May 2022 Minutes

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Minutes of Meeting of Bridge of Allan Community Council

Held on Tuesday 17^th May 2022.

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

Present: Leslie Harkness (LH) Secretary; Alasdair Taylor (AT) Treasurer; Anna Doeser (AD) Communications Officer; Bill Fortune (BF); Emma Fradgley

Apologies : Mike Watson (MW) Chair; Janie Meikle Bland (JMB) Interim Vice Chair; Alastair Heron (AH) Planning Officer; Andrew Drummond Baxter (ADB); Sandra Davidson (SD); Siobhan Hencher (SH); Vicky McDowell (VMcD); Duncan McDougall (DMcD) Associate Member; Moira Randall (MR) Associate Member; Councillor Ewan Dillon; Councillor Graham Houston; Alexander Stuart MSP; Alyn Smith MP; PC Paul Gilliland; PC Ross Barclay

In attendance : Councillor Douglas Dodds; Councillor Alasdair Tollemache; Graham Russell (Chair of Friends of Bridge of Allan); Douglas Neilson (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)

B 2066 Welcome, Apologies and Conflict of Interest (AT)

In the absence of MW and JMB, AT took the chair. He opened the meeting at 7.30pm and welcomed all those in attendance, including the CC’s newly co-opted member, Emma Fradgley. Apologies were recorded as noted above and no conflicts of interest were identified.

B 2067 Approval of Minutes, Matters Arising and Action Log (AT/LH)

The minutes of the April 2022 CC meeting were confirmed; these were approved by AD and seconded by BF.

Matters Arising (LH)

Regarding Item B 2061 and the Mine Woods fencing, Councillor Tollemache forwarded a copy of his email to SC noting that, despite the repair, some issues remained, namely the rubbish left behind and the fact that many of posts were uncapped and unsafely sharp. SC has now informed him that the contractor expects to have the repairs fully completed by the end of May.

Also in relation to Item B 2061 and the overflowing bins, Councillor Tollemache received a response from SC confirming that the Blairforkie bins had been emptied and explaining that the problem arose because of staffing issues over the Easter weekend. In addition, the response underlined the fact that no new bins will be installed as there is a need to encourage the public to take home their rubbish and recycle it. The councillor also raised with SC the issue of the overflowing bin at the end of mid wood in Well Road.

Regarding Item B 2058 and the problem of litter generally, Councillor Dodds has contacted SC to request that it widen its waste collection routes to include Henderson Street, Keir Street, Fountain Road, Westerton Drive and Airthrey Road, in view of the unacceptable level of litter in those areas.

In relation to Item B 2053 on the Christmas lights, Councillor McDonald forwarded a copy of his email to SC on

the issue of providing financial support to towns such as Bridge of Allan, Dunblane and Callander. He also forwarded SC’s response confirming there is no capital allocation for festive lighting for 2022/2023 and that the contract with Lightways Ltd is fixed until 2023 with no option to extend.

In terms of Item B 2063, Councillor McDonald also forwarded a copy of an SC email confirming that community councils wishing to host hybrid meetings can apply for funding to the Community Grants Scheme. Councillor McDonald also sent a helpful list of the examples he had mentioned at the meeting of how Callander has addressed the need to adopt a ‘greener’ approach to waste and its impact on the environment.

Councillor Dodds confirmed his frustration about the inimical impact of the litter on the streets of the town, even although he recognized the staffing issues faced by Land Services. He indicated his intention to work with the new Land Service supervisor to address the issue an. He also voiced his concern about the condition of the Fountain Road roundabout.

AD stressed the importance of establishing the CC’s expectations in terms of the services provided by SC. In this context, AT felt the CC should make a formal submission to the CC Enquiries Coordinator, and AD offered to draft an appropriate communication.

Councillor Tollemache reiterated his concerns about the bins and he indicated his willingness to accompany Councillor Dodds on the walkabout. He underlined his feeling that it was essential to encourage people to their litter home with them; EF asked if SC provided posters for this purpose and she volunteered, if required, to assist in the production of relevant CC posters. Councillor Dodds suggested that we leave things for the moment to avoid cutting across any initiative from SC, particularly since this whole issue is their responsibility.

Action: AD to draft a communication for Stephen Bly

Action Log (LH)

LH had written twice to Carlyn Fraser and Maria Lucey but, as yet had received no response.

