Present:

CCllr Gordon Snadden (GS)

CCllr Valerie Hume (VH)

CCllr Anna Forbes (AF)

CCllr  Gary Robertson (GR)

CCllr Alan Graham (AG)

CCllr Caneron Little (CL)

W Whyte (WW)

Two members of the public from Sunnyside

Gemma Lord – Glasgow School of Art

Angela Leitch – CEO Clackmannanshire Council

PC Roy Mitchell – Community Police

Paul Hamill – Community Wardens

Ex Officio Present:

None

Ex Officio Apologies:

Cllr Kenneth Earle

Cllr Derek Stewart

Cllr Janet Cadenhead

Apologies Submitted:

CCllr R Marshall

Not Present & No Apologies Submitted:

Cllr Rev Sam Ovens, Cllr Craig Holden, Cllr Mark English, Cllr Gary Womersley.

Agenda Item

Narrative

Action & Owner

Present

See Above

N/A

Apologies

See Above

N/A

Approval Of

Previous Minute

Approved CL Seconded AF

N/A

Matters Arising

From Previous

Minute Not Otherwise

On Agenda

GR brought up that what goes into the minutes was discussed at the previous meeting.  It is not the Community Councillors’ fault that Elected Members are not at the meeting to provide their input.  It is unjust that an Elected Member comes into the next meeting to complain and rant and rave as to what is in the minutes.  We can only discuss what is being said at the time.  Elected members are the same as Community Councillors and have a code of conduct.  It is expected that they act like adults when attending the Community Council meeting and act accordingly.

GR brought up that he had been around 50% of the HP scheme and many people agreed that the area is disgraceful as there has been no investment made by the council in the last 26 years.  Also stated that more and more Anti-Social Behaviour by individuals and new tenants coming into the scheme made life unbearable.  At one time people did try hard to get a house in the scheme; now they are trying thier hardest to get out.  People have taken offence at a certain Elected member’s remarks.

AG agreed that there is a problem with the area and that investment is required.  He also advised that there is some success with the walkabouts in the area.  GR asked how many elected members were on the walkabout.  AG answered none at the last two.  GR said “Tells a story about the forgotten scheme”.  AG advised that CCllr Derek Stewart has done a lot of good work for the scheme.  GR agreed but Derek Stewart can’t do it all himself and needs Council backing.

WW agreed that the area was in poor condition and that investment is required.  Why do the council let areas get into such a state.  It doesn’t take much to realise that HP is in a mess.  It’s time that the Elected Members and the Council consulted the people and let them know what is going on.  It’s a frightening time with the cuts taking place at the moment and his concern is that at some point Councils will not exist and if Clackmannanshire Council continue the way they are then soon they won’t exist.

All Community Councillors agreed.

GR asked the Community Council if a Consultation Exercise would be possible in the HP scheme so that people can say exactly what they think of the scheme and what improvements could be made.  It was agreed to do so.  A sub committee with AF, AG and GR will be set up to discuss questions etc. 

CL produced a White Paper from the House of Commons regarding Closure of Public Conveniences.  He said that the Council needs to prove that the closure is beneficial and that a public consultation is required for closing the Public Conveniences.  It was advised that this was English Law and it was suggested that there would be a Scottish version as well.  The secretary will look into this.

N/A

AF/AG/GR

GR

Police Report

RM advised that Alloa Town Centre and Alloa West is now in two parts with the appointment of PC Gordon Currie controlling Alloa West.  However, the Community Police will attend the Community Council meetings between each other.  RM also advised that Alloa South East Community Police would also like to attend the meetings.  The Community Council welcomed this idea as Alloa Central ward also covers Alloa South East.

The Police Annual Report showed that the crime rate in Clackmannanshire was down as a whole.  The Community Council again welcomed this.  However, there was an upturn in Anti-Social Behaviour issues.

RM advised that there were 273 crimes, the majority of which were traffic offences.

He also advised that there were unlicensed window cleaners going about.

GR asked RM if it was possible that the Community Councillors could have a visit to the Police Station.  RM said yes; to email dates and he will organise.

N/A

GR

Community Warden Report

The community Wardens issued their report.

