Fiona Howard - Councillor Helensburgh Central

14/10/2026

Good evening, following last night's meeting at the Tower my email inbox has been inundated 🤣. I am afraid so inundated I have not been able to respond to them all. However, rest assured that you have my full attention and I will be delivering your message at P&R tomorrow.

14/10/2026

Great meeting

23/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Gq2ptjUx5/

23/09/2026

Congratulations to our new Provost, Councillor Jan Brown - one of the best!

Councillor Jan Brown is the new Provost of Argyll and Bute, and the new Depute Provost is Councillor Andrew Kain

15/09/2026

AREA COMMITTEE PRIORITY FUNDING - APPLICATIONS OPEN

Applications are now open for community groups, organisations or individuals to apply for up to £5,000 to support one-off or existing projects. This funding is for one year only and is allocated for the 2026/2027 financial year.

Applications are invited from Groups, Organisations or Individuals adhering to the following criteria:

* A valid bank account must be held
* Applications will be accepted to support one off or existing projects
* Applications can be for revenue or capital expenditure
* Applications can be for a maximum amount of £5000 but in exceptional circumstances applications for a higher amount may be considered
All Applicants will be expected to complete an end of project monitoring form
Any funding not spent on the project should be returned
Applications should be aligned with the Council Priorities:

* Empowered and resilient communities
* Making Argyll and Bute an attractive choice for families
* Housing, economic growth and population
* Transport, Infrastructure and Digital Connectivity
* Environment
* Sustainable Service Delivery
* Speaking up for Argyll and Bute, it’s people and its communities

How to apply
Applications should be submitted on the application form and submitted to [email protected]

Applications will be open from Monday 14th September 2026 and will close on Sunday 25th October 2026. Decisions on applications will be considered by the individual Area Committees thereafter.

Download appli ation form here:

Applications are now open for community groups, organisations or individuals to apply for up to £5000 to support one-off or existing projects.

15/09/2026

Please sign this petition, real local, balanced news reporting makes for informed conversation and reasoned debate

Local news publishers from across Scotland are calling on the Scottish Government to introduce a Scottish Local News Fund, warning that Scotland risks being left behind while other parts of the UK invest in the future of local journalism.

Add your name here: https://forms.gle/SEvofQXSfFjhWxiL6

Shetland News TheBellman The Lochside Press Glenkens Gazette Page Greater Govanhill CIC The Edinburgh Reporter Migrant Women Press C&B News Clydesiders
https://www.scottishbeacon.com/regions/open-letter-scotland-should-not-left-behind-on-local-news/

23/08/2026

Have your say ...

🚨THE FUTURE OF OUR CARE HOMES
🚨PLEASE HAVE YOUR SAY

Argyll and Bute HSCP is asking communities to help shape the future of care homes across Argyll and Bute.

The engagement is open until 12 October 2026.

I would strongly encourage everyone to take an interest and get involved.

The truth is, we don’t know what the future may bring. At some point in our lives, a parent, a partner, loved one, or indeed any one of us may require residential care. That makes the future of care home provision something that has the potential to affect every family and every community across Argyll and Bute.

If that day comes, the things being considered now will matter enormously. Will suitable care be available? Will it be close to home, family and friends? Will people be able to remain connected to the community in which they have spent their lives? What should good residential care in Argyll and Bute look like in the years ahead?

Those questions have particular importance across our rural and island communities, where geography, transport, workforce pressures and distance from family can make accessing care considerably more complicated.

This engagement gives us an opportunity to consider about those questions now and to shape what care home provision should look like for the future. Please take some time to consider what you would want for yourself or someone you love, and make your views known before 12 October.

You can email your views to -
[email protected]

Details can be read here-

https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/news/2026/08/community-views-sought-on-the-future-of-care-homes-in-argyll-and-bute/

🚨Information does not yet seem to be available on when an online survey will be available yet. I will write to the Chief Officer, Evan Beswick to request further information and timelines on this.

22/08/2026

Helensburgh Skating Pond Update
Works to repair the paths and remove the boardwalk began on Monday 10th August 2026 for three weeks and will also include the removal of Rhododendron Ponticum and car park improvements. All native dead wood will be left on site for the creation of bug hotels. These works have been possible due to funding from Crown Estates.
Officers continue to explore options and funding for the delivery of the preferred Hybrid Option which delivers both ecology and visitor benefits, as presented at the December 2025 Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee. Further funding in addition to the £75K Nature Restoration Fund is required for the pond works to progress

19/08/2026

One of the kindest, most dedicated councillors I have been fortunate to call friend has sadly moved on to a higher place.
Provost Dougie Philand has passed away after a long battle with cancer. A devoted public servant Dougie was a true gentleman whose dry sense of humour and sharp wit will be sorely missed. This photo was taken a few years ago at the Helensburgh Pipeband Championship.