LANGBANK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY 9th DECEMBER 2020
7.30pm via the digital meeting medium “Zoom”
Present: Maggie Hancock, Neil Barrington (chairperson), Julie Gilmour, Carly Deheer, John O’Brien, Jacqueline Doherty (secretary), Cllr James MacLaren and Caroline Bryce.
Apologies: Gloria Dunn (secretary), Julie Arbon and James Hunter.
Start and welcome:
The chairman opened the meeting at 7.32pm and again thanked Carly Deheer for setting up the Zoom meeting.
Acceptance of last meeting minutes:
John O’Brien proposed the last LCC (Zoom) meeting minutes of 11th November 2020 and Maggie Hancock seconded these.
Police Report:
No available report in time for this meeting, but the chairman stated he would chase this up with Police Scotland and attach any resulting report to these minutes.
Village website:
The 2020 Langbank Village Survey results have been added to the Langbank website and results of children’s survey will also been added.
Accident activity at A8 Roundabout:
No major incidents reported.
Langbank Village Survey:
See website above. The LCC is now working to implement the top preferences that were identified on this survey.
It must be said of course - that the current Covid19 restrictions are having an impact on what the LCC and Renfrewshire Council can achieve at present, but we are working towards these goals – see under “Status on Langbank Tennis Court” heading in these minutes.
Village Defibrillator implementation status:
Caroline Bryce has been able to clarify the situation of access to use of these units. Those within 500m will automatically be given the code to operate the unit, should they have cause to dial emergency services – this covers Marypark Road, West side of village, Elmbank Road, Sprucebank Road and Beechwood Road. However, the east of the village is not automatically covered, and villagers here would need to ask for the code – this includes Station Road, Douglas Avenue, Seath Avenue and Main Road from the bowling green eastwards.
Fundraising for a second defibrillator unit continues with £939 still required at this point. Anyone wishing to contribute to funding this second unit – then please contact Caroline directly through the Village Community Centre.
Discussion around further funding sources - a leaflet drop perhaps - and at this point it was decided that the cost and time commitment would be prohibitive, but other methods of communication will be considered in future. It was suggested that perhaps Scotrail could be approached for funding, as they will be providing support at other local rail stations (Port Glasgow) with ongoing checks to the unit - but it was felt this may not be appropriate.
Caroline will carry out the necessary monthly checks on the defibrillator unit situated at the Langbank Village Hall and will be notified automatically should this unit be used at any time.
Footpath on west side of Station Road playing fields:
The fallen tree which was a recent hazard to pedestrians using this footpath has been removed by villagers, thereby making this safe for other users. This does present an issue as the ownership of this land is disputed by RC and homeowners in nearby houses. This could cause future problems with responsibility should further trees become dangerous and as the path continues to degrade. It was suggested that contacting Land Registry could help ascertain who is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance.
The “travelllers gate” still requires a replacement padlock which the chairman (Neil) will source and fit.
The same combination for the previous padlock will be used
Status on Langbank Tennis Court:
Julie Gilmour has now managed to speak to Ewan McMaster, who is the chairman of the Bowling Club and inform him of the proposed plans. Ewan was supportive of these plans.
A preferred supplier – Ecosse - has now been identified to complete the works, however there is some way to go before plans can be finalised. The main priority is to replace the current blaze surface with polymeric surfacing suitable for different activities and to replace the fencing all the way round. It is also hoped to replace the existing hut with a container/cabin and put the infrastructure in place for floodlighting should this be required and planning permits.
Discussion around container requirement took place with a request that at the next meeting all members can express a view as to whether a simple storage container would suffice or whether a container type cabin which could be connected to electric supply and water supply would be preferable. At this point there is no plan to imminently use the container for anything other than storage, however it may be wise to future proof the area and make it possible for other uses later. Need to confirm whether planning permission would be required to replace a 20foot hut with the same size of container.
It was agreed that a lawyer should be instructed to address the issue of land ownership.
Also, a discussion around another proposal on the community Facebook page, which was around a village shop. As the village hall is currently unused for much of the week during the pandemic, this could be a potential venue, however it was acknowledged that this was not perhaps a central location. Although this is a nice idea the fact that there is no obvious ideal location and there is currently no shop makes this a difficult project. People would need to be willing to volunteer their time for this. As a village shop was not identified as one of the main priorities in the village survey it was agreed that this was not something the LCC would pursue at this time.
