LANGBANK COMMUNITY COUNCIl
MINUTES
13TH SEPTEMBER 2023 @ 7.30PM, LANGBANK VILLAGE HALL
Present: Neil Barrington (chair), Maggie Hancock, Gloria Dunn(treasurer), Caroline Bryce, Julie Gilmour, John O’Brien and Jacqueline Doherty (secretary).
Also in attendance: Cllr Colin McCulloch, Cllr James MacLaren, Gillian Kulwicki, Trixie Brown, Ania Owsianka, David Hallworth (snr)and David Hallworth.
Apologies: Carly Deheer, James Hunter, Leslie Fairley, Cllr Fiona Nicolson and Iain McDougall.
Start and welcome:
Chairman welcomed everyone and opened meeting at 7.35pm.
Police Report.
No police report available, however several issues briefly discussed:
Noted that there were a number of cars now parking on the newly laid double yellows outside the Coast Restaurant – this, we now understandis responsibility of RC to manage.
Question was asked as to who would best to provide advice re-home security cameras? Discussion followed and best to seek advice from police and RC council. Requesting resident to make further enquiries.
Resident contacted Cllr James MacLaren asking that police are made aware of speeding on Main Road. Short discussion about best way to deal with this. Individuals need to report to police and council. All agreed issue of speeding is a significant risk on Main Road.
Minutes of last meeting:
These were approved by Julie Gilmour, and seconded by Gloria Dunn.
Village website and Facebook updates:
Minutes are included on the village website.
Noted that more posts are being approved with commenting turned off, which has resulted in fewer posts being reported.
Zoom call with MP, Cllr Nicolson and LCC chair on A8 roundabout issue on August 22nd.
Transport Scotland require a survey to be completed prior to funds being released as they need to know that this is something majority of village desire.
Question asked by an attendee about what issues there are and proposed solutions. Chair provided a brief summary of the many actions taken byLCC over the years and stated that there are no specific solutions at this point, but as part of the ongoing process a number of solutions would be proposed.
Chair read out copy of letter from Gavin Newlands MP.
Transport Scotland’s Roundabout Survey collection method:
Survey to capture villager views and ascertain number of near misses.
Survey will be available both online and paper copies.
Survey questions have been agreed. Boxes will be put up in various location throughout the village for collection of returns, with proposed locations; Station Road playing fields (notice board at foot of steps), doctor’s surgery, Outside the Church and in the village hall. Appropriate permissions to be sought.
Question. Are Transport Scotland committed to a speed survey? It is understood that they are.
Double yellow lines at COAST restaurant on Main Road:
These have been reasonably successful and have significantly reduced the parking on both sides of road. As previously mentioned, concerns about parking on double yellow lines, however overall situation has improved.
RC Wardens are responsible for enforcing this and should be contacted should parking on double yellow lines become an issue.
A number of residents have raised concerns about cars parking at bottom of Station Road near junction with Main Road, causing a significant hazard. Meeting was informed that Langbank Bowling Clubhave been proactive in addressing this and asked their members and guests not to park there in future.
Questuion. Asked about alternative parking. At meeting on 22nd AugustTransport Scotland indicated that they would look at releasing land to south of A8 for parking.
Clyde Coastal Path Meeting developments:
No further updates.
Langbank Church conversion follow up:
No further updates.
Village Community Centre update:
Fundraiser this Saturday for Hall funds.
Street lamp removal within the village…..replacements ?
There have been a number of streetlights which have disappeared around the village. These pillars have been cut off by a RC contractor with no replacement.
The village is waiting for contractors to replace the higher lampposts, but RC has insufficient funding to replace street lights of 8m and 10m. RC can replace lower than 8m lampposts which would cost less and are currently looking at budget for this. It was noted that residents are concerned about number of dark spots in streets created by these missing lights. Cllr James MacLaren to take forward motion to have all lamps which have already removed - to be replaced.
Renfrewshire Community Council re-elections looming:
Our LCC AGM is usually in November, however as the old committee ceases on 30th September 2023 then it would be prudent to hold AGM in October this year. This year the school holidays fall after the date of the October meeting and therefore minimising impact on attendance. Closing date for CC elections is this Friday 15th September.
Noted that our Treasurer, Gloria Dunn, is resigning from the CC, and therefore this position will be vacant.
Discussion about potential interest for main posts and likely that these positions can be filled by existing members. At this point the whole of the LCC wish to sincerely thank Gloria for her good work in managing our finances over the last few years.
Cllr MacLaren’s monthly input:
Roads
Parking, Middlepenny Road: - Vehicles are parking at the bottom of Middlepenny Road in the junction and this is causing obstruction. I have requested parking restrictions but council has recently commenced consultation on an area wide digital TRO that covers all of the Council’s waiting restrictions. While this is in progress, they are unable to proceed with any additional orders, so it will be a while before they get round to implementing this.
