June 2022 Minutes

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Minutes of Meeting of Bridge of Allan Community Council

Held on Tuesday 21^st June 2022.

this meeting was held remotely via Zoom.

Present: Mike Watson (MW) Chair; Janie Meikle Bland (JMB) Vice Chair; Leslie Harkness (LH) Secretary; Alasdair Taylor (AT) Treasurer; Anna Doeser (AD) Vice Chair & Communications Officer; Alastair Heron (AH) Planning Officer; Sandra Davidson (SD); Bill Fortune (BF); Emma Fradgley (EF)

Apologies : Andrew Drummond Baxter (ADB); Siobhan Hencher (SH); Vicky McDowell (VMcD); Moira Randall (MR) Associate Member; Councillor Graham Houston; Alyn Smith MP; PC Paul Gilliland; PC Ross Barclay

In attendance : Councillor Douglas Dodds; (Councillor Alasdair Tollemache; Councillor Ewan Dillon; Alexander Stuart MSP; Graham Russell, Friends of Bridge of Allan; Douglas Nielson (Vice Chair, Friends of Bridge of Allan)

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

B 2082 Welcome, Apologies and Conflict of Interest (MW)

Congratulations to the Friends of Bridge of Allan for the Queens Award, it was very well deserved. The apologies were noted as indicated above.

No conflicts of interest noted.

B 2083 Approval of Minutes, Matters Arising and Action Log (MW/LH)

The minutes of the May 22 meeting were confirmed, proposed by AD, seconded by BF: BW; Seconder: BF)

Matters Arising (LH)

In relation to Item B 2077, Councillor Dodds has written to SC about the condition of the Fountain Road mini roundabout and has highlighted the need to have the grass cut. He has also reiterated the need for the council to repair the ruts on the stretch of Henderson Street near the junction with Station Road for the safety of cyclists. In relation to the Fountain Road roundabout, the councillor has now raised his concern that only the edges have been strimmed with nothing having been done to address the dock leaves. The councillor has forwarded confirmation from SC that the repairs to the Mine Wood have now been completed. He has also indicated that he has met with the relevant SC officer regarding the litter issue and the officer has confirmed that the whole area of Bridge of Allan, including all relevant streets, will be thoroughly walked streets and that a new bin which compacts the rubbish and sends a message when it needs to be emptied will be located in the picnic area at the river.

Councillor Tollemache reported that he would be having a meeting with the new Convenor of Housing and Environment with grass cutting on the agenda. The councillor has underlined again the need to

have an effective pollinator strategy.

MW mentioned about the common good fund and asked if there has there been any further information on this. AD stated that this is included on the agenda and will be covered later in the meeting.

Councillor Dodds stated that the memorial park is looking beautiful following the recent grass cutting.

Councillor Tollemache stated that there should be a meeting to agree the grass cutting strategy and pollination strategy, particularly in the context of the views of the community Such a meeting should involve the CC as there needs to be a needs to be a coordinated approach. Councillor Dodds agreed and stated that a meeting would be arranged.

LH stated that one of the emails sent from the council regarding the grass cutting stated that the ‘cut and lift’ on this occasion would be a one off, however the strategy moving forward would be a ‘cut and leave’ one. Cllr Dodds will raise it again with SC.

Action Log

All identified actions from the last meeting would be covered in the agenda. After the last meeting, LH had contacted all CC members not present at the meeting to ascertain their views on reverting to face-to-face meetings; he had received no dissenting responses.

Action: MW to make appropriate arrangements for the CC to attend an SC meeting to discuss future grass cutting strategy for the Memorial Park and other areas, along with a future pollination strategy, once Councillor Dodds has arranged such a meeting

B 2084 Police Report (MW)

In the absence of the duty officers, MW highlighted the key features of the report.

Between the 17th of May and 20th of June 2022 a total of 15 crimes occurred within the Bridge of Allan area (which also covers University of Stirling and a section of the M9 motorway). The crimes detailed below are those that are of relevance to the local community.

Antisocial Behaviour

Between the 30th of May and 9th June 2022 police have investigated a number of complaints relating to an ongoing neighbour dispute in Avenue Park. To date two individuals have been subject of police reports to the Fiscal in relation to Section 38(1) Criminal Justice & Licensing Scotland Act 2010 offences. One other complaint is still being investigated at the time of update.

Sometime between the 12th and 13th of June a canopy belonging to a business property in Henderson Street was damaged. This is crimed as Vandalism and is an ongoing enquiry at the time of submission, PS-20220614-1880 refers.

Drug Misuse

Police are carrying out investigation with regards to a Concerned in the Supply of Controlled Drugs offence relating to an incident on 19th May at an address in the Lyon Crescent area of Bridge of Allan. This is an ongoing investigation at the time of update with lines of enquiry being progressed.

