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2025 Agendas & Minutes

Alexandria Community Council

Meeting

Wednesday 29th January 2025

Alexandria Community Centre

 

 

Agenda:

 

  1. Welcome
  2. Apologies
  3. Previous minutes
  4. Confirmation of Community Councillors
  5. Correspondence
  6. Finance
  7. Meeting and Venue Calendar 2025
  8. Alexandria Traders Association
  9. Vale of Leven Trust
  10. Road Works/Traffic Management
  11. Parking
  12. Alleged Fly Tipping at Large Car Park (Across From Railway Station)
  13. Alexandria Post Office
  14. Notice Boards
  15. LIDL
  16. Alexandria Community Plan
  17. Forward Planning – including linking up with schools
  18. Social Media/Website
  19. AOCB

 

Date of next meeting – Wednesday 26th February 2025 6.30pm, CATRA Hall, Alexandria.

 

Present:

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

Apologies: 

Barbara Barnes, Sian Wilkie

Previous Minutes 11.12.24:

  • Proposed by Angela Caldwell. Seconded by Ian Miller.

Office bearer confirmation:

  • Tilda McCrimmon (Vice Chairperson) - Proposed by Harry McCormack. Seconded by Ian Miller.

Correspondence:

  • Bin Collection – Christmas/New Year: Community Council disappointed about the cancellation of bin collections in some areas of Alexandria during the Festive Period (which affected Wednesdays and Thursdays). However, we do appreciate and thank the hard work by WDC Waste Services for collecting most (if not all items) when service resumed on 8th January 2025.
  • Alexandria Post Office: Correspondence on our concerns received and replied by Jackie Baillie MSP. Subsequent update is that the post office has now re-opened following 12-weeks closure and now operated by the same people who have the Keystore Newsagents.
  • WDC Roadworks/Traffic Management/Parking: Claire Guthrie, PA to Gail Macfarlane, WDC Chief Officer for Roads and Neighbourhood Services acknowledged our invitation as speaker. However, no further response or confirmation has been given. Harry to email.
  • Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park: Letter confirming appeal from Stantec UK on behalf of Flamingo Land to Scottish Ministers in relation to their proposal for the land at Pier Road, Ben Lomond Way and Old Luss Road in Balloch.
  • Central Alexandria TRA: Following Storm Eowyn, proposal for temporary reinstatement of WDC garden waste collection to help with the clear-up of damaged gardens especially people who have no cars. Email sent to all Leven Ward WDC Councillors. Tullichewan TRA agreed with proposal and forwarded to all Lomond Ward Councillors. Response from Ian Bain, WDC Greenspace has confirmed that there is no capacity to do this. Harry to send letter of support from Community Council to all WDC Councillors.
  • Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: Online consultation event taking place on Thursday 20th February 2pm to 3.30pm.
  • WDC Planning and Development: Vale of Leven Hospital. Removal of existing ventilation services and replace and various alternations to provide fracture clinic.
  • WDC Local Development Plan: Information about new information website.

Meeting schedule and venue

  • New dates confirmed up until the summer break. 26th February 2025, 23rd April 2025 and 4th June 2025.
  • New venue agreed for future meetings – CATRA Hall, Alexander Street. This change is due to the rising costs of booking Alexandria Community Centre and no longer wishing to use the former café area due to its location in the centre.

Finance

  • Current bank balance is £2,222.12p (£222,12p actual balance) as of Wednesday 29th January 2025.
  • Expenditure includes £30 to Tullichewan TRA and £36.50p to WD Leisure. All details on file.
  • £2,000 is for Notice Board project.
  • Application for a Community Council grant for running costs to be completed as soon as possible.
  • Tilda and Harry to be added as signatories to the bank account as soon as possible.

Alexandria traders association

  • 2024 was a very successful year including the return of the Christmas Light Switch-on at the Alexandria Market on 14th December 2024.
  • Business Investment District (BID) application has been successful and plans are underway with traders to move plans forward.
  • Levy payment for new activities begins in April 2025.
  • Partnership working with WDC Regeneration.
  • Ian, on behalf of the Community Council, expressed thanks for the partnership working of Traders Association and Vale of Leven Trust, including the Christmas Market.
  • Shirley, on behalf of both, expresses thanks to the Community Council for support.
  • A new steering group has been set up planning ahead in 2025, including the Alexandria Market.

Vale of Leven trust

  • Shirley introduced colleague Ayesha Mohammed to the meeting.
  • Successful funding for new community project. “The Journey” will involve local research, creative writing, drama, photography and volunteering.

