2019 Agendas and Minutes

Dumbarton East and Central Community Council

Minute of meeting held on 15 January 2019 at 7pm

in St Augustine's Church Hall

Present:

• James Cormack
• Jim Crosthwaite
• Cllr Brian Walker
• Iain Ellis
• Mary Hudson
• PC Lucy McNulty
• Fran Annis
• Dorothy Heron

Apologies:

1. Jane Brown
2. Cllr David McBride
3. Cllr Karen Conaghan

Previous Minutes/Matters Arising

• Previous minute was read and approved.

Dumbarton East Railway Station

• Following enquiries made by CC Annis to Martin Docherty-Hughes MP, concerning accessibility issues at Dumbarton Train Stations, a response has been received via Martin Docherty-Hughes' office from Heather Noller, Public Affairs Manager, intimating that in connection with Dumbarton East Station, bird netting on the underside of the bridge is due to be repaired next week (13 Jan) and is intended to be complete by the end of January. This matter is on-going.

Questions to Councillors/Police Ingram Wilson,

• Rehab/Employability Co-ordinator, has invited members to visit the new Pavilion in Levengrove on 25 January or Monday 28th , 11.30 to 1 pm. Could those interested let Jim Crosthwaite know when they would be available to visit.
• Trussell Trust Foodbank: It is understood that people using the foodbank have to stand outside the back door of the Concord Centre and it was thought this could be improved. Councillor Walker will enquire about this.
• A police report was submitted by PC McNulty as follows:

Community Council Debrief

Date: 15/01/2019

Location & Beat: Dumbarton east and Central - Beat 5 and 6 (11/12/2018 – 13/01/2019)

Levengrove Park has been subject to problem behaviour at weekends and the police are monitoring this. Tickets are still being served on drivers in the High Street but the problem still persists.

These issues were discussed in general.

• Bruce Street: The overhanging wall in Bruce Street was again discussed. The wall is in a dangerous state. Cllr Walker will ask WDC to look at this and report back.
• The Consultation on the WDC Budget due to be held next Tuesday, 22 January, has been cancelled by the Council and should now be held sometime in February, date to be advised in due course.
• Iain asked how the Council could spend £4 million on the Exxon site when WDC do not own the land. The survey of the land should be made available but at present only certain personnel in the Council know the details of this and it has not been released for public information or indeed general Council information. A discussion followed on the problems which could emerge in future with this site due to possible risk contamination.

Treasurer's Report

• Mary reported there is £1162.16 in the bank and petty cash of £65.22. Iain and Mary will arrange for the books to be audited.

AOB

• Jim Crosthwaite and Dorothy had met with Davina Lavery to discuss the possibility of accessing the Denny Yard Model based in the Maritime Museum at Greenwich. Davina had contacted Andrew Graham to further the feasibility of contacting the museum to see if it would be possible to digitally scan the model. A further meeting has been arranged.

7. Date of Next Meeting

• The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 12 February 2019 at 7pm

Dumbarton East and Central Community Council

Meeting to be held on Tuesday 12 February at 7pm

in St Augustine's Church Hall

Agenda

1. Previous Minute/Matters Arising
2. Dumbarton East Railway Station - update on work
3. WDC Budget Consultation Dates
4. Questions to Police/Councillors
5. Treasurer's Report
6. AOB
7. Date of next meeting: Tuesday 12 March 2019 at 7pm

Dumbarton East and Central Community Council

Minute of Meeting held on Tuesday 12 February 2019 at 7pm

in St Augustine's Church Hall, Dumbarton

Present:

• Jim Crosthwaite
• Dorothy Heron
• George Grindlay
• Mary Hudson
• Jim Slack
• Cllr Karen Conaghan
• Cllr David McBride
• PC Chris Griffiths, Police Scotland
• Laura Sturrock, D'ton & VoL Reporter

Apologies:

• Cllr Brian Walker
• Cllr Iain McLaren
• Frances Annis
• Jim Cormack

Previous Minute/Matters Arising

• Previous minute of 15 January 2019 was read and approved.
• Trussell Trust Food Bank: Following a discussion at last month's meeting, it was said that food bank volunteers had requested the queueing outside due to so many people arriving early which could be disruptive to the centre.
• Bruce Street wall: Re the overhanging wall in Bruce Street, nothing will be done to correct this meantime.

