Copy of Community Council Meeting Minutes - December 2017
LANGBANK VILLAGE COMMUNITY COUNCIL.
MINUTES OF MEETING – 13th December 2017
7:30pm – 9.30pm in Langbank Church Hall
Attendees:- Neil Barrington (Chairman), Jacqueline Docherty (Secretary), and Julie Gilmour.
Apologies:- Karen Breckenridge, Carly Deheer, Gloria Dunn, Russell Overend, James Hunter, Janice Buchanan, Christine Farrington, Joe McGarrigle (Vice Chairman), Eileen Mather, Graeme Brown, Cllr James MacLaren, Cllr Natalie Don, and Cllr Colin McCulloch.
Also Present:- PC Tom Connor and PC Martin Norwood from Police Scotland, Dr Jean Leckie, David Steele, Elaine Walsh, Norah Watson and Gordon Mcpherson.
* Start and welcome:
* Police Report:
Officers in attendance had checked back reports for last two months and no significant crimes to report. Two minor incidents reported: a passport theft at Gleddoch and the theft of a gate, which is believed to be associated with a neighbourly dispute.
Officers were then asked for advice regarding the issue of parking on Middlepenny Road. This had been raised by a number of residents. The resulting discussion touched on the difficulty of suitable parking spaces, the poor state of the pavements and the road conditions. The main issue raised was the concern over safety for both pedestrians who are put at risk when cars block the pavement and also drivers who have been forced to reverse around a blind bend to make way for oncoming traffic.
Police can take limited action, including a £50 fine for parking on a pavement, but this would not have a long-term impact. Following on from the advice given it was agreed that the best way forward would be for the community council to contact the RC Roads Department. They do need to come to Langbank and see the situation for themselves and thereby take responsibility for the safety of all road users and pedestrians. The Community Council (CC) would not be in a position to make suggestions as to what should be done, this needs to come from the regional council.
* Acceptance of last meeting minutes:
Proposed by Julie Gilmour and seconded by Jacqueline Docherty.
* Langbank Church Development Feasibility Survey:
Dr Jean Leckie and David Steele attended the meeting to inform the CC about proposed changes to the inside of the church building, such that it could in future be used as more of a as a Village Hub and to seek the views and ideas of villagers.
In 2016 the church members were balloted regarding removing the pews from the church, addressing the sloping floor, improving insulation and heating. An updating of the internal structure of the church to make this a more flexible and usable space for not only the congregation but all villagers.
At this stage they are keen to stress that they do not want to create a facility which will compete with the village hall (which is now restricted to 60 persons attending), but will compliment it and therefore are keen to find out whether these changes would encourage more people to use the building and in particular what things could the church be used for. This information would be considered as part of the feasibility study. All village organisations will be consulted. Most people present, thought that the new facility would be good for the village if it was designed to work alongside the village hall. It was agreed that a survey of possible use of such a facility could be conducted via our Village Facebook page.
* Chairman’s and Secretary’s Report:
The chairman gave updates on the following:
Gleddoch Renewable Energy Project
No further update.
Contact with other Rural CCs
Following on from an email sent by Houston CC regarding public realm improvements it was agreed that we should support them in this matter. Although there is unlikely to be any direct benefit to Langbank at this time it would still be prudent to support our fellow rural community councils.
Hi-speed Broadband Performance in the village.
Nothing new to report and no new concerns raised re broadband, however issue raised about the current Fibre cabinet being full and therefore there are villagers who would like faster broadband but cannot access this.
Virgin Media tests in the South of England.
No further update.
Station Road traffic speed signs/children crossing.
This sign has now been placed at the top of Station Road.
Dampness problems in Langbank Primary School.
Two powered ventilation fans were installed on the 2nd December. The issue of no toilets in the annexe/covered walkway has now been passed to the Renfrewshire Council Financial Department for consideration.
Smartwater Implementation -second phase.
A return should be completed for the LAC outlining how the money was spent.
Resurfacing/drain cleaning of Dennistoun Road.
The condition of the roads and pavement are still poor despite recent resurfacing at the top of Middlepenny Road. It was noted that the council had resurfaced some roads and a pavement which were actually in a reasonable condition and not those parts most in need and indeed caused questions about whether there had been a mistake as to which part of Middlepenny road was repaired. Some drains have been cleared but not all of them.
Following on from a suggestion from another community council we will ask the council to provide a map of all drains in the village and we can then mark onto this any drains which remain blocked.
Proposed footpath linking east and west Langbank:
A villager, Jasper Matthews, has a proposal for a footpath linking both sides of the village to the south of Langbank and has asked if this could be in the agenda for January. There was a short discussion regarding the previous issues that this has raised, but all were happy for JM to attend the next meeting and look forward to hearing this proposal.
Xmas Tree switch-on ceremony:
All went well, despite few wee technical issues. Chairman agreed to pass on our thanks to the council for arranging for us to have a village tree.
Feedback on RCCForum AGM Mtg held on Nov 27th:
The AGM elected Mar McElhinney as Chairlady, David Williams as Secretary and Neil Barrington as Treasurer.
Two speakers from Glasgow Airport Management attended and gave very informative presentation about the current operations within the airport and proposed developments. They are also happy to attend community council meetings to provide more information.
This meeting ended with each Community Council being asked to provide information on what they regarded as being the 3 good things that their CC had achieved over the last year and the 3 not so good ones. Input is requested to be sent our secretary or chairman.
Talk of the new RC initiative being issued around safe parking, engine idling, etc around schools.
Feedback on Local Area Committee (LAC) Meeting held on Nov 29th:
Other community councils have applied to the LAC for grants to fund gala days, something we may consider in future.
Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership (RHSCP) were asked about the new proposed Bishopton Surgery/Health Centre on the Dargavel Estate due to the rapidly increasing number of houses being built there. There was no further status on this key issue, as it was stated that it is still being reviewed.
Reminder that all groups in receipt of a LAC grant in 2017, must complete follow up paperwork for January.
* Secretary’s report:
Only two items for planning permission but these would only affect immediate neighbours and are therefore not of note for the CC.
Meeting closed – 9:27
Attachment No1:
Dear Councillor MacLaren
Street Sweeping / Overhanging Tree at Station Road Langbank
I refer to your enquiry regarding both the tree overhanging Station Road and leaf build up at Station Road Langbank.
We swept both the road (week commencing 6th November) and pavement (on 13th November) at Station Road, Langbank of leaves in response to a previous concern. This was in addition to the increased road sweeping programme. We will be sweeping the road again between 24-27 January 2018 and I have asked the Community Litter Picker to sweep up the worst sections of the pavement when next in the Langbank area and this is programmed for the 10th December 2017.
In relation to the overhanging tree, the tree will be assessed by our Roads Service. If the tree requires attention to address any road safety concerns, we shall work with the land owner to have the tree cut back.
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance with regards to this matter.
Yours sincerely
Ken Gray
StreetScene Manager
Environment & Communities
Attachment No2:
Dear Councillor Don
Langbank Primary School
I write further to your enquiry concerning Langbank Primary School. I can advise that fans were installed 2 December and the Headteacher has been advised.
With regard to the toilet provision I have passed this on to Joe Lynch within Finance & Resources Services for his consideration.
I hope this is helpful.
Regards
Iain
Iain Grice
Facilities Manager
Hard Services - PPP & Compliance
Renfrewshire Council