Road works/traffic management in Alexandria

  • Discussed under correspondence.

Parking

  • Discussed under correspondence.

Fly-tipping

  • Following complaints, most of the fly-tipping has been cleared up at the big park area across from Alexandria Railway Station.
  • Community Councils are looking at further options to combat what is a historic pattern of dumping in this location, as well as under the railway bridge where Bridge Street used to be located.

Alexandria post office

  • Discussed under correspondence.

Alexandria notice boards

  • Work about to restart with the Town Centre location a priority.

Lidl Alexandria

  • Scheduled to open on Saturday 1st February 2025.

Alexandria community plan

  • Adapted from Castlehill Community Plan.
  • Colin provided a blank template to begin discussions.
  • Key areas specified on the template to help discussion and planning include “spaces and places,” “community life/engagement,” “health and wellbeing” and “partners.”
  • Community Council is interested in collecting data from previous surveys, questionnaires, etc., to capture community views past, present and future.
  • Areas touched upon in discussion include Mitchell Way, Bonhill Bridge, St Andrews Church and Vale of Leven F.C community space.
  • Colin to propose dates for a special meeting to focus on the plan for future discussion.

Forward planning

  • Potential working partnership with Vale of Leven Academy put on hold.

Social media/website

  • Alexandria Community Council’s public page on Facebook currently has 347 likes and 569 followers.
  • Alexandria CC Notice Board Facebook group has 5,492 members. Alan Hubner (aehweb) is currently updating the Alexandria Town website with new information including new businesses and community groups.

AOCB

  • Bank of Scotland: Announcement in the media that Alexandria branch will be one of the upcoming closures within the next year. Community Council to draft a statement expressing disappointment and seek the full facts.

Next meeting

Wednesday 26th February 2025, 6.30pm at CATRA Hall, Alexandria.

Alexandria Community Council

Meeting

Wednesday 26 February 2025

Alexandria Community Centre

 

Agenda

  1. Welcome
  2. Apologies
  3. Previous Minutes
  4. Correspondence
  5. Finance
  6. Alexandria Community Plan / Plan on a Page
  7. Alexandria Traders Association
  8. Vale of Leven Trust
  9. Bank of Scotland – Alexandria Branch Closure
  10. First Bus – Changes to Service 1 and 1A
  11. Road Works / Traffic Management
  12. Parking
  13. Alleged Fly-Tipping at Large Car Park (Across from Railway Station)
  14. Alexandria Post Office
  15. Notice Boards
  16. LIDL
  17. Forward Planning – Including Linking Up with Schools
  18. WD Community Council Forum
  19. Social Media / Website
  20. AOCB

Next Meeting: Wednesday 23 April 2025, 6.30pm at CATRA Hall, Alexandria

Present

Ian Miller (Chair), Harry McCormack (Minutes), Angela Caldwell, Brian Kemsley, Jan Taylor, Barbara Barnes, Shirley McAlpine (Vale of Leven Trust), Sian Wilkie (Alexandria Traders Association)

Apologies

Tilda McCrimmon, Colin Smith

Previous Minutes (29.1.25)

  • Proposed by Angela Caldwell
  • Seconded by Brian Kemsley

Correspondence

  • Roadworks / Traffic Management / Parking: Liam Greene (WDC Roads) provided updates:
    • WDC coordinates roadworks, but utility companies are regulated by the Scottish Roadworks Commissioner under a national code.
    • New internal procedures and committee report shared for consistency in enforcement, especially for emergency/traffic-sensitive works.
    • Parking enforcement now transferred to WDC; implementation due before summer with wardens and public communications planned.
  • First Bus Glasgow: From 2nd March 2025, services 1 and 1A will no longer serve Alexandria. Replaced by services 204 and 205 (to Dumbarton ASDA). Community disappointment expressed; First Bus cite punctuality and improved local links. Local anger noted in press/social media.
  • Better Buses for Strathclyde: Campaign for public ownership of buses. Public meeting on Wednesday 23rd April in Clydebank Town Hall. Harry to make contact regarding local issues.
  • Bank of Scotland Closure: Announced for March 2026. ACC expressed concern over digital-only banking and impact on vulnerable groups. Alexandria is losing its last physical bank. ACC, MSP Jackie Baillie and Traders Association met BOS reps.
  • Banking Hub: Post Office-run service may come to Alexandria. Traders Association applying for postmaster role. Would need separate premises.
  • Balloch & Haldane CC: Invited ACC to participate in their Local Place Plan with Nick Wright Consulting. ACC agreed to follow up for more info.
  • Bank Street Sheltered Housing: Dawn Conner (WDC Housing) confirmed JR as contractor. ACC agreed to be added to contacts list.
  • Proposed Public Procession: Notification received for Orange Order march on 2nd July at 7pm, from Old Luss Road to St Mungo’s Church via Christie Park.
  • WDC Budget 2025/26: Potential cuts to Community Council funding. ACC concerned about wider cuts to elderly, education, environment. Harry to draft letter to councillors.
  • WDC Planning: Application to convert flats at 134 Main Street into two homes with dormers.
  • LIDL Alexandria: Store opening expected 28th March.

