INVERKIP AND WEMYSS BAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of Business Meeting held on
Thursday 2nd March 2006
In the Inverkip Hotel
Present: Innes Nelson (chairman); Ron Potter (vice chairman); Cliff
Lyons (treasurer); Paul Maloney; Hugh Ritchie; Harold McPherson
and Lynne Chambers (secretary)
Apologies: none
In attendance: Cllr Eric Forbes; WPCs Lesley Gibson and Alison
Taylor; Fran McIntosh; Julia McLellan; Alan Cumming; Brian McArthur;
Jim McIntosh and Graham Scott. Also Edward Green and Ceri McGrath
of Community Windpower Ltd
3. Police Matters: WPC Gibson was accompanied by WPC Alison Taylor,
usually stationed in Greenock West but seconded to assist WPC Gibson
to patrol the area that evening. No statistical report was made
as it had been agreed at last month’s Business Meeting that
it would be more meaningful to receive reports on a quarterly basis.
Innes Nelson said he’d received reports of crowds of young
people hanging about at HMS Dalriada, the church and swing park,
hurling abuse at passers-by. WPC Wilson replied the police were
aware of this problem and added that a particular feature of their
behaviour at this time is the setting of fires causing damage. She
had spoken to John Wilson at Ardgowan to enlist co-operation. WPC
Gibson also confirmed the young people were local. The police had
seized beer and alcohol from the young people and are continuing
to clamp down on the problem. Evidently Friday night is the worst
night of the week in Inverkip for unruly behaviour, Saturday being
relatively quieter. Cliff Lyons reported 2 thefts from Marine Court
that afternoon of wood for fence repair and garden seats. WPC Gibson
said they’d ended up on a fire.
Graham Scott reported bands of youngsters from Skelmorlie hanging
about Wemyss Bay. Cllr Forbes said the parents must be held responsible
for the actions of their children, but agreed money to tackle anti-social
behaviour is not directed to Ward 20. He said Scottish Executive
money for this purpose goes to specified areas but declared there
is thinking that enough is enough and that some of the cash going
east should come west instead. It was agreed the population of Inverkip
had expanded hugely in recent years. Fran McIntosh pointed out however
there are absolutely no facilities for young people in Inverkip.
Cliff Lyons said there was a good neighbourhood watch scheme in
Langbank. WPC Gibson said there were several schemes already in
existence in Inverkip. Cllr Forbes said the CCTV van is now out
and about. Inverkip doesn’t have a fixed CCTV system but the
van can be called in.
4. Presentation by Edward Green and Ceri McGrath of Community Windpower
Ltd: To accompany the presentation and question and answer session,
photographs – from various locations in the area - were distributed
for inspection. The photographs
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show the proposed location for the windfarm on the Leapmoor - first
of all as it looks now, and an impression of how it would look if
the ten turbines were sited there. If developed they would connect
either overground or underground to the existing small sub station.
They explained that the bright white of the turbines had been enhanced
in the photographs to emphasise their location. Edward Green and
Ms McGrath responded to wide-ranging questions about the proposed
development and spoke of contributions to the community such as
an annual amount of £40,000 to village funds for the duration
of the development – expected to be between 20-25 years -
and an education officer at Muirshiel Park plus improved access
to the area of the windfarm. Also there is the potential for locals
to become shareholders in the scheme after a year of operation.
They said it was hoped that a full application for the windfarm
would be presented to Inverclyde Council around April to May this
year. Realistically they thought that allowing for Council deliberations,
a possible appeal etc – that, if approved, work would begin
around April 2008. Ms McGrath and Mr Wood were thanked for their
attendance.
5. Minutes of Business Meeting held on the 2nd of February 2006
– Matters arising:
Seaview Café: A request for information as to whether the
café held a music licence had been passed to Cllr Forbes.
He asked for more information and said he would need a complaint
to be made to pursue it further. Graham Scott attending the meeting
said he would make a complaint. Mr Scott said that the café,
good in every other way, on a Saturday once a month between 9-11pm
held a music night. Mr Scott reported that in his home he could
hear the music above the volume of his television. Cllr Forbes will
pursue.
Bankfoot roundabout: Following an inquiry as to why there is no
white-lining on the roundabout, Cllr Forbes replied that - having
followed up the inquiry - the answer from Amey is that the roundabout
doesn’t need white lines. Cllr Forbes said the roundabout
had passed all audit tests on its suitability. He had recently taken
part in a drive through of the area with Amey representatives trying
to pinpoint problems. Innes Nelson criticised the camber of the
roundabout and said also the Community Council had received reports
of a slippery surface at the roundabout. Cllr Forbes confirmed he
too had received such complaints. The matter will be investigated.
Recycling points: It was observed, following previous discussions
about the mess created by plastic bags around the recycling area
and the suggestion that bins should be provided, that the point
on the Bruceacre slip road was looking pretty tidy at the moment.
