This week's Councillor Column is written by Lorna Douglas, SNP councillor for Helensburgh Central.

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This week has seen the beginning of a new term for our education establishments.

There will no doubt have been a lot of apprehension, relief and excitement at the start of the week as pupils, teachers and school staff returned to their communities after the period of lockdown.

Many of our children will be joining a new school or nursery for the first time.

This is always a major milestone for any child and their family not least in the current climate.

READ MORE: Back to school in Helensburgh 'will be as safe as possible', health chiefs insist

A lot of planning and preparation at various levels will have gone into this week and I truly hope that it has been a positive beginning of term for all concerned.

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I HAVE been privileged to be the chairperson for some local committees and August will be the turning point for all of them, with various beginnings, endings and continuations.

The Helensburgh Winter Festival committee met last week to make the informed decision to cancel this year’s festival due to Covid-19 safety guidance.

We were all saddened to have to do this, but we will endeavour to find some new way of hosting the festival for the town in a remote way with all our partners.

READ MORE: Helensburgh's 2020 Winter Festival cancelled due to Covid-19 safety fears

Meanwhile, the management agreement held between the council and Luss Estates for Duchess Wood ended and it is not yet clear whether this will mean the loss of the wood’s status as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) - the only one in Argyll and Bute.

Many, myself included, were disappointed that due to Covid-19 restrictions, the committee only met last week, after the agreement had ended, and that there had been little to no dialogue between stakeholders and the council regarding the possibility of a new agreement that would retain the LNR designation of this much loved green space.

It is hoped that a new agreement might still be reached that will see the continuation of Duchess Wood as a Local Nature Reserve.

READ MORE: Duchess Wood's future remains in doubt as council is urged not to walk away

Finally, the Helensburgh Community Hall committee will know at the end of August if we have been successful in our stage two application to the Scottish Land Fund.

If we are successful, it will enable us to buy the Red Cross Hall for the benefit of the local community.

Needless to say we are all awaiting the decision with bated breath, and are hoping for a positive outcome that will allow us to begin work in realising this initiative.

Stay safe and think of others.

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