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Minutes of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 5 June 2023
Present: Stuart Freckingham (Chair), Craig Potter (Vice Chair), Sue Bell (Treasurer), Alison
Limbert (Secretary), Claudia Duncan, Fiona Shaw
Apologies: Alasdair Street
2) Declarations of Interest
Sue Bell provides accounting services for the supplier that BCC rents storage space from. Fiona Shaw is employed by the Co-op and BCC (on behalf of the phone box food exchange) is in receipt of Co-op Community funding.
3) Adoption of Minutes from previous AGM
Alison Limbert proposed the Minutes and seconded by Claudia Duncan
4) Chair’s Report June 2022 - May 2023
This report covers the activities of the Community Council over the last year. An election period for all Community Councils across Stirling Council area took place. In April 2023, long standing members of the Community Council stood down including Robert Young (Vice-Chair), Alison Lamont Chalmers, John Nicolson and the Chair; Colin Cameron. We thank them for the time, energy and commitment they have brought over the years to Balfron Community Council. On 4 May 2023 a newly formed Community Council was constituted with seven members. Details of the membership can be found later in this report.
A number of projects continued this year including:
Phone Box Food Exchange: The restored phone box on Dunmore Street continues to act as a Food Exchange which is supported by Luci Rooney and other local volunteers. The phone box is stocked through a variety of means (i) donations by the local community of non-perishable food and household items (ii) funding from the Coop Local Community Fund after being selected as a local cause at Balfron Coop (iii)donation received from Balfron 10k event (iv) donations of unsold bakery, fresh fruit and veg items from Balfron Coop through the Coop Food Share project. The external space adjacent to the phone box is used as a Seedlings Exchange.
Community Orchard: Following the Balfron Eco Festival, a group of volunteers started work on rejuvenating the orchard on Weavers Winnel. They were supported by a donation from Balfron 10k event to purchase materials. The Community Council supported liaison with Stirling Council. This resulted in an agreement with the Housing Services department to allow the volunteers to maintain the orchard area. Insurance for this activity was sought and funded by the Community Council. The harvested fruit was put in the phone box food exchange for use by the community.
Balfron Active Places: In 2020, works were carried out on the Clachan and Printers Row.
The works on Buchanan Street were delayed due to the closure of Branshogle and Catterburn bridges and the use of Buchanan Street as a diversion route. On completion of the Branshogle Bridge, Fintry works and to enable the requirement of the funding being used before the end of March 2023, works began on Buchanan Street on 11 April and are expected to take 16 weeks. A copy of the plans can be found at https://balfronactiveplacesproposals.commonplace.is/overview .
War Memorial Restoration: Following research which revealed that the dressed stone around the WWII plaque and steps on the War Memorial are crumbling due to rising damp, we have been pursuing quotes from specialist contractors for carrying out repairs and applying for funding to cover the cost of repairs.
Eco Projects: Following the Balfron Eco Festival, there has been a ‘pizza making with leftovers’ workshop held in February with Base Pizza and a seed planting/swap event held in May with G63 Food Growers. The noticeboard on Buchanan Street next to the Coop car park has information for those with an interest in sustainability.
Planning and Infrastructure: the main issue affecting the village and surrounding areas throughout the year was the disruption caused by the closure of the Branshogle Bridge on the B818 to Fintry, and the Catterburn bridge at Croftamie. The impact on residents has been severe and long-running, and there is considerable frustration. Branshogle Bridge opened on 12 December and the Catterburn Bridge is due to open on week beginning 22 May.
Residents have also expressed concerns about access to the former path between Endrick Gardens and Buchanan Street. Discussions are now going on between Stirling Council, the householders involved, Balfron Pathways, and the Community Council with a view to resolving the issue.
In February, a long running dispute for many years with the condition of the SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage System) on Endrick Gardens, frequently flooded neighbouring gardens was resolved. Scottish Water completed the pipework taking water underground and re-landscaped the surrounding area to get rid of the pond. They then created a 2m space which has enabled Balfron Pathways to complete a footpath route from the existing footpath at the north through to Endrick Gardens. Balfron Cubs have planted wildflower seeds at the side of the footpath.
Other matters:
We continue to pursue with Stirling Council the intended use of the former Strathendrick Care Home. The fixtures and fittings were removed in February. A proposal was prepared by Balfron Heritage Group and sent to Stirling Council. The proposal is to use the building as a hub for local facilities including the Library, the Registrar’s Office, the Community Council, and the Heritage Group amongst others.
Thank you to Duffs Trees for the village Christmas trees which were erected at the Tontine and outside the Library. The switch-on of the lights was done by Pat and Jim Thomson of Balfron Heritage Group and carols were led by the children of Balfron Primary School. The Millennium Benches around the community are in the process of being refurbished and re-sited.
There was no response to the request on Facebook for volunteers to maintain the Balfron Resilience Group.
Your Community Council: The current Community Council formed in May are Stuart Freckingham (Chair), Craig Potter (Vice-Chair), Sue Bell (Treasurer), Alison Limbert
(Secretary), Claudia Duncan, Fiona Shaw, Alasdair Street. Our minute taker changed in March from Donna Dutch to Laura Shaw. The Community Council can be contacted by email at hello@balfroncc.org.uk or through sending a message on Balfron Community Council Facebook page.
The ward councillors are Paul Henke, Rosemary Fraser and Gerry McGarvey.
We meet on the first Thursday of each month (excepting January and July) in Balfron High School. Balfron residents are welcome to join these by contacting the Secretary by email: secretary@balfroncc.org.uk. All information about our activities is available on the Balfron Community Council website, including Minutes of past meetings and dates and times of future ones.
5) Treasurer's Report
The 2022-2023 financial report was shared with the meeting. Special thanks to Stuart McDonagh for examining and certifying the accounts. The accounts were proposed as an accurate record by Alison Limbert and seconded by Claudia Duncan.
6) Re-election/election of Office Bearers
The roles remain as per May 2023 when the current Community Council was constituted.
7) AOB
None. The meeting was brought to a close and the next AGM is planned for 6 June 2024