Skelmorlie Community Council - Independent Report 2009/10
Next meeting: Thursday 22nd October, 7.30pm, Community Centre
Report to follow
28 Sep 2009 | 4:16:51
Margaret Lawrie says
The new bus shelter is on Shore Road not Innes Park Road.
You forgot to mention discussions about the Football Pitch, Parking on Innes Park Road, 20's plenty signs on Innes Park Road, Road signs at the bottom on the Station Hill, Traffic at the school junction and the need for a school crossing officer, Yellow lines at the junction of Innes park Road and Castle road. Licensing laws regarding the community centre.
The secretary is Mr George McDonald, and he gave an interesting secretary's report and it will be nice to re-read the minutes in the Library when published.
The meeting lasted longer than half an hour, and Bill you didn't raise any points about accounts and the mini bus or any other issues.
The issues regarding Shore Road are huge and the closures must have affected yourself along with people far and wide, this was one issue I was glad to see debated and discussed.
I'm not getting the feeling that this report is an ''INDEPENDENT ONE'' but more of a personal one. The table was open to questions and mine were answered before I asked them.
29 Sep 2009 | 11:11:49
Bill Mutter says
Margaret, Thank you for your comments and corrections re bus shelter and length of meeting, it was indeed 8.30 not 8. I'm afraid I found myself nodding off and obviously missed some of the above points. This article IS a 'personal' one and the reason I felt it necessary is that these meetings take place and the majority of the village never get to hear what is going on or how decisions are reached. Were the Secretary, George McDonald, to take up the challenge and publish his minutes here, I would gladly become an onlooker.
As regards the Shore Road issue, the committee can debate and discuss till they are blue in the face but short of demolishing all of the properties from Rothesay Court to the pumping station and infilling the shore to give a dual carriageway through to Largs, (similar to that on Loch Lomond), there is no answer, and the diversions as per Police and Amey are a necessary evil.
I have been asked on several occasions why, after 6 years have I raised the subject of Bus and Galas and now seems as good a time as any to explain.
I was a frequent user of the bus and only found out it had gone when I, having organised a party to go to Glasgow, arrived to book it, to be told it had been scrapped. No one at the time could give me an explanation as to why? Or whether it was to be replaced? Or how much was in the 'kitty', which may have been used toward a new one. It was explained to me however, that the Gala funds were used to support the Bus, but of course at that time the Gala had not been run for about 6 or 7 years. This is what inspired me to get involved in the Gala. To replace the Bus! .
I was co-opted on to the committee and did raise the subject of the Bus finances, to be told it was none of my business. I think enough has been said about the two Galas which followed, and the unanswered questions therein, but what brought this to the surface again were remarks made to me recently, about how useful a new bus would be, particularly with the very reasonable rates to lease. As the Galas claimed to support the Bus I simply wished to see the accounts to see how viable it would be to even lease one. The reason I did not raise the subject on Thursday is that with the meeting officially over, my request would not have been minuted and possibly glossed over again. I intend writing to Doug Spence (committee member) to have these questions placed on the agenda when finally they will be made public. .
Again sorry for my omissions, but being one of those who, when going to the school, parks at the Fire station, to avoid walking up the muddy path, I felt I shouldn't mention it. There, I just have!
30 Sep 2009 | 10:47:17
Margaret Lawrie says
No apologies needed on my account, some of the above issues I mentioned are huge to many members of the village, they have attended the meetings and raised their issues. Many of which, I am glad to say are issues that have been followed up and look a certainty to have a result. Correct me if I am wrong but is this not what the CC are about. Sorry you found yourself nodding off.
I had a couple of issues to raise and I made sure I got the opportunity to do so.
Referring back to your other ''thread''; Same old same old, maybe I am wrong but are the accounts not with NAC? A certain lady did say this, who I will add, has worked really hard (along with others) in her involvement with the Galas and many many other events and issues in the village. In two years past of attending the CC meetings, the only time I can refer to the Gala day being mentioned was when the topic of the Park was high. It was hoped that once the park completion occurred, that maybe future Galas could be held on terrain that wasn't water logged. Maybe the Trustees of the Gala will be able to help you out more concerning the funds and accounts. But from what I can gather from the information again the accounts appear to be with NAC.
