Stewarton Community News

COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWS: DECEMBER 2011

The Community Council has continued to raise the difficulties being experienced by the general public as a consequence of inconsiderate, and often illegal, car-parking in the vicinity of Lainshaw Primary School; High Street; Main Street and Rigg Street. In particular, the obstruction of bus-bays and pavements is causing problems for the elderly and infirm, especially those with mobility problems. In addition, the passage of traffic at Stewarton Cross is often made more difficult by the parking of cars, vans and other delivery vehicles near the traffic lights. The Community Police Officers are monitoring the situation and, during a recent 4-day period, have warned 35 motorists about their behaviour as well as issuing 25 penalty tickets. Car parking problems should be reported to the Police Office, and brought to the attention of the Community Council (Tel: 01560 482775).

The recent cold spell revealed a problem with the EAC road gritting plan, in that not all the route for the local circular bus service was gritted. As a consequence, the bus had to divert from the planned route to the detriment of local users who depend on this service to get to the shops and other local services. The Community Council made representations to the EAC about this problem and, subsequently, some additional gritting was undertaken. Residents are encouraged to report shortfalls and problems with road gritting to the Community Council (Tel: 01560 482775).

The Remembrance Service at the War Memorial was well attended, this year. The Community Council is seeking a commitment from the EAC for the refurbishment of the guard rails around the Memorial, which are in a poor condition.

The Community Council has been informed that the new Area Sports Centre is unlikely to be fully open for bookings before Christmas. Meanwhile, two open days have been conducted to enable all the interested parties and potential users to examine the new facilities. The Community Council has asked that at least one additional evening session be arranged for those who work during the day to gain the same knowledge. The full tariff for the cost of using the Centre has not yet been received by the Community Council.

Work on the new park-and-ride car-park at Stewarton Railway Station has continued to be delayed by the winter weather. However, the project is nearing completion, and might be open before Christmas. The 67 parking spaces being provided will be managed on the same basis as the Railway Station car-park in Rigg Street.

During the month of November there were 24 crimes reported to Strathclyde Police within the Stewarton Area (EAC Ward One). Of these 5 have been detected - that is a report has been forwarded for the action of the Procurator Fiscal. The remaining crimes are being investigated, and further detections are expected. The detected crimes include offences under the licensing acts, a road traffic offence and two assaults. The undetected crimes include a number of thefts, house break-ins, vandalisms, and one incident of wilful fire-raising. In response to these incidents, the local Community Police are conducting additional patrols in the affected areas in order to disrupt criminal activity. Of particular concern is the number of incidents of theft of property from in and around remote farm outbuildings.

Stewarton Community Police are seeking intelligence on anti-social behaviour and drug dealing within the Town. Information can be supplied confidentially by contacting any Community Police Officer, the Police Office (01560 602000) or by calling CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111. Strathclyde Police is also encouraging victims and witnesses of hate crimes (where race, gender, religion, sexual preference or disability appears to have been a motivating factor) to report them via the Police Web Site. Information on the local Policing Plan is available from the Strathclyde Police website, the Stewarton Police Office or the Community Council Resource Centre.

The Community Council has noted the changes made by the EAC to the green garden waste collection service with effect from 5th December. From this date, and until the week ending 9 March 2012, the EAC will not collect garden waste (brown bins) unless requested to, and then by appointment. During this period residents requiring a collection of garden waste must arrange this by booking a collection by the Friday of the preceding week that is, providing one week advance notice. More information is available from the Community Council Resource Centre.

The Community Council may be contacted through the Community Council Resource Centre (Tel: 01560 482775), which is open Monday to Friday between 10.00 and 12.00am. As well as providing a contact point for all Community Council business there are facilities for photocopying, and a fax machine, which are available for the use of the general public – providing excellent value for money and a good service from well-kent faces. Bookings for the self-drive 16 seat Community Bus, which continues to be used by a wide range of local groups, can also be made at the Resource Centre.

