General Meeting 2nd of February 2026

Govan Community Council
Minutes for General Meeting 2nd of February 2026
Held: 7pm at Maslow’s Community Hub, 94 Langlands Road, Glasgow, G51 3BQ

1. Attendance and Apologies
   Attending: Claire Dickson (Chair), Willie Jones (Vice Chair), Greg Easton (Secretary), Anne Melvin, Esme Clark, John Foster, Cllr Dan Hutchison (Glasgow CC), Madeleine Skeoch, Zevan Rustom (Representative of Dr Zubir Ahmed MP), Fraser Grant-Rae (Representative of Dr Zubir Amhed MP), Robert Preston, Gina Preston, Cllr Stephen Dornan (Glasgow CC), Danny O’Neill

   Apologies: Councillor Richard Bell, Marie Davidson, Katherine Carabine

2. Approval of Minutes
   The minutes for the January 2026 meeting were approved by Robert Preston and Madeleine Skeoch.

3. Matters Arising

   1. Treasurer Position
      The Secretary advised the meeting that they have received permission from Glasgow City Council for Vice Chair Willie Jones to hold a dual-role and undertake the Treasurer role as it is still vacant.

      The Chair wishes to appoint Marie who was not at today’s meeting to the role and asks for more time to arrange this. It was agreed to hold for now. This needs to happen as soon as possible in order to cover our liabilities and set up new account signatories.

   2. Area Partnership Meeting
      The meeting was due to take place the day after this meeting took place. Topics were shared, it was confirmed that Greg Easton would attend the meeting on behalf of Govan CC, with Madeleine Skeoch listed as Substitute and the paperwork had been filed with Glasgow CC. A report would be given at the next meeting.

   3. Red Amber Green Analysis
      Quick item, the Secretary just advised the meeting that they were due to submit the Red Amber Green (RAG) Analysis by the end of the month and we were on course for a Green.

   4. Govan Letter
      Discussions were had around the proposed advertising space being sold in The Govan Letter to fund its upcoming publication. Different partners who have provided adverts in the past, alongside new clients subject to passing non-partisan positions the Community Council must keep at all times. Prices were agreed, a minimum viable target agreed, and leads assigned.

      The other part is the content. The following articles are agreed: Profiles of former officers, current officers, key issues such as Council Budget, Active Travel, and Friends of Elder Park.

      Other ideas are welcome, such as pieces from charities, a youth correspondent, Govan Renaissance Group.

   5. NRS and Jim Ellis
      As proposed at the last meeting, the Secretary has made contact with Jim Ellis and he is happy to meet with members of the Community Council. The Chair and Vice Chair were happy to meet up with him and have a walk around the area and areas to target were suggested.

4. Outstanding Matters and Updates

   1. Bin Hubs and Ongoing Maintenance
      Matter suggested through comments on social media platforms picked up by the Vice Chair. Key points raised included food waste being spilled over the top of the bins, and when they are emptied any fallen waste is not picked up or cleaned. Was unsure what steps were being taken to rectify these issues, as while the promised collection cycle has been kept, these problems are creeping in. Alongside the Green Bins filling faster and overflowing before the others. It was suggested that the Green Bins are filling faster due to residents not separating their waste streams and many items that should have been put in for recycling were thrown in there and contaminated. This is a new system for places which only previously had one single street bin, and there appears to be a knowledge gap.

      After a discussion bleeding over to discuss street bins for general use, investment from Glasgow CC in Cleansing, the role of Housing Associations and the teething issues associated with this relatively new system: it was agreed that these matters should be brought to the attention of Jim Ellis during the future walk around, can continue to be brought to Glasgow CC’s attention via their app, and by emailing local councillors.

      Councillor Hutchison provided an update regarding a matter proposed at our last meeting where Councils in the Falkirk area use SMS to text residents about what bins are due to be emptied. This matter has been proposed and sent to the teams responsible, they are going to reach out to the other councils about ways, means, and costs as an alternative to the current system.

   2. Friends of Elder Park - Storage Needs
      This matter was requested to be raised by Annie Morgan, who sent her apologies and this matter was also in the ownership of Councillor Bell, who sent his apologies. Unable to get a progress update on the situation.

      A general discussion took place and Councillor Dornan was under the impression that a storage unit was supposed to be installed as part of the library upgrade. The Boathouse is still under contract to Park Villa, some felt it was unnecessary for them to have usage of that and the former Glasgow Life facility attached to the school. There were disagreements over how often Park Villa used The Boathouse and whether it was necessary for them to have both. However, there was agreement that both FoEP and Park Villa are two Community Groups who have achievements in the area, kept facilities open and cared for things that would otherwise have been lost. It is possible that information between the two groups is getting lost in translation. Full information is needed, if Park Villa wishes to attend a meeting of FoEP to discuss with them it may help mediate.

      In other matters, within the next 8 weeks there should be maintenance and cleaning of the pond performed.

5. Reports from Officials

   1. Councillor Hutchison
      Matters raised in our last meeting were followed up upon. John Foster asked about newsletter grants available in the past, these have been rolled into the general Discretionary Grant Allocation Fund. An amount which does not cover the funding gap we are looking to close.

      An empty property that had been flagged up on Craigton Road at the last meeting has been passed to the Empty Homes Team. The street has seen other empty properties renovated and inhabited in the past, and there appears to be several other addresses being renovated presently. So it is hoped this trend can continue.

   2. Dr Zubir Ahmed MP
      Zevon Rustom and Fraser Grant-Rae attended the meeting on behalf of Dr Ahmed MP. Their first update related to a matter they had picked up from one of our recent meetings, the loss of a tender at Govan Fire Station. They are gathering data from a number of different reports, performing background work to get up to date, and Dr Ahmed has contacted SFRS to discuss it more and arrange a meeting.

      Regarding access to cash, a longstanding issue due to the closure of bank branches in the area, various options were explored. A meeting was held with Link Scheme about setting up a Banking Hub, as is available elsewhere in the country. They declined to do so, and the situation has only gotten worse in the last 12-18 months with the only remaining ATM in Govan Cross Shopping Centre. They are currently doing a cash access review, at a preliminary stage to investigate a report. It was suggested by Cllr Dornan that SPT should be contacted to install an ATM at Govan subway, they will pass this to Dr Ahmed.
      Dr Ahmed is also running coffee mornings. Dates are on his Facebook page and it will be held if enough interest is raised. Current dates are 21st of February and 28th of February.

   3. Planning and Licensing
      Planning Representation Madeleine advised the meeting about application 25/02889/FUL at 803 Govan Road, the upper floor of Brechin’s. Looking to convert the upper floor into short term lets, not an HMO. Will not have a kitchen, but will have its own entrance access via bar or key box. Waste management will be private, standard procedures around cleaning between guests mentioned. Residents have been notified, no objections so far.

      With the space having been tried as different uses over the years as office, meeting space, if this succeeds at giving the space purpose then the meeting was happy to support the plans.

      Other applications related to Asda are looking to change a part of their roadside signage to advertise the presence of the new Costa, instead of their own cafe. No objections there.

6. AOCB
   A discussion was had around e-bikes and what the situation is with police powers to stop machines which break current laws around speed limits. Police have mentioned before that they will not pursue these bikes due to safety risks, they will stop where they can but not chase. The issue is the speed of these machines being imported illegally. This led onto a discussion around cycling on pavements, facilities for cyclists would help stop that.

   Old Greenfield School was also mentioned, it was advised that this was discussed at a recent meeting and the information was shared again. It was recommended to take Jim Ellis to that area to attempt to get the streets cleaned and organised for when the new housing in the area opens.

7. Next Meeting Date
   It was agreed to host the next meeting at Maslow’s Community Hub where tonight’s was held due to a booking mix up. First Monday of the month, 2nd of March 2026 at 7pm.