May 27th 2010 Minutes

Johnstone Community Council

Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Johnstone Community Council held on Thursday 27th May 2010 at 6.30pm in Johnstone Town Hall.

Present

Elizabeth Cosgrove, Chris Gilmour, David Higginson, Pamela Higginson, George Kennedy, Dennis Lavery, Gladys Marchbank, Ian McNaught, and Valerie Reilly.

Also in attendance:-

Councillors (Ward 7) –John Hood.

(Ward 8) –Bruce McFee.

Douglas Wheeler and Sandra Crichton.

A reporter from the Gazette.

Seven members of the public.

1. Apologies

Robert Campbell, Stewart Clark, Wilma Dean, Ewan Finlay, Rosalyn Gilmour, Rachel Gould and Isabella Wishart.

Apologies were also received from Councillors McGee, McMillan and Caldwell.

2. Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Proposed by Gladys Marchbank.

Seconded by Dennis Lavery.

3. Presentation from Douglas Wheeler Associates.

Douglas Wheeler began by asking who had attended the drop-in consultation session – a few of those present indicated that they had.

DW explained that his company had been commissioned in December 2009 as part of the Building Better Communities initiative. He was looking at opportunities for new investment, ways to make Johnstone a civic hub and improving the appearance of the town centre.

He had undertaken an analysis of the historic structure of the town which had revealed the grid structure and some very fine Victorian buildings. The retail function of the town was seen to be mainly in the convenience/food sector with quite a strong independent group of retailers such as the fishmonger and butchers.

Interviews had been conducted with 12 local businesses which between them employed 70 full-time and more than 100 part-time workers and served both local clients and those from the wider region of villages to the west.

Eight of the businesses had been established for more than 18 years.

The businesses indicated that they wanted to expand.

DW also held workshops with High School pupils to get the younger people’s views.

Certain negative factors to Johnstone had emerged. These included:-

· Unattractive ‘gateways’ to the town centre

· The Precinct and Town Hall not being perceived as attractive or welcoming

· Anti-social behaviour

· Lack of youth facilities

· More encouragement needed for business start-up and growth

· Limited choice of shops

· Parking needing to be better organised

It emerged that the town needs to

· Build on its existing street character

· Show stronger civic functions in the form of meeting, shopping, living and events.

· Encourage local entertainment

· Be more pedestrian friendly and encourage more cycling and walking

The strategy will concentrate on three strands

1. Transforming the Core

Two major options are to be put forward. Option 1 proposes a new building to tackle the Town Hall, Library and Swimming Pool site which will maximise the open feel of the town centre. It should feature large meeting rooms a library/cafe and a youth drop-in centre around an atrium space.

Option 2 would be to retain and refurbish the present Town Hall and develop just the pool site.

2. Place mending

This would include making the centre pedestrian friendly; redeveloping underused sites along the cycleway; renewal of shop fronts and the establishment of a business centre to encourage business start-ups.

3. Effective Marketing

This might include a ‘shop local’ scheme to encourage local independent retailers; developing an evening/night economy around the restaurants and cafes – which would include tackling safety issues; promoting events in Houston Square including farmers/continental markets and music events and the establishment of a local businesses’ group.

The drop-in event had catered for more than 100 visitors in six hours – 51 had completed questionnaires. Option 1 for 'Transforming the Core' had been the overwhelming preference for those attending.

DW then invited questions/comments.

CG Raised points that he felt needed discussion – would the number of parking spaces be retained; the problem of the private ownership of the precinct; was it intended to pedestrianise the High Street and did a Civic Hub

Mean consolidation of services?

DW replied that parking could be addressed by decking the parking area by the high flats.

The private landlord of the precinct was an issue, but it was hoped that investment in the town would encourage improvement.

It was not intended to pedestrianise the High Street but to introduce wider pavements and different surfaces. (Some comment suggested that those present felt that a proper traffic flow through the town needed to be tackled first).

The Civic Hub was intended to be a sophisticated mixture of uses with organisations like the Job Centre and Social Work depts. Keen to become involved.

George Kennedy commented that he felt neither option would work. Extra housing was being mooted with no parking provision for them. The town centre would lose out badly during the building phase when facilities were unavailable. New facilities must be amenities for the people of Johnstone - not Council employees. Sound proofing was critical if buildings were to have mixed uses.

Dennis Lavery felt that the new developments should not include living spaces as they might be bought as ‘buy to let’ properties with the tenants having no commitment. Recent developments in the town meant that there was no great need in the town for more housing. The empty shop units should be filled first. Parking is a serious issue. Builders of a decked park would charge meaning that many would search for ‘free’ spaces on the streets – increasing rather than reducing congestion. He asked where the money for such developments would come from?

DW replied that those who bought into the vision would hopefully take long leases, thus providing forward funding.

Cl McFee thanked DW for his presentation and asked a number of questions including whether the parking space proposal was neutral; whether the retail footprint would be bigger, smaller, more varied; was the inclusion of a housing element intended to raise money and was Option 1 or 2 more attractive funding-wise?

DW replied that parking was indeed neutral, the retail footprint probably needs to shrink, the housing element was more intended to bring people into the town and on Funding Option 1 was forward fundable with long leases.

DL asked was there any idea of costs?

DW replied that he was just starting to get costs together and that they would appear in the final report to the Council.

Cl Hood asked if there had been any investigation on loss of business from Johnstone because of competition from outside the town

DW replied that to survive independents needed to compliment the services of the large retailers and that Tesco Linwood would compete with Asda, Morrisons and the Co-op rather than the smaller retailers.

GK asked when the report would be complete?

DW said it would be ready in about 5-6 weeks.

GK then offered to compile any thoughts or comments from groups or individuals and pass them on to DW

Ian McNaught commented that Option 1 is probably closest to what is required and could well help to improve the town’s social problems.

Elizabeth Cosgrove asked if the plan included public toilet provision.

DW replied that the option to include them is there.

Margaret Lavery from the audience commented that she was concerned about the timescale and that it should not be taken as a given that the Pool will go. She also asserted that there will be problems associated with bringing the Social Work Dept into the town centre – this would deter people – not bring them in.

4. Fairtrade Presentation by Sandra Crichton.

SC stated that her ambition was to see Johnstone become a Fairtrade town since the scheme is about guaranteeing a fair price to the producers of goods.

16 years ago when the scheme began there were 3 Fairtrade producers – now there are 4,500. Even big companies are getting on board – all Tate and Lyle sugar is now FT as is Cadbury’s production of Dairy Milk. FT is important in such fields as coffee, the Colombian flower trade and rice.

Five steps need to be taken

The first – Local Authority support is already in place.

Second – make sure a range of FT produce is available in local shops and cafes.

Third – encourage local businesses to use FT products.

Fourth – attract media coverage.

Fifth – Set up a steering group to oversee the process

Thorn primary and Johnstone High are already very interested – we need to get the other schools on board.

All local businesses should be leafleted and then followed up with a visit.

All local churches and organisations need to be leafleted.

The town would then need a launch event.

Cl McF asked if any of the churches were interested.

SC replied that the High Church is already working towards it.

CG commented that JCC supports FT in principle.

Cl McF asked what were the next practical steps?

SC said to get in touch with her.

GK asked if the FT organisation would be attending Johnstone Festival? SC confirmed that there would be a FT stall.

5. Matters Arising

5.1 Playparks

CG reported that after two on-site visits, work to remove play equipment from Corseford would take place on Monday 7th June and that volunteers to help would be welcomed.

5.2 Bandstand and Regeneration Project

GK reported that Landscapes and Contracts Ltd had been appointed and would be keeping him updated with progress. A report was tabled detailing the work to be done. Work has started on the bandstand and is due to be completed by the middle to end of August. GM asked whether there was any provision for community advertising? GK replied that perhaps the largely redundant Houston Square Infoboard could be revamped for this?