Dumbarton East Railway Station - Update

• Jim Slack attended this meeting to ask about Dumbarton East Station car park and an issue he encountered there. This car park, which is a Park and Ride, is very busy to the extent that some cars are parking in a manner which obstructs the pathway and makes access difficult for people who require easy access to the car park. Wheelchair users are hindered in gaining access to their cars. Jim will send a photo to Cllr McBride to highlight the problem.
• Councillors Conaghan and McBride will look into this and hopefully some form of traffic management can be put in place to stop cars obstructing the pathway access.
• In connection with the state of Dumbarton East Station under the bridge, Jim Crosthwaite said the netting work carried out at the station by Network Rail has not been successful in that the siting of the nets does not contain the pigeons who easily enter the area which should be closed off. Network Rail will be contacted again about this.

Denny's Yard

• Jim Crosthwaite had met again with Davina Lavery and Andrew Graham re the model of the Denny Yard which has been in storage for 18 years. It is hoped it can be brought back to Dumbarton or a scan of it. A letter has been sent from WDC to Greenwich Maritime Museum and this is an ongoing issue.

WDC Budget Consultation Dates

• Consultation dates had been arranged for this month and members will be attending.

Questions to Police/Councillors

PC Griffiths submitted the monthly police report as follows:

Community Council Report for Dumbarton East & Central Community Council dated 12/02/2019 for the period 12/01/2019 - 11/02/2019

Submitting Officer: PC Christopher Griffiths

71 Crimes recorded as follows:

Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 1

Serious Assault 2

Common Assault 6

Possess Knife/Offensive Weapon 3

Theft x Shoplifting 29

Theft (Unclassified) 1

Theft (Motor Vehicle) 1

Possess Drugs 7

Breach of the Peace/Disorder 4

Vandalism 5

Vehicle/Traffic Crime 1

Taxi Fraud 1

Forgery and Uttering 2

The above excludes fixed penalty notices issued in respect of anti-social behaviour, non-endorsable and endorsable offences (Road Traffic).

Misuse of Drugs:

47 yr male swallowed drugs as Police approached at DSC.

18 yr male cannabis.

27 yr male cocaine.

37 yr old cannabis.

32 yr male cannabis.

64 yr male diazepam.

32 yr male cannabis.

S38/BoP/Disorder

17 yr male shout, swear, resist arrest.

13 yr old shout and swear KFC.

15 yr female shout, swear KFC.

12 yr male shout, swear and spit at employee McDonalds.

Theft SL/Unclassified

ASDA 9

Boots 7

B&M 5

Morrisons 2

M&S 1

McColls 4

Poundland 1

In excess of £3,500 stolen or attempted. 11 detected, 14 with named suspects.

Theft MV

Ford transit van white, stolen

Sexual Offences

1 Sexual Assault detected

Stalking male suspect

Fraud/Forgery and Uttering

Bank account compromised.

Landlord offence.

Licensing issue.

Offensive weapons

15 yr old female with knife.

29 yr old female with screwdriver.

Male with brick.

Road Traffic

3 - Careless driving, accident no insurance

3 - Careless driving, accident no insurance, no licence

5 - 41 yr female drunk driver

3 - 22 yr old female driver causing accident injuring young girl. No licence or insurance and without permission.

Assault

Domestic, male suspect

Punch, male suspect

Domestic, male suspect

Male suspect

Spitting McDonalds, 12 yr old det.

Kicking Argos 29 yr male det.

Serious - slashing, uncooperative complainer

Serious - punch with bottle ASDA, 16 yr old suspect

Vandalism

Glue in locks, Risk Street

Smashed window, Indian Restaurant, Glasgow Road

Window smashed, High Street pub.

Police MV, Station Road

Damage to door, Glasgow Road

Other issues raised by Police: Street parking Glasgow Road DYR lines have been renewed.

Increase in vandalism by known culprit 400 separate examples. Police will be working with partners to help and deal with issue and culprit.

Incidents of note or crime trends: Increase in shoplifting. Youth disorder in and around St |James Retail Park, especially McDonalds, KFC, ASDA and B&M.

Forthcoming events/initiatives: Traffic initiative next week. Seat-belts, mobile phones, red lights.

