Callander Community Council
Minutes of the meeting: Monday 21st October 2024
Venue: CYP, Callander 7.00-9.00pm
Community Councillors present: John Kennedy (JK), Fiona Kerr (FK), Ruth Barrie (RB), Loucas
George (LG), David King (DK), Robert MacLean (RM), David Shearer (DS),
Also in attendance: Caroline Stewart (CS), minute taker, Richard Johnson (RJ), Martin Earl, Ward
Councillor, plus 4 members of the public.
Apologies: Police Scotland, Marilyn Moore (MM), Olga Watkins (OW), David Moore (DM)
Abbreviations: All in attendance will be referred to by their initials.
CCC = Callander Community Council; CE = Callander Enterprise; CCDT = Callander Community
Development Trust; SC = Stirling Council; LPP = Local Place Plan; NP = Loch Lomond and the
Trossachs National Park; FLS= Forestry and Land Scotland; FOI = Freedom of Information; CC =
Community Councillors, St.K = St Kessogs, BoD = Braes of Doune Community Fund
Chair of Meeting: John Kennedy
Item Action
PART 1: WELCOME AND PROCEDURES
- Introduction, Apologies and Meeting Procedures
JK welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave apologies for Olga Watkins,
Marilyn Moore and Trossachs and Teith Police.
Recording/Conflict of Interest
JK advised that the meeting was being recorded for the purposes of minutes
taking and asked if there were likely to be any conflict of interest. Nothing was
declared.
JK highlighted a few matters prior to the minute starting:
The inscription for the wreath for Remembrance Day. He has sent round
ideas and there have been some amendments received.
A member of the public appealed to as many members of the
community council as possible to attend the remembrance service on
1tth November.
JK asked that any question for guests and community council business
be directed through the chair.
- Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the September meeting were approved by FK and seconded by
LG.
- Matters Arising from the previous minutes.
EW had agreed to contact the Police to arrange presentation regarding
scamming– no update.
Callander Flood group had a constructive meeting with SC, SC have made
a commitment to engage and consult and CCC will stay in touch with Ian
McCourt.
MM will send out an invitation to other CC regarding getting involved in
Callander Flood group.
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Investigating other venues to hold the meeting. RB has information on
the church hall and will give further details later in the meeting.
Surgeries now put back to one a month. The last one had to be cancelled
due to JK being unwell, but they will resume next month.
Bank account, all the paperwork has been signed.
LG has sent information to SC regarding the duck feeder. SC suggested
his initial contact wasn’t the correct person, but it has now been passed
to the relevant person and LG awaits a reply.
- Report from Police
No one in attendance so FK read through the report. A member of the public
asked about the car that has been left at Cambusmore with police tape around
- It was suggested that CCC email Trossachs and Teith police and ask what
procedure is in place to deal with it.
LG propose that CCC send a letter to the police asking for more information. It
was highlighted that MM has sent information round advising that she was
contacted by the press asking for comment on the car and this request has been
declined. Councillor Earl highlighted that Transport Scotland will also be
involved as it is parked on a trunk road.
MM to send a
letter to Police
Scotland and
Transport
Scotland for
further info.
- Special Items
Update on St Kessogs
Chris Kane visited St Kessogs recently along with LG. LG went through some of
the ideas he has for the building:
Other communities are setting up Mobile hubs and he feels Ancaster
Square would be one of the best places to have one and if this was the
case access to toilet facilities would be needed. Is there an option to refurbish
the toilets in St. K’s?
It is likely that the building will go up for sale in November after SC
finance committee meet. There are grants that can be applied for, but
this is difficult as no one wants to take on liability of the building and its
long-term maintenance therefore could there be an option to lease it?
Councillor Earl highlighted that the building needs work to be on it, a condition
report is coming to committee in November as councillors and senior officers requested.
It is under officers’ delegated power to dispose of a SC asset so approval
is not needed from the committee; however, they wanted transparency
and the report will be available for people to view. Due to being put on the
market CCC can’t do much unless the building doesn’t sell. It was agreed that
CCC will keep in touch with SC as the situation develops.
Callander Flood Group and Flooding Consultation
Ian McCourt wasn’t present at the meeting: LG gave an overview of the meeting
last week between CCC, CFG and SC, where a shortlist was provided by SC, issues
were highlighted that were incorrect or hadn’t been examined. SC advised
that now they have got to the shortlist there will be more community interaction.
During October, there have been several days of community consultation
in the library. Regardless of the final option arrived at by SC, there is no funding
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available at this time to take any scheme forward. However, there could be a
shortlist available when funding becomes available.
Update on Post office, Bank and Royal Mail Sorting office
RB advised that the new sorting office starts in Dunblane tomorrow and the
bank will be closing in March 2025. The question remains where the new post
office will be located, there are currently 2 contenders.
MM has been liaising with the post office and an update will be provided.
- Questions from members of the public
it was highlighted that reports should be available to the public prior to
the meeting. It was agreed at the last meeting to streamline the process
of getting the minutes out and it was felt that the report should be
transparent and available in advance.
Treasurers report – JK advised that MM has the treasurers report which
she will pass to RB. JK will ask MM to arrange a handover to RB.
There was a discussion about legislation related to carrying out work on
private property and also legislation specific to properties in
conservation areas. It was suggested that individuals check current
legislation either by contacting the NP planning office or Planning Aid
Scotland.
Any reports to
be available a
week before
meeting
JK to ask MM to
arrange a
handover
- LPP/Callander Connect
Chiara FIngland (CF), the Development Officer wasn’t present at the meeting. JK
summarised the report. The main points were:
Meadows/Station Road Car park master plan is progressing with the first
engagement event being held on 22nd September, focusing on active
travel and biodiversity. The next event is planned for Saturday 26th
October.
