Agenda and minutes

Apologies were intimated by:-

Councillor Hay

Councillor Horn

Jane McKenzie

Ian Mcintyre

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Sgt Louise Steven, Strathclyde Police.  

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 August 2011 were approved as a true record.

Jeanette Laughton reported that the directional arrows in the car park at Ardrishaig had now been completed.

Jeannette Laughton reported that the Wind Farm project continued to make progress and that the Co-operative Bank would fund the shortfall funding.

The swings provided by Argll and Bute Council were proving to be a great success and the CC had been encouraged by this to apply to RBS (through the Community Fund scheme) for more play equipment. This process was fraught, but the Community Council were committed to following this through.

The Townscape group set-up by the Regenaration stakeholders have reviewed and updated the Place Making report (2009).  A meeting had been scheduled with Artmap to discuss the development of some landscape art and the possibility of future projects.  The planters had proved populare and 3 more sponsors had come forward which would enable  further planters against the pillars.  The next round of planting was scheduled for 12 November and would involve spring bulbs and winter flowers.  It was still hoped to tidy up the arches area.

Ardrishaig had been chosen as one of a 1000 places in the UK  to receives trees from the Woodland Trust.  The Community Council would be working in conjunction with the local church, Argyll and Bute council, British Waterways and the local school to identify suitable planting spaces.  In total, 105 trees plus 1 oak sapling would arrive early November.

Plans were being formulated by a sub-group of the community council to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 with various events being planned in the village.

Jeanette highlighted various issues which were still unresolved with Scottish Water.  These included the grassed area in front of the pumping station which was still uncut.  In addition, the sunken trap at Upper Glenfyne Park has not been filled.  She advised that the community council were so frustrated at the uncut grass area that  they were contemplating taking enforcement action.

In September, Governance training had been provided through the Suss it Out project.  The training had enabled the successful updating of the plan for the Community Council. 

Jeannette detailed a proposal for the naming of the play area – Bayview Park.  The community had been consulted and were in favour of this.  Jeannette requested further information on how to proceed with this.

Action:  Meilssa Stewart would enquire on the naming procedure and advise Jeanette Laughton accordingly.

Jeannete enquired on the level of insurance liability provided in regards the regeneration project for Ardrishaig.

Action: Melissa would ascertain the level of cover provided and advise Jeanette  Laughton. 

The Chair congratulated Jeantette and the Community Council on their achievements to date and wished them every continued success.

Melissa Stewart on behalf of Ian Macintyre raised the issue of street lighting on Balmore Road in Tarbert.  This had still not been resolved and she agreed to progress this for Mc Macintyre.

Mary Smyth reported that the final draft of the Community Plan had been presented to the local community. This was available on their website.  A deadline of 31 October had been set for the receipt of comments.  After which it would be formally presented to Argyll and Bute Council for adoption.

The Chair congratulated the hard work and effort of the Community Council in finalising the Craignish Community Plan.

Marion Thomson reported that there were still issues in the pre-booking procedure for the 926 service route.  It was agreed to keep this on the agenda for monitoring although noted that there were a number of people in attendance who had indicated their satisfaction with the booking system.

Andrea Henderson reported that the hall refurbishment had been completed.  The deadline for applications for funding from An Suidhe Windfarm Trust was 1 November.  She reported that certain areas (responsibilty of Scottish Water) were not being kept tidy and wished to highlight the real difficulty they had experienced in contacting them.    

Rod Buchanan from ACHA reported on play areas in Mid Argyll.  Some of these were successful and others not so.  The one in Furnace, which ACHA did not own, but had previously inspected, had issues in regards liability.  He advised that the play park, which had been built by Argyll and Bute in 1997, was leased to the Community Council who wre responsible for its upkeep.  The playpark was dilapidated and ACHA were considering sectioning off some of the equipment. 

Rod advised that the investment programme work for doors and windows was completed.  The work on heating and re-wiring was due to commence again shortly.

The Chair enquired if there was any update in regards the issue discussed at the previous meeting on house insurance.  Melissa Stewart advised that ACHA had made representation in favour of statutory insurance for tenants as part of the Housing (Scotland) Act.  This was not progressed by Parliament and she therefore enquired if the group wished to elevate the issue for discussion at an Area Committee meeting. Councillor Philand stated that in regards insurance, this could not be enforced onto tenants and the consensus of the group was that this should not be pursued further.  Rod advised that in view of the 2 previous severe winters, ACHA had identified vulnerable properties to ensure that no further problems could beset these.

The Chair thanked Rod for this update.

Jane McKenzie – Scottish Water – had proferred her apologies.

Councillor Philand enquired on the status of the water connections in the Dunadd area.  Melissa advised that a response from Scottish Water indicated that there were no proposals to increase the number of connections.

Action: Melissa would forward this information to Councillor Philand.

No report was received from the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure Services.

