2023 Agendas & Minutes

Alexandria Community Council
Wednesday 18th January 2023
Alexandria Community Centre

Minutes of Meeting

Present

Ian Miller (chair), Harry McCormack (minutes), Janet Taylor, Sian Wilkie, Brian Kemsley, Gordon Kerr

Apologies

Stephen Burns, Anne Dickie, Tilda McCrimmon, Angela Caldwell, Barbara Barnes, Anne-Marie Timmoney, Colin Smith

Previous Minutes – 14.12.22

Proposed by Ian Miller and seconded by Brian Kemsley.

Correspondence

WDC Planning & Building Standards: Full application from Lidl Great Britain Limited for mixed use development site at Mitchell Way. Alexandria Traders Association to put in objection to current plans as this is currently structured in a way that will affect footfall in the main street. Alexandria CC agree with the traders’ concerns and will support their objection.

Finance

New bank account getting set with Bank of Scotland.

Angela and Ian meeting on Thursday 19th January 2023 to begin process.

Alexandria Traders Association

Association met on Tuesday 17th January 2023.

Concerns raised over the fountain traffic lights and how the pedestrian crossing currently operates causing flow of traffic to be congested at the junction.

Mitchell Way demolition should begin in the “next two weeks”.

Shop Front Improvements – funding from WDC to be provided in the next financial year from April. £200k allocated to Alexandria with £10k for each shop. TA currently working with Vincent McIntyre WDC Regeneration. Further discussions to take place.

Business Improvement District Opportunity – TA discussed the potential of a “BID” for Alexandria Town Centre with Davina Lavery, WDC Regeneration. This model would help improve the area such as marketing and maintenance with support provided by the Scottish Town Partnership. BIDs can only be established if a clear majority of local businesses support it in a ballot. The TA feel that is something that should be explored further.

Forward Planning

Trader’s Market timescale extended to possible summertime start with discussions continuing on its potential location etc.

Alexandria Post Office has now re-opened but current concern on its present operation – Alexandria CC will monitor this.

Social Media

Alexandria Community Council’s new public page on Facebook currently with 70 likes and 94 followers and slowly growing.

Alexandria CC Notice Board Facebook group is growing well with close to 700 group members and many local community groups, businesses and organisation information shared.

AOCB

Alexandria Town Website: Harry to contact Alan Hubner of Aehweb for an update on any developments.

Bonhill & Dalmonach Community Council: Harry to contact Jack Fordy to arrange a potential joint meeting.

Alexandria Warm Bank/Heat Hub – Harry to contact Councillor Michelle McGinty on when this planned facility in Alexandria Library will be opened.

(with no other business, the meeting was closed)

Next meeting

Wednesday 1st March 6.30pm, Alexandria Community Centre.

Alexandria Community Council
Wednesday 1st March 2023
Alexandria Community Centre

 Minutes of Meeting

Present

Ian Miller (chair), Harry McCormack (minutes), Janet Taylor, Brian Kemsley, Gordon Kerr, Angela Caldwell, Tilda McCrimmon, Barbara Barnes, Colin Smith, Alan Hubner (First Item Only).

Apologies

Stephen Burns, Anne Dickie, Anne-Marie Timmoney, Sian Wilkie.

Alexandria Town Centre Website

• Alan Hubner, Aehweb provided hard copies of what the structure of the proposed website.
• Website requires information from Alexandria CC including brief descriptions, aims and plans for the future. Also providing achievements so far in addition.
• Website also requires as much information as possible from Alexandria traders so they can advertised.
• Alan explained that the initial costs is £2,000. Instalment of £500 agreed by CC once funding is identified and grant application completed.
• Funding options include the National Lottery’s Awards For All as well as many other options to explore. West Dunbartonshire Council publish a “funding bulletin” regularly which provides useful information.
• Alexandria CC agree to begin actioning some of the items discussed.

Previous minutes – 18.1.23

Proposed by Brian Kemsley and seconded by Janet Taylor.

