LANGBANK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY 8th MARCH 2023
MEETING TO BE HELD IN THE LANGBANK VILLAGE HALL, MIDDLEPENNY ROAD @ 7.30pm.
In Attendance: Neil Barrington (chair), Carly Deheer, Caroline Bryce, James Hunter, Jacqueline Doherty (secretary), Cllr James MacLaren.
Apologies: Maggie Hancock, Iain McDougall, Gloria Dunn (treasurer), Cllr Colin McCulloch, Cllr Fiona Airlie-Nicholson, John O’Brien.
Start and welcome:
The chairman welcomed everyone and started the meeting at 7.32pm.
Police Report:
No report available.
Accident at roundabout early Saturday 25th February, which was almost identical to previous one with car hitting roundabout clearing the crash barrier, clipping the tree and coming to a stop in the already damaged fence on the north side of Main Road.
Last meeting minutes:
No issues raised. Proposed by Caroline Bryce, and seconded Jacqueline Doherty
Insurance:
The Insurance Premium for the coming year is due on 1st May 2023 and is similar to cost last year, £170.58. chairman will arrange payment to the Insurance Company.
Village website and Facebook updates:
This subscription is due, and is £212, which is the same as last year. This item was raised a few months ago and following the monitoring of usage, it was agreed that this is worthwhile. Carly Deheer to arrange payment.
A new Facebook member using the Langbank Community background to promote their Just Giving page – post stopped and member provided with advice and will continue to be monitored.
Repairs to A8 Roundabout and erection of new fence on Main Road:
See Police report for recent accident.
The wooden fence has now been repaired, with new fencing being placed along the whole length of Main Road. The vegetation has also been cleared which makes a huge difference. The LCC, on behalf of the whole village, wishes to thank Amey for doing this work, and the local councillors for pursuing it. The chairman has written to Brendan O’ Sullivan of Amey to this effect.
Parking issues at COAST restaurant on Main Road. - LCC Letter to Scottish Ministers:
A second letter has been sent, with copies also sent to all appropriate MSPs.
Responses to date have been from Natalie Don (constituency MSP), who will also contact Scottish Ministers on our behalf, Neil Bibby (West of Scotland MSP) who will also contact Scottish Ministers and Renfrewshire Council on our behalf. Note of support also from both Cllr Colin McCulloch and Cllr James MacLaren.
An email from the Scottish Government ‘case handling’ Dept informing us that our email has been passed to the relevant area for consideration.
Signs have been posted along Main Road, by RC, with the new parking restriction proposals. Villagers should contact RC with comments/concerns.
Clyde Coastal Path Meeting developments:
The last meeting was 28th February 2023, where the Sustrans application was further discussed.
Next steps are for the stakeholders to be contacted and for a second meeting with representatives from Sustrans to be set up.
The RSPB have already been identified as the landowners of the mudflats – other landowners to be verified.
Cllr Chris Curley (Inverclyde) shared information on a bid made by SPT to have a detailed design plan for a proposed active travel route along the A8. This appears to have been passed without any community consultation in either Renfrewshire or Inverclyde and therefore SPT will be contacted expressing disappointment at lack of consultation and drawing their attention to the alternative proposal.
Next meeting will be Tuesday 25th April 7pm on Zoom.
MUGA status:
As part of the monitoring of floodlight usage the overall and average has been calculated since 6th September 2022. In addition, a resident on Station Road has noted the usage over a two week period in February.
