LANGBANK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY 10th MARCH 2021
Present: Neil Barrington - chairman, Gloria Dunn – treasurer, John O’Brien, Carly Deheer, Cllr James MacLaren, Maggie Hancock, Caroline Bryce, Julie Gilmour, James Hunter, and Jacqueline Doherty – secretary.
Apologies: Julie Arbon and Mercedes Harms
Other Attendees: Nick Sharpe.
Start and welcome:
The chairman welcomed everyone and opened meeting at 7.30pm
Police Report:
No police report available at this time; to be forwarded once received.
Acceptance of last meeting minutes:
Proposed: Carly Deheer and seconded by Maggie Hancock.
It was noted that at the January meeting it had not been minuted that after many years of being part of the Community Council, Janice Buchanan had resigned her position on it. The LCC would like to extend their grateful thanks to Janice for all her hard work for the village over a number of years and despite no longer being an appointed member of the CC, Janice offered to continue to support the work of the CC. Janice’s efforts have been greatly appreciated by all her friends and colleagues.
Village website update:
Carly Deheer has spent time over the past month making the website more user friendly and is currently working on the required “accessibility statement” to be included within it.
It was intimated that former member of the LCC - Graham Brown - has paid the annual Website Fees and very kindly offered this as a donation to the village. The meeting was very grateful for his exceedingly kind offer, although funds are available for this.
Accident activity at A8 Roundabout:
No activity to report.
Attempts to purchase land opposite Coast Restaurant for parking:
Despite the chair chasing up various people via emails and phone calls there has been frustratingly slow progress with this as he is still waiting on replies.
Follow up emails sent to Alan Roberts on 4th and 8th March – as yet no response.
The Chairman had responded to Elaine Lorimer’s previous email on behalf of RC, to say best way forward was to formalise parking bays in front of the restaurant. In his response he noted several concerns around this, especially the fact that the suggested parking bays covered parking areas that was already being used by customers and would therefore not add spaces and not least of all - being safety concerns relating to cars parking all the way along towards the roundabout, thus blocking access off the A8 at the roundabout and onto Main Road. – no responsereceived to date.
Despite trying several telephone numbers the Chairman is struggling to contact owners of “Coast” to discuss situation, it is hoped that once restaurant re-opens he will have more success with this.
Gloria Dunn mentioned previous email correspondence from Cllr ColinMcCulloch, who had stated RC would be supportive of parking restrictions/yellow lines if community were supportive of this. Discussion around yellow lines was held and there was a general agreement that these would at least help with the safety issues if they were placed towards the roundabout.
Nick Sharpe is currently involved in an initiative with Scottish Government around vacant and derelict land. The Chairman agreed to forward on details of his negotiations with RC and the Scottish Government to Nick who offered to follow up.
Village Defibrillator implementation status:
Villagers have donated £3419 which is sufficient to purchase second defib and cover 10/15years maintenance costs (depending in cost of siting unit). With grants and business donations of £1400 the overall total was £4819.
The first unit is already in place at the village hall and as per previous minutes the second unit would be located at the station. Following many attempts by Caroline Bruce to finalise things with Scot Rail, they have now come back with their site proposals.
4 different sites were discussed – on the grey box on platform 1, near foot of steps platform 1, on the ramp leading down from platform 1 and on platform 2. The siting of the unit in these locations ranged fromapproximately £574 to over £10,000. This variation in prices means that the most practical option for the village – platform 2 – is far too expensive to consider. It was agreed that different options should again be considered to ensure that the second defib is in the best location for most residents it will serve. However, if no alternatives can be identified then the station would be considered again.
Alternative options would be Doctor’s surgery and possibility on buying an old telephone box and siting at entrance to playing fields or there abouts, if RC were able to connect to power supply. The Chairmanthanked Caroline for her continued efforts with this.
Villagers volunteering to collect litter from neighbouring roads:
Villagers have contacted RC for litter pickers and rubbish bags and have been out and about picking up litter from the roadsides/public areas in and around Langbank. The Chairman completed a litter pick last week but had several attempts contacting RC before successful uplift of rubbish bags was completed. Gloria Dunn and Cllr MacLaren were able to provide more details as to how an uplift can be arranged via the”Team Up To Clean Up” Facebook page. Jacqueline Doherty to put together post for Community Page with these details.
Status on Langbank Tennis Court:
Still awaiting response from RC possible grant and a final quote from one of the providers, despite several emails and phone calls. Cllr MacLaren offered assistance chasing up RC if required.
It was noted at this point that there seems to be a lack of communication at moment with Julie Gilmour, Chairman and Caroline Bryce beingfrustrated lack of responses as noted previously.
Carly Deheer has managed to get some advice on “community buy out”via the Land Reform Act and is currently pursuing this under the Community Right to Buy initiative. There is still a bit of research to be completed before this can be confirmed as an option. Carly Deheer has also spoken to James Lithgow- re ownership who confirmed that to his knowledge it was owned by Langbank Tennis Club.
Insurance:
LCC annual insurance is due by the end of May 2021. Quote received from current providers, Zurich Municipal, which is the same as last year - £170.58. Gloria Dunn (treasurer) will raise a cheque for this by April1st.
