October 2022 Minutes

Classification: Restricted until Approved, thereafter public

Minutes of Meeting of Bridge of Allan Community Council Held on Tuesday 18^th October 2022 in the Allan Centre.

Present: Mike Watson (MW) Chair; Anna Doeser (AD) Vice Chair and Communications Officer; Alastair Taylor (AT) Treasurer; Heather Jones (HJ) Associate Member; Robin Kleinman (RK); Emma Fradgley (EF); Vicky McDowell (VmcD); Sandra Davidson (SD) ;

 

Apologies: Leslie Harkness (LH) Secretary; Andrew Drummond Baxter; Bill Fortune; Siobhan Hencher; Moira Randall; Alexander Stewart (MSP); Alyn Smith (MP); Graham Russell (Chair of the Friends of Bridge of Allan); PC Paul Gilliland; PC Ross Barclay

 

In attendance: Councillor Douglas Dodds; Councillor Alasdair Tollemache; Brian Bullen (Minute Taker);     Inga Bullen (Chair, RAGE), Gavin Drummond, Dr Crispin Bennett (Cycling UK Representative), Sheila McGregor (Dr Welsh Trust); Douglas Nielson (Vice- Chair Friends of Bridge of Allan; 2 other residents.

 

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) , Residents Against Greenbelt Erosion (RAGE)

 

B 2129 Welcome, Apologies and Conflict of Interest (AD) AD opened the meeting at 19.30, welcoming those present. The apologies were noted as indicated above.

Councillor Dodds asked if the Members of the UK Parliament (Stirling) and Scottish Parliament (Mid Scotland and Fife) were being invited to the CC meetings.

 

Action: MW to check with LH if the MP and MSP are specifically invited to the CC meetings.

 

No conflicts of interest noted.

 

A request from the caretaker for the agenda to refer to the room as the 'GPE Room' and not just 'PE Room'.

 

Action: LH – Agenda to refer to Allen Centre GPE Room

 

B 2130 Approval of Minutes, Matters Arising and Action Log (LH/AD)

 

The minutes of the September 20^th 2022 meeting were approved; proposer was MW, seconder was SD.

 

AD outlined the Secretary's report on Matters Arising and Action Log, the report from LH is reproduced here:

 

Matters Arising (LH)

 

In relation to Item B 2124, Councillor Dodds raised with SC the issue of the apparently unauthorized mountain bike trail and he subsequently forwarded a very full SC response confirming that no permission had been granted for the trail and that the council was in consultation with Developing Mountain Biking Scotland on how best to proceed. More recently SC has indicated that Developing Mountain Biking Scotland has offered to carry out a site visit with SC officers.

 

In discussion, MW suggested the CC have a representative at this meeting.

 

ACTION: CC to contact SC re their site visit to Minewoods with Developing Mountain Biking Scotland, for CC representation.

 

With regard to Item B 2126 and the Henderson Street speeding restriction proposals, Councillor Dodds asked SC if there was a commencement date for the restrictions and the council has confirmed that it is hoped that the project would be complete by March 2023. The councillor also raised the absence of road markings at the bus stop at 101 Henderson Street and SC has confirmed that, as part of the new proposals. a bus ‘cage’ road marking will be added to the bus stop, something which should discourage inappropriate parking.

 

Action Log (LH)

 

In terms of the Action Log, the Secretary was asked to take three actions. September Action 1:

LH has written again to the CC member who has not been in attendance for a lengthy period but has still not received a reply. The Secretary has also offered to meet informally with the member to discuss the matter. In accordance with the advice given by SC, the next step would be for the CC to authorise the Secretary to write to the member to indicate that he can no longer remain a full member of the CC. SC has noted that he could still, however, maintain a connection with the CC as an associate member.

 

September Action 3:

 

LH has written to Carlyn Fraser of SC in relation to the proposed build out bus stop. The CC has now received a response indicating how the new build out would meet both parking and public transport needs.

