Community Council Minutes 21/11/2002

Mosque – 5 Craigmarloch Council members attended the Hearing at the Motherwell Civic Centre on 12 November. MM presented the views of the Community Council in a very professional and persuasive manner. Gordon Murray also spoke vociferously against planning permission being granted, but the vote was 16 for and 4 against. Only members of the NLC Planning and Environmental Committee (35 members in all), are allowed to vote. Due to the fact that the proposed development is a "significant departure" from the adopted local plan, then the matter has to be referred to the Scottish Ministers for final decision. Anyone wishing to make further representations for or against, should do so by 10 December 2002. The address is;

New School – The new school is due to open on 6 January 2003, and the Head Teacher has just been appointed. The lollipop ladies from the village, are to transfer to the new school, but it is unclear as to what traffic management arrangements, including speed limits are to be implemented. Sergeant Bird (SB), agreed to contact his traffic management department to seek clarification not only on this issue, but also on current and anticipated congestion problems on the Eastfied Road. The school catchment area was also discussed, and as it appeared that zoning arrangements were unfair, (RC children in same street going to different schools perhaps), AC agreed to write to NLC for clarification, and also to establish what school facilities would be available to the community.
A80 Upgrade / Traffic Congestion – Discussion took place about the horrendous traffic problems that would ensue, if / when the A80 would be upgraded, and the effects especially on Eastfield Rd. It was unclear to the Council as to what the up to date position was, and what options would be open to us. Gordon Murray agreed to photocopy historic information re the A80 and send same to the secretary, in order that we can seek the views of the people, and a way forward.
Radio Masts – It was felt that we had probably missed the boat with regards to the siting of the mast in the golf course, and no further action was envisaged at this time
87 Houses Development – Objection has been raised to this development, with possibility of a site visit and hearing if it was felt necessary. A number of safety issues have been raised with the NLC, by Gordon Murray, with no response to date.
Post Box – AC has written to Royal Mail, requesting a new post box in the vicinity of Glen Dochart / Glen Clova near the pond.
Bus Shelter – AC to write requesting the erection of a bus shelter at the bus stop adjacent to the pond
Factoring – No discussion took place on this topic. It would be resurrected in the next spring.
Unfinished Roads – Many roads in the area are in an unfinished and sometimes dangerous state as they are still under the control of the developer and not the NLC Roads Dept. AC will write to attempt to establish which are which.
Neighbourhood Watch – Although there was not much time to discuss this at the meeting, Sergeant Bird advised us of the benefits of setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. He also gave us the contact details for the 2 bicycle, community policemen, Willie Samson, and Shad Scott, 01236 503919 It was decided to discuss the matter further at next meeting.
Litterbins / Doggiebins – There was no time to discuss – carried forward to next meeting

