Bishopton Community Council
Minutes of the meeting held in The Cornerstone Church Centre -
Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Present:
John Anderson; Jean Brown; John Mackintosh; Ewing Mitchell; Irene Miller; Bill Sanders; Kenneth Simpson; Kirsty Wilkinson; David Woodrow; Colin Camelford
In attendance:
Cllr MacLaren; John Ramage; Sarah McCann; PC Lauren Green; PC Stewart Sutherland
Apologies
Cllr McCulloch; Sam Marshallsay; Moira Ramage; Peter Bryson;
Police Report
See attached report
PC Sutherland advised that the Community Police are frequently pulled from their Community role to provide cover in other areas of policing.
Shoplifting in Sainsbury's is an issue due to the proximity to the station, providing a quick escape route.
All should be aware of the risk of theft of parcel deliveries from front doors – with an incident occurring in Acer Drive. Ring doorbells are recommended to help mitigate this. Police recommend that Parcel drop options are used if you are not going to be at home.
Total of 16 crimes - 2 of which were in Mar Hall.
It was noted that incidents at Gleddoch are sometimes captured under the Bishopton crime data.
It was noted that the car fire could possibly be due to a technical fault - still being investigated.
3 hit & run traffic offences involved parked cars being hit.
Community Police will endeavour to have visibility in the area.
Discussions took place around speeding in the village (and a number of incidents relating to the SXPs) - Police looking to determine if they could have speed camera patrols - but there are resource implications.
Adoption of Minutes:
· Proposed - Ewing Mitchell
· Seconded - Kenneth Simpson
Matters Arising
JR spoke regarding his progress on the feasibility of a judicial review in respect of the PMHS decision and shared email communication with a planning consultant. It was noted that the only way to successfully appeal this is through legal route, as the planning process has already been approved. MR (a solicitor) has advised that she is happy to provide some free of charge advice between now and the next meeting. JR advised that there will be significant costs to bring this legal action and recommends that crowd-funding would likely be required to raise adequate funds to cover legal costs, which could be in excess of £30,000. JR mentioned that Reflex Blue could be engaged, costs of which would be covered by sponsorship from Waterside Developments. JR would be willing to 'test the water' for crowdfunding, with a view to returning this money to any donors if the review did not proceed.
Cllr McLaren advised that he had contacted the Council re the reduction in the school roll figures and was advised that this relates to a slowing down of birth rates and a slow-down in housebuilding
Various discussions took place and the incompetence of the Council in its decision making around the decisions in the education portfolio across Bishopton/Erskine.
JR requested the consent of the Community Council to write to the Council (on behalf of the Community Council) to request the relevant FOI data on decision making and the Edge Analytics data – this was agreed.
JR requested that the Community Council writes to all Elected Members putting forward our argument, as a community, that the decision for the PMHS extension has been taken using incorrect information and advising that we are considering a judiciary review.
All members are to read the communication with the planning consultant and feedback to JB or DW and we will take a final decision on how to proceed, at the next meeting.
A copy of the Bowles report to be issued to JR.
Correspondence
All correspondence has been shared with members.
Communication received on the day of the meeting around BESS to be shared with the membership.
CLG /Community Trust /Local Place Plan
No reports for CLG - next meeting scheduled for January 2025
· Community Trust - new treasurer has now been appointed although 2 members have had to step back from their role due to issues around their employment and being part of a Trust
· Local Place Plan - DW has advised Renfrewshire Council that we still intend to make a submission. This feeds into the Local Development Plan - Cllr MacLaren advised that we should be pro-active in submitting the Community's requirements.
Councillors’ Reports
· Report from Cllr MacLaren attached.
· Suggested that the 'You Decide' consultation could be used to put forward a suggestion for Christmas lighting display at the west end of the village.
· It was noted that the pavement from Erskine Garden Centre to HP needs to be cleared.
· Issues around the self-storage at Shilton Lane - has no planning permission – CC to send a marked map to Cllr MacLaren.
· CC asked about the installation of additional defibrillators - Cllr MacLaren recommends that we could contact Langbank Community Council who have been involved in the installation of these in the past.
· Cllr MacLaren advised that there are traffic calming proposals due to be released - we will have the opportunity to comment on these prior to their installation.
· KS advised that he had reported a significant number of blocked drains/gullies on Old Greenock Road area. He has also submitted an FOI asking for evidence of the Council's cycle of cleaning drains and gullies for Bishopton - he awaits a response on this.
Chairman’s Report
It was noted that there is an issue with mud flowing into Birch Road – but this is not yet adopted by the Council, so requires to be addressed by BAE.
Treasurer’s Report
Balance of £5,830.00 with no outstanding bills.