 

September Action 4:

 

LH was asked to write to Network Rail about the condition of the railway station car park which he did but it transpires that the park is the responsibility of ScotRail. His letter was passed to ScotRail by Network Rail and they have now told him that his letter has been forwarded to the manager of the station.

 

Other Actions:

 

September Action 2:

 

Reported under the Planning agenda item 13 September Action 5:

AD reported that the website had been updated with information about the SC lottery. September Action 6:

AD reported contact with SC regarding Mountain Bike issues which is covered in the agenda item 10.

 

 

B 2131 Police Report

 

The community policing team were unable to attend, however their report was previously circulated to the CC. AD summarized the report completed by PC Ross Barclay which is reproduced here:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://scotland.police.uk/yourviewcounts

 

 

 

B 2132 Recruitment (AD)

The three new members (EF, HJ, RK) were invited to introduce themselves. EF has been working with AT on the Christmas lights.

HJ has been looking at the CAP.

RK was formally co-opted at the August meeting and is still serving the initial 6months/3 meetings qualifying period.

 

EF has completed the qualifying period and she is now a full Member.

 

MW had received a letter from SH offering her resignation from the CC. MW offered her Associate Membership.

 

ACTION: AD to notify SC that EF is now a full Member and SH an Associate. B 2133 Tennis Courts (MW)

MW had written to SC for an update.

 

Councillor Dodds reported complications and delays with the need for tree and flood surveys to be completed. A further meeting with SC and LTA had been held.

 

B 2134 Christmas Lights (EF/AT)

 

EF reported that the lights have been repaired and tested by Gordon Electrical. A rough estimate for the cost of putting up and taking down the lights is £3000.

She is progressing a report regarding the Lights and also to start approaching sponsors.

 

Action: EF to progress report with costings and to start approaching sponsors.

 

EF raised the topic of a 'switch on' event. It was suggested that community groups such as the Scouts may be interested.

There was also mention of the lights on a tree in the Provost Park which the Friends of Bridge of Allan organise.

Councillor Dodds raised an issue regarding the delay in putting up sponsor's plaques on the lamp posts – the sponsor's need to be acknowledged as the lights are put up.

 

The Treasurer raised the issue of funding – there was little contingency set aside for repairs/replacement currently.

Councillor Dodds suggested an application for funds from the CGF.

It was felt there should be a short term strategy for this year for some extra funds, and to tackle the funding requirement for replacement in the longer term.

 

Ideas included asking Scouts to collect donation at the Nov 5th (Fireworks) event. There are 'Scouts Support the Xmas Lights' badges available.

 

B 2135 Community Grit Bins (RK)

 

RK reported walking around BOA and attempting to locate all the bins.

Of the 26 on the list provided by SC, he found 23 of ours, plus 2 extra (thought to be Stirling bins).

Most were in good condition.

One at the bottom of Well road need replacement – Gavin Drummond indicated the replacement should be positioned in front of the Electricity SubStation (it had been moved to the side for works on the SubStation).

It was agreed that RK should contact SC with 4 proposals:

 

• Replacement of the Well road bin, to be sited in front of
• 1 at top of path from Inverallan Drive to Station
• 1 at bottom of path from Inverallan Drive to Station
• 1 place within corner of walled layby off Allanvale Road at east end of Blue Bridge (adjacent to bus stop).

 

ACTION: RK to apply to SC for the 4 bins that he proposes.

 

VMcD mentioned the recently announced SC Winter Volunteer initiative. Community Groups could appy to help with snow/ice gritting. Councillor Dodds reported the BOA Resilience Group had sought access to the large bins at the firestation, but the keys could not be found.

 

 

B 2136 Remembrance Day Service (MW)

 

MW asked for approval to buy a wreath. The PA system is faulty. AT offered to attempt to fix.

Suggests were made for a fallback, to borrow one from another group, such as the Rugby club.

