Community Council Meeting Minutes 2002

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 18 JUNE 2002

PRESENT

Nick Walker, David McKie, Gordon Weir, Grace Weir, Robert Scarsbrook, Craig Crawford, Rosee Macdonald, Brian Young, Bill David, Norma David, Andrew Wilson, Linda Smith, David Bottomley.

IN ATTENDANCE

Amish Amin, Stuart Russell (Strathclyde Police).

APOLOGIES

Ken Macdonald.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the 14.5.2002 meeting were accepted (prop. Robert Scarsbrook, sec. Norma David).

POLICE REPORT

For May, 9 crimes reported and 4 detected.

Evelyn Currie has resigned as Howwood CC representative on the local Police Liaison Committee. Anyone wishing to take her place should volunteer by the next CC meeting (September) when this will be discussed again.

MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES

The previous meeting was mistakenly informed that the CC had joined The Association of Scottish Community Councils and received a limited public liability insurance for a small supplementary fee. These fees have not yet been paid. Therefore fête week insurance was purchased separately as in the past, but premiums have increased markedly.

FETE & JUBILEE CELEBRATION

Overall the Fête week was a success for the CC; almost £1500 were raised! The Fête itself, the raffle and the Dance were the major contributors to this profit and were well attended. Other events such as the Bowling Club quiz night and the Darts & Dominoes were poorly attended. The History talk had a reasonable audience and feedback was very positive. As in previous years, there was less help at events than was expected and a long discussion aired numerous issues around CC members’ involvement in fête events, involvement of the wider community, the form of future fête weeks, etc. It was agreed that a working group would be set up in autumn to plan for 2003 and to look at ways of enhancing input from across the village.

RECYCLING

Councillor Nimmo passed on his concerns about vandalism of recycling facilities. However Margaret Haggerty, the Hall-keeper, suggested an area adjacent to the Lesser Hall and to the car park could be paved and fenced to provide a secure site for recycling bins. This would require funding. The CC was uncertain how successful a recycling point would be, but would like information from Cllr Nimmo and Renfrewshire Council on the feasibility of providing a secure site. The preferred option is to have door-to-door collection as is being piloted in parts of Renfrewshire. The Area Waste Plan Draft was released for consultation on 17.6.2002, and the CC should receive a copy. This may include plans to role out door-to-door collection. To be discussed again once further information obtained.

ROADS

During Fête week, road repairs began and two new drains are being added at the triangle. Bowfield Road “traffic calming” on the route to school continues to be a safety hazard to both vehicles and pedestrians in the view of many CC members and requires further negotiation with the Roads Department. CC to write again to Roads Dept and Cllr Nimmo on the issues of safety, visibility and recent difficulties with Bowfield Road and request a meeting.

Alex Hewetson’s response to our request for a Roads Dept representative to attend the CC resulted in a request from the Director of Roads, Ian Hamilton, to have an identified CC link person for roads issues. David McKie agreed to take this role and he should be the point of contact about road problems for Howwood.

The new barrier on the Station Road pavement approaching the railway bridge causes concern by narrowing the pavement and posing a safety risk with numerous sharp edges and corners. CC to write noting concern.

WATER

Scottish Water contacted again after May meeting of CC, and they have responded that they will inform us during July when they will be able to attend a CC meeting.

WEB SITE & IT ISSUES

David McKie received 2 replies to his questionnaire on the web site. The following was agreed at the meeting: CC to “own” the site, but as a whole village site, and a disclaimer to state that views are not necessarily those of the CC. David will coordinate but clear guidance will be needed such as contributions accepted only in electronic form. CC minutes and membership (with telephone numbers where the CC member consents) will be included. A single e-mail address for CC messages would be included and could be redirected to the Secretary. The decision of the May CC meeting to agree an independently provided domain name at an annual cost of approximately £50.00 was restated. Favoured domain name: www.Howwood.com.

COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

In Cllr Nimmo’s absence, no report.

CORRESPONDENCE (as per list attached to agenda)

Community Councils’ Forum

The first formal meeting will be on 27.6.2002, but no one was able to attend. The draft constitution and suggested £10.00 affiliation fee are to be discussed. Agreed to write supporting both fee and constitution, and apologising for non-attendance while restating that CC wishes to remain in contact with the Forum. Again anyone interested in being HCC representative please let Bill David or Brian Young know.

CC Administrative Grant

Cheque received from Renfrewshire Council for £186.00 which is less than in recent years, whereas we expected an increase following CC reorganisation. CC to write to Alex Hewetson requesting explanation of grant.

SSPCA Fireworks Consultation

Seeking information on complaints about fireworks primarily. CC agreed that fireworks were increasing nuisance. Andrew Wilson to respond on CC’s behalf.

Playgroup

Concerned about reduction in willing helpers; not felt to be within CC remit, but the Playgroups Association may assist and advise.

Paisley Law Centre

Request for interested individuals to sit on committee; not felt to be within CC remit.

AOCB

Pensioners’ Lunch Group

Some equipment has been vandalised during the Sports and Hobbies Group. Funding may be sought from CC for replacements. They have been advised to write to CC with formal request for funding.

Suggestion Box

One anonymous item concerning overgrown plants in Beith Road / Main Street near Kirk. CC to pass on concern to Renfrewshire Council.

Newsletter

In run up to Fête, this was allowed to lapse and with many groups, etc. in recess over the summer, it was agreed to delay the newsletter until the early autumn.

Membership

After the May CC meeting, Bill David discussed attendance with Alan Sinclair who had missed 6 consecutive meetings. In view of his absence at this meeting, CC to write restating terms of earlier discussion and the Constitutional requirement for committed attendance, to indicate that his seat will be forfeit if he fails to attend the next CC meeting.

CC currently has one vacancy, and it was agreed that Christine Scarsbrook (who stood down to avert a election in December 2001) should be offered the seat before offering more widely.

NEXT MEETINGS

TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2002, 7.30 pm, Howwood Village Hall.

PLEASE CONSIDER NEW MAJOR ISSUES TO BE ADDED TO THE MAIN AGENDA.

THEN THE FOLLOWING TUESDAYS: 01 October, 12 November & 10 December.

PLEASE NOTE THAT 01 OCTOBER 2002 WILL BE OUR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING!

NPW/19.06.2002.
Appr. WD 2807.

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