Minutes of Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge Community Council Meeting on

Tuesday 22nd March2016 in the Burgh Halls at 7.30pm.

Present: Chair Martin Crook (MC), John Kelly (JK), Aileen Boyle (AB),Ian Kelly (IK), Ron Smith (RS), VerenaThrop (VT), Lyn Aitken (LA), Mike Vickers (MV), Scott Oliver (SO), Councillor Tom Kerr (TK), Councillor David Tait (DT), Councillor Tom Conn, Police Scotland – Andrew Murray and Neil Drummond, Pamela Barnes (PB)) and Paul Coupor (WLC) and 2 members of the public

Apologies: Fiona Low (FL), Fraser Falconer (FF)

Declarations of interest. For the Communications update – SO advised that he is on the production team for the Black Bitch magazine. Pamela Barnes advised that she is a member of Transition Linlithgow.

(1) Minutes of previous meeting on 23rd February 2016. These were approved and proposed by SO and seconded by RS.

(2)Actions from previous meetings not covered elsewhere on the agenda

Number / Owner / Action detail / Current status
05/005 / AB / Discussions about the governance of the sub-groups to be carried forward to September meeting. AB to check completion of governance form from all sub-groups and engage where there are any gaps. / March update – meeting has taken place - see full details in Advent Fayre update below. MC to organise a new template for the new group.
09/002 / MC / Contact WLC about any activity on traffic regulation orders or reviews of the High Street / March Update–As single yellow lines are being abused so regularly – put forward a motion for double yellow lines.
12/003 / TK / Overflowing bins at Sainsbury’s - TK queried whether WLC empty the bins. TK to investigate responsibility of WLC re this / March 16 – TK advised that Sainsburys’ are now responsible for the bins. Action to be closed unless further complaints are received about the bins.
16/01, 02 and 03 / MC & FLD / Advent Fayre / March 16 update–see separate update below. This existing action will be closed.
1601/05 / IK / Groups to indicate funding requirements for 2016/2016 / To be discussed at March meeting. This was discussed and some funding agreed at the meeting however all to provide suggestions to IK by 31st March 2016.
1602/01 / MV / MV to handover webmaster role to SO. SO to pursue contacts at the Gazette / This action has been completed. See Communications update on page 3.
1602/02 / JK / JK to ascertain progress on The Town Seal. / JK advised that the artist has a number of commissions to complete therefore the activity on the seal is still progressing. Clarification has been requested on potential timings however in the meantime LLBCC has been advised that we can use the seal.

(3) Spotlight Sessions

(A) Better Bus Services in Linlithgow. Pamela Barnes attended the meeting and talked through a report that had been circulated earlier to attendees – this generated a good discussion which covered a number of aspects. There is concern about the reduction in the L1 Bus Service. It has been recommended that a more strategic view is taken and this would involve a survey. Derek Holden is a resident of Linlithgow and is also a Transport Consultant and has offered to undertake this survey at a reasonable cost. Funding is being requested from the 3 Councillors, Transition Linlithgow and LLBCC. Funding is being supported by Councillor Tait and Transition Linlithgow however there is a request for funding from LLBCC. Councillor Kerr has recommended extending the E31 and discussions with the bus company are continuing tomorrow. It was also noted that there is a challenge for the community to easily find out bus times. RS advised that the frequency of buses is important.

MC advised that a Transport working group should be formed within LLBCC. He advised that Pamela Barnes is keen to become an Associate member of LLBCC and to progress this issue. JK suggested applying for a ‘Special Project Grant’ for West Lothian Council to support the cost of the survey – Action 1603/001. It as noted that the issue of transport and air quality must be viewed together.

(B) Air Quality Management – Linlithgow - Paul Couper from West Lothian Council advised that the air quality on Linlithgow High Street is regularly monitored by 6 different sites. If the readings breach the standard annual mean – then an Air Quality Management plan has to be introduced. This is now required for the High Street. Paul asked for opinion on whether the boundary zone should align with the local development plan. The meeting agreed that the zone for the Air Quality Management should be the boundary zone in the local development plan. It was noted that Linlithgow High Street has the 13th highest pollution zone in Scotland. Paul advised that a steering group and feedback/measures will now be formed and action planning will begin. Interventions could be considered. A member of the public noted thatwe should have a Local Active Travel plan and also that St John’s Road –Corstorphine had an Air Quality Management area in place and improvements were noted. Paul has offered to revert back to LLBCC with an update.

