In his column, written before last week's Helensburgh Community Council, Cllr Math Campbell-Sturgess discusses the town's waterfront development and long-delayed cycle path to Cardross.

As we come to the end of summer (if you missed it, it was on a Tuesday afternoon this year), it’s a good time to reflect on how we’ve been working to bring warmth to our community in more lasting ways, particularly through greater accountability and responsiveness in our council.

In May, our coalition administration, comprising the SNP, independents, Green, Labour, and Liberal Democrats, took over the leadership of Argyll and Bute Council.

One of the key criticisms of the previous administration was their failure to truly engage with the public.

While consultations were held, many felt that their voices were not genuinely heard. This is something we are determined to change.

Being a listening council is not just a slogan; it’s a guiding principle.

This past week, I had the opportunity to attend a public meeting in Cardross, along with fellow ward councillors and our local MSP.

The meeting was focused on the long-standing issue of the Helensburgh-Cardross cycle path, a project that has been in the works for over two decades.

More than 100 members of the community attended, demonstrating the depth of feeling and interest in seeing this project finally come to fruition.

At that meeting, I was there primarily to listen. The cycle path is a vital project for our community, particularly for the young people who wish to cycle safely to Hermitage Academy.

The road between Cardross and Helensburgh is simply too dangerous for cyclists.

I want to reaffirm my support to see this cycle path built, despite the funding and legal challenges that have delayed it for so long.

Listening to the community is also at the forefront of my mind as I prepare to attend Helensburgh Community Council.

The waterfront development has sparked considerable debate, particularly around concerns that some meetings were held in secret.

I want to clarify that while council meetings on commercially sensitive matters must, by law, be private, this is not about secrecy but about protecting the interests of the community in complex negotiations.

While I voted in favour of the recently announced proposals, I did so understanding the concerns raised by many community members.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that in a representative democracy, our role as councillors is to make decisions based on the best available evidence and the broader public interest, even when that means not everyone will agree with the outcome.

I want to stress that our new administration is committed to being open and responsive.

We understand the financial constraints we face, particularly in light of the new UK Government spending cuts which will have a significant impact on our budget.

Despite these challenges, we are dedicated to safeguarding public services, listening to the needs and wishes of our community, and working collaboratively to deliver the best possible outcomes for the residents of Argyll and Bute.

As we move forward, I pledge to continue being a councillor who listens, engages, and acts with accountability. I encourage you to reach out, whether by email or in person at our community meetings. Your voice is vital in shaping the future of Argyll and Bute.