AGENDA ITEM AND CONTENT	ACTION POINTS
1. INTRODUCTIONS The meeting start time was delayed until 8.00 p.m., as it was felt there was some confusion as to whether people may have been under the impression that the start time was similar to the previous meetings. BK, Vice Chair opened the meeting, and chaired proceedings in lieu of MM, who was down south on other business. Introductions were made by all, and welcome extended to our invited guests
2. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING Copies of the minutes of the last meeting, were available to all meeting attendees. The minutes were accepted as being an accurate account of the meeting, nominated by AC, seconded by MC The action points from last meeting are as follows; AP1/1 Constitution – signed copy returned to NLC - discharged AP2/1 Co-opted members – Steven Crawford and Chris Kay welcomed to the Council, a nominee awaited from Craighalbert Church, no response yet from Tesco – ongoing AC AP3/1 Elected representatives – letters sent to all by AC, in relation to the Mosque. No response from Barry McCulloch, Gordon Murray against permission being granted for the specific site, Cathy Craigie believes it is Local Council business and Rosemary McKenna in favour of permission being granted – discharged. AP4/1 Barry McCulloch –visited by AM at his surgery. He believes Mosque is more relevant to Gordon Murray as it is in his patch. - discharged AP5/1 Meeting in AM’s house – attended by all - discharged AP6/1 Council Bank Account – account being set up with Barclays Bank, but not finalised as yet – ongoing JT. AP7/1 Start up grant – IB contacted Margaret Shankland, (I/L Tom Gaffney), of NLC re this, who advised that she would need written confirmation from the secretary, (not minute secretary) of the office bearers, prior to this being arranged. (AC has since written to her). She was unable to indicate at the time what we would receive. JT agreed to pursue – ongoing JT. AP8/1 Newsletter – not quite finished but AC advises that should be within next week – ongoing AC. AP9/1 NLC Local Plan – no copy available from NLC, but copy acquired from Gordon Murray – discharged. AP10/1 Community Council Boundary – AC distributed map, to clarify that the school was out-with the Community Council boundary – discharged. AP11/1 Cumbernauld News – article, and District Diary entry piece provided by AM – discharged. AP12/1 Working in Partnership Conference – places not taken up due to being on the same day as the Mosque hearing – discharged. AP13/1 Planning and Environment Conference – to take place on 23 November – ongoing BK/MM/JT. AP14/1 Community Police – Sergeant Bird attended this meeting – discharged
3. TREASURERS REPORT There was not much to report, other than that the NLC Grant was still awaited. There should be more info by next meeting.
4. ISSUES ARISING Mosque – 5 Craigmarloch Council members attended the Hearing at the Motherwell Civic Centre on 12 November. MM presented the views of the Community Council in a very professional and persuasive manner. Gordon Murray also spoke vociferously against planning permission being granted, but the vote was 16 for and 4 against. Only members of the NLC Planning and Environmental Committee (35 members in all), are allowed to vote. Due to the fact that the proposed development is a "significant departure" from the adopted local plan, then the matter has to be referred to the Scottish Ministers for final decision. Anyone wishing to make further representations for or against, should do so by 10 December 2002. The address is; The Secretary Scottish Executive Development Department Victoria Quay Edinburgh EH1 3DG Planning Application No: N/02/00883/FUL After a detailed discussion of events and correspondence to date on the matter, it was decided, after a vote, that the secretary should write formally opposing the application New School – The new school is due to open on 6 January 2003, and the Head Teacher has just been appointed. The lollipop ladies from the village, are to transfer to the new school, but it is unclear as to what traffic management arrangements, including speed limits are to be implemented. Sergeant Bird (SB), agreed to contact his traffic management department to seek clarification not only on this issue, but also on current and anticipated congestion problems on the Eastfied Road. The school catchment area was also discussed, and as it appeared that zoning arrangements were unfair, (RC children in same street going to different schools perhaps), AC agreed to write to NLC for clarification, and also to establish what school facilities would be available to the community. A80 Upgrade / Traffic Congestion – Discussion took place about the horrendous traffic problems that would ensue, if / when the A80 would be upgraded, and the effects especially on Eastfield Rd. It was unclear to the Council as to what the up to date position was, and what options would be open to us. Gordon Murray agreed to photocopy historic information re the A80 and send same to the secretary, in order that we can seek the views of the people, and a way forward. Radio Masts – It was felt that we had probably missed the boat with regards to the siting of the mast in the golf course, and no further action was envisaged at this time 87 Houses Development – Objection has been raised to this development, with possibility of a site visit and hearing if it was felt necessary. A number of safety issues have been raised with the NLC, by Gordon Murray, with no response to date. Post Box – AC has written to Royal Mail, requesting a new post box in the vicinity of Glen Dochart / Glen Clova near the pond. Bus Shelter – AC to write requesting the erection of a bus shelter at the bus stop adjacent to the pond Factoring – No discussion took place on this topic. It would be resurrected in the next spring. Unfinished Roads – Many roads in the area are in an unfinished and sometimes dangerous state as they are still under the control of the developer and not the NLC Roads Dept. AC will write to attempt to establish which are which. Neighbourhood Watch – Although there was not much time to discuss this at the meeting, Sergeant Bird advised us of the benefits of setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. He also gave us the contact details for the 2 bicycle, community policemen, Willie Samson, and Shad Scott, 01236 503919 It was decided to discuss the matter further at next meeting. Litterbins / Doggiebins – There was no time to discuss – carried forward to next meeting	AP1/2 AC AP2/2 SB AP3/2 AC AP4/2 GM AP5/2 AC AP6/2 AC
5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Invitation to Planning Audit - AM agreed to attend this on 26 November, in Airdrie Town Hall, and report back. Auchinbee Farm House – Planning Permission is being sought for the second time to convert this listed building into a nursery. Other residents concerns in Glen Lochy, Glen Rosa, include traffic increase, lack of traffic calming etc. AC to write letter of objection to NLC Path at Craigmarloch Lodge – As there was not a proper footpath adjoining the carpark at the lodge, AC offered to contact the proprietors, to see if they would consider having one laid.	AP7/2 AM AP8/2 AC AP9/2 AC
5. DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS To note that the meeting start time is 7.30 p.m. and not 8.00 p.m. 7.30 p.m., Thursday, 05 December 2002. 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