HOWWOOD COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 12 MARCH 2013
PRESENT
Robert Scarsbrook (Chair), Bill David (Secretary), Norma David, Jackie Mackenzie, Ninuk Smith, Dawn Michael, Willie Shaw, Margaret Shaw, Billy Caldwell,
IN ATTENDANCE
Cllr Iain McMillan, Cllr John Caldwell, Bill Binks, Joe Graham, Miller Leon, John Stevenson, Russell Campbell, Peter Carroll, Elizabeth Carroll, Freda Kennett, David Alexander, Alan Newton
APOLOGIES
Cllr John Hood, Cllr Stephen McGee, Christine Scarsbrook, Douglas Paxton (Treasurer), Sarah Killens, Linda Smith (Vice Chair),
1. PREVIOUS MINUTES (12 February 2013)
Adopted
Proposed Bill David and seconded Norma David
2. POLICE REPORT
Constable J Montgomery in attendance.
Total number of crime reports for the period (01/01/13 to 12/03/13) - 6
· 3 detections – 2 common assaults and 1 breach of bail
· 3 Non detections / enquiries continuing – 1 housebreaking with intent to steal, 1 vandalism & 1 theft
R Scarsbrook asked if there is an official response time for response to a complaint and was advised that individual circumstances invite different response times, senior members of force respond to complaints about police and recommendation from W Shaw to ask for duty inspector. General discussion around crimes then followed.
3. MATTERS ARISING
· Community Plan – Relaxed deadline for response to February 25th. No further comments raised so original response to stand.
4. HOWWOOD BROADBAND ACCESS
· B David advised that Johnstone to get upgrade to up to 80 mbs via fibre optics. Johnstone already have much better access than Howwood where we are about up to 4.5 mbs. BT advise no plan to upgrade our service in next 5 years. Douglas Alexander has been written to as we are 18 times slower than national average. Letter has been acknowledged but no response as yet. B David has asked us to be vigilant re any press reports or other information about broadband in our area and to report to him.
5. COMMUNITY EVENTS
· Pensioner’s Evening - R Scarsbrook, Chair, wished to minute his thanks to organisation committee and helpers for their efforts in arranging another successful pensioner’s evening which appeared to be enjoyed by all. Cllr J Caldwell also said well done and that he really appreciated the evening.
· Village Clean Up – Arranged for weekend of 13th and 14th April with 2 sessions each day from 10:00 to 12:00 and then14:00 to 16:00.Sunday 14th may be cancelled depending on success of Saturday. Floor raised issue with littering on road to Bowfield.
· School 50th Celebrations – B David will visit school as L Smith not yet been able to attend
· Easter Egg Hunt – L Poole has reported to B David that organisation in progress.
6. HEART
· Next meeting 19/03/13, Howwood Inn. B David has applied to Scottish Office for funding with biggest area for spend being for storage. Hope to get small container in village hall carpark to store tools and other items required. Anyone wishing to volunteer to help is very welcome.
7. INFORMATION/WEB
· Next newsletter due early June. Any submissions to C Scarsbrook by 18/05/13
· Email received from Jamie at Fisheyes to say last of updates to site now made. C Scarsbrook planning to keep Jamie updated monthly to allow website to remain up to date.
8. PLANNING AND LICENCING
· Public Entertainment Licences – changes to legislation mean we are not exempt so events like the windband concert, fete, St. Andrews night may need a licence costing up to £800. R Scarsbrook recommended setting up a working group to examine the legislation. Working group volunteers are R Scarsbrook, B David, D Paxton and J Graham. Cllr I McMillan confirmed that he would also like to be involved in this. The new legislation is in force from 03/06/13. R Scarsbrook to advise windband that June concert on hold until we investigate further. J Graham recommended that we put update in local press advising concert not proceeding due to cost of entertainment licence and Cllr I McMillan recommended writing to Sandra Black at Renfrewshire Council.
· Cllr I McMillan advised that Dawn Housing have obtained planning permission for site at Fordbank. R Scarsbrook advised that he had heard school catchment area for this site to be Howwood primary. Cllr McMillan confirmed that he would check this.
