Service updates

November 2022 Minutes

Last updated

07 Aug 2023

This meeting took place in Lochearnhead Village Hall at 7:30 p.m. on 30 th November 2022. It was chaired by AP.

Present: Andrew Poulter (AP), Ruth McLusky (RM), Daniel Jarrett (DJT), Carolyn Brooks (CB), Angus Cameron (AC).

Apologies: David Johnston (DCJ), Donald MacLaren (DM); Cllr Elaine Watterson (EW), Stirling Council; David Fettes (DF), Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority (LLTNPA); PC Heather Campbell (HC), Police Scotland.


Also Attending:  Robert Wells (RW), Strathyre; Paul Hicks (PH), minute-taker.

1.          Approval of previous minutes

It was proposed by RM and seconded by DJT, that the minutes of the meeting on 19th October 2022 should be accepted and this was approved unanimously.

2.          Declarations of Interest

 

RM declared an interest under item 13 (Radio mast in Strathyre).

3.          Police Report (19 Oct to 29 Nov 2022)

During this period there were no reports of anti-social behaviour but, on 30th October, a motorist had left a broken-down vehicle in a lay-by on the A84, returning the following day to find that it had been stolen. Enquires are ongoing to trace the vehicle. There were three incidents of note on local roads. On 27th October, a vehicle broke down on the A85 at Glen Ogle and was left in a dangerous position, requiring the police to organise its immediate recovery. On 9th November, a deer collided with a motor vehicle on the A84, south of Lochearnhead. The deer did not survive and BEAR Scotland was contacted to remove the carcass. On 10th November, a report was received that a tree had fallen and was blocking the A85 road between Lochearnhead and St Fillans. Officers from the neighbouring division dealt with this incident. On 24th November, police received a report of a vehicle being driven dangerously but the caller was unable to wait and speak to the officers attending and the vehicle in question was not traced.

Eight other incidents requiring police attention were recorded during this period. Three concerned missing dogs, although two of the reports on one day may have related to the same animal. An attack upon a sheep in Balquhidder was reported, but there was no evidence

 

that any dog had been involved. There were also reports on 14 th November of an injured deer at the junc tion of the A84 and A85 in Lochearnhead. Police attended and arranged for the animal to be humanely dispatched and removed. On 19 th October a call to the police was made in a foreign language from the public telephone box in Lochearnhead. No disturbance was heard and when officers called back shortly afterwards, no response was received. On 9th November, police were contacted regarding a person sleeping in a tent near Strathyre. Police attended and spoken with a male who was homeless but travelling around Scotland. He was in a fit and healthy condition and no concerns were raised for his wellbeing. On 19 th November, police were contacted regarding an injured person near the summit of Ben Vorlich. The Mountain Rescue Team was called out and attended but, after several hours, it was established that the person concerned had suffered only minor injuries and had walked off the hill independently, assisted by a companion.

In terms of community engagement: on 21st November, local police attended a meeting on road safety in Strathyre and Lochearnhead; then, on 27th November, police joined with licensing officers from Stirling Council to visit several licensed premises in Strathyre and Balquhidder. Advice was given where required and further visits will take place to ensure that any issues have been addressed. Additional community information is available on the website for Rural Watch Scotland (www.ruralwatchscotland.co.uk).

4.          Matters arising from previous meeting

Pop-up police officers. Cllr Martin Earl had liaised with Inspector Andy Bushell and confirmed that the life-size, “pop-up” images of police

officers can now be produced "in house" by Forth Valley Division,

  1. a) making them cheaper to produce and Additional stocks are

now being produced and all community officers will soon have one to deploy in their area. This was welcomed unanimously.

5.          Speeding in Strathyre

A meeting was held on Monday 21st November 2022 in Strathyre between representatives from the village, Police Scotland, the community council, Cllr Martin Earl, a staff representative for Evelyn Tweed (MSP) and Richard Parry of Transport Scotland’s Casualty Reduction Team. Discussion focused on how to control the excessive

 

speed at which vehicles travel through the village and the need for a pedestrian crossing. The following points were covered.

  • The promised installation of "dragons' teeth", rumble strips and the possibility of more visible, flashing, speed warning signs has been postponed for financial reasons. Transport Scotland’s Casualty Reduction Team had previously neglected to inform the community council.
  • Speed cameras are positioned only in accident blackspots in Scotland. Deaths and injuries have to occur first. Scotland takes a "non-proactive" view of curbing speed and the use of speed
  • The use of "pop-up" police officers (cardboard figures) was considered. They are known to be effective and arrangements are already in hand to provide some locally. (See item 4a above.)
  • Possible sites for a pedestrian crossing were discussed The lack of pavement on both sides of the road was again given as a reason not to install one.
  • In other areas, where the A84 trunk road runs through villages, random parked cars act as traffic calming measures but the meeting was assured that it would be too dangerous to park cars in the street in Strathyre. Richard Parry suggested that a parking bay in the main street might act as a traffic calming measure.
  • Mr Parry promised to provide those present with a written report of the meeting and the proposed outcomes.

