LANGBANK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY 12th JUNE 2024
Meeting held in the LANGBANK COMMUNITY CENTRE, MIDDLEPENNY ROAD @ 7.30pm
Present: Maggie Hancock, Neil Barrington (chair), Jacqueline Doherty (secretary), Julie Gilmour, John O’Brien.
Also in attendance: Cllr James MacLaren, Lesley Fairlie and Iain McDougall.
Apologies: James Hunter, Cllr Colin McCulloch, Caroline Bryce, Carly Deheer, Cllr Fiona Airlie
Nicolson.
Police Report: No police report available.
Cllr MacLaren met with community police this afternoon and reminded them about the meeting – unfortunately they can only attend if their shift pattern allows.
Minutes of previous meeting:
No issues with minutes raised, however noted that some issues with receiving these via email. Julie Gilmour proposed and Maggie Hancock seconded these minutes.
Village website and Facebook updates:
Usual minutes on website and transport survey placed on Facebook; further reminder will be posted.
An invite to represent LCC from CCs for the Local Transport Strategy workshop has been received. Chairman and Secretary will try to attend on Thursday 20th.
Clyde Coastal Path Meeting developments:
No update. Short discussion around this with Jacqueline Doherty stating that she unfortunately hasn’t had any time to prioritise this and the meetings are reliant on her ability to continue to nudge things along.
Village Clean-up Day summary:
Only a few volunteers this year, but they worked hard to do their bit for the village. A thank you card and wee treat was handed in to school to thank the children who helped out on the day. School will also recognise their community achievement at assembly.
Village Community Centre update:
Iain McDougall has heard back from Derek Viola re tarmac which would cost approximately £20,000 therefore funds would need to be found within RC budgets.
He has sent links for grants to get outdoor lighting. A number of these bodies have been contacted but as yet no replies have been received.
Iain tried for an update prior to the meeting but has yet to hear back. Cllr MacLaren to chase this up.
Being able to show Euros in Hall proved more complicated than expected and therefore regretfully the Hall Committee couldn’t proceed with that.
MUGA: – Pavilion complete / Preservative coating now applied
Hut is now painted and sealed.
GAC have included Langbank in their coaching activities – they will continue to provide a one hour session on a Wednesday from 6.30pm. The LAC grant will cover the additional hour for a year.
LSR recently had a successful grant application to the LAC for additional Christmas lights. Unfortunately RC are at capacity for Christmas street lighting and therefore cannot accommodate any additional lights. Agreement that we could buy Christmas lights for MUGA instead of Street lights.
Street lamp replacements:
Only information we have is that the work will be completed by the autumn. SP Energy Networks have completed their repairs so now it is the responsibility of RC.
There was a discussion about lights being on 24 hours a day as this is a waste of resources and not in keeping with RC environmental strategies for achieving net zero.
Recent flooding:
No recent flooding but noted that SEPA survey is still open until 24th June – this is on the Facebook page. SEPA currently doesn't recognise Langbank as being a flood risk issue??.
Planning Application 23/0128/PP 30 Glamping Pods, Gleddoch Hotel:
This wasn’t part of the RC May Planning meeting and earliest now would be in August.
Teams Conference call April 19th with Transport Scotland /AMEY /MP Gavin Newlands / Cllr Nicolson / LCC Chairman on the follow-up actions to the A8 Roundabout Survey: Chairman had shared a letter received from Gavin Newlands via email. Unfortunately due to the General Election there is likely to be little progress until after the election. In the meantime he will contact Transport Scotland for an update. Local councillors to be copied into this email.
Letter from RC Chief Exec. to LCC Secy:
This has now been passed on yet again to someone further down the chain, but no meeting date arranged. Jacqueline to pursue.
Local Plan Presentation distribution to all members:
Noted that the Scottish Government is pushing for more housing and therefore we should never become complacent about there being little likelihood of new housing developments around Langbank – however lack of village services and poor public transport provision would impact desirability as an area for development.
Question – what are the new wooden pylons in the field by A8 for?
Believed that this is linked to the battery storage connection as part of the Erskine to Devol Moor substations development.
There then followed a short discussion around national grid supply.
Cllr MacLaren’s and others monthly reports:
Roads
Potholes, Main Road:- I understand that these potholes have now been filled.
Speeding Issues: - officers are preparing a Board report on the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits in all Renfrewshire’s residential areas.
Blocked gullies, Station Rd: - I am chasing up this cleaning.
Weedkilling: - Weed killing at the kerbside is very late this year and not due to start till the 17th June.
Noted that recent pothole refill didn’t leave the potholes level. Apparently a new machine available which is more efficient.
