Minutes of Lochwinnoch Community Council Meeting held on Tuesday 4th September 2018 in Lochwinnoch Bowling Club

Transcription

1 Minutes of Lochwinnoch Community Council Meeting held on Tuesday 4th September 2018 in Lochwinnoch Bowling Club CC PRESENT: David Arthur (Chair), Jane Owens (Treasurer), Yvonne Ross (Secretary and Minutes), Kerry Mackendrick, David Fowles, Sybil Simpson, Jack Richmond, Jim Bryden, Morna Coote, Christine Gibson, Duncan Adam and Stan Kerr. OTHERS PRESENT: Councillor Emma Rodden, Councillor Andy Doig, Councillor Bill Binks, Councillor Derek Bibby, Eilidh McManus, Nairn McKeon, Ian Spiers, Margaret Packard, Paul Packard, Kim David, Christopher David, Elma Richmond, Bobby McLeish, Billy Gordon, Gillian Cruickshank and David Morrison. APOLOGIES : Received from Morag Thow (Vice Chair), Cathie McLachlan, Christine Brown, David Bain. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Chairperson, David Arthur, welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked for intimations of AOCB. Members of the Public - N McKeon and E McManus - World Challenge project R McLeish - Lochwinnoch Annex funding letter Ian Spiers - Lines on roads (Church Street area) Community Council Members D Arthur - Planning Sub-Committee and SPAR Planning Application D Fowles - Local Area Committee on 30 August and new SSCCs Complaints Procedure D Fowles - Renfrewshire CC Forum S Simpson - Access meeting and activity in Burnfoot Road J Bryden - Litter Pick and Drainage Y Ross - Role of Minutes Secretary, Y Ross - 2nd October CC AGM Y Ross - A Brown, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, Local History Project APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES The Chairperson thanked S Simpson for taking the minutes at the 7th August CC meeting. C Gibson asked for an amendment to the previous minutes, in relation to the Lochhead Avenue acre site and S Simpson's proposal to rescind the decision recorded in the November 2017 and February 2018 minutes. It was noted that C Gibson seconded S Simpson's proposal, not J Richmond. The minutes of the meeting held on 7th August 2018 were approved, with the above amendment duly noted. Proposed by J Richmond and Seconded by Jane Owens.

2 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES None. POLICE REPORT Local Officers from Police Scotland attended the meeting and presented the report for the period 7th August to 4th September Three crimes were recorded, none detected, as follows: Crime Number Detected Theft from insecure shed 1 0 Theft from motor caravan 1 0 Anti-Social - vandalism in garden 1 0 Total 3 0 Crime Trends and Policing Priorities Over the last month, there was 1 reported vandalism and complaints of youths running through gardens and causing annoyance in the village. Police carrying out high vis patrols in Lochwinnoch and youth offending action plans are in place at weekends with other officers. Community Police report Various local issues were discussed. There had been no more reports of wild swimming in the Calderbank area. A member of the public raised the issue of cars racing and spinning wheels in the gravel in the Lochbarr area. SECRETARY'S REPORT The August correspondence list was circulated to CC members before the meeting and the following items were highlighted. The Secretary read out the letter to S Marklow at Renfrewshire Council regarding the acre site in Lochhead Avenue, Lochwinnoch. The letter stated that a proposal was put to CC members at the 7th August CC meeting, regarding the Council-owned acre site in Lochhead Avenue. The proposal, which was formally seconded, was that any of the current Lochwinnoch Community Council's previous comments and suggestions pertaining to the acre site, were rescinded until a proper, wider, community consultation has taken place. The proposal was carried and a letter was sent to S Marklow at Council offices on 15th August and copied to A McNaughton, CC Liaison Officer at the Council. Forestry Commission Scotland had written to Lochwinnoch CC, to advise that they had granted consent, subject to conditions, for the Halkshill and Blairpark proposed woodland creation. The Secretary read out the Renfrewshire Council Notification of Consent dated 22nd August 2018, approving the Turnberry Homes planning application for 40 Church Street, Lochwinnoch (former Struthers site), for the erection of 24 dwelling houses and 9 flats with associated access roads, car parking and landscaping. The Secretary reminded those present that Leader of the Council, Councillor Iain Nicolson, will be the guest speaker at the 2nd October CC AGM. The Secretary read out the contents of Councillor Nicolson's Budget 2018/2019 letter dated 6th March 2018, which had been circulated round CC members some months ago (correspondence ref: 1439). Councillor Nicolson will be attending the AGM to outline spending plans, targeting of investment, VIF and Community Empowerment Funds and finding new ways for the Council and communities to work together across Renfrewshire.

