SCARA Minutes

SCOTSTOUN CONSERVATION AREA RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (SCARA)

AGM 2024 - 1st October 2024, 7:30 pm

Venue: Heart of Scotstoun

Attendance: Completed attendance register

.1. Convenor’s Report (Michael Sheridan)- Topics Covered: Key issues over the past year included the £50 garden waste removal fee, pavement parking, and event day parking.- Tribute to John Hannah: Tribute was paid to former convenor John Hannah, who recently passed away. John was a dedicated SCARA member, active even when unable to attend meetings. His contributions will be missed.- Committee & Website Needs: Despite a small committee, SCARA maintains an independent website and a biannual “Avenues” newsletter. Both are valued by residents, but more volunteers are needed to support ongoing efforts, particularly with newsletter production, which has become increasingly challenging.- Pavement Parking Legislation: Pavement parking is now a criminal offence, but Glasgow City Council has not yet finalised which streets will be exempt. The convenor submitted 100 letters from residents opposing restrictions in the avenues. A map was presented showing that most avenues are under review.- Event Parking Permits: The transition to Ringo’s online permit system has created accessibility issues for residents without internet access and challenges even for those familiar with online processes. Numerous permit visibility issues have resulted in tickets being wrongly issued, which disproportionately impacts vulnerable residents requiring caregiver visits.- Crime Update: One-third of attendees reported experiencing crime, with car thefts noted as a common issue.

2. Treasurer’s Report (David Irvine)- Financial Summary: The Association holds a healthy balance of £2,500, although this marks a decrease from the previous year, largely due to limited fundraising activities.- Subscription Appeal: Recent appeals in the newsletter have increased contributions, with an average of £7 per household. This funding supports SCARA’s advocacy efforts, such as opposing pavement parking restrictions, and enables contributions to local projects. David thanked all members who have contributed.

3. Newsletter Report (Lynda McCallum)- Production and Importance: Lynda McCallum shared that John Hannah originally initiated the newsletter 25 years ago. It has grown in importance, particularly for residents not active on social media. It covers both pressing local issues and smaller community interests.- Distribution & Support Needs: Delivered to approximately 650 homes, the newsletter requires ongoing content and distribution support from residents. The healthy bank balance could support expansion, potentially enabling more social events like the Burns Supper that were popular when the committee was larger. Lynda encouraged members to submit relevant content.

4. Election of Office Bearers- Re-elections: Michael Sheridan (Convenor), David Irvine (Treasurer), and Lynda McCallum (Newsletter Editor) were re-elected.- New Members & Roles: Two new members volunteered to join the committee. Additional support is needed for roles such as Secretary, managing meeting accommodations, newsletter distribution, and responding to emails. Monthly meetings are held on the first Tuesday evening, with the invitation extended to all interested members to assist on an as-needed basis.

5. Event Day Parking Permits- System Issues: Ringo’s transition to a fully online system for event day permits has been problematic, with inconsistencies between Ringo’s records and those of traffic wardens leading to erroneous tickets. This affects residents and their visitors, especially those without regular internet access.- Councillor Chris Cunningham’s Input: Councillor Cunningham acknowledged these issues, noting his own challenges with the system. The previous paper-based system required renewals only once every 10 years, which many residents found easier. A volunteer programme, DigiPals, offers assistance at local libraries like Partick and Hillhead for those needing help with online applications

.6. Speeding and Illegal Parking- Traffic Control Proposals: Discussion on potential measures included adding speed bumps, restricting access to certain streets, and using number plate recognition to manage speed. Illegal parking on Dumbarton Road was noted, especially on double yellow lines and zigzag areas near bus stops. Members suggested SCARA approach the police with photographic evidence to help enforce regulations.Next Meeting: 

The new committee will meet on Tuesday, 5th November 2024, 7:30 pm, with the venue to be confirmed.Adjournment: The meeting concluded with thanks to all attendees and committee members for their contributions.

