This week's Councillor Column sees Graham Hardie, Liberal Democrat councillor for Helensburgh Central and LiveArgyll board member, explain more about the charitable trust which runs Argyll and Bute's leisure and library services.

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I have been a board member of LiveArgyll ever since its inception in October 2017. As such I have watched it grow from strength to strength.

LiveArgyll is a charity set up by Argyll and Bute Council to run leisure and sport facilities, libraries, halls, community centres and sports pitches across Argyll and Bute. It has a strong commitment to encourage active participation, involvement and engagement in its facilities and services.

READ MORE: Our libraries are worth cherishing, says Helensburgh councillor

As part of its commitment to achieving its charitable status, LiveArgyll had a pricing review, streamlining leisure membership prices, making them more affordable for families and individuals, and so far this has been a success, with a substantial increase in its overall membership.

As part of LiveArgyll’s continued development of their “what’s on” programme the Victoria Halls has attracted comedians such as Gary Meikle who performed in June.

The hall will also see the talented Elsa McTaggert on September 3, who will be performing Eva Cassidy – The Story, as well as Abbamania and the Slug by Visible Fictions.

The Victoria Halls under the management of Live Argyll will be providing Helensburgh residents a wide range of acts as part of its commitment to delivering first class entertainment in the town.

READ MORE: OAPs hit by price hike at Helensburgh swimming pool

There is much going on within our libraries under LiveArgyll, with the Space Chase Summer Reading Challenge during the summer holidays. New activities are also in the pipeline including storytelling, T-shirt design and clay modelling for kids to enjoy.

Opening hours in the library are increasing to permit people to visit during lunchtimes. Residents who can’t visit the library in person can now use the new Borrowbox ebook and eAudiobook service.

These are exciting times for LiveArgyll and the board and staff are always developing new ways to improve the services on offer.

During 2019 there are a number of new developments, including £1 swims for kids, swimming lesson developments, childrens’s summer sport and leisure programmes and personal training.

READ MORE: New enterprise hub is launched at Helensburgh's library

LiveArgyll’s website will continue to be developed along with an online booking platform at www.liveargyll.co.uk.

Personally it has been a real pleasure to work on the board with such a dynamic team and I am sure LiveArgyll will continue to ensure that they build on their success and continue to meet their vision statement, “our communities and visitors lead richer and more active lives”. Be inspired, be you!