SEPA Flooding
SEPA are currently carrying out a survey of views on Potentially Vulnerable Areas and currently Langbank does not feature. It is important that residents contact SEPA with photographs showing any flooding when it happens. Please complete the survey before 24th June at https://beta.sepa.scot/news/2024/sepa-launch-consultation-on-review-of-areas-most-at-risk-of-flood ing-across-scotland/#:~:text=Informing%20Scotland%27s%20flood%20risk%20management%20p rocess&text=SEPA%20are%20now%20consulting%20on,risk%20is%20tackled%20in%20Scotland .
It was noted that this survey is on the community FB page.
Grass Cutting Etc
Main Road: - Transport Scotland will come back to me with a timescale for carrying out vegetation clearance works between Main Rd and dual carriageway. I requested of RC that the grass growing between the fence and Main Road should either be cut or weed-killed.
Station Road Park: - The mowing plan for the site is effectively the opposite of what’s been mown. The biodiversity officer will speak with all Neighbourhood Services Liaison Officers and reiterate the correct management at this site and how best to disseminate this info to all relevant operational staff. I understand that the grass has now been cut properly.
It was noted that Jacqueline Doherty had also contacted RC offering assistance to help teams identify correct areas to be cut.
Noted that path parallel to railway line is badly overgrown.
Question asked about vegetation behind hall. Confirmation that this is not responsibility of RC. Hall committee will explore.
Bins & Fly Tipping
Main Road: - Lorry loads of earth was dumped at the west end of Main Road. The Team will issue a FPN to the responsible party and are issuing a deadline of 14 days to have the waste removed. Marypark Rd: - The sorry saga continues. This road once again had a number of bins missed for collection.
Langbank Primary School Garden Waste: - The school says that currently food waste is recycled at LPS and they are exploring options to obtain a permit for garden waste. They are delighted by the support they have had from the community to make improvements to the garden this term.
Food Waste Bags: - The Waste Team are to progress the supply and delivery of food liners to the Village Hall and the Church Hall for residents to collect.
Hatton Brae: - Amey say they are arranging removal of the tyres. Also, that on conclusion of the footpath/cycle path improvement between West Ferry and Langbank, Transport Scotland will adopt this area which will then be incorporated into the South West unit.
Trees, Middlepenny Place
A tree was cut down over the winter period and needs replaced. Our Trees officer says they typically do tree planting during the winter months, however, the various storms we had this winter had them preoccupied. I feel that next winter will be more likely for replanting.
Rights of Way
A number of gateways and gateposts are in poor condition with some gates locked. I am chasing up repairs etc.
Water Issues
Seath Avenue Feedback: - The developers put a massive rubble drain in on the north side of the boundary hedge this collected all the water from the field drains from the fields south of the march/boundary hedge. The drain ran to the east of the development site and went down a further drain running north to go under the railway culvert. The developers made clear that the drain ran under each garden by placing a slab path along the top of the drain, at the side of the hedge. However, many house owners may have decided to landscape their gardens not understanding the necessity of the path or indeed the drains underneath. It is possible that the houses with the water-logged gardens may have blocked the drains put in by the developers.
Station Road Park: - A new drainage pipe has been installed next to the new path. I have requested that it be fitted with a mesh filter to stop it becoming choked.
Street Lighting
I have requested that RC ensure all their lighting is working at Westferry and our electrician will investigate.
Subsidence Marypark Road
Network Rail have been discussing this internally and are waiting for an approval from senior management to move things forward. They say they have a proposal which is making progress, which should help the situation.
Developing the Next Local Transport Strategy
Feedback is invited from members of the public and stakeholders via a survey, available at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/travel-renfrewshire-2035 until 27th June 2024. Paper copies will be available at Renfrewshire libraries and can also be requested by emailing ei@renfrewshire.gov.uk or phoning 0300 300 0300. Comments can also be added to an online map at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/travel-renfrewshire-2035 . The map allows comments to be added to a specific location and be categorised as positive, neutral or area for improvement. I know that the recent train timetable changes are not welcome and this may be an opportunity to express displeasure.
RC Forum meeting:
The chairman was unable to attend but will distribute the minutes once he receives these.
Langbank Bowling Club Defibrillator:
Caroline Bryce has offered to assist LBC with this, however on the understanding that this is available to the wider public and will not be located in the locked hut and only available to LBC members. It is understood that should grant funding be sought then this would depend on this being available to the wider community and not to select group during times when LBC is being used.
There was a discussion around where the best place to situate this would be with either the outside of LBC hut or community MUGA hut being suggested. Iain also offered assistance with installation if a suitable location could be agreed by all.
New play equipment Station Road:
No date available yet but work is expected to begin any time.
AOB:
Question asked about the rubble which has been dumped at road side towards the west end of Main Road. Not fly tipping is believed to be for use by residents. Apparently a time scale for clearance has been given.
The chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and reminded them that there was no July meeting. Next meeting will be on August 14th 2024.