It was noted that the cars parking in bus stop on Main Road are causing safety issue as it results in school bus stopping at traffic lights to collect pupils.
Double yellow lines-Main Rd: - The new restriction is for “No Waiting At Any Time” (Double Yellow lines). Signs are not required for this restriction.
Blocked Gullies
Main Rd: - our gully wagon was instructed to attend and clean the remaining blocked gullies following the flooding last month.
Station Rd: - StreetScene will arrange for the road to be swept and follow up with Roads to address any blocked gullies.
Speeding, Station Rd: - I have requested that the 30 mph signs be moved up to the OGR junction. Roads have suggested improving the signage and is proposing additional “Pedestrians in road ahead” signs along with “no footway” and “distance “plates erected at each end of the rural section. They have also suggested arranging to have the existing “children ahead” and “distance” plate realigned to face northbound vehicles, but I’m not sure about this.
Road Closure: - Finlaystone Road, Kilmacolm at Cloak Road. This closure will be in place from 16th August 2023 until 5th October 2023 for Scottish Power works.
Street Lighting: - The council has no funds to replace the 8- to 10-metre-high lampposts. I have put a motion up to the full council requesting that missing street lamps are replaced as a matter of urgency, particularly where there are several in the one street. I have made the team aware that the lighting for the warning sign for the low bridge at the bottom of Station Road needs repaired.
Potholes, OGR: - A number of potholes on OGR are expected to be repaired by the 19th Sep.
Missed Bins
The site visit took place at Marypark Road but still the council fails to collect the brown bins. I am questioning why they are supposed to get a weekly brown bin collection when the rest of the village has a fortnightly collection.
School Visits
I am visiting all the schools in my ward to see and discuss ongoing issues. When I visit Park Mains HS, I will be taking a look at the fitness/health suite and have put in a Freedom of Information request about the lack of maintenance of the equipment, many items of which I understand are out of order.
34 Middlepenny Road
This house appears to have been abandoned. I have tried to contact the owner as the trees are causing a problem for the neighbours on Lithgow Avenue
Japanese Knotweed
There are two patches of JK to the west of Main Rd and I have requested treatment of this. There is also a patch of Himalayan Balsam near the station on Main Road and I have reported this to Transport Scotland for treatment. This invasive species (HB) can also be seen all the way up Houston Road but the council has no plans to remove this.The process for eradicating this weed is very labour intensive and they have no resource to carry this out, but I will monitor it.
Also noted that there is Balsam up Netherton Road.
Grit Bin, Middlepenny Rd
This had been overturned and I requested the council right it, which they have done, although they did not return its contents.
Station Road Park
I have reported that the top footpath is getting overgrown & Japanese Knotweed is present. I’m told that the invasive weed has been treated and they will flail back the path edge after the plant has died back to avoid dispersing the spores and increasing prevalence of the weed.
There was a discussion about lack of maintenance along path, particularly since earlier in year when RC seemed to have removed top layer of path making it even muddier and now becoming completely overgrown due to no further action. This is to be improved as part of the You Decide campaign, but the current neglect is causing issues.
Short-term lets
There is now a licensing regime in place for short-term lets such as Air-BnB. Properties which were let prior to 1st October last year must be the subject of an application for a licence by the very end of September this year in order to continue operating until the application is decided. Properties which were not let before the above date should not operate until they are licensed.
Planning Application 23/0128/PP 30 Glamping Pods, GleddochHouse – any further development.
Gleddoch Wynd resident contacted Scottish Water, who stated that this was pertaining to a private water supply. They have now been advised that the water for this development will come from the existing bore hole. This is concerning as Gleddoch House Hotel previously relied on this bore hole and then had to swap to mains water being pumped due to insufficient water pressure - this followed a the fire at Gleddoch. SEPA have not yet provided any response.
Planning submission for these pods is currently incomplete and there is a reasonable expectation that this should not proceed until such times as this has been addressed.
Concern remains with regards to the plans for heightened fencing around driving range. It would appear that this was approved without any environmental impact or bat survey being completed.
Question. Who is responsible for holding RC accountable for not following national legislation? No-one appeared to know the answer to this.
Question. asked as to whether Fire Service have been involved, particularly as they previously had concerns with regards to water pressure. Again no-one had any awareness of Fire service being consulted.
Street Stuff support to MUGA ?
The recent Gala Day covered all costs and had a surplus of £575, which will be spent on village activities/improvements. The afternoon was a success with all in attendance enjoying it. Thanks to all those who helped make this possible.
Proposal that funds raised from Gala Day should be used to provide another block of Street Stuff. Awaiting confirmation from Street Stuff that they have sufficient staffing to do this.
AOB.
Beat the Street
Launched in Renfrewshire today. Langbank have been included within this initiative and was launched in the primary school.
Meeting closed.