Minutes of Meeting No 5 – 27/2/07
1) Present Jim Scott, Winnie McCallum, Joyce Mutch (Minutes), Ian Hamilton, Duncan Martin, Bob Gillespie, Jean-Claude Valentin, Eileen Ritchie, Gordon Cumming, Lesley Renton, Betty Russell, Ian Wood, Margaret Campbell, Ryan Noble (Glasgow Community & Safety Services), Alan Sinclair (Glasgow City Council – EPS – Assistant Area Cleansing Manager), PC Will Lafferty – Strathclyde Police)
2) Apologies – Janet MacDonald, Sam Whitmore, Malcolm McGlashan, Robert Pollock, Marjorie Sinclair, Andrea Gillespie, Liz Dunwoodie
3) Minutes of Previous Meeting- Proposed – Ian Hamilton, Seconded - Winnie McCallum
4) Clean
Ryan Noble from Clean Glasgow was introduced to the meeting by Jim Scott. A Clean Glasgow leaflet, giving an explanation of the Clean Glasgow Initiative along with a copy of recent articles from the Evening Times - March 12 and March 23, about the initiative, were handed out to the meeting.
Ryan explained that the Clean Glasgow Initiative essentially was about enabling local action by local neighbourhoods on issues such as clean ups, vandalism, dog fouling and correct disposal of rubbish. He advised the meeting, that the Clean Glasgow team were not part of the Glasgow City Council and were funded through the Glasgow Community Safety Service and Strathclyde Police. Local volunteers wanting to ‘action’ clean ups within their locality - in line with the Clean Glasgow Neighbourhood Charter (as outlined in the info leaflet), would be assisted by members of 5 teams spread throughout the city. This help could consist of guidance and support, for example, a risk assessment of the task to be undertaken, such as the removal of rubbish. This would be followed (if required), by the provision of a Community Toolkit in the form of promotional materials, protective clothing, paint, black bin liners, litter pickers – with advice given on safe usage.
Discussion then took place with regard to clarification of the role of the Clean Glasgow Community Action Team. Ryan Noble left the meeting after his presentation.
5) Community Police Report:-
PC Lafferty reported that action had been taken by the local community police in response to an issue which had been raised by a community councillor, living in
In response to a question raised about the nil detection of vandalism related crime, PC Lafferty explained to the meeting about the difficulties Police encountered with regard to the detection the perpetrators of vandalism. Bob Gillespie – CC, asked if CCTV cameras could not be used more within the area. PC Lafferty explained that CCTV did not come within the Strathclyde Police remit or budget. A community councillor offered information to the meeting about a local hardware shop that had sold a number of cans of spray paint to young people who were obviously under age, which would not help with the growing problem of graffiti locally. PC Lafferty left the meeting after his presentation.
6) Alan Sinclair – Environmental Protection Services
Alan Sinclair joined the meeting and was introduced by Jim Scott. Alan had been invited along to respond to concerns raised by community council members about litter and fly–tipping in the Mount Florida Area at the last meeting.
These concerns had been raised in a letter to Environmental Protection Services, penned by Community Councillor, Lesley Renton. A copy of Lesley’s letter and Alan Sinclair’s response had been made available to the community councillors. A summary of the contents of the letter sent to Alan was provided by Lesley.
Alan stated that he had come away from the last Mount Florida Community Council meeting that he had been invited to, feeling that he had spoken too much and wishing that he had allowed more of the problems and issues to be raised by the community councillors present. This was, he stated, what he intended to do at this meeting. Alan went on to explain that from April the cleansing department was separating from Environmental Protection Services and would be returning to Land Services. This was in line with the Council’s wish to promote a more joined up approach to services. It was noted by Alan that the Cleansing Department used to be within Land Services before becoming part of EPS.
In response to questions raised by those councillors present about the Clean Glasgow Initiative, Alan stated that the Community Planning Partnership, working with and promoted by the Council would strive to prevent situations of poor environment occurring within local areas. This initiative Alan stated would tackle the problem of vandalism, litter, illegal disposal of rubbish and dog fouling throughout
Bob Gillespie asked if there would be penalties for people dropping the litter and whether ‘hot spot’ areas would be targeted. Bob also suggested an extension of powers to cover more council employees to be able to fine people for dropping/dumping litter or rubbish. Alan replied by advising that at present the £50 fine given for dog fouling/ dropping of litter, could only be issued when a police officer was present. This system obviously had time implications for the police and was currently being addressed. Staff were now being trained by the police to take over this role without the back up of police officers.
Discussion took place about areas being targeted by the City Council – those areas in view. This would leave the back lanes and roads with less priority. Alan stated that 80% of the lanes within
A community councillor present advised Alan that a local resident wished to pass on that people locally were impressed by the hard work of their local street sweeper in Cumming Drive. Alan replied that although he was glad to hear this, he knew that the street sweepers job across the city was in fact becoming more and more difficult due to the amount of rubbish being left on Glasgow’s streets, which, he advised, was the whole point of the new campaign – to get the amount of rubbish being dumped down to a minimum. This would allow the street sweepers to do the back up job of tidying up and not to be met with the knee-deep litter which they were being faced with on a day-to-day basis.
Lesley Renton raised her concerns about the white rubbish bags left at the entrance to Mount Florida Railway station – a thoroughfare for visitors to the city. Alan replied that he would personally take action on this issue.
Eileen Ritchie asked Alan if there was a leaflet available to alert people to the procedures in place for disposal and uplift of rubbish and bulk uplift. Alan replied that it had been decided to redo the close leaflets put out 3 years ago. A new leaflet would be provided for each householder plus a poster for the front and back of each close – all delivered by Alan's own teams to save on costs.
Jim Scott asked if there was anything that could be done to stop people putting their bulk out the day after the bulk uplift had been collected. Alan replied that if anyone had any information with regard to problems like this one then they could phone either environmental health or EPS. Enforcement, the latter being the call that could remain confidential. Alan also stated that people wanting help could also call the enforcement section of Clean Glasgow.
Alan explained that Alan Hynde - based at India St, was the person heading up Clean Glasgow (no telephone number provided) and that Anne Hamilton – General Manager of the South East Strategy Support Services could provide more information on the Clean Glasgow Initiative. Telephone number – 287 6710.
Margaret Campbell explained to Alan about a problem that she had encountered within her own street – Ballogie St. took pride in her street and regularly cleaned up after drivers had dumped their ashtrays into the pavement/street in front of her house. Alan stated that her actions were a credit to her in terms of reflecting the ethos of householders taking a pride in keeping Glasgow clean. He went onto say that he would try and visit the area himself to view the problem and to try and resolve it.
Discussion followed about what was a chargeable uplift for bulk and what was not – contractors waste being in the bracket of being chargeable.
Jim Scott thanked Alan for coming along to the meeting.
The issue of public urinating at Hampden events was discussed – it was agreed that it was a City Council issue in the first instance and that we should contact our councillors.
It was agreed that we should get a supply of Clean Glasgow information cards for distribution.
It was noted that Margaret McCafferty had recently been hospitalised and it was agreed that we should send her a card with our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
7) Correspondence :-
Out Letter to Alan Sinclair ( and reply)
In Ryan Noble – Introduction
Invitation to Royal Garden Party – July – JC Valentin and E. Ritchie wish to attend
License for Rod Stewart Concert – July
Various Street Trader Licenses
CCRC – Proposal to set up informal Community Council Consultation/Discussion Group
Health Service Forum SE – Hustings Meeting on Health Issues 5/4/07 Couper Institute
Friends of Victoria Meeting – J. Scott will not be attending
Mount Florida Crime Figures – Mark Paterson
Florida Avenue Neighbourhood Watch – Residents Meeting – 12/3/07 – J Scott to attend
Queen’s Park Users Group Meeting
Community Council Civic Reception – City Chambers 16/3/07 – J Scott to attend
White Cart Flood Prevention Scheme Consultation Meetings – noted
MFCC Audited Accounts – See Treasurers Report
8) Treasurers Report:- Gordon presented the audited MFCC accounts for 2006 to the meeting. The present balance was £229.03 with the £300 from the NHS still outstanding. Gordon Agreed to chase up NHS – JS to provide contact details.
Accounts proposed by Lesley Renton and seconded by Jim Scott.
9) AOCB. None
10) Date of Next Meeting Tuesday 27/3/07 7pm