LANGBANK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
STANDARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2021
8.00pm by the ZOOM medium
In Attendance: Neil Barrington (chairman), Gloria Dunn (treasurer), John O’Brien, Carly Deheer, Julie Arbon, Maggie Hancock, Caroline Bryce, Cllr Colin McCulloch, Jacqueline Doherty (secretary), Julie Gilmour and Ian Millar.
Apologies: James Hunter, Cllr James MacLaren and Susan Barrett.
Welcome: This meeting followed the AGM and was opened by the re-elected chairman at 7.57pm. A few minutes later Ian Millar joined the meeting and remarked that as the standard (this) meeting had commenced 3 minutes early, (ie not at 8.00pm) then this was disrespectful to him.
Last meeting minutes: Maggie Hancock was omitted from list of attendees. With this amendment Caroline Bryce proposed and John O’Brien seconded the minutes.
Police report. No police report available, it is hoped that community police may be able to attend once we resume face to face meetings.
Village website update: Carly Deheer will add minutes of meeting and church events to calendar. This continues to be updated when required.
Accident activity at A8 Roundabout: No reported accidents. Question asked about the respective streetlights and whether they are still on 24 hours a day, unfortunately no-one had noticed. The chairman will check and chase up as necessary.
Village Defibrillator implementation status: Second defibrillator has been purchased. Ian McDougall will fit for free. Going to check electrics tomorrow to confirm that all is ok and then should be fitted next week. The second defibrillator was cheaper than anticipated, which means there are additional funds available for upkeep. Caroline will transfer this additional money to the LCC account. Caroline will provide an update to the Gryffe Advertizer. Caroline was again thanked for all her good work and perseverance on this project.
Clyde Coastal Path Meeting developments: At the second meeting of group, there were several local councillors in attendance. This is a massive project and would be expensive (£10,000,000), therefore it is vital that both Renfrewshire Council and Inverclyde Councils provide support for initiative. In addition, Network Rail and Transport Scotland also need to be involved. Both councils have been contacted with regards to this, asking for their support. In addition to this all local councillors and MSP have been contacted.
MUGA: The MUGA status Opening ceremony has now taken place. There were many very positive comments from all those attending and also on Facebook. Previous residents visiting village have noted that it is a long overdue improvement. Planning permission is now lodged for flood lights and a hut to be installed. A local architect has agreed to draw up plans for disabled access to allow costings to be made and grants applied for. Permanent signage still to be ordered, basketball hoops will be placed on cantilevers shortly and road safety is still to be addressed by Renfrewshire Council (RC) – this would involve signage and a safety barrier at the entrance to Main Road. Question asked about necessity for disabled access and whether the surface of the MUGA suitable for wheelchairs. This had been considered and purpose of the disabled access would be to allow access to the new hut, once completed, to the bowling green/clubhouse and to the entrance of the MUGA. Unfortunately, the MUGA play surface isn’t suitable for wheelchairs. Have had some interest in village groups doing fundraisers for ongoing maintenance costs.
Local Cllr attendance at LCC Meetings: While Cllr James MacLaren is a very regular attendee at all of our LCC Meetings, Cllr Colin McCulloch has written to say that he had been busy, with some additional pressures over last year, but will try to attend when possible, and it was good to see him attending at this meeting. Cllr Natalie Don has also been in contact to say that she has also had second baby and furthermore has been elected as a member of the Scottish Parliament, but is still acting as one of our local councillors.She has provided the chairman with an alternative new email address, should anyone need to contact her. It is natalie.don.msp@parliament.scot
Next Local Partnership Meeting: – due on 10th November 2021 (following evening). Both the chairman and Jacqueline will attend this meeting to ensure Langbank village continues to be well represented.
Cllr MacLaren’s monthly input: (cllr JM)
Roads: Temporary Road Closures for Carriageway Patching Works: - Station Road, From Old Greenock Road to Douglas Ave. This closure will be in force from Monday 8th November 2021 till Friday 12th November 2021. GalahillRoad, Full Length. This closure will be in force from Monday 15th November 2021 till Friday 19th November 2021. Emergency access will be maintained at all times. I am hopeful that Old Greenock Road will also be done.
20 mph streets: - Scottish Government says that decisions on setting 20 mph speed limits on local roads are best taken by individual local authorities who can implement 20 mph limits where it is appropriate to do so. Scot Gov. officials have been working on this matter and the intention is to convene the first meeting of a 20 mph Task Group early in the new year to plan the most effective route for implementation a national strategy for the expansion of 20 mph zones/limits.
Participatory Budgeting: The council have allocated £1.2 million of the annual roads capital budget over three years (2020- 2023) for communities to decide on how it is spent (more info on my Facebook page). The campaign is now live and will take place online via a Survey123 accessed at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/YouDecide The closing date for ideas is Sunday 14 November 2021. Recent suggestions included (i) Repairs to the footpath and its adoption at the west side of Station Road Park. ii) Additional gullies at the bottom of Station Road and on Main Road. iii) A barrier between the A8 and the cycle track leading to Hatton Brae. iv) A pedestrian bridge over the A8.
West Ferry Car Park: I reported that the general waste bins needed emptied, and this has been done. Amey are currently preparing a design for the car park. I am hopeful that they will be able to resurface it by the end of this financial year.
Dumped tyres: - About 50 tyres were dumped in this car park,but I managed to contact Transport Scotland who have confirmed an instruction to their Team has been authorised and the tyres should have been removed now.
Flooding Hotspots: The Council holds a list of priority one and two gullies but Station Road is not on the priority list but is on a priority grid list. The emergency grid list includes:Main Street, Langbank at Drumhirk House - Main Street, Langbank, under bridge (Fine Furnishings) - Station Road, Langbank at Playing Fields, and Station Road, Langbank,Culvert at Far End of Playing Fields (No Grid).
CCP/LCC Liaison Meeting: I have suggested a walk along the river bank. I will try to arrange a date for this.
Grass Cutting: I understand that the grass area adjacent to the footpath leading to Middlepenny Place from Main Road has now been cut.
Street Lighting Marypark Rd: - Council say they have no obligation to replace lighting or light private roads and footways. I am still hopeful that we will get R1 lit.
Dangerous light-sign, Station Road: - That’s the light fixed on the bridge. Middlepenny Road: - This has been passed to one of our electricians, to investigate and arrange for any appropriate repairs. I imagine this has now been sorted.
Status on Right of Way Marypark Road: No update at moment. Ian Millar has stated that he would wish an on-sitemeeting before any works commence. Ian has asked for the group to clarify where the path will be. It was stressed that the plan has always been not to change the route as this is already an existing Right of Way and RC Core Path LAN/2 and therefore cannot be changed. The plan has always been to improve the existing path where required. It is hoped that lamppost R1 will be relit by the end of the month and due to R2 having been removed, then RC have no obligation to reinstate this at present.
AOB.
School parking – the school are sending regular communication to parents re responsible parking and have contacted the wardens. It would be appreciated if residents and the CC could also contact wardens with their concerns.
Christmas tree light up – unfortunately there will be no village event this year again, due to ongoing restrictions which have made finding a safe venue difficult. However, it is important to have a village Christmas event and therefore Santa will again visit Langbank just before Christmas.
Meeting closed.