On the 8th of June a student at the university was found by university staff members to be in possession of herbal cannabis. The individual concerned will be issued with a recorded police warning in relation to Possession of a Controlled Drug.

Violent Crime

None to report

Housebreakings/Crimes Of Dishonesty

Sometime between 1st October 2021 and 18th May 2022 an insecure garage in Henderson Street was entered and a fibreglass boat (low value) stolen from within. This is an ongoing enquiry at the time of submission, PS-20220518-1970 refers.

Sometime between the 22nd and 23rd of May a vending machine within a launderette at University of Stirling was forced open and contents stolen. This is crimed as Theft Opening Lockfast Place and following investigation is undetected.

On the 13th of June a bicycle was stolen from the Carse of Lecropt area. The bicycle was later recovered having been discarded nearby. No suspects have been identified in relation to this theft, PS-20220613-3992 refers.

On the 16th of June a male from the Bridge Of Allan area was contacted on social media and asked to transfer monies to a friend. The victim believing this to be above board transferred money as requested however later discovered that his friend’s social media accounts had been hacked and that he had transferred money to a suspect account. This has been crimed as Fraud and will be investigated in due course, PS-20220616-3330 refers.

Road Safety and Road Traffic Related Crime

None

Matters Of Note

Between the 17th of May and 20th of June 2022, there was a total of 114 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, 6 were concern for person type calls, 4 calls were drug related, 2 were noise related calls, 3 were fraud related calls, 2 public nuisance type calls, 11 neighbour dispute calls, 2 theft related calls, 3 were domestic incidents and were 14 road traffic related calls.

Community engagement and reassurance:

Mobile patrols carried out in road around the Primary School. Two motorists spoken to regarding inconsiderate parking.

B 2085 Recruitment (AD)

AD stated that we still have one vacancy to fill within the CC, if we had lots of interest we would be able to recruit more co-opted members. Still have a vacancy for a minute taker.

AD stated that we need to put something more targeted on the website. Co-opting – we have a community member who is interested. We need to run a public recruitment campaign to give everyone an opportunity for putting themselves forward. We can publicise online through the website, social media and also put printed leaflet versions to display within local shops. Other ideas for digital means to advertise the roles are welcome.

Councillor Dodds noted that the CC still has ‘dormant’ members in the team, and , in terms of filling these places, wondered if the CC were considering inviting these members to stand down. LH pointed out that one of the ‘dormant’ members is in fact not a full member but an associate member, while another has been granted six months official leave of absence. MW stated that this particular issue with dormant members is being addressed. AD noted that we have not been overwhelmed with applications so far, but she felt a further recruitment campaign could address this.

Action: LH will write again to the CC member with the longest period of non-attendance to establish his intentions. B 2086 Christmas Lights (AT)

AT had a meeting with Brenda at UCP who made it very clear that they will be closing down their premises in BOA

and vacating the village. AT emphasised that, moving forward, establishing the lowest cost options would be significant, given the due to limited funds for the Christmas lights. AT reminded the CC that the cost of commercial storage is very expensive, potentially thousands of pounds each year. The CC will continue to store the lights with Gordon Electrical.

AT stated that EF has volunteered to assist with the Christmas lights strategy and plan.

EF mentioned that she may have a storage solution with her company Emtec, they have agreed to store the lights at no cost within their manufacturing and storage facility which is currently based in Rutherglen but will be moving premises at the end of the year to Cumbernauld or Airdrie. EF mentioned also that she may be able to arrange maintenance of the lights through the supply chain at a reduced cost. EF and AT are meeting on 22^nd June to further discuss the plan and will report back at the next meeting.

AT & EF noted that they will be looking at a long-term solution for the lights. Terms of agreement will need to be in place detailing who is responsible for what.

MW mentioned that we need to address the issue around the funding of the lights and how SC could contribute.

B2087 Discover Bridge of Allan Update

JMB stated that they had a good response to the call out to new board members and a number of new perspectives attended the Board Meeting last week. Next meeting will be held on Thursday 23^rd June this week. 6 people had initially shown an interest and 5 attended the Board Meeting.

The team have been working with a Project Manager and web developer to build the new website. Another important element will be our relationships with the CC and other local establishments.

JMB Mentioned that the Steering group and wider community engagement will be important. JMB will update at the next meeting and encourage her new colleagues to come along.

B 2088 Tennis Courts (BF)

Since the last meeting BF had 2 meetings with the BOA tennis association regarding the Tennis Courts. The next meeting will be held on Friday 24^th June with SC and BF will provide an update after. BF notes that this is the best opportunity yet to get things moving with the tennis courts. It will be a crucial meeting with the council. But looks positive.