Correspondence

• WDC Planning & Building Standards: Full application from Lidl Great Britain Limited for mixed use development site at Mitchell Way. Objection from Alexandria CC has been acknowledged by West Dunbartonshire Council
• Mitchell Way Demolition: No information yet provided on when this demolition is to begin. This is aside from Councillor Jim Bollan forwarding that Environmental Health confirmed that the physical demolition was to begin “this month”, meaning February. Harry to send another email expressing our disappointment in lack of response.
• Rosshead House: Alexandria CC discussed a resident enquiry about alleged occupants in this location. It was decided that it was not in the best interests to pursue due to legal issues and not in possession of full factual information.
• WDC Planning & Building Standards: Full application for expansion of existing cemetery including provision of car parking, hard and soft landscaping, drainage and associated works.
• Meet-up with Bonhill & Dalmonach Community Council: Agreement in a future joint meeting in the near future for a general chat. Ian to speak to Jack Fordy, secretary.
• Link-up with Schools: Ian and Jack Fordy of Bonhill & Dalmonach CC to meet with Matthew Boyle, Head Teacher of Vale of Leven Academy on 8th Youth Council is also being considered another potential link-up option.
• Tree Felling: Jack Fordy of Bonhill and Dalmonach CC currently in correspondence with the company responsible for the tree felling works on the A82 Alexandria by-pass. Many issues of concern raised including the time of year the works taking place. Harry to reply to email to keep Alexandria CC updated.
• WDC Budget Savings: Letter from West Dunbartonshire Community Council Forum opposing proposed cuts to the Community Council grant funding and support. Alexandria CC supports this letter.

Finance

• New bank account now setup and waiting for sort code and account number details.
• Once this is received, funding applications will be begin to be processed.

Alexandria Traders Association

No update.

West Dunbartonshire Community Council Forum

• Unfortunately meeting dates clashed tonight meaning representatives unable to attend.
• Ian has requested the 2018 Community Development Plan for Alexandria CC.

Forward Planning

Harry will action information required for Alexandria Town Centre website as previously discussed in meeting.

Social Media

• Alexandria Community Council’s new public page on Facebook currently with 86 likes and 126 followers and slowly growing.
• Alexandria CC Notice Board Facebook group is growing well with close to 900 group members and many local community groups, businesses and organisation information shared.

AOCB

Vale of Leven Community Soup event taking place on Thursday 9th March in Lomond Church, Balloch.

With no other business, the meeting was closed.

DONM

Wednesday 19th April 7pm, Alexandria Community Centre.

Alexandria Community Council

Wednesday 19th April 2023

Alexandria Community Centre

Minutes of Meeting

Present

Ian Miller (chair), Harry McCormack (minutes), Janet Taylor, Brian Kemsley, Gordon Kerr, Angela Caldwell, Tilda McCrimmon, Anne-Marie Timmoney, Alan Hubner (First Item Only)

Apologies

Stephen Burns, Colin Smith

Alexandria town centre website

• Alan Hubner, Aehweb provided a demonstration of recent update to website.
• Updates includes new links to community groups and improved search function. Also improved links to leisure activities such as Vale of Leven Swimming Pool and local parks.
• Alan says he would like more information from traders to add to the website.
• Information of upcoming events in Alexandria required plus general information of local groups such as walking groups and charities in the area.
• Running costs is around £1,500 which can be partly funded from Community Council grant as well as other funding options.
• Angela to contact Colin Smith on some of the above financial topics.
• Website is ready to go live and be regularly updated.

Previous minutes – 1.3.23

Proposed by Brian Kemsley and seconded by Angela Caldwell.

Correspondence

• Mitchell Way Demolition: After many months of non-progress, an update was provided via the assistance of Stephen Burns of the WDC Communities Team. (Provided on 27th March 2023) – (1) Soft strips completed and awaiting a start date for full works. (2) Lidl has been delayed due to planning issues. Alexandria CC are very unhappy with the lack of communication and progress on this issue as well regards of health and safety of what is a live site surrounding the derelict buildings. Harry to send letter to all WDC Councillors on the CC’s behalf to outline these frustrations and ask for improved communication and action on the matter.
• Tree Felling: No update provided since last meeting but works believed to have been completed on A82.
• Sustran Online Workshops: Free online workshops for community councillors discussing cars, climate change and the cost of living. Dates of events to send via email to interested members.
• Promoted Businesses on Facebook Notice Board: Following correspondence from Jack Fordy, Bonhill & Dalmonach CC relating to sharing businesses’ details Harry to contact Jack on how to find guidelines on this.
• Scottish Development Centre: Participation Request Survey, deadline 30th April 2023. Harry to email to interested community councillors and also ask Colin Smith the WDC policy on participation requests.
• Local Development Plan: Colin Smith shared both an email link and hard copy for reference.
• Planning Aid Scotland: Training for Community Councils planned for Saturday 20th May 2023 with time and venue to be confirmed.

Finance

• Bank account active but requires two other signatories. Harry and Ian to meet with Angela to implement this.
• Community Council Grant successful and will be included in bank account.
• Future admin costs including print paper, ink and phone usage(Harry’s proposal of using home phone number as new contact number agreed by CC). Harry to propose usage of Tullichewan Community Flat premises for admin work and the costs involved at next Tullichewan TRA committee meeting on Tuesday 25th.

