Howwood Community Council s3
HOWWOOD COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2015
PRESENT
Linda Smith (Chair), Millar Leon (Vice Chair), Bill David (Secretary), Norma David, Jackie Mackenzie, Gordon Weir, Willie Shaw, Robert Scarsbrook, Brenda Whitelaw, Bill Binks, Calum Storrie, Laura Storrie, Teresa London, Helen Murray, Chloe Phillips, Fergus Phillips, Andrew Beattie
IN ATTENDANCE
Cllr Iain McMillan, Cllr John Caldwell, Cllr Andy Doig
APOLOGIES
Cllr John Hood, Douglas Paxton (Treasurer), Joe Graham, Dawn Michael,
1. PREVIOUS MINUTES (13/10/15)
Adopted – Proposed Bill David, Seconded Norma David.
2. POLICE REPORT
Sgt Alan Mack in attendance.
3 reported crimes:
· 1 theft from a motor vehicle
· 1 theft of a transit van
· 1 serious assault
· Sgt Mack advised that a suspicious person had been seen hanging around the transit van a few days before it was stolen.
· Various incidents including dumping of fish on A737, drunks outside Railway Inn, domestic disputes, speeding related issues.
· Sgt Mack advised that the police had an unmarked car in our village recording traffic speed and number of vehicles using Main Street/Beith Road. They found that the mean speed was 31mph (but he suspected that drivers were tipping each other off which may have impacted on this survey.) The top speed recorded was 51mph and number of vehicles counted in a 24 hour period was 2588. The police were surprised at the volume of traffic through our village, have taken note of this survey and will take further steps to monitor speed through our village going forward.
3. MATTERS ARISING
· No items
4. COMMUNITY EVENTS
· Remembrance Sunday – Many thanks to Father Sean, Jennifer Boag, Howwood Rangers, Guides & Brownies and Alexis.
· Xmas light switch on Friday 4 December, 18:45 for 19:00 switch on. We will have buckets to help collect funds for more Xmas lights and Santa’s helpers will be there to help with queues to see Santa. Calum and Millar volunteered to join the Xmas light working group
· Pensioners Scottish Evening 5 March 2016, village hall has been booked. Teresa, Helen, Linda and Bill D volunteered for the Scottish Evening working group.
· Village clean up set for weekend 16/17 April, Fergus and Willie volunteered for the working group.
· We agreed that we would re-establish the format of our meetings and invite Drew McNab, Renfrewshire Council Environment/Roads department to attend. We have also been advised of someone who specialises in grant funding application making and will invite her to one of the meetings to help both us and village groups plan applications. Linda and Bill will plan the calendar.
· Village newsletter is ready for delivery and Calum Storrie volunteered to become editor of the newsletter.
· Broadband upgrade for remaining areas of Howwood – Cllr Doig will help us make contact with our MP to arrange a meeting with her to take matters forward. Cllr McMillan has been liaising with Renfrewshire Council who are also in touch with the Scottish Government and BT. Cllr McMillan advised that he is in discussions on a weekly basis. Teresa advised that she had contacted BT who advised that faster broadband is available but not superfast.
· Speedwatch – covered under police section.
· Local Organisations – hoping we will regular contact with them will be established once our meeting calendar is arranged.
· New acting head teacher at Howwood Primary, Alan Shields, is keen to encourage local community involvement.
· Village Defibrillator will cost £8 a year to maintain and we are looking for a suitable location. Heartstart courses are available 25 November Lochwinnoch Masonic Lodge, Bill took names of people wishing to attend.
5. HEART
· There were only 2 attendees at last meeting. Bill reiterated the aim of the group was to help our village in times of hardship. Next meeting 24 November, Railway Inn, 19:30.
6. ENVIRONMENT & ROADS
· Collapsed drain, Midton Road, concerns were raised that Renfrewshire Council repairs to this drain meant that it was now draining onto the Rhombus Garden, which is privately owned land. Cllr McMillan agreed to investigate.
