Could you tell readers about yourself, and why you’ve chosen to try and represent this ward?
In my opinion voters should vote for the Candidate they believe will best represent them, their families and their community.
I am a local born and bred, and genuinely care about our community.
I have chosen to stand as a candidate for the Helensburgh Central Ward as I believe that the community and town have been let down by current and past councillors over the past 5, 10, 15 years.
So much more could have been done to improve the town, especially with the Waterfront and Colquhoun Square areas. Unfortunately proposed plans put to the area committee (10 local councillors) and the Council (especially for the Pier) have been voted against by the area committee.
I have been involved in community groups, events and projects for many years. Community Councillor (3 years), set up the Helensburgh Seafront Development Project (HSDP) to save Helensburgh Pier, Secretary of the Highland Games, a member of the HPPA which raised funds for play park equipment for the Hermitage and Colgrain playparks. A former player and current member of Helensburgh Rugby Club.
I am a member of the Helensburgh Access Panel, a friend of Duchess Woods and Castle Woods
What do you think are the three key issues in the future for the ward, and how close is your relationship with it?
I am opposed to retail on the Waterside site, It would be better for the community if it had leisure facilities which are much more sought after by families, such as a community centre with soft play / trampoline area, games courts etc. It could be run by Live Argyll and could pay for itself.
If the Pier was repaired up to a working standard to allow the Waverley to berth, and had pontoons built to enable the passengers from the cruise ships berthing in Greenock to come to Helensburgh, (this would make a huge difference to the shops, cafés, restaurants in the town).
Bin collections, many collections have been missed or late. Argyll & Bute Council signed up to the Household Recycling Charter in February 2021, signing up is one thing implementing the charter is another.
Road, pavement and street sign repairs.
Many roads in Helensburgh require repairing and to be marked, there are street lights needing repaired throughout the area, only 9 of the 32 lights in Colquhoun Square work. Street Signs for lots of streets require replacing as they are illegible.
Currently Argyll and Bute Council is run by TALIG – the Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Group, a coalition of Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and some independent councillors. If elected, would you join this group?
If elected I would not be interested in joining the TALIG coalition.
There would require for enough Conservative and Liberal Democrat candidates to be elected for a new TALIG to be set up. I would however be interested in a coalition with SNP, Green, Independent and maybe Liberal Democrat councillors.
Currently the council is considering a ‘collectives’ system, which would see several schools share a headteacher and management team. Do you support this policy?
I am against the Education Change Programme, 85% of the EIS members (Teachers and Head Teachers) voted against the changes.