Committee Meeting, 5th November 2024 @ 7.30pm
Venue: Scotstoun Parish Church

Attendance: Michael Sheridan, David Irving, Lynda McCallum, Claire Caddis. Apologies: Doogie Kenyon 

3rd December 2024, 7.30pm (TBC), Granny Gibbs 
1. Minutes from AGM
Reviewed and agreed that the condensed version would be added to the SCARA website. 
1. New member
Claire provided introduction to wider group, updated on recent involvement with Heart of Scotstoun and warm welcome extended. 
1. SCARA email 
⦁ Potentially the current email distribution list needs to be updated to remove contacts no longer in the committee and to add new member, Claire Caddis. Lynda to review with an IT contact. 
⦁ Discussion regarding recent incoming e-mail; David to reply as he knows this neighbour. 
1. Newsletter
⦁ Aiming to print around 14th November. With 5-day lead-time for printing and need to staple ‘Christmas windows’ leaflet the target date for distribution to helpers is end of November for distribution early December. 
⦁ Lynda and Claire will continue to liaise re distribution and advise if help needed with stapling

Scotstoun Conservation Area Residents Association (SCARA) Committee Meeting, 4^th February 2025 @ 7.30pm Venue: 45 Earlbank Avenue 

 Attendees:               New committee member, David Leslie Sandra Butler joining meeting at 8pm to provide tree update   Updates from January meeting Michael uploaded minutes of AGM and financial accounts to SCARA website Lynn shared link to Warriors fixtures, Claire re-sent Heart of Scotstoun programme and Lynda sent low-res copy of newsletter; Michael to add to website Lynda updated SCARA email distribution to include Lynn; David Leslie to be added Parking Restrictions 

• Still no feedback or acknowledgement of circa 100 letters submitted to Glasgow City Council (GCC) 1^st October 2024. Michael to contact GCC to confirm safe receipt with Councillor Chris Cunningham on copy. Confirmed scanned copies of letters.
• Claire provided update on comms shared from David Leslie to Councillors Eva Murray and Bill Butler; feedback on whether Scotstoun Conservation area is exempt and update on their actions to obtain an exemption are pending.
• Claire spoke with Duty Manager at Scotstoun Leisure Centre who advised that parking restrictions only apply for Warriors matches. Pending feedback on whether restrictions apply for Women’s matches. Flagged that situation for Commonwealth Games unknown.

 Newsletter 

• Content to include;
• Pavement parking update
• Donation envelope
• Lollipop man update
• Recent storm
• Volunteers to support with website maintenance
• Other ideas welcomed
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 Tree update 

• Sandra Butler provided update on work instigated with Glasgow City Council (GCC) in 2016; concerns include trees obscuring visibility for children crossing at busy corner to the school, roots causing uneven surface on the pavement and concern re large trees immediately adjacent to house falling on her property.
• Flagged that trees were not the original cherry blossom trees planted with houses but replaced circa 50 years ago; whilst GCC advise that maintenance of the trees is ‘under review’ when conservation area was created residents do not have permission to maintain.
• As a result of campaigning, with support from Councillors at the time, approximately 18 trees surrounding Scotstoun School were inspected and some remedial work on pruning and shaving of roots was eventually completed. No ongoing maintenance plan appears to be in place.
• Discussed mixed views on trees in the area; whilst some residents have safety concerns equally other residents do not not wish for the trees to be removed as they are inherent to the character of the area.
• Agreed that Claire would contact Chris Cunningham and request clarification on what maintenance plans GCC have in place for the trees. Advised that concerns have been raised following recent storm and trees falling in school grounds and nature trial and how the uneven pavement surfaces (due to root growth) are not in alignment with pavement parking objective of free movement for prams and wheelchair users.

 Website 

• Michael flagged that there is an ongoing maintenance cost of approximately £300 for website which he is covering.
• Discussed format of website and how it can be time consuming and troublesome to update.
• As per above, volunteer support to be requested in newsletter.

 Any other business 

• Michael passed on note of interest on pavement parking situation from resident out with SCARA; will update neighbour that this area is under priority review at each meeting.
• David advised that transition to on-line banking is underway.
• Lynda to send sympathy card to Kay Johnston’s husband on behalf of SCARA.
• Offer to distribute newsletters for block previously completed by Kay received; Lynda to share e-mail address with Claire.
• Lynda approached by local resident with historical pictures from local area and school; copies obtained and Lynda to follow up discussions with neighbours/family as property now for sale.
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 Next meeting: 4^th March 2025, Scot