Eight people are competing for the three seats available in Helensburgh and Lomond South

In the west, the ward covers the north-eastern part of Helensburgh, on the north and east side of the West Highland railway line, as far as Sinclair Street, as well as the Churchill estate and the suburbs of Craigendoran and North and South Colgrain.

To the east the ward covers the whole of the village of Cardross, and continues through the small hamlet of Ardoch to the western edge of Dumbarton and the boundary with the West Dunbartonshire Council area. The ward also encompasses a three-mile stretch of the western shore of Loch Lomond to the north of Duck Bay, as well as the hills and fields bounded by the A817 ‘Haul Road’ to Garelochhead.

The area has been the subject of several major building projects and planning applications in recent years, including proposals to build houses next to Hermitage Academy, at Helensburgh Golf Club, and to the north of Cardross, as well as the exciting plans to breathe new life into the former St Peter’s Seminary at Kilmahew.

The ward has been represented for the past five years by one Conservative, one SNP and one Liberal Democrat councillor, all of whom are seeking re-election in two weeks’ time.

There are five polling stations covering the ward. The polls are open from 7am to 10pm on May 4.

The eight candidates are as follows -

Ellen Morton, Liberal Democrats -

I HAVE always worked hard and focused on delivering what local constituents told me they needed. Early successes include getting the grass in the play areas in the Clyde Arran cut, getting hundreds of missing street signs replaced and a small budget for street signs secured on an ongoing basis.
I was also successful in securing the transfer of the housing in Churchill for local families. There was a threat of eviction hanging over residents in Malcolm and Fisher Place but I persuaded the MoD to transfer these houses to Dunbritton and to make Nelson and Graham Place available for purchase by local families.
I also worked to secure massive council investment in the Victoria Halls, which included a new roof and refurbished 
balcony area, and ensured that 
it remained in council ownership. 
More recent successes include saving Cardross Library from closure and getting it refurbished and securing massive investment in our local schools with a new annexe in Hermitage Primary, new classroom in Cardross Primary and a pre-5 unit in St Joseph’s.
As is Lib Dem tradition I have always kept in touch with constituents and will continue to do so.
If I am elected again I will continue to work hard and support local community groups. 
My priorities will remain focused on delivering the cycle path from Helensburgh to Dumbarton, on improving roads and pavements, and ensuring that the new swimming pool and waterfront development is delivered. 
I hope electors will continue to have confidence in me and vote Morton 1 on May 4.

David Kinniburgh, Conservative -

Over the last two terms of Argyll & Bute Council it has been my privilege to represent the constituents of Helensburgh and Lomond South.
With investment in our schools, the CHORD project, an office rationalisation programme which has seen the delivery of the new Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre and commitment from businesses to invest in Helensburgh, I believe things have changed for the better in the area in recent years. 
The next large investment which will benefit the Helensburgh and Lomond area is of course the new swimming pool and waterfront development, and one of my first priorities, if elected, would be to make sure that it is delivered to a high standard with the £20 million which I have helped to secure as part of the council administration.
Over recent years I have supported and pressed for additional investment in our roads and footpaths network, not only to improve the condition of the roads network but to address safety issues.
I was born in Helensburgh, educated at Hermitage Academy and have spent the majority of my working life in Helensburgh, and if re-elected I will continue to be committed to working hard for the Helensburgh and Lomond area.

Richard Trail, SNP -

I HAVE had the privilege of serving the people of Cardross and Helensburgh for the past five years. 
It involved a huge learning curve as the council’s way of working is very different from my experiences in private industry. 
It has been an exciting time with the enormous town centre improvements. 
There is more to come with the waterfront project in the design stage.
The cycle path from Cardross to Helensburgh has progressed but not nearly as fast as we would like. 
Land ownership issues, I hope, can be overcome in the near future and the link completed between the burgh and the village.
I served on the planning committee where contentious planning applications are determined in public debate. These are sometimes very difficult decisions requiring a balance between the sensitivities of neighbours as against the wider public interest in economic development. 
I also served as a council representative on the board of the local housing association – ACHA. 
Working on the board brings into sharp focus the urgent need for more new good quality homes for people on low incomes.
The squeeze on public sector funding over the past five years makes it difficult to deliver all the services that the public expects. 
Working with partners, the council needs to adapt to this changing world and find new ways to meet the needs of people at less cost. 
I put myself forward for re-election to continue the work of transforming the council to make it better able to meet future demands.

Jack Streeter, UKIP -

I HAVE lived in Helensburgh for 10 years now and I have seen Argyll and Bute Council fall behind on a whole range of issues. 
I am standing as a candidate in Helensburgh and Lomond South to sort out these issues. 
In particular I am standing as a candidate for UKIP because UKIP are all about helping local people with local issues on a day to day basis, and that is exactly what I am going to do. 
My priorities are to push for weekly bin collections, oppose an increase in council tax and business rates, and give local people and veterans top priority in council housing. 
There are too many potholes on the roads, which will be addressed. 
Littering is also a big problem so I will be putting more bins in the area and push to set up a group for litter spotting to report people that litter. 
I will also listen to people’s concerns and address them. 
The reason why you should vote for me is because all the other parties are the same. 
They talk the talk but they can’t walk the walk. This is the main reason why Argyll and Bute Council, especially Helensburgh and Lomond South, has been failing local people. 
I will speak up for you and I promise that I will be making positive changes around Helensburgh and Lomond South and speaking up for everyone in this area. 
UKIP are the only party for positive, sensible and effective change. If you want this vote for it.

