KILBARCHAN COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF GENERAL MEETING HELD IN THE STEEPLE HALL ON WEDNESDAY, 26TH SEPTEMBER, 2007 AT 7.30 P.M. Present: Marie Alexander, David Blair, Karen Campbell, Rosemary Clark, Drew Dempster, Ian Grieve, Jan Howitt, Ken Ives, Russell Young In Attendance: Cllr. Neil Bibby and Cllr. Bruce McFee Apologies: Ann Grieve, Valerie Ross, Iain Brown Visitors: Elaine Ives, Elaine Weir, Ian Wilson, Robert Bonnar, W. Milne, C. Milne Chair: David Blair David warmly welcomed everyone to the meeting. Minutes of Previous Meeting held on Tuesday 28th August, 2007 - Item No. 2. Proposed by Russell Young, Seconded by Ken Ives. POLICE REPORT - Item No. 3. P.C. Lynne Easton handed this Report in on Friday 28th September, on her return from annual leave. 15 crimes reported with 5 detections for period 28/08/07 and 27/09/08 5 motor vehicles damaged. 2 wilful fire raising - garden shed and clothes on washing line 1 attempted house breaking 1 theft from motor vehicle 1 person charged for being in possession of drugs 1 person charged with failing to have and display a valid excise licence 2 breaches of peace 2 properties vandalised. There are plans to place 4 covert cameras and 2 overt cameras within the village. To date four persons have agreed to the covert cameras being fitted, however the placing of the 2 overt cameras has still to be finalised These cameras need access to electricity and have to be fitted at a certain height on the outside of the building and this is giving rise to concern as to vandalism. All cameras are on temporary loan from the Assist team. It is our intention to write to Sergeant McCaig, Community Police Johnstone expressing our concerns as to lack of community police presence at our June, August and September meetings. Community Police Inspector John Laing will attend our meeting on 25th October, 2007.
MATTERS ARISING - Item No. 4 Tandlehill Road - Following on from John Everett s visit in August, we had a visit from the Garage owner, who had been led to believe that the Community Council were trying to close down his business. In reply, David Blair advised that the Community Council is not targetting any business, we are in fact trying to protect them and make the entrance to Tandlehill Road safer. At the moment, there have been no complaints from the Butcher or the Convenience Store as to the proposals accepted at our August meeting and the garage owner now feels that they will make no difference to his business. Therefore Proposal B still stands, we must be guided by the Experts.. Once again cognisance must be taken of the fact that there is no perfect solution to any of traffic problems in Kilbarchan. As to the concerns as to the volume and speed of traffic on High Barholm, Cllr. Bibby advised that Iain Hamilton has delegated this problem to Drew McNab, Roads Engineer to take on board and a meeting will now be arranged with all interested parties Drew Dempster reminded the members that when Scott Allan spoke with us in April, he agreed to have the road markings reinstated on the corner of High Barholm opposite the chemist. He also agreed that the mess outside the Coop was unacceptable, but to date there has been no improvement in either situation. Marie Alexander raised the question as to why there was no 30 m.p.h. sign as you come off the A737 into the village. She had contact John Everett who advised that the sign had been demolished due to a road accident but Amey will replace it as soon as possible.. Quarry - We have received a letter from Head of Planning advising that all Amey Highways operational staff, plant and equipment have relocated from the Quarry and only office-based activities remain whilst their new accommodation is being commissioned at Renfrew. There is now no movement of heavy vehicles, or indeed any vehicle movements outwith normal business hours. I am content that Amey are using all reasonable endeavours to terminate their activities in the agreed phased manner and in a way which reduces to the absolute minimum the potential for disruption to local residents. The situation will continue to be monitered to ensure the few remaining activities are transferred as soon as practicable. Local Channel - Ian Grieve advised that this is now up and running and the Community Council Minutes can be found - www.kilbarchan.info. Kilbarchan Burn - Ian Grieve advised that Waterwatch are regularly in touch but there has been no reply received from Brussels.els. Flooding - Meadside Avenue/Kilbarchan School - We still await the results of the full investigation which was scheduled to take place in August. Cllr. McFee advised that he had met with the Director of Planning & Economic Development to discuss future works to the Kilbarchan Burn, he also raised the matter of flooding in New Street. Proposals for the section from Bog Park to Low Barholm have been modelled and will be before the Council by the end of the year. However, criteria for central government funding (around 500,000 needed for this stretch alone) have been more stringent and a good cost/benefits case will be required to achieve funding. Further proposals are being worked on for the Bog Park area; this is a long term project with a high capital cost. Scottish Water have agreed a contribution to the Station Road section.
