LANGBANK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTE
WEDNESDAY 11th OCTOBER 2023
LANGBANK COMMUNITY CENTRE, MIDDLEPENNY ROAD @ 8.00pm.
In attendance: Neil Barrington (chair), Carly Deheer, James Hunter, Julie Gilmour, Jacqueline Doherty (secretary) and Carolyn Bryce.
Also in attendance: Iain McDougall, Gillian Kulwicki
Apologies: Maggie Hancock, John O’Brien, Cllr James MacLaren, Cllr Colin McCulloch and Cllr Fiona Nicolson.
Acceptance of last meeting minutes:
Julie Gilmour proposed these and James Hunter seconded these.
Police Report:
Neil wrote to Community Police officer Mark Ewing, but had no response.
Village website and Facebook updates:
Minutes and agenda are published monthly.
Feedback on recent A8/Roundabout Survey input:
Delighted with responses to the survey, almost 200 responses, which is almost half the village households, made up of a mix of online and paper copies. These inputs were handed in to the Renfrew office of MP Gavin Newlands on Friday October 6th.
These results will be shared with Transport Scotland.
It was noted that not all households received this survey, but we are unsure why this happened.
Recent Downpour and resulting Flooding on Main Road:
Flooding in the village on Saturday October 7th, resulting in 2 cars being abandoned on Main Road.
Discussion around lack of maintenance to drains on all roads in village and water grills on burns by Drumhirk on Main Road and to east of Station Road field.
The burn which runs behind houses on Middlepenny Road also flooded badly.
Issues were also experienced by residents at Gleddoch Wynd due to flooding of Gleddoch Burn.
This flooding did seem to be a widespread issue with many other areas of Renfrewshire suffering extreme flooding as well. Therefore on this occasion not likely solely due to the fact that drains have been blocked – although noted that this is a contributing factor.
Double yellow lines at COAST restaurant on Main Road:
Still some cars found to be parking on top of these double yellow lines, although a definite improvement to issues experienced before these lines were painted. It was noted that there are far fewer cars now parking right up towards the roundabout.
Clyde Coastal Path Meeting developments:
No update.
Langbank Church conversion follow up:
No update
Village Community Centre update:
New wall lights have been fitted.
The Centre AGM will be in November.
Renfrewshire Council are still keen for the village hall to become a “community asset transfer".
Bookings are going well.however.
Consideration being given to a kitchen upgrade, although not in a position to do that until more certainty about the future.
Street lamp removal within the village:
Iain Mcdougal had emailed re-this situation and was heartened by the response from John Wallace at RC, who acknowledged the issues and was able to state how he was attempting to rectify the situation.
Cllr MacLaren’s monthly input. (Cllr JM):
Roads
Blocked Gullies: - I have requested that all gullies particularly Station Rd and Main Rd be cleared. It is very disappointing that so many appear to have been blocked during the weekend's flooding.
Parking, bus stop: - Parking in the bus layby on Main Road, Roads have no records of these ‘laybys’ being marked for buses or as bus stops. The ‘laybys’ seem to be remnants of the old road alignment which have been marked with a white dotted line to show the edge of the carriageway and that they are available for parking. They are a non-standard size and would not accommodate a bus. In fact “Roads” do not mark any such school bus pick up points as bus stops because they are infrequently used. To do so would deny useful road space to other legitimate uses.
An officer is arranging to visit the location in October and observe the school pick up operation. I will report back with the findings in due course.
It was noted by residents who had lived in Langbank all of their lives that indeed the bus stop did used to be marked as such.
Disabled Bay: - The church has submitted a request for a disabled bay on Main Road and this is currently being investigated.
Street Lighting
There are a number of cut down lampposts in the village. I brought a motion to Full Council to get some action on the large number of cut down lampposts. A report will come to the next ILE board meeting and in the meantime Roads are looking to resolve some of the darker spots.
School Visit
I was shown round Park Main HS including the fitness suite. There are a number of pieces of equipment cordoned off waiting to be returned to OneRen. I suggested that the parent council could apply for funding.
It was noted that this information had not yet been shared with Park Mains Parent Council, although they may have reservations about funding equipment which is not intended for the sole use of pupils.
Station Road Park
I have asked about the muddy path and also the broken wall at the bottom of the park. Network Rail say that the bottom path has been cut back. Over the winter months StreetScene will cut the vegetation back further to help with the regrowth come the Summer.
Julie Gilmour had contacted RC with regards to the path. The employee at RC was adamant this path was in Inverclyde and not Renfrewshire. She contacted local councillors and Cllr McCulloch furthered her complaint. Following this RC placed hand written signs at the top and bottom of Station Road. It is unknown whether this was an error and signs were put in wrong location or whether RC had received another different complaint.
Planning Application 23/0128/PP 30 Glamping Pods, Gleddoch House:
Planning has yet to go to committee for approval.
Gleddoch Wynd residents and those at top of Station Road continue to pursue RC for further information. They continue to monitor the planning situation for any changes or additional information.
Concerns were expressed once again about RC not ensuring previous planning conditions had been adhered to.
The General Manager of Gleddoch would be happy to meet with the LCC Chairman or a CC member to the discuss plans.
Street Stuff support to MUGA:
Using the monies raised at the recent Gala Day an 8 week block of Street Stuff has been booked starting after the October holidays.
Christmas Lights:
Following the receipt of a Local Area Committee grant and a donation of £1500 from Gleddoch Hotels, 10 Christmas Lights and fittings have now been purchased to be placed along Main Road from Station Road junction to the church. RC are scheduled to fit these lights on Thursday 12th October, however they are not due to be turned on until the tree lights are switched on, which will take place on Sunday 26th November.
If further grants can be secured then we would hope to buy additional lights for next year.
Beat the street:
Unfortunately one of the boxes which had been located on Douglas Avenue, for the “Beat The Street" initiative had been stolen. Box was traced by the company and information passed to the local police. This is disappointing as it stopped villagers fully participating in the Renfrewshire wide initiative.
A new box has since been located on Elmbank Road.
The meeting was closed at 10.00: