February 2022 Minutes

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Minutes of Meeting of Bridge of Allan Community Council

Held on Tuesday 15^th February 2022.

Due to Covid-19 this meeting was held remotely via Zoom.

Present: Mike Watson (MW) Chair; Leslie Harkness (LH) Secretary; Alasdair Taylor (AT) Treasurer; Anna Doeser (AD) Communications Officer; Alastair Heron (AH) Planning Officer; Bill Fortune (BF);

Apologies : Janie Meikle Bland (JMB) Interim Vice Chair; Andrew Drummond Baxter (ADB); Sandra Davidson (SD); Siobhan Hencher; Vicky McDowell (VMcD); Duncan McDougall (DMcD) Associate Member; Moira Randall (MR) Associate Member; Councillor Douglas Dodds; Councillor Graham Houston; Councillor Alasdair Majury; Alyn Smith MP; PC Paul Gilliland; PC Ross Barclay; Lucy McCormick (LM) Minute Secretary;

In attendance : Councillor Alasdair Tollemache; Councillor Jeremy McDonald; Alexander Stuart MSP); Graham Russell (Chair of Friends of Bridge of Allan); Douglas Nielson ( Vice Chair, Friends of Bridge of Allan); Gavin Drummond (GD)

Abbreviations – Bridge of Allan (BOA), Community Council (CC), Common Good Fund (CGF), Stirling Council (SC), Annual General Meeting (AGM), Wallace Monument Stakeholder Advisory Group (WMSAG)

B 2019 Welcome, Apologies and Conflict of Interest (MW)

MW chaired this meeting. MW opened the meeting at 7.30pm and welcomed all those in attendance via Zoom. Apologies were recorded as noted above and no conflicts of interested identified.

B 2020 Approval of Minutes, Matters Arising and Action Log (MW)

The minutes of the January 2022 CC meeting were confirmed – and were approved by MW and seconded by AH. Matters arising

Regarding Item 2001 – increasing local access to the Allan Centre , discussion has been initiated and an invitation extended for CC members to join a meeting of the new management committee.

On the climate emergency issue, Item B 2011, Councillor Tollemache contacted SC and asked if the relevant officer could attend a future CC meeting to outline the council’s climate emergency plan and to indicate what contribution could be made by the CC.

In relation to the Pathfoot tree felling, JMB wrote to Stirling University who confirmed that the blue paint markings on the trees were part of a topographical survey and were not an indication of any potential tree felling.

Regarding Item B 2010 on the bus services, the office of Keith Brown has informed the CC that he would be meeting with First Bus and would raise the matter of the 54 service. In addition, Councillor Tollemache has now forwarded from First Bus details of further improvements to local services including the 54 service.

In terms of Item B 2016 and the Memorial Park wreaths, Councillor Dodds raised the matter with SC and, in its response, the council has explained that, while in the past the wreaths were removed after six weeks, because some residents felt this was too early, SC now waits until a formal request for removing the wreaths is made by the CC. GR confirmed that Friends have now removed the wreaths.

In terms of Item B 2013, and the Darn Walk bridge, the councillor asked SC about responsibility for future maintenance, once the bridge is complete, and, in its response, SC indicated that there is no set procedure for adopting structures such as footbridges and that the relevant parties will have to scrutinize the initial agreements to ascertain if these include details of post-construction maintenance.

In relation to Item B 2004 and the City of Culture bid, Fiona McLean has sent all community councils details of two online Teams information sessions, including one at 7.00 pm on Wednesday, 23rd February.

B 2021 Police Report

Between the 18th January and 10th February 2002 a total of 8 crimes occurred within the Bridge of Allan area (which also covers University of Stirling). The crimes detailed below are those that are of relevance to the local community.

ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR - None to report.

DRUG MISUSE - None to report.

VIOLENT CRIME - On 6^th February police attend a domestic related assault in the Bridge of Allan area. A male was later arrested and charged in relation to Assault and Vandalism.

HOUSEBREAKINGS/CRIMES OF DISHONESTY - Sometime between 27^th January and 1^st February a secured bike was stolen from a bike shed within the grounds of University of Stirling. This has been crimed as Theft and is being investigated at time of submission, PS-20220201-1838 refers.

During the afternoon of 7^th February a male was disturbed near to a University of Stirling Halls of Residence bike shed attempting unsuccessfully to steal a bike by breaking through the bike lock with an implement. The male made off and to date has not been traced. This has been crimed as Attempted Theft and is under investigation at the time of update, PS-20220207-2801 refers.

It is possible that the two crimes detailed may be linked. CPT officers would like to remind students to be vigilant, continue to secure and check on their bikes where possible and are further encouraged to make use of and utilise bike lockers at the university.

