THIS week's Community Column sees Norman Muir, convener of Helensburgh Community Council, set out some of the organisation's plans for the year ahead.

The community council meets at the Victoria Halls on the last Thursday of every month. The next meeting takes place this Thursday, January 31 – why not head along and find out more about HCC's work and the issues the body is dealing with?

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GOOD WILL: January sets the scene for the year ahead and soon we will be addressing our Community Council responsibilities in setting in motion work looking after the shrub beds in Colquhoun Square and the routine beach cleans.

It is all part of presenting the centre of the town in a neat and tidy condition for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.

But we cannot do this alone. We enjoyed great support from the community last year, including the Navy, our Youth Forum, and our superb volunteers from across the town. We look forward to working together again, re-engaging with everyone and working hard to maintain the good will we have established.

A WIDE AUDIENCE: Throughout the year, the Community Council invites community groups to present their work at our monthly meetings. This allows them a public focus, and they also reach a wider audience through the Advertiser, which is present at all our meetings. Recently we have had the benefit of finding out the current situation on Helensburgh and Lomond Carers and Visiting Friends.

It is also our custom to invite some of the principal community groups in December for a round-up of their activities. This resulted in the Friends of Duchess Wood, bringing to public attention the unapproved dumping of spoil by Persimmons in the wood.

This was picked up by the Advertiser and publicised, making Persimmon apologise and promise to take remedial action. Working together can bring change.

GOOD TO TALK: Despite the wealth of social media and information readily available, it is sometimes difficult to register concerns that need attention in the town. Our meetings are public and, you, the community have a standing invitation to attend. Therefore if there are issues that we can help with, do please come along and register them with us. It is an informal meeting and allows problems to be aired and discussed. Our first meeting of the year is on Thursday, January 31 at 7pm in the Victoria Halls.