B 2089 Common Good Fund (AT)

AT raised a form of clarity with SC to find out about the application form for the CGF. There are 2 forms to complete but they are not on the council’s website. AT has been assured by the council that the forms will be added to SC’s website. 1 form to apply for funds and 1 form to state our position relative to the application.

AT will pass the application forms to CDD.

Councillor Dodds stated that the application for the scouts will come to the civic panel next week, date TBC, but it is in the pipeline.

Action: AT will pass the application forms to Councillor Dodds

.

B 2090 Face to face meetings

It was noted that the CC wish to revert back to face to face meetings. LH stated that he will make a meeting room booking in advance for the remainder of the year. Councillor Dodds confirmed that the form he sent through needs to be completed for meeting room bookings. The CC will aim to start our first face to face meeting in August, on Tuesday 3rd.

Alexander Stewart MSP – will try to attend as many as he can face to face but might not be able to attend in person each time.

B 2091 Speed restrictions (Councillor Dodds)

Councillor Dodds Stated that the roads and pavements have been marked out ready for the speed restricting islands on Henderson Street. He also noted that we will be getting a speed notification sign erected also.

AD asked for a copy of the finalised plans. SDD stated that he will ask the officer who will circulate it to him and he will then circulate the finalised speed restriction plans to the CC.

Action Log: Councillor Dodds will circulate the finalised speed restriction plans to the CC.

B 2092 Planning Report (AH)

AH indicated that there was relatively little to report since the last meeting. MW raised the issue of the tree felling outside 103 Henderson Street.

AH noted that there was no decision, as yet, on the Blairforkie Drive application. He also reported that, at the CC’s recent development meeting, the issue of the potential level of involvement of the CC with the future Local Development Plan had been discussed, and it had been suggested that AH and MW set up a meeting, involving Gavin Drummond, to consider, in the context of the future plan, issues relating to any proposed expansion of the village.

MW noted that SC had not advertised details of any proposed community engagement with regard to any interim development plan.

AD noted that Planning Advice Scotland has done some work on community engagement in respect of planning.

Action: AH to write to the new SC to ascertain its future intentions for engaging with the community on local development plans.

B 2093 Chair’s Report

MW indicated that he had nothing to report beyond his AGM report.

B 2094 Secretary’s Report

Communications from Councillors

Councillor Tollemache forwarded the following:

· an update from ScotRail on the temporary timetable to be introduced on May 23 and details of train services subsequently added to this timetable;

· confirmation from SC that, in the context of the closure of Cornton Road

· for repair operations, there will be appropriate arrangements for emergency services to carry out their duties.

He has raised with SC the following:

· the graffiti in the Fountain Road play park - SC has confirmed this will be addressed;

· a required update on the resurfacing of Pendreich Road - he has been informed that repairs to the section from Sunnylaw Road to the Golf Course will begin in October

Councillor Dodds has raised the following with SC:

* the need to spray the overgrown vegetation in the ‘chicken run’ along the back of the UCP factory;

* the need to cut the grass at the flats at the junction of Alexander Drive and Well Road and the need to strim the grass border in Airthrey Road from the Keir Street junction along to Graham’s Dairies;

* the uncontrollable hedgerow running down from Mine Wood on the pavement side of Well Road to the Provost’s Park;

* the need to cut the grass in the Memorial Park so that the flower beds can be seen and to avoid the park becoming an eyesore – SC has confirmed it will carry out a “cut and lift” and then revert to “cut and leave”;

* the overflowing waste bin at the junction of Mine Road and Abercrombie Drive and the green bins on the posts on the footpath adjacent to the Mine woods which require attention;

* the blocked drains running from the Carse turnoff down past the station;

* fencing leading from Alexander Drive through Mine Wood requiring repair;

* the concerns of residents in Forth Park and Vale Grove that the five week closure of Cornton Road may leave them isolated and could present difficulties for the emergency services - SC has provided Councillor Dodds with a contact number if residents have queries and concerns;

* the need to cut back bushes and branches to allow unobstructed walking along the Mid Wood footpath along the back of Henderson Street.

Councillors Dodds, Houston and Tollemache have all forwarded details of SGN’s readiness to begin upgrading the gas network in the Glen Road area.

Communications from Stirling Council

Engage Stirling reported that SC has entered the final two phases of its Covid Recovery Community

Consultation initiative, namely the ‘Analysis of Information Gathered‘ phase and the ‘Feedback’ phase and It also reported on the new phase for the Lower Bridge Street project and also on a new phase for the VHT Participatory Budgeting Survey.

