking a lot of stuff that is out in the public domain.
“I don’t think it adds to anything. My concern from a public point of view I suppose is that it hasn’t added much to my understanding.
“Maybe I am just being too cynical in my old age.”
Lorna Pearce, senior development officer with the council, replied: “In terms of why we did this and the costs involved, there is, generally speaking, a way of doing this.
“Although the Scottish Government says it can be quite flexible, we do need to involve consultants, and this document does provide that evidence.
“It does bring a lot into one document and although I take the point that you could find this information elsewhere, it will be very helpful if we are trying to apply for funding.
“In terms of the ‘world class’ description, that is consultants’ speak. We would be able to go back if there was another word.”
The area committee also heard that fewer than 1,000 people had taken part in the various consultation exercises held between May and August last year as part of the Making Places.
Cllr George Freeman said: “The population of Helensburgh is still around 17,000, and only 6% of the population took part. That is pretty disappointing.”
Cllr Ellen Morton, chair of the area committee, said: “I went to several of the events and what I found interesting at one event I attended in the civic centre was that, from memory, six people turned up, but it was well-informed discussion.
“People were asking consultants and officers many questions and making well-informed comments, and those will be the basis of facing the issues in future.
“Cllr Freeman’s point is valid but that is true of every engagement exercise – very few people actually engage.”
The draft Making Places report can be downloaded here: Helensburgh Making Places draft
Well, we all see different issues with the town and the timing of the various projects: the CHORD project; the building of the new Council Offices; the proposal for the upgrade to the swimming pool and the pier car park; the attempt by interest groups to upgrade the Pier itself to allow the Waverley and other vessels to call into the town.
Now we notice that there is to be a consultation exercise on the likely impact of rising sea levels for areas between Craigendoran and Rhu. Coastal flooding issues are not new – we were in business in the town for 26 years and every winter had to keep an eye out for potential flooding events during the winter gales. Before more money is spent on infrastructure such as the Pier upgrade, it might be appropriate to really understand how the town will be affected by higher sea levels.
The coastal flooding studies are being carried out by councils country wide at the behest of the government so that they can determine how many £billion to budget for in the future.
As far as I know there has yet been no public money committed to upgrade Helensburgh pier. Only resources utilised so far have been to determine the physical condition of the pier and what would be required just to bring it back into service.
The figure presently being bandied about is around £1M. Just a drop in the ocean in comparison.
To be fair the report does not say this. It says Helensburgh should aspire to be world class waterfront town.
It seems that the reporting here and in the Helensburgh Advertiser have not even read the freely available report and relied upon polictal opinions to report this.