Prior to the meeting, DCJ had submitted his own comments for consideration, noting that it was disappointing that, owing to inflation, Transport Scotland will now not be in a position to provide the traffic calming measures at the village boundaries, as promised earlier this year. He was also disappointed that Evelyn Tweed MSP had not been able to attend in person, sending a member of her staff instead. The community council pressed hard for a commitment to create the traffic calming measures early in the next financial year, but is still awaiting a response to this request. The community council also asked for another traffic survey (this time, during the peak tourist season) and asked whether it would be possible to deploy a dummy or non- functioning speed camera to judge its effect. DCJ understood that the Scottish criteria on when static speed cameras can be deployed are to

 

be reconsidered and asked Evelyn Tweed’s staff member to make her aware of the matter and to follow it up on behalf of the community council. He also learned that the safety camera van had suffered from staff absences but, hopefully, will be deployed more regularly in our area in future. Cllr Earl is keeping track of the actions to be taken by Traffic Scotland.

The outcomes of the meeting were discussed and councillors expressed disappointment at the restrictive policies being applied by Transport Scotland but saw no alternative to accepting them.

6.          Speeding on the C33 (Balquhidder Glen road)

The community council had held a meeting with Gary Neil (Stirling Council Roads Department) at which various matters were discussed, including whether a speed limit on the C33 would be prac tical. The department will consider what was said and report back to the community council in due course. A further meeting was agreed to cover this and other issues.

7.          Lochearnhead Footpath

AC reported that the completion of the “raised kerb” (pavement) between the A85 and the loch shore in Lochearnhead was almost finished and this was welcomed unanimously.

8.          Parking signs in passing places and alcohol bye-law signs

Stephen Bly, the liaison officer between Stirling Council and community councils, had expressed surprise that the matter of the alcohol bye-law signs had not been actioned, because he had previously been assured that it would be addressed. The signs for passing places were still under discussion. Both matters were also raised in the meeting with Gary Neil (see item 6 above) and the community council will be advised of the outcome in due course.

9.          MacGregor's Landing

Plots are still being offered for sale but there have been no further developments recently. (See also item 12d below.)

10.        Forestry Work and Timber Transport

  1. Gartnafuaran Forest, Balquhidder. This matter had been discussed by the community council on 19th October 2022, as reported at item 12a in the minutes of that A report had been sent to Stirling

 

Council and to the planning department of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority (LLTNPA). It was covered during the meeting with Gary Neil (as discussed at item 6 above) but no response had yet been received from LLTNPA. However, a copy of the (approved) Forest Plan had been sent to the community council.

  1. Timber transport and school bus. On 31st October, a local resident in Balquhidder had written to the community council to draw attention to the fact that the school bus for McLaren High School in Callander stops to pick up passengers from the village hall at 8:05 a.m. but is repeatedly encountering timber lorries at this time, creating danger for children walking to the bus stop. A second school bus (for the Primary School in Strathyre) leaves the glen at 8:40 m. A request was made that representations be put to those in the timber industry for lorries not to travel between 7:30 and 8:40 a.m. on school days. This had since been resolved, due to haulage opera tions coming to an end. (See item 10d below.)
  2. Larch felling in Kirkton Glen. On 7th November 2022, a letter was received from Steven Murphy, planner with Forestry & Land, Scotland (FLS), advising that FLS intends to carry out felling operations in Kirkton Glen. The actual date when this will begin has not yet been set, but FLS is required by law to complete the operation before 28th February 2023. Mr Murphy had requested a formal response from the community council. This had been supplied by RM and circulated to the community by DCJ.
  3. Haulage operation at Stronvar. On 16th November 2022, a notification was received from Claire Glaister, the administrator for the Timber Transport Forum, advising that the haulage operation at Stronvar (which is the only one currently using Route 3 up to the village hall) was coming to an end with only a small volume of timber (around twelve loads) still to be The remaining timber from that site is scheduled to be dispatched by the end of November.

11.        Notification of events

On 5th November 2022, a complaint was received from a resident of Balquhidder concerning the "Glen Ogle 33 Ultra Marathon" that involved some five hundred people running past the resident's house. The person concerned was particularly upset that no prior notice of this event had been given or publicised for the bene fit of local

 

It was agreed that RM would ask Cllr EW if advanced notice could

 

residents. Members agreed that there should be some advanced notification to community councils of such events, but nobody was aware of any approved system for notifying events of this nature.

12.        Correspondence

  1. Refugees from Ukraine in Killin. On 26th October 2022, Evelyn Tweed MSP reported that she had held discussions with Neil Gray, the Scottish government minister with special responsibility for refugees from Ukraine. She learned that the majority of the people staying at the Killin Hotel had asked to move to a more central location, with access to increased amenities and employment opportunities. The Scottish government was seeking to comply with this request. However, it was clear that some people wanted to stay in the area, having found employment there or with children now attending schools in that area. Again, the government will help them, where possible, to stay in the The government does not want anyone to stay in a hotel or temporary accommodation for longer than necessary.
  2. Army engagement event, Stirling. DCJ reported having attended this event which was very informative about services that the military can offer to civilian populations. These include preparing to provide temporary assistance in the event of strikes by (for example) ambulance drivers or the fire service.
  3. Solar panelling at village halls. DJT reported that information had been received concerning the potential advantages to be gained from installation of solar panels at each of the three local village halls. DCJ had previously indicated that Balquhidder Village Hall already had a 10kW solar panel system on its roof and had suggested that these installations would be primarily projects for each hall committee. The community council supported the initiative, but would not be directly
  4. Letter from Australia. A letter had been received from Laura Hoey in Sydney, Australia, regarding one of the plots of land for sale between Stroneslaney Road and the River Balvaig at the location known as "MacGregor's Landing". She wanted to ask whether or not a time limit applied in which building on the land must commence and had been directed for an answer to "the local council". An appropriate reply had already been sent, drawing attention to the planning constraints.