9. COUNCILLORS’ ISSUES
· Cllr McMillan advised that Council Budget is £430m and hope to spend £5.7m in total for roads over next few years with some of this to be spent on roads around Howwood. He advised that budget has been cut overall. Council hope to undertake more early intervention work so possibly more for Social Work and Schools. Extra staff have been required to deal with housing benefit changes. Free school meals have been removed from some schools with it being made income based again to increase spend for other areas. There will also be around a 4.5% increase in rents. Cllr McMillan advised he would keep us updated if any other impact for Howwood.
· Cllr McMillan has had a preview of the new sports centre at Linwood and advised that it is a superb facility.
· General discussion around road lines, signage and speed limits on local roads.
10. CORRESPONDENCE - Full details available from Bill David
· Scheme for Community Gardens
· Various street trader licence applications
· Funding available from Clydesdale Bank for local groups. B David will review further.
· Renfrewshire Council have advised that Statement of Licensing Policy is reviewed by 31/03/13.
11. AOCB
· N Smith, D Michael, M Shaw, W Shaw all give apologies for next meeting.
· Streetlight issues in centre of village raised and Cllr McMillan kindly agreed to investigate.
· B Binks gave information on Consultative Committee for Glasgow Airport and advised that funds may be available for local groups upon application. B David requested information to be sent to him for consideration.
· C Stewart, Bowfield Hotel advised that Bowfield would be happy to help with village events such as fete.
NEXT MEETING
· 8th April 2013 @ 7.30pm in Howwood Village Hall.
· Thereafter: Regular monthly meetings 2nd Tuesday every month from Tuesday 14th May 2013 @ 7.30pm in Howwood Village Hall
Contact Details / Renfrewshire Council ContactsAircraft Noise Telephone line / 0141 848 4644
(answer machine) / The standard business hours are Monday – Thursday 8.45am – 4.45pm, and Friday 8.45am – 3.55pm. Please note times may vary within specific services; therefore please check with the service you require before travelling avoiding disappointment.
The Switchboard telephone number is 0141 842 5000
Same address for all below with different postcode:
Renfrewshire House
Cotton Street
Paisley
Antisocial Behaviour
Help Line / 0800 169 1283
Warden Services
(Dog Fouling, Graffiti etc) / 0141 889 3499
Glasgow Wind Band,
R & C Scarsbrook / 01505 704083
Fly Tipping / 0845 230 4090
Minicoach Tours /
Police / 01505 404000
Renfrewshire Council / 0141 842 5000
www.renfrewshire.gov.uk / Chief Executive
Chief Executive – David Martin
Postcode: PA1 1WB
Phone: 0141 840 3601
fax: 0141 840 3349 / Education and Leisure Services
Director of Education and Leisure Services – Robert Naylor
Postcode: PA1 1LE
Phone: 0141 842 5663
fax: 0141 842 5655
R.C. Roads email address /
Roads & Lighting Faults / 0141 842 4466 (M-F)
0141 889 2314
Scottish Water Contact / 0141 355 5187
Secretary, Bill David (Howwood Community Council) / / Finance and Corporate Services
Director of Finance and Corporate Services – Sandra Black
Postcode: PA1 1JB
Phone: 0141 842 5051
fax: 0141 842 5055 / Environmental Services
Director of Environmental Services
– Shona I MacDougall
Postcode: PA1 1UG
Phone: 0141 840 3106
fax: 0141 842 1179
Village Web Site / www.howwood.com
Youth Nuisance Help Line / 01505 325030
Housing and Property Services
Director of Housing and Property Services – Mary Crearie
Postcode: PA1 1JD
Phone: 0141 842 5616
fax: 0141 842 5552 / Planning and Transport
Director of Planning and Transport – Bob Darracott
Postcode: PA1 1LL
Phone: 0141 842 5811 / 5822
fax: 0141 842 5040
Social Work
Director of Social Work – Peter MacLeod
Postcode: PA1 1TZ
Phone: 0141 842 5957
fax: 0141 842 5144
Howwood Community Council Minutes 12.02.13 Page 3 of 3