He had also written to Stephen Bly for clarification on the implications of the delegated authority procedures for CGF funding applications; his response has been forwarded to all CC members.

B 2068 Police Report (AT)

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

Between April 19 and May 15, a total of 10 crimes occurred within the Bridge of Allan area

VIOLENT CRIME

On May 4, a juvenile male was grabbed by his jacket by an adult male who accused him of throwing eggs at his and other passing vehicles, this constituting a crime of Assault(non-serious)

ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

There were no crimes recorded although the Lyon Crescent area is being given extra attention following reports of eggs being thrown at windows.

DRUG MISUSE

There were no instances to report

HOUSEBREAKINGS/CRIMES OF DISHONESTY

On April 27 officers discovered a theft of lead from the roof of Bridge of Allan Parish Church’ On May 14, a theft by shoplifting took place a the Co-op on Fountain road

ROAD SAFETY AND ROAD TRAFFIC RELATED CRIME

On April 29, in Fountain Road, a car parked in Henderson street sustained accident damage from a reversing vehicle which drove off.

Between the evening of May 2 and the morning of May 3 a vehicle parked within Munro Gate sustained accident damage from being struck by another vehicle.

On May 13, a motorist was stopped in Pendreich Road and was found to be under the influence of a controlled drug. During the enquiry into the offence, other offences were identified relating to the possession of controlled drugs and being in possession of a locking knife for which the motorist was arrested.

MATTERS OF NOTE - Between April 19 and May 16, there were 74 calls to the Bridge of Allan area, 1 was a concern for person call, 1 was a disturbance call, none were drug related calls, 1 was a noise related call, 11 were public nuisance calls, 5were neighbour dispute calls, none were missing person calls, 2were theft related calls, 2 were domestic incidents and 9 were road traffic related calls.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND REASSURANCE

School patrols were carried out.

Engagement was carried out with nursery aged children in relation to policing and what the police do.

ACTIVITY FOR FORTHCOMING MONTH:

1. Monitor and patrol areas where antisocial behaviour has been identified

2. Carry out police surgery: date to be determined.

FUEL THEFT GUIDANCE

Crime prevention advice to combat fuel thefts from domestic and commercial tanks has been provided in view of the rising number of calls on this matter The main elements of this advice are:

- lockable gates

- fitting a locking cfuel cap or alarm

- installing security lighting

- checking tanks regularly

Action: AD will publicise this advice on the CC website

B 2069 Community-Led Tourism & Destination Marketing (JMB)

In the absence of JMB, AT read out an update report previously provided by JMB. He reported that:

- the Visit Bridge of Allan group has been launched as Discover Bridge of Allan as it was felt this spoke to broader community aims while Discover Bridge of Allan Limited has been established as a Community Development Trust, a company limited by guarantee with an asset lock;

- the trust will operate with a Membership model, with all members having a say in its running, and with membership open to all residents of the FFK94postcode areas;

- the trust will soon communicate on how to become a member;

- the trust is now recruiting additional volunteer board members, via a bulletin issued on social media, and applications are welcomed from community minder residents of FK94;

- in recruiting additional board members, the trust is intending to build a board representing the diversity of the community and it would welcome applications from those with relevant skills, experience and interests such as financial or other appropriate experience for a treasurer role / fundraising experience / community engagement experience / skills relating to the outdoors, the environment and sustainability;

- anyone interested in the Board opportunities should contact the Chair, Euan Bain;

- the trust is also seeking applications from those who would represent the young people of the community, something that will provide an opportunity for building valuable experience;

- relevant photography and the website were launched last week and photographing and the taking of drone footage across the village are being undertaken; working with businesses, clubs and the University, images are being taken for the website;

- more information on the website launch and how anyone can get involved in generating interesting content will be communicated soon;

- social media is now live: Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok : @discoverbridgeofallan; Twitter:@discoverbofa.

Action: Ad will publicise the Board opportunities on the CC website.

B 2070 Christmas Lights (AD, AT)

AT reported that, while he has not as yet had an opportunity to get in touch with UCP, he intends to do so in the near future once he obtains the correct email contact address. When contact is made and UCP’s intentions are established, it should be possible to move forward on the storage issue. It was agreed that it would be less than ideal for the CC to have to fund the storage of the lights

In relation to the point made by Councillor McDonald, AT stressed the need to consider whether SC’s restriction of funding to the city centre lights was a fair and balanced approach. Councillor Dodds noted that local Highland Games organisers could not understand why there was no council funding for these events, given that they attracted tourists.

