Bishopton Community Council
Minutes of the meeting held in The Cornerstone Church Centre -
Wednesday 1st April 2026
Present:
John Anderson; Jean Brown; Peter Bryson; Colin Camelford; John Mackintosh; Irene Miller; Bill Sanders; Kenneth Simpson; Moira Ramage; Kirsty Wilkinson; David Woodrow.
In attendance:
Cllr MacLaren; David Ross; Chris Rafferty; Morven Rafferty
Apologies
Ewing Mitchell; PC Andrew Hodge; Sarah McCann; Paul Cairns
2. Police Report
· See attached report – no Police representatives present.
· Issue raised around speeding traffic - Community Speedwatch UK was suggested and it was noted that this had been pursued previously but there were issues with funding. This involves using a mobile hand-held camera, which could be shared with other Community Councils, to capture images of speeding drivers. It was noted that the Police are required to be involved to issue the notices from the Community Speedwatch team (although no prosecution is involved).
· Cllr MacLaren agreed to approach the Police to see if they would be willing to participate in this.
Adoption of Minutes:
· Minutes of previous meeting not yet available.
Matters Arising
DW to follow up on the plans for the 514 bus service - Cllr MacLaren advised that this will cease by the end of May, due to low usage.
Issue re Patterson Quarries' lorries - DR advised that he had spoken with Pattersons on 14th March, and they advised that drivers would stick to the agreed routes – there has been a reduction in traffic through the village in the last couple of weeks.
Agreed that we record any further issues and notify Pattersons.
5. Correspondence
· All correspondence has been shared with members
· Mention of the confused public procession application
· Powers for Community Councils - this was agreed that
· Funding application received for participant of the 2027 World Scout Jamboree – Agreed to provide funding based on previous similar requests, adjusted for inflation.
· MR advised that she has now received an invoice for £1,248.00 from Gillespie Macandrew in respect of the Advocate’s meeting re Park Mains - agreed that this needs to be paid now.
6. Community Liaison Group /Community Trust /Local Place Plan
· CLG - Meeting scheduled for 13th April - members to let DW know of any issues they want raised at this meeting. It was noted that there is an issue with adhering to the terms of the Section 75 agreements (between the Council and BAE Systems) with changes being made which have diluted/relaxed the commitment within these documents.
· Community Trust - consultants were in attendance in the playing field today – no further information available.
· Local Place Plan - JB to share communication re Inchinnan Local Place Plan.
7. Councillors’ Reports
· Cllr MacLaren – report attached.
· Various discussions took place around the content of the report
8. Chairman’s Report
· All issues covered elsewhere in the agenda.
9. Treasurer’s Report
· Treasurer not in attendance at meeting but account balance is currently £4,505.28.
10. Community Council Forum
· Next meeting now scheduled for June 2026.
11. Local Partnership
· Next meeting scheduled for 21st May 2026.
A.O.C.B.
· It was noted that members of Inchinnan Community Council had been invited, by Cala and Persimmon, to attend a field at Southbar (close to Red Smiddy roundabout) re plans to build 600 new homes. Planning application has not yet been submitted for this although it was noted that there had been a previous planning application for this land. It was noted that we may be in the Pre Application Notice period and that any new development will impact on the school situation, as the application is for family homes. Agreed that we find out how we can object to this and check on the Local Development Plan to determine how the land is currently zoned.
· It was also noted that Springfield Properties are allegedly ready to submit plans for housing on the land beyond Dunglass Road, heading to Erskine.
· It was noted that there is also a planning request for the creation of a lorry park between Red Smiddy roundabout and the India Tyres building.
The process for re-zoning areas which are currently agricultural/greenbelt, into residential areas was discussed. Cllr MacLaren noted that developers would need to apply to the Council for the change of use - this would then be included in the Local Development Plan, for consultation (including community councils), at which point the developer may be granted approval.
It was agreed that we contact both Erskine and Inchinnan Community Councils to set up a joint meeting to determine their views on these proposed planning applications and to discuss any objections.
· BS raised the issue with the pavement at the traffic lights at the bottom of Barrangary Road. It was suggested that he should refer this to Traffic Scotland and that it should be highlighted when the forthcoming traffic calming consultation takes place. It was agreed to raise this at the forthcoming Community Liaison Group meeting with BAE systems.
13. Close of Meeting
Meeting close – 9pm
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BISHOPTON
COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING
April 2026
Update from Previous Meeting
N/A
Crime Summary
Between 1st March and 31st March, there have been a total of 6 recorded crimes, 3 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
Theft
Robbery
Serious Assault
Common Assault 1 1 DETECTED - 1 x Assault (non-injury)
Drug Offences
Anti-Social (breach
of the peace/vandalism/street drinking)
Road Traffic Offences 2 2 DETECTED - 1 x Careless Driving, 1 x Red light
Other1 x careless driving
DETECTED – 1 x careless driving
Other 3 0 1 x Fraud, 1 x Attempt Fraud, 1 x S38 (Abusive behaviour)
Crime Trends and Policing Priorities
Over the month of March there have been no apparent crime trends.
