LANGBANK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Held onWEDNESDAY 14th APRIL 2021
In attendance: Neil Barrington - chair (NB), Carly Deheer (CD), Julie Arbon (JA) , Julie Gilmour (JG), Cllr James MacLaren (JM), Jacqueline Doherty - secretary (JD), Maggie Hancock (MH) and Caroline Bryce (CB)
Apologies: James Hunter (JH), John O’Brien (JO), Mercedes Harms (MH) and Gloria Dunn – treasurer (GD)
Other Attendees: Nick Sharpe.
Start and welcome: Chairman welcomed everyone and opened meeting at 7.30pm.
Police Report: Chairman wrote to community police officer who is just back from isolation. He clarified that we would appreciate monthly input via email at this point.
Acceptance of last meeting minutes: Proposed by Maggie Hancock and seconded by Carly Deheer.
Village website payment: Work is continuing on accessibility statement. A formal audit would be expensive, so Carly Deheer has managed to find a step by-step guide to ensure website is compliant. The chairman thanked her for all her efforts with this.
Accident activity at A8 Roundabout: No accidents to report. Attempts to purchase land opposite Coast Restaurant for parking. Nick Sharpe has been very helpful with this. The chairman and Nick Sharpe had a conference call with Gemma Campbell from Scottish Land Commission. Scottish Transport has confirmed that they do own this land and they continue to require access to it for signage and maintenance, and therefore would be unwilling to sell or rent it at this time. The chairman has taken photographs of signage to demonstrate that only limited access required. Transport Scotland are a relevant authority with regards to Community Empowerment Act and therefore we could approach them to enquire re community asset transfer. Cllr James MacLaren suggested that Renfrewshire Council (RC) should also be approached re asset transfer – he will find appropriate contact. This was provided by him and is Gillian Beattie, Senior Asset Management Surveyor. Elaine Lorimer from RC also sent a response including a map highlighting possible car parking spaces which could be added along Main Road. However, with number of proposed on street parking bays, this could make situation worse rather than better. Still unable to contact Cawley group (Coast Management) at this time. The chairman will pop in once restaurant re-opens.
Village Defibrillator implementation status: Caroline Bryce contacted Scotrail re the siting of the second defibrillator and cost of, to enquire as to whether there was any room for negotiation. Unfortunately, the cost is set. The village hall will hopefully re-open in May and therefore it would be prudent to transfer defib funds to LCC account from Village Hall account to avoid any confusion. Caroline Bryce to liaise with the treasurer (Gloria Dunn) re this. Village Hall Heating system is currently being fixed and Caroline confirmed that RC made necessary repairs to kitchen wall which had previously been a cause for concern.
Villagers volunteering to collect litter from neighbouring roads: Many people participating in this already, which is great. Julie Arbon suggested that request for additional helpers to litter pick on Old Greenock Road. Agreed that current guidelines would allow for a “village clean-up day” this year and therefore this will be held on Sunday 23rd May.Jacqueline Doherty to email head teacher re children designing posters for this. Previous years there have been £30 to spend on prizes.
Status on Langbank Tennis Court: £50,000 Renfrewshire Green Place and £30,000 Village Investment grants have been applied for. Board won’t sit until 15th May which means the deadline may be a bit tight for installation this summer. Contractors are busy June onwards fulfilling school works. Julie Gilmour will contact RC to ask whether decision could be made sooner. Two further grant applications have been made. £10,000 “Awards for All” to cover floodlights . £3500 to “Local Area Partnership” for cost of removing old hut, fixing supporting wall and planning fees for lighting.
Path from Marypark to Middlepenny Road: Maggie Hancock to apply for Local Area Partnership grant to cover costs of remaining works. This will not clash with previous grant as two different organisations. There followed a brief discussion around this grant and clarification on some points.
Transfer of funds from “Greening Langbank” to the LCC: Gloria Dunn had contacted Russell but is awaiting a response. The chairman to follow up
Cleaning of flower tubs on Main Road: Part of clean-up day. Can clear out and plant at same time. Budget of between £70 and £100 suggested – to be confirmed.
Cllr’s monthly input: - Cllr MacLaren reported that additional help appreciated clearing up at West Ferry.
Light above railway bridge has now been removed.
Japanese Knotwood on Main Road – council aware.
Still several incidents of bins not being collected.
AOB: Nick Sharpe submitted application to Clyde Mission (copy of application available) re footbridge over A8 to banks of River Clyde. NB thanked him for his efforts.
Nursery provision: Cllr MacLaren had mentioned at last meeting that a villager had approached him re a petition to have a nursery provided in Langbank. This matter could be discussed at a future meeting and points for discussion would include – type of nursery provision, whether private or council appropriate, viability with number of pupils, implications to current educational facilities and impact on parking on Dennistoun Road. CD asked how email enquiries should be addressed and agreement that this could be done via sharing emails with members and responding appropriately. Those who email are invited along to meetings to share their views.
Meeting closed. The chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed meeting at 8.35pm.