Community Council Minutes 05/12/2002

AGENDA ITEM AND CONTENT

ACTION POINTS

1. INTRODUCTIONS AND NEWSLETTER

The meeting was opened at 7.30 p.m. by MM and welcome extended to our invited guest Councillor Barry McCulloch.

Introductions were made by all, and Council members indicated the streets in which they lived, as it was felt that representation to include as many streets as possible, was desired (see AOCB).

An attendance sheet was circulated for all to record their attendance.

Newsletter – thanks were given to Colin and Lorraine Scott, plus 2 assistants for the

production of the first newsletter, which all agreed was very professional and informative, and also to all who helped deliver a copy to every house in the area. The Newsletter would not be a monthly issue, but would be a quarterly issue, and very much dependent on what news had to be communicated. MM asked for any recommendations for the Newsletter, or content material, from the assembled meeting

2. APOLOGIES

To see those listed above.

3. ITEMS FOR AOCB

Items recorded for discussion later were:

Access to Auchinbee Farm via Glen Rosa
Footpath lighting in Tesco vicinity
Bus shelter at pond

4. MINUTES AND ACTION POINTS OF LAST MEETING

Copies of the minutes of the last meeting, were available to all meeting attendees.

After noting some minor amendments (which have been subsequently corrected), the minutes were accepted as being an accurate account of the meeting, nominated by Mr Storrie, seconded by Ms Ailsa Clunie.

The action points from last meeting are as follows;

AP2/1 Co-opted members – a nominee awaited from Craighalbert Church, no response yet from Tesco – ongoing AC

AP6/1 Council Bank Account – still being set up with Barclays Bank – ongoing JT.

AP7/1 Start up grant – now to hand - discharged.

AP8/1 Newsletter – now completed - discharged.

AP13/1 Planning and Environment Conference – attended by BK/JT - discharged.

AP1/2 Letter to Scottish Executive re Mosque – now written (word document) - discharged.

AP2/2 Traffic Management / Congestion Eastfield Rd – feedback awaited - ongoing Sergeant Bird

AP3/2 Letter to NLC re school zoning – now written and response received - discharged.

AP4/2 A80 historic info – provided by Gordon Murray - discharged.

AP5/2 Letter to STE re pond bus shelter – now written and response received - discharged. (see new action point)

AP6/2 Letter to NLC re unfinished roads – now written awaiting response – ongoing AC.

AP7/2 Planning Audit Conference – attended by AM - discharged.

AP8/2 Letter to NLC re Auchinbee – now written awaiting response – ongoing AC.

AP9/2 Path at Craigmarloch Lodge – ongoing AC.

5. COMMUNITY POLICE

There was no representation from the Community Police, due to work related matters. Every effort will be made to attend whenever possible.

6. TREASURERS REPORT

In the Treasurers absence, MM carried out the Treasurers Report.

A start-up grant of £585 was received from NLC, which was made up of an initial sum of £450, plus £9 per 100 of electorate, based on an electorate of 1457.

As the 1457 electorate figure is that of October 1999, it was felt that it was understated, and that the matter should be taken up by the Treasurer with NLC.

The Community Council’s bank account has been set up with Barclays Bank in St. Vincent Street, Glasgow. The 3 signatories are MM, BK, and JT

AP1/3 JT

7. ISSUES

Mosque – The present position with the Mosque is that planning permission had been granted by NLC, but due to the fact that the proposed development was a "significant departure" from the adopted local plan, then the matter had to be referred to the Scottish Ministers for final decision. Anyone wishing to make further representations for or against, had to do so by 10 December 2002.

It was also noted that it seemed that little heed was paid to the local plan by the NLC, as evidenced by the fact that areas previously ear-marked for primary schools, retail park, and a library are now ear-marked for housing. Barry McCulloch addressed the meeting on the issue, and indicated that he had unsuccessfully requested a postponement of any decision by NLC. The CCC had just been elected, and the views of the residents in the area had not been fully established. The Craighalbert Church had also had no opportunity to purchase the land (as they wish to expand), as the puchase cost, subject to missives, is approx. £30000. Barry McCulloch agreed to take this point up with NLC

Traffic Congestion on Eastfield Road – As there was no Police presence at the meeting, this would be discussed next time.

A80 Upgrade – The Kelvin Valley route was still being raised as a possible consideration (see Other Correspondence and Gordon Murray’s letter), as any in-line upgrade would seriously affect traffic on the Eastfield Road. It also was unclear as to when "consultation" would end, and action begin. Barry McCulloch recommended the option tabled by Cathy Craigie, which was an "in-line" upgrade with 3 and 4 lane sections, with the creation of a hard shoulder, with hopefully less traffic detours. Others favoured pushing for re-opening of negotiations on the Kelvin Valley route, and the stance of the Joint Action Committee. A vote was taken which was as follows. Re-open Negotiations - 22 Cathy Craigie option - 17 As the voting was very close it was decided to invite representatives of both parties to the next meeting.
New School –This is due to open on 6 January, and there are still some concerns, including bus transport and zoning. All placing requests would be considered on their merits. Barry McCulloch stated that zoning was the responsibility of the Education Dept., and the main aim was to make both new schools viable, as well as existing schools such as Holy Cross, for the parents who wished their children to remain. (No buses were being provided for children at Holy Cross. Free school transport was only available in distances greater than 1 mile.) As Barry McCulloch is on the Education Committee it may be possible to organise a face to face meeting with the Education Department, should it be required.

