LANGBANK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY 12th APRIL 2023 LANGBANK VILLAGE HALL, MIDDLEPENNY ROAD 7.30pm.
In attendance: Neil Barrington (chair), Maggie Hancock, Gloria Dunn (treasurer), John O’Brien, Cllr James MacLaren, James Hunter, Caroline Bryce, Jacqueline Doherty (secretary) and Julie Gilmour.
Apologies: Carly Deheer and Cllr Fiona Airlie-Nicholson
Also in attendance: Iain McDougall and Leslie Fairlie.
Police Report:
Police were unable to attend and no report was available in time for the meeting.
the chairman asked about reports on 3 recent accidents at roundabout – unfortunately these are not available or awaiting a response.
There have been recent increasing concerns around speed of traffic and dangerous driving within village, with repeated concerns raised by villagers on the Facebook page.
At the last meeting a speed survey was discussed – this is likely to happen in May or June this year. Post to be put on the village Facebook (FB) page requesting that villagers report these incidents directly to police with as much detail as possible.
Other concerns have been raised about vehicle exhaust noise.
Minutes of previous meeting:
No issues raised.
Minutes were proposed by James Hunter and seconded by Caroline Bryce.
Village website and Facebook updates:
Usual updates on website and details of upcoming village activities to be added.
A few suspicious requests on Facebook page have been declined.
One post declined as a group, who were trying to advertise events under the banner of Community Council; - village groups are all welcome to advertise their events, but must do so under their own group name.
Some groups posting photos on the FB page, which is acceptable only if those groups have permission to use photos – responsibility of the individual groups to obtain this permission.
Repairs to A8 Roundabout:
These have not yet happened and the roundabout is still in a state of disrepair.
Parking issues at COAST Restaurant on Main Road – reply from LCC to Gavin Newlands MP:
No direct response to the LCC letter from Scottish Ministers has yet been received, but some response from other elected members who were copied into correspondence with Scottish Ministers. A follow up to be sent.
Gavin Newlands MSP has also received separate contact from concerned villagers and is interested in helping. Chairman will forward our letters and responses to Scottish Ministers.
There was a discussion about the new fence that AMEY has recently built and the question asked as to why no gate was inserted in the fence as Transport Scotland/AMEY have robustly stated on a number of occasions that they need access to this land when working on the adjoining A8, although they have never ever done this in 30/40 years.
Clyde Coastal Path Meeting developments.
No update since last LCC meeting. Next meeting is planned for the 25th April 7pm on Zoom. Discussion about the existing cycle/footpath between Langbank and Bishopton, which is currently
considered to be dangerous and almost unusable in places . Cllr James MacLaren to follow up with Renfrewshire Council (RC) and will request that the council look again at a cycle track from Hatton Brae to Bishopton. He will ask for the cycle track from Hatton Brae to Langbank to be scraped and vegetation cut back, and will chase up the fencing proposed by Amey.
MUGA status and Bowling Green Opening:
Recent meeting to discuss next steps for LSR group. Latest consultation with users highlighted the need for hut/shelter and toilet facilities. Grants are being sourced to cover these costs. It is likely to be an open shelter with a storage area at the back and toilet/hand washing facility. It is hoped that if these can be completed then the space will be more practical for Langbank Primary and Playgroup to use on a more regular basis. Langbank Bowling Club (LBC) will be fully involved in any future developments around this shared space. The chairman was asked to write to Ewing Mitchell of the LBC and ask if he is still the LBC contact, as we believe that there have been some changes in their committee.
£170 donation received from recent village hall fundraiser which will cover the cost of electricity used to power the MUGA floodlights to date. It was encouraging to note that the greatest cost has been the standing charge rather than the electricity consumption.
It was also noted that the power rating of the floodlights installed (440 watt instead of 640 watt) are actually lower than those approved in the planning permission, which has helped to reduce the impact.
