LANGBANK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY 9 th FEBRUARY 2022
7.30pm by the ZOOM medium
Present:- Neil Barrington (chair), Carly Deheer, John O’Brien, Maggie Hancock, Caroline Bryce, Gloria Dunn(treasurer), Jacqueline Doherty (secretary), Cllr James McLaren and Julie Gilmour.
Apologies:- James Hunter and Julie Arbon.
Also in attendance:- Cllr James MacLaren and Iain McDougall - and in addition, apologies were received from villagers Gordon McPherson and Ian Miller, plus alsoCommunity Officer PC Dean Mitchell of Police Scotland.
Start and welcome:-
The chairman welcomed everyone and started the meeting at 7.30pm.
Police Report:-
Between 1st January and 31st January there have been 4 recorded crimes, 1 has so far been detected.
2 anti-social behaviour offenses (1 of which detected) – 1 vandalism and 1 resisting arrest/police assault.
1 common assault.
1 road traffic offence – failure to exchange details after RTC.
It was also noted that there have been a number of reported “break-ins” at Dargavel Village.
Acceptance of last meeting minutes:-
Proposed by - Maggie Hancock and seconded by - John O’Brien.
Further to last month’s minutes (January 2022), it should be noted that Alex and Elizabeth Burns also deserve our thanks for regularly litter picking around the village.
Village Website update:-
Meeting minutes and any necessary information updated as appropriate.
Accident activity at Langbank A8 Roundabout:-
The crash barrier still hasn’t been repaired and the adjacent lamppost which is also damaged and not repaired either.
Parking issues on Main Road at Coast:-
Following attempts to purchase land adjacent to the Coast Restaurant to ease the on-going parking concerns, the chairman wrote to the owner, but is still awaiting a reply to his email enquiring whether Cawley Group could purchase land to the east of the current car park.
A letter had been sent to Renfrewshire Council (RC) by avillage resident complaining about Main Road congestion caused by the parking situation. RC are now considering putting down “double yellow lines” to try to help with the situation and have asked for this to be discussed at CC meeting.
The white - lined parking lane already in place hasn’t had a hugely positive impact as people still park on both sides of Main Road outside Coast restricting road width. These proposed yellow lines are likely to be on north side only, however it was noted that double yellow lines should also be on south side - towards the roundabout to stop cars parking there - causing a further risk to drivers. It was suggested that the yellow lines should not only be outside Coast on the north side but also further along Main Road where parking bays aren’t already in existence.
Discussion around the need for a public car park on Main Road in village and whether it would be good value for money.
A map, detailing the double yellow line proposal will be requested from RC for next meeting.
Cllr MacLaren will also make a request to Transport Scotland re-releasing their land opposite Coast for potential car park.
Village Defibrillator status:-
Caroline Bryce has emailed the Gryffe Advertiser to get the defibrillator at the doctor’s surgery added to their published list.
The AED chest Pads fitted to defibrillator outside school are for anyone over 55kg in weight (or approx. 8 years old) and no paediatric pads are supplied. This is the same as the other 2 defibrillators and therefore it would be useful if the school hadpaediatric pads, however it was noted that the standard pads can be used on children younger than 8. It is not known whether school staff have been trained on use of these units.
The installation of these units across the school estates is in early stages of installation and more information will issuedsoon.
It is understood that Environment and Infrastructure will be responsible for all the checks.
The school will post a “tweet” just to show that it has been installed and perhaps residents can retweet this post so that theinformation is shared.
This topic can now be closed to monthly updates with Caroline providing any updates only when necessary.
Lighting Issues:-
Street lights at Marypark Road remain an issue with lights going out couple weeks ago. Not all lights are “off”, but it seems to be intermittent with different lights failing.
Street lights on Middlepenny Road and Lithgow Avenue are also malfunctioning. These have been reported, but no positive action taken as yet. One lamppost was rotten at the base, and this has now been cut and taped up, but an urgent survey of the lighting in these streets is required. Unfortunately, it may result in the newly resurfaced pavement being dug up.
