LANGBANK COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY
13th APRIL 2022 7.30pm in the Langbank Church Hall, Main Street, Langbank.
In attendance: Neil Barrington (chair), Jacqueline Doherty (secretary), Caroline Bryce, Julie Arbon, Maggie Hancock, John O’Brien, Julie Gilmour, Cllr James MacLaren, Cllr Colin McCulloch and Gloria Dunn (treasurer).
Also in attendance: PC Brian Dick, PC Martin Norwood, Jayne Lasley and Lesley Fairlie. Apologies: Carly Deheer, James Hunter and Iain McDougall
Start and welcome: Chairman welcomed everyone and opened the meeting at 7.40pm. Police Report: 4 road traffic offences, 1 of which has been detected - 2 hit and run, 1 x careless driving (relating to lane changes), 1x transport offence (insufficient rest taken) 2 hit and run offences were – hitting parked cars and not reporting, one not necessarily in Langbank and one in Coast Car park. 4 other crimes; 1 x kill deer without permission of the landowner, 1 x bank account fraud and 2 x attempted fraud. The three frauds are all related to scams and the PCs urged caution and vigilance to everyone as there are an increasing number of scams at present.
Community Speedwatch Initiative: PC Brian Dick and PC Matin Norwood gave a presentation on the above subject. Houston CC had initiated this – which has already been trialled up north. In Houston 7 people trained and they were to be provided with a traffic speed gun for 6 months. The CC provided Police Scotland with the locations they wished to use and this would then be checked for appropriateness. General guidelines are :- 1st time someone noted as speeding – a letter is generated and sent to registered keeper, - 2nd time – police visit to the offender’s home to talk to registered keeper of the vehicle. After an initial training period the scheme should require minimal police involvement. Unfortunately, covid had a negative impact and this has fallen away in Houston CC. Suggestion that perhaps we could work with Bishopton CC on this initiative. At no point would members of public stop a car and if a car stops and challenges then the volunteers would not engage. If any persistent motorists continue to challenge volunteers then police would be contacted. Volunteers would work in groups of 3 (min) or 4. Training lasts approximately 1 hour. If there was a regular offender speeding then the police could instigate their own speedwatch, at which point they could take more direct action. The CC should now gauge interest within the community and contact PC Brian Dick for further information. Anybody who is interested in taking part should contact PC Brian Dick at brian.dick@scotland. pnn.police.co.uk
Acceptance of last meeting minutes: Proposed by Gloria Dunn and seconded by Julie Gilmour.
Village website update: March minutes posted on LCC webpage Gleddochsocial manager contact - Holly - has agreed to send a monthly update to Carly re planned fireworks and , she has confirmed none planned for April.
Recent accident at A8 Roundabout: The reports received to date would indicate that the driver was new to the area and didn’t realise there was a roundabout, inclement weather obscured view and therefore did not see signage. On-Site meeting to discuss repair to roundabout and Main Road fence following recent accident: Only dual carriageway and roundabout are the responsibility of Transport Scotland (TS). TS had been unaware of the recent accident. Agreed that TS would take responsibility for repairing roundabout, lamppost and barrier – but not necessarily the wooden fence opposite Coast. A video of the accident has been forwarded to TS. There was also a discussion of the parking situation and proposal of securing some of the land beside A8 for additional parking. Report of this meeting has now been sent to the chairman. Alan Cawley briefly spoke to Cllr James MacLaren and the LCC chairman and has kindly offered to repair wooden fencing should TS or Renfrewshire Council (RC) be unable to do this. He will also get larger no parking signs for the north side of the road. He has also agreed to paying for cost of creating a car park - if the land can be secured. The meeting was reminded that a suggestion was made previously for Coast to swap round the ‘IN’ and ‘OUT’ to make it safer/reduce hazard as cars exit the car park.
Renewal of Zurich Municipal Insurance policy for the LCC activities. Gloria Dunn (treasurer) will raise a cheque for the chairman who will forward this on to Zurich Municipal Insurance Company and he will also double check that MUGA is covered by our existing policy. Cost this year will be £170.58.
Clyde Coastal Path developments. Feedback from latest meeting. No further update since the last CC meeting. Cllr James MacLaren has asked RC to prepare a bid for the next round of the “Levelling up funding”.
