My councillor report for my community councils..
Community council elections.
The next Community Council elections for Argyll and Bute will take place on 20 August 2026 and will cover all 56 Community Councils across the local authority area. These elections form part of the four-year electoral term and support ongoing community representation at a local level.
The nomination period for candidates will open on 5 June 2026 and will close on 25 June 2026. During this period, eligible residents will be invited to submit nominations to stand for election to their local Community Council, in line with the approved Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils.
Training
We are pleased to share the new schedule of free Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training opportunities (2026/2027) available to those living and working across Argyll and Bute.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
A two-day, practical workshop that equips participants with the skills to recognise when someone may be at risk of suicide and provide immediate support through safety planning and intervention.
17th–18th June 2026 – Helensburgh
Roads
A82 – Temporary Average Speed Cameras (TASC) are to return to the section of the A82 between Luss–Tarbet, noting we recorded zero injury collisions during deployment (2024), compared to 9 injury collisions on the route 2021– 23.
The system will be reinstated during May 2026.
There are planned road closures between Tarbet and Crianlarich on 27th/28th of May to allow for the completion of various lining & studs on recently resurfaced areas.
Lomond Food bank
In the year ended 31 October 2025, we helped 316 clients, providing 3,529 food support parcels that cover 3-5 days’ needs for each household, varying by family size. At the drop-in centres we also signpost clients to other sources of help such as ALIenergy, the Flexible Food Fund, and the Citizens Advice Bureau. A faithful band of regular supporters in the community keep us going with donations of food and cash, but as time has gone on our donors have themselves been affected by the cost-of-living crisis and we have been in a cash deficit for the past 3 years.
St Modems church Rosneath 1-3pm on a Wednesday
Helensburgh community hub Summer family fun programme.
We are working in partnership with LiveArgyll (Helensburgh Library and the community adult learning team), Fun First, Hill House, The Book Fairies organisation and a Hermitage Primary teacher to create a bespoke summer family programme for Helensburgh and Lomond based around (but exclusively) books and stories. It will be an inclusive and accessible inter-generational project to encourage more families to read together and provide free activities for them during the summer holidays.
Live argyll
Adult Learning Provision Helensburgh and Lomond We are currently delivering the majority of our Adult Learning Provision from the Live Argyll building at 59 West King Street. Please contact Eileen Kay or Kirsten Davidson with any enquiries.
Staff update
We are delighted to welcome a new Community Learning Worker, Kirsten Davidson to the Helensburgh and Lomond Adult Learning Team. Kirsten comes to us with a wealth of experience in employability and training. Please contact her Kirsten.davidson@liveargyll.co.uk with any questions.
Adult Achievement Awards
We are an accredited centre for the delivery of Adult Achievement Awards. These awards are SQA accredited and are flexible to reflect almost any learning undertaken by participants. Available to adults aged 16+, in award levels 2 to 6, with no entry level requirements. Please contact Eileen or Kirsten for further information. Adult Achievement Awards – Newbattle Abbey College
Learning Café
Learning and employability drop-in service every Wednesday afternoon at Live Argyll, 59 West King Street, Helensburgh. 1 -2.30. Suitable for all adults. Tea/coffee/ soup/biscuit.
The Supporting Communities Fund.
Has now launched, and open to midnight Sunday 6th July. The fund offers groups to a maximum of £1,500 for a range of community projects that groups may be undertaking. Groups can be advised with the initial application and should contact Supportingcommunitiesfund@argyll-bute.gov.uk with any questions, or for a Teams call / in person visit.