LANGBANK COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY 13th AUGUST 2025 Meeting to be held in the LANGBANK COMMUNITY CENTRE, MIDDLEPENNY ROAD @ 7.30pm Start and welcome Present: Jacqueline Doherty, Maggie Hancock, Caroline Bryce, Carly Deheer Also in Attendance:, Cllr James MacLaren, Caroline McLean, Lesley Fairlie, Iain McDougall, Les Carter Apologies: Julie Gilmour, James Hunter, Constable Andrew Hodge The sad passing of our former chair, Neil Barrington, was noted. Those who knew Neil and worked with him on the CC over many years wished to pass on their condolences to the family. A card and gift were delivered and a notice placed on FB page. Linda emailed to thank CC for their kindness and to pass on how much it meant to the family to have so many villagers attend his funeral. 1. Acceptance of last meeting minutesCaroline Bryce proposed. Maggie Hancock seconded the motion. The subject of proposed closure of the surgery was raised, JD – confirmed submission of objection to closure of surgery to IHSPC on behalf of the village LC reiterated the issue of lack of public transport to Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow, JD confirmed that public transport issue did carry a heavy weighting and that the issue had been highlighted in village submission and during the LCC meeting the GP and IHSCP representatives attended, along with parking issues. Consultation closed 26th July. JMacL comments relating as per attached report 2. Police Report (if applicable)Email received 1st August from PC Andrew Hodge with statistics for July – no recorded crimes. It was noted that the Greenock Telegraph (3rd August) reported the incident relating to a man arrested on drink driving charges following crash at Langbank Roundabout. John Smith had been in contact thru the info@ email address and had asked to make contact Message: I have a range of solutions that could address the current problems facing Langbank He was invited to attend the meeting. Mr Smith advised that he had been part of Foxbar CC (where he currently resides), Fpxbar CC has recently folded. He gave us some background and hi history with the village; a former resident who had fdebveloped the housed on the North side of Main Road opp Chrurch, secure site opposite. Mr Smith also shared his thoughts about an idea he has for a “rememetory”. Mr Smith offered his professional services as a
planning consultant in assisting with the preparation of LPP. He also mentioned he may be ble to assist with Potential funding for improving the transport or parking issues
3. Village website and Facebook updates.
Notice in respect of Neil Barrington and his commitment to the village posted. Families permission had been sought in advance.
4. Village Groups Updates
Community Centre
IMcD - New lights have been installed, upgraded to LED
It was identified the wiring is circa 1950s and will need replaced. Costs relating to rewire project will be responsibility of the hall committee, IMcD has looked into possible LAP grant application, conditions for application include “funding building refurbishment”
New classes Mini Kickers Saturday mornings for pre school age, the SWRI are moving to Church hall
LSR /MUGA
Wednesday nights continue to be well attended during the summer.
Pickleball taster session very successful on Monday night. Agreement to purchase PICKLEBALL equipment for the village : 2 nets, 10 paddles and some balls. Authorised spend.
Proposal to put up the big Tennis net a day a week and advertise on FB
Church redevelopment
As now linked with Houston, any plans must be approved by joint session (majority from Houston). Session meeting last Monday at which future of church being discussed, but no update.
Winter Connections Grant
Delayed but Pickleball sessions finally went ahead and proving very popular.
5. Planning Link to Map of current planning applications
LPP – Community consultation table at GALA day to gauge areas of interest and suggestions for inclusion
6. Transport Concerns
Abandoned cars seem to be coming more of an issue on the Main Road, a number of cars recently reported and eventually removed. CB has had issue outside her house on Main Road . JMacL comments in report
Parking issue also highlighted at west end of Main Road, particularly at Church car park. Car parked in front of the Church car park making it difficult to access, it was noted that there is no dropped curb at this location.
7. Local Cllr updates and monthly reports
James MacLaren report attached.