There was no word as yet on what school facilities would be available to the community

Radio Masts – There was nothing new to report here. The temporary mast had 6 months life from first erected, and it was unclear as to when it would come off line. AC to write and establish position.
Factors and Fees – It was felt that this issue was a time consuming one which would warrant a special one of meeting in its own right. MM and AC had previous experience in the Blackwood area with this issue, whereby they were able to arrange for NLC to "adopt the land for ever". Glen Rosa, Glen Fyne, Glen Sannox, and Glen Morrison appear to be the areas affected. Special meeting to be arranged by MM.
Post Box – AC has written to Royal Mail, requesting a new post box in the vicinity of Glen Dochart / Glen Clova near the pond. Royal Mail is looking into the matter and will advise.
Bus Shelter – AC had already written requesting the erection of a bus shelter at the bus stop adjacent to the pond, (AP6/2) and had received a response indicating that it was being considered, albeit there was a limited budget. It was indicated that there were 4 bus stops without shelters in the area, and that the secretary should write again requesting shelters at all stops
Neighbourhood Watch – It was agreed that this would be a beneficial scheme to introduce in the area. Apart from keeping a watchful eye on our homes and surrounding property, in most instances it can have the benefits of reducing house insurance. As there was no police presence at the meeting, it was agreed to postpone this item until a representative of the community police was available to advise.
Litterbins / Doggiebins – These have already been requested, and have neither said yes or no. It was suggested by one attendee that there was a budget constraint, and Barry McCulloch agreed to take up the issue
Local Transport – There was nothing to discuss at this time.
Community Noticeboards – Tesco is an obvious location for a copy of the newsletter. Any others?
Community Events – None planned at present. Any suggestions?

AP2/3 BM

AP3/3 AC

AP4/3 AC

AP5/3 MM

AP6/3 AC

AP7/3 BM

8. OTHER CORRESPONDENCE

A copy of Gordon Murray’s letter of 29 November, reporting on the meeting of Thursday 28 November of the North Area Committee, held at Bron Way, had been received and was copied / passed round the attendees. The letter detailed Councillor Murrays’ own minute of the 5 agenda items. The most important item was a move by the 6 SNP Councillors present, to recommend to the NLC that they request that the Scottish Executive re-examine their decision to rule out the Kelvin Valley route for the A80/M80 upgrade. The vote was 6 for, 6 against with the chair giving her casting vote against the motion.

9. CCC MEMBERS POINTS / FEEDBACK

BK gave feedback to the meeting about the Local Planning Day, which was run by the Scottish Executive. The event was very worth while, and apart from learning about the Local Plan process, it also included guidance information in the structure and content of "letters of objection"

AM also gave feedback on Planning Audit conference which also proved useful.

8-9 Community Councils were represented, with discussion taking place on a Local Plan for NLC, and other common areas of interest.

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Access to Auchinbee Farm via Glen Rosa – It was mentioned that planning permission was sought for a nursery for 120 children, for half of the building, but was unclear as to the proposals for the other half. It was also suggested that we could make representations for a "hearing". CCC had already written a letter of objection on grounds of access and traffic problems, and AC agreed to follow up, and establish the present position.
Footpath lighting in Tesco vicinity – The main problem area appears to be from Glen Sannox to Tesco. AC has already written regarding this, and for the shrubbery to be cut back. Barry McCulloch also agreed to write on our behalf
Bus shelter at pond – discussed earlier
CCC Representation – It was highlighted by MM that Community Council members were sought that lived in street areas that were not represented. An open invitation was extended to the meeting, but there were no takers. It was agreed to put an article in the next Newsletter.
Council Planning Officer – It was agreed after some discussion, that there was some merit in appointing a Council Planning Officer, as there could be many varied and complex issues to deal with. BK agreed initially to accept this responsibility
Correspondence – AC indicated that there would be a correspondence folder with reading material etc, that would be circulated to all council members. Each member should keep for 2 days maximum, sign off, and pass to the next recipient.
Community Council Forum – A meeting was due to be held on Friday, 06 December. AM agreed to attend and report back.

AP8/3 BM

AP9/3 AC

AP10/3 AM

11. DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS

The dates for the next meetings are as follows:

7.30 p.m., Thursday, 23 January 2003.

7.30 p.m., Thursday, 20 February 2003.

7.30 p.m., Thursday, 20 March 2003.

All meetings to be held at the Craighalbert Christian Fellowship Church