Alexandria Traders Association

• Alexandria Traders Farmers Markets taking place on Saturday 29th April at Overtoun Street Car Park 10am to 3pm.
• Harry to contact Alexandria Traders Association for an update on events and invitation to CC meetings.

West Dunbartonshire Community Council Forum

Next meeting is Wednesday 7th June 2023, 7pm to 9pm at Napier Hall, Old Kilpatrick. Tilda to attend with Barbara giving advance apologies.

Forward Planning

Following from previous discussion on the Alexandria Town Website, Ian presented a template of a potential survey which can be added to the website later. To be discussed further at next CC meeting.

Social Media

• Alexandria Community Council’s new public page on Facebook currently with 116 likes and 179 followers and slowly growing.
• Alexandria CC Notice Board Facebook group membership now over 1,100 and continues to develop.

AOCB

Link-up with Schools: Ian and Jack Fordy of Bonhill & Dalmonach CC currently rescheduling date to meet up with Headteacher of Our Lady and St Patrick’s following similar meeting at Vale of Leven Academy.

With no other business, the meeting was closed.

DONM

Wednesday 31st May 7pm, Alexandria Community Centre.

Alexandria Community Council

Wednesday 31st May 2023

Alexandria Community Centre

Minutes of Meeting

Present

Ian Miller (chair), Harry McCormack (minutes), Janet Taylor, Brian Kemsley, Tilda McCrimmon, Barbara Barnes, David Keown (Balloch & Haldane CC), Stephen Burns (WDC Communities Team).

Apologies

Angela Caldwell, Sian Wilkie.

Previous Minutes – 19.4.23

Proposed by Brian Kemsley and seconded by Tilda McCrimmon.

Correspondence

• Mitchell Way Demolition: Following correspondence from Alexandria CC, WDC Leader Councillor Martin Rooney provided a reply. This letter describes that LIDLs’ process of getting central funding had missed a deadline and is the main reason for the long delay. However there has been expectation that works would commence shortly following an amendment of the sale contact. Councillor Rooney says there has been no complaints about health and safety from the public. He also requested that the WDC Assets Team provide Alexandria CC updates thereafter. UPDATE – No updates have yet been provided. Alexandria CC agree that if there is no further progress on this over the summer period, then protest action will be considered.
• Litter Issues in Alexandria: Recent complaint with regards to litter in Main Street which includes Schools lunchtime. Alexandria CC to monitor this over the summer. Ian to get in touch with Vale of Leven Academy.
• Grass Cutting: Recent complaints and concerns from residents with regards to length of grass in some areas – Alexandria CC to monitor this over the summer.
• Planning & Building Standards: Application for Aldi to extend existing retail space with demolition of the old Citizen Advice Bureau building. No Alexandria CC opposition.
• Christie Park Toilets: Complaints of restricted opening hours for facility. Councillor Jim Bollan has already made enquiries. Harry will send email as support and check updates.
• Community Council Elections: Balloch and Haldane CC, Linnvale and Drumry CC have both reconvened following elections of 15th May 2023.
• Kilmaronock Community Council: Notification of AGM that took place on 15th May 2023.

Finance

• Bank account active but requires two other signatories. Harry and Ian to meet with Angela to implement this.
• Community Council Grant of £820.41 and £2,269.71 was transferred into bank account (total £3,090.12) on 26th April 2023.
• Expenditure: £30 to Tullichewan TRA for use of administration at Tullichewan Community Flat. £1,500 given to aehweb.co.uk for Alexandria Town website work (Alan Hubner).
• Estimated bank balance as of 31st May 2023 - £1,560.12. (Estimation due to treasurer’s absence from meeting).

Future Community Council dates for 2023

• (All at 7pm at Alexandria Community Centre): 30th August 2023, 4th October 2023, 15th November 2023. Harry to book with West Dunbartonshire Leisure for Alexandria Community Centre.

Alexandria Traders Association

• Meeting took place on Tuesday 9th May 2023.
• Alexandria Traders Farmers Markets scheduled for Saturday 29th April 2023 cancelled due to illness and WDC not clearing Overtoun Street car park.
• Re-scheduled market provisionally arranged for Saturday 24th June 2023. Venue provisionally changed to old McKay’s retail building or Masonic Hall. Alexandria CC support this event and are available to assist in any way that we can.
• Fountain works – contactor will be appointed and full road plan will be presented to traders and residents. If no agreement with the roadworks plan, the works will not go ahead. Consultation of compromise on cleaning up the fountain without the disruption. Contractor appointed on 17th May 2023.
• LIDL has been invited to next meeting on Tuesday 20th June 2023.

Alexandria Town Website

• Alan Hubner, aehweb provided an update that the website is almost ready to go live and has an official address for access.
• A meeting has been arranged for Friday 16th June 12noon at Tullichewan Community Flat to discuss website update on more detail. Ian and Harry attending with Alan with Sian also invited.

West Dunbartonshire Community Council Forum

• Next meeting is Wednesday 7th June 2023, 7pm to 9pm at Napier Hall, Old Kilpatrick. Tilda and Barbara attending.

Forward Planning

• Link-up with Schools: Ian and Jack Fordy of Bonhill & Dalmonach CC currently rescheduling date to meet up with Headteacher of Our Lady and St Patrick’s. No date yet arranged.

Social Media

• Alexandria Community Council’s new public page on Facebook currently with 128 likes and 200 followers and slowly growing.
• Alexandria CC Notice Board Facebook group membership now over 1,100 and continues to develop.

AOCB

• Local Development Plan: Following some research, Tilda led discussion on the plans surrounding Alexandria and the frustration of lack progress made in the town in comparison to Clydebank and Dumbarton – particularly in the town centre.
• Balloch & Haldane Community Council: David gave a small update on the CC being reconvened following a short hiatus and have begun local issues discussion – including the Lomond Banks consultation.
• Food For Thought: David also providing an update on the Foodbank, the Outreach Centre every Tuesday morning 11am to 12noon at CATRA Hall, Alexander Street, Alexandria, their home delivery service and requests for food donations.

(with no other business, the meeting was closed).

Next meeting

Wednesday 30th August 7pm, Alexandria Community Centre.

Alexandria Community Council

Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 15^TH November 2023

Alexandria Community Centre

Minutes

Present:

Ian Miller (chair), Harry McCormack (minutes), Angela Caldwell, Jan Taylor, Brian Kemsley, Colin Smith (WDC Communities Team), Stephen Burns (WDC Communities Team), Shirley McAlpine (Vale of Leven Trust)

Apologies:

Tilda McCrimmon, Barbara Barnes, Sian Wilkie

Previous Minutes –  5.10.22:

• Agreed as accurate. Proposed by Brian Kemsley. Seconded by Ian Miller.

Chairperson Report:

• Our first full year following re-establishment of Alexandria CC.
• Full support from West Dunbartonshire Council Communities Team – Colin Smith and Stephen Burns.
• CC meet approximately every 6 weeks at Alexandria Community Centre.
• Full support from local groups including Central Alexandria TRA and Tullichewan TRA .
• Established link with Alexandria Traders Association and providing support to them as much as possible.
• Established link with West Dunbartonshire Community Council Forum
• Involved in discussions and monitoring for the following – Mitchell Way demolition and Smollett Fountain works.
• Continuing enquiries on ongoing issues like the Christie Park toilet facilities, parking issues, refuse and recycling, road maintenance and health and safety.
• Creation of a Facebook page to help promote Alexandria CC on a regular basis. This includes regular updates.
• Creation of Facebook group as a notice board to help residents get the right local information and local groups and businesses promotion.
• Creation of an Alexandria town website set up by Alan Hubner, aehweb.
• Ian thanks all Community Councillors and working partners for their hard work throughout the year.

Fiance Report:

Financial Statement to end of October 2023

Income

 WDC Grant                                                                             £3,090.12

                                                       TOTAL                              £3,090.12

Expenditure

 Alexandria Town Website                                                     £1,500.00

Stationary                                                                              £150.00

Room Hire                                                                              £19.80              

                                                       TOTAL                              £1,669.80                      

Balance carried forward to next year                                £1,420.32

Passed by independent examiner – Shirley McAlpine, Vale of Leven Trust

Election of office bearers 2023/24:

• Chairperson – Ian Miller – proposed by Angela Caldwell and seconded by Brian Kemsley.
• Vice Chairperson – election of role will take place at the next Community Council meeting.
• Secretary – Harry McCormack – proposed by Ian Miller and seconded by Angela Caldwell.
• Treasurer – Angela Caldwell – proposed by Ian Miller and seconded by Brian Kemsley

CC Previous minutes – 4.10.23:

• Proposed by Angela Caldwell and seconded by Brian Kemsley.

