Councillor Andy Steel (Renfrewshire Council); Councillor Innes Nelson (Inverclyde Council); Councillor Todd Fergsuon (North Ayrshire Council); Ross Anderson (Scottish Rural Property & Business Association); Gerry McAuley (RSPB); Kerry MacKendrick (Lochwinnoch Community Council); Nigel Willis (Save Your Regional Park); Andrew Adair (Largs Community Council); and Roger Hissett (Scottish Wildlife Trust – Ayrshire Branch).

In the absence of the Chair, Councillor Andy Steel, Vice-chair, presided.

D Gatherer, Interim Regional Park Manager; F Carlin, Head of Planning & Housing Services, Elaine Currie, Senior Committee Services Officer and K O’Neill, Assistant Democratic Services Officer (all Renfrewshire Council).

Councillor Innes Nelson entered the meeting prior to consideration of the following item of business.

Councillor Andy Steel vacated the Chair and Councillor Innes Nelson took the Chair.

Councillor David Wilson entered the meeting prior to consideration of the following item of business.

 

 

 

Donald Cochrane (Scottish National Farmers Union); Andrew MacLeman (Gryffe Valley Rotary Club); Sybil Simpson (Save Your Regional Park); Douglas Blair and Patricia Perman (Largs Community Council); and Barry Fleeting (Sport Scotland).

There were no declarations of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Consultative Forum held on 23 June 2017.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

There were no matters arising.

DECIDED: That it be noted that there were no matters arising.

Under reference to item 6 of the Minute of the meeting of the Consultative Forum held on 23 June 2017 the Interim Regional Park Manager advised that this project was not progressing as the proposed partners were no longer participating in the provision of a Lochwinnoch Active Travel Hub.

DECIDED: That the update be noted.

Under reference to item 7 of the Minute of the meeting of this Consultative Forum held on 23 June 2017 the Interim Regional Park Manager distributed copies of the objection letter submitted by the Regional Park Manger to Renfrewshire Council in relation to the planning application for the erection of a residential development (in principal) at the north boundary at Beechburn, Johnshill, Lochwinnoch.

It was noted that at the meeting of Renfrewshire Council held on 20 April 2017 it was decided that the planning application be refused.

DECIDED: That the update be noted.

Under reference to item 8 of the Minute of the meeting of the Consultative Forum held on 23 June 2017 it was noted that an update would be provided at the next meeting of the Consultative Forum to be held on 1 December 2017.

DECIDED: That an update be provided at the next meeting of the Consultative Forum to be held on 1 December 2017.

Under reference to item 10 of the Minute of the meeting of this Consultative Forum held on 23 June 2017 it was noted that the Interim Regional Park Manger would submit a report on this matter to a future meeting of the Joint Committee. 

DECIDED: That the Interim Regional Park Manager submit a report on this matter to a future meeting of the Joint Committee.

Under reference to item 7 of the Minute of the meeting of this Consultative Forum held on 23 June 2017 a discussion took place regarding whether the Chair of the Joint Committee and the Interim Regional Park Manager could represent the Regional Park at an inquiry.

The Head of Planning and Housing Services, Renfrewshire Council advised that it would be more appropriate for a member of the Consultative Forum or a person appointed by the Consultative Forum to represent the views of the Regional Park at an inquiry.

The Chair and other members of the Forum intimated that it was their view that the Regional Park should be represented by the Chair of the Joint Committee or the Interim Regional Park Manager at an inquiry.

The Chair proposed that the Clerk be advised that it was the view of the Consultative Forum that the Regional Park Authority be represented at all planning inquiries which impacted on the Regional Park.  Further that the Clerk consult planning officers of all three councils on this matter and that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Joint Committee to be held on 1 December 2017 detailing what steps required to be taken to enable the Park Authority to be represented at all planning inquiries which impacted on the Regional Park.  This was agreed unanimously.

DECIDED:

(a) That the Clerk be advised that it was the view of the Consultative Forum that the Regional Park Authority be represented at all planning inquiries which impacted on the Regional Park; and

(b) That the Clerk consult planning officers of all three councils on this matter and that a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Joint Committee to be held on 1 December 2017 detailing what steps required to be taken to enable the Park Authority to be represented at all planning inquiries which impacted on the Regional Park.

A discussion took place as to whether or not the Regional Park was participating in a landscape partnership scheme led by the RSPB working to enhance, improve access to, and promote natural and cultural heritage around the River Garnock.

It was noted that staff from the Regional Park were involved in discussions on possible future projects.
 
DECIDED: That the position be noted.

The Head of Planning and Housing Services, Renfrewshire Council advised that the review of the Minute of Agreement was ongoing and that a report would be submitted to a future meeting of the Joint Committee.

DECIDED: 

(a) That it be noted that the review of the Minute of Agreement was ongoing; and 

(b) That the Head of Planning and Housing Services, Renfrewshire Council would submit a report to a future meeting of the Joint Committee.

A discussion took place regarding the lack of signage to the Regional Park and how this should be co-ordinated by the three member councils.

The Interim Regional Park Manager advised that he would meet with the Tourism Officers from the three member councils and submit a report on the provision of signage to the Regional Park to a future meeting of the Joint Committee.

DECIDED: That the Interim Regional Park Manager meet with the Tourism Officers from the three member councils and submit a report on the provision of signage to the Regional Park to a future meeting of the Joint Committee.

DECIDED: That it be noted that the next meeting of the Consultative Forum would be held at 10.00 am on 1 December 2017 in Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley.