August 26th 2010 Minutes
Johnstone Community Council
Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Johnstone Community Council held on Thursday 26 08 10 at 7.00pm in Johnstone Town Hall.
Present
Robert Campbell, Stewart Clark, Elizabeth Cosgrove, Wilma Dean, Chris Gilmour, David Higginson, Pamela Higginson, George Kennedy, Dennis Lavery, and Valerie Reilly.
Also in attendance:-
Councillors (Ward 7) – John Caldwell, Iain McMillan.
(Ward 8) –Bruce McFee.
Adam and Jeanette Lynch of Johnstone History Society and eight members of the public.
1. Apologies
Rosalyn Gilmour, Gladys Marchbank, Isabella Wishart, David Arthur, Neil Bibby and John Hood.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Proposed by David Higginson
Seconded by Dennis Lavery
3. Presentation to Johnstone History Museum.
George Kennedy welcomed Adam and Jeanette Lynch explaining how they had worked hard at setting up and running the Museum at the Morrisons store. GK added that history is made every day and that the data stick that was being given along with the digital photo frame contained a record of Johnstone over the last year or so. Chris Gilmour made the formal presentation and a group photograph was taken to record the event.
Adam Lynch responded saying that the gift was astounding and was the first formal recognition of the History Museum – apart, that is, from the 19,000 visitors over two and a half years! The volunteers staffing the museum get asked all sorts of questions – and the visitors expect them to know all the answers! It has been a steep learning curve and now all the volunteers will be trained to use the digital photo frame which is greatly appreciated and will be well used.
4. Matters Arising
4.1 Playparks
GK reported that he had submitted an application for funding for the refurbishment of Shanks Park to the Airport Flightpath Fund. The sum of £20,000 has been requested and bids to other funders will be prepared once the result of this bid is known.
Elizabeth Cosgrove enquired as to the whereabouts of the fencing removed from the Corseford playpark as it could be useful in Spateston. She was told it was currently in store and could be made available.
A question was raised as to why Brodie Park had received money from the Council and Shanks Park hadn’t? Councillor McFee replied that it was money channelled through the LAC and that in Johnstone similar money had been directed to the Spateston project which had some matching funding. He added that the LAC had set aside £10,000 to provide seed money for five future projects.
EC asked whether horses could be kept out of parks. Cl McF responded that they shouldn’t be in parks for safety reasons. Cl McMillan added that this matter had been reported before and that the stables had been written to.
4.2 Bandstand and Regeneration Project
GK reported that the project is progressing, the new floor is in place, the surrounding paving is progressing well and work has started on the electrics and lighting.
There has been a request for a quote for a portable sound system as part of this project. This will be kept safe along with the weather screens at some suitable place – perhaps Johnstone Town Hall.
Completion of the project is expected in about 4 weeks.
Members of the public have missed the Saturday music this summer and have been enquiring about it – we have raised expectations.
Renfrewshire Council will be asked about an official re-opening.
5. Treasurer’s Report
DH reported that funds stood at £9,442.54, although about £5,000 was due to the Youth Club.
6. Planning Report
DL reported that he had received a letter from Planning Aid, thanking us for our donation and giving information on courses and events.
DL reported that he had received notice of Traffic orders relating to the setting up of illuminating speed restriction signs and ‘School – Keep Clear’ to be painted on the roads at Fordbank and Thorn Primaries. Cl McF added that the 20mph limits, which were previously voluntary, are now being made statutory.
A question was raised about a planning application relating to the establishment of a children’s home at Nether Johnstone.
There was a long discussion about the process of involvement with such applications which included examples of previous experiences. Cl McF warned that the Council can only work within the legislation and that they cannot discriminate against applicants who hold Care Commission licences.
7. Secretary’s Report
GK reported that the Review of Community Councils is not expected to be complete until Jan. 2010 which means an A.G.M. is required in October. Traditionally this is the meeting where Office Bearers stand down and some members leave the C.C.
It was suggested that, if possible, if members agree to remain until at least
the Jan. meeting when it is anticipated that all C.C.s will disband and reform following elections.
GK tabled a copy of R.C.’s Chief Executive’s service pledge which is well meaning but not yet working. All other Depts. have similar pledges and can be viewed on the Council website.
GK reported that he had emailed requests to be consulted on the Sports Hub on both 9th June and 6th August. Having received no reply to either enquiry he contacted the C.E.s secretary on Tuesday 24th August.
He received an apology from the Head of Planning and Community Services,
but it referred only to one email. It invited the CC to a meeting at 6pm on Monday 21st September in Johnstone High School and also offered a CC-only meeting if we wished. Cl McF suggested that we should make a formal complaint on two issues: that the email had been passed on correctly by the C.E. but that he should have ensured that it was replied to and also on the non-consultation since the LAC had made it clear that the JCC should be consulted.
GK reported on a meeting on 18th August with Mark Brotherton and Fiona Watson of C.L.A.D. regarding the provision of youth services in town centre. This should lead to continuing liaison. Mark Brotherton is prepared to train young people who could then put something back into the community. Cl McF reported that there was to be a further rollout of ‘diversionary’ activities which would be for three nights a week, moving around the areas of the town.
A town centre walkabout was held on 18th Aug. GK and Robert Campbell met with Environmental Services Officer William Gamble. They discussed the ongoing list from 22nd. April 2010 – some things have been attended to but the future of outstanding matters is unclear due to the financial situation.
The town centre information board which was first reported on 14th. Feb. 2008 has now been renewed. Thanks were recorded to Scott Allan.
Despite signs in the Au Naturale/Ethel Austin window it is not closing down. The shop will be closed for a couple of days in September for refurbishment when the Ethel Austin half will be rebranded ‘Life and Style’. Also on the High Street, St Vincent’s Hospice is to open a furniture-only in the former dry-cleaners shop.
8. AOCB
DL reported that building work has commenced on the shed at the recycling plant. Other problems are being noted including plagues of flies and the heavy traffic on unsuitable roads. There was also a possible fire risk which needs to be assessed. Cl McF suggested catching fly samples in order that they can be checked to see what source they are coming from.
EC asked what the end product of all the domestic recycling is, as she felt it would encourage people to recycle if they knew what the result was. Cl McF responded that this was a point well raised and that there was also a good point about needing more informative leaflets about what can and can’t be recycled.
The policy of charging for replacement wheelie bins was questioned. It was suggested that in certain cases Councillors may be able to obtain second-hand bins for their constituents.
Cl McF reported that stickers for the ‘No-Callers’ Initiative have been produced but the flyers were still awaited.
It was noted that that the Union Jack was stolen from Houston Square on Wallace Day. It will be replaced. Saltires screwed to trees for the Wallace celebrations ought to be removed in the interests of the trees.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00pm.
The next meeting will be held at Johnstone Town Hall on Thursday 30th September 2010, at 7.00pm.