Harold McPherson said three bins appear to have been stolen from
the Wemyss Bay recycling site.
6. Report by Ron Potter on Inverclyde Community Council Forum:
Deferred.
7. Buses: It was decided that the impasse reached on long distance
buses having no formal pulling-in places on the A78 at Inverkip
had to be addressed. However time constraints meant this discussion
had to be deferred.
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8. Secretary’s Report and Correspondence:
Residents’ parking on A78 at Wemyss Bay: The secretary said
she’d received an answer from Transport Scotland’s Trunk
Road Network Management saying it must be recognised that the priority
for the trunk road is to maintain the safety for pedestrians and
facilitate the free flow of traffic – it does not exist to
provide parking facilities. It was necessary, the letter said, to
revise existing parking arrangements to accommodate the new pedestrian
crossing and relocation of the bus stop. The parking requirements
were examined in detail and concluded that the time-limited controlled
parking scheme represented the best compromise – it would
minimise the impact on other road users and ensure the successful
continuance of the commercial outlets in the area. While the comparison
with other areas was noted, the strategy adopted at Wemyss Bay followed
detailed study reflecting local conditions and the best reconciliation
of parking demands. Transport Scotland has therefore no plans to
issue parking permits to residents. Graham Scott of Wemyss Bay produced
photocopied extracts from the Largs and Millport Weekly News of
February 10th 2006, indicating that proposals, among others –
subject to consultation – in the Largs Management Traffic
Plan, include parking restrictions in the town centre to prevent
all day parking except for residents - who will have parking permits
which will give them exemption from time restrictions. North Ayrshire
Council is proposing one permit per household. And in the newspaper
of February 17th it quotes a spokesman for North Ayrshire Council
saying that parking spaces on the A78 along Main Street and Gallowgate
Street are proposed with 30 minute restrictions, and the other on-street
parking spaces around the town centre would have 60 minute restrictions
along with exemptions for resident parking permit holders. Cllr
Forbes said it will not happen in Largs. Graham Scott said all of
the flatted developments in Skelmorlie will bring more cars into
Wemyss Bay. He said that on his way to the meeting there were 12
cars parked – 3 residents and 9 from Bute. Cllr Forbes said
he had no control over police or warden patrolling. He said there
is to be a feasibility study for public car parking in Wemyss Bay,
the results to be completed by approximately the end of June. Graham
Scott asked was there no chance then that 7 of the residents could
get parking permits – not always assuring them of parking
places but so they would be exempt from the time restrictions. Cllr
Forbes said there was no chance – he was not going to change
the Scottish Executive’s attitude to trunk road parking.
Letter received from the Scottish Executive Development Department
re their Planning Advice Note on Community Engagement. They are
seeking examples of community involvement in any aspect of the land
use planning process. Members thought that a submission should be
made and will consider their response.
Letter received from the Helpline Officer of Inverclyde Council’s
Problem Solving Unit/Antisocial Behaviour Helpline wondering whether
the Community Council would be interested in a presentation. It
would – the Secretary to write to invite the Officer to attend
April’s Business Meeting.
Email received from Brian Purdie of Inverclyde Council seeking more
details about the £150 paid to the entertainer who performed
in Inverkip and Wemyss Bay on the evening of the Christmas trees
switch-on and shown in the Treasurer’s report. The secretary
sent further information which proved satisfactory.
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Letter received from Head of Planning at Inverclyde Council confirming
that all letters of representation submitted in respect of an earlier
application re the proposed residential development at Hill Farm
will be carried across to the current application.
Letter from Head of Planning at Inverclyde Council confirming that
Inverclyde Council had adopted the Inverclyde Local Plan (2005)
on the 31st of January 2006.
Further to a letter sent by the Community Council to First Scotrail
following a complaint by Graham Scott of Wemyss Bay about vandalism
at Wemyss Bay Station a letter was received from First Scotrail
saying an inquiry had been initiated into the problem. A phone call
was received by the secretary from Sgt Calum Weir of the Transport
Police saying he’d received no complaints about vandalism
and there were no CCTV cameras at the station because it is staffed.
Sgt Weir’s phone number was passed to Graham Scott.
Letter received from Mark Ritch of Inverclyde Council’s Community
Support Services wondering if he could attend a Business Meeting
to make a short presentation outlining Inverclyde Council’s
Community Engagement Strategy. Mark Ritch will be invited to attend
the May meeting.
Email received from Iain Logan of Argyll Windfarms attaching a petition
– requesting signatures – re the increasing number of
windfarm applications in areas which contain sensitive habitats
and populations of birds and other wildlife. Secretary to forward
the email to members for consideration.
Letter from Brian Purdie of Inverclyde Council with the Council’s
response to the Scottish Executive Discussion Paper on Community
Councils.