8. AOB
JD Proposal – August meeting 3rd Wednesday of the month 2026 onwards, agreed. Change hall hire
LC – public transport links huge issue for the village. Mr Carter advised he drives to Tesco to park and uses bus service to Braehead or City Centre. Mr Carter commented that Langbank was only place that doesn’t have a bus service and lack of train service and he raised concerns that the timetable has been reduced - In response to Mr Carter’s concerns it was reiterated that the LCC was fully supportive of any propsals to try to improve public or active travel to connect Langbank and that the LCC was only “one voice”, there is a need for more people to become involved, Villagers need to take action, for example by lobbying your MSPs and MPs, completing any of the surveys that are published by transport providers or authorities. It was suggested also the Mr Carter if he felt strongly could get in touch with SPT directly.
Email received from Houston CC asking for our participation in their Local Place Plan survey – JD and CD to complete.
Email received from RC with regards to ‘Developing Sustainability in Bike Reuse & Cycling Organisations’ programme. 4 day course which covers two modules:
Module 1: Day 1, In person, Helensburgh & Lomond Civic Centre, 38 East Clyde Street, Helensburgh, G84 7PG - Monday 20 October 2025
Day 2, Online, via Zoom - Monday 03 November 2025
Module 2: Day 3, Online, via Zoom - Tuesday 25 November 2025
Day 4, In person, South Lanarkshire (location TBC but accessible via public transport) - Tuesday 09 December 2025
Cost: Fully funded by SPT
What will I learn?
What does sustainability mean for your organisation
Evaluate your assets and strengths
Visioning for the future
Embed resilience
Explore sustaining motivation
Quite a commitment so need to consider whether worthwhile?
Discussed but decided not relevant to LCC at this time
GALA DAY - Saturday 6th September 1400 – 1800
CB using Facebook to put out feelers for helpers etc – current 20 helpers
Main issue with occasional licence,
Police Scotland stipulates STAR course requirement – 2 hour online course £ 10 for bar staff
CB has raffle prizes and will sell tickets prior to event for people that won’t be attending
Stalls have been secured : Playgroup stall, church bottle stall, LPP table, Inflatable for kids, pizza company for catering and tea and coffee, BBQ, Bar
Langbank August CC Report from Councillor James MacLaren
Mr Neil Barrington: - It was with much sadness that I learnt about the death of Neil Barrington. He chaired the community council for many years and was in this position when I was elected in 2012. His funeral took place on 31st July and was well attended. My heartfelt sympathy go out the family.
Roads
Station Rd: -
Resurfacing:- The new surface treatment to the top of Station Rd is due shortly, hence the temporary signs that have been put out.
Fly Tipping: - The pile of tree branches next to the bridge has been reported for uplift.
Tree Damage: - Damage to the handrail is only cosmetic and currently council has no immediate plans to fix this. I am also concerned about a fence post sticking out above the handrail. I am continuing to make enquiries.
Damaged Street Nameplate: - An instruction for repair of the Houston Rd/Main Rd name plate was included in the latest package of works issued to our signing contractor and the repairs should be carried out this month.
A8 Roundabout: - Following the survey carried out in 2023, Amey have identified some possible improvements. The proposals will be presented to the local MSP and councillors in the coming months as part of the consultation process for their feedback.
Abandoned Vehicles: - I chased up the removal of 6 vehicles on Main Rd and am pleased to see they have been removed.
Temporary Road Closures: -
West Glen Road: - This notice will be in force from Thursday 28th August 2025 to Saturday 04th October 2025. Closure Reason: Scottish Power Works.
Finlaystone Road: - We will be undertaking surfacing dressing treatments on the below roads as part of a rolling programme. The programme was expected to run from Monday 28th July 2025 to Tuesday 05th August 2025 but seems to be delayed. Each road will be closed no longer than 3 days.
Station Road, From Douglas Avenue to Old Greenock Road: - We will be undertaking surfacing dressing treatments on the below roads as part of a rolling programme. The programme was expected to run from Monday 28th July 2025 to Tuesday 05th August 2025 but seems to be delayed. Each road will be closed no longer than 3 days.
