TWO new community councillors have been elected to represent the views of people in Helensburgh.

Simon Vella and Louise McCormack-Fisher came out on top in a three-way postal vote to elect two new members of Helensburgh Community Council (HCC).

The results were announced by Argyll and Bute Council last week.

Mr Vella polled 1,401 ‘first preference’ votes, while Ms McCormack-Fisher received 1,271.

The unsuccessful candidate, Bill Purdon, who received 1,166 first preference votes, had previously been co-opted on to HCC to lend his expertise as the group looks to map out a future for the town’s pier.

According to the official declaration, a total of 2,537 ballot papers were returned, representing a turnout of 22 per cent.

The by-election was called after the death in October of HCC’s convener, Norman Muir, and the decision of another community councillor to move away from the area.

Helensburgh’s community council was the only one anywhere in Argyll and Bute to have a contested by-election, with the number of candidates for the remaining 33 all being fewer than the number of vacancies.

Ms McCormack, in her pre-election statement, described herself as a serving RAF officer of 23 years and a Helensburgh resident of 12 months.

Mr Vella moved to Helensburgh three years ago and is already involved with the parent-teacher association at Hermitage Academy.

Election day on May 2 also saw eight community councillors confirmed to serve on Rhu and Shandon CC, and five for the equivalent in Cove and Kilcreggan.

The eight Rhu and Shandon CC members formally elected are Fiona Baker, Nicholas Barton, Arnold Bretman, David Lang, Allan MacFadyen, Calum McNicol, Robert Stuart and David Whitham.

Those in Cove and Kilcreggan are Kenneth Barlas, Katherine Gostick, Sheena Lamont, Lynda Mackenzie, Ellen McVey and Anne Strachan.

Community councils are statutory consultees on licensing and planning applications, and hold monthly or bi-monthly public meetings.

Helensburgh CC’s meetings are held on the final Thursday of each month, with the next meeting taking place at the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre on Wednesday, May 30 at 7pm.

The next Rhu and Shandon community council meeting is on Wednesday, June 12, and will be preceded by the group’s AGM, starting at 7pm.

The next Cove and Kilcreggan CC meeting is on Tuesday, June 11 in the small hall at Cove Burgh Hall.

Like its equivalent in Rhu and Shandon, the meeting will be preceded by the group’s AGM, but the start time is 7.30pm.

More information on each of the three groups can be found at helensburghcommunitycouncil.co.uk, rhuandshandoncommunity.org, and coveandkilcreggan.org.uk.