MW reported 2 of the local churches do not currently have an active Minister. He will invite the Minister of the Lecropt Kirk to conduct the service, which is on Sunday 13^th Nov at 2pm, at the Memorial Park.

 

ACTION: MW to buy Remembrance Day wreath

 

ACTION: MW to issue invites to the Remembrance Day Service, with the Lecropt Kirk Minister invited to conduct the Service

 

ACTION: AT to attempt to fix PA system. B2137 Primary School Winter Window. (AD)

VmcD explained the idea was that residents decorated their front window, possibly incorporating a feature which could be incorporated into a quiz.

 

ACTION: AD to publicise Primary School Winter Window. B 2138 Mountain Bike Trail (AD)

As reported under Matters Arising (re: B 2124) LH had forwarded a comprehensive email (courtesy of Councillor Dodds) from Stirling Council's access officer regarding the mountain bike activities in the Mine Wood. Brief summary of Access Officer's reply:

 

They had made a site visit to Mine Woodand confirmed that no permission had been given for the trails and associated structures to be built and such activities are outwith the statutory rights of land access. The removal of trees without permission from the landowner is also classed as a criminal offence. They thanked the resident who raised the issue.

 

AD reported being in contact with the Access Officer and the Greenspace Ranger

 

AD had shared a blog on the CC website, detailing not just the issue of mountain biking in the Mine Wood, but also recent den building and tree damage, as well as litter, and also mentioning the mattresses dumped on the Glen Road.

In the blog AD stressed sharing the woods in a positive way; that the greenspaces were for everyone to enjoy.

 

AD reported that one of the Community Policing team visited Mine Wood with the Greenspace Ranger following a report received from a cyclist.

 

Dr Crispin Bennett – a cycling advocate with the Cycling UK organisation – contributed to the discussion. He mentioned how mountain bikers had engaged with the Cambusbarron Community Councillor over the development of trails and jumps in their woods, and were actively involved in litter clean ups. Mine Wood he considered less suitable for MTB development.

 

B 2139 Review of CAP Structure (HJ)

 

HJ discussed the 2011—2016 CAP document. She considered the themes therein are persistent. She was looking at gathering information on what has been done, and is currently progressing, and what mechanisms there are for community engagement and prioritizing.

Some projects have been delivered such as the Playpark, others have not.

 

Inga Bullen (RAGE) spoke about the Scottish Goverment's Local Place Plans (LPP). The intention is to give communities a say in proposals for the development and use of land, and engage communities in the lowest level of planning.

The LPP must be prepared by a community body such as the CC.

 

These will feed into the local planning authority in preparation of the Local Development Plan (LDP).

 

It was noted that would be some overlap of the CAP and a possible LPP.

 

The BOA community needs to refresh the CAP, groups needed identifying, stakeholders needed to be involved, and a strategy devised on how to execute the plan once made.

 

It was noted that Dunblane CC are doing a refresh of their plan. MW suggested the CAP be a topic for a Development day.

B 2140 Development Meeting (MW)

 

MW suggested a development meeting relatively soon. Action: AD to arrange date/time for Development meeting. B 2141 Planning Report (AH)

In the absence of AH AD summarized the report submitted to CC – the full text of the report from AH follows:

“

Very happy to have a discussion as to adding any planning issues to our comms, think this would be a good idea to drive more comment internally and externally. Sharing on our website and social media the more contentious applications would also help with getting people to comment on applications themselves, as each comment bears the same weight.

 

In terms of this evening, I was going to raise the following.

 

22/00661/FUL – Walled Garden of Lecropt Hill - Subdivision of plot and erection of dwelling house including boundary fencing

 

1) The location of this site is directly behind the white manse house adjacent to Lecropt nursery. With the PAN application going on currently on land surrounding this application site I feel we should be commenting on this, mainly as if all applications go ahead this will become more of a residential cul-de-sac rather than homes in the country, eroding green space, and developing an area which realistically does not have adequate access.