Main Road: -
Potholes: - Patching/pothole filling and gully cleaning has taken place, which I requested.
New Signage: - New signage warning of children crossing has been requested for outside the Muga. This should be installed soon.
Illegal Pavement Parking, Main Rd: - Following a report of illegal parking on a Sunday evening, I requested the wardens attend but am told the wardens service stops at 7pm in the evenings, so they would be unable to attend. Should anyone wish to report pavement parking, it can be done online at https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/14462/Report-a-parking-incident .
Damaged Street Lamp, Middlepenny Rd: - almost seven months have passed since the streetlight R12 was damaged. The date to repair it is still not known.
Langbank Surgery Closure
I put forward an amendment at the last full council meeting which read “….Renfrewshire Council calls upon the NHSGG&C to maintain GP services for the village of Langbank, which is in the Renfrewshire Council area, and to
continue to keep open a GP surgery in the village.” This was agreed. Renfrewshire HSCP said that they were working with Inverclyde HSCP to see if a solution can be found, and possibly bring Langbank under Renfrewshire HSCP. The consultation on the impending closure of Langbank GP Surgery has finished and we wait to hear the outcome which may be heard at the Inverclyde HSCP meeting in September.
Refuse, Litter
Litter From Refuse collection: - When the grey bins in Beechwood avenue and Elmbank road were recently emptied, rubbish was left on the road, which I reported. All crews are equipped with brushes and shovels and are expected to clear any spillages they are aware of during their rounds. I was told that this may have occurred while the vehicle was moving.
Green Bins, 2 Middlepenny Road: - I reported overflowing bins and the “Strategy Team and advisers” were asked to contact the landlord to inform the residents about presenting the bins correctly.
Footpaths
Overgrown Footpaths: -
A8: - I have requested Amey to clear vegetation on the footpath to Westferry alongside the A8.
Main Rd to Marypark Rd: - A fallen tree has blocked the footpath which I have reported and the council’s Arb team will remove this (now removed).
Active Travel Infrastructure: - the section of A8 between Bishopton and Westferry, which intends to widen the existing footway to create a shared use path for walking and cycling, is identified as a key link within the draft Regional Active Travel Strategy developed by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT). It will likely come about in forthcoming years and is funding dependent. I proposed a route north of the railway and this may be more suited specifically for leisure cycling and would need further investigation into land ownership, acquisition, and necessary approvals.
Bus Services
I contacted SPT about the McGill’s bus service that when it was operating, any ticket issued by the buses to a Langbank resident always said on it that they got on at Pt Glasgow, and not Langbank. That was bound to skew any data being collected. SPT said that they would share these comments with McGill’s. I am chasing for feedback.
Team Up To Clean Up (TUTCU)
Volunteers litter pickers are always welcome. I can arrange bags and litter picker for anyone interested. Filled bags can be left at the road side (preferably next to a litter bin) and reported on the Facebook page or by email to litterpicks@renfrewshire.gov.uk .
Vegetation
Grass Cutting, Station Rd: - I requested strimming along the wall on Station Rd.
Hedges: - I had requested cutting back of vegetation on Houston Rd within the village and am chasing this up now. This should have been done now.
Press Coverage
I recently had press comment on the following: -
Missed Bin Collections
Langbank GP Closure x2
13/8/25
Feedback From Meeting
Station Road Surface Treatment: - This is likely to happen tomorrow.
Abandoned Cars: - There is also a black Vauxhall Insignia which has been abandoned. Not one I have reported but happy to do so when I get the info on it.
Streetlights: - There is a streetlight missing at the junction of Middlepenny Rd and M. Place. I will get this reported. I previously reported a faulty streetlight on the footpath off Middlepenny Place and will chase up its repair.
Hedges: - Hedges on Middlepenny Rd may have been trimmed but require a harsher cut to align with the wall. I will report this.
Gala Day, 6th September: - The CC are looking for raffle prizes.