Police are currently investigating an Attempted Fraud and Section 92(1)(a) Police Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 – Impersonate Constable with Intent to Deceive after an elderly couple from the Bridge of Allan area were contacted by telephone by persons (fraudsters) claiming to be from the bank Fraud Team. The couple were informed that their bank accounts had been compromised and that the bank was monitoring the situation. Further calls followed whereby fraudsters informed the couple that the police were now involved.

In the days following a male (suspect) in plain clothes and in possession of a lanyard with police thereon (impersonating police) attended at their house on two separate dates and subsequently gained their trust and access to documentation.

The couple were thereafter duped into believing that a suspect had been identified and in order to build evidence, they were persuaded to attend at their bank and transfer monies from their bank account into another account (at which time the bank became suspicious).

The couple are at no financial loss however this was clearly an elaborate attempt to gain access to their finances by unidentified fraudsters and is currently under investigation, PS-2021118-1717 refers.

Please note that police and banking staff will NEVER call you via telephone and ask for your bank details. If you ever receive a call from an individual claiming to represent the bank and intimating that your account has been hacked or financially compromised ask for their details including name, telephone number, position and organisation they claim to represent.

· Do NOT call these individuals back on numbers provided by them nor allow them to access your bank account

online.

· Do NOT accept a home visit following a phone call such as that detailed above.

· If someone arrives at your door following a phone call such as this Do NOT under any circumstances allow them access to your property.

· Ask them to remain outside until you carry out your own checks (again Do NOT call any numbers provided to you), secure your door and call the police and/or your bank.

· Do NOT be coerced, pressurised or persuaded into allowing these individuals into your house.

· Alternatively attend at your bank in person or have a trusted family member do this on your behalf and make enquiries with your bank providing ALL relevant information to them. Do NOT hold information back.

· Again Do NOT allow someone you don’t know to accompany you to the bank.

Please do not hesitate to contact police should you have any concerns – we are here to help you as is your bank.

ROAD SAFETY AND ROAD TRAFFIC RELATED CRIME - On 29^th January 2022, a white Suzuki motor vehicle then parked within Kenilworth Road near to its junction with Well Road was struck by another vehicle resulting in damage being sustained to the driver side wing mirror. The other vehicle involved is black in colour and has not been traced. This has been crimed as Fail to Stop after Accident and Fail to Report, PS-20220130-2125 refers.

MATTERS OF NOTE - Between 18^th January and 10^th February 2022 there were a total of 59 calls to the Bridge of Allan area. Please note this also covers parts of the Cornton, Causewayhead and Stirling University. A breakdown of some of these calls is as follows, 1 was a concern for person type call, 2 calls were drugs/substance related, 1 was a disturbance type call, 1 was a fraud type call, 2 calls were theft related, 4 were domestic related incidents and 9 were road traffic related calls.

Community engagement and reassurance:

Police Surgery carried out at Bridge of Allan Library on Saturday 5 ^th February.

Mobile patrols carried out in and around Bridge of Allan Primary School with no issues being identified.

Activity for forthcoming month:

1. Monitor and patrol areas where crimes of dishonesty have occurred.

2. Carry out a police surgery at a date time to be confirmed.

3. Engage with vulnerable members of the community, raise awareness in relation to Fraud and offered appropriate crime prevention advice.

B 2022 Christmas Lights (AT)

Invoice has now been paid, but there was an additional charge for storage which will need to be factored in for future projects. A local company has offered to store and provide minor maintenance which could provide a hybrid solution with the existing contractors providing installation / take down services. AT will explore options and update in due course.

B 2023 Community-led tourism (JMB) Deferred to next meeting in JMB’s absence B 2024 Tennis Courts (BF)

Updated quotations were requested before Christmas because of the rising cost of materials; no responses received yet. BF will chase

The application to Tennis Scotland has received broad support but ongoing sustainability and maintenance of the site is a sticking point. BF has discussed this with SC and they are only willing to provide a ‘letter of comfort’ which is insufficient for the application; several options for shared responsibility are being reviewed, however there is frustration relating to this unwillingness to make a firm commitment given that SC has ownership of the site and within the community at the length of time taken to resolve the issue. In the meantime BF is working with Active Stirling to

put detail into the application so that when true costs are understood, submission can be expedited and agreed to provide an update that can be shared via the CC’s social media platforms.

B 2025 Common Good Fund (AT)

AT highlighted that fast enough progress on decisions in not being made when applications come in a would like to propose some changes to the process, including a development meeting via Zoom as soon as an application is received. LH confirmed that these types of meetings are permitted and are not required to be minuted providing that all potential decisions / recommendations are brought before the full CC for debate and decision-making.

Discussion of details moved to the end of the call (item B 2032) to allow elected members to leave as appropriate. Cllr Tollemache agreed to share details of any planned Civic Panel meetings for remainder of the year to allow for the CC to set target dates for applications to be submitted and agreed to raise shortcomings of the current process identified as – people don’t know it’s available, what the criteria are, the time taken to process applications, unclear / open ended timescales for decisions depending on when the Civic Panel meets.