Maple Court – Youths consuming alcohol in entry close from Drysdale Street and smashing bottles.  Reports of cannabis use at this stairway have also been received.  AF advised that a Community Policeman had asked her to have a look as this was within our ward.  The Police have written to the council requesting that the doors are changed to make it safer for residents.  It was agreed that Alloa Central Community Council would also write to the council to agree that this would be the best move.

Stripehead = Complaints regarding entries being used for smoking cannabis.  Monitoring is taking place.

Mar Street – Close at 2 – 4 Mar Street has been subject to extensive graffiti.

Former Alloa Academy – This building is subject to increasing activity and vandalism.  Several complaints have been received and the building has been broken into on several occasions.

Alloa Park Drive – Regular complaints from the area with regards to the annoyance of scramblers and quad bikes.

Inglewood House – again reports of off road motorbikes in the woods at the rear of Inglewood House.

Argyll Street – recent complaints regarding large gatherings of youths causing noise and annoyance, consuming alcohol within the area’s play park.  Common entry closes at Hutton Park have also been use d similarly.

Hypodermic Syringes –

Found in the following locations: -

Greenfield Park – in the bushes alongside the stream.

West End Park – in bushes next to changing rooms and public toilets.

Marshill – to rear and side of registry office.

Ludgate – to rear of former business centre building.

Wagon Way – within the tunnel under Drysdale Street near the Sheriff Court.

N/A

GR

Elected members

None present.

N/A

Guest Speaker – Angela Leitch

The Chief Executive gave a very interesting talk regarding the future of the council.  She spoke about certain projects taking place at the moment, which brought some discussion with the Community Councillors.

We thank the Chief Executive for taking the time to meet with us and will give our continued support.

Angela Leitch was then asked to present a donation to the Sunnyside residents.  This was a cheque from the Community Council for £100.00 for their fun day taking place on 3 July 2010.  We wish them every success.

Angela Leitch then presented each Community Councillor with their volunteer’s certificate for volunteers week.

NA

Propose Merger with Alloa West area

GR advised that the consultation had a 97% return which was a fantastic result.

There were lessons for the Community Council as 100% of those polled agreed that the community council should produce a newsletter.  Also, 100% agreed that Alloa Central and Alloa West should become one Community Council also taking in Alloa Bowmar.  People also said that Alloa should be one community council and not three as the public found it confusing as to which community council they belong in.  GR is presently doing a report, which will be passed to Lesley Bailey for discussion.

GR

Secretaries Report

Lesley Bailey had sent leaflets on “Role of the Community Councillor – Induction”.  GR passed a copy to each of the community councillors and asked them to read this, as it was very simple and informative.

Community Council elections.  Copies of the election papers were given to each of the community councillors and they were asked to try to get someone to join as we still have vacancies in the Community Council.

Larbert Transport – GR read out what was discussed at the JCCF meeting regarding transport to the new hospital in Larbert.

GR has received the 365 – Annual Report to Central Scotland Police should any member of the Community Council want to read it.

A Step-by-Step guide to Common Repairs was received and passed round the Community Council.

GR advised that an email has been received from the Council advising that they have received the petition regarding the closure of the public toilets and they will get back in due course.

An email has been received from SURF for voluntary community representatives.  The Community Councils asked the secretary to write to them to see if someone could come along to our next meeting in September 2010 to give us more of an insight as to what they represented.

A leaflet picked up at the JCCF meeting – NHS Forth alley – Community Health Partnerships and Public Partnership Forums was passed around the Community Council.  It was agreed that we should request to join.

Partnership Energy Renewals have sent a copy of the report for building 4 wind turbines at Forthbank.  AG took this away for further information.  The community council agreed that they still support this idea.

Treasurer Report

ASCC Subscription and Data Protection Act have been paid.  The Treasurer will send a copy of the receipt to the council.

The bank balance is still healthy.

GR

Italian Twinning

No update available. 

AF/VH/CL/GS

Any other business

It was mentioned that this morning a young lady was hurt in Mill Street due to masonry falling from a building rooftop.  Alloa Central has been concerned regarding certain buildings within the town centre.  It is noted that work is being done on the majority of them but there is still a couple of buildings, which the Community Council are concerned about.

N/A

Date, Time & Venue of Next Meeting

Tuesday 14 September 2010 at 7pm.

Council Chambers Room 1, Greenfield House, Alloa

GR