The floodlight usage figures are as follows:
06/09/22 to 10/10/22 – 6.93 hours in total. 12mins daily average. 1hr 24 m weekly average. 11/10/22 to 07/11/22 – 11.38 hours in total. 25.8m daily average. 3hr weekly average. 08/11/22 to 12/12/22 – 25.24 hours in total. 44.4m daily average. 5hr 11m weekly average 13/12/22 to 15/01/23 – 22.44 hours in total. 40.8m daily average. 4hr 46m weekly average 16/01/23 to 22/02/23 – 39.76 hours in total. 64.2m daily average. 7hr 29m weekly average
Anecdotal evidence provided for usage between 12/02/23 and 26/02/23:
Sun12th –6pmto6.45pm–45m Mon 13th – not used
Tues 14th – 6.15pm to 7pm – 45m Wed 15th – not used
Thurs 16th – 5.20pm to 6.30pm – 1hr 10m Fri 17th – 6pm to 7.45pm – 1hr 45m
Sat 18th – info not available
Sun 19th – 4pm to 5pm – 1hr
Mon20th –6pmto8pm–2hr
Tues 21st – 7.55pm to 9.15pm – 1hr 20m
Wed 22nd – 5.50pm to 7.10pm and 8pm to 9.15pm – 2hr 35m Thurs 23rd – 4.40pm to 5.15pm and 6pm to 7.15pm – 1hr 50m Fri 24th – 6.15pm to 7pm – 45m
Sat 25th – not used
Sun 26th – 7pm to 7.45pm – 45m
TOTAL 14 hr 40m (av. 59m per day)
These reflect calculated usage. We are very grateful to Maureen for taking the time to record these.
On Sat 4th March lights were reported to have been on continuously for 2hrs with no users visible. These have been checked and working fine, so may have been some mischief at play, but to be monitored. Now changed to come on at 6.15pm and off at 10pm, as early evenings are lighter.
Street stuff update – see Cllr MacLaren’s report.
RCCForum Mtg on 13th March @ Johnstone Town Hall:
This has not happened since pre-covid and it is hoped that it will be useful. The LCC chairman will be chairing this initial meeting, but it is likely that a permanent RCCF chairperson will be elected at this first meeting.
Langbank Church conversion follow up:
No update.
Flooding issues on Station/Main Roads:
Station Road has been swept clear of leaves.
Village Hall update:
The caretaker position has not yet been advertised, however some of the duties are being covered by staff at Langbank Primary school. This is working fine for cleaning, but there is no out-of-hours cover.
Street lighting on Middlepenny Road:
Latest feedback from SP Energy Networks is that the defective streetlights on Middlepenny at the traffic lights are high on their agenda, however the fault is in the area of the rail bridge and there are some traffic management challenges to allow teams to excavate and facilitate repairs.
It was noted at the meeting that a few residents have been advised by Renfrewshire Council (RC) to contact Scottish Power with regards to this fault, however this is not the responsibility of residents and it should be a member of staff from Renfrewshire Council to contact SP Energy Networks. RC are responsible for providing working street lightning and regardless of where fault lies (with them or SP Energy Networks) then RC should be chasing this up, not asking residents to do it.
Cllr MacLaren’s monthly input:
Roads
Old Greenock Rd Signage: - several ‘horse and rider’ warning signs and ‘pedestrian’ warning signs have been recently installed but no more warning signs will be installed as the existing signs installed meet requirements and further signage can reduce their overall effectiveness. I am still asking for “SLOW” to be painted on the road in places.A8 Roundabout: - After another accident, I am again pressing Transport Scotland to do something about the speed on approach to the A8 roundabout.
Amey, Fencing & Landscape works: - I received complaints from drivers that there was no notice that the westbound off slip was closed during this work and requested more notice of this prior to the roundabout (coming from Glasgow direction) so that drivers take the Langbank turning at the roundabout and don't end up at the Woodhall roundabout. Blocked Gullies: - I requested that the gullies be cleared around the triangle at the top of Station Rd. and also the gullies at the corner of Elmbank Rd and gullies further down Station Rd were also requested to be cleaned. Resurfacing Programme: - unfortunately, the lower section of Middlepenny Road does not form part of the 2023/24 Roads Capital carriageway resurfacing programme but is included in the reserve list. The upper section of Middlepenny Road (from Middlepenny Place to Dennistoun Road) is included in the programme.
Main Road, “No waiting at any time”: - the next stage of the consultation process involves the publication of the proposals by public notice which, I understand, is underway. (see previous agenda item Parking Issues)
Potholes: - The pothole on Dennistoun Road should now have been repaired.