There have been few minor issues raised with regards to lack of communication and consultation from Langbank Bowling club around some recent changes they have made to the communal/shared space. The decking which has been inserted between the existing slabs and MUGA has been fixed in place with no means to easily clean the gully – there was a verbal request made when this was suggested, that any decking be moveable to allow for cleaning. A new LBC hut has been placed on the shared space, which has never previously been mentioned either verbally or in writing, and came as a surprise to LSR and the LCC. The hut has been placed adjacent to the existing hut and could possibly create a ‘danger area’ for any child at the back of this space next to the high fence.
Question asked about wheelchair access/ramp to the Muga and the Bowling Green – but unfortunately this bid was unsuccessful in the recent YouDecide campaign.
Renfrewshire Community Council Forum.
First meeting for 3 years was held last month on the 13th. This meeting was well attended with one of the new members volunteering to chair future meetings.
The LCC chairman had circulated a copy of the RCForum constitution prior to this meeting and no issues were raised with regards to this.
Next RC Forum meeting will be 17th April and this is likely to ratify any suggested changes from other members of the RCC Forum.
Langbank Church conversion follow up.
No update, but information circulated to villagers via last “By The Way”.
Chairman to contact the church committee to ask for any status update for the next LCC meeting.
Village Hall update:
Iain McDougall is now the new chair of the Village Hall Committee, Judy Henderson is new “Lets Convenor” and Alyssa Fullelove-McCann the secretary.
There was an acknowledgment of the service provided by the outgoing committee.
There is now a Langbank Village Hall Facebook page.
Caretaker position has been advertised.
The village Hall has had a successful grant application for a Village Coronation event - £5000, which will be spent on new tables and chairs as well as other party items.
Details of the exact nature of the event to be finalised.
Cllr James MacLaren’s report:
Roads
Speeding: - Roads will carry out a survey of vehicle speeds on Main Road. Currently they are looking at May/June at the earliest for this.
Potholes: - I have reported a pothole for repair on OGR between Gleddoch and the Houston Rd (B789) junction.
Repairs to sign posts on OGR: - This will include a new street name sign on Gallahill Rd and replacement bend warning signs at this junction, on both sides of the bend at this location. Work should start shortly.
Refuse Collection
This last month there have been issues with collection of brown bins again from Marypark Rd.
Vehicle Exhaust Noise
I am working on this issue and hope to provide more information in due course.
Street Lights Middlepenny Rd
Scottish Power advise that the repair is arranged for Thursday 13th April. The contractor, Morrisons, will arrange traffic management on site as digging is required.
Iain had provided an update on Facebook this week advising villagers of this.
Discussion around RC’s responsibility with regards to street lighting. They informed a number of residents that they should contact ‘Scottish Power’, this is indeed not the case and RC should never tell residents to contact the third party. Street lighting is the responsibility of local councils and it is RC who should contact SP Energy Networks and pursue fault – agreement that complaint to be made.
There have been a significant number of repairs carried out over recent years which would suggest that rather than the mounting cost of ongoing repairs it would be more cost effective for RC to have the infrastructure replaced. James MacLaren will enquire about this.
It was also noted that the lamp at the end of the road in Marypark is on 24/7, despite previously being reported. James will report this again
Subsidence at Marypark Rd
Network Rail have put up a temporary safety fence at the subsidence at the end of the road pending a proper fix.
Trees, Middlepenny Place
The smallest tree, which is a Whitebeam, has evidently developed a lean. Due to the location of this tree, it will be removed and a whip replanted next to the stump.
For the 2 adjoining Kanzan Cherry trees, there will be some very minor pruning works. the work should be complete by the end of April approx.
Bio Diversity
Council have prepared the area in Station Rd Park removing brambles and grading the banking as well. They will return and undertake a further spray to kill off bramble in these areas. Bramble does provide habitat and food for small birds and they are not removing bramble from elsewhere/out with the biodiversity areas. They will review the biodiversity areas as these bed-in and evolve, and with cutting and removing arising each year, this will reduce the nutrient level so wildflowers can then compete with other weeds and grasses.
Garden waste collection
We are still to get more information about the £40 for uplift of garden waste. Food waste will still be removed for free. Councils who had introduced a charge for garden waste in the past have reported that they had not seen any noticeable or significant increases in fly-tipping. Householders who choose not to take up the option to participate in the permit scheme will continue to be able to dispose of their garden waste free of charge at any of the 5 Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Changes to Rail Services in Renfrewshire:
ScotRail is removing the small number of off-peak limited stop ‘fast’ services. Limited stop ‘fast’ services will still operate during peak times. I don’t expect these changes will affect Langbank.