Email sent to Cllr Forbes requesting information on various issues
as he was unable to attend the previous Business Meeting. (See also
section 5 referring to the Seaview Café) Cllr Forbes was
able to confirm that all outstanding work at the Londis site in
Inverkip had been completed to Inverclyde Council’s satisfaction.
He reported – following an inquiry about the external green
lighting of the Londis building – that the proprietor said
he’d received complaints about the stark, white lighting previously
illuminating the building and that the green lighting was seen as
more welcoming – especially as there is an ATM located there.
Cllr Forbes also said there were no objections by the planning department
to the lighting.
Letter sent by the Community Council to Brian Purdie of Inverclyde
Council further to his letter of 23rd September 2005 outlining its
reasons for its continued wish to make a donation to each of the
village newsletters.
Letter to the Scottish Executive with the Community Council’s
response to the Discussion Paper on Community Councils – the
response copied to Brian Purdie.
9. Treasurer’s report: The Treasurer reported a balance of
£454. Cliff Lyons hopes to hear further about expenses submitted
and the new grant
10. Planning Matters: Letter received from Inverclyde Council saying
the application for 4 dwellinghouses on land to the west of Leven
Road in Wemyss Bay – the subject of a submission by the Community
Council - has been refused
Notification that the Tree Preservation Order served on the above
property by Inverclyde Council is the subject of an appeal to Scottish
Ministers.
Discussion took place about a Greenock Telegraph article featuring
Cllr Jim Hunter claiming that the cleared site at Leven Road was
attracting more midges than ever,
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and supporting the development. Innes Nelson said a Mr McCreadie
had informed him that since the trees had been felled there were
fewer midges!
An appeal has been made to Scottish Ministers against Inverclyde
Council’s refusal of planning permission for the erection
of 28 houses at Bridgend, Inverkip
13 Burns Drive, Wemyss Bay – erection of boundary walls (in
retrospect)
42 Glen Crescent, Inverkip – erection of extension
Cameron Place, Main Street, Inverkip – alterations to form
a new window in former shop premises.
Hugh Ritchie, seconded by Innes Nelson, said Inverclyde Council
should be applauded for turning down the planning application for
the demolition of the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Gourock to be replaced
by flats. The hotel is considered an asset to the area.
11. Date and time of next meeting: Thursday 6th of April 2006
12. Any other business: The introduction of a 30 mph speed limit
on the A78 starting on the slope above Wemyss Bay was discussed.
Cllr Forbes said that following approaches by residents and with
the proposed development of houses at Cardell and the new Lighthouse
flats in Wemyss Bay it was felt traffic should be slowed before
entering the village and the sign moved further out. And no, as
Inverkip had no houses fronting on to the A78 there would be no
reduction in the speed limit on the trunk road passing the village.
Hugh Ritchie asked Cllr Forbes about litter on the A78 particularly
from Bankfoot roundabout to Londis. Cllr Forbes explained the health
and safety requirements for litter pickers.
Cllr Forbes confirmed to Hugh Ritchie that Inverclyde Council would
not salt unadopted roads at the Marina development.
Ron Potter reminded Cllr Forbes of the graffiti in the Brueacre
slip road area. Cllr Forbes will follow up.
Innes Nelson asked Cllr Forbes about a meeting held with Fraser
Williamson, Inverclyde’s Head of Planning Services and with
Cllrs Blair, Roche and Forbes attending re the proposed bridge over
the railway at Inverkip station. Cllr Forbes said there were several
options and certain issues to be decided away from the planning
committee. Cllr Forbes had seen the bridge plans and some of his
concerns had not been removed – that feeling to be conveyed
to Stewart Milne’s architects. The planning application had
to demonstrate the bridge was DDA compliant. The planning application
may be considered in April. If the bridge is built and if Inverclyde
Council takes ownership after time, they may have to maintain the
bridge – a decision to be made by another committee. The Reporter
at the Public Local Inquiry said it was up to Inverclyde Council
to decide – the Local Plan said the proposed Hill Farm development
was ‘conditional’ on the bridge being built. Jim McIntosh
asked if Cllr Forbes had seen where the down ramp landed –
Cllr Forbes replied that was between Stewart Milne and the landowner
– and reiterated that all has to be right with the application.
It was decided that the proposed bridge would be on next month’s
agenda.
Paul Maloney told the meeting the previous evening sewage had run
down Finnockbog Road and into his garden – from there to the
Daff Burn and then the Marina. The Water Board arrived and fixed
the problem. However, they didn’t know
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what the cause of the problem was. Paul Maloney asked Cllr Forbes
if the system couldn’t cope now what effect would the proposed
development of 200 odd houses have on the sewage system. Cllr Forbes
replied that any developer has to show on his
planning application the drainage system for the proposed development.
He will follow up the incident.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 10.40pm
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