Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre
Community Council Minutes – 2nd June 2021
This meeting took place online via Zoom at 7:30 p.m. on 2nd June 2021.
Present: David Johnston (DJ), William Dalziel (WD), Andrew Poulter (AP), Angus
Cameron (AC), Ruth McLusky (RM), Donald McLaren (DM).
Apologies: Jim Heron (JH); Cllr Jeremy McDonald (JM), Michelle Flynn (MF), Stirling
Council; PC Heather Campbell, Police Scotland.
Also
Attending:
Cllr Evelyn Tweed (ET), Cllr Martin Earl (ME), Stirling Council; Paul Hicks (PH),
minute-taker.
Item Content Action
-
Approval of previous minutes on 21st April 2021
It was proposed by DJ and seconded by AP, that the minutes of the
meeting on 21st April 2021 should be accepted and this was approved
unanimously. -
Declarations of Interest
None made.
-
Police Report
A 22 year old male had been arrested and charged with an offence
against the Environmental Protection Act, 1990, within the Loch
Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. On 20th March 2021, police
were called to South Loch Earn Road, near to Balmeanoch, in relation
to a large amount of litter and detritus that had been left behind by
people camping in the area. Enquiries were carried out and resulted in
the identification of a male suspect, who was later traced, arrested
and charged with the offence. He was bailed to appear at court, with
the condition that he should not enter or seek to enter the Loch
Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. As with any such incident, if
you see an offence being committed, please report it to the police on
101. -
Postponed Business
The following items have been postponed until the current restrictions
are relaxed:Lesley Milne's presentation on Town Break Dementia Support
-
Services.
-
The installation of lights between Balvaig Bridge and A84, Strathyre.
-
Parking in Callander.
Taken by Paul Hicks on 2 Jun 2021 - D
Item Content Action
Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre
Community Council Minutes – 2nd June 2021ME said that item (c) would no longer be happening as there is now
no money left in the budget. It was agreed to remove it from the
agenda for the time being. At a previous meeting, JM had offered to
establish the current position regarding item (b). It was agreed that
RM should contact JM for any updated information. -
-
Matters arising from previous meeting
Development in local area. RM expressed concern that the National
Park Authority (NPA) was apparently thinking of imposing variousRM to contact
JM for update
on item (b).a) developments on the community without proper consultation. DJ said
that these things would all have to be considered in the light of theplace making plans for each area. This led to item 14 on the agenda
being considered at this point. (See below for details.) -
Local Bridges
Stroneslaney Road, from its junction with the A84 to its junction with
Keip Road, will be closed from 9:05 a.m. until 12 noon and from 1 p.m.
until 3 p.m. on each day between Monday 21st June and Friday 25th
June 2021 to facilitate bridge parapet repairs, cope stone repairs and
drainage clearance. The weight restrictions at Calair Bridge and on
Stroneslaney Road will be suspended for the duration of the closure.
Alternative routes are available via Stroneslaney Road, the C33
(Balquhidder Road) and the A84 trunk road.DJ reported that the repairs in Balquhidder and Strathyre were going
well. AC raised the question of the Glen Ogle bridge at Lochearnhead
and asked if there was any progress with this. Different websites
suggested various dates had been set for work to begin but, for the
time being, single-lane working was still in operation with traffic lights. -
Cycle Track (NC7) in Strathyre
On 11th May, David Robinson (Recreation and Access Adviser for the
NPA) contacted the community council to say that he had not
intended his previous statement to create further problems by
encouraging individuals to prevent cyclists from using an agreed route
to the village centre. He had suggested that part of a sign erected on
the national cycle route could be covered to avoid giving the
impression that the access path to the village shop was part of the
cycle route itself.On 12th May, DJ contacted Mr Robinson directly and discussed the
matter with him. As a result, Sustrans had been contacted and hadRM to invite D.