3 With regard to the Minutes Secretary role, a second CC member is still required to volunteer to take minutes at monthly CC meetings, to support and work as part of a Minute-taking team with CC Vice-chairperson, M Thow. In summary, Y Ross, the CC Secretary, will take the minutes of the 2nd October AGM only. The minutes of the 2nd October Ordinary CC Meeting (following immediately after the AGM), will be taken by the new Minutes Secretary(s) and monthly thereafter. Other s with reports and notices had been circulated to CC members during the month, including D Fowles' LAC Meeting report and M Thow's Fairtrade report, both dated 30th August. TREASURER'S REPORT Treasurer, J Owens, presented the August 2018 Accounts, which are summarised below: NO 1 BANK ACCOUNT Balance brought forward at 1 August , Add Local Area Committee grant for Noticeboard Power Doors x ID Plumbing and Heating Interest received to 31/08/ Less Secretary's expenses Newsletter Printing Period Scotland 2000 website Balance c/forward at 31 August , NO 2 BANK ACCOUNT Balance brought forward at 1 August No transactions during the month Balance c/forward at 31 August The Treasurer highlighted the grant of 500, received from the Local Area Committee for the Community Council Noticeboard. This 500 is earmarked for expenditure on the Notice Board only and receipts for this grant will be submitted to Renfrewshire Council LAC Treasurer once the expenditure has taken place. Therefore, Community Council funds in the No 1 Bank Account actually stand at only 4, The Treasurer clarified the sources of income for Lochwinnoch CC as being the annual Administration Grant of 702 from Renfrewshire Council (for official administrative costs of running the Community Council) and sponsorship/advertising income from the CC newsletter. It was also stated that, over the past 2 to 3 years, the current Community Council has distributed and spent a good amount of CC funds on many worthwhile, local and community-led activities and that the CC is nearing the time when the spending may need to be capped.

4 REPORTS FROM RENFREWSHIRE COUNCILLORS Full reports from Councillors Bibby, Binks and Doig are reproduced at the Appendix to these Minutes. Councillor Rodden The Councillor attended M Thow's Dementia Friendly presentation at Council Chambers, with Provost Cameron in attendance. Renfrewshire Councillors are undergoing training to become Dementia Friends; training is also available online. Councillor Rodden had spoken with planning officers and confirmed that Council surveyors had been carrying out normal, procedural surveys of the Council-owned acre of land behind the Parish Church. The Council routinely surveys land around Renfrewshire, looking at land which could be a good match for any public services in the future. The Villages Improvement Fund (VIF) has been passed by the Board, funding applications are now invited from community-led groups. With regard to a question from Y Ross regarding the Community Empowerment Fund (CEF), Councillor Rodden confirmed that the CEF fund is not restricted to asset transfer groups only. Councillor Doig The Councillor reported on problems with youths wild swimming at Calderbank in the summer. The Councillor reported on the unsatisfactory situation with SPT and the McGills 307 bus service reduction and the Councillor's Motion to the full Council regarding the late-night 307 bus service. The area around the war memorial, dead trees and overgrown shrubs are a cause for concern for local people and the Councillor has involved the Council in meetings to rectify matters. The Community Payback team are currently refurbishing benches and a bin will be provided. Councillor Bibby Councillor Bibby will support Councillor Doig's Motion to call on the SPT to reinstate the latenight 307 bus service. The Councillor also reported on the Villages Improvement Fund, the planning consent granted for the 40 Church Street site for residential development and the very welcome news that the Council has dropped their plans to introduce car parking charges in Johnstone town centre. The Councillor confirmed that Lochwinnoch will be one of 9 expanded childcare centres, for 3 and 4 year olds and eligible 2 year old children, open 50 weeks of the year. These plans pose a major challenge in terms of funding, construction, staffing and training. Changes to bin collections Roadshow will visit Lochwinnoch Library on 18th September from 10am to 1pm. There are still issues regarding neighbours and quantity of bins and frequency of collection in some areas. If anyone has any issues, then please attend the Roadshow and discuss. With regard to street lighting issues, the Council is reviewing any dark areas and the 'lighting up' timer issue raised by a CC member will be referred back to the Council for investigation. Councillor Binks The Councillor reported on the Johnstone car parking situation and the 41,000 spent on consultancy fees. It was also reported that the sum of 200,000 has been granted to the Citizens' Advice Bureau, to enable this service to continue locally.