Loose Farm Animals:
I have received reports of sheep getting out of their field around West Ferryhill Cottage. Unfortunately, there is little that the council can do about this. Hopefully the farmer will repair his fence, but in the meantime, please drive carefully.
Repairs to Station Rd Park Footpath:
Council have carried out some rebuilding of the stone embankment at the location where water was scouring out the embankment. Work to remove the footbridge and pipe the burn should now be complete.
Grass Cutting Programme:
The grass cutting programme restarted on Monday 27 March 2023. The teams work to a 14-day cycle and tackle a different area of Renfrewshire each day – although they will return the following day to finish any sections that they weren’t able to complete. Langbank grass is due to be cut on a Tuesday.
Hedge cutting:
Council cutting will continue to be provided twice a year, with communities seeing their first cut between May and July and their second cut between August and October.
Station Road hedges: - I have chased up this hedge cutting and the landowners PTC Group has been requested to cut these as soon as possible.
Question asked as to whether the hedging behind the village hall included in this as it is poorly maintained and does cause a nuisance for neighbours. James MacLaren will make a request to have this area cleared.
YouDecide:
The YD fund is going to upgrade the existing wind dust path in the Playing Field from the wee bridge to Station Road. There will also be a contribution towards new children’s play equipment that is being installed by the Parks Team. There will be further engagement on the items of play equipment required.
Planning Application:
An application for glamping pods at Gleddoch (ref: 23/0128/PP) has been submitted.
Dog fouling in Main Road:
Our Community Support Officers have attended and arranged a clean-up. They will erect dog fouling signs in the area and continue to monitor.
James was asked if he could provide any update on Street Stuff. At the previous meeting a consultation had been mentioned, but no representative from RC or Street Stuff has contacted LSR or the school, however members of the LCC have attempted to spread word. James will try to find out more details about the consultation process.
AOB:
Possible 2 burst pipes on Middlepenny Road, both near housing opposite the Village Hall. James MacLaren will request this is investigated.
Question asked about new planters for Main Road.
Application has been made to the Local Area Partnership for £10,000 - £3000 for planters and £7000 for Christmas Lights. As per previous years it may be full funding unlikely, at which point we will need to prioritise these.
£500 grant available from Clydesdale Bank – this funding stream will be approached for additional planter.
Question was asked about a site to the east of Low Hatton Farm. A high fence has been erected and a considerable amount of material being burnt. No-one was aware of any planning for this bit of land.
Jacqueline Doherty had joined a webinar hosted by The Improvement Service and the Scottish Sentencing Council on Wednesday 22nd March from 6pm to 7pm.
This focused on advice provided when considering sentencing and when CPOs are deemed more appropriate than prison sentences. In particular it looked at changes into the Youth Criminal Justice system. Over the coming years there will be more CPOs which are facilitated, supervised and financed by local councils, as opposed to prison sentences which are financed by the Scottish Government. Question was asked as to whether the Scottish Government (SG) will allocate additional funding to cover these increased costs to local councils – the SG have indicated some additional funding may be provided, but actual figures and how this will work is not clear. Cllr James MacLaren will try to find out more details around funding.
Further to the last meeting Jacqueline Doherty met with representatives from RC to discuss issues raised around the new Areas of Biodiversity at Station Road playing fields. This has largely been received positively, however there were concerns around access.
At this meeting it was agreed that there needed to be a joined up approach with the path improvement being undertaken following the You Decide campaign and Jacqueline would be contacted by the appropriate RC representative – unfortunately this has not yet happened.
It is disappointing that RC have not reached out to the LCC following the YouDecide campaign to inform them of next steps. Jacqueline to pursue this.
Ivy on wall near Station will be reported to Network Rail, with accompanying photos.
.
Annual village Clean-Up day:
21st May proposed date. As part of this we will ask for old village planters to be cleared.
Meeting closed:
The chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed meeting at 9.40pm.