December 13th 2012 Minutes
Johnstone Community Council
Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Johnstone Community Council held on Thursday 13th December 2012 at 7.00pm in Johnstone Town Hall.
Present
Members: Robert Bowater, Robert Campbell, Elizabeth Forrest, Malcolm Hill, George Kennedy, Dennis Lavery and Valerie Reilly.
Associate members: Brian Cairns
Also in attendance:-
Councillors (Ward 7) – John Caldwell, John Hood, Iain MacMillan.
(Ward 8) – Derek Bibby, Christopher Gilmour.
Council officials Maria Corrigan, Eric Gilday and Jeanette Love on behalf of the Wardens’ Service.
Six members of the public were also present.
1. Apologies
Stewart Clark, Elizabeth Cosgrove, Wilma Dean, David Higginson, Pamela Higginson and Margery Parker.
Clr Andy Doig.
2. Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and agreed.
Proposed by Robert Campbell
Seconded by Robert Bowater
3. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
4. Welcome
Dennis Lavery welcomed Brian Cairns, a new associate member, to the Johnstone Community Council.
5. Discussion on dog fouling and dog control measures
George Kennedy outlined the many complaints he had received from Johnstone residents on the issue of dog fouling and also a letter from JCC to Renfrewshire Council Chief Executive David Martin, expressing the hope that the upcoming refurbishment of Ludovic Square would make it a place for the people of Johnstone to enjoy, as well as being a compliment to the new Civic Hub. He expressed the opinion that dogs should be kept on the lead much more than is currently the case and noted that while the Council has responsibility for keeping the streets clean, this was currently only being done on an eight-week cycle.
DL handed the meeting over to Maria Corrigan.
MC reported that she had looked at the issue of dog fouling in Johnstone about two years previously and found a state of apathy in some areas. She noted that Wardens show zero tolerance on dog fouling and that tickets were issued and strongly followed up. However, the Wardens have to have evidence of failure to pick up and owners will pick up if they see Wardens around.
A campaign of education was required, coupled with strong enforcement to break the apathy. It is important to stress the message that wrapped dog mess can be deposited in any bin – not just designated dog waste bins.
Hot spots for dog fouling were determined on the basis of public complaints but that, generally, town centres were not showing up as hot spots.
If the Wardens are informed of the addresses of offenders, letters will be sent to whole blocks/streets reminding residents of their responsibilities.
She concluded by asking if it would be a good idea to bring an awareness campaign into Johnstone town centre?
GK pointed out that the problem goes beyond the town centre and wondered if something could be done to flag up instances of dog mess to prevent members of the public from walking through them.
MC replied that patrols were very active and that when they spot instance of dog fouling they will alert the clean-up squads.
Clr Hood pointed out that during an awareness campaign in Cochrane Castle signs were pulled down twice within hours of being put up.
Jeanette Love pointed out that the Wardens’ shifts end at 10pm and that therefore often the last dog walk of an evening is unwatched.
GK said that we need to get phone numbers out to the public so that instances can be reported. He would be willing to put Day-Glo stickers on dog mess piles or perhaps we should follow some other councils that have taken to spraying dog mess with bright food dye to make it more visible. It was time to go further than just signs.
MC pointed out that there is already a reporting system that can be used by phone, online or by email, and that placing stickers in the streets would be considered to be littering.
GK regarded this as nonsense in the face of what was an accepted health hazard.
Clr Gilmour noted the frustration of the people of Johnstone, and the need to educate about the unacceptability of dog fouling. The ideas of stickers or food dye have merit and should perhaps be looked at.
Clr MacMillan added that the problem is difficult to deal with and that irresponsible owners should be stigmatised. MC’s offer of a campaign should be accepted as they have worked in the past in his area. He also agreed that the food dye idea might be possible.
GK said that we would be happy to accept a campaign, but that he would hate to end this meeting without moving forward.
Margaret Lavery pointed out that everyone has to agree that we should not put up with dog fouling, but that some people do not like to ‘clype’. She added that the streets should be swept more frequently.
Clr Bibby noted that the Wardens had done a lot of work, but that it was clear that there were a significant number of dog owners who just didn’t care. He thought that there should be a pilot scheme in a particular area doing both education and enforcement, with perhaps some ‘undercover’ wardens, to see what works.
Bert Campbell reported that his experience with the Wardens’ Service had been disappointing. He had informed the Wardens of the identity of an offender, but they seemed unable to catch him.
MC noted that if they had an address, they could send a warning letter directly.
From the public seats Danny McKay asked how many Wardens there were in Johnstone each day.