Village Notice Board - Unfortunately we have been unable to secure funding from Awards for All for the proposed notice board. Cllr. McFee suggested that we go to the Local Grants Board for help, submitting three quotes from local businesses. After some discussion it was agreed to look at cheaper alternatives and also perhaps look at the idea of local sponsors paying for some of the cost of a new board. David and Jan will look at some trade magazines and see what is around. Steeple Square- We received a letter dated 4th September, 2007 from G.C. Russell, Head of Planning advising that the Legal Division have confirmed that the piece of land in question is not within the ownership of Renfrewshire Council and that they are having difficulty in retrieving the details of the current owner. However, the area of land is not in such a condition that would merit formal enforcement action being taken under the planning act. It is therefore, Head of Planning s decision to close the case and no further enforcement action will be taken under the planning act. Nontheless the piece of land in question has been landscaped by the Council. Wind Farm - We did write to North Ayrshire Council advising them that we objected to proposals to erect wind turbines on Regional Park Land. Broken Walls - There has been no change in the situation Cllr. McFee will wrap this in with the walkabout he is planning to have with the Roads Engineer Roads & Pavements - as all the information has not yet been gathered Cllr. McFee has not been able to arrange the walkabout with the Roads Engineer. He will chase up the remaining information and set a date thereafter. Arriva Bus Service - Cllr. Bibby has written again to Arriva and there has been a slight improvement in the service, however, it is still far from satisfactory. Cllr. Bibby asks that any one making a complaint should provide date, time and length of delay, as this gives him specific details to add to his casebook of complaints to give to Arriva. There is a Scottish Bus Users Council which may prove of help to us. Disabled Parking Spaces - Jan has written to Jackie Baillie MSP asking for an update on her proposed bill to fine car drivers using designated disabled parking spaces. No reply as yet. FINANCIAL REPORT - Item No. 5 There has been no change in our financial position this month. CORRESPONDENCE - Item No. 6. Renfrewshire Council - Corporate Services - Annual Report 2006-2007 - on file. Education and Leisure Report 2007-2010. Can be downloaded if required. Review of Polling Districts - 18th September. - No changes. Licensing - Glenleven Inn - Application for Regular Extension Email from Sandy Clark, Chairman of Bridge of Weir Community Council inviting members to attend their meeting on Tuesday 2nd October when Vincent Watters, National Secretary of Scottish Community Council has agreed to speak to the meeting on the future role of community
councils. Ken Ives has agreed to attend on our behalf. PLANNING REPORT - Item No. 7 Hornbuckle Mitchell Trustees Residential development (in outline at land to 4 Albyn Place south east of junction with Cochranemill Road Edinburgh and Kilbarchan Road, Johnstone. No objection. Mr. J. McKinney Erection of conservatory to rear of dwelling 20 Park View house. No objection provided Conservation Rules and Guidelines are adhered to. Mr. A. Todd 23A Church Street Erection of single storey extension and decking to rear of dwelling house The plans were not detailed enough to reach a view. There is a land dispute over the ground shown on the plan. We therefore Object to the Application as it stands. Thomas Lawson Erection of elevated decking to rear of 22 Langside Drive No objection A.O.B. - Item No. 8 Ken Ives gave a report on the Community Councils Forum meeting held on 3rd September, 2008 in the Wynd Centre Paisley. Ann, Jan, Ian and Ken attended. Points of Interest - 1 - Community Planning A) New community planning for period 2008-2014 B) Consultation now taking place C) Draft late 2007, then further consultation D) Plan ready Spring 2008 Issues for Renfrewshire were outlined 2 - Recycling Directives/Plans, Targets to be considered. A) E.U. Landfill directive B) National Waste Plan (Scotland) C) Glasgow and Clyde Valley Waste Plan D) Scottish Executive Recycling Targets E) Landfill Allowance Scheme. Strategic Waste Fund to help meet targets. Renfrewshire given over 5,000,000. Concentration on kerbside recycling and upgrading of Amenity Sites.
Large fines if bio-waste targets not met.
3 - Working Group (future of community councils) Minutes of Meetings of the Group on website. Issues - A) same scheme for all of Scotland. B) public consultation 8-9 months. C) with change of Government new role for community councils - money may even be made available, which could amount to 5,000,000 in Renfrewshire. Discussion Points A) Community Councils to have same boundaries as electoral wards. Not thought to be a good idea., B) Distribution of possible money - use of Area Board suggested. C) More than one Regional Councillor attending meetins though to be good. D) Contact ability of community councillors. What information was available. E) Good practice guide - key issue for next meeting. Energy Efficiency Advice Centre - Neil Phillips will make a presentation to the Community Council at the meeting to be held on Tuesday, 27th November, 2007. Some discussion around change of use of the old Insurance shop in High Barholm and it now appears that there is no Completion Certificate with regards this property. Cllr.McPhee is currently linking with the Enforcement Authority and ASSiST. Rosemary Clarke will resubmit our suggestions with regards Public Footpaths and point out that at present the footpaths around Kilbarchan are unwalkable, and that the footpath beyond Pannell Farm is gated at both ends. David advised that the Civic Society are keen to encourage an adopt a site plan for Kilbarchan empty spaces but the feeling is that the legal negotiations would take forever. A member of the public asked if Kilbarchan has community wardens. Tandlehill Road and Milliken Park Drive border the Johnstone West Warden Service but we do not, in fact, link in with this service The general feeling is that it is a police presence we require in Kilbarchan. Ian Grieve advised that the flower pots situated in the Millenium Gardens had been upturned and the plants scattered around at the weekend. Cllr. McPhee advised that the Petitions Committee is now up and running. As there was no further business, David closed the meeting by reminding the members that the A.G.M will take place at our meeting on Thursday, 25th October, 2007 at 7.30 p.m This will be followed by our General Meeting.