Refuse Collection:
This last month there have been issues with collection of green recycle bins from Gleddoch Wynd and brown bins for Marypark Rd. A deer carcass was also removed from OGR near to Gleddoch.
Flooding Issues:
OGR, Drums Farm: - There is ponding on both sides of the road. For the ponding on the farm building side, the verge will be firmed up with some type 1 material to prevent further rutting and allow draining to the adjacent field. The ponding on the opposite side is more complicated and the solution may involve reshaping the camber of the road. This option will be considered for a future capital resurfacing programme.
Gleddoch sewage: - the initial cause of sewage surcharging at the location was due to a collapse in the drain, under the road and on the second occasion, it appeared there was an excessive build-up of fats in the drain. Officers have discussed this with management at Gleddoch House to ensure adequate grease traps are in place to prevent/minimise fats entering the drain.
A8 Exhaust Noise:
Environmental Health have clarified to say they have the necessary skills to test for exhaust noise but have no statutory remit to deal with this and will not be doing so. If residents feel strongly about this then I suggest a petition is lodged with the council. I am happy to provide assistance to anyone keen to do this.
Residents on Main Road, agree that there is a significant impact from car noise, which is often linked to drivers racing each other along the A8. This has been getting worse.
This led to a discussion about speeding on Main Road and there was a suggestion that we ask if police could not drive through Langbank more frequently and perhaps catch them. Cllr MacLaren to follow this up.
MUGA:
Community Learning and Development, including “Street Stuff” are carrying out a youth needs mapping exercise with a consultation for your people. Volunteers are also requested. StreetStuff are developing a programme of activities
across Renfrewshire from the spring time onwards along with our third sector organisations which will include Langbank.
This campaign does not appear to have been actively promoted within the village and this may result in Langbank Young People’s voices not being heard. There was a discussion around priorities and likelihood that Langbank will not be prioritised for these types of activities for young people as they are not an area of deprivation.
To be further explored and once obtained, details to be shared. (further to meetings details of this campaign were shared on community FB page).
YouDecide:
The successful projects for Langbank were:
Contribution towards items of play equipment in Station Park
Upgrade the path through Langbank playing fields from Station Road to the train station
Street Lights:
Regarding the Middlepenny Rd street lights, this is with Scottish Power and the fault is in the area of the rail bridge and there are some traffic management challenges to allow teams to excavate and facilitate repairs.
Dog Fouling:
This has been reported on Main Road and the enforcement team will arrange to visit and arrange for any pavement cleaning to be sent to our colleagues in StreetScene.
Subsidence at Marypark Rd:
Network Rail have met at Marypark Rd and are discussing with their legal team as to where the boundary is before deciding what work can be done.
Trees, Middlepenny Place:
I raised the matter of maintenance of trees on Middlepenny Place but StreetScene say the trees look healthy and the clearance above the footway exceeds the required level, but will take a closer non-urgent inspection.
AOB.
Gala Day
Proposed Date to be Saturday 26th August. Exploring the possibility of running a village ceilidh in the evening, this would require a marquee which we could hire from Bishopton Scout Group. This could be used for both the events during the day as well as the ceilidh at night.
Had hoped to have a village ceilidh in March. As numbers in the hall would be restrictive, Gleddoch had been approached re costs – unfortunately they were unable to offer us the hire of a room without ordering a buffet, which proved far too expensive.
The Improvement Service and the Scottish Sentencing Council are hosting a free online webinar for community councillors on Wednesday 22nd March from 6pm to 7pm.
Scottish Sentencing Council staff will give a talk on how sentences in criminal cases are decided by judges in our courts. Hear about the guidance in place to help judges make these challenging decisions; and what particular factors are taken into account when sentencing young people. Learn more about community sentencing and what the public thinks about it. Jacqueline Doherty to attend.
Ivy along sandstone wall at bottom of Station Road needs to be cleared – this is the responsibility of Network Rail – The Chairman will follow up.
Brief discussion around RC proposal to charge for brown bins and some of the issues which this may create.
Meeting closed.
The chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed meeting at 9.10pm.