Cumbrae Community Council

Cumbrae Community Council Meeting Minutes Thursday 14 June 2018, Garrison House Present: Alex Caldwell, Crawford Gillan, Sharon Hagan, Phil Lonsdale, Angie McCallum, Graham Wallace In Attendance: Lesley Stringer (minutes), one member of the public Apologies: Michael Bertram, Councillor Tom Marshall Minutes of the last meeting: The minutes of the last meeting, held on 10 May 2018, were proposed by Alex Caldwell and seconded by Sharon Hagan as a true record of the meeting. Matters arising from previous minutes 1. Cycle paths: CCC approached NAC following the local public consultation meeting on the proposed cycle paths from the pier head to the ferry slip and received the following responses No funding has yet been approved for any of the proposed 4 phases of the cycle path. Any potential designs require to be signed off by Sustrans and then grant funding has to be bid for and sought. This process can take many months (this response is contrary to the message given at the consultation). Regarding approach to landowners NAC are awaiting clarification from consultants SWECO as to what stage they are at in terms of the feasibility element of the plans for the cycle path from the ferry terminal SWECO have undertaken a design and Bill of Quantities to tidy up and improve signing as per comments regarding the Kames Bay signage on existing cycle path. Construction changes here would be tied into potential future works should Sustrans grant funding become available (i.e. there are no plans to improve signage) 2. GDPR: Conflicting advice from NAC on whether this applies to community councils resulted in CCC sending a request for advice to the Information Commissioner. Despite a reply dated 6 th May advising that information would be supplied within 14 days, no reply has yet been received and follow up by telephone and e-mail hasn t been successful in securing a response. Community councillors felt that it would be helpful if NAC could provide clear guidance and support for community councils on GDPR, rather than advising each to seek their own advice. 3. Update on Streetcene matters Dog poo Bins for Inner Circle: There are no plans at present to increase the number of designated dog waste bins. There is one litter bin on the inner circle walking route and dog waste bags can be deposited in these bins. A decal can be fixed to the general litter bin to advise of their dual use for both litter and dog waste, and the area will be monitored. Memorial benches and flowers/plaques: Streetscene enables family members and friends to place flowers on benches. The Streetscene Operations Team monitor the flowers and out of respect, will only remove them once the flowers have wilted. CCC reported the attachment of a brass memorial plaque to one of the benches on the seafront. This plaque does not match the other plaques on the official benches, and community members have raised concerns that this practice may be adopted by others. Streetscene replied that they don't allow people to apply their own plaques and would not recommend brass next to the shore as it will tarnish very quickly. They requested an exact location of the bench where the brass plaque has been placed. CCC also queried whether memorial benches were still available to purchase through NAC, but did not receive a reply. It s assumed they are not. ACTION: photographs to be taken and forwarded to Streetscene. CCC recognises the excellent work that has been done by Gerry Docherty in painting the benches along the prom 1

Flagpole with broken tether: CCC raised concerns about public safety due to the flagpole on the seafront where the crazy golf is situated, as one of the guy ropes has come away and could be unsafe in high winds. NAC replied that the rope on the flagpole is on private land. Therefore the land owner or business owner responsible for the flag would need to be approached and the guy rope mentioned directly to them. ACTION: AM to investigate ownership of the ground and reply to NAC SSSI information board, Kames Bay: In October 2017 CCC was sent a draft version of a Beach Information Sign for Kames Bay. No more was heard, so the matter was followed up with NAC. Streetscene replied with thanks to CCC for input to updating the sign. They are currently trying to identify who holds the artwork for the sign (possibly SNH, as a partner in the sign, hold the artwork that can be edited). Streetscene have been in contact with SNH and should hopefully know by next week on how to progress with the sign. Astroturf pitch: Local teenagers raised the issue of the bad state of repair of the astroturf with CCC, who approached NAC as well as making extensive enquiries as to who actually has responsibility for the astroturf pitch. Despite not getting a definitive reply on ownership, the pitch is going to be repaired on 15 June, and NAC are revising the current lease/management arrangements in order to establish the future strategy for managing the pitch. It was noted that it was not only the perseverance of CCC but also pressure on NAC from the Largs & Millport Weekly News that helped to drive this success. A broken bench at the location has been reported to NAC. A suggestion that basketball rings could be installed at the pitch has been made and funding for this will be pursued. Beach cleaning: CCC approached Streetscene to clean Newton Beach in preparation for the second May Bank holiday, as despite requests this was not done before the first May Bank holiday. Although the work wasn t carried out until mid-morning on Bank holiday Monday, and the tractor had to drive around families enjoying the sun on the beach, CCC is pleased that at least the work was carried out. Regarding seaweed NAC advised as follows: There are issues with removing this. In years gone by it could be put back in the water but this is no longer permitted by SEPA. Once you handle it you have to remove it and there is nowhere to store it. Unfortunately we have to store it to dry out as Cal Mac don't like us taking the seaweed straight from the beach onto the ferry due to the smell and seepage. In other areas we are leaving the seaweed due to the environmental benefits. However if you can identify a specific part of a beach we will do our best to clear it of seaweed and come up with a plan for storage. Thomas Reaney is the NAC contact re handling of seaweed. Kames Bay: CCC has made a request that the weeds above the strand line be removed as they were last year. Kames Bay recycling bin: CCC is pleased to report that after pointing out to NAC that this bin was trapped behind the safety fence at Kames Bay shelter it was subsequently released and the fencing removed. 4. Update on road matters: The yellow lines have now been repainted on the road areas where resurfacing work was carried out. A proposal to paint two areas of yellow lines between the cottage and the slip and a yellow grid box on the east carriageway at the blind corner at the cottage to create safe passing places for the bus, at times when the approach road to the slip is narrowed by the ferry queue and oncoming traffic, was raised to NAC. After investigation, NAC have identified that a Traffic Restriction Order is necessary to enforce these and are now asking for evidence that a problem exists before pursuing further. In discussion it was suggested that it 2