AT also felt it was reasonable to expect SC to assist with the VAT in relation to lighting costs. AD suggested that it would be useful to have another development meeting on the issue of the lights

B 2071 Tennis Courts (BF)

BF reported that Kris Henderson has arranged a meeting for June 3 ^rd in order to have a full understanding of the key hurdles in terms of funding and also to work out the structure of the body which will take things forward. He emphasised the need to get the community involved, ideally before the schools break up, with the aim of involving useful people as part of part of the group taking forward the initiative. After the June 3^rd meeting has established the basic objectives, a public meeting would be held.

Councillor Dodds reminded the CC that the LTA would require the CC to make a financial contribution and that this would, of necessity involve an application for funding from the CGF. He also felt it would be beneficial to have Gavin Drummond and Douglas Neilson involved in any group which might be formed, given their status as long-standing residents and their experience in community engagement; in his view, both could make clear the nature of local needs in relation to the courts, bearing in mind that a different approach from what the LTA was considering ie a gated, payment model. He also underlined Gavin Drummond’s knowledge of the CGF and Douglas Neilson’s familiarity with the tennis courts. Gavin Drummond felt that the CC was facing similar problems as were faced by the CC in raising money to take forward the Provost’s Park initiative. Although he reassured the CC that the tennis courts presented a less complex challenge; he also stressed that, if the CC were to raise the capital, this would benefit SC

BF pointed out that there was another option involving an alternative structure since the Tennis Club was looking at the possibility of going down the charitable route. He felt it was essential, before doing anything further, to ascertain the views of the LTA. He was concerned to ensure that we were nor continually going round in circles He noted that the key problem was that SC had failed to look after the courts and when it did relent and spent money on resurfacing, it was an inappropriate surface, given the presence of the trees. AD suggested that, after the June 3rd meeting, if further representation were required, this could be presented to the wider community via the website.

B 2072 Common Good Fund (AT)

AT explained that SC had maintained that the most recent application had not used the correct form and he reported that he had written to Stephen Bly to obtain clarification the exact nature of the processes used by the council. LH underlined the fact that the procedures had appeared to work effectively until now and he reminded the CC that, at the time of any funding application, he was in communication both with all four Civic Panel ward councillors and with the relevant council officials and ,yet, there had never been any indication that the CC’s procedures fell short of what was required. Councillor Dodds indicated that, as yet, he had no knowledge of how the new Civic Panel would operate, given that there would be a totally new administration. Gavin Drummond noted that the Bridge of Allan CGF was unique and that, whatever form a new Civic Panel might take, it was still bound by a previous decision that all four ward councillors must sit on the panel; LH confirmed that this was the case.

B 2073 Recruitment (AD)

AD reported that she had provided a posting about the new member and that the posting included a reminder that applications were still invited for the existing vacancy. She also confirmed that the CC would still invite applications for a new minute secretary. LH indicated that, while he would, of course, be available to take the minutes of the June meeting, it would certainly be helpful if any colleague were able to take the AGM minutes, as had happened, on occasion, in the past. EF expressed an interest in doing so.

B 2074 Face-to-Face Meetings (AT)

AT initiated a general discussion about the viability of returning to face-to-face meetings in the Allan Centre.

LH reminded the CC that SC, ideally, would wish to see a hybrid format in place for face-to-face meetings; he did however appreciate that this was not without a degree of challenge. AD indicated that it would be helpful to know if there were available SC venues with appropriate technological feasibility, although she did stress that meetings were not the only way in which the CC could communicate with and engage with the community.

AT asked those CC members present to indicate by a show of hands if they were willing to revert to face-to-face meeting and response was unanimously in favour. AD felt that, before any final decision could be taken, it was essential that those members not present be invited to give their view and it was agreed that LH should contact them as soon as practicable.

Action: LH will contact all CC members not present at the meeting to ascertain their view on reverting to face-to face meetings.

B 2075 Planning Report (AH)

In the absence of AH, AT covered the main elements of written report previously submitted by AH.