Discussion and agreement needed for proposal from LBC to allow sharing of power supply to these premises. There was a discussion around the recent proposal sent to the LSR and LCC. This proposal is a good starting point for discussion but requires some slight changes to make it suitable. There is an understanding that the LBC are nervous about the changes and it would appear that they may not totally understand what is being proposed. There were several suggested changes to this proposal which would safeguard all parties. Agreement that proposal would be re-drafted with identified changes. Time was spent during the meeting going through this proposal and following this the necessary amendments will be made. All felt that it would be much better if LBC would agree to a meeting rather than written information being passed back and forth. Unfortunately, despite a number of invites being issued no apologies were received for this meeting. Further attempts will be made to secure a meeting. The LCC Chairman also received an additional letter, from the LBC president, which he read out at meeting. There were several inaccuracies within this letter including a suggestion that the CC minutes mention a lack of communication between LSR not only with LBC, but with the CC. This is not the case as the MUGA is a standing item within our agenda and the LCC are updated every month, with additional communication when necessary. A statement made in this letter and in introduction for the proposal were also inaccurate and in particular Julie felt this was a slur on her good character and those of the LSR. Mr Mitchell has offered to deliver a copy of the letter to each house in the village, however the LCC chairman will inform him that this would not be appropriate under the circumstances. A recent post on the community Facebook page had been removed due to the nature of some comments. Julie and Jacqueline were thanked for their ongoing time and effort with this.
Recent storm damage to Playing Field notice board: This has now been moved away from the gate to allow access for RC to cut grass. The chairman will attempt to dismantle the board to move it to a safer location in meantime whilst we explore the possibility of repair.
Future location for LCC meetings: As the Bridge Club has folded the Village Hall is now free on a Wednesday evenings and is a cheaper option, therefore future LCC meetings will be held there, starting on the 11th of May.
Mary Park Path: Most of the work has been completed. An additional ramp and posts have been placed for added safety as well as additional grip boards. Gravel has also been added. The work further down will be completed once knotweed has been successfully treated. Maggie Hancock will complete the grant report. Maggie and Julie were thanked for their efforts with this.
Nextdoor App: The chairman had brought along a copy of a letter which we believe may have been posted through every door in Langbank. This is an advertising app and not necessarily the helpful app as suggested in the letter. A post will be put on the Community Facebook page to alert villagers to this.
RC Streetscene opportunity for Langbank: This is a service run jointly by RC and St Mirren football club. Now that the MUGA is complete this would be a suitable venue for the Streetscene bus to attend Langbank in the future. They have suggested that as well as activities for children they could offer walking football during the day, if there was enough interest. The issue of parking on Main Road was discussed and it was suggested that traffic cones could be placed prior to the bus visiting to secure a space on the south side of the carriageway outside of the MUGA – this will avoid children having to cross the road during the session – and also at the parking bays immediately opposite the bus to ensure one lane remains clear for traffic. The cones would be placed and removed for as short a time as possible to minimise inconvenience to all road users. The only available slot they have is a Wednesday evening and this would start on 20th April at 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Tree planting within the village: No further update since the last meeting, just a reminder that this will be discussed at May’s meeting.
Street lights on Mary Park and Middlepenny Roads: Light R1 at Marypark had the fuse replaced yesterday but only lasted 3 hours – a new lamp is now required. The light beside the railway bridge is on 24 hours. Middlepenny lights have now been repaired. It was Noted that there have been massive improvements in the car parking facility at West Ferry, and this is all due to the unstinting efforts by Cllr James Maclaren.. Cllr J MacLaren’s monthly input and updates. Roads Main Street/A8: - I had a site visit with a representative from Amey and the LCC Chairman to review the recent accident at the roundabout and arrange for repairs.
Westferry Carpark: - Good to see tarmacking and lining of this carpark following my request. Surrounding vegetation has also been cut back to make it safer. I have requested a new litter bin as the existing one is decidedly tired looking and Leaking fire hydrant, Station Rd: - our inspector for the area attended and confirmed that the hydrant was leaking and passed this to Scottish Water to repair. Potholes • West Glen Road: - A number of potholes were reported and these have now been filled. • Finlaystone Rd: - A large hole at the top of Finlaystone Rd was reported and is now filled. Patching work, Netherton Rd: - The proposed patch at one location had to be abandoned at the time the contractor was working due to the area being flooded. The contractor is being asked to return but in the meantime a temporary repair has been carried out. Rogue Diversion sign: - the abandoned sign I reported has been collected from the Westferry carpark. Station Road Signage: - Council will add SLOW markings at either side of the bridge. They will refresh the one coming down the hill and mark a new one on the other side of the bridge.
