This week's Community Column is written by Norman Muir, the convener of Helensburgh Community Council.

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By-election: We are delighted with the response of the community to stand for election to fill the current vacancies in the community council. A postal ballot is now taking place to select the new members of HCC, and voting papers, along with the candidates' statements, were sent out to homes in Helensburgh this week. Please participate in the voting process by filling in and returning your ballot papers accordingly.

Speeding: There was some unwelcome news at our recent community council meeting. The police report highlighted the marked incidence of speeding offences within the central Helensburgh area over the past three months. A total of 26 speeding offences occurred which were severe enough to attract fixed penalty notices. We would make a special plea to motorists to adhere to the speed limits in the town and drive responsibly.

Retailers' Conference: Despite a disappointing turnout of retailers we had a very successful discussion and enthusiastic participation. We will summarise the suggestions and recommendations made by the participants and circulate for action shortly.

Clock Tower: The present position on its future remains uncertain. The community council has registered a community interest in the outcome with Visit Scotland who are selling the building.

There are a number of issues which the community council is ill-placed to resolve, such as finding finance to buy the building, investigating the structural integrity and maintenance of the building, and making the building's use economically viable. Investigations continue to somehow preserve this iconic building for the town.

Human frailty: In conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, the HCC gained a hard-won concession of two hours' free parking in the Sinclair Street car park. It is therefore ironic that this concession became misused by people using multiple free parking tickets to gain free parking throughout the day. This will shortly be corrected by the installation of new meters.

Fly-posting: A recent letter to the Advertiser highlighted the growing prevalence of event notices being attached to traffic lights and lamp posts in the town centre.

Fly posting is illegal and covered by legislation. However, the HCC exercises stewardship over the two noticeboards in the town centre and respond to requests to display notices as promptly as possible.