Elizabeth Cosgrove commented that after the discussions with the Roads Dept at the April meeting she had been under the impression that action was imminent. The toby she reported covered in tar is still in the same state and there does not seem to be much concerted action going on.

Chris Gilmour reported that his meeting with the Dept on 26th May should progress matters.

Cl McF reported on the question of the Bins in Houston Square. Shona McDougall has agreed that their positioning is not the best and has agreed to them being moved. Hopefully they can be resited somewhere close by. It was agreed that Cl McF, CG and GK would do a site visit at the end of the meeting.

6. Treasurer’s Report

David Higginson reported that JCC held the sum of £12,398.43 in the bank – but cautioned that some £10,000 of that was due to be paid out to the Youth Club. He also noted that he now had internet access to enable him to check the balance.

7. Secretary’s Report

GK reported on a meeting he had attended at Corseford on 26th May with Scott Allan, Selby Cochrane, Iain McMillan Gladys Marchbank and Chris Gilmour to discuss the condition of roads and possible patching. This had been a step forward.

ML commented that she hoped that the Council weren’t just listening to JCC but would also listen to the T & R’s Assocs.

GK tabled a letter received from ML About a clarification of the March minutes. He noted that the letter had been circulated to JCC members and that he stood by the fact as stated in the minutes.

He went on to comment that while JCC stands by its original decision to fight the closure of the Pool, it would serve no purpose to keep going over old ground. However, we should keep our eyes open for other opportunities – we now have to keep in touch with the Council to tell them what we require from the new pool.

Cl McF agreed and suggested that JCC should take the initiative and submit its views sooner rather than later.

IMcN cautioned that JCC must be clear about its position when submitting such views. He went on to pose the question as to whether a community enterprise group could take over and run the Johnstone Pool building? This, he stressed, was a very premature idea that needs a lot of research and it would take a number of people to commit themselves on a regular basis.

DL commented that the Yorkshire town of Settle had a pool that the community had built and run themselves.

IMcN wondered whether a community pool could be marketed for other uses, thereby increasing its income.

CG Added that we need to brainstorm ideas and come up with a business plan. Might it even be possible to demolish and build a new pool. At the same time JCC needs to get the best possible deal at the High School for the people of Johnstone by submitting ideas to GK.

Cl McF agreed to establish whether such a plan would be acceptable in principle.

A show of hands established that about half a dozen people would be willing to get together as a steering group to work on the proposal.

8. AOCB

CG noted that Johnstone Festival would take place on the following Saturday and invited all to come along to Shanks Park from 12.30-4.30pm

CG asked whether JCC meeting hours should be reviewed. Several of those present expressed their difficulties of getting there for the current start time of 6.30pm. It was therefore agreed that, as from the June meeting, the timing would be 7-9pm.

Cl McF reported that with £140m to invest in housing in Renfrewshire, the Council had been looking long and hard at whether there were certain categories of property where further investment would not be cost effective. In Johnstone it had been established that Craigdonald Place fell into this category. It was therefore likely to be demolished and that the Council would look for a social landlord to build new housing.

DL commented on the problems of bad tenants ruining housing areas.

Cl McF replied that legislation prevented the Council taking such measures as probationary tenancies, but proposals had been made to establish blocks with caretakers for elderly tenants only.

It was noted that there had been a proposal for outdoor exercise equipment to be sited in Shanks Park and would this be used?

Cl McF replied that this proposal had not been particularly well supported and would probably not go ahead.

The question of horses using the public parks was raised. Cl McF replied that they shouldn’t be.

Another point of concern raised was the plastic waste at William Street as last summer it had attracted swarms of flies.

Cl McF replied that if it occurred again it should be reported to Environmental Services.

Cl McF reported that since JCC’s success in having the War Memorial refurbished last year, veterans elsewhere had asked about other memorials. As a result, four more memorials will be worked on before Remembrance Sunday 2010. Snagging work on the Johnstone Memorial will also be completed before November.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00pm.

The next meeting will be held at Johnstone Town Hall on Thursday 24th June 2010.

PLEASE NOTE THE NEW START TIME OF 7PM.