B 2026 Recruitment (AD)

No expressions of interest received to date; application deadline extended by 3 weeks and plan for new advertisement to be shared via the online platforms and posters in local businesses.

B 2027 Planning Report (AH)

· Proposed planning at Lecropt has been withdrawn.

• Knockhill Farm steadings – proposal to convert to 4 dwellings.
• Fairview have submitted an application for the Royal Hotel as accommodation use.

· Blairforkie application – the site plan was shared on screen during the meeting (46 dwellings in total - 25 detached homes, 9x2 bedroom flats, 12 affordable housing units). Some discussion took place and agreed AH will draft an objection on behalf of the CC for the reasons discussed which includes overdevelopment of the area, building on green belt, access to site etc.

B 2028 Chair’s Report (MW)

MW will be out of the country for 3 months. JMB will take over as chair for next 3 meetings in his absence. SH will step aside for 6 months which was agreed by the CC (voted in favour at the meeting).

Park of Keir – recent article in the Sunday Herald raising a number of concerns.

B 2029 Secretary’s Report (LH)

Communications from Councillors

Councillor Tollemache forwarded a detailed response from SPEN to a resident who had raised concerns about the Cocksburn Bridge construction, providing reassurances for each specific concern raised. The councilor has also asked SC, in the context of the new Highway Code guidance, to review the cycle route along Cornton Road to establish if it protects cyclists at junctions. In relation to speeding cars, the councillor forwarded an email from a resident of Pullar Avenue where cars appear to be regularly ignoring the 20 mph limit, particularly in the early hours of Saturday/Sunday morning; he has reported the matter to the police. More recently, he has raised concerns with SC about Westerlea Park, including the potential danger of a barbed wire boundary fence and what appears to be a wrongly assembled piece of play park equipment.

Councillor Dodds informed the CC that he had raised with SC two issues of concern to residents. One was the damage to the grass in Hawes Park caused by cars parking during matches, along with the volume of litter left, while the other was the concern that cyclists using the cycle lane from the Keir Street roundabout to the Meadowpark were being forced into the road because of debris in the lane. The councillor also informed us that he has raised with SC a concern about a young man planting saplings in a grass space at Castleview Drive.

After a resident complained, Councillor Tollemache raised with SC the issue of the absence, due to intentional removal, of the safety latches on the gates of Fountain Road playpark and the council has attended to this. The councillor also forwarded news from ScotRail that the pre -Christmas timetable has now been restored

Communications from Stirling Council

The CC received information about the launch of a new fund to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in the Stirling Area, with funding applications invited from community groups and charities offering wellbeing activities and opportunities aimed at young people aged from 5 to 24. The fund is called the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund -Children and Young People and the deadline for applications is February 18th.

SC reminded the CC that insurance can be arranged for assets such as notice boards.

Communications from Residents

A resident wrote to suggest that the Common Good Fund be used for a feasibility study on the improvement of the woodland paths.

A resident from Westerlea Drive wrote to the Chair to voice her concern that Graham’s Dairy, who have planted a belt six rows of shrubs which runs adjacent to her property, will not ensure that the shrubs will not be allowed to grow above the height of her hedge.

The Scottish Flood Forum sent a copy of its current newsletter.

General Communications

The local Community Police wrote to the CC in relation to its intention to engage with appropriate groups and individuals on the issue of vulnerable residents in Bridge of Allan and Dunblane being subjected to telephone scamming.

Save Blairforkie Greenspace has informed the CC that Allanwater Homes has lodged its planning application with SC for 46 rather than 40 houses They have also forwarded detailed guidance notes on the submission of objections, along with a copy of the proposed site plan.

The Walk Cycle Live Stirling steering group sent the CC a set of notes on its recent meeting along with visual material outlining progress to date on the University route and including construction drawings.

B 2030 Treasurer’s Report (AT)

Summary as below:

• Play park – no movement

· Admin. fund – usual movement including web hosting and minutes

• Unrestricted fund - £2,391
• Larder - £5389.41

· Christmas Lights – funded reward badges & storage - £12,564.15

B 2031 Resident’s Voice

· Cornton Level Crossing – following barriers raised to progress across track unable to move due to parked cars in front of Munro Gate flats. View is that double yellow lines to be implemented.

· Keir/Union Street. Another situation where double yellow lines ought to be extended,

at end of Keir Street into Union Street. If driving along Keir Street , any parked car parked just clear of the double yellow lines in Union Street obstructs the view for the driver turning left into said Street.

B 2032 CGF – Well House Application (AT)

Agreed that AT will write to the applicant and say that although we have a majority, we don’t have a definitive proposal which is now required. In addition, AT will write to the Civic Panel stating there is support in principle but a specific