Robinson toTaken by Paul Hicks on 2 Jun 2021 - D
Item Content Action
Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre
Community Council Minutes – 2nd June 2021agreed to install a new sign, removing any mention of the national
cycle route. They had also proposed some alternative logos for the
new sign (to include all the facilities available in the village) and
offered to forward a copy of traffic calming measures that had been
deployed successfully in Aberdeenshire. Mr Robinson is willing to
attend the next meeting of the community council to discuss these
proposals further. WD pointed out that there had been signs in place
for some years, asking people to slow down, but cyclists simply
ignored them. DJ agreed that further measures were required. WD
also said that he had been researching the legislation and thought that
there might be a case to be made regarding invasion of privacy. It was
agreed to invite David Robinson to attend the next meeting. ME also
suggested that the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) might be able to
assist and WD agreed to approach them about the situation. -
Waste bins in Strathyre and Lochearnhead
On 20th May 2021, Mark Pyman (Waste Collections Coordinator for
Stirling Council) contacted the community council to apologise about
the lack of action over a problem with the collection of redundant
waste bins in Strathyre. (See item 15D of the minutes from 27th
January.) This was due to an email address not being properly
monitored at the time. He was under the impression that the bins had
now been collected, but asked if this could be confirmed by the
community council. A similar complaint had been made about a metal
bin located in the car park at Lochearnhead. Again he was unsure as to
whether or not the bin had been removed and asked for con firmation
from the community council.WD confirmed that the redundant waste bins had now been removed
from Strathyre. AC was unable to confirm that any bin had been
removed from Lochearnhead. RM will respond to Mark Pyman. -
Grit bins in Strathyre
WD pointed out that no bins were involved, but he had liaised with
MF about having piles of grit placed in appropriate places and had
prepared a map to show these locations. To date, no response had
been received from the Council. RM will follow this up with MF and
supply a copy of the map that WD had prepared. -
Traffic speed in Strathyre
next meeting.
WD to contact
CAB for help.RM to reply toM. Pyman.
RM to liaise with MF regarding grit piles.
WD had been approached by the owners of the Immervoulin Caravan RM to contact
Taken by Paul Hicks on 2 Jun 2021 - D
Item Content Action
Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre
Community Council Minutes – 2nd June 2021Park who were concerned about the speed of vehicles approaching
Strathyre from the South. Many vehicles travel at too great a speed as
they reach the entrance to the site, where cars and caravans are
entering and leaving. WD thought it would be good to have traffic
calming measures in place, warning of the approaching speed limit. He
also suggested that the current 40mph area should be incorporated
within the existing 30mph zone, making it all one 30mph area. He also
suggested that it would be good to have a similar extension of the
restricted area to the north of the village. It was agreed to write to
Transport Scotland about the problem. ME suggested contacting Neil
McFarlane, the Area Manager. -
Payphone Box Removal (Mhor 84)
Nothing has happened as yet but DJ recently contacted MF about the
situation and she is is following it up with Stirling Council. -
Community Council website content
PH had constructed the website and suggested that it would be
helpful to establish "ground rules" for what is (or is not) included on
the site. It was agreed that topics to be published should be carefully
chosen and relevant to local needs. DJ also commented that out-dated
items should be removed once they are no longer relevant. AP cited
the recent addition of Covid-19 testing in Callander as an example of
something that should be included and PH confirmed that it was
currently posted on the site.PH asked if it might be possible to find some young and enthusiastic
local students who would be willing to spend a period of time as a
news "sub-editor". This could enable some youngsters to gain prac tical
experience, both of managing websites and of practical journalism. It
was agreed that RM would contact McLaren High School to explore
whether there might be any interest in this proposal. -
Land ownership at The Munro, Strathyre
RM reported that Kelly Clapperton-Bates from the BLS Trust had
requested help relating to a dispute about parking on the land
adjacent to "The Munro Hotel" in Strathyre. Stirling Council apparently
owns the parcel of land that is currently used as an access road to
several properties and runs immediately beside "The Munro". A
question needs to be resolved concerning whether or not any lease
exists for exclusive use of this land by the hotel as the owners areN. McFarlane at Transportregarding this situation.
RM to contact McLaren High School regarding editorial help.
RM to contact MF at Stirling Council to seek clarification of the legal position.
Taken by Paul Hicks on 2 Jun 2021 - D
Item Content Action
Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre
Community Council Minutes – 2nd June 2021telling people not to park there. It was agreed to refer this matter to
MF at Stirling Council. ME suggested that a legal opinion would be
required. He reminded members that the way in which community
councils are supported is changing and MF may not be available in her
current rôle for much longer. AP asked if something had changed
recently at the hotel and RM replied that the building is being altered
to provide rental accommodation in flats. It is likely that parking
arrangements will become an important factor for any lease. -
Place Making
Update. DJ said that the Community Trust had consulted with several
different groups and was currently preparing a document that it is
hoped will be ready for the Autumn. A national report is about to be
published on the subject of “place” and will address various matters of-
interest to rural communities. It calls for greater devolution and de-
centralisation and should lead to local communities having a greater
voice. The NPA and other agencies will be duty bound to respect the
views expressed in all place plans, which should func tion as a
safeguard for small communities. -
Community Council website. This had been dealt with under item 12
above.Portaloo unit at Strathyre. No sign of this unit had been seen. It was
-
unclear where the unit was intended to be sited. It was agreed that
RM would seek further information from the Council directly, with a
copy to MF.