Clyde Coastal Path developments:-
At last meeting of this group, the chair of the group resigned due to other commitments – it is hoped to elect a new chair at next meeting.
RC have written back outlining their proposal to improve the Clyde Coastal path in conjunction with Inverclyde Council – this is to follow existing route through Woodhall and along A8. This isn’t an ideal route as it is neither an interesting nor safe - in its current state.
The group will continue to follow their proposal and follow up with both Councils, Sustrans, Network Rail and TransportScotland.
Any further MUGA updates:-
Intended users still aren’t aware that they need to email the LCC for copy of the entrance code, despite this information being available on the gate – We will need to promote this again.
Iain McDougall had asked the suggested contractor to look at the MUGA site and provide a quote for flood lightinginstallation. This resulting quote is considerably less than a previous quote and this contractor is willing to complete the additional requirements (including getting the installed lights hooked up and working) as a charitable donation. This is a very fair quote !!
As lights are LED and environmentally friendly with the Community Climate Fund worth considering.
The trees behind the MUGA - along the side of the station will be removed within the next 6 weeks. This will be done as a priority before a new pavilion built.
The issue of ivy growing along the wall at the bottom of Station Road was discussed.
Recent storm damage to Playing Field notice board:-
During the recent storms, the notice board had been blown over. The wooden posts had clearly rotted in the wet ground. A suggestion that metal spikes are purchased and secured to the remaining parts of the broken post uprights and then the notice board reinstated or alternatively pipes with concrete filling to put these in place. Meeting agreement was that boardwas worth reinstating if safe to do so.
Status on parking situation outside Landbank Primary School:-
Langbank Primary School have received further complaints from their neighbours and have put another appeal out to families to park safely and considerately and not to sit with engine’s idling. They have also asked the RC Wardens and Community Police to visit at “school pick up time” to witness this situation. In addition to this an appeal was put out to ask families parking at the ”school bus stop” at the top of Station Road, to also park safely and considerately.
The chairman will email the Langbank Community Police Officers and Jacqueline will email Cllr MacLaren who will pass on this request to the Community Wardens.
Any updates to road improvements at Mary Park Road:-
No updates at this point. The awarded LP funding may not be spent during this financial year as Japanese Knotweed has delayed process.
This work to be completed once weather improves (likely April). Maggie Hancock will write email to the Local partnership to explain this.
Residents have been informed that Network Rail will be removing vegetation along railway – but not all residents wereconsulted on this. There is concern that this will have a detrimental impact on wildlife habitats.
There is a Network Rail retaining wall in this area which is beginning to bulge and may be of concern to Network Rail.
Cllr J MacLaren’s monthly input and updates:-
Roads
Parking outside Coast Restaurant: - the parking bays were to encourage sensible parking but as that has not happened, the next step is a yellow line traffic order to prevent unsafe parking in and around Coast and the M8 junction roundabout. I am also contacting Transport Scotland to request they release land opposite the restaurant for parking.
Middlepenny Road Resurfacing: - At the section below the first bend (near house number 8) the carriageway drops to just over 5 metres and a safe working zone is not possible, hence this section of pavement did not get resurfaced recently. The only way to safely resurface this section of footway would be to completely close the road, however, the carriageway at this location is becoming life expired so the road may get resurfaced this coming year and the pavement should be done at this same time.
Temporary Road Closure - Old Greenock Road: - From B789 to Finlaystone Road. This closure will be in force fromMonday 7th February 2022 until Sunday 20th February 2022 for carriageway patching.
The chairman also highlighted that the edge of tarmac on Old Greenock Road near Gleddoch is very rough and poses a severe tyre risk.
Street Lighting
Marypark Road: - The street lights are out of sequence, being on during the day and off at night. I have reported this and one of our electricians will investigate and arrange for repairs.
Community Speed Watch
PC Dick who was involved with Houston CC would be happy to help volunteers who wish to run this speed check program. Volunteers would be given training and provided with speed guns.