 

2) I am usure if you are aware there was another house granted planning permission directly opposite this site in 2021 under application number 21/00088/FUL

 

• 22/00443/FUL – Tesco Unit, Henderson Street – Change of use from Tesco Express to Dentist (and offices and hearing clinc)

 

• This application has been refused on the following grounds;

 

• Contrary to policy 1 – not demonstrating the proposal has been designed in a manner so as to create safe,

 

accessible, inclusive places for people, which are easily navigable particularly on foot and bicycle

 

• Contrary to policy 3.1 – insufficient detail to demonstrate that facilities for cycling have been met and sufficient parking is available – on the site plan the proposal showed the entirety of all spaces to the side and rear of the original Walmer building being used for the proposal, where I think 12 spaces are allocated for the flats (8 x 1.5 spaces), hence the use of the chain in recent weeks/months.

 

• Contrary to policy 2 – insufficient information supplied to determine whether or not the application preserves of enhances the character, appearance and setting of the conservation area. – there was no elevation attached to the plan.

 

3. Still awaiting decisions on the following applications;

 

• 22/00042/FUL – Blairforkie drive development

 

• PAN-2022-004 – Lecropt Hill development

 

• 22/00492/FUL – Chalton Road proposed replacement dwelling house

 

• 22/00470/FUL – Eagleton/Ivy development into 14 dwellings

 

“

 

Prior to discussions, Councillor Dodds left the meeting.

 

Regarding AH comment re sharing planning issues on the website, there was agreement.

 

ACTION: AD to add information re planning to the CC website.

 

HJ asked for clarification about the CC and planning issues. AD explained the CC will only comment (e.g. raise objections) on “larger” issue, e.g. those which may impact on the character of the village. SC Planning generally require at least 3 objections for an application to be escalated to the Planning Committee (otherwise an officer will decide).

 

The CC is no longer asked to comment on applications.

 

Gavin Drummond enquired why there was no comment from CC on the SC Planning site.

 

ACTION: MW to progress with AH the CC comments re the Eagleton/Ivy development (103 Henderson Rd )

 

 

B 2142 Chair’s Report (MW)

 

MW had nothering to report that was'nt covered elsewhere on the agenda.

 

B 2143 Secretary’s Report (LH)

 

LH being absent, AD presented the Secretary's report.

 

Communications from Councillors

Councillor Dodds has raised with SC:

• the fact that the War Memorial had yet to be cleaned, with SC confirming that works would commence on the week beginning October 3rd;
• the further dumping of mattresses on Glen Road, and he has subsequently forwarded confirmation from the council that it is undertaking a further investigation with a view to taking legal action.

 

Councillor Tollemache forwarded the following:

• confirmation from Scottish Power that the vandalized sections of the Cocksburn Reservoir bridge have been repaired;
• confirmation that The Avenue will be closed until December 31st to facilitate repairs to a dangerous building;
• the confusing nature of the cycle signs in the town;
• the concerns of the residents of Inverallan Drive in relation to the proposed ten day closure and the response from Scottish Water);
• SC confirmation of the suspension of parking in Pendreich Road from November 7th to November 14th. (Also Glen Road and Upper Glen Road)

 

Both Councillors Dodds and Tollemache forwarded details of Phase 2 of the major gas replacement works in the Glen Road area, an operation due to last for 12 weeks.

 

Communications from Stirling Council

The CC has received the following:

• details of a new phase of the Short Term Lets

General Communications

The CC has received the following:

• the September issue of the Scottish Community Councils Newsletter;
• the September issue of the Scottish Rural Action Newsletter;
• a communication from Save Blairforkie Greenspace reminding the CC of the AGM of RAGE;
• the minutes of the September meeting of the Friends of Bridge of

 

In discussion:

Councillor Dodd's indicated he would be progressing the War Memorial cleaning with SC.

