Minutes of the February 2020 Meeting of Beith and District Community Council Held in Gateside Village Hall on Tuesday the 11th February 2020 at 7:30pm.
In Attendance: Helen McNaughton HMcN Chair Beith & District Community Council James Waite JW Vice Chair Beith & District Community Council Janet Barr JB Beith & District Community Council Brian Smith BS Beith & District Community Council Bridget Johnstone BJ Beith & District Community Council Ian Johnstone IJ Beith & District Community Council Ted Nevill TN Beith & District Community Council Christina Pieracini CP Locality Officer NAC Cllr Donald L Reid Cllr DR Ward 7 Cllr Anthea Dickson Cllr AD Ward 7 Sgt Dennis Marshall Sgt DM Police Scotland
There was also five members of the public present Actions
1. The Chair welcomed all to this meeting in Gateside.
Apologies:
Alastair Redpath AR Beith & District Community Council
2. Resignation:
The Chair announced the resignation of Jim Murdoch as member of the council & treasurer; she expressed her appreciation of his work & the contribution he had made to the success of the council.
The council now had two vacancies so was looking for people willing to take on the roles of treasurer and secretary. In addition a volunteer to act as minute taker would be welcome.
3. Minutes of the previous meeting:
Approved: JW Seconded: BS
4. Matters Arising:
JB gave update on Knowes Residents meeting held on 20.02.20 JW confirmed Youth group meeting to be held on 25.02.20 at Geilsland with YMBB; Beith trust; NAC
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Youth Team and police.
5. Police Update:
The Chair welcomed Sgt Dennis Marshall who has taken over from Sgt Joe Murdoch. Sgt Dennis Marshall gave an overview of the monthly crime figures. Data collected between 11/1/20 & 11/2/20: calls to police - 119 (prior year 174, last month 145) with 21 crime reports raised. Calls included 13 x Priority 1 & 2, 2 x Missing Persons & 9 x Concern for Person. They covered Drug Dealing & Drug Misuse x 1, Violence & Antisocial Behaviou x 17, Dishonesty – Thefts including House breaking x 5, Road safety/Road Crime x 17. The monthly reported crimes: Theft x 5 (detected – 0), Vandalism x 5 (0), Assault x 2 (1), Breach of the Peace x 2 (2).
Gateside Speeding:
Following the Police Update there was a discussion about the issue of speeding vehicles going through Gateside. After an earlier consultation the current chicanes were put in place but vehicles still drive through with excess speed. This is a particular problem during commuting times & at the times when school pupils are dropped off & collected. Speeds are faster when quieter. NAC had advised that repositioning the chicanes was not possible. Discussion followed about options including cameras & speed bumps. The Chair agreed to email Councillor Todd Ferguson to express the support of the Community Council in the Gateside community’s search for a solution. HM Sgt Marshall suggested the police could approach local commercial vehicle operators if provided with a list. HM,
Sgt DM 6. Planning Applications:
Nothing of note.
7. Treasurers Report:
Current balances: Admin - £350 & Projects - £1235.
8. Calendar of Events:
VE Day 8-10 May 2020:
Legacy funding of £1,000 confirmed. Street Party meeting in Community Centre: SSAFA emailed welcome. Chair to write to Beith Golf Club requesting permission to use overflow car park on 8 May. HM Chair to complete and submit Procession Orders to NAC & police for 8 May. HM
Litter Pick 18 April 2020:
Canoe Club litter pick will be Sunday 29 March 20 @ 10:00 Prize for best poster was offered by Jolly Beggars. JW
Food Forum 27 February 2020, Saltcoats Town Hall @ 17:45: Ian Johnston to attend IJ
Lochshore Development Group 20 February 20, Garnock Rugby Club @ 19:00: Helen McNaughton HM, TN & Ted Nevill to attend.
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9. General Correspondence:
Gateside Traffic Calming Measures, Helen Craig – received (see discussion above)
Committee Skills Training – shared with members
Baillie Gifford Grant Funding – shared with members
Scottish Community Council, national Planning Framework – shared with members
Democracy Matters – newsletter shared
Loanhead Quarry Planning Application – response by John Dobbie to planning approval received
10. A.O.C.B. /Open to the Floor
Skate Park Group:
James Waite reported progress: taken on board by the Playpark Action Group; supported by Dalry & Kilbirnie Community Councils; estimated cost of £80,000; plan to visit other skate parks; if Lottery funding sought will require match funding to show community support.
Citizen of the Year:
The meeting was reminded this was still open. There was discussion as to whether a person nominated should have their permission requested – without resolution!
Locality Partnership:
James Waite highlighted actions by NAC: Community Wealth Building, North Ayrshire Council is set to become the first in Scotland to adopt a ‘Community Wealth Building’ approach to economic development. It is a radical and bold approach which will see the Council – along with other established institutions - use the economic levers available to them in order to create a more resilient local economy, with more diverse businesses, to create more well-paid jobs for local people The Council is currently working on its Community Wealth Building Strategy which will inform the direction taken over the coming months and years. See: https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/Documents/Consul/Community-Wealth-Building.pdf
There was a vacancy for a second member from Beith & District: Trish Wallace volunteered.
Litter:
Brian Smith commented on the disgraceful amount of litter on road verges. Discussion followed. The layby on the A737 outside Beith past Roebank Road was particularly bad. It was pointed out that responsibility lay with NAC for trunk roads (A737) and not Transport Scotland. It was agreed the feelings of the meeting would be passed onto the council via email. BS
11. With no further business, the meeting was closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.
The next meeting will take place in the Beith Community Centre Lounge on Tuesday 10th March 2020 @ 19:00.
Ted Nevill In Lieu of Secretary
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