The community is urged to continue to use Crimestoppers if wishing to leave anonymous information regarding incidents which are happening within the community. The telephone phone number is 0800 555 111 and is operated 24 hrs a day.

If you wish to contact direct with any specific complaints or concerns, please contact the following based at Dumbarton Police Office:

Communities Sergeant - Brian Simpson

Communities Officer - Matt Hooper

Tel: 101

LomondCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk

LevenCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk

DumbartonCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk

or the following based at Dumbarton Police Office:

Communities Inspector

Mo Boyle

Tel: 01389 822028

• George Grindlay complained about parking in Castle Street and asked if a transport traffic strategy had been looked at. It was said the police will attend when requested when this is an issue. PC Cunningham does monitor the parking in this area. Although this could be enforced more by the police there are problems with the work being done on the building site. As there are no traffic wardens employed by the police in this area now that increases the problem. The High Street, Glasgow Road, Castle Street and Bellsmyre all have issues with this.
• Plans for the roads down at the quay are available and it has been suggested that one is to be named Cronin Way with the possibility of a bust of A J Cronin being included somewhere along the new walkway.
• The pavilion in Levengrove Park is now open. Parking is available for vehicles (disabled badge holders) and access will be the bottom gate at Levengrove Park.
• Castle lighting: There is an issue with the pathway down to the castle with the football club and this will be completed in the course of time.
• Town Centre Conservation Area: Dumbarton Central Station will be included in this.
• Police have had problems in St James Park with youths in the evenings at weekends particularly.
• George Grindlay stated the derelict building in Castle Street which is owned by Lidl has been repaired.
• Councillors were asked about business rates for town businesses and stated that business rates were set by the Scottish Government and not the Council. This was discussed in general.
• Willox Park: CCTV will be installed in the grounds of Willox Park for security purposes.

Treasurer's Report

• Mary reported there is £1,042.16p in the bank and £58.26 in petty cash.

Date of next meeting

• The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 12 March 2019 at 7pm

Dumbarton East and Central Community Council

Meeting to be held on Tuesday 12 March at 7pm

in St Augustine's Church Hall

Agenda

1. Previous Minute/Matters Arising
2. Dumbarton East Railway Station - update on work
3. WDC Budget
4. Questions to Police/Councillors
5. Treasurer's Report
6. AOB
   1. Brian McQuillan, Communities Project Worker – Communities Team, will attend next meeting.
7. Date of next meeting: Tuesday 9 April 2019 at 7pm

Minute of meeting held on Tuesday 12 March 2019 at 7pm

in St Augustine's Church Hall

Present:

• Mary Hudson
• Cllr Iain McLaren
• Cllr Brian Walker
• PC Sara Cunningham
• Jim Crosthwaite
• Dorothy Heron

Apologies:

• Cllr Karen Conaghan
• Cllr David McBride
• James Cormack

Previous Minutes/Matters Arising

• Previous minute was read and approved.

Dumbarton East Railway Station

• Dumbarton East Railway Station Car Park: it was previously stated there was an issue in the Park and Ride Car Park at Dumbarton East in that the pedestrian entrance to the disabled car parking area was obstructed by a car parked over the area. It was believed that a permanent post would be installed but to date only moveable traffic cones have been placed.
• As of today, there is still at least one dead pigeon caught in the spikes at the station. Cllr McLaren said the stockholders, Network Rail and West Dunbartonshire Council, will hold a meeting to discuss Dumbarton East. It is hoped the Community Council can be included in this meeting.

Questions to Police/Councillors

• The lighting up of the castle was again discussed and it is still the intention of WDC to carry this out.
• The new pavilion in Levengrove Park has had graffiti spray painted on the wall. With the completion of the pavilion and the excellent work done, it is sad that this should occur so soon after the pavilion has opened.
• Re business rates in the town, it was mentioned at the Town Centre Forum held last night that there is a Small Business Loan Scheme, which has to be applied for through WDC. It is hoped all businesses are aware of this.
• PC Sara Cunningham submitted a police report. This will be forwarded when received.

Treasurer's Report

• Mary reported there is£ 914.10 in the bank and £58.26 in petty cash.

AOB

• Information for a Community Council leaflet for our area has been given to Suzanne Greer who has agreed to assist the CC in helping with the layout.