Ian McQuire, Independent -
I AM THE local independent candidate who actively cares about Helensburgh and Lomond.
I was born in Helensburgh; I was educated in Helensburgh; and I live and work in Helensburgh.
I have been involved in numerous community groups over the past ten years, including current chair of the Helensburgh Seafront Development Project. I am a past secretary of Helensburgh Community Council, of which I was a member for three years.
I am a past member of the Helensburgh Play Park Association, which raised £84,000 to replace equipment at Hermitage Park and Colgrain play parks, the management committee that secured the all-weather sports pitch in Kirkmichael, and secretary of the Helensburgh and Lomond Highland Games committee.
If elected my priorities will include:
- To strive for better roads, pavements, parking and community and commercial waste collection
- Act as an advocate for the best interests of the ward and the wider council area.
- Lobby for local concerns/issues important to the electorate in the ward
- Improved transportation to the Vale of Leven and Paisley hospitals.
- Improved local public transportation.
- Look into the speeding problem in Cardross.
- Improvements to Helensburgh pier and seafront.
Qualifications in travel and tourism mean I have the skills to help the town promote itself far more than it has recently, which would improve the local economy.

Mike Crowe, Independent -

AS someone who has lived in our local community for 51 years, I care deeply about our neighbourhood and the people who live here. 
Over the years, I have been a member of – and chaired – many local groups, such as the Tenants and Residents Association, the Community Council, and the National Engagement Committee.
I have a wealth of experience, and detailed local knowledge, which will enable me to represent you successfully. 
I am passionate, experienced and engaged. 
I always act with honesty and integrity, and standing as an independent candidate allows me to do just this, as I have no party line to toe: a vote for me truly is a vote for our community.
My priorities include:
Going back to basics – making Argyll and Bute Council focus on the services that we already pay for but so often do not receive, such as decent road infrastructure. 
Scotland 2016 indicated that Argyll and Bute Council have some of the worst roads in the country, which is simply unacceptable. 
My aims are to improve our roads, ensure neat flower beds and cut grass in communal community areas, and ensure the repair of the numerous broken street lamps.
I will also fight to safeguard the delivery of the promised Helensburgh Leisure Centre, and Helensburgh to Cardross cycle path. 
Most importantly, however, I will be fighting to guarantee parents’ views are heard by schools, preventing any more National 5 fiascos, and that library, day care, leisure and welfare services – essential for so many people – are also being protected.

Jacqueline Davis, Liberal Democrats -

I GREW up in Cardross, later moving to Helensburgh where I now live with my partner Michael and our three children.
I have practised complementary therapies for over 20 years and enjoy creative crafts such as cake decorating. I regularly assist at our children’s clubs and parent teacher events at their school.
Having been involved in the Better Together campaign during the 2014 Independence referendum, I started to take much more of an interest in politics in general, and joined the Lib Dems.
It is vital local councillors listen to the concerns of local people and give them a voice. I’m keen to take on that role and represent the area where I have spent my life.
I am very aware of challenges presented to people with mobility issues and would like to highlight this, particularly when it comes to improving our roads and pavements. There are ongoing problems with pedestrian safety in Cardross and the dual carriageway in Colgrain also needs to be tackled.
Due to the actions of a few selfish people we have a serious dog fouling problem. I would like to see the situation improved within our communities and will focus on this issue, asking the council to take harsher action against those who cause this problem. I am excited about the Helensburgh Waterfront development and want to see a facility such as a soft play area within the planned leisure centre.
I think I can bring a fresh perspective to local issues and ask people to give me their number 1 vote.

Christopher Fagan, Labour -

I was born and brought up in Helensburgh and Lomond so I care deeply about the future of our local communities. 
I volunteer in local youth groups, including the Boys Brigade at Helensburgh Parish Church, and I have been involved in fundraising for local charities. 
I live in Craigendoran and I have almost completed a degree in history and politics at Glasgow Caledonian University.
When I left Hermitage Academy it was one of the best high schools in Scotland. Families used to move into the area so their children could attend the school but, sadly, the school’s reputation has been challenged. 
The new report from Education Scotland, the national education inspection agency, revealed in stark terms how education has gone backwards in Argyll and Bute over the past few years. 
Pupils and teachers work hard but they need more resources. I will work with them and parents to demand investment in our local schools.
Across Scotland, a generation of young people will miss out on the opportunity to buy their own home. Something which my parents’ generation took for granted is now a distant dream for too many young people. 
In our local communities in Helensburgh and Cardross the problem is even more acute. The lack of affordable housing locally is causing an exodus of younger people to Dumbarton and Glasgow. 
Helensburgh and Lomond has an uncertain future unless we make it possible for young people to live, work, prosper and raise a family in the town that raised them.