RHU & SHANDON COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTE OF ORDINARY MEETING HELD AT RHU COMMUNITY HALL, WEDNESDAY 11TH AUGUST, 2010 WELCOME;- Extended to all by Archie. Present :- Archie McColl (Convenor), Martin Ritch (Secretary), Gordon King, Pat Pollok-Morris Provost William Petrie (Guest), Jan Crawford (Secretary), John Fenney, Colin Caskie (Treasurer) James Leatherby R.N. (Guest) Apologies:-Jack Rudram List of Attendees:- Completed by all in attendance Acceptance of Minute of Meeting held on Wednesday 9th June, 2010 Proposed by Gordon, Seconded by Pat. Jan advised that in her capacity as Secretary she had not received a signed copy of the Minute of 9th June, 2010. Copy was signed by Archie and given to Jan. Guest Speaker:- James Leatherby R.N. commented that not a lot was happening at the Base at present due to the holiday period. The Strategic Defence and Security Review was ongoing. Only light evidence of oil on the water. Demonstration had taken place at the base but no problems encountered. Possible move by Base on funding. Pat should submit an application on behalf of the Playground. There will be an Oil Pollution Exercise carried out by external agencies on the 18th August, 2010. Possibly more traffic at the Offsite Centre area. Action: Pat Matters Arising:- John to publicise the Community Council by sending information on the Website to the Helensburgh Advertiser. It was agreed that we should keep the Community Council in the Public Eye by giving information to the Helensburgh Advertiser. Action: John Gordon commented that from the comments received from the public on the recent questionnaires, it was apparent that some members of the public were not aware that a Community Council existed in Rhu. Pat advised the meeting that she thought that the recent article in the Helensburgh Advertiser on the Playground was accurate and fair. Resignations:- Jan advised that letters of resignation still had to be received from Malcolm (Vice Convenor) and Gordon Ferguson. After discussion it was agreed that Gordon Ferguson was no longer a Committee Member by default. Jan had contacted Lynn Smillie who advised that she would make contact when a timetable was in place for the By-Election . Action Jan, Lynn Smillie Jan to contact Malcolm for official letter of resignation, and Belinda Hamilton for Nomination Pack for By-Election. Vacancies:- Jan will continue as Secretary at present. Martin volunteered to take over the position of Secretary in another month if this was acceptable to the committee. Archie advised that we needed a Vice-Convenor. After much discussion it was proposed by John and seconded by Martin that the monthly meetings of the Community Council be changed to Bi-Monthly. The meeting year would therefore commence in February with meetings every two months plus an AGM. Notices to be posted locally, and also on the Website to inform public of this change. Action:- Jan to arrange posting of notices, John put on Website and also include in Helensburgh Advertiser Article. Treasurer’s Report:- Colin advised that the account for the cost of the Area Meeting Agenda had been paid, and that the grant from Argyll & Bute Council had now been received. Balance in Bank was £563.00. John advised Colin that he expected at the end of August to receive approx £36 from Website Shopping. Community Engagement:- Disolved. Jan suggested that the Church could have input to the Webpage. All agreed. Martin will feed the information to John from the weekly Order of Service and the 3 monthly Newsletter. Action:- Martin Members’ Reports:- Provost Petrie:- Nothing to Report Colin:- Letterbox Upper Hall Road now repaired and looks as if being used. Pat:- Attended Care of The Elderly meeting on the14th June, 2010. Disappointed with the Statement of Intent by Argyll & Bute. Council to cut back and contract out services.A questionnaire was completed by Pat. Survey of Learning Services for Adults With Special Needs:- Liz McDonald, although not a Community Council Member, completed a Survey of Learning Services for Adults With Special Needs for comment by Argyll & Bute Council. Gordon:- Gordon asked if any progress had been made regarding the removal of the telephone box at the bottom of Manse Brae. Provost Petrie advised that he would chase this up. Action: Provost Petrie. Gordon advised that road work was being done, and that he had taken photographs of Station Road which will be repaired as part of ongoing road repairs. Gordon reported that a light at bus stop was not working the possible number of the light being R41A. Action:- Provost Petrie. Some drains need cleaning, but not choked up. Jan:- Bus Shelter in the Rhu Ellen Court vicinity not much glass left in windows. Jan had seen a rat in her garden several times possibly coming from the burn. Provost Petrie advised that this was an area prone to rats. John:- Advised that the Website had started on the 11th March, 2010. Discussion took place regarding if we should carry on with the Website next year. All agreed that we should. John could possibly create our own Website next year, or take a free Website. Action:- John. Correspondence:- Archie advised that a letter had been received at the end of June from the Monitoring Group, this letter being dated March, 2010. Helensburgh and Lomond Area Meeting to held on the 17th August, 2010. Archie to attend. Action:- Archie. A.O.B:- John asked that in light of the cut backs required of Councils would we want to accept our grant this year from Argyll & Bute Council, or should this be returned. After discussion it was agreed not return the Grant. Provost Petrie asked who paid the electricity bill for the floodlighting of the Church. Colin advised that the equipment was owned by Historic Scotland and that the Church paid the electricity bill at an off-peak rate. Date of Next Meeting:- Wednesday 13th October, 2010, 7.30 p.m.