There continue to be four vacancies on the Community Council, and residents interested in the development of our Town and local facilities are most welcome to join. Nominations for these vacancies should be passed to the Secretary of the Community Council, Mr Larry Pollock, who can be contacted via the Resource Centre at No.8 Avenue Square (Tel: 01560 482775). Candidates must be resident at an address within the area of the Stewarton & District Community Council.

The next meeting of the Stewarton & District Community Council will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 9th January 2012 in the Town House Council Chamber at No.8, Avenue Square, Stewarton. There is plenty of space in the Council Chamber, and all are welcome to attend all Community Council meetings.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWS: OCTOBER 2011

The Community Council continues to closely monitoring the major projects currently in course of construction in the Standalane area and it is acknowledged that there have been difficulties with site traffic, overall traffic management, parking, and general access to roads and pathways during the last few months. All these difficulties have been brought to the attention of the EAC, our local Councillors and, where appropriate, the Contractors. As a consequence, most of these difficulties have been resolved. However, any remaining problems should be brought to the attention of the Community Council (Tel: 01560 482775).

AREA SPORTS CENTRE
Good progress is being made, and it is hoped to complete construction before the end of November. The impressive new football/multisports pitch is complete, and awaits FIFA certification. As a community facility the Sports Centre will operate a 'pay as you go' policy. However, over and above this there will be a seven day booking system as well as an option for organisations to block book the facilities. Instructional sessions will be held in the fitness suite, whilst there will be dance and fitness classes in the dance studio. Community recreation sessions will be run after school, and for youth clubs. Links will be developed with partners such as Leisure Development and Kilmarnock FC to deliver Friday night leagues and coaching opportunities. To maximise use within the facility, and to develop opportunities for groups and organisations, there will be opportunities to join a local Sports Council; and this will afford them a 30% discount on normal prices – which have not yet been announced.

STEWARTON RAILWAY STATION PARK & RIDE
Work on the new car-park has been delayed by the weather, and is now expected to be completed during November. It has been confirmed that 67 parking spaces will be provided. It is understood that the car-park will be managed on the same basis as the station car-park in Rigg Street. A temporary traffic light road management system will return again for approximately one and a half weeks to carry out street lighting, kerbing and road marking works in Standalane. Although some changes will be made to the road marking it is not intended to introduce, for example, a mini-roundabout at the junction of the road opposite the new entrance to the car-park.

During the month of September there were 19 crimes reported to Strathclyde Police within the Stewarton Area (EAC Ward One). Of these 5 have been detected, that is a report has been forwarded for the action of the Procurator Fiscal. The remaining crimes are still being investigated, and further detections are expected. The detected crimes include offences under the licensing acts, a road traffic offence and a case of racial harassment. The undetected crimes include a number of thefts and attempted thefts. In response to these incidents, the local Community Police are conducting additional patrols in the affected areas. Of particular concern is the number of incidents of theft of property from in and around farm outbuildings. The Community Council has expressed concern about the availability of alcohol and cigarettes for the use of under-age youths gathering in a variety of outdoor locations around the Town.

The Community Council has welcomed the various works undertaken by the EAC in Cunningham Watt Park. In particular, the repair of the Pedestrian Bridge has long been the subject of representations by the Community Council. As winter approaches , residents wishing to make a case for the better location of gritting bins throughout the Town should contact either one of the Ward 1 EAC Councillors or the Community Council (Tel: 01560 482775)

The Community Council may be contacted through the Community Council Resource Centre (Tel: 01560 482775), which is open Monday to Friday between 10.00 and 12.00am. As well as providing a contact point for all Community Council business there are facilities for photocopying, and a fax machine, which are available for the use of the general public providing excellent value for money and a good service from well-kent faces. Bookings for the self-drive 16 seat Community Bus, which continues to be used by a wide range of local groups, can also be made at the Resource Centre.

There remain four vacancies on the Community Council, and newcomers interested in the development of our Town and local facilities are most welcome to join. Nominations for these vacancies should be passed to the Secretary of the Community Council, Mr Larry Pollock, who can be contacted via the Resource Centre at No.8 Avenue Square (Tel: 01560 482775). Candidates must be resident at an address within the area of the Stewarton & District Community Council.