5 Councillor Binks also reported on the access problems at Platform 2 at Lochwinnoch Railway Station, the upgrade of the footbridge and a crossing point and will report back to a future CC meeting with further information when received. Councillor Rodden added that she has also been active in highlighting the lack of disabled access at the station, by the use of social and print media in the form of Facebook, Paisley Daily Express, etc. It was noted that planning consent had been granted for the 40 Church Street site for residential development and that consent had been granted for the demolition of the former Police building in Calder Street, to make way for the erection of a 2-storey dwelling house. The Councillor urged interested parties to submit applications for a share of the 1.5 million of Community Empowerment Funds, as soon as possible. AOCB Any AOCB not heard in the time available, will be carried forward to a future CC meeting. R & J Enterprises. Member of the public, R McLeish, read out a letter to the Community Council, explaining that R & J Enterprises had taken legal advice and had decided not to accept the 5,000 of funding awarded by the Council's LAC for the Annex facility, which would have required their enterprise becoming a CIC. Mr McLeish gave an update on the progress made by the R & J Enterprises team at the Annex, the redecoration works, the new clubs and activities being run and the ongoing investment and improvements being made out of income derived from club activities. Mr McLeish thanked the Community Council and Renfrewshire Councillors for all their help, advice and support in the early stages of the Annex project. World Challenge trip to Bolivia in June Nairn McKeon and Eilidh McManus had written to the Community Council in August and were present at the CC meeting. Nairn and Eilidh are two Lochwinnoch youngsters, who attend Gryffe High School and will be taking part in the World Challenge trip to Bolivia in June They are fund-raising to meet the cost of approximately 4,300 each to pay for their own travel, clothes, food, vaccinations, etc in order to take part in the Bolivia project, where they will work in deprived areas of local communities, helping with house building for sick children, etc. They are looking for support from Lochwinnoch Community Council to help them achieve their goal. Many Community Council members expressed their support for youngsters to participate in projects of this type and the great benefits for young people to experience travel, new customs, other societies, doing practical things to improve other people's lives and so on. Discussions continued on how to support the youngsters and many suggestions were put forward on how this could be done. CC members reflected on previous approaches for funds from the public and discussed whether distributions should be made per head, or by annual lump sum split between several people, with some kind of cap and how much this should be to ensure fairness in the event that other children came forward to request support at a later point in time. It was also felt that the youngsters should be encouraged to carry out some kind of voluntary activity in the community, as had happened previously when youngsters had approached the Community Council. The CC Treasurer expanded on how CC finances are made up and the restrictions on the use of some CC income, especially where we require to cover our own costs from the annual

6 administration grant. There was some concern about not being able to afford to make other distributions if other children also came forward to seek financial support from the CC. Our 4 Renfrewshire Councillors also contributed to the discussions (this being the Year of the Young Person), with suggestions about possible fundraising applications to Glasgow Airport Flightpath fund, Youth Challenge Fund, the changes coming due to the review of Local Area Committees, etc. After much debate, The CC Chairperson asked for a show of hands and all CC members agreed to support Nairn and Eilidh on this occasion and CC members also agreed that the support should be financial. It was suggested that Nairn and Eilidh take part in the Autumn Litterpick in return for CC support. C Gibson put forward a Motion and proposed support at 40 per person, which was seconded by Y Ross. An Amendment was put forward by J Bryden of 50 per person and this was seconded by S Simpson. A vote was taken and 7 CC members supported the Amendment, 3 CC members supported the Motion. Therefore, it was the decision of Lochwinnoch Community Council to support the Amendment and Nairn and Eilidh will each receive 50 from Lochwinnoch Community Council. Planning Application - C J Lang/SPAR Premises, Lochwinnoch The CC Chairperson gave a brief overview of the planning application submitted by C J Lang for the external redecoration, new signage and new lighting of their SPAR premises at The Cross, Lochwinnoch. It was agreed that Y Ross would circulate the planning drawings by , for CC members to comment on by 12th September. It was also agreed that M Coote will gather views from nearby neighbours and report back with comments from these residents. AGM Y Ross confirmed that the CC AGM would commence at the earlier time of 7pm on Tuesday 2nd October, an abbreviated Ordinary Meeting will follow immediately afterwards and then invited guest, Councillor Iain Nicolson, will speak about the Council Budget 2018/2019. Y Ross has been liaising with Bowling Club staff regarding an extension of the hall hire time to the slightly longer let period of 6.30pm to 10pm, to allow for setting up and clearing away after the meeting. The agenda and minutes will be circulated round CC members in advance and the meeting will close with refreshments and snacks, which M Thow and C MacLachlan will organise. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting of Lochwinnoch Community Council will be the AGM on Tuesday 2nd October, starting at the earlier time of 7pm, at Lochwinnoch Bowling Club. This will be followed by an abbreviated Ordinary Meeting for any important CC business items.