MC relied that it varied according to operational issues.
DMcK thought it was about time the Council started employing more people as there were not enough Wardens on the streets.
DL brought the discussion to a conclusion by saying that realistically the Council’s money was probably too limited for that, but that members of the public should take responsibility for reporting dog fouling because if it wasn’t reported the Council couldn’t deal with it. He thanked the Wardens for attending.
MC replied that it would be useful to have ideas on an area to concentrate on and that she would be in contact with proposals for an initiative.
6. Planning Report
Valerie Reilly reported on a meeting of the Civic Hub consultation group she had attended where issues raised by residents had been satisfactorily addressed.
Several of the Councillors noted that the official way of referring to the new building was to be the ‘Town Hall’ from now on.
An open meeting had also been held in the old Town Hall which had interacted directly with members of the public.
7. Treasurer’s Report
In the absence of the Treasurer, GK reported that JCC had been granted £984 for administrative costs and that, after a deduction of £79.50 for insurance, had received the balance of £904.50.
The bank balance currently stood at £5363.82. Of this £2,000 was the LAC grant for the youth group and approximately another £900 was to go to music in the Bandstand.
8. Secretary’s Report
GK Thanked DL for laying the wreath at the Remembrance Day ceremony, which had been well attended.
Refuse and recycling information regarding the Christmas season was circulated.
GK reported on a meeting with the Herald and Times Group who were wishing to use Johnstone as a pilot area for creating a ‘communication stream’ – an online service accessible by phone and computer. They will launch the initiative in conjunction with various organisations.
BC added that this will be a kind of Facebook for the town. A great idea, but it remains to be seen whether it will be used.
DL asked what would the Herald and Times Group get out of this.
BC replied that there would be little at first, but that further down the line they may introduce some financial implications.
GK reported that JCC had registered with the Information Commissioners’ Office and paid the registration fee. He designated himself the ‘facts controller’!
9. Sub-Group Reports
Roads
An email from Clr Doig had asked for suggestions of four roads in each Council Ward that should be considered as priorities for repairs.
It was recorded that here had been positive comments on the repairs done in some areas of the town.
GK asked what provisions had been made for other than main roads in the event of adverse weather events. In particular was there a timescale for built up areas to be made safe?
Clr G agreed to get the plan and timetabling information and forward it to JCC. GK noted that there should be some consideration to clearing just thin trails – two parallel trails for cars – rather than trying to clear entire areas, as this had worked well in his own street.
Environmental
GK reported that collapsed brick walls on the Kilbarchan Road shrub beds had now been repaired. DL commented that perhaps the number of beds should be reduced, thereby reducing maintenance costs.
It was noted that this was not what the residents in the street were in favour of.
GK reported that the work to grass over shrub beds in Ludovic Square should get rid of the rat problem.
Clr G noted that Russell McCutcheon had put a lot of work and thought into this work and had managed to save some £7,000
BC reported that the machines had damaged the steps to the drinking fountain, but that no rats had been seen recently.
Play Park & Youth Issues.
GK reported that the £40,000 we had gained should finish the work at Thomas Shanks Park by the end of the financial year.
The work with the youth groups was funded until the end of March. Problems with one of the buildings had reduced the capacity to take children. There was a need to review future plans and assure future funding before we could consider building up numbers again.
10. AOCB
GK reported that he had attended the LAC meeting on 14th November and that anyone wishing details could contact him.
GK reported that RW had attended the Renfrewshire Community Council Forum meeting on 19th November, but that there had not been much result from it as a promised insurance report on alternative quotes had not appeared and a programmed talk by Environmental Services had been cancelled. It was therefore suggested that JCC representatives would only attend future meetings when the agenda contained items of relevance to Johnstone. There were no objections to this.
DL distributed leaflets about a Mary’s Meals Backpack project.
DL reported that he had seen Network Rail doing some work on the ramp leading to the Ayrshire-bound platform at Johnstone Station, but that it now seems to have ceased once more.
Clr MacM said that he would contact the company again for an update.
Clr H noted that he had seen some work being done after midnight.
ML asked if there was any way that the High Parish Church could get grit to ease the problems of congregation members getting from the Church to the Church Halls. They had been told that a grit bin would cost the Church £1,000.
Clr G noted that there had been an idea floated to decant small amounts of grit around Renfrewshire as a test scheme.
GK said that there used to be a grit bin at the corner of the Church Wall on Quarry Street and could that possibly be reinstated?
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.30pm.
The next meeting will be held at Cochrane Castle Community Centre on Thursday 14th February 2013 at 7.00pm.