Community Climate Fund
Local community groups and organisations can bid for up to £3,000 for projects which respond to the climate emergency and make a difference in their local communities.
There was interest in this and it would be appreciated if Cllr Maclaren could ask PC Dick to attend a future LCC meeting to provide more details.
Embankment Subsidence at Marypark Rd
Network Rail says that the Japanese knotweed here is in their treatment programme and is sprayed twice a year untileradication. The maintenance team have been advised that there is an issue under investigation and have extended thedistance over which the spraying takes place, and removal of the knotweed is planned to facilitate access to this section of the wall. I understand that the area is built on bedrock; an earthworks failure here is unlikely. Engineers are expected to attend sometime after March.
Access to Public Car Park at Formakin Estate
I have received a number of emails about lack of parking at Formakin and our Access Officer will raise the matter again with the owners. In addition he will contact Roads colleagues to consider whether potential alternative solutions such as a layby would be feasible.
Erskine Recycling Centre
After I received reports of cardboard not being recycled I enquired and was told that there were issues with thecompactors and because this was down a 35 yard box was put into the general waste bay and filled with the cardboard.
Council say they try to recycle as much of the material as possible that goes through the site. The guys on site are aware of our recycling targets and work to achieve these at all times.
Improvements to the National Cycle Route network
Applications for cycle funding from Sustrans for an improved cycle way from Langbank to Bishopton will open in June2022 and it is hoped to have the design concluded by then and local consultation underway. This would enable an application to be made to fund construction.
Broadband
I raised the issue of poor broadband in Langbank at a recent planning meeting. I think it is quite unacceptable that a village in the central belt cannot get a good enough signal for community council members to all meet on Zoom, and Iintend to do something about this. I would welcome correspondence from villagers on the subject.
Feedback from Meeting
Coast Parking: - The LCC agreed that yellow lines were required and would like to see the council’s proposals. I willorganise this.
Streetlights: - The lights are out on Middlepenny Rd and Lithgow Avenue. Also one lamppost has been removed as it was rotten at its base. Other lampposts may be the same. I will ask for them to be checked and get the lights back on, andchase up the replacement pole.
Parking at Primary School: - Parking issues were raised for around the PS and I will request that the wardens attend.
Knotweed on Marypark Rd: - While there may be knotweed on Network Rail property, it was thought that this had notspread to Marypark Rd and concern was expressed that over spraying might take place.
Community Speed Watch: - It was agreed to invite PC Dick to a future CC meeting. I will do this.
Fireworks: - The use of fireworks has been the subject of a number of motions and reports to Council and I will provide the recent information that was agreed.
Return to “face-to-face” meetings in the church hall
No strong feelings expressed to keep meetings virtual although some members did express preference for face-to-face. Agreement is for meetings to resume in church hall from next month if regulations permit.
AOB
Fireworks at Gleddoch
Pet owners are upset about the fireworks being set off at Gleddoch and one villager has written to the LCC to say theyhave complained both to Gleddoch and Best Western Hotels Head Office in Milan?
Milan have stated that each hotel in the group runs autonomous to the Group and therefore any comments will bedealt with by the individual hotel. (it was subsequently noted that Western Hotels do not own or have anything to do with Gleddoch any more)
For Gleddoch this means dealing with James Anderson, the General Manager, who this villager has spoken to onnumerous occasions, with no satisfactory resolution. He had been informed that Royal Mail were delivering letters to all residents. However no villager in attendance had received any recent communication/letter re fireworks and certainly nothing with any planned events.
Cllr MacLaren can send information with regards to new Scottish Government legislation which may be helpful in this regard.
The chairman will arrange meeting with James Anderson to ask if we can be given a list of all proposed dates which can be circulated to villagers well in advance.
Renfrewshire Council sent some communication with regards to new smoke alarm regulations which can be shared on the Facebook Page and Village website. Laminated posters can also be placed on village notice boards.
Meeting closed
The chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed meeting at 8.55pm.