Community Council Forum
No report - Meeting scheduled for next week
Local Partnership
· Brief meeting took place - no report on this available.
Disbursement of Funds
It was agreed that we donate £1,000 to Bonnie Bishopton (DW to check if this covers the funding they have now lost from Ingliston)
Further discussions to take place at future meetings regarding the balance of funds.
13. A.O.C.B.
· It was noted that Ferry Road is due to be resurfaced from Greenock Road to Old Greenock Road.
· It was noted that the Patterson Quarries trucks are not part of works in the ROF development
· 514 bus service - further complaints received from users - suggested that we write to our MSP and MP, as the complaints to the Council and SPT do not seem to be making any progress.
Close of Meeting
9.25pm
OFFICIAL
BISHOPTON
COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 2025
Update from Previous Meeting
Police are continuing to conduct high visibility patrols and working with local businesses to increase awareness and presence.
Crime Summary
Between 1st November 2025 and 3rd December 2025 there have been a total of 16 recorded crimes, 6 of which have so far been detected and the others are still under investigation.
CRIME/OFFENCES OF NOTE
NUMBER
DETECTED
CONTEXT
Theft by Housebreaking/Attempt
0
0
Theft
2
0
1 x Shoplifting (Sainsburys)
1 x Theft of parcel from door
Robbery
0
0
Serious Assault
0
0
Common Assault
3
1
3 x Assault (1 Detected)
Drug Offences
1
1
1 x Detected possession
Anti-Social (breach of the peace/vandalism/street drinking)
4
2
1 x Vandalism, 1 x Wilful Fire-raising (vehicle fire, Greenock Road)
Detected – 2 x Threatening behaviour
Road Traffic Offences
3
0
3 x Hit & run
Other
3
2
1 x Communications offence
Detected – 1 x Domestic incident, 1 x Breach of bail
Crime Trends and Policing Priorities
There are no apparent crime trends for the month of November.
High visibility patrols resulted in drug offences being identified and the person responsible charged accordingly. These high visibility patrols will continue and be an ongoing priority.
Community Police Report
· Continued high visibility patrols being carried out in the local area, including within marked police vehicles, police quad bikes and plain clothes initiatives where possible.
OFFICIAL
Bishopton CC December Report from Councillor James MacLaren
1. Roads
i) 20 mph Zones: - Roads are currently in discussion with a prospective consultant regarding the next steps of the 20-mph restriction. Subject to funding, Roads anticipate consultation / engagement activities for this to commence next calendar year.
ii) Blocked Gullies:
· Gully Waste: - It appears that the waste from the gullies is often not taken away but left to the side. This is likely to find its way back into the gully. This is certainly not good and have reported this.
· Gully, Porton Place Bridge: - Roads will assess to determine whether there are any problems with the carrier pipe or the outfall, which I know there is.
iii) Work At HP Roundabout: - Strange goings on here. It was one of the roundabouts identified for improvements. I have asked what the plan is and hope it is more than a red circle round it.
iv) Craigmuir and Commonside Roundabouts: - I have requested that the dead vegetation be removed.
v) Emergency Road Closure, Kingston Road: - From Redwood Crescent to Stuart Road. Reason for Restriction: Scottish Power High Voltage Fault. This notice is in place from Tuesday 02nd December and will remain in place until safe, approx. 21 days.
vi) Road Closure, Birch Rd: - Birch Rd is to be closed/is closed for road works but there is no mention of this on the Roadworks Commissioner website. This is because it has not been adopted by the council. There are some minor works to undertake which expect to be complete by the end of the year, after which it will be presented for adoption.
vii) Parking Issues: -
· Greenock Rd: - The new parking rule to prevent parking on pavements is causing concern to some drivers approaching the Greenock Rd/ Ferry Rd Junction with west bound vehicles being well over the centre line. I have asked for a review.
· Keep Clear Markings: - New Keep Clear road markings have been applied to several corners in the Craighead Estate, which I requested.
· The Grove: - scheduled to go to consultation in the 2nd /3rd week in December. The parking restriction proposal aim to protect the junction by the bend and the turning head at the school.
· Poplar Ave: - I have chased up the lining works for this road.
viii) Resurfacing: -
· Ferry Road,: - the required works are more extensive than initially anticipated. Roads are now planning a larger project to address the issues highlighted during the assessment. This will include drainage improvements and may also involve footway works to ensure a comprehensive and long-term solution. Further details, including the schedule for these works, will be communicated in due course.
