COMMUNITY figures in Luss have clashed over the local community council’s involvement in a traffic regulation order set to be imposed in the village.

Rowena Ferguson, owner of the Coach House Coffee Shop, said a complaint had been made against Luss and Arden Community Council during discussion on the subject.

A meeting of a community council conduct review panel has been scheduled by Argyll and Bute Council for Friday, November 5, but no papers have yet been published and the community council in question has not been identified.

David Pretswell, convener of the community council, remarked that he was “appalled” at Ms Ferguson raising the fact a complaint was made, but was prevented from responding any further.

The discussion on the order (TRO) took place during public question time at a virtual meeting of the council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee on Thursday, September 16.

Ms Ferguson said: “I am very concerned about the proposed TRO. It was stated that the community council proposals were produced by lawyers acting for the community council, and [were] a strong example of positive partnership working.

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“However, there is no mention of the community council’s input to the TRO - probably because, in the meantime, serious allegations have been with regards to the behaviour of the community council.

“Why, as an executive, knowing all of this, are you progressing today with this order, and not waiting to hear the result? Why not wait until all of the facts are established?"

Shona Barton, area committee manager, said: “It is not appropriate to make any comment today in relation to the community review panel as that process is ongoing. The TRO process is undertaken by the council and by officers.”

Jim Smith, the council’s director of roads and amenity services, then said: “What I will say is that it is part of the wider process we were involved in to establish the temporary traffic restriction order.

“There was clearly an issue in the area with traffic, particularly around staycations, and that is something we are working on.

“We had a TRO process which was abandoned a few years ago, and what is being proposed is not significantly different to that. We are satisfied the proposals are appropriate and help to relieve some of the issues in the area.

“It is worth stating that a TRO process is likely to imply further work into the future, to ensure we can go back and make any changes if needed.”

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Mr Pretswell remarked that he was “appalled” at Ms Ferguson’s mention of the conduct review panel.

However, Councillor Gary Mulvaney (Conservative, Helensburgh Central) intervened, saying: “This is not the point of public questions. I suggest that all contributors stay away from these issues.”

Mr Pretswell then said: “I would invite councillors to have the previous remarks relating to the complaint about the community council struck from the records. It is inappropriate for this meeting.

“I also invite councillors to consider all the residents who have voted overwhelmingly to support the delivery of a traffic management scheme for Luss.

“No matter where this goes, our community council, and the community, will continue to support efforts to achieve a sustainable traffic management solution in Luss village.

“We would be keen to establish this for the 2022 season for the people who live here.”

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