Advertizer Magazine:
Jacqueline Doherty contacted the Advertizer to ask whether someone could collect some for delivery in Langbank, but unfortunately did not receive a response. The chairman will pursue with the Advertizer staff.
The magazine did publish an article from the LCC in their last issue which is available online.
Drains blocked:
Drains have now been cleared, although still one drain on Dennistoun Road, one at top of Station Road and one at junction of Station Road and Elmbank are still blocked – Cllr James MacLaren will pursue this.
Leaves do require sweeping again.
Light still out at foot of steps in playing fields – see James MacLaren’s report below.
Feedback from Virtual Local Partnership Meeting:
Next meeting will be a virtual and is on 28th January – Neil Barrington and Jacqueline Doherty are scheduled to attend.
Christmas Tree for the village:
Now in place and switched on at end of November.
Parking near Coast:
This continues to be an issue for villagers particularly during weekends when cars are often parked on both sides of the road.
There is a current suggestion by Renfrewshire Council that an alternative to parking restrictions would be to provide designated parking bays further west along Main Road – however it is unlikely that customers would use spaces too far way from the establishment and parking issues would still be created for villagers on Main Road.
Alternative would be to build a carpark on the land between Main Road and the A8 in front of Coast. The chairman agreed to contact the Coast management with a view seeking their views on this suggestion.
AOB:
The footpath connecting Marypark with Marypark road still requires a significant amount of work to make is safe and passable. Some materials have been provided, but unsure whether they would be suitable. Question raised as to who would be liable should an accident occur on this path should village resident’s complete works themselves.
There is still an Issue with flooding on the path and a high-water table and increased rainfall meaning the land is wet for most of the year.
There remains the possibility of exploring additional funding. Cllr James MacLaren will visit the site and the chairman will attempt to join the visit if possible.
Report from Cllr James MacLaren:
Roads
Gully Cleaning: - There are still gullies on Station Road needing cleaned. I will chase this up. Also, on Dennistoun Road there is still an issue at this location. I have been told that the blocked gullies are located at R12 and R14 and have requested they be cleared.
Douglas Ave Road Repairs: - I have requested the cones be removed from here although the council was not aware of any road works.
Street lighting: - The light on the footpath from Station Road to Dennistoun Rd involves replacing the full lantern as it is now a new l.e.d. lantern. “The replacement of this lantern has been added to the replacement programme and when the resources become available, we will install a new lantern. Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to provide a timescale for this programme to be carried out.” Given that this path is in a dangerous condition at present, I am obviously not happy about this and will be pushing for repair sooner.
Station Road Park
The park supervisor will visit the park and assess what work is required to cut the vegetation back and what can be done with regards to laying more hardcore or suitable material on the footpath. He will also inspect the west path and assess what is required to prevent further erosion of the path.
Street Sweeping
I understand that the roads were swept 4 weeks ago. The supervisor will revisit Langbank to carry out another sweep of the village including Glencairn Road.
Loss of Trees
I have heard about some trees that were recently cut down in the village. There are several trees in the village with Tree Preservation Orders (TPO) on them. It is important that you check before cutting trees down. Removal of a tree with a TPO will require you at apply to the council planning department.
A post will be put on Community Facebook page providing a link to the TPO guidelines.
Feedback from Meeting
Blocked Gully: - the gully at the junction of Elmbank Rd and Station Road is still blocked. I will chase this up.
Street lighting: - The light in the park has been out for a year now. This is obviously very unsatisfactory.
Footpath to Marypark Rd: - I will arrange a site visit to look at the flooding issue.
The following link has been provided. – Renfrewshire Council Website
TPO All you would do is right click on the link and open and then if you wanted to change the name of link if it is too long then you would right click then edit hyperlink and change the “text to display” box to what you want to call it and OK. Hope that helps.
Next meeting will be Wednesday 13th January 2021 on the same Zoom platform.
Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance, wished everyone Seasons Greetings and closed the meeting at 9pm.