October 29th 2009 AGM Minutes
Johnstone Community Council
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Johnstone Community Council held on Thursday 29th October 2009 at 6.30pm in Johnstone Town Hall.
Present
Robert Campbell, Stewart Clark, Elizabeth Cosgrove, Chris Gilmour, David Higginson, Pamela Higginson, George Kennedy, Dennis Lavery, Gladys Marchbank, Ian McNaught, Valerie Reilly and Isabella Wishart.
Also in attendance:-
Councillors (Ward 7) – John Caldwell, John Hood, Tracie McGee, Iain McMillan.
(Ward 8) – Bruce McFee.
Anne McNaughton (Renfrewshire Council)
23 observers.
1. Apologies
Wilma Dean, Hugh Thomson, Rosalyn Gilmour, Ewan Finlay and Clrs David Arthur and Neil Bibby.
2. Minutes
As this was the first AGM of the reconstituted Johnstone Community Council, there were no previous minutes.
3. Chairman’s Report Chris Gilmour gave a long list of achievements and projects that JCC had been involved in during the first year. These have included:-
Asking Renfrewshire Council to advertise and to hold an election to reform JCC.
Holding an inaugural meeting and electing Office Bearers.
Liaising with the LAC. and the police to commence shop radio scheme.
Meeting with Weans World to discuss starting a youth club.
Liaising with CLAD to continue use of the youth bus and mobile football field.
Meeting with the Paisley Partnership to prepare a funding bid.
The Johnstone Band playing in the bandstand.
Visit to West Johnstone Campus to see their youth work in progress.
Contact with Morrison’s Supermarket to arrange bagpacking sessions and a donation.
Meeting to help with Flowerbed Project at Johnstone Rail Station.
Production of an assessment of how the Tesco Superstore might affect Johnstone businesses.
A detailed report with reference to the shortage of proper public toilets and sign posting in Johnstone Town Centre.
Help from Community Service Offenders Management to clean up at
Morrison’s and at the High Church before Remembrance Day Parade.
Poppy Wreath and donation.
Meeting with Environmental Services (walkabout)
Inaugural meeting with Roads Dept.
Start of Youth Club for 10-12 year olds with the majority of the funding from Johnstone and the Villages LAC, as well as from the Community Police and Johnstone Rotary Club. Three local businessmen also contributed equipment or services.
The launch of our community Council Website.
Assistance given to Thorn Primary’s Eco Project.
Meeting with Cllr. McFee, Clad, police and Assist to continue youth services.
Talk at Johnstone Elderly Forum.
Meeting with Early Years Forum over disclosures.
Meeting with the police and Assist over ASBO actions at closed toilets.
Meeting with Public Health Inspectorate about pigeon fouling.
Telephone contact with Health &Safety Inspectorate over lamp posts with exposed wiring.
Meeting with Graffiti Squad supervisor.
Continuance meetings with Roads and Environmental Services.
Flower beds emptied and re-filled and quality plants supplied.
Bandstand meeting leading to temporary repairs.
Contact with Town Hall management about outstanding repairs.
Contact with Housing and Lighting to resolve problems.
ASCC meeting at Paisley Town Hall.
Preparation for Summer Music in bandstand.
Participation at the Johnstone Festival.
Discussion with Elderslie Church over possible youth club funding.
Successful bag pack at Morrison’s.
Liaison with The Volunteer Centre.
St. Vincent’s Hospice Fete.
Meetings at Elderslie and Johnstone to discuss swimming pools proposals.
Community Council meetings moved to Town Hall.
Regular calls from local and national press to discuss Johnstone News and events.
Many meetings now to discuss roads and environmental services issues.
Liaison with Community Police and Warden Services.
The allocation of £250,000 Town Centre Regeneration Money to be used for:-
i) The cleaning of Johnstone’s War Memorial.
ii) The refurbishing Johnstone’s Bandstand.
iii) The replacement of Johnstone’s festive lights.
The project to reinstate the Shanks Park play areas.
The start of a 5-9 year old club at Weans World.
Continuing bids for youth club funding to continue and expand our activities.
A bid for funding to continue our bandstand performances where many young artistes got there first chance on a public stage.
The upgrade of the arcade and town hall car park drainage system and liaison with Rosemount Properties to improve canopies and lighting.
Involvement in the review of the Scheme of Community Councils.
Youth Bus and football now run by Buddies Football staff.
The Johnstone Band 175th anniversary dinner.
CG concluded by thanking everyone at the CC table, Anne McNaughton, the Renfrewshire Council Co-ordinator and the seven Renfrewshire Councillors.
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4. Treasurer’s Report
David Higginson stated that his report covered the period from November 2008 when monies were first received from Renfrewshire Council, to the end of August 2009. The figures have been audited by two independant auditors.
Total Income for the year was £14,914.13 and expenditure has been £10,321.21 (including 27p in tax) leaving a balance of cash-in-hand and at the bank of £4,592.92.
5. Secretary’s Report George Kennedy began by saying that there was no doubt the JCC had had a very successful first year. But we could not have achieved this without a lot of help as well as some amazing good luck and fortunate timing.
Things could not have happened without our combined efforts, so thanks to all our councillors and to Anne McNaughton, Senior Committee Services Co-ordinator, who has been our advisor and mentor over this last year.
After a slow start, and with some critical staff changes, Renfrewshire Council has really proved to be listening and in partnership with us. Close co-operation with the council - from the Chief Executive, the Directors, departmental heads through to employees at all levels - has been achieved,
sometimes following dogged determination and never accepting the word no!
There is still work to be done here but that is for next year. Thank you Renfrewshire Council for this year.
Much was achieved in liaison with our seven Renfrewshire Councillors who opened doors to us providing the necessary experience and clout when we failed to sway others.
Without their help there would be no Youth Club; no Police/shop radio link; no new festive lights; and no money for the bandstand or cleaning our War memorial. So thanks to our elected members and to the LAC. Neither should we forget our Scottish Government for their tremendous funding for our projects.
During the year we have established close links with our Community Police. We owe them our gratitude and our admiration for their hard work in keeping Johnstone Town safe.
A very special thanks to Elizabeth and Jamie Speirs, owners of Weans World who made the youth club project such a success.
My final comment is by way of a look forward, in the hope that we can add to our strength with new members to help make next year a success too.
6. Elections
At this point the CC stood down and Anne McNaughton took over the Chair. She congratulated JCC on their first year in action.
She then invited nominations for the office bearers’ positions.
Chairperson.
Chris Gilmour was nominated by Gladys Marchbank and seconded by Dennis Lavery.
Treasurer
David Higginson was nominated by Chris Gilmour and seconded by George Kennedy.
Secretary
George Kennedy was nominated by Robert Campbell and seconded by Elizabeth Cosgrove.
There being no other nominations all three office bearers were returned unopposed and Anne McNaughton handed the meeting back to Chris Gilmour
There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.00pm.