The Climate Seed Fund application was granted and a meeting to agree
the spend is to be arranged. It was highlighted in CF’s report to ask CCC
to confirm who should be included in the discussion. There was
confusion about what the fund was. Therefore, JK agreed to contact CF
for further information.
Ongoing LPP surgery every Monday 12-1pm with the opportunity to
meet outwith these times.
The next public engagement event for the Meadows Masterplan is on
26th October. There was a discussion about who will be involved in the
event and if the public can attend. Due to lack of clarity around this, LG
proposed that research is needed into what is the best way to
communicate with CCC and the community in general. JK will take up
with Frank Park to develop a strategy and include RJ in any
communication.
At a previous meeting, RJ had agreed to co-ordinate communication and has
asked for log ins to update CCC website and Facebook, but no information has
been received back. RJ is also keen to find out what is happening with the LPP, if
it is being amended or updated. If so, this needs to be re- registered with the
NP for it to be valid along with reasons why it has been updated. There was a
query as to whether there has been full community engagement. RJ clarified
JK to contact CF
for more info on
seed fund
JK to discuss
with Frank Park
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that the LPP covers up to 2030. It can be changed during this period, but you
must prove there is a need to change it in the community. JK will liaise with CF
regarding any LPP updates and will arrange a meeting.
JK to liaise with
CF re any
updates
- Reports from Office Bearers and Agencies
Planning
This report was sent out, 4 items on it, nothing requiring comment.
A question was raised about the grant provided to do tests on CYP. The tests
have been completed and the Conservation Officer would like the finish to
replicate the existing black and white timber and the plaster work and render to
be done with lime and mortar. The cost may be an issue in taking work forward.
The planning permission has been withdrawn temporarily due to cost and will
be reapplied for once the funding has been sourced.
RJ highlighted for information that the planning application for Callander
Primary school is due to go before the planning committee in November and the
meeting will be held in Callander. The invitation to attend the meeting will be
for the whole community.
Roads
It was raises that there is a caravan that has been parked at the bottom of
Lagrannoch for some time and the owner lives elsewhere. The land is owned by
SC, but it is not an adopted road. Councillor Earl suggested that CCC ask SC for a
copy of their mapping system which shows all the council assets and what is
owned by SC.
Stirling Council
Councillor Earl provided an update:
The Forthside development has been approved which will include a film
studio as well as a wider development.
Approval has been given to market and sell the land around the old
Viewforth site. SC are not going ahead with an extension at the back of
the building.
It is predicated there will be a deficit in next year’s budget. This year’s
version of “The Big Conversation” started 21st October and will run until
17th November. There is a 2-stage process, the first part is online through
the Engage Stirling website and the second round will take place once
the information from this has been collated and SC have a clearer idea of
deficit.
The trees in Ancaster Square, permission has been granted to prune them. RJ
has asked the SC officer for an update on when this will happen.
National Park
CCC to ask SC
for copy of
mapping
system.
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Trossachs Explorer, the pilot service has been deemed a huge success
and feedback is being gathered from communities and visitors with a
view to securing funding to run again next year
Visitor Levy Scotland Act has now been implemented. This will enable
the local authority to collect a fee from accommodation providers.
Scotland Government operated a Nature Restoration Fund. This has now
been suspended which means a loss of £400,000 to the NP. This money
was used for specific nature restoration projects, so the loss won’t affect
the running of the NP.
LDP still progression, timetable to be produced by 2026, producing
evidence report, development within all the communities need to get
LPP updated and registered with NP.
Heritage signs in Station Rd car park, no one knows who owns them.
One has been knocked down, and dislodged from its stand, NP Rangers
have a sign and will replace onto the original plinth.
Councillor Earl asked if CCC would agree to write to NP to support Trossachs
Explorer in efforts to secure funding to run in the future and to emphasise the
importance of having the service. CCC agreed to write a letter.
Other
Next surgery in Callander Connect is on Saturday 16th November. JK asked for a
volunteer to attend with him. LG agreed to support if available from 11am to
1pm.
CCC to write to
NP to support
Trossachs
explorer
- AOCB
Election/Confirmation of CCC representative on CCDT board
MM had sent in a reminder that there has been no application to date to the
CCDT board from the CC. LG advised that he volunteered at the last meeting and
is happy to continue to the be the representative. There were no objections,
and it was proposed by FK and seconded by DS.
RJ gave an update on the Christmas lights. An application to B of D has
been successful and £10,000 was granted for the upgrading of the thirty
lamp posts on Main Street. It has been agreed with BEAR that the work
will be done week beginning 4th November. Braids will be put up on 29th
November which is the day before the switch on. On Saturday 30th the
parade will meet at the medical centre at 3pm, Santa will be in Ancaster
Square at 4pm, there will also be a brass band, tea and coffee, mulled
wine, candy floss and sweet stall, and mince pies, donated by a local
baker. Alpacas will be part of the event. The switch on will be at 4pm.
Cemeteries in Callander, RJ and his wife are keen to improve the
appearance of the cemeteries in Callander and make the entrance look
better. They have been in negotiation with SC, and plan to plant daffodil
and crocus bulbs which will flower next spring, Bridgend cemetery is also
in poor condition, and they have spoken to the Heritage society. Sue
McKay has advised that they don’t have the resources to do any work
there, so RJ has contacted SC who are happy for any work to take place
as part of a community project and is now looking to get formal
permission to do work. SC are happy to maintain headstones. This will be
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a project that will start in 2025. RJ has visited Doune and met with
volunteers there who look after the graveyard and learned from them.
Change of venue, RB has done some research, and CCC will look at other venues
in more detail in the new year.
- DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be on Monday 18th November 2024