The next meeting of the Stewarton & District Community Council will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 7th November in the Council Chamber at No.8, Avenue Square, Stewarton. There is plenty of space in the Council Chamber, and all are welcome to attend all Community Council meetings.

Community Newsletter: August 2011.

There remain four vacancies on the Community Council, and newcomers interested in the development of our Town and local facilities are most welcome to join. Nominations for these vacancies should be passed to the Secretary of the Community Council, Mr Larry Pollock, who can be contacted via the Resource Centre at No.8 Avenue Square (Tel: 01560 482775). Candidates must be resident at an address within the area of the Stewarton & District Community Council.

The Community Council is closely monitoring the 3, concurrent, major projects currently in course of construction in the Standalane/Kilwinning Road/Dalry Road area. There have been difficulties with site traffic, overall traffic management, parking, and general access to roads and pathways. All these difficulties have been brought to the attention of the EAC, our local Councillors and, where appropriate, the Contractors. This has resulted in traffic management procedures being put in place; delivery times being coordinated; and the frequent sweeping of adjacent roads. All continuing problems should be brought to the attention of the Community Council.

The Community Council is also attending the EAC progress meetings for the Area Sports Centre and Park-and-Ride projects. At the end of July, the construction of the Sports Centre was assessed to be 7 weeks behind the original schedule, this being the consequence of the very cold winter weather. The estimated date for completion is now in the second half of October, this year. Meanwhile, the progress being made with the outside sports pitches is clear to see; and it is hoped that the car-parking areas on site will soon be completed, which should ease local parking problems. The Community Council has been informed that the charges for the use of the new sports facilities have yet to be finalised by the EAC. This issue will be closely followed as the Community Council considers it important that the charges do not preclude local people from using what is expected to be an excellent centre for a variety of popular sports.

The construction of the Park-and-Ride facility should be completed during the early part of September, this year. The Community Council has requested more information on the 'park and ride' management arrangements for both of the Stewarton station car parks. It has been confirmed that the new car park will have 64 spaces, which will be height restricted for cars and small vans, only.

The Community Council continues to make representations to the EAC, and Strathclyde Police about car-parking, in Stewarton, which causes the obstruction of shop, pavement, bus and other vehicle access for persons using mobility scooters and wheelchairs. It is also the case that selfish parking in restricted areas can make difficulties for everybody, especially those with a mobility difficulty. The Community Council has requested that traffic wardens make more frequent visits to the Town.

During the month of July there were 30 crimes reported in Stewarton, of which 11 have been detected, that is a report has been forwarded for the action of the Procurator Fiscal. Extra police patrols have been carried out in order to prevent and detect youth disorder within the local area during the summer school holidays. The Community Council has expressed concern about the availability of alcohol for the use of under-age drinkers gathering in a variety of outdoor locations around the Town.

Stewarton Community Police are seeking intelligence on anti-social behaviour and drug dealing within the Town. Information can be supplied confidentially by contacting any Community Police Officer, the Police Office (01560 602000) or by calling CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111. Strathclyde Police is also encouraging victims and witnesses of hate crimes (where race, gender, religion, sexual preference or disability appears to have been a motivating factor) to report them via the Police Web Site. Information on the local Policing Plan is available from the Strathclyde Police website, the Stewarton Police Office or the Community Council Resource Centre.

The Community Council may be contacted through the Community Council Resource Centre (Tel: 01560 482775), which is open Monday to Friday between 10.00 and 12.00am. As well as providing a contact point for all Community Council business there are facilities for photocopying, and a fax machine, which are available for the use of the general public – providing excellent value for money and a good service from well-kent faces. Bookings for the self-drive 16 seat Community Bus, which continues to be used by a wide range of local groups, can also be made at the Resource Centre.

The next meeting of the Stewarton & District Community Council will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 5th September in the Council Chamber at No.8, Avenue Square, Stewarton. There is plenty of space in the Council Chamber, and all are welcome to attend all Community Council meetings.