Local Partnership - Application deadline extension The deadline for Local Partnership grant funding applications has been extended. The new closing date for applications is midnight on Monday 18th April 2022.
Public Procession The organisers of a procession planned for 15th April are Church Of Scotland Upper Clyde Local Area Mission Group and the purpose of the procession is Good Friday Walk. The procession will be held on 15/04/2022 and start at 10:00. The procession starts at Renfrew Trinity Church finishing up at Langbank Parish Church. All are welcome and can join and leave at any point.
Street Lighting Lamppost R1, Marypark Rd: - Our electrician was out this week and replaced the fuse but it only lasted 3 hours. The column requires a new lantern to be fitted and this has been added to our replacement list. A8 Footpath to Marypark Rd: - a recent Scottish Power issue in the area has been resolved and this column must have been attached to that circuit as it is now working. Road Sweeping I requested that the pavement and footpath at the far end of Main Rd leading to Marypark Rd be swept. Overgrown Areas Hedge, top of Station Road – I am advised that this is in hand and the hedges will be cut shortly. I am concerned about any nesting birds as this is late in the season. Broadband I have asked that Langbank’s Digital Exclusion be added to the agenda for the next meeting of the Erskine Local Partnership. Fibre has been put into Brookfield and that is a smaller village than Langbank.
Clyde Coastal Path I requested that the council prepare a bid for funding in the second round of Levelling Up funding to be used for the Clyde Coastal Path extension along the shore to Langbank and a footbridge over to the village.
Refuse Collection & Fly Tipping The brown bins were missed on Marypark Rd again on Sunday 20th March. Lay-bye, Hatton Brae: - I have had a request that boulders be placed in the lay-bye at the bottom of Hatton Brae where the old road is to deter drivers stopping for lunch and tossing their empty wrappers out the window.
Langbank Bowling Club I attended the Open Day of the Bowling Club. I understand that a contract has been drawn up and hopefully agreement can soon be reached over an electricity supply.
Playpark, Middlepenny Rd I have requested that the top wooden coping and rotten timbers around the woodchip pits be replaced and this will be done in due course. Exposed nails have been made safe.
Grass Cutting The council’s grass cutting programme has started and is on a 14 day cycle. A timetable is available on the website – www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/grasscutting Hedge cutting will be done twice per year. Resurfacing Work 2022/23 Roads due to be resurfaced this coming year: Glencairn Rd, Leven Rd, Helenslee Rd.
Dog fouling I reported dog fouling taking place on Main Road. Since then, 4 Stencils were sprayed on the pavement. Signs will follow.
Flooding Issues Scottish Water has initiated a new project to investigate alternative solutions to reduce the risk of sewer flooding at a property on Main Road. CCTV surveys have been carried out, however due to difficult conditions on-site their team were not able to fully survey the chamber and junction at the back of the affected property. SW will progress these works to identify a practical solution to this flooding issue. Feedback from Meeting Street Lighting, A8 Footpath to Marypark Rd: - This light is now lit 24 hours/day and I will report this. Lay-bye, Hatton Brae: - I will request boulders be placed there. Middlepenny Rd Playpark: - The climbing frame needs to be cleaned. I will request this. Middlepenny Rd Roadworks: - sandbags used to hold down signs have been left on Middlepenny Rd. I will request their removal. Benches, Station Road Playing Field: - there are 2 benches needing to be replaced. Cllr Colin McCulloch stated that he had nothing additional to add to the above and was aware of many of the issues.
Any other Business Equipment at Swing park badly in need of cleaning – will RC clean this or will villagers need to do this? Point raised about Inverclyde offering free swimming to school children and 6 hours gym access. Noted that implementing something similar is not part of RC plan. Benches in the village – additional would be appreciated, bench at entrance to Station is badly needing some attention. 2 for Station Road playing fields would also be appreciated. When will council workers go back to office working and not home working. Noted that phone communication with RC is extremely poor. Short discussion around planters in village as it is generally felt that although they are nice to have, the fact that the verge is not maintained by RC and becomes very overgrown means that most planters disappear. Agreed that only a few would be filled this year. Ideally it would be good to have two tiered planters at either end of the village. It was suggested that we apply for a local area grant before applications close on Tuesday but unfortunately due to other time commitments this is not possible. This may be explored next year.
Clean up day will be 22nd May 2022.
Meeting closed. The chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and reminded them that the next LCC Meeting will be in the village hall at the top of Middlepenny Road, and no longer in the Church Hall. Our thanks to Caroline Bryce for arranging this.