 

Councillor Tollemache indicated he would be meeting with Carolyn Fraser of SC for a walk about BOA to look at a variety of road issues:

• cycle path signage
• Cornton cycle path and vehicle priority
• Westerlea Drive junction issue
• potential pedestrian crossing
• DDA compliant ramp at steps

B 2144 Treasurer’s Report (AT)

 

The Treasurer's october 2022 report (balance sheet) is attached as appendix 1 to these minutes.

AT summarized the finances.

 

1. The Playparks fund has a small balance (of £5.75), however it was stated that there was a need to fund signage. AD was to progress with the the appropriate person (Jennifer).
2. SC admin fund – two largest outlays were £35.00 to the ICO and £28.78 for web domain renewal - balance now £490.08
3. Unrestricted fund – no change to balance of £2391.81
4. Larder Fund – increase in balance from £5531.54 TO £7410.27
5. Christmas Lights fund – no change – balance of £1877.09

Total Bank balance after allowing for unpresented cheques/payments was £12605.44 AT indicated the end of the CC financial year is in April.

Councillor Tollemach mentioned the sustainability of the Larder fund and agreed to discuss with the Treasurer.

 

ACTION: AT to discuss Larder fund with Councillor Tollemache. ACTION: AD to progress Playparks signage.

B 2145 Residents’ Voice

 

UCP Closure: The UCP business is due to close within a year. Councillor Tollemache indicated he would speak to the appropriate SC Officer for permission to forward council correspondence to CC.

 

Dr Welsh Trust: Sheila McGregor announced there would be a showing a film of the book launch of ‘Bridge of Allan -a history’ by Craig Mair, at the AGM of the Dr Welsh Trust at 5.30pm on Tue 1st Nov, at the library.

 

 

B 2146 AOCB

 

Remote Access to Meetings: Councillor Tollemache raised the issue of accessibility to CC meetings. He stated all CC meetings should be accessible and remotely accessible (e.g. via zoom ). It was stated that Dunblane CC meetings are remotely accessible and the meetings are held in a SC property . It was noted there was no wifi in the Allen Centre meeting room currently.

 

ACTION: AD to contact Stephen Bly of SC to discuss possible remote access solutions for CC meetings.

 

There was no other business to report.

 

B 2147 Date of Next Meeting

 

The meeting closed at 21:20

 

The date of the next meeting is Tuesday 15^th November.

 

 

 

Action Log Summary

 

1. (from Welcome) MW to check with LH if the MP and MSP are specifically invited to the CC meetings.
2. (from Welcome) LH – Agenda to refer to Allen Centre GPE Room
3. (from Matters Arising re B 2124) AD to contact SC re their site visit to Minewoods with Developing Mountain Biking Scotland, for CC representation.
4. (from Recruitment) AD to notify SC that EF is now a full Member and SH an
5. (from Christmas Lights) EF to progress report with costings and to start approaching sponsors.
6. (from Community Grit Bins) RK to apply to SC for the 4 bins that he
7. (from Remembrance Day Service) MW to buy Remembrance Day
8. (from Remembrance Day Service) MW to issue invites to the Remembrance Day Service, with the Lecropt Kirk Minister invited to conduct the Service.
9. (from Remembrance Day Service) AT to attempt to fix PA
10. (from Primary School Winter Window) AD to publicise Primary School Winter Window.
11. (from Development Meeting) AD to arrange date/time for Development
12. (from Planning) AD to add information re planning to the CC website
13. (from Planning) MW to progress with AH the CC comments re the Eagleton/Ivy development (103 Henderson Rd ).
14. (from Treasurer's report) AT to discuss Larder fund with Councillor
15. (from Treasurer's report) AD to progress Playparks
16. (from AOCB) AD to contact Stephen Bly of SC to discuss possible remote access solutions for CC meetings

 

Appendix 1 – Treasurer's Report Oct 2022

 

 

 

Bridge of Allan Community Council

Treasurer's report October 2022