Community Police Report
Local Community Officers have been carrying out both hi-visibility and plain clothes patrols in the local area targeting road traffic issues highlighted in previous meeting. Numerous vehicles stopped with un-marked police vehicle and relevant action taken with drivers.
Increased foot patrols at drop off and pick up times at Bishopton Primary School regarding parking and general congestion issues.
Community officers were also in attendance at Bishopton Primary and delivered inputs to P7 pupils regarding Online safety and anti-social behaviour due to the lighter nights and school holidays approaching.
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Bishopton CC April Report from Councillor James MacLaren
1. Roads
i) Potholes: - OGR has a pot hole under the flooded section next to Chisholm Ave, but this is the only pothole I have been notified of recently.
ii) Birch Rd: - I have requested that the speed of vehicles be looked at.
iii) Traffic Calming Proposals: - I am chasing up these proposals as there is a lot of frustration over the ongoing speeding in the villages.
iv) Greenock Rd Parking: - The new restrictions up to the Ferry Rd junction has had the effect of creating a problem further down the road. Residents are finding vehicles parked on the pavement and blocking driveways. Wardens only work sociable hours so there is little to deter bad parking. I will be asking management to consider extending working hours to cover evening and weekend work.
2. Bishopton Roundabouts #YouDecide
The installation of the Tree Sculpture planned for Barrangary has been delayed. The artist has advised that his team will now carry out the installation on Monday 13th April. The delay was due to issues with the galvanising process. The proposed landscaping for both roundabouts is to sow a wildflower mix and create a border using large stone pebbles, which should provide an attractive finish, once established. Works at Barrangary are currently paused while the contractor awaits the installation of the Tree Sculpture. Once this is complete, they will finish the stone perimeter and prepare the ground for seeding. The contractor is due to complete the same process at Chestnut. The Neighbourhood Services team plans to survey both sites and sow the wildflower seeds in the coming weeks, which is the optimal time of year for this work. Lighting options are being considered and the hope is that this is something that can be added to enhance both sculptures. All work is expected for the end of April.
3. Streetlights
The streetlights in Etive Drive, Dunglass Rd, Carron Drive, and Devon Drive were on during the day and off at night. Electricians were working at this location recently due to a cable fault.
The location has been identified and reduced to one faulty span of cable affecting one light only.
4. Dog fouling
Council will review the provision of signs in the Craighead Estate however, at present there are no plans to install any more at this time.
5. Mar Hall footpaths
The new gates fronting the core path at the River Clyde have been unlocked to facilitate access. Planning are aware that the access between Mar Hall and Erskine Hospital has been blocked and I keep chasing them to resolve this stalemate.
6. Garden Waste
Council tax was raised by 7.5% and other charges by 5% but it seems that garden waste collection has been raised by more than 10%. So, the cost for a garden waste permit for 2026/27 is now £52.
9. Crossing Patrollers
I am chasing up a replacement crossing patroller for Greenock Rd. The post has been advertised, and interviews should have taken place, but it is not a popular job and I have been exploring ways to make it more desirable. Council regularly advertises for crossing patrollers.
10. Community Payback Team
The recent report to the Communities and Housing Policy Board gave some good information on the work of the Community Payback Team. Best to book them well in advance though. Some of the work they do will require materials to be provided, e.g. paint for painting jobs. They also make planters, benches, etc.
11. Bonnie Bishopton
Bonnie Bishopton intend having a stall at Bishopton Day. They are looking for 30cm plant pots and other pots, plus carrier bags. They are waiting for funds to be released from RC for a new bench.
12. 514 bus service
The Service 514 will come to an end in May 2026. This is due to the low number of recorded passengers.
13. School Buses - Slateford Road
I have requested that the location of the school pick up and drop off point at Slateford Road be reconsidered. The road safety team will inspect the area for a suitable alternative.
14. Postal Service
Residents are complaining about the erratic and slow delivery of letters, including late Mother's Day cards, missed appointments, etc. I have been told that the letters are stuck in Glasgow, which surprised me since the sorting office is in Erskine. This seems to be quite separate to the recent issue in the Craighead Estate over abuse to the postie. I am seeking answers.
15. Local Partnership Grants
The next meeting of the Local Partnership is on 21st May where all new grant applications are likely to be considered, but further applications can still be submitted and possibly granted, funds allowing.
16. Food Waste Bags
I brought along some spare bags as these are no longer being distributed.
17. Stamps and Ring Pulls
Please help me as I am collecting stamps and can ring pulls for Clydebank Rotary this year. The stamps are sold to help projects in Rotary International, the ring pulls are sent to Asia to make bags, belts and jewellery.
Feedback From Meeting
1. Community Speed Watch: - I will speak to the police about restarting a Community Speed Watch campaign.
1.
1/4/2026
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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