Service updates and festive arrangements

December 2022 Minutes

Last updated

07 Aug 2023

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Minutes of meeting 1st December 2022

 

Present: Colin Cameron (Chair) Alison Limbert (Secretary) Alison Lamont Chalmers, Craig Potter, Sue Bell (Treasurer), Claudia Duncan, John Nicholson, Robert Young (Vice Chair), Alasdair Street, Donna Dutch (Minutes)

Apologies: Police Scotland

In Attendance: Cllr. Paul Henke, Luci Rooney (for Phone Box discussion)

 

2)  Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting

The Minutes from the meeting on 3rd November were proposed by Alison Limbert and seconded by Craig Potter

 

3)  Matters Arising

Eco Festival - a meeting of volunteers took place. It was a very positive meeting with lots of constructive ideas. These will be shared with the community, maybe via a specific Facebook group. Asked if there would be a repeat of the Eco Festival, AL responded that it was a one-off on that scale but the aim is to have smaller community-led activities once the group is up and running. One is planned for Friday 20 January at the McLintock Hall to give local food businesses the chance to share advice for using up ingredients and reducing food waste (details to follow). At the invitation of Ruth Glasgow from G63, representatives from Balfron attended a Climate Conversation in Killearn. This prompted a discussion about how to improve communication with our neighbouring villages.

Remembrance Sunday - All went well.

Balfron Christmas lights - the trees are on order from Duffs and will be erected on 3rd December. The switch on with carols from the Primary School will be on Tuesday 6th December 4:30pm at the Library. Jim & Pat Thomson will be switching on the lights.

Donaldson Park - for info, new swings due to be fitted in Dec. School Parking - issue raised with police.

Proposal for Claylands - good progress on environmental issues. RY reiterated the points raised previously and will continue to hi-light the concerns.

Winter Volunteer Scheme - there was no reaction to a Facebook appeal for volunteers. Vehicle Activation Signs (VAS) - the VAS at Printers Row is outbound only. Following a request, the inbound 30/20mph standard signage is regarded as adequate, but Stirling Council has agreed to monitor drivers’ behaviour.

 

4)  Declarations of Interest

None

 

5)  Projects

  1. Balfron Active Places - the steering group had a positive meeting with the new Project Manager but no further update is available until Stirling Council can provide a date for the removal of the HGV diversion through Buchanan Street as a result of the bridge closures.
  2. War Memorial - licence needs to be gained for work to be done and to be able to secure funding. Still only 1 quote received. Alasdair Street offered to support Christine Wilson in dealing with the associated paperwork.
  3. Phone Box - Luci Rooney attended the meeting to discuss the spending of the money donated by CO-OP and other money donated by the 10K. It was agreed that internal lighting was a priority and options will be explored by Luci and The meeting agreed on a weekly spend at the CO-OP to stock the phone box of essentials. ACTION: LR, RY
  4. Community Orchard - Christine Wilson reports that Stirling council is supportive of the work of the community volunteers.

 

6)  Police Report

The Police report is available on the BCC website and notice boards along with warnings on how to identify fraud and scams. https://balfroncc.org.uk/. An alarming incident on Buchanan Street was not included in the report. Cllr. Henke said this was because it concerned arrests made by officers from Glasgow, not Balfron. The meeting suggested that as it might have worried local residents, such incidents should still be recorded in the monthly report. A resident has raised concerns about inconsiderate and unsafe parking on Roman Road. This has been raised both with Stirling Council and Police Scotland.

 

8)  Elected Councillor’s Report

Cllr. Henke is the representative for the Council with the War Memorial Trust. Colin will put him in touch with Christine Wilson.                                                                                                     ACTION: CC Cllr. Henke will request an update on the future for the Strathendrick Care Home as it is now increasingly dilapidated.                                                                                                     ACTION: PH

The community is reminded to log road/pavement issues with Stirling council. See link: https://stirling.gov.uk/online-forms/potholes/

 

9)  Treasurer’s Report

  1. The funding from the Co-op community fund has been
  2. Sue shared the quote from the insurers to cover the additional commitment of the community orchard. The meeting was unhappy with the quote supplied and asked Sue to renegotiate if possible. ACTION: SB

 

10)  Planning Report

No new applications since the last report.

Planning Applications can be found at

stirling.gov.uk/planning-building-the-environment/planning/view-comment-on-planning/

 

10)  Chair’s Report

  1. SUDS - Endrick Gardens. A contractor has now been appointed and work is expected to begin towards the end of January.
  2. A complaint has been received about access to the Heritage Trail between Balfron and Gates are locked and an electric fence installed. Colin reported this to Balfron Pathways who are investigating.

 

  • Regional Energy Master Plan - Craig met with the Stirling/Clackmannanshire steering group to discuss ways to attain zero carbon and eliminate fuel poverty. It was a very interesting meeting. Specific information should be available re emissions in Balfron and surrounding areas and it is hoped that we could arrange workshops to advise people on energy usage.

 

AOB

None

 

Colin thanked everyone for their contributions over the year and wished them all a very happy Christmas.

 

Next meeting Thursday 2nd February 2023 starting at 7.30pm