may not be necessary to have a TRO in place but that the lines/boxes could perhaps be "advisory" in nature. ACTION: PL to liaise with bus drivers to put together diagrams; all to provide photos in evidence 5. Update on Flood Prevention Scheme and Save the Pier campaign: The outcome of the meeting between Scottish Government (SG) and NAC on 23 rd May was that SG wishes to scrutinise the proposals more fully before agreeing financing, due to the substantial increase in estimated costs from c. 15m to 30m. The decision that was expected on the preferred option from the NAC cabinet meeting of 19 th June will therefore not now be made until after the summer. It was noted that, although SG have suggested that work to the pier could not be included in Flood defence funding, many previous reports have referred to the pier as being integral to Millport s existing flood defences, and indeed we have now been advised that retaining the pier is included within one of the 3 options under consideration in the proposed Flood Prevention Scheme. Proposals for a low cost solution to repair the lower landing stage and open the pier in the short term are being firmed up in collaboration with consultants IKM. The Pier and Harbour Users Group have requested that the CCC pursue as a matter of urgency the carrying out of any necessary repairs to the lower landing stage to provide at least one safe landing point for those visiting the island by boat. The Pier and Harbour Users group will look into making a formal participatory request to NAC to formally ensure they are fully consulted on future proposals and developments. 6. Planning Matters: The planning applications for the decommissioning site development at Hunterston have been approved by NAC, allowing the site to be used to scrap oil rigs and other large marine structures. A consultation event planned for 14 th June was cancelled at the last minute due to concerns about large scale public protest. Peel Ports appeared not to have fulfilled the required 21 days public notice for this consultation, nor formal notification to the Clyde Marine Planning Partnership for the original statutory consultation. There is much local concern about the environmental impact of both the site development and future operations and for a proposed development of this scale, in such an environmentally sensitive area, it is felt that a full EIA is necessary before any operations on site can commence. Fairlie CC reported that they have been made aware of the following: (1) Problems for the power stations due to the plume of silt from previous dredging getting into the cooling water tubes. (2) It would appear that Peel intend to discharge the ~1M tonnes from dredging onto the adjoining sand flats of the Southannan Sands between the construction yard and the stock yard... the area jumping with millions of the crustacean Corophium volutator, bivalve molluscs and polychaete worms... as the area floods, the shrimps and young fish migrate up the foreshore... as the tide ebbs the waders and migrating birds graze - sometimes >4,000 birds. This dumping would see the end to the site having SSSI status. (3) The crashing and banging from the removal of the conveyor from the jetty is really upsetting the villagers. This nothing compared to the noise when the work is progressing 24/7 on five rigs simultaneously. The SSE wind turbines will be removed, the Mitsubishi by the end of the month and the Siemens later in the year. 7. Town Hall Update: Very positive meetings have been held with HIE, NAC Heritage Department, NAC funding Advisors, and the new CARS Officer. Work is ongoing towards a feasibility study being completed and a tender document has been written for a contractor to carry out this work. Everyone is encouraged to visit the Friends of Millport Town Hall table at the Marquee event on Saturday 7 th July, where CCC also hopes to have a table. Brief reports of outside meetings attended 3

1. Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium: Community councillors were given a guided tour of the new crematorium and were very impressed with the facilities, including a live video link for those unable to attend in person, as well as the location. CCC wishes the business well for the future. 2. LPD2 Consultation: The Local Development Plan (LDP2) consultation drop-in session was held on 5th June at Garrison House but was poorly attended. Comments on the plan can be submitted until 30th June, and everyone is encouraged to read and reply to the proposals. Responses can be submitted via the online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ldp2representationform 3. Clyde Islands meeting: was attended by 3 representatives from Cumbrae (2 CCDC reps and 1 from CCC). No NAC Councillors were present. Items discussed included compiling more detailed asset (including marine asset) registers for each island; preparing a detailed report and tender document and sourcing funding for the proposed interisland ferry link; linking educational establishments between islands (e.g. FSC with Arran Outdoor Centre); further investigation into funding available to other islands due to their "remoteness" and why the Clyde islands do not benefit; improving island digital networks; further work on "sustainable" islands including waste management etc; capitalizing on 2020 Coastal Waters funding. These are ongoing areas of work. Agenda Items 1 &2. CalMac/traffic management/infrastructure: CalMac confirmed an average of 3,500 passengers per day on the island ferry over the second May Bank holiday weekend. While the increase in visitor numbers following RET is welcomed by many businesses, it was noted that this represents a 3-fold increase to the local population each day! The large influx places strain on the islands services and infrastructure and caused issues with queuing and congestion at both Largs and on Cumbrae, with foot passengers queuing as far as the monument north of the ferry slip and waiting times of several hours in both directions. The queue of cars for the slip on Cumbrae caused difficulties for the bus when it encountered cyclists or cars coming from the ferry. The smaller ferry not running consistently over the weekend compounded the problems. The result was that police time was taken up with traffic management, amid concerns about safety at both Largs and on Cumbrae and raised issues about police resilience if needed elsewhere on the island. As previously discussed by CCC, CalMac s local ticketing process adds to congestion and delays, as often those leaving Cumbrae but intending to return will park on Fort Street by Costa or Nardinis while they buy tickets. The vehicles parked on both sides of the street then impede the flow of traffic from the ferry. Improving the ticketing system, such as by introducing online or app-based purchases, and by making tickets available locally in Millport would have a positive knock-on effect on keeping ferry traffic flowing. Another suggestion put forward is for a manual traffic light override system for allowing ferry traffic to quickly exit the ferry and Fort Street. ACTION: PL to liaise with Largs CCC to highlight problems and propose solutions to CalMac through the ferry users group. 3. Hunterston Micro Grants: CCC will soon be advertising a new round of money available for Hunterston Micro Grants. It is anticipated that awards will be at a higher level of 500 and will be available to individuals and groups for community benefit. Details of how to obtain an application form and closing date will be put on Facebook, the CCC notice board and shop windows within the next couple of weeks. CCC has chosen to receive a larger single grant amount rather than a smaller amount over a longer time period due to uncertainty over how long the funding will remain available. 4. Dropped wheelchair access kerbs for shoreside Main Street: A request has been made that the provision for wheelchairs, pushchairs etc. in the form of dropped kerbs to get on to and off the Prom be investigated. CCC will pursue with the NAC officer responsible for disabled access. ACTION: PL to investigate current provision and liaise with NAC 4

5. Lack of flowers and dead flowers in the pots along the prom: NAC advised there is a 50% reduction in provision of bedding plants for Millport this year. Beds have been reduced in size but will be planted, as will the plant containers along the prom. 6. Jetty and harbour debris: NAC have agreed that signage for trailers and boats at the old jetty will be provided, and that old tyres/debris will be cleared on 21 st June. CCC will follow up on the repairs to the railings at the pier head. Railings across from the Garrison are to be included in the next improvement contract. 7. Bikes outside bike shop: community members have raised concerns about safety of road users and pedestrians when there are large numbers of bikes gathered on the road and pavement outside shops. The bus has been seen having to swerve to avoid these, and vulnerable pedestrians are sometimes unable to use the pavement. Initial Police advice has been that dealing with this would mean they would have to also require café owners to remove table and chairs from pavements. CCC considers that obstruction of the carriageway is a separate issue and agreed to approach Police again. 8. Locality Planning Partnership: A request has been received from the Locality Partnership with regards to its Community Investment Funding. Volunteer Community Representatives, particularly younger people, are sought to join sub-groups representing the three aims of this funding. The groups and their leaders are as follows: Social Isolation, Older People - Cllr Alan Hill Financial Inclusion - Cllr Joy Brahim Stress and anxiety, Younger People - Cllr Ian Murdoch Anyone interested is encouraged to contact Louise Riddex - Locality Coordinator Tel: 01294 475913 - lriddex@north-ayrshire.gov.uk At the last meeting of the LPP, it was reported that 90% of planned road repairs have now been completed on Cumbrae. The Health & Social Care Partnership reported that limited progress has been made, as they are now under review. Nurturing Excellence in Communities funding grants were processed, with the Happy Daze and Country Music festivals both successful applicants. There is a large block of grant funding for the North Coast and Cumbraes available ( 417,000) but terms and conditions have still to be confirmed. CCC will ensure the community is made aware when the funding is open for applications. AOCB 1. A new Millport CARS (Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme) officer has been appointed: Kasia Smith. She is next on the island on 2 nd July and available after 1.30pm at West Lodge in the Garrison grounds if anyone wishes to speak to her. Kasia can be contacted at kasiasmith@northayrshire.gov.uk She will give a presentation at the CCC meeting on 9 th August. 2. There will be no July council meeting, the next will be in August. 3. CCC received a complaint from a community member about cars being driven in the wrong direction down Ritchie and Reid Streets. This was agreed to be a Police issue. 4. One of the CC councillors will attend the talk by the Emergency Response Team on 15 th July. Date of next meeting: 5pm Thursday 9 th August 2018, at Garrison House, Millport 5