Date of next meeting

• The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 9 April 2019 at 7pm

Dumbarton East and Central Community Council

Meeting to be held on Tuesday 9 April at 7pm

in St Augustine's Church Hall

Agenda

1. Previous Minute/Matters Arising
2. Dumbarton East Railway Station - letter sent to Network Rail HQ
3. Questions to Police/Councillors
4. Treasurer's Report
5. AOB
6. Brian McQuillan, Communities Project Worker – Communities Team, will attend next meeting.
7. Date of next meeting: 14 May 2019 at 7pm

Minute of Meeting held on 14 May April 2019

in St Augustine's Church Hall, Dumbarton at 7pm

Attendance:

• Cllr Iain McLaren
• Dorothy Heron
• Iain Ellis
• PC David McFarlane, Police Scotland
• James Cormack
• Jane Brown
• Cllr Brian Walker

Apologies:

• Cllr David McBride
• Cllr Karen Conaghan
• Mary Hudson
• Jim Crosthwaite

Previous Minute/Matters Arising

• Previous minute was read and approved.

Dumbarton East Railway Station

• A letter had been sent to Network Rail HQ on 7 April - no response to date. An email has also been sent this week to another Network Rail contact.

Questions to Police/Councillors

• Councillors were asked if the gates at the distillery grounds on Castle Street could be saved as they were part of the Dumbarton heritage of Ballantines. Cllr McLaren will make enquiries to see if there are plans for them.
• Re the upgrade of parks in the area, it was stated the park at Highmains had been ignored and was it possible that this could be looked at.
• The community alarm charges is an issue causing concern in that there has been an increase in the price and some elderly people have had to give them up. Re the key entry safes, is there a charge to users of this facility. Cllr McLaren will make enquiries in connection with these issues and will report back with any information for the Community Council.
• With the major roadworks being carried out in Glasgow Road and Greenhead Road, it was asked what would happen in case of accidents. Police have said it would be dealt with at the time as all accidents are.

PC McFarlane gave a police report as follows:

Community Council Report

Name of Community Council:- Dumbarton East and Central

Date of Report:- 08/05/2018

Contact Us

I would urge the community to continue to use Crimestoppers if wishing to leave anonymous information regarding incidents which are happening within the community. The telephone phone number is 0800 555 111 and is operated 24hrs a day.

If you wish to contact us direct with any specific complaints or concerns, please contact the following based at Dumbarton Police Office;

Communities Sergeant – PS Brian Simpson

Communities Officers – PC Gemma Sloan and PC Raymond Borland

Tel: 101

DumbartonCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk

Or the following based at Dumbarton Police Office;

Communities Inspector Roderick MacNeil

Tel: 01389 822028

Treasurer's Report

• There is £889.10p in the bank and £58.26p in petty cash.

AOB

• Fraud issues reported in the press within the Council were discussed. Disappointment was expressed at the lack of information for the public due to papers being so heavily redacted.

Date of next meeting: Tuesday 11 June 2019 at 7pm

Dumbarton East and Central Community Council

Meeting to be held on Tuesday 14 May at 7pm

in St Augustine's Church Hall

Agenda

1. Previous Minute/Matters Arising
2. Dumbarton East Railway Station
3. Questions to Police/Councillors
4. Treasurer's Report
5. AOB
6. Date of next meeting: 11 June 2019 at 7pm

Dumbarton East and Central Community Council

Meeting to be held on Tuesday 11 June at 7pm

in St Augustine's Church Hall

Agenda

1. Previous Minute/Matters Arising
2. Dumbarton East Railway Station
3. Traffic Management - Dumbarton East
4. Questions to Police/Councillors
5. Treasurer's Report
6. AOB
7. Date of next meeting: 10 September 2019 at 7pm

Dumbarton East & Central Community Council

Minute of Meeting held on Tuesday 11 June 2019 at 7pm

in St Augustine's Church Hall, Dumbarton

Present

• James Cormack
• Cllr Brian Walker
• Cllr David McBride
• Mary Hudson
• Dorothy Heron
• PC Gemma Sloan
• Jim Crosthwaite

Apologies:

• Cllr Karen Conaghan

Minute of Previous Meeting/Matters Arising

• The minute of meeting held on 14 May was read and approved.
• RE the issue of key entry safes raised at the last meeting, Cllr McLaren had responded with the information that WDC only use keysafes for void properties. Keysafes for those in need of them are supplied via the Health & Social Care Partnership, who meet the cost of these.
• It was also stated that the gates at Castle Street are already earmarked to be re-used as part of the new walkway to the castle.