Communications from Residents

A resident wrote to say he senses a sea change in residents’ attitudes towards SC and its perceived shortcomings in terms of grass cutting and street cleaning. He proposes that full time staff for these responsibilities be employed in the village under the supervision of the CC. He has also reiterated his view that Bridge of Allan requires the restoration of autonomy in relation to control of all of its services and he has reminded the CC of the lasting achievements of the former town council.

A SC resident wrote a detailed communication to emphasise his view that for many years there has been a visual problem with the Cornton Road railway crossing in relation to road users failing to see the amber light in time.

B 2095 Treasurer’s Report (AT)

The 2021-2022 accounts are presented to the Community Council for acceptance. These accounts run from 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2022. In June 2022 the accounts were independently checked and verified as accurate by Gavin Drummond. Many thanks again to Gavin for performing this role.

At the start of the period our funds stood at £34,994.70, consisting of a residual from the administration grant of

£140.76, a residual in the Christmas Lights fund of £24.00, Playpark funding of £29,896.06, Larder funding of £2156.07, and £2727.81 in our unrestricted funds.

The biggest expenditure in the period was on the playpark project, with £29,896.00 spent to implement the park which is now in place for the community. There was also an additional income for the playpark project of £2000.01 from fundraising for future enhancements.

The second biggest expenditure during the period was on the Christmas Lights. During 2021, it became obvious that the lights had degraded further and were in need of a major overhaul. As this would be expensive, a major fundraising

exercise was started in the community, including crowdfunding. This resulted in a fantastic response, with a healthy total of £14,233.49 being raised from businesses and residents to repair the lights. This then allowed the overhaul to be completed, plus electrical services and storage, totalling £12,380.40.

The larder project has continued during the period, with a “Good Food for All” grant from Stirling Council of £4000, fundraising from Stirling & Bridge of Allan Round Table of £300, and a donation from the Co-op of £150. Delivery of the larder project during the period cost £1438.46

As usual, the running costs of the Community Council were funded by an administration grant from Stirling Council, which for this period was £654.66. Our costs during the period were £741.28 however, consisting of £440 to fund a Minutes Secretary, £72 on Branding and Website costs, and £229.28 on other sundry expenses including an annual Zoom subscription, since most of our meetings during the period have had to continue to be held on Zoom. We entered the period with an administration grant surplus of £140.76, but would still have overspent in the period were it not for our minutes secretary stepping down. Although there is an opportunity now to go back to face-to-face meetings, if we wish to continue with the improved community access which Zoom attendance allows, then further funding support will be required to achieve a satisfactory mixed attendance format for meetings ( in person and on-line ), as this is likely to be more expensive than either method alone.

During the period, there was overall income totalling £21,338.16, and expenditure totalling £44,248.94. At the close of the period our funds total £12,033.92, comprising £54.14 in the administration fund, £1877.09 in the Christmas Lights Fund, £2543.27 in the Playpark fund, £5,167.61 in the Larder fund, and £2,391.81 in our unrestricted fund.

Our Assets remain unchanged from last year. They include a PA system, 18 Christmas Lights and associated infrastructure which is stored at Gordon Electrical in Dunblane and the BT Telephone box on the corner of Inverallan Road and Station Road.

B 2096 Residents, Voice

Gavin Drummond asked about the progress with the nibs at the end of Westerlea Drive and the closing of Cornton Road – AT Stated that he will raise the issue again with SC and ask the council to confirm their view. Closing the road near Cornton for 5 weeks seems excessive. SPS and SC funding the widening of the footpath.

AT has confirmed that the new path would be wide enough to fit a child’s buggy but not a cycle path. However, there is already a cycle path along the railway on the footpath.

B 2097 AOCB

Graham Russell stated that on behalf of Friends of Bridge of Allan he would like to thank the CC for the recognition of the Queens Award to the Friends of Bridge of Allan and noted that a presentation is scheduled for Tuesday 19^th July 2pm, at the Memorial Park.

Graham Russell also mentioned that one of the senior volunteers at the tree planting recommended the re-naming of the Triangle Park to commemorate the Golden Jubilee. Councillor Dodds had taken this up with SC who did not object. The proposal is to re-name the triangle and call it the Royal Garden, in honour of the Queens Platinum Jubilee.

Graham Russell also indicated that Land Services have approved the proposal but would need an understanding on signage etc.

It was agreed that the CC would be the most appropriate platform to make a decision on the name change and a vote of hands was taken with everyone at the meeting in agreement.

2 signs will need to be erected, one at the Graham Street end and one at the pointed angle. Graham Russell agreed to obtain an estimate of the costs involved. In terms of the funding of the signs, MW emphasised that it was unlikely that the CC, who had not initiated the proposal, could make any financial contribution towards meeting its costs.