RM to contact the Council for further news.
-
-
Correspondence
a) Insurance for vehicles used on CC business. RM confirmed that this
would be renewed for the coming year. -
Timber Transport
-
Progress of grant application for an upgrade to the C33 road. DJ
reported that a reply is still awaited from Stirling Council. -
Current activity. DJ is also still waiting to hear from the convenor of
the Timber Transport Working Group about the date of its next
meeting to review the operation of the Timber Transport
Management Plan (TTMP). He expressed concern that one person is
both chair of the Timber Transport Forum and also the primary point
of liaison with Stirling Council. On the face of it, an understanding is
being reached between the industry and the local authority before the
Taken by Paul Hicks on 2 Jun 2021 - D
Item Content Action
Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre
Community Council Minutes – 2nd June 2021needs of the local community are even considered. The roads being
used are owned by the Council and companies naturally have a right
to use them, but the TTMP and concerns of local residents should also
be respected. There is also the question of potential damage to the
roads and what action will be taken to remediate things.ME commented that he had liaised with Bruce Reekie (BR), the
relevant Council Officer dealing with the TTMP. He was confident that
BR had a good understanding of the need to provide sound
information as the basis for the TTMP and was aware of an imbalance
in the way that the competing interests are currently resolved. ME was
hopeful that the needs of the community would not be overlooked. ET
asked to be kept in the loop and said that she was willing to take this
forward in the Scottish Parliament. DJ appreciated this support and
commented that patience would be needed by the local community.AP mentioned that a large hole (nine inches deep) had appeared in
Ballimore Road, along which timber is being transported. ME
mentioned the online reporting system for reporting such damage and
urged local people to make full use of it. He also mentioned the
Council's policy on road defect repairs and advised that it would be
helpful to be aware of this. He offered to forward a copy to the
community council officers. -
-
Planning Matters
An application to construct a sports court at Laggan House, Laggan
Road, Strathyre, had been approved, but this was unlikely to be
contentious and there were no other new developments of interest
locally. -
Matters from ward councillors and National Park
-
ET was congratulated on her election as Member of the Scottish
Parliament for the Stirling constituency. She explained that, following
discussions with colleagues and officials, it was clear that it would
make better use of public funds for her to continue in the rôle of local
councillor as well until the local election next year. During this time,
she intends to donate her salary as a local councillor to local chari ties,
but believes that it will be more appropriate for others to take on her
previous convener and portfolio rôles. She plans to use the dual rôle
to further develop the good working relationship between the local
authority and the national parliament to benefit this area. She
indicated when she was scheduled to attend our meetings and invitedTaken by Paul Hicks on 2 Jun 2021 - D
ME to send copy of Council's policy on road defect repairs to CC.
Item Content Action
Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre
Community Council Minutes – 2nd June 2021all local residents to contact her about any matters, local or national,
in which she might be able to assist. Her email address is:"evelyn.tweed.msp@parliament.scot".
ET then gave a brief resumé of matters that people were raising with
her. These included enquiries about the pandemic response, including
concern over a recent gathering at the Tango Night Club in Stirling.
She encouraged people to check her Facebook and Twitter accounts
where she provides regular updates on matters such as finance for
improvements to play parks for children. DJ commented that he had
received a complaint very recently about the continued closure of the
play area in Lochearnhead. Now that normal activities are resuming,
such facilities need to be brought back into use.ME expressed his disappointment that there was no representation
from the National Park at the meeting. There seemed to be very few
reports coming forward from our area and the impression given was
that no problems existed here, but he queried whether this was the -
case. DJ mentioned a recent problem at Old Tea Room / Library in
Balquhidder with people using it as a “party house”. AC commented
that there had been no particular problems in Lochearnhead,
although it had been busy. ME emphasised that agency resource
deployments are driven by data, so it is important to report any
problems. -
-
Any other competent business
DJ reported that the group that had brought broadband connec tion to
Balquhidder had developed a proposal for monitoring local tra ffic via a
smartphone app and had been nominated for an award by the Civtech, which seeks to harness technology in solving “challenges”
a) identified by public sector agencies and organisations. They were one
of two groups chosen and can now expect significant investment. It
will be a lengthy process, but they have already started work on a
publicity video and the next stage will be to produce a technical
specification that can be put out to tender.
There was no further business and, at 9 p.m., DJ declared the mee ting
to be closed. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 14th Julyat Strathyre Village Hall (if permitted) or online.
Taken by Paul Hicks on 2 Jun 2021 - D