Dumbarton East Railway Station

• Response still awaited from Network Rail.

Questions to Councillors/Police

• The current roadworks in Glasgow Road was discussed and it was said the work will be extended until 24 July to allow British Telecom to carry out work. The work has caused major disruption, confusing signage for drivers being one of the reasons.
• Jim Crosthwaite asked about rubbish being burned down at the shore. Some of this appeared to be furniture.
• PC Sloan submitted the police report for the area outlining incidents which had occurred during the last month.
• New police teams have been established to deal with antisocial behaviour in the Dumbarton area and wherever else needed.

Treasurers Report

• The Treasurer reported there is £876.60 in the bank and petty cash of £57.06.

AOB

• Lidl builder work has now started.
• The housing development at the quay is well underway. This is a mix of social and private housing.

Date of next meeting

• The Community Council will not meet in July or August.
• The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 10 September 2019.

Dumbarton East and Central Community Council

Meeting to be held on Tuesday 10 September 2019 at 7pm

in St Augustine's Church Hall

1. Previous Minute/Matters Arising
2. Dumbarton East Railway Station
3. Sandpoint Marina Building Development
4. Questions to Police/Councillors
5. Treasurer's Report
6. AOB
7. Date of next meeting: 8 October 2019 at 7pm

Dumbarton East & Central Community Council

Minute of Meeting held on Tuesday 10 September 2019 at 7pm

in St Augustine's Church Hall, Dumbarton

Present

• James Cormack
• Cllr Karen Conaghan
• Cllr Iain McLaren
• Cllr David McBride
• Mary Hudson
• Dorothy Heron
• PC Gemma Sloan
• PC Dave Watson
• Iain Ellis
• Jane Brown
• Fran Annis

Apologies:

• Cllr Brian Walker
• Jim Crosthwaite

Minute of Previous Meeting/Matters Arising

• The minute of meeting held on 11 June was read and approved.

Dumbarton East Railway Station

• Niamh Hegarty, Senior Public Affairs Manager, Network Rail Scotland had been contacted by email to ascertain the situation at Dumbarton East Station, and will look into this and come back with an update.

Sandpoint Marina Building Development

• Pamela Clifford will bring information to the Town Centre meeting on 16 September re this item. Carried forward to next meeting.

Questions to Police/Councillors

• It was confirmed that Silverton and Overtoun Avenues will be resurfaced. WDC has filled in the potholes in the connecting road meantime and the road will remain to be unadopted.
• Mary stated to Councillors/Police that the entrance to her flat and to Eastfield Bowling Club had been vandalised by paint being smeared on the walls and spread on the ground on the weekend of the latest Celtic/Rangers football match. The police will get in touch with the bowling club to find out their views on the matter.
• PC Watson submitted the current police report for the area as follows:

Community Council Report

Name of Community Council:- Dumbarton central and Dumbarton East

Date of Report:- 10/09/2019 1915 hours

Submitting / Attending officer:- PC Gemma Sloan L0284, PC David Watson L518

Note offences covered are within the designated community council area. In total ** offences have been identified within this area.

