Present:   Alex Scobbie, Robbie Robinson, Ann Rennie, Dave McKechnie, Kate McKechnie, Ian Rennie, Janette McGowan

In Attendance:   Councillor Brian Fearon, Clackmannanshire Council
   Linda McLaren, Housing Officer, Ochil View Housing
   John Harley, Headteacher, Banchory Primary School

Apologies:   Tilly Davidson, PC Holden, Janice Macdonald, Tilly Davidson


1. Welcome

Alex welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced John Harley, Headteacher, Banchory Primary School.

2. Report from John Harley, Headteacher - Update on new Community Wing

Mr Harley informed the Committee of the thinking behind making Banchory Primary School a Community School and this was to make a new facility available to the community served by the school as there is no existing facility at present.  The projected date for the completion of the work is the end of the Easter holiday.

There will be 2 rooms and a disabled toilet which will allow when needed an activity and a crèche to be held to ensure that residents with child care needs will be able to use the facility.  There will be a small linkage from the main school heating system.

A discussion followed re who would sort out the lets and be keyholders and Robbie suggested that perhaps members of the Community Council who live near the school would be willing to undertake this responsibility.  It was agreed to set up a Hall Committee to look at these tasks as well as costs for lets and funding.   It was also agreed to contact other groups to look at how to kit the rooms out with furniture etc.

Alex thanked John for attending.

3. Minutes of previous meeting

Puffin crossing - Brian reported that a spotlight will be placed on the crossing in approximately 5 - 6 weeks time.  Robbie again re-iterated that he felt repeater signs are needed between Alloa and Tullibody.




4. Report from Linda McLaren, Ochil View Housing Association

Rent increase - Linda reported that the increase would be inflation + 1.5% which is less than originally agreed. 

Community Wardens - a working group, which includes Ochil View Housing and Paragon Housing, have been looking at anti-social behaviour and there will be 4 Community Wardens and 2 Community Constables working to deal with this issue.  They will be able to act as witnesses where residents are too frightened to become named and involved.  The Braes and Redlands Road will be put on the list as areas, which are in particular, need of this service.

The Scottish Executive are providing funding to set up a common housing register and access to this will be available to Paragon Housing, Ochil View and the Council.  A working group has started but this will be a large task.  Each agency would still use their own points system but there will be a national standard for all social housing eg energy efficiency, smoke alarms, heating etc.

Improvement Contract - contract 3c is finished and contract 4c has started on time.

5. Report from Councillor Brian Fearon, Clackmannanshire Council

Brian briefly outlined the budget breakdown and reported there would be no school closures or redundancies.  Funding is being withdrawn from the Clackmannanshire Women's Technology Centre but the courses on offer at the Centre can be provided with lower costs at Clackmannnan College, the CliCK Centre and LALIC.  Council Tax is set to rise by 4.8% and school meals by 10 p.

Brian informed the Committee re the new brown bins and the uplifts for the green bins dropping to once fortnightly.  Concerns were raised as to whether this would be enough and if not would this just lead to more dumping.  Janette informed the Committee that this had already been tried in Bridge of Allan and despite initial fears most people found that once they got used to recycling the uplifts of bins was adequate.  Janette added that there was some problems with small businesses run from home eg child minders and people with small children who use disposable nappies.  Brian agreed that until this had been tried and monitored it was difficult to know how well it would work.

Brian informed the Committee that the parking problem reported at Lornshill Academy (double parking) had been monitored in February and there had been no incidents at these times of double parking.  If more incidents happen please inform Brian.

Brian also spoke briefly on the Council's allocation policy on homelessness and the lack of regular reviews.  A consultant is being brought in to look at the Council's housing policies.



6. Bingo Tea

A discussion took place re the Bingo Tea and it was agreed to hold an informal meeting in approximately 2 weeks time to finalise the arrangements.  Robbie will print posters and Alex will advertise the event in the local papers.  Ann will contact Committee members re the meeting.

7. Treasurer's Report

In Janice's absence Ann reported that there is £365.55 in the bank and £6.07 cash in hand.

8. Secretary's Report

Ann distributed the mail for comment / information.

9. Any other business

Robbie asked that the Committee consider extending Neighbourhood Watch up the Braes.  Janette pointed out that the Braes is such a large area that it would need broken into 4 areas and perhaps the Committee should consider covering one area to start with.  It was suggested putting a flyer on each table at the Bingo Tea to gauge the interest first.

Healthy Living Initiative - new premises for this is at Tron Court in the unit formerly used by the Solicitor.

10. Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on the 29 March 2004 from 7 - 9 pm in Banchory Primary School.