Finance

  • Community Grant of £820.41 received.
  • Bank balance as of 29th February 2025: £2,976.05 (£976.05 available balance).
  • Expenditure: £30 to Tullichewan TRA and £36.50 to WD Leisure.
  • £2,000 allocated for Notice Board project.
  • Tilda and Harry to be added as bank signatories.

Alexandria Community Plan / Plan on a Page

Discussions with WDC Communities and Regeneration have started. Meetings held on 11th and 25th February (walkabout).

Alexandria Traders Association & Vale of Leven Trust

  • BID board formation underway; manager recruitment ongoing.
  • Levy for BID activities starts April 2025.
  • Joint working with WDC Regeneration Team.
  • Next local market due in April.
  • Christmas Light Switch-On proposed for Saturday 29th November.
  • Shirley introduced Ayesha Mohammed to ACC.
  • Funding secured for income-based bike repair service (Active Hub, Mitchell Way).

Fly-Tipping

Large car park and Bridge Street tunnel now cleared.

Alexandria Notice Boards

No update.

Forward Planning

No update.

West Dunbartonshire Community Council Forum

  • Next meeting: Wednesday 5th March.
  • Discussion ongoing with Peter Hessett (WDC Chief Executive) re Communities Team changes.

Social Media / Website

  • Facebook page: 368 likes, 598 followers.
  • Notice Board Facebook group: 5,923 members.

AOCB

None.

Meeting Close

The meeting was closed with no other business.

Next Meeting

Wednesday 23rd April 2025, 6.30pm at CATRA Hall, Alexandria

Alexandria Community Council

Meeting

Wednesday 23 April 2025

Alexandria Community Centre

Present:

Ian Miller (chair), Harry McCormack (minutes), Angela Caldwell, Tilda McCrimmon, Shirley McAlpine (Vale of Leven Trust), Ayesha Mohammed (Vale of Leven Trust), Sarah Lintott (Dunbartonshire Scouts)

Apologies:

Jan Taylor, Colin Smith, Barbara Barnes, Sian Wilkie, Brian Kemsley

Previous minutes 26.2.25:

  • Proposed by Angela Caldwell. Seconded by Ian Miller.

Correspondence:

  • WDC Budget 2025/26: Correspondence received from Laurence Slavin, WDC Chief Officer – Resources on elected members decision to maintain funding community councils for this year. This follows budget savings discussion WDC meeting on Wednesday 5th March.
  • WDC Budgets 2025/26: Correspondence also received by Gail Macfarlane, WDC Chief Officer and Laurence Slevin, WDC Chief Officer – confirming elected members decision at WDC meeting on 5th March to maintain Elderly Welfare Grant (£15 per year to residents over the age of 67). However, the Care of Garden scheme for elderly and disabled residents has been withdrawn from 1st April due to the £275 per household cost (approximately £143k a year). Residents who used this service will need to look elsewhere. This along with other cuts to services in the local authority has been formally announced to “help close a budget gap of £7.7m (plus at least a further £5.6m budget gap for West Dunbartonshire Health & Social Care Partnership). Alexandria CC to draft a wide letter to highlight our disappointment in the decision and impact it will have on the local community – particularly the vulnerable.
  • Better Buses for Strathclyde: Harry sent an email to begin a conversation on our issues with First Bus curtailing recent services in the area. Paul Shaw of Get Glasgow Moving, the organisation behind the campaign is happy for communication to take place. As mentioned last meeting, a public meeting in Clydebank for West Dunbartonshire clashed with tonight’s meeting therefore one opportunity missed. Harry to contact them again to begin a conversation moving forward.
  • Bank Hub: Tilda shared a photograph of this service provided in Girvan to give an idea on how one in Alexandia may operate.
  • Balloch & Haldane CC: Place Planning Activity – local community councils session to be arranged and awaiting further contact.
  • WDC Planning & Development: 1 Hillview Place, Main Street. Dempsey’s. Application in principle for flats and associated car parking and the demolition of existing buildings.
  • WDC Planning & Development: Flat 4, 122 Leven Street, McAulay Letting. Change of use from dwelling house (flat) to serviced accommodation.
  • WDC Planning & Development: Argyll Park, Argyle Street. West Dunbartonshire Council. Construction of a new full size 3G synthetic pitch including drainage, floodlighting and fencing.
  • WDC Planning & Development: Mixed Use Development Site, Mitchell Way. LIDL. Amendment to warrant -alterations to below ground drainage, additional internal and external alterations including additional EV chargers and future provision.
  • National Planning Improvement Framework: WDC calling for Community Council involvement in this partnership working with other organisations. Tilda to check if this is more suited to WD Community Council Forum platform.
  • Uplifting Mitchell Way: WDC Regeneration working with Page/Park Architects to deliver new public realm improvements on Mitchell Way. Public consultation including workshops ended on 18th April.
  • West Dunbartonshire Tenants & Residents Organisation (WDTRO): Alexandria CC supports WDTRO’s letter criticising the harsh wording of WDC’s “Missed Council Tax Payment” leaflet.
  • BT/WDC Consultation: Payphone on Colquhoun Drive, Rosshead one of 13 being removed in West Dunbartonshire. Consultation is in regard to the community keeping the payphones if the community states there is still a need (there has been no visible campaign for this) or “adopt” a phone box for £1 for another use. Harry to contact WDC for information.

Finance:

  • Current bank balance is £2,887.55p (£887.55p actual balance) as of Wednesday 23rd April 2025.
  • Expenditure includes £30 to Tullichewan TRA and £20 to CATRA. Bank of Scotland have introduced £4.25 monthly service charge from 18th March. All details on file.
  • £2,000 is for Notice Board project.
  • Tilda and Harry to be added as signatories to the bank account as soon as possible.

Alexandria Traders Association & Vale of Leven Trust:

  • Business Investment District (BID) board now appointed with Traders Association operating as its steering group. Sian Wilkie elected chairperson of the board with Councillor Jim Bollan and Michelle Lynn, WDC Asset Management also members of the board.
  • Alexandria Traders meetings now operate as the BID board’s steering group.
  • Calum McConnachie, WDC Regeneration attended the steering group with one of the architects on the planning team to give an update and ask for feedback on the “Uplifting Mitchell Way” project. They have been consulting residents of Alexandria and local organisations on the use of the allocated budget of £800k. The proposal from the Traders at the meeting is that some of the allocation be ringfenced for Mitchell Way to upgrade the pavements and lighting on the Main Street as well. The BID Board agreed with this and agreed further consultation will be carried over the next few weeks with local traders to get their views. Alexandria CC in support of this.
  • Vale of Leven Trust in partnership working with BID projects with Alexandria Traders Association.
  • Next market scheduled for 3rd May.
  • Invitations to Balloch Community Fire Station and local Community Police for upcoming markets for information stalls/talks.

Alexandria community plan/plan on a page:

  • Harry to email Colin on the development of the page plan for Alexandria.

Alexandria notice boards:

  • No update.

West Dunbartonshire Community Council Forum:

  • CC Forum drafting a letter to WDC on the disappointment of the lack of opportunity to be involved in decision making. This is despite making efforts to be involved in community surveys and workshops.

LIDL:

  • Following delays, recent information is that the new shop will be open in late May.

Social media/website:

  • Alexandria Community Council’s public page on Facebook currently with 392 likes and 629 followers.
  • Alexandria CC Notice Board Facebook group membership of 6,539 members.
  • Harry to contact Alan Hubner for an update on the Town website.

AOCB:

  • Ian welcomed Sarah Lintott, District Lead Volunteer for Dunbartonshire Scouts who attended our meeting tonight to network with local people and organisations. Sarah Group Lead Volunteer for both 1st Loch Lomond and 1st Renton which serve the Vale of Leven Communities. Alexandria CC to put this as an agenda item going forward.

(With no other business, the meeting was closed)

Sarah.lintott@dunbartonshirescouts.org.uk 
Next meeting: Wednesday 4th June 2025, 6.30pm at CATRA Hall, Alexandria.