Crimes summarised as follows,

• Murder/Attempt 0
• Serious Assault 0
• Robbery 0
• Assault with Intent to Rob 0
• Wilful fire-raising
• Common Assault
• 1 Male Punched to the face – Church Street – Not Detected.
• Possess Knife/Offensive weapon
• Theft/Att Housebreaking – Domestic
• Broadmeadow industrial Estate – Not Detected.
• Theft by Shoplifting
• 1 – McColls - not detected
• Theft (Unclassified)
• Theft Of Purse – Blue Dragon.-Not Detected
• Theft Of Bike – High street Dumbarton – Not Detected
• Attempt theft – Boots – Detected
• Theft – boots – Not Detected
• OLP with intent 0
• Possess Drugs
• Possession of Cannabis – Riverside lane – Detected.
• Possession of Cannabis – Outside Waterside Inn - Detected
• Possession Of Cannabis – Riverside Lane – detected
• Possession of tablets. Church Street. Detected.
• Possession of Cannabis – Riverside Lane – Detected.
• Possession of Cannabis- Detected Riverside Lane
• Possess With Intent to Supply 0
• Breach of the Peace/Disorder
• Female shouting within Meadowbank Street - Detected.
• Station Road – 1 Male shouting at members of the public – Detected.
• 1 Male shout in public – College way – Detected.
• Central Station – Male shouting at complainer – Detected.
• Shout and swear at police – High Street. Detected.
• Shout and Swear at complainer – Counting House – Detected.
• Vandalism
• Gamestation – did kick glass – Not detected.
• Vehicle/traffic Crime 0
• Fraud
• Firearms Act 0
• Breach of Bail 0
• Reset 0
• Malicious Mischief 0
• Drinking in a public place
• 1 Male detected – high street.
• 1 Male Detected- Riverside Lane.
• 1 Male Detected on High Street
• 1 Male Riverside Lane – Detected.
• Drunk in a public place
• Sexual Assault
• Serious Assault:
• 1 High Street Dumbarton – Detected.
• Common Assault
• 1 – Aladdins take away –Not Detected
• Licensing
• Road Traffic offence
• Failing to stop after a motor crash- Risk Street – Not Detected
• Careless Cycling – Bridge Street – Detected.
• No MOT – West Bridge End – Detected
• Driving with no insurance – outside Milton Inn – Detected.
• Drink driving – West Bridge End – Detected
• Contact Us

I would urge the community to continue to use Crimestoppers if wishing to leave anonymous information regarding incidents which are happening within the community. The telephone phone number is 0800 555 111 and is operated 24hrs a day.

If you wish to contact us direct with any specific complaints or concerns, please contact the following based at Dumbarton Police Office;

Communities Sergeant – PS Brian Simpson

Communities Officers – PC Gemma Sloan & PC David Watson

Tel: 101

DumbartonCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk

Or the following based at Dumbarton Police Office;

Communities Inspector Roderick MacNeil

Tel: 01389 822028

Cllr Conaghan reported that a new shelter will be put in place in Quay Street at the back of Gregg's and asked if there are any areas where a bus stop would require a step to make easier entrance onto buses for the less abled passengers.

Dumbarton East at the shops in Glasgow Road would appear to have less litter bins than usual. Cllr Conaghan will make enquiries about this.

On the cycle path between Geils Avenue and Dumbuck Crescent, some of the trees require to be pruned back as they cover the lights. Cllr Dickson will make enquiries.

Sink holes have appeared at the corner of Third Avenue and at the corner of Greenhead Road and the A82. This has been the case for some time now and it was hoped this could be looked at and repaired in the near future.

Bio-diversity: Iain Ellis asked about the bio-diversity policy and was told the idea is to save the planet but Iain said the areas involved should be cut at least once a year and stressed that the grass has not been cut at the appropriate times. Cllr Dickson said this should be looked at to verify what should have been done.

The sharing of services with Inverclyde was raised. Inverclyde charge residents for the collection of brown bins. Cllr Dickson said there is no suggestion that WDC would do that.

James Cormack asked if now that the legal challenge to stop Mr Nazir was found in his favour would he now be free to continue with his building plans. Cllr Conaghan said drawings have been submitted and permission should be given soon. It is in the process of being granted.

Treasurer's Report

• Mary stated the Community Council grant has been received in the sum of £1606.59. Balance in the bank is £2483.19 and petty cash of £57.06.
• Iain Ellis suggested some spend could be used in supplying benches on the cycle path. Concerns were expressed at the cost WDC would make but this will be suggested to Councillors at the next meeting.

AOB

• Iain and Jane will do the next column for the Reporter this month, due to be submitted by 20 September.

Date of Next Meeting

• The next meeting has been put back a week and will be held on:
• Tuesday 15 October 2019 at 5pm in the Burgh Room, ground floor at 16 Church Street Council Offices. Please note entrance only via the back door as front street door closed from 4.30pm

Dumbarton East & Central Community Council

Meeting to be held on Tuesday 15 October 2019 at 5pm

in Burgh Room, 16 Church Street Offices

Agenda

1. Previous Minute/Matters Arising
2. Dumbarton East Railway Station
3. Sandpoint Marina Building Development
4. Questions to Police/Councillors
5. Treasurer's Report
6. AOB
7. Date of next meeting:
   1. The AGM will be held on 12 November 2019 at 7pm in St Augustine's Church Halls.