SBG, in relation to the Blairforkie Drive application, has received to date 290 objections and 3 notes of support ( mainly relating to social housing or the lack of it in Bridge of Allan). SBG has commissioned a planning consultant to act on its behalf in submitting a detailed objection and this has yet to appear on the SC online portal. SC planning department has advised that, due to an increase in planning applications, the normal application processing time will be delayed.

An application has been lodged for the conversion of a ground floor flat at 49 Henderson Street into an art gallery. The applicant is the Fotheringham gallery and there would be no alterations to the physical layout of the property, only the change of use and external signage. AH welcomes this application as the property creates a dead space in what is mainly a commercial area.

The change of use application from hotel to school boarding application in relation to the Royal Hotel has been approved.

B 2076 Chair’s Report (AT)

AT indicated there was nothing to report beyond items covered in the agenda.

B 2077 Secretary’s Report (LH)

Communications from Councillors

Councillor Dodds

The councillor raised the following issues with SC:

- the uncut grass and broken fences in tenants’ gardens in the Avenue Park flats, and the uncut grass in the seating area at Lloyds Pharmacy;

- the need to highlight the road markings, including the yellow lines, along Station Road and the mini roundabout;

- the risk to cyclists of the gullies and ruts on the stretch of road coming over the bridge to the mini roundabout;

- the need to tidy up two sets of steps from Henderson Street to mid wood (by the bus stop opposite Melville Place) and to Kenilworh Road respectively;

- whether SC is intending to plant up the 16 circular borders in the Memorial Park this summer.

Councillor Tollemache

The councillor forwarded:

- a copy of the 2021 ScotRail Sustainability Report;

- confirmation from SC that the footway widening works at Cornton Prison have now been programmed for commencement in June.

The councillor has raised with SC:

- reports of Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed along the Forglen burn;

- fallen oak tree limbs in the Mine Wood which SC has confirmed have been addressed and are as a result of summer branch drop.

Communications from Residents

A resident has underlined the need to tidy up the hoarded sites in the village including those of the former Royal Hotel, the former Police Station and Nick’s. The same resident voiced concern about the appearance of the tennis courts.

Communications from SC

- Engage Stirling has sent details of the new phase of its VHT Participatory Budgeting Survey

General Communications

The CC has received the following:

- the May newsletter of Scottish Rural Action

Councillor Dodds confirmed that the Memorial Park flowerbeds would be planted out with bedding plants before the end of the month.

Councillor Tollemache confirmed that, if the Mine Wood tree were deemed to be unsafe, it would be taken down. He also noted the amount of Giant Hogweed growing along the river and he pointed out that the Japanese Knotweed would not be tackled until the autumn months. The councillor reported were looking at grants available for the Allan Water and had secured funding for dealing with invasive species along the river. AD reported that a comment habout the Hogweed had been posted on the CC Facebook page and she indicated that she place an appropriate item on the website underlining the risk to human health and explaining that SC will not address the problem on private land.

Gavin Drummond suggested that the participatory budget process might have implications for the tennis courts but Councillor Tollemache reassured him that the CC had not missed an opportunity in this regard.

B 2078 Treasurer’s Report (AT)

AT spoke to his report for May previously issued. He noted that only one item had shown movement, namely the Administration Fund, the balance of which had changed from £46.14 to£42.14. The Bank Balance at 17^th May 2022 was ££12,072.96. Since there was still money due to be paid to Tea’s Company, Councillor Dodds indicated he would contact the Tea’s Company treasurer to ask him to get in touch with AT to arrange for the money to be transferred.

B 2079 Residents’ Voice

Graham Russell thanked the CC for its support for the plant sale. He reported that, while the footfall had been lower than hoped, the level of sales had still been good. He also informed the CC that, on Saturday June 4th at 11.00 am, a tree will be planted in the grass triangle between Keir Street and Westerton Drive; the newly elected Provost and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant will be in attendance

B 2080 AOCB

In the context of new environmental legislation, including from June 1 ^st the ban on single use plastic items, and its impact on takeaway traders, AD indicated that she intended to alert Bridge of Allan merchants to this and to direct subsequent questions to SC. She also suggested that, without embarking on a big project, the CC might wish to consider initiating a ‘conversation’ on issues related to “ the waste hierarchy “ and to the community’s general approach to