· Porton Place: - Roads will approach Network Rail once they have the results from coring investigations. These results may influence the type of treatment selected for this site.
ix) New Signage, A8: - the sign maintenance works will be completed in the first week in December, which includes a new 40 mph sign.
x) Grit Bins: - I requested an additional grit bin for Dunglass Rd and a grit bin to be relocated at the bottom of the road.
xi) Porton Place: - I regularly get requests about making it clearer that this is a two-way road. Our Contractor will illuminate the ‘give way’ and Roads will monitor the situation.
xii) Nairn Drive/ Balnagown Drive Junction: - Roads will monitor the traffic situation and will ask the Police if they could maintain a presence here for a while to modify driver behaviour. It is expected that when the while the adjacent construction site is finished, vehicle traffic will reduce.
xiii) Flooding: -
· Acer Drive: - This road has not yet been adopted and Roads are in negotiations with NHBC.
· Community Centre: - The Gully team attended and removed the leaves blocking the gullies at Porton Place and the community centre car park. They were running well when they left. They could not see any ponding at Drumcross Road.
xiv) Health Centre Road, Potholes: - I have requested repairs by the NHS Board.
xv) Drumcross Road Roadworks: - Gas works commencing on 19.11.25. I will ask why the repairs are taken so long.
2. Housing Projects- You Decide
YouDecide Tenants is a £600,000 fund for delivering improvements to the local area. Council tenants and other residents can suggest ideas for projects, and then council tenants will vote for them. You can submit ideas online from 10 November 2025 to 21 December 2025. Have your say at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/youdecide-tenants . This could be an opportunity to get some Christmas lights at the west end of the village.
3. Reportable Weeds
· Japanese Knotweed: - Council will not treat this dangerous weed unless it is on council land. If you are aware of the existence of this weed then please let me know.
· Mares Tail: - This is not a reportable weed although difficulty to control. A problem plant exists on Birchtree Rd where it keeps breaking through the pavement, now retarred 3 times. The pavement has not been adopted yet.
4. Dog Fouling Awareness Raising Campaign
Council have been working on the web content relating to dog fouling, making this easier for the public when reporting incidents (including the ability to upload photos) and to request No Fouling Signage in areas affected by this issue. www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/dogfouling .
5. Footpaths
· Scraping Of Yarrow Crescent Footpaths: - I have requested that the Environmental Impact Team scrape the path to clear the grass and mud that is coming off the mound. The Team did a great job of scraping the triangle and cutting back vegetation down to Matey’s Field. Meanwhile Kenneth and I scraped up mud and leaves on the footpath down to Cawdor Cres.
· Overgrown Footpaths: - Unfortunately, council will only request overgrowth is removed if it is on an adopted footpath. As councillor, I am not allowed to send out letters if this is not the case.
· Greenock Rd to Hatton Brae: - I have chased up the Environmental Impact Team to attend to cutting back overgrowth and this is expected to be done this week.
6. Dargavel
· Damaged Bin Store: - A resident of Cedarwood Gdns has been in contact regarding damage to their bin store where the bulk bin has smashed through a wall and damaged the entrance doors. Clearly a case of over exuberant refuse operatives. Has anyone else suffered damage like this?
7. Empty properties
I have reported an empty property to the council on Ettrick Drive to bring the property back into effective use and our More Homes Officer is working on this.
8. Street Lighting
The new lampposts recently installed on Porton Place (R9) and Ferry Rd (R2) are now working.
9. Matey’s Field
I have heard that The Grove Residents' Association was actually called of Camphill Gardens Residents Association (or similar) as The Grove exists elsewhere in Bishopton. I understand that the residents’ association exists.
10. PMHS Figures
The latest Edge Analytics figures indicate reduced demand for the school and this has been put down to a considerable slowdown in house building rates and a consistently falling birth rate year on year.
3/12/2025
Feedback From Meeting
1. Crossing Patrollers: - Many near misses. I will enquire as to the possibility of having these crossings covered by CCTV or some sort.
2. Pavement Resurfacing: - It was suggested that the pavement from Caulders Garden Centre to the HP roundabout needs to be resurfaced. I will request this.
3. Planning Issue: - A question was asked about the storage container site on OGR. I will ask if it has planning permission.
4. Blocked Gully, OGR: - I will chase up the date for repair of the gully at Chisholm Ave.
Please email me with your updates and requests as I cannot guarantee to see your comments or messages on Facebook. “Likes” are always welcome.
You can also subscribe to receive a copy of my monthly reports, just request this by email.
My Bishopton Surgery is held in the Community Centre at 6.30pm on the third Monday of the month.
Councillor James W.H. MacLaren, Conservative & Unionist Party
Ward 11, Bishopton, Bridge of Weir & Langbank Tel. 03003001291
Email cllr.james.maclaren@renfrewshire.gov.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/councillormaclaren