Community Council Meeting Minutes 2004

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 9 MARCH 2004

PRESENT

Bill David, Grace Weir, Gordon Weir, Louise McClements, Betty McArthur, Nick Walker, Craig Crawford, David McKie, Ken Macdonald, Rosee Macdonald, Andrew Wilson.

IN ATTENDANCE

John Everett (RC Roads), Eddie Syme (RC Roads), PC Tracy Knox-McLean, PC Graham Barclay, Cllr Alastair Nimmo, Jeannette Fraser, Norma Walker, Edith McGlynn and two other residents.

APOLOGIES

Robert Scarsbrook, Christine Scarsbrook, Millar Leon, Danny McAlister, Amish Amin, Linda Smith, Norma David, David Bottomley.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The Minutes of the 10.02.2004 meeting were accepted (prop. Craig Crawford, sec. Gordon Weir). There were no matters arising.

POLICE REPORT

• Crime figures for February : 2 vandalism, 1 housebreaking, 1 road traffic offence. One detection.
• New dog fouling notices have been posted around Howwood, and on 17.03.2004, the Dog Warden will be in the village with the Police. Persons will have an opportunity to pick up the pooh before being charged.

ROADS DEPARTMENT

Eddie Syme, Assistant Principal Officer (Roads), Renfrewshire Council, gave an outline of his duties stating that he frequently visited the local communities inspecting the roads and and pavements, keeping safety to the fore. the level of complaints can influence Council road-working priorities. His main concerns at present in Howwood are:

• Midton Road surface, especially near the Hospice;
• Pavements along Midton Road from Kilnknowe Cottages, but costs prohibit work being carried out in 2004-5;
• Junction of Midton and Bowfield Roads;
• Main Street / Beith Road from Railway Inn to A737 bypass junction is to be resurfaced in 2004-5;
• Elliston Road / Place will be resurfaced in 2004-5 also.

John Everett, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, stated he was responsible for signs and lines on the road, again with safety as the primary focus. For Midton Road by Kilnknowe Cottages, the Council proposal is to install a “gateway barrier” which gives the impression of narrowing and makes traffic slow down. The high part of Bowfield Road, towards Greenacres, will be repainted and restudded during 2004-5. The 20 mph advisory signs for Schools’ Travel Plan will be extended. John wants feedback on giveway signs and new signs for safety within the Community. Roads in and around the village are inspected on a regular basis.

Discussion followed on the speed through the village on all routes and visibility at the junction of Hill and Bowfield Roads.

The A737 junction is a Scottish Executive responsibility managed by Amey Highways, and the CC was advised to pursue both Amey and the Executive about this.

ENVIRONMENT

Garden waste recycling bins may not now be provided for Howwood. It will depend on further funding being available to Renfrewshire Council.

The Howwood Spring Clean takes place on Saturday 3 (10.30 am and 2.00 pm) and Sunday 4 (2.00 pm only) April 2004. There will be a prize for the best litter collectors (under and over 18). Fliers will be distributed throughout Howwood and the cleanup will ne advertised in the local paper.

WEB SITE & VILLAGE INFORMATION

David McKie had again removed graffiti from the web site. Broadband registrations have increased to 261. The village flier will again encourage registration. The new Notice Board will be erected during March.

WORKING GROUPS

Scottish Evening

Bill David thanked all who helped. Fifty-five people attended and there have been three letters of thanks. One person has requested the food be served a little earlier in future.

Planning

The Main Street site has now been sold, subject to development, and a planning application is expected soon. There are no current applications for CC consideration.

Village Design Plan

The next meeting will be Wednesday 07.04.2004 at 7.00 pm to develop the key items in the plan for Howwood.

COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Village Hall

Dry rot has been found in the hall and will be treated before the hall is repainted.

MEMBERSHIP

Bill David welcomed Louise McClements on to the Community Council and advised that there is still one vacancy.

CORRESPONDENCE

Howwood Playground Project has written to thank the CC for last month’s donation.

FETE

The Village Fête and Dance will take place on Saturday 19 June 2004. It was agreed the dance should have a live ceilidh band, and a joint bar with another village group should be considered to reduce the workload for the CC.

Three working groups were established to feedback to the next CC meeting:

• Venue - Nick Walker and Craig Crawford;
• Attractions and Activities - Bill David, Louise McClements, Grace Weir, Andrew Wilson, David Bottomley and Robert Scarsbrook;
• Raffle Prizes - Brian Young and Andrew Wilson.

Further working groups may be established to sort out food and drink, and the dance itself.

OTHER BUSINESS

Bill David stood down as Chairman and passed on the role to Vice Chair Nick Walker. On behalf of the whole CC, Craig Crawford thanked Bill for his long and hard work. Nominations are required for a replacement vice chair.

NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 13 April 2004 at 7.30 pm in Howwood Village Hall.

Thereafter the following Tuesdays: 11 May and 8 June 2004.

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