Dumbarton East & Central Community Council Meeting

held in St Augustine's Hall on

15 October 2019 @ 7pm

Present

• James Cormack (Chair)
• Cllr Karen Conaghan
• Cllr Brian Walker
• Mary Hudson
• Dorothy Heron
• Iain Ellis
• Jim Crosthwaite

Apologies:

• Cllr David McBride
• Jane Brown
• Cllr Iain McLaren

Minute of Previous Meeting/Matters Arising

• The minute of meeting held on 11 June was read and approved with the following amendment.
• Page 5: Paragraphs 3,5 and 6: "Cllr Dickson" should read "Cllr McLaren".

Dumbarton East Railway Station

• No response received from Network Rail re Dumbarton East Station.

Questions to Police/Councillors

• Cllr Conaghan advised there is no date set yet for the resurfacing of Silverton and Overtoun Avenues. This work had been scheduled to take place, particular for the dangerous pavements, two years ago. The potholes in the connecting road had been filled in but apparently this had been done in error.
• On Glasgow Road at the bottom of Greenhead Road, the filling of the hole by the Gas Board is not thought to be an acceptable standard. At the top of Greenhead Road a dip in the road has broken up and it is on the agenda to be attended to but requires Transerve involvement so may take a while.
• Bus Shelter: the bus stop on the quay has no shelter and this should have been erected by 1 October. Cllr Conaghan has contacted the relevant personnel about this and will make further enquiries.
• Members of the Planning Committee will conduct a site visit next week re the lights at the castle. The Dumbarton Football Club owners have objected to the installation of lights.
• Jim Crosthwaite said Fran Annis had raised the question of raised pavements at bus termini. It was thought that pavements are already raised at the termini.
• Wallace Street - parking over the pavements is a problem particularly for visually impaired people and it was thought more double yellow lines could be extended beyond the tactile paving.
• Re benches to be installed on the cycle path as discussed last month, Cllr Conaghan will ask about costs and report back.
• All of Denny's piers have been removed at the walkway and it has been suggested the Council could do something with it. Cllr Conaghan will make enquiries.
• It was asked how WDC select areas to be left for bio diversity.

Sandpoint Marina

• The Consultation on the planning application for Sandpoint will be held on 23 October at Westbridgend Church.

Treasurer's Report

• Mary reported there is £2483.19 in the bank and £57.06 in petty cash.

Date of next meeting:

• Tuesday 12 November 2019 which will be the AGM
• Followed by a short meeting.

Dumbarton East and Central Community Council

Agenda - AGM -Tuesday 12 November 2019 at 7pm in St Augustine's Church Halls

1. Welcome

2. The Events for the Year 2018-19

3. Election of Office Bearers

4. The Year Ahead

5. AOCB

6. Date of next meeting: Tuesday 10 December 2019

at 7pm in St Augustine's Hall

This AGM meeting will be followed by our usual monthly meeting.

Dumbarton East & Central Community Council

Meeting held in St Augustine's Hall on

12 November 2019 @ 7.30pm

Present:

• Iain Ellis
• Mary Hudson
• Dorothy Heron
• Cllr David McBride
• 2 PCs, Police Scotland

Apologies:

• James Cormack
• Frances Annis
• Cllr Brian Walker

Previous Minute/Matters Arising

• The minute of meeting held on 15 October 2019 was read and approved.
• There still has been no response from Network Rail re the continuing state of the pavement at Dumbarton East Station. Although WDC regularly clean the pavement of pigeon mess, this is not a solution and Network Rail will be contacted again.
• An email had been received via WDC from Raymond Walsh confirming that the road between Silverton and Overtoun Avenues had indeed had work done in error due to staff leave whereby the fix crew based in Dumbarton was replaced by a Clydebank crew who inadvertently undertook the repair to potholes.

Questions to Councillors and Police

• A police report was submitted by the attending police constables.
• Parking issues were again discussed.
• Iain stated a sink hole in Highmains Avenue continues to be a problem. Cllr McBride will make enquiries.
• The Conservation Area has been extended to Dumbarton East Station though it is unknown if this will help further the need for work to be carried out at the bridge.
• This month is the 150th anniversary of the launching of the Cutty Sark and Iain asked if WDC would be doing anything to commemorate this event.
• Papers will be out soon re the sale of the former Council Offices at Garshake and OLSP.
• Re the boarded up homes in Smollett Road, it is understood these premises have been empty for some years due to the problems experienced with the flat roofs. Housing Department will be asked when this will be looked at.
• The Dunbritton Housing building project at the quay is making progress and tenants should be given entry in April 2020. The four storey buildings will not have a lift but higher than this will. There will also be a further 45 council houses built.