Cleaning of flower tubs on Main Road:
This is usually done as part of” village clean up day”, which won’thappen this year due to ongoing restrictions. All were asked if they had time to perhaps clean out one or two. This will be included in Facebookpost re litter picking.
Noted that one tub had clearly been damaged by a vehicle. It is hoped that this tub and broken fencing can be repaired.
Cllr James MacLaren’s monthly input. (Cllr J McL):
Roads
i) A8 Road Noise: - I am waiting for an update from Transport Scotland about excessive road noise from the A8 traffic and have asked for a quieter road surface.
ii) A8 Traffic Barrier: - I have requested a barrier and a wider cycle track/footpath from Langbank to Westferry. Council agrees that it needs investment and recognises it is busy with Covid walkers and riders taking exercise. This project, is at the first round meeting to identify potential projects for next financial years Cycling Walking and Safer Streets, CWSS, was met with a favourable response.
Houston Rd flooded footpath
Our engineer is chasing Scottish Water who will revisit the site.
Clyde Mission - Call for Ideas
Clyde Mission is seeking to raise awareness of the call among those who work, live, travel or contribute to the area. The deadline for responses to the Call is 29th March 2021. Funding of several projects was recently announced. Their Mission is to:
• Create new, good, and green jobs and a workforce with the skills to secure those jobs.
• Use vacant and derelict land for the benefit of the economy, the environment, and communities.
• Adapt to climate risks, especially flooding.
• Accelerate Scotland’s progress to net zero.
• Use the river to create better places for people and communities.
Go to https://consult.gov.scot/economic-development/clyde-mission-call-for-ideas/ to find out more.
This was posted onto Facebook page by resident, Jacqueline Doherty will flag this up on page.
Nursery Provision
A local resident is considering raising a petition to have a children’s nursery within the Langbank Primary School grounds. The Education Department have advised me that the Council’s plan to support the expansion of early learning and childcare did not include the creation of an early year’s provision in the Langbank area. According to the department, at the time of planning the early year’s expansion there was no available space identified within in the Langbank area for nursery provision, therefore places for children from the area were made available in the Erskine and Bishopton area.
General agreement that unlikely to be an appropriate site on school grounds, but perhaps village hall an alternative. Number of children may not make nursery viable, but could be combined with a wrap.
Graffiti on railway bridge
My attention was brought to the new graffiti on the railway bridge over the A8 and I am pleased that Network Rail was quick to remove this. I hope that we don’t see any more.
10/3/2021 - Feedback from Meeting
Position of Defibrillator: - I will see if the council can help with a location.
Nursery Provision: - There may be room in the school grounds for this and I will ask the Education department to look at this, along with provision of after schooling. The village hall was also muted as a suggestion.
Scoop The Poop: - Watch out for new posters with a great wee rhyme to encourage picking up after your dog.
Graffiti on Network Rail sign: - I will raise the issue of more graffiti on signs visible from Marypark Rd.
Local Partnership Funding: - This could be useful for the improvements to the Right of Way from Marypark Rd to Middlepenny Road. I will send over an application form for this.
Dangerous lighting: The light to illuminate the Low Bridge sign on Station Road is hanging down. I will ask for this to be replaced.
AOB.
A dog fouling poster has been prepared to put up on various locations around the village. It is hoped that this general reminder will help reduce the problem which is currently causing a significant amount of frustration in the village. If this is unsuccessful a suggestion of security cameras was made, which would then be considered.
Over the last couple of weeks there have been two gates on the public right of way towards old Greenock Road which have been vandalised. There appears to be no reason for this and is worth monitoring. All are encouraged to be alert and notify police.
Maggie Hancock has contacted the Countryside Fund re grant for improvement to path between Marypark and Middlepenny Road. Despite landowner being happy for these improvements to go ahead without a designated person/body to take on responsibility for maintenance it won’t be possible to access this grant. Alternative grants would need to be found, including Local Area Partnership Grant.
Planning application has been submitted to RC for building of a house opposite swing park. On the plot there will only be parking for one car. Discussion around implications to users of village hall and swing park who would be adversely impacted by additional cars parked on road. Risks include steepness of hill, visibility for drivers exiting car park and danger to children running out of swing park between parked cars. Caroline Bryce to raise these concerns with RC.
Light above arch on railway bridge on Station Road has been hanging on by a rusty wire for some considerable time now. Nick Sharpe has contacted Network Rail a couple of times, but they have taken no action, despite other repairs having been made to the bridge. This would cause significant damage should it fall on a car or pedestrian going under the bridge. Cllr MacLaren to follow this up with the roads department.
Moveable football goals in playing fields are now broken. Request that money be spent on repairing existing goals are replacing with like allow children (and adults) to have continued use. All agreed.
Due to the lack of demand at this time the “Out of School” (OSC) provision for the school has stopped and the current providers do not intend to restart. This is an issue for the village because without wrap around care, parents are looking at alternative school placements for their children.
Langbank Parent Partnership had been approached by two different parties interested in starting up a new OSC in the village. Unfortunately, this has not progressed beyond an expression of interest at this stage. Should neither of these parties pursue their plans then the LPP will enquire with other service providers to gauge interest. CC would be happy to support this as a detrimental impact on the school affects the community.
Meeting closed.
The chairman thanked all for their attendance and closed meeting at 9.30pm.