May 2024 Minutes

Minutes of meeting 2nd May 2024

Present: Stuart Freckingham (Chair), Craig Potter (Vice Chair), Alison Limbert (Secretary), Fiona Shaw (BCC Member), Laura Shaw (Minutes)

Apologies: Alisdair Street (BCC Member), Claudia Duncan (BCC Member), Sue Bell (Treasurer)

In Attendance: Cllr Paul Henke, Chelsea Mackinnon (Visitor), Ulrich Franzmann (Visitor), Carol Harvey (Visitor), Mandy Macpherson (Visitor), April Maxwell-Campbell (Visitor),

Luci Rooney (Visitor), Jo Clarke (Visitor), Ellen Jones (Visitor), Rona Hudson (Visitor), Stuart Duffy (Visitor)

2) Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting

The Minutes from the meeting on 4th April 2024 were proposed by Craig Potter and seconded by Fiona Shaw.

3) Matters Arising

Phone box food exchange

Luci Rooney updated the meeting. Food is collected by volunteers from the Co-op and taken to the phone box five nights per week. A delivery of fruit and vegetables from Market Fresh is delivered every Wednesday to the phone box, costing £60 per delivery. This is funded through the Co-op Local Causes grant. BCC agreed that the current format works well and should be continued, noting that it is well-used. BCC thanks the volunteers for the running of the phonebox. Residents should remember that the phonebox is open to all. Donations are food and not bric a brac or books.There is also a seedling exchange at the back of the phonebox.

Christmas lights

There is no longer a formal, independent committee regarding Christmas lights. Former members of the committee updated the meeting. The group will operate as informal volunteers and will continue to fundraise for Christmas lights. This will be done via a JustGiving page and community events (e.g. bingo night). The group requested permission to use the BCC bank account for donations and public liability insurance; BCC agreed to support this. The Christmas lights will cost less than initially quoted; set up costs make year 1 most expensive, £399 for Stirling Council to inspect all lampposts in the main street which is valid for 3 years, £200 per lamppost to install the units to plug the lights into, approximately £200 per light to purchase plus annual running costs of £200 per lamppost light which includes installation, removal and storage from Light Ways. Subsequent year costs are the £200 per lamppost running costs. The group are aiming to light up 4 lampposts, the number will depend on monies raised for the project.

4) Declarations of Interest None.

5) Projects

The Balfron Active Places work is coming to an end. Bollards are still to be installed around the flowerbeds by the war memorial to stop driving on them. There are some snagging issues outstanding (e.g. repainting of road markings, installation of ‘new road layout’ sign).

6) Police Report Fraud

Enquiries are ongoing into fraudulent activity whereby a business has sent out an invoice to a client for payment along with account details to pay the money into. When the client received the email the bank account details had been changed to another bank account. Fortunately, the client discovered this before transferring any money. Incident of Note Balfron 10k. Police were assigned to attend the race and pleased to report that it was a successful event and all persons in attendance were in good spirits.

7) Elected Councillor’s report

Cllr Henke updated the meeting. BCC has received verbal notice from Stirling Council’s legal team via Cllr Henke regarding the Strathendrick Care Home; it is being passed from the central asset team to the housing department. The future status of the registry office remains unknown but will remain operational until notice is given otherwise. Cllr Henke suggested that anyone with ideas for its future use should get in touch with him. One resident suggested a communal hot-desking space for those who work from home. Cllr Henke has spoken with PC Matt McCammon regarding scamming/fraud in the area; PC McCammon will give a presentation on scamming at Balfron Bowling Club after its refurbishment is complete.

It has been noted that there should be a staggered barrier at the top and bottom of the path at Donaldson Loan, however funds would need to be raised for this. Cllr Henke will make enquiries about putting a temporary barrier up in the meantime.

8) Treasurer report

The grant from Stirling Council for the Christmas tree lights has been received. Usual outgoings include fruit and vegetable order for the phone box and admin (minute taker).

9) Planning report

No new applications have been received. The application for Shearers Garage (22/00800/FUL) has been approved, subject to planning and operational conditions, for example:

Hours of operation will be restricted to 8pm each evening;
The orientation of the jet wash has changed and acoustic screening will be implemented to ensure reduced noise at nearby properties.

A fourth house at the new development at the Old Manse has now been approved.

10) Chair’s report None.

11) Repair Café process

A repair cafe is an environmental initiative that aims to reduce waste, teach skills and build community resilience. It encourages residents to bring broken/damaged items to the repair cafe for them to be fixed. It takes place in a sociable environment with tea and cake, and observers are welcome to come along and watch. Trial events have taken place in Drymen, and it is hoped, subject to recruiting volunteers, that there will be a repair cafe event in Balfron in May, and one in Killearn in June.

12) Removal of school crossing patrol staff

Due to Stirling Council budget cuts, the school crossing patrol staff across Stirling are to be removed. Road infrastructure of a zebra crossing at Roman Road and a zebra crossing on the road entering the school campus is to be installed in July. Local stakeholders including Balfron Primary Headteacher, Balfron Primary Parent Council, Community Police Officer, Active Travel Officer based in Balfron High School and Balfron Community Council are meeting on 30 May to explore issues and come up with ideas to improve pupil safety.

13) Playpark ideas

Basket swing which was initially vandalised/reported in October is due to be replaced by Stirling Council (no date). BCC has a small fund for park enhancements. Pupils at the primary school were asked for suggestions which included fixing the basket swing, a water fountain and a nature trail. Wider consultation will take place to gather more ideas.

14) Local Place Plan

A sub-group has been set up to lead on the Local Place Plan. It is due to be completed by April 2025, to contribute to the Stirling Council Development Plan 2027. The Local Place Plan is designed to influence decisions through community consultation on aspects such as education, healthcare, community resources, development and the environment. BCC has been in touch with other villages who have completed a Local Place Plan, and have also received an initial quote for a consultant to undertake the work involved. The meeting agreed that they will explore all options, including doing it themselves. There may be small grants available to support the work. Craig will meet with Killearn CC and hopefully other CC’s to understand the process and skills needed at different stages.

15) AOB

BCC Membership

It is our intention to offer the opportunity to all to join the Balfron Community Council. If anyone wants to apply, they should contact hello@balfroncc.org.uk by 12 May. It is our intention to co-opt Chelsea Mackinnon and Stuart Duffy to the Balfron Community Council at the next meeting in June.

Climate issues network

A network has been set up in South Stirling to enable a cross-village support group. Individuals, enterprises, community councils can join with the aim to have targeted conversations, share ideas, advocate for issues and apply for funding. BCC agreed to join the network.