Treasurer's Report

• Mary stated there is £2483.19 in the bank and £57.06 in petty cash.

AOB

• It has been suggested we look at holding a Gala Day in 2020 to coincide with Dumbarton Festival Year. Enquiries will be made at the next Town Centre Forum on Monday 13 January 2020. This date has been changed from 9 December due to the General Election on 12 December.

Date of Next Meeting

• The meeting of the Community Council due to be held on 10 December 2019 has been changed to Tuesday 14 January 2020 when there will also be an EGM before the meeting due to the low turnout at the AGM this evening which meant our Community Councillors/Office Bearers could not be reinstated at this meeting.

Dumbarton East & Central Community Council AGM

held in St Augustine's Hall on 12 November 2019 @ 7pm

During 2018-19 the area within this Community Council for Dumbarton East & Central continues to expand by population with an ever increasing number of new builds in the area. Castle road continues to grow with the new housing estate and the quay development is nearing completion with the first tenants taking up residency by spring of 2020.

Parking issues in the town continue to be problematic and we will have to wait and see if the parking in castle street improves when the house building is complete as it is difficult to see at the moment just where the cars come from. We did think the car parking in the council offices was insufficient at the time and we still think this is the case but the clock can't be turned back.

The Lidl building is now taking shape and hopefully will be in operation in February barring any unforeseen problems.

The walkway along the quay is progressing and when complete, lights will be installed to light up Dumbarton castle which is a welcome addition along with the lighting up of the bridge at Artizan which is now in operation.

Despite correspondence to Network Rail re Dumbarton East Station and the mess constantly made by roosting pigeons on the pavements on Glasgow Road, no solution has been found for this problem. WDC do clean the area regularly but a long term solution would be preferable for all. This will be an ongoing issue for us to tackle.

Glencairn house will be the venue for Dumbarton Library and also a hub centre for the town and work is progressing on this.

Dumbarton rotary club have continued to enhance the platforms at Dumbarton east station with colourful flower displays over the summer months and even now the displays are in bloom. This is much appreciated and many comments have been received admiring the appearance of the station.

We have again contributed to the Dumbarton & Vale of Leven reporter by doing a community council column every six weeks. Community councillors take turns at doing the column to give a different slant to views of the area.

As in past years, we acknowledge and appreciate the attendance at meetings of West Dunbartonshire Councillors for our area who have been very supportive in advising on any issues we raise with them, and thanks also go to police Scotland representatives who submit a monthly report on issues arising in the area which is very informative. The cooperation of both groups helps immensely in making this community council aware of topics which may be raised by the public.

This area did have major traffic problems during the summer months with the works being carried out in Glasgow road which caused considerable traffic congestion any many irate drivers and residents. Confusing signage did not help but in the end, the work was completed, the road was resurfaced and other utility works were carried out at the same time.

Election of office bearers

Chair: Iain Ellis, Proposed by Mary Hudson; seconded by Dorothy Heron

Vice Chair:

Treasurer: Mary Hudson, Proposed by Dorothy Heron; seconded by Iain Ellis

Secretary: Dorothy Heron, Proposed by Iain Ellis; seconded by Mary Hudson

Comm Council Members

• Iain Ellis
• Dorothy Heron
• Mary Hudson

Due to low turnout for the AGM, the December 10 meeting has been cancelled and an EGM will be held on Tuesday 14 January 2020 at 7pm

The year ahead

Next year will perhaps bring planning objections in connection with a housing development planned for Sandpoint Marina. As 100+ houses are planned, there are concerns about the access issues for the amount of traffic on Woodyard road and this matter is being monitored.

The high street still suffers from a high number of empty premises and the town centre forum discuss this. It is difficult to see how this can be improved but the save the high street group do highlight all relevant high street issues in this respect.

Following a short meeting after the AGM, the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 14 January 2020 at 7pm. This will be an EGM followed by a meeting.