Uphall Community Council

Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 19th May 2010 at 7.30pm in Uphall Community Centre

Present: Mrs Irene Bishop (Chair), Mrs Irene Jones (Vice Chair), Mrs Halina Hinton (Secretary), Mr Fraser Graham (Treasurer/Press Officer), Dr Gerald Paisey (Planning Secretary),Mrs Jeanette Cumberford, Mrs Marina Davies, Mr David Flight, Mrs Anne Milne, Cllr Alex Davidson, PC Kidd

Apologies: Mrs Joan Baxter, Mr Jonathan Moore, Mr John Richardson, Cllr Janet Campbell, Cllr Graeme Morrice

3 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Proposed by Fraser Graham. Seconded by Jeanette Cumberford.

4 POLICE REPORT

Statistics wise during the month of April 2010, 24 crimes were reported in the Uphall area of which 5 have been solved to date, which gives a solvency rate of 20.8% for the month.Year to date figures are unavailable this month due to technical problems so comparisons are not provided. However the reported crime rate for last month does indicate a rise and is coupled with a drop in solvency. Youth problems persisting in the area despite close attentions of Community and Safer Neighbourhood Teams. Steps ongoing to make life as difficult as possible for repeat offenders and limit access to alcohol, a contributory factor in antisocial behaviour.Notable crimes include an Assault and Robbery by three males on a lone female on path from Stankards to Uphall Station on 1st April. Three Business Housebreakings and an Attempt on four separate premises in West Main Street Uphall overnight on 7th April.All the above crimes remain unsolved.Statistics for May 2010 are currently being compiled and will be available at next month’s meeting.  No real incidents of note to date during May so far.As always I would appreciate your news, information, views and input regarding these or any other Police matters and can be contacted at Broxburn Police Station.  Andrew Kidd (Community Officer)

Incidents reported to the police: Damage to 5 garages in Thomson Grove area – not reported to the police as owners feel that police would do nothing about it. Drinking in George V park when football match being played. This should be reported to the police.Neighbourhood Watch – no contact with police but this will improve during the summer.The Police Surgery, which is held in the Command Vehicle parked in the Community Centre car park on the third Wednesday of the month from 6.30-7.30pm, has as yet not been accessed by members of the public. This might be due to a lack of publicity. Secretary asked PC Kidd to email her a poster about this service which she will print and then have displayed in the village.  Action: PC Kidd/HH

5 MATTERS ARISING FROM  PREVIOUS MINUTES

1 VILLAGE SIGNS

Irene Bishop contacted West Lothian Council and was informed that the council wanted uniformity in signs throughout West Lothian. Information combined on the one sign – ‘30/Uphall/A Fairtrade Village’ – rather than three signs.Work is due to start on 14th June of the reslabbing of the pavements in the Main Street – from the Dovehill Arms to the First Scotmid and from the Motorcycle shop to the South Church. £90k has been allocated to Uphall for improvements to the town centre. A suggested site for the location of a mural was on the wall of the Chiropractic building in Ecclesmachen Road but the owner of the building is not agreeable to this as he has a sign on that wall. The wall is in a poor state of repair. As this building is in the conservation area, it was decided that we invite an officer from planning to talk to us about conservation area policy.Action: HH

2 GALA DAY

Thanks to Marina for her help at the disco. The Race Night unfortunately had to be cancelled due to lack of support on the night. The Table Sale was also poorly supported. All in all, a poor response to the fundraising events.

3 FLOWER BEDS

The team from NETs has been working on the flower beds at School Place and Ecclesmachen Road tidying them up. This is a great improvement.

4 LITTER BIN AT BOTTLE BANK

This is often full to overflowing and really needs to be emptied more frequently. Secretary to contact Waste Management.  Action: HH

5 WEST LOTHIAN COURT ADVICE PROJECT

Brian Pearson from the Advice Shop will speak at our August meeting.

6 TREASURER’S REPORT

Balance in UCC account is £573.12 and £420.05 in savings account. Total balance is £993.17.

7 PLANNING REPORT

1. Erection of conservatory in South Middleton.
2. Industrial/warehouse building in Uphall Business Park.
3. Extension to house and off street parking in Alexander Street.
4. Dobbies Garden Centre has been granted planning permission by the Reporter.
5. The Reporter has refused planning permission for the erection of a house at 55B West Main Street.
6. Another planning application will be submitted for the demolition of office/commercial buildings and the erection of two flats at 25 East Main Street. There are problems with vandalism in the present buildings.

8 CORRESPONDENCE

a Community Council Administration Grant 2009/2010 - Cheque received for £393 which includes an additional £35 to cover the fee for registering for Data Protection. Secretary to pay cheque into bank account as treasurer going on holiday.Action: HH

b Association of Scottish Community Councils - It was decided not to renew our membership this year.

c Contact with West Lothian Council - Eileen Rollo is the contact at the council while Lorraine McGrorty is off on long-term sick leave.

d Gardens Competition 2010 - Four categories – general garden, floral containers, vegetable garden and gardening for wildlife. Closing dates for entries are Friday 9th July.

e West Lothian Alcohol Licensing Forum - The purpose of this Forum is to connect communities to the Licensing Board. It will require to engage with communities to ensure that the work which it is doing properly reflects community opinion. It was agreed to invite Dawna Chisholm, the Licensing Forum Development Worker to speak at one of our meetings. Action: HH

9 SCHEME FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY COUNCILS and GOOD PRACTICE GUIDANCE - Familiarisation

The two documents were discussed and various points clarified to everyone’s satisfaction. It was decided that we wished to make an amendment – ‘Community councils can hold private meetings to which ex-officio members do not have to be invited.’ Secretary to contact Eileen Rollo. Action: HH

10 MODEL CONSTITUTION AND STANDING ORDERS

It was decided that the adoption of these would be postponed until our June meeting.

11 AOCB

1 Representing the Community Council - Irene Bishop (chair) had received an email from John Richardson regarding his role in representing the community council. It was agreed that he should continue to do so now and the matter would be discussed at our next meeting.

2 Dog Waste Bin in George V Park - There is only one dog waste bin in the park and there is a need for another one. Secretary to contact NETs.  Action: HH

12 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 16th June at 7.30pm in Uphall Community Centre.

Dates of meetings from June to November 2010 and from January to April 201116th June, 18th August, 15th September, 20th October, 17th November, 19th January, 16th February, 16th March, 20th April.