7 COUNCILLOR BIBBY'S REPORT APPENDIX Renfrewshire Council has unveiled its plans to deliver the increased child care and early years provision set out by the Scottish Government. The target of 1140 hours per year for children aged 3 and 4, and eligible 2 year olds, is to be reached by August The plans are contained in a report presented to the August Education and Children s Policy Board and can be found on the Council's website. The plans require a major infrastructure and staffing investment, with full funding required to be given to the Council, the building of new centres and accessing provision from the independent sector and the recruitment and training of staff. Lochwinnoch Nursery will become one of 9 expanded centres across Renfrewshire and open 50 weeks of the year. Such developments will be welcomed, however I am highly sceptical that the plans will be delivered on time, given that Renfrewshire will be competing with other local authorities in regard to the building, construction, staffing of the new centres and the purchase of child care provision. Audit Scotland have identified similar concerns. There is no currently no date for the commencement of work on the new Lochwinnoch centre, or detail on what implications this will have in regard to possible temporary relocation. Parents who currently have 1 and 2 year old children,will be making plans on the basis that the expanded hours will be delivered on time. I have raised these issues with the council officers and at the Education Board meetings, and will continue to do so. This is a major challenge for the Council and I will keep readers updated on progress. At the August Planning and Housing Board, the planning application in regard to the proposed residential development by Turnberry homes on the Struthers site in Church Street was approved. The U turn by the administration in regard to its previous decision to impose car parking charges in Johnstone is welcome, if long overdue. Despite overwhelming opposition to the policy, it has taken almost 10 months to reverse that decision. In the meantime, spending over 40,000 on an impact assessment which told us nothing new. Visitors to Johnstone from Lochwinnoch can rest more easily, knowing that the policy has been abandoned, and it should not see the light of day again. A simple solution to parking problems in all our communities is the presence and visibility of more traffic wardens. The changes in bin collections, due later in the year, are currently being publicised by Renfrewshire Council. Villagers will be provided with a new green wheelie bin, which will be for disposal of glass, tins and plastics, while the current blue bin will be for cardboard and paper. These bins will be collected alternately fortnightly. The general waste grey bin collections will be reduced to every three weeks. The garden and food waste brown bin collection remains unchanged at every fortnight. These changes are designed to boost recycling targets. However the Council has, thus far, failed to respond to concerns about how some villagers with limited space, will be able to accommodate a fourth bin and the implications of a reduced collection of the grey bin which, amongst other things, may contain waste such as nappies and dog fouling bags. There is little doubt that, had there been a public consultation prior to approving these changes, these issues would have been highlighted. The Council is currently undertaking a series of roadshows to explain the changes. There will be a presentation in Lochwinnoch Library on 18 September between 10am and 1pm Parents of children from Lochwinnoch, who attend St Anthony s Primary School, will welcome the excellent inspection report into the school, which praised the work on literacy, the hard work from the children, sound leadership and good working relationships between parents and teacher. All involved teachers, children and parents have received well deserved credit in the report for the work in the school.

