HELENSBURGH must ensure it gets its fair share of the benefits of HMNB Clyde’s transformation programme, councillors and a senior officer have said.
Argyll and Bute Council’s leader will join the membership of the programme’s governance arrangements after unanimous agreement among councillors.
Its chief executive has also pledged to ensure that there is maximum benefit for the authority from the programme as it invests in the area.
The discussion took place at a full council meeting on Wednesday, April 29.
Councillor Maurice Corry (Conservative, Lomond North) said: “It is very important to play a leading role in that as far as the council is concerned, because it is such a massive investment in our area.”
Councillor Jim Lynch (SNP, Oban South and the Isles), the council leader responded: “I totally agree. Strategically we need to be involved in it and I have been liaising very closely with the area chair (Councillor Fiona Howard, Labour, Helensburgh Central) and members of the area committee.
“It is important we get the perspective from that area, and it is a massive thing where we need to be involved from the beginning. I will update on a regular basis.”
Later in the meeting, Councillor Gary Mulvaney (Conservative, Helensburgh Central) said: “We should very much welcome this paper and the potential investment. It is a huge investment in terms of defence and supply chain.
“In terms of Argyll and Bute, the key thing I want to make clear is that Argyll is the home of the UK submarines. As much as we need to take cognisance of other Clyde authorities, Argyll and Bute Council is the one we want to principally benefit.
“I am seeking reassurance that will be the leader’s approach, and I would also ask whether the chief executive (Pippa Milne) has the same, as it will need a can do, will do approach to realise this investment. We want to be seen as a place it is easy to do business with.
“We need to have the same vision to realise the benefits for new jobs and housing expansion in Helensburgh.”
Ms Milne said: “I could not agree more, and we will be advocating very strongly on that point. We need to see the other social and economic benefits; it is certainly our mantra to every meeting.
“They are probably tired of me saying it to them. In terms of wanting to be seen as an easy place to do business, I think our award of £5million for the business side of Helensburgh as part of the defence growth deal is a good start in that.
“I do think there is an ongoing need for us to continue to stress that the development framework is really important and we need to work on that to ensure we continue to have facilities ready in good time for the opportunities to come.
“It will remain an ongoing challenge and we need to capture the benefit for our area. We need to ensure we get our fair share.”
Maurice Corry is standing for the Conservative Party in the Cunninghame North constituency in the Scottish Parliament elections.
The other candidates are Katy Clark (Labour), Emma Farthing (Liberal Democrat), Patricia Gibson (SNP) and Matthew McLean (Reform UK).
Gary Mulvaney is standing for the Conservative Party in the Dumbarton constituency in the same elections.
The other candidates are Jackie Baillie (Labour), Elaine Ford (Liberal Democrat), Lynda Hannah McEwan (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Andrew Muir (Independent), David Smith (Reform UK) and Sophie Traynor (SNP).