Correspondence: 

• WDC Local Development Plan: Colin explained that a new Local Place Plan is required and beneficial to the LDP for long-term plans for Alexandria. Alexandria CC has agreed for WDC Communities Team to use some of the Alexandria Vision 2030 discussion paper which will shape the discussion. There will be a consultation period beginning in 2024 and CC agreed for a full discussion at next meeting. Stephen also provided a website link for information.
• WDC Parking Control Plans: Following our enquiry, Liam Greene, WDC Roads and Transportation Manager provided an update on the Council’s plans. The long-term approach is currently investigating options at local and Scottish Government level. Any proposal must be self-financing. Outcome will be known early next year. Information already shared on Facebook to notify residents.
• Third Weekly Refuse Bin Collection: A follow-up enquiry was made about the potential savings this change would make. Councillor McBride, Convener of WDC Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development provided the following response. “It should be noted this in effect will not be a reduction in service as we will increase our recycling collections to ensure a weekly uplift will continue. We have an indicative saving set out within the prioritising recycling template of £150k.  This is around 5% of our current cost of residual waste treatment.  This is a conservative figure however at this time it is difficult to calculate the impact, it is an assumption.  We have 13 current contracts in place to treat various waste streams, one of which is residual waste, (about £3.3m/year). By encouraging recycling and reuse of materials we will reduce our carbon footprint and increase our recycling performance.” Councillor Martin Rooney, WDC Leader added, “The Waste Services annual budget as at 1^stMarch was £9,757,000 but cost pressures are suggesting a projected spend of £10,030 which is £273,000 over budget or 3%. The financial saving will be in the reduction of residual waste going to landfill leading to a saving of the gate fee. ” Alexandria CC will continue to monitor the situation.
• Better Buses for Strathclyde: Public campaign to restore bus services to public owned and looking to take the opportunity to speak to Strathclyde Public Transport with new powers within the Transport Act 2019 and use this power to create a similar setup to Great Manchester. Alexandria Community Council is now part of the mailing list for anyone interested in getting involved.
• Alexandria Community Centre booking invoice: £13.20p charge for meeting on Wednesday 4^th October 2023. Angela to action.
• Alexandria Traders Association: Following successful application for BID and agreement as Alexandria CC bank account as a host for grant – Sian requests if CC representatives can sign the form for money to be realised. Harry to action arranging a special meeting for this to be done as soon as possible.
• WDC Local and Planning Development: Successful application from Aldi Supermarket to demolish old WD Citizens Advice Bureau building to “accommodate extension to retail store, including alterations to car park, store plant and other associated work.”
• Alexandria Masterplan: Calum McConnachie, new member for Alexandria at WDC Regeneration to discuss ongoing core projects including Green Heritage Corridors and the Walking and Cycling Networks. He wants to meet Alexandria CC to provide information and Harry will invite to next meeting. Magda Swider, WDC Regeneration Co-ordinator has also provided a summary update.
• West Dunbartonshire Community Council Forum: Next meeting Wednesday 6^th December 7pm. Tilda and Barbara attend on behalf of Alexandria CC. No venue yet been announced.
• Alan Hubner: Annual website domain name and hosting fee now due. Total invoice of £225.99p. £125.99p to renew Alexandria.town domain name and £100 for hosting and website running expenses.
• Alexandria Christmas Lights: WDC Budget Savings will see no Christmas lights switch ceremony in Alexandria this year. Harry to draft a letter to request a Christmas light switch-on without a ceremony. There are already lights up but they are very limited and located around the Alexandria Community Centre area and opposite.

Christie Park Toilets:

• Ian Bain WDC Greenspace has not yet responded to either Harry or Angela on our enquiry. Ian to contact Mr Bain in his capacity as chairperson.

Mitchell Way & Smollett Fountain:

• Demolition works at Mitchell Way has now been completed.
• Smollett Fountain works progressing and latest update on 16^th October 2023.

Alexandria Town website:

• Website is progressing well with more local businesses being added to the directory.
• Harry to contact Alan on adding information on Argyll Park, date of next meeting and information on website hits (visits).

West Dunbartonshire Community Council forum:

• The Forum agreed to a need of revising procedure to discipline/removal of Community Council member. Current procedure needs Community Councillors to voluntarily step down.
• Next meeting is Wednesday 6^th December 2023, 7.30pm to 9pm with venue TBC.

Forward Planning:

• Link-up with Schools: will be discussed next meeting.
• Meeting Date Confirmed: Wednesday 17^th January 2024 at Alexandria Community Centre, Disco Room. Harry to book and confirm with WD Leisure as soon as possible.

Social Media:

• Alexandria Community Council’s public page on Facebook currently with 197 likes and 326 followers.
• Alexandria CC Notice Board Facebook group membership of 1,452.

AOCB:

 (with no other business the meeting was closed)

Next meeting:

• Annual General Meeting
• Wednesday 17^th January 6.30pm
• Alexandria Community Centre