8 COUNCILLOR DOIG'S REPORT APPENDIX My civic postbag has certainly been very busy over the summer months and the soaring temperatures have prompted some constituents in the Calderbank area outside the village to contact me concerning large numbers of youths, up to fifty in number, who have been congregating from outwith Lochwinnoch and travelling to Calderbank for some open air swimming. I organised a meeting with residents and Police Scotland and the Police have agreed to monitor the situation closely while I have contacted the Head Teacher at Johnstone High to advise the pupils there about the risks of wild swimming in isolated locations as recently across the UK there have been a number of teenage deaths, including one in Paisley, relating to this. Having contacted residents once again they recently confirmed that the situation has calmed down now. I am extremely angry that the SPT has decided to cut the McGills 307 Johnstone Train Station to Lochwinnoch service midweek as far as the 11.21pm late bus is concerned, from 15 th July, and I have written to both the SPT Convener and Renfrewshire Council s representative on the SPT asking them to reconsider their decision. I have never suggested that large numbers of villagers use the late bus but the small number that do depend on it to get back to Lochwinnoch from their places of employment in Glasgow and Paisley, and they depend on this as a vital transport lifeline. Once again it seems as if the needs of Lochwinnoch are being ignored by Glasgow-based institutions and quangos. Last week at the Infrastructure, Land, and Environment Board there was a report about the new Transport Bill which is currently going through the Scottish Parliament. Much was made in the report of the role of the SPT in subsidising less used routes for social reasons. This it has singularly failed to do in the case of the late night 307, so I intend to sponsor a motion for the next full meeting of Renfrewshire Council, on 27 th September, calling on the SPT to reinstate the late night 307 bus. There has been much concern in the village expressed to me about the state of the area in and around the War Memorial, and I agree that we have to ensure that it is in the best of presentation prior to the lighting project being initiated. I organised a site visit recently for members of the Community Council, and other community activists, myself, and council officers. We had a comprehensive discussion for over an hour, and it was agreed to install a bin at the Memorial, to get the Community Payback Team to re-varnish the two benches, and to remove the shrubs which will be grassed over. The shrubs will be replaced by seasonal flowers and due to the fact both large trees are dead they will also need to be removed for health and safety reasons. All parties present made a commitment to this Action Plan for the War Memorial and the council officers will investigate what monies may be available through the new Community Empowerment Fund. Some months ago I raised the matter of a commemorative plaque to Lochwinnoch s forgotten radical, Roland Eugene Muirhead, and I am pleased to report that Renfrewshire Council has agreed to work with the Muirhead family to place the plaque in an appropriate place. Following discussions with local Lochwinnoch historians I have been informed that the Muirhead family used to own the former Black Bull Hotel, which previously was on the current site of the McKillop Institute. Accordingly it has been agreed to mount the commemorative plaque on the front of the McKillop Institute.

9 COUNCILLOR BINKS' REPORT APPENDIX The talk of the 'Steamie' this month was undoubtedly the capitulation of the Council Administration's desire to impose public parking and residents' parking fees on the people living in Johnstone. It was a no-goer from the start and was very annoying as was the waste of 41,000 spent on consultancy fees, especially when the money could have been spent on saving the Citizens Advice Bureau in Paisley or prolonging the life of West Lane Gardens Carers Group in Johnstone. Johnstone Business Consortium and Johnstone Community Council would like to thank Lochwinnoch residents and other local villages for their support in raising over 7,000 signatures opposing the implementation of these charges. Just an update on the request to Network Rail and Scotrail, made by the Council, to make provision at Lochwinnoch Railway Station for disabled parking spaces, disabled access facilities at platform 2, upgrade of the footpath at the bridge on the A761 to the station and provide a suitable crossing. The enquiry has been forwarded to Network Rail's Station Surveyor who has now passed this information on to ScotRail being the franchisees of the station. We now await ScotRail to contact the Council with a response. As at 31 st August, no response has been forthcoming. We as Councillors receive many complaints about the state of our bus services and Lochwinnoch is no exception. The Transport Act 1985 introduced deregulated services to the British bus services provision. As the Convener of the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny (ARS) Board I have convened a Review of Bus Deregulation and its effect on transport services in Renfrewshire. A Lead Officer has been appointed and the commencement of the review took place on the 27 th August It is expected that the reviews first draft will be presented at our ARS meeting on the 28 th May This may seem a long time but considerable work has to be done including interviews with third parties and other Councils, Organisations etc. As you are aware the Community Empowerment Fund of 1.5 million was launched in March of this year. So far 4 applications have been received of which 3 have been recommended for grant awards totalling 40,000, the highest single donation was 20,000. This money will not last long so I urge you to get your applications in as soon as possible for your pet community projects. The development of 40 Church Street has been granted and demolition of existing premises has been agreed. The demolition of the Police Station in Calder street and erection of a two storey detached dwelling has been granted.