Uphall Community Council

UPHALL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Chair: John Richardson 07763573820 Secretary: Halina Hinton 01506 853055 Treasurer/Press Officer: Fraser Graham 01506 852610

Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 16th September 2009 at 7.30pm in Uphall Community Centre

Present: / Mr J Richardson (Chair), Mr J Moore (Vice Chair), Mrs H Hinton (Secretary),
Mr F Graham (Treasurer), Mrs J Baxter, Mr D Flight, Mrs I Jones, Mrs A Milne,
Dr G Paisey, Cllr Janet Campbell,Cllr Alex Davidson, Cllr Graeme Morrice
In attendance: / Mrs I Bishop
Apologies: / Mrs M Davies, PC Andrew Kidd
3 / MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Proposed by Mrs I Jones. Seconded by Mr F Graham.
Amendment to previous minutes – logo was purchased by Mr J Richardson.
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a / MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
Broxburn/Uphall Town Centre Management Group
Bids will be submitted in October for the second round of funding of £20million available from the Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund.
Christmas festivities in Uphall – Resiting of the Christmas tree to the Community Centre, the switching on of the Christmas tree lights by a well-known member of the community, carol singing by primary school choir and refreshments. Mrs H Hinton and Mrs I Bishop consulted with the residents of School Place (either in person or by delivering a note) and the majority were in agreement with the resiting of the tree. Mrs H and Mrs B met with David Wilson (from the Lightings Dept) for a site meeting at the Community Centre this morning. Wilma Rafferty was proposed to switch on the lights and everyone was in agreement. Secretary to contact Wilma. Funding for the refreshments to be provided by the community council, Community Centre Management Committee and local councillors. The event will take place on Tuesday 1st December.
Action: HH
b / Planning
·  Acknowledgements received for objections submitted.
·  Objections and comments on the planning application submitted for 29 East Main Street.
·  Planning secretary has been contacted by resident from Houston Mains and chair of Dechmont Community Council regarding Dobbies Garden Centre.
·  Site visit by reporter to 55B West Main Street will take place at 10.00am on Wednesday 23rd September – planning secretary to attend.
·  No decision reached yet following the public inquiry at Philipstoun South Bing.
·  Upgrading on the play area at Millbank Place will start on 22nd September.
Action: HH
Cllr Alex Davidson informed us that he and two others had been removed from the Planning Committee by the administration on account of their non-participation which would have continued until the end of the police and commission inquiries. Cllr Janet Campbell said that full membership was needed on the Planning Committee and this was not a political decision. Cllr Davidson offered his help to the community council in planning matters as he is no longer a member of the Planning Committee.
c / UCC Election Results
Following the Community Council elections, our community council has 11 members. The inaugural meeting of the new community council will take place on Wednesday 21st October at 7.00pm.This will be followed by an ordinary meeting.
d / Community Council Scheme Review
This will be adopted at the inaugural meeting on Wednesday 21st October.
e / Garden Party
This went extremely well and was much appreciated by all who attended. The photographs taken (showing the ladies in all their finery) will be put on the website and the notice boards. The gazebo was put up by the chair and vice chair. A guest (the foreman who had been in charge of making the garden five years ago) was delighted with the garden as it is now.
f / West Lothian Association for Community Councils
Chair said that WLACC provided one voice for approaching council regarding matters for community councils – rules, conditions, funding issues. One community council member pointed out that WLACC has no legal powers (only limited powers) whereas community councils have a legal basis.
Uphall Station and Pumpherston Community Centres are under threat of closure. A consultation with local residents will be undertaken to find out what is best for the community – relocation? A public meeting will be held on Thursday 24th September at 7.00pm in Uphall Station Community Centre. Chair said he would attend.
Action: JR
g / Planning Workshop – Report
Chris Norman’s full title is Development Management Manager.
12-13000 planning applications have been submitted this year – 200 down on last year. There are plans for 23000 houses to be built in West Lothian over the next 10 years.
One recent change in the planning application process is the applicant has to advertise the proposal not the council.
If a major development is contrary to the development plan, permission will be refused.
If a planning application is refused by Chris Norman, it can go to an appeal by a Local Review Body - made up of councillors (no labour) – 5 out of a pool of 9. If the application is turned down by the Local Review Body, it can not be taken any further. If an application is turned down by the Planning Committee, an appeal goes to the Scottish Government.
5 / POLICE REPORT – August
During the month of August, 13 crimes were reported of which 7 have been solved. This gives a solvency rate of 53.85% for the month.
This is currently a 13% drop in recorded crime on the year to date in comparison with last year’s figures.
Incidents of interest include:
1.  Theft of a scooter overnight on 8th – 9th from Macfarlane Place which was subsequently recovered in Wynford Avenue. No suspects seen, enquiries ongoing.
2.  A report of possible travellers setting up camp on the Community Woodland at the north end of Loaninghill Road on 9th was found to be respectable type youths camping overnight there. They were checked out, found to be all in order and advised to consider somewhere more appropriate to camp in future.
3.  An unattended vehicle in Westhall Gardens was stolen by means of true key left in the ignition late afternoon on the 14th. It was recovered later on that evening in School Place. 2 males were seen at/in the vehicle but made off and were not traced. Items left by them have been submitted for DNA analysis. Enquiries are ongoing.
4.  Youths were reported congregating periodically at or near the building site in Johnston Avenue and Court during the week 19th – 25th. No thefts were reported by the owners of the site and passing attention was given by patrols which seem to have discouraged this behaviour since then.
5.  2 local males were traced, detained, interviewed and charged with smashing a car windscreen in Loanfoot Road on 22nd. Both reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
6.  Current ongoing monitoring of previously reported youth problems in Dargai Place and East Main Street.
I look forward to working with the Uphall Community Council in my new role as Community Constable. I would appreciate your news, views and input in this regard and can be contacted at Broxburn Police Station.
Andrew Kidd (Community Officer)
6 / TREASURER’S REPORT
One transaction during past month - £29.73 to Mr J Richardson for purchase of logo. Balance in UCC account is £1118.12 and £418.95 in savings account. Total balance is £1537.07.
7 / WEBSITE AND NEWSLETTER
Website has been updated.
A group, led by Mr J Moore (vice chair) has been tasked to look at ideas for newsletter.These ideas will be brought to the community council at the next meeting in October. It is proposed that the newsletter will go out in January.
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a / CORRESPONDENCE
Planning Applications
1.  Erection to a house at 41 Houston Gardens.
2.  Formation of a roof to top beer garden at The Club, Broxburn.
Residents above the premises at 11 West Main Street (old Murphy’s Bar) have put their concerns regarding extraction insufficiency in the hands of solicitors.
Planning secretary has also contacted the planning officer about whether the frontage of these premises is acceptable in a conservation area.
b / Association of Scottish Community Councils – Conference for 2009
The ASCC Conference will take place on Saturday 14th November at the Scottish Parliament. Mrs H Hinton, Mrs A Milne, Mr J Moore and Dr G Paisey volunteered to attend. Secretary to register names of those attending.
Action: HH
9 / AOCB
a / Wall opposite Thomson Grove in St Andrews Drive
This wall is reported to be bulging. Secretary to contact NETs.
Action: HH
b / Drain Covers
Drain cover near the traffic lights at West Main Street is broken and piece is missing. Another two drain covers are missing – one in St Andrews Drive and the other in West Main Street near the island at Arnold Clark’s garage. Secretary to report this to Norman Adamson.
Action: HH
c / Training Calendar
Various courses being run in West Lothian.
9 / DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 21st October at 7.30pm in Uphall Community Centre. This will follow the inaugural meeting which will be held at 7.00pm.

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