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Draft Minutes
Online Meeting on 4 February 2021, 19.30
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Welcome, recording of those present and apologies
Present: Fraser Allan, Colin Cameron, Alison Lamont Chalmers, Carsten Mandt,
John Nicholson, Bill Noblett, Luci Rooney, Christine Wilson, Robert YoungIn attendance: Cllr Alastair Berrill, Cllr Rob Davies, Cllr Graham Lambie; Laura
Gormley, Alison Limbert, Amanda Reilly, Gordon ReillyApologies: Pam Campbell, Andrea Gabriel
Colin Cameron reported that David McGowan had resigned from BCC and thanked
him for his long standing service as a community councillor. -
Recording of Declarations of Interest
Fraser Allan declared his interest in agenda item 12.
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Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minute of the previous meeting was proposed as an accurate record by
Christine Wilson and seconded by Alison Lamont Chalmers. -
Matters arising
BCC thanked Laura Elder and the team for organising the Christmas trees and Luci
Rooney for providing the mobile Christmas concert and calendars, which were well
received.Colin noted future ambitions for linking up walking and cycling paths between
Killearn and Stirling via the villages. Gargunnock Community Council were furthest
ahead with negotiations with land owners to be able to implement these plans.It was noted that there had been little progress with the Buchanan St footpath.
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Co-option of new Community Council member
Laura Gormley was approved as a co-opted member of BCC.
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Covid-19 Response
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Balfron Covid-19 Support group update
A community rota for delivering prescriptions from the pharmacy has been
established, delivering on Tuesdays and Fridays. -
Balfron Resilience update
Fraser reported that West Stirling community issues raised through Stirling Council
resilience focused largely on mental health challenges, loneliness and food poverty.
It was noted that icy pavements had recently been exacerbating loneliness for
residents unable to go out in wintery conditions. Additional members are needed to
join the community resilience team. Any interested parties should contact either
Fraser or Lee Rooney. -
Balfron Food exchange
The food exchange had seen slightly less use recently. Food donations are still
needed and are much appreciated, but PLEASE no more books. Access had been
more difficult due to icy conditions. Fraser will ask Stirling Council for an additional
grit bin to be sited in Dunmore St.
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Projects
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Space for Living
The new surfaces and layout at the Clachan are wearing in well. Balfron in Bloom
are in the process of discussing a revised planting plan for the beds at the Clachan.A temporary Heritage Group QR code sign has been installed at the Memorial. BCC
agreed to support a permanent installation.It was noted that the village was now a 20mph village.
Colin noted that the Co-op is planning to re-design the Balfron shop completely,
looking at construction in 2022. Co-op services would continue during construction
but detailed plans are not yet available.b.Phone box refurbishment
Options are being explored further, pending discussions with Bank of Scotland.
c.Small Playpark -Donaldson Park
The old faulty play equipment had been removed and Stirling Council had received
delivery of the new equipment. They hoped to install it in early March. The play park
will be resurfaced using wood chip instead of sand, but a sandpit will be added.BCC agreed in principle to the additional cost for the replacement play park fencing
to match the gate in Spoker’s Loan.
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Bank Closure
On 11 Dec 2020 a meeting was held with BCC, Bank of Scotland, Stirling Council,
MP and MSP representation. The bank will close on 23rd March, but their
representatives agreed to think about alternative approaches. The bank is plannning
to sell the building but it had not yet been marketed. Stirling Council are interested in
possible joint schemes for the building. -
Police Report
BCC noted a written report by Police Scotland.
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Elected Councillor's report
The latest Covid briefing focused on the local roll out of vaccinations.
A glitch with the Engage Stirling portal was reported, wrongly showing closed
consultations as still open. -
Treasurer report
Thanks were given to Luci for generating £80 from the sale of calendars. Given the
likelihood that virtual meetings will be continuing for some time a decision was made
to purchase an annual subscription for Zoom. -
Planning report
Robert reported that the applications to develop a glamping site at Drumtian Wood
had been resubmitted. Amanda Reilly provide a resident’s perspective on road
safety and environmental concerns with the proposed development. It was also
noted that the development was unlikely to benefit the local community and local
economy. BCC agreed to lodge an objection. Due to the number of objections
already lodged the application would be referred to the planning panel.Permission had been granted to extend a dwelling house in Endrick Gardens.
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Chair including Correspondence
Colin highlighted that the health and social care consultation was now live.
John agreed to attend the Rural South West Forum on 15 Feb 2021.Colin has been invited to join the Killearn Paths Steering Group to look at joining up
paths between the two villages at the Endrick Bridge.Bill confirmed that BCC had bags and litter pickers available for litter picking.
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AOB
Alison Limbert informed the group of her social enterprise Love Lochs and
Landscapes supporting sustainable tourism in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs
area.It was noted that this year’s Community Council newsletter has been published, but
due to distribution difficulties because of the pandemic is only available online, via
the Community Council website and Facebook pages. -
Next meeting
Thursday 4th March 2021