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Minutes of meeting 1st September 2022
Present: Colin Cameron (Chair), Alison Limbert (Secretary), Sue Bell (Treasurer),
Alison Lamont Chalmers, John Nicholson, Alasdair Street, Claudia Duncan,
Donna Dutch (Minutes)
Apologies: Robert Young (Vice Chair)
In Attendance: Councillor Gerry McGarvey, Cllr. Paul Henke, Duncan Gilmour, Craig Potter
2) Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Minutes from the meeting on 4th August were proposed by Claudia Duncan and seconded by Alison Lamont Chalmers
3) Matters Arising
Endrick Gardens/Buchanan Street Lane: we have received no further update from Stirling Council since the visit of the topographic surveyor.
Donaldson Park: the broken newel post has been reported to the Donaldson Trust.
A response was sent to the administrators of the Balfron Facebook page regarding their GoFundMe proposal.
4) Declarations of Interest
None
5) Projects
a) Phone Box - no update this month.
b) War Memorial - 9 Scottish stonemason companies have been approached to quote for repairs. The War Memorial Trust will cover 50% of cost. Based on the balance of previous fundraising the overall project cannot cost more than £5.6k without further fundraising. Alison Limbert and Sue Bell volunteered to help Christine Wilson assess the quotes.
Action AL/SB
c) Balfron Active Places - Colin and Craig met with Craig Brown and Kayleigh Webster from Stirling Council to discuss the details of the current plan and the proposed budget and timescales. Kayleigh will be the new project manager. The developments in Buchanan Street now look unlikely to start before January 2023. Until the Branshogle bridge is fully opened and clear of any works it cannot be started. The scope of the work is also under threat due to cost of living increases since the budget was set 18+ months ago.
Colin will update Cllr. McGarvey on the project and raise any continuing concerns. Action CC/GMc
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/
7) Elected Councillors’ Report
Cllr. McGarvey introduced himself to BCC. The bridges are the biggest issue at the moment. Catterburn work has now started and there have been a huge amount of problems when the work started. Work is now underway and we can request feedback.
Industrial disputes: There has been disruption to the bin collections and a further date may be set. Primary schools/Nursery schools will be closing next week but this could change at short notice.
Cllr. Henke gave an update on Branshogle bridge which is now expected to reopen in October. There will be a community update on 5th September at which BCC will be represented by John. Action JN
There was a discussion about Stirling’s ability to cope with the current refugee situation. No further information has been received on the potential repurposing of the former Strathendrick Care Home.
8) Treasurer’s Report
a) Payment made to Endrick Old Crocks for new 5-a-side goals.
b) Eco Festival - a decision needs to be made regarding spending the balance. The feedback cards are now being evaluated to identify events that would meet the needs of both the community and the funders. Colin questioned whether this could be used to support the work in the Weavers Winnel orchard. AlisonL explained that their current needs would not fit the criteria but that alternative funding sources were being pursued.
c) The annual insurance has increased by a significant amount, due to extra assets added this year: the bus shelter, phone box food exchange, and the Millennium benches. Colin queried whether there were ways in which the bus shelter in particular could be covered by Stirling Council itself, as it had been a surprise to discover, after some 20 years, that the CC was deemed responsible for it.
9) Planning
The monthly planning report had been circulated with no particular concerns identified.
Claylands Planning Application: MiAlgae, the company proposing to build a microalgae production site at Claylands Farm is offering a community consultation to explain their proposal. Robert is working to agree dates suitable for all parties. Action RY
10) Chair
1. The meeting on 5th September at Gartocharn Millenium Hall to discuss the RSPB application to reintegrate beavers to the Endrick will be attended by AlisonLC, Dorothy Simpson and Dom McCafferty on behalf of BCC.
2. Endrick Gardens SUDS: Colin and Roddy Mackenzie (Balfron Pathways) had a constructive meeting with Scottish Water to resolve the longstanding issue of the SUDS. Work to solve the safety and flooding problems is due to begin shortly.
3. Rae Wilson brought to the attention of BCC the offer of free wildflower seeds from the Fairtrade Foundation. A link will be put on Facebook.
4. Stirling Food Train has been in touch re developing a befriending service for the area. Colin will explore potential conflicts with existing Balfon projects. Action CC
11) Offer of Full Membership
Alasdair Street and Sue Bell have now achieved the criteria for full membership of BCC. This was unanimously acclaimed by all current members, and accepted by Alasdair and Sue. They were welcomed as Full Members.
12) Co-option
Colin proposed Craig Potter as a Co-opted member. This met with the unanimous agreement of the BCC and was accepted by Craig. He was welcomed as a Co-opted member.
13) AOB
Members of the community are concerned about the opening times and booking system for the Balfron recycling centre. Colin will raise with Waste Management. Action CC
Claudia noted that the Ukrainian flag in the field at Endrick Bridge was badly faded and suggested it could be replaced.
Claudia noted a house in Buchanan Street with temporary screening over a broken window. Colin requested the address and will raise with the landlord responsible. Action CC
14) Next meeting
Next meeting Thursday 6th October starting at 7.30pm