 

be given to the community council.

 

DJT to inform Strathyre Village Hall committee of the potential opportunity.

 

  1. Remembrance service at Lochearnhead. On Sunday 13th November, a service had been held at the war memorial in Lochearnhead and a question had been raised as to whether the community council would be laying a wreath at the ceremony. PH reported that he had laid a wreath at Lochearnhead on behalf, jointly, of the community council and Stirling Council, whilst DCJ had laid a similar wreath at the service in Balquhidder.
  2. Police station in Lochearnhead. On 24th November 2022, a letter was received from a local resident raising concerns as to whether or not Police Scotland would be able to continue to provide a police office in Lochearnhead, given the constraints of the current financial situation. The resident expressed a strong desire for the continued presence of this facility and urged the community council to resist any proposal by Police Scotland to withdraw it. AC had liaised with HC who stated that the house was to be refurbished in the near future but that there are no plans to withdraw police coverage thereafter.
  3. Smart meter mast on Balquhidder Village Hall. DCJ had been in correspondence with Alyn Smith, MP for Stirlingshire, regarding a problem with the wireless mast for electricity "smart" meters. This had been installed three years ago at Balquhidder Village Hall but was still not fully functional. Mr Smith had extracted from Arqiva (the company involved) an acknowledgement of the problem and a promise to provide a solution. Arqiva had been asked to keep the community council informed of progress on this matter.

13.        Planning Matters

  1. Sgiath a' Chaise. On 17th November 2022, a consultation enquiry was launched regarding a proposed new telecommunications installation at Sgiath a' Chaise - a long ridge lying to the East of Strathyre. The installation will comprise a twenty metre lattice tower that will support "4G" mobile communications service in the It forms part of a scheme sponsored by the government and called the Shared Rural Network (SRN). The mast will be located high up on the hill above Strathyre and may only just be visible from the village below. Members considered that it was unlikely that residents would object to the installation.
  2. 2022/0280/DET. An application was submitted on 28th September 2022 for further work to be undertaken at Laggan House, Laggan

 

Road, Strathyre. It involves the erection of a walled garden, glass houses, a facilities building and a tractor store. The development was not considered to have any adverse implications for the community.

  1. Forest, Balquhidder. Members from Balquhidder understood that an application was to be made to fell a small, private, woodland area to the North of Balquhidder. Timber will be extracted via the existing Kirkton Glen road and the area will be replanted with native, broad- leaf trees. It was thought unlikely to have an adverse impact on the wider community.

14.        Matters from Ward Councillors and National Park

No representatives were available from Stirling Council or the TTLNPA.

15.        Any other competent business

  1. Filming at Ballimore. AC reported that a scene for series seven of Outlander was to be filmed in December in Ballimore, Balquhidder. Due to the inaccessibility of the site chosen for filming, a request had been made by the company to use part of his land in Lochearnhead. Some twenty or thirty cabins and other temporary structures will be erected there and the operation will involve additional traffic in the area during the period from 28th November to 15th Filming is scheduled to take place on 7-8th December. A letter from the company had been circulated to local residents. Members considered that the impact would likely be minimal.
  2. Lochearnhead Cycle Path. AP reported having attended a meeting in Lochearnhead on 22nd November to update residents on the progress of the cycle path from St Fillans to Lochearnhead. The new owner of much of the property involved had recently done some work to re- instate the original drains and this will help in preparing the cycle track itself. AC voiced continuing concerns about the steepness of the proposed descent from the cycle track to the road below (Auchraw Terrace). He had suggested alternative routes but these had not been entertained. Members concluded that the community council had no official rôle since the track is designated as a “core path”.
  3. Communication. RW asked a question about the methods of communication used by the community council to keep local residents abreast of local events and information. Various means of communication were listed (such as the website, use of The Villagers

 

magazine and social media groups) but members recognised that there were still many gaps in the overall coverage. It was acknowledged that this is a widespread problem that derives largely from the enormous range of options now open to people with the move from traditional media to technological devices. It was agreed that it would be good to return to the subject at a future meeting.

  1. Community council membership. As a result of attending the meeting, RW confirmed that he would be interested in becoming a co- opted member of the community council. It was agreed that RM should start the process of admitting him to membership.

 

RM to start process for co- opting RW.

There was no further business and, at 8:30 p.m., AP declared the meeting to be closed. The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 11th January 2023 at Strathyre Village Hall.