As S1 Skelmorlie is a relatively new website (pre summer I think), I don't think that anyone has really had the chance to use the site to the advantage of the CC and have the minutes published on here. They will have to be passed before they go public but I would offer my service to have them printed on here, if it would benefit the village. However I will add that not everyone in the village has access or is computer literate to access it. Maybe another point which you could have raised.
I hope that anyone reading these threads don't take the opinion that getting involved with the Gala is a bad thing, there is a lot of enjoyment to be had and again it is for the benefit of the village. And once again I would for one, be over the moon to support a future Gala day.
One thing that was said at the meeting, was about the nomination form that sat in (Greenock I think) post office without a stamp, myself and a fellow onlooker were curious about it?
Good luck in your quest.
25 Nov 2009 | 11:07:34
Bill Mutter says
To answer several points raised above. - 'Independent reports have ceased since 'The Committee' announced that the minutes would be published monthly at the community centre noticeboard and on a new web site 'to be announced'.
To date this information, in any form, remains a secret. 'Surprise surprise'!
The 'Gala'. One only has to look at Wemyss Bay to see what a Gala should be, a fun day involving all villagers who normally don't bump intro each other on a daily basis, creating a feeling of togetherness and belonging. A successful event can be produced by one person, with willing helpers, who don't constantly interfere and overstep the mark by spending Gala funds without consultation or approval. The Gala I was involved in would have raised £500 more without interference!
After 7 or 8 years without mention of 'Community Bus' I noticed a meeting had been arranged for 'The community bus association' Who are the Community Bus association?
The Nomination form which went astray was mine. I have since had a reply stating that my application to join the "West Kilbride Community Council" has been ejected. Perhaps that's because I don't live there???
P.S. Were the Dog litter bins a committee project? Strategically placed so that they are within smelling distance of passers by. Cant they realise that responsible dog owners don't need them, and irresponsible owners don't use them!
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26 Sep 2009 | 6:29:52
Bill Mutter says
Skelmorlie Community Council Meeting, held at 7.30pm on Thursday 24th September in the Board Room of the community centre.
With only four onlookers the meeting got underway covering a plethora of subjects dear to the hearts of Skelmorlians. Items touched on, ranged from the traffic chaos caused by the recent burst pipe on the Shore Road to the revelation that in future should you wish to erect a shed in your garden, planning consent will be required. Praise was given for the installation of a new bus shelter in Innes Park Road. Currently graffiti free, we can rest assured that the children of the area will ensure it remains so for some considerable time.
Notice was also given that the Golf, Bowling and Tennis clubs are suffering from lack of funds due to depleted membership. To alleviate this situation the Golf Club are looking for support with a view to selling off part of the course adjacent to the village to facilitate 'affordable housing'. Councillor Marshall, our Conservative stalwart in attendance, was more than enthusiastic to agree with the Chair that this facility should be located in Skelmorlie. It would be a more agreeable project if NAC could guarantee work for the prospective tenants. The number of properties empty, or for sale in the area are witness to the fact that inward investment, by way of jobs, is desperately needed first.
As regards the Bowling and Tennis club; some 5 years ago an investigation was undertaken by the then President, and various other interested parties, myself included, to ascertain if any lottery funding could be sought for much needed improvements. The necessary application forms were obtained and the FREE time of a prominent Glasgow architect was utilised to draw up a modern, more spacious, club house incorporating, as demanded, squash courts, lounge, and changing rooms for both bowlers and tennis players alike. Under the conditions of the Lottery Fund the 'Sports Club' would have also had to be licensed and open to all. The Tennis club declined to agree, wishing to remain a separate entity, and the plan, which could have been the making of a much needed facility in the village, was scuppered. It is my personal view that new, forward thinking, 'blood' has to be injected into the various committees otherwise we will lose what little facilities we have left.
The Community Council now have an excellent Secretary in 'George'. (His surname escapes me at the moment) Concise and thorough, I feel sure that should he last the pace he will make an excellent 'Chair', should he be given the opportunity.
The meeting closed at 8.pm. Had all questions and answers been directed through the Chair, avoiding cross table comments and debate, business may have been concluded sooner.
Next meeting of the Council is on Thursday 22nd October when, hopefully audited accounts relating to the Community Bus and both most recent Gala's will be distributed.
(As per freedom of information (Scotland) act, 2002)