Action:  Melissa would write requesting an updates report, conveying the concerns of the group that this had not been received timeously.

A report was circulated detailing the response received from Scottish Citylink in regards to pre-booking issues which Councillor Hay had raised with them.

Leonard McNeill enquired if a response had been received from Scottish Citylink in regards the decision making of coach drivers encountering flashing signage at the Rest and Be Thankful.

Action: Theresa would make contact with Scottish Citylink to ascertain the company’s policy on this issue.

A report was circulated to meeting attendees detailing the Third Sector Grants awarded in the MAKI area.

Melissa stated the the next Community Safety Forum meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, 1 November – 2.00p.m. Dalriada House, Lochgilphead.

She advised that the new Vice-Chair of the Community Safety Forum was Councillor Anne Horn.

A presentation updating members on the progress made and challenges facing the Pool.

The Chair welcomed Ali MacLeod and Kirsten Logue to the meeting.

Ali and Kirsten proceeded to give a Powerpoint presentation to the group, detailing the successes and difficulties which the present Board were encountering.

Discussion followed the presentation and Jeanette Laughton invited Ali to the next Ardrishaig Community Council meeting.

The Chair thanked Ali and Kirsten for this informative presentation and congratlulated them on the hard work and effort which they had invested in endeavouring to make a success of the pool. 

John Downie, Streetscene Manager – MAKI area informed the group that the activities of the Streetscene operation had been considerably reduced due to resources not being available.

He enquired if the group had any specific problems which he could resolve.  Leonard McNeil enquired if Argyll and Bute council were directly responsible for a stretch of the A83.  John replied that, to his knowledge, this was not the case.  Councillor Philand stated that there were crossover points on the road whereby Argyll and Bute undertook remedial work, then re-charged accordingly.

Mary McGugan enquired if Argyll and Bute council had any control over the height of hedges which could obscure entrances.  John replied that Argyll and Bute maintain certain areas, but they had not jurisdiction if the hedge was on private land.  He suggested that Mary make contact with Stewart Clark, Operation Manager – Argyll and Bute council.

Leonard McNeill questioned why training for volunteers to treat Himalyan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed was not forthcoming.  John stated that there were cost and Health and Safety issues surrounding this.

Jeannette Laughton reported on ragwort near to the pumping station in Ardrishaig.  John stated that this was a Scottish Water issue and, therefore, the responsibility fell to them to remediate the problem.  Leonard advised that in Northern Ireland the police could serve weed notices on land owners.  Louise was not aware of this, but would investigate and report back. 

Jeanette enquired if the Community Liaison Officer – Martin Balkeen – was still operational and reported on an abandoned car on West Bank Road.  Louise replied that she had taken over Martin’s position and would investigate this issue.  John Downie advised that this also fell under the remit of Argyll and Bute council and would ask the local Environmental Health Officer to investigate this.

Action: John Downie to investigate the abandoned car and ascertain if there was any land ownership issues and report back.

The date of the next LACPG meeting is:-

2^nd November 2011 – 10.00a.m.

Town Hall, Campbeltown

The date of the next LACPG was scheduled for:-

2 November 2011 – 10.00a.m. Town Hall, Campbeltown.

Jeanette Laughton stated that she was not happy that there would be no VC provision at the meeting.   

The Town Hall was the chosen venue for this meeting to enable a larger number of attendees who may wish to attend to hear discussion on the budget consultation.  Unfortunately, there was no VC facility in the building.

Strathclyde Police

Sgt Louise Steven informed attendees that the annual public consultation had been concluded.  The resultis of which defined the police targets for the forthcoming year.  These included:-

Drunk or Disorderly Behaviour

Drug Use and Drug Dealing

Speeding motorists

Assault and Violent Crime

Louise reported that police detection on drug dealing and drug use had increased.  This was not due to an increase in the crime, but more success on the police being able to target offenders.

The Rogue Trader scheme was ongoing and the results from this were also encouraging.   

Lochgair War Memorial

Mary MacGugan reported that the War Memorial in Lochgair required attention to the stonework.

Action: John Downie would contact James Hamilton, Area Property Officer to resolve this issue.

Ardrishaig War Memorial

Jeanette Laughton advised that cleaning had been undertaken at the War Memorial in Ardrishaig.  The local community had been consutled in regards the restoration of the railings.  The general consensus indicated that people were undecided on this issue.  Jeanette reported that if the community decided to re-instate the railings, then an application would be made to the War Memorials Trust. 

Ardrishaig Toilets

Jeannette advised that new doors had been installed.  John Downie reported that it was hoped to complete the external painting.  There was provision in this year’s budget to undertake this.   

The next MAP meeting would be scheduled for:-

Tuesday, 7 February 2012  -  10.00a.m. in the Council Chambers, Lochgilphead.

The Chair thanked everyone for attending the meeting and the meeting concluded at 11.30a.m.