(4) Working Group Updates

Planning

JK advised that Clarendon application, which has been rejected before, has been re-applied for again and the application looks identical to the previous application. It was agreed that LLBCC will reject the application for the same grounds as previously but it can be noted about the emerging Air Quality Management Area. JK attended a recent forum in Glasgow and provided evidence to a Planning Review. He also advised that the Chief Planner and Architect of the Scottish Government is coming to Linlithgow to meet the Planning Forum on 4th April.

Advent Fayre

MC advised that a meeting took place with JK, TC, TK and Stewart Ness. A new committee is to be formed which will take over the existing Committee. Stewart has approached Gayle Boardman who will represent retail organisation; a Rotary representative is also joining. MC will link with the Round Table. Some funds from the surplus form last year will be transferred. The existing bank account will be closed a new one set up with a separate Constitution. The Advent Fayre will cease to fall under the LLBCC banner but LLBCC will still be part of the committee. MC raised a vote of thanks to John Kelly for all of his activity relating to the Advent Fayre. JK advised that he had received a thank you from the Scouts from the recent donation from LLBCC. It was noted that a new replacement for Santa will be required.

Health

LA advised that she attended the Public Partnership Forum for Health & Care but there was nothing material to note. VT advised that she had previously circulated a request for funding to set up a Family Eating Disorders Clinic on a pilot basis. The cost of room rental is £8.50 per hour. It was agreed at the meeting that LLBCC would fund 8 week pilot project costing £132.50 for a 2 hour meeting per week. It was noted that the Bield Dementia Unit is due to close and that this is a decision that has been taken by Bield who believe the service is unsustainable. Existing clients will be referred to St Michael’s. It was noted that no-one turned up for the drop in service prior to the March 16 meeting.

Communications

It was noted that there has been a recent challenge with the Linlithgow Gazette publicising information in the District News. AB has advised that the she has been in contact with the editor who has provided her e-mail address that can be copied into our requests. SO has now taken over the website and has sourced an alternative host for the website and dedicated llbcc.org.uk email addresses. The cost of one year is £152.88 and 3 years is £439.44. It was agreed at the meeting that we would fund one year and then assess finances during the new financial year – April 16 to April 17. SO also advised that LLBCC advised that we could pay for future articles in the Black Bitch magazine. As noted earlier SO had advised of a potential conflict of interest as he is involved in the production of the Black Bitch magazine. It was agreed that SO to provide a proposal on this for the AGM.

Pamela Barnes asked if LLBCC had a communication strategy. PB was advised that there is no official strategy but actions are in place for advertising the monthly meetings and there is an aim to have an article in each of the 8 Black Bitch magazines during the year but there is a need for content. AB asked about the cost of survey monkey to seek views from the community but others at the meeting advised that there are many websites were 10 questions can be free which could be used instead of survey monkey.

A reminder of action 1601/05 -– All members to submit requests for funding to Ian Kelly by 31st March.

Police Scotland Update

The committee were advised that there has been one daytime house break-in at Linlithgow Bridge and 2 intelligence led drug raids in the High Street. Road traffic initiatives near schools – it was noted that drivers did not appear to know about the 20pmh restrictions around the schools. There was a focus on parking and 66 tickets were issued over 3 days. There were some repeat offenders in the High Street and they were not people who were parking to then capture a train. Concern has been raised about an area in Canal Terrace - the Doocot - which is being developed to be a feature area. Police Scotland will keep reviewing the situation. MC also advised that this should be discussed at the Town Management Group.

Secretary – AGM planning – AB talked through key points from the earlier circulated plan. The meeting agreed that the Annual Report should be the same format as last year. Action 1603/003 – All working groups and Chair to provide content to Secretary by 8th April. Treasurer to submit accounts by Friday 15th April at the latest.

Meeting closed at 9.10 pm.

1