· Calum raised the Mayfield Drive drain beside the electricity substation which has sewage coming out of it at times of heavy rain fall. Cllr McMillan advised that he would check with Renfrewshire Council.
· Gordon raised concern about the parking and traffic issues that might occur when the new café in the village opens. Helen commented that she sees a lot off issues with this road during school peak traffic times and suggested looking at one way traffic in this area. Cllr McMillan recommended that as the Change of Use planning application was still being processed we should raise these concerns directly with planning department quickly.
· Teresa raised issues with clearance of leaves in our village. Cllr McMillan advises that Council Services were under pressure and the Council were doing their best with their given resources.
7. INFORMATION/WEB
· No updates
8. PLANNING / LICENSING
· Midton Road planning application has been passed with conditions. Cllr McMillan had asked for the application to go before a committee and be heard in public but his request had been ignored. Cllr McMillan is very disappointed and has raised the issue direct with the Head of Renfrewshire Council.
9. COUNCILLORS’ ISSUES
Cllr Iain McMillan advised:
· Houses at the old St Cuthbert School site ready to commence, there will possibly be access onto Beith Road.
· He was pleased that Police have picked up the speeding issues.
· New Spateston shops are due to open in a week’s time.
· He has written re the flooding problem at Johnstone High School. He is hoping once the funds are received for the sale of the St Cuthberts site that there may be some money available to get some of the road issues fixed.
Cllr Andy Doig advised:
· He is concerned about overdevelopment in West Renfrewshire villages and that this is an issue he is keeping an eye on.
10. CORRESPONDENCE – Full details available from Bill David
· Anonymous letter given to Bill tonight about spending on the village hall. Unanimous vote agreed that we could not take forward as no name given.
· Howwood Playgroup looking for financial assistance to survive. Agreed we would help as longstanding village group and that we would discuss with our Treasurer to see the extent of assistance we might be able to help with such as funding rent of church hall for a number of months.
· Howwood Youth Club has had its Council grant cut and is looking for funds to help organise Xmas trips. We agreed to seek more information around the extent of their own fundraising activities to help themselves before reaching a decision.
· We agreed to renew our licence under the Gambling Act as we may require this if we wish to re-establish the fete and set up raffles etc.
· Review of the Scottish Planning system in Glasgow 17/11/15
· Paisley is launching a bid to be City of Culture 2021.
· Bowling Club have agreed in principle to let us hold an event after the Xmas lights switch on 7:30 to 9:00
· Latest edition of Flightpath is now available.
· Andrew works for the Red Cross and advised that they would be able to provide a display vehicle for our Fete day if re-established.
· Bill Binks mentioned that funding is available through Flightpath, from small sums up to £20K.
· Street Stuff is back at the Primary School every Monday for 4-5 weeks with events for village children from P5 upwards.
11. AOCB
· No items raised
NEXT MEETING
· Tuesday 8 December 2015 @ 7.30pm in Howwood Village Hall.
· Thereafter: Regular monthly meetings 2nd Tuesday every month.
Contact DetailsAircraft Noise Telephone line / 0141 848 4644
(answer machine)
Warden Services
(Dog Fouling, Graffiti etc) / 0300 300 0380
Glasgow Wind Band,
R Scarsbrook / 01505 704083
Fly Tipping / 0141 842 4448
Minicoach Tours /
0Police / 01505 404000
Renfrewshire Council / 0300 300 0300
www.renfrewshire.gov.uk
R.C. Roads email address /
Roads & Lighting Faults / 0300 300 0300
Scottish Water Contact / 0645 601 8855
0845 600 8855 (EMERGENCY)
Secretary, Bill David (Howwood Community Council) /
Village Web Site / www.howwood.com
Youth Nuisance Help Line / 01505 325030
Howwood Community Council Minutes 10/11/15 Page 2 of 3