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Approved minutes Cambusbarron Community Council Ordinary meeting 154
held on 18 April 2023 at the Community Centre at 7pm
Members, office bearers and residents
Ann Finlayson, Chair (AF) Janice Paterson, Vice Chair (JP) Melissa Nelson, Treasurer (MN) Jennifer Macleod, (JM) *Cathie Graham (CG) * Douglas Campbell, (DC) Richard Blore (RB) Mark Hill, Headteacher (MH) *Shaun Nesbitt, Planning (SN) Jen Preston, elected representative (JCP) Ferne Milne, SC Community Dev (FM) Pam King, police (PK) *Alasdair Spike, police, (AS) * Helen Bang, minute clerk (HB)
* Not in attendance at this meeting
1. Welcome and Introductions
1.1 The Chair welcomed everyone to the last meeting of this session and thanked Councillors who are stepping down for their service.
1.2 Apologies
Apologies were received from Jennifer McLeod, Pam King (police), Alasdair Spike (police) and Cathie Graham.
2. Minutes
2.1 The minutes of previous meeting held 21 March 2023 were approved with the following amendments:
Add conflict of interest MN Walled Garden. Amend JCP as councillor as Janice Paterson is JP.
Proposed AF Seconded MN. ACTION HB to forward approved minutes to AF for Stirling Council.
2.2 Conflicts of interest
The following conflicts of interest were noted: AF on CCDT Board, MN Walled Garden Group, RB on CCDT Management Group. MN Save Gillies Hill. JP Save Gilles Hill.
3 Matters arising from the minutes
3.1 Website (MN)
We are waiting on the funding application - end of May. Derek Townsend has been advised.
3.2 Burnside Orchard – work will start once the weather has improved.
3.3 Touch Road Benches – one to be put on site, the other is being worked on. MN queried funding ACTION AF
3.3 Rovers Park Improvements – weather dependent.
3.4 Playpark improvements
We had another meeting with James - work is affected because of the end of the financial year. We are looking into costs for three benches, two in King George V one in football park, replacing tower removed in June last year. James has pieces for the see-saw - waiting for Paul to have time to do the work. They are looking to put in two trim trails, one junior and one teenage-size. We have £35K allocated towards this.
3.5 Quarry Road and Torbrex Bridge (DC) There has been no progress to date on Quarry Rd embankment repair, but DC is hopeful that a start will be made soon. There is new information on Murrayshall ROMP/Torbrex Bridge
ACTION DC will keep an eye on it.
3.6 Fleming Trust (AF)
AF has written to. Graham Nash and Bay Trading regarding the cabinet.
3.7 Who owns the land around entrance to football park? (DC)
See item 5.4
3.8 Rovers park bridge safety concerns – see item 5.4
3.9 Reinstatement of Quarry land - contractors have been in and filled in, there have been comments about the old fencing still behind the new fence on the quarry side. ACTION AF/MN to walk area.
3.10 Spring Clean 17/3-17/4 (MN)
We hosted three separate events, these went well.
3.12 Community Council elections - applications have to be in by 4pm on 19 April.
4 Reports
4.1 Police Report (Attached as Appendix I)
A camera in Douglas Terrace was deemed not to be filming a public area but one in Woodside Court appears to be pointing at the school route.
Saturday some doors were being tried in Gillies Hill - someone was caught for this.
It is an issue now the police is centralized with lack of local knowledge when residents phone 101
It was again noted residents can email the police: mailto:https://www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us/
ACTION MN to email PK.
4.2 School Report (Attached as Appendix II)
The improvement plan due to Seven Sisters is still under discussion. Also see item 5.2 regarding traffic issues at the school.
4.3 Planning Report (SN)
Attached as Appendix II.
The unit for the bottle return at Co-Op has been approved.
Local development plan - we have contributed to this.
4.4 Treasurer's Report (MN)
Attached as Appendix III
Accounts now closed, need someone to audit them - MN asked for suggestions. AF suggested Ross Fraser.
Available funds - see report for amount.
4.5 Greener Cambusbarron (MMacA)
Preparations for the season are in hand. I have ordered the baskets and made early plans regarding schedule of supply. The baskets and tub planting will be in place for the gala as usual.
We have registered with Keep Scotland Beautiful and will be assessed later in the season. Plans are being formed to replace the welcome planters at the Cambusbarron sign on Birkhill Road, at some point in the future the planters at the sign on St Ninians Road will also be replaced. 11 volunteers met for a social event in the pub on Friday, it was good to get together and several others have indicated their intent to be involved over the summer, as always we would welcome more volunteers. The more the merrier! At this function a donation of £20 was received from a member of the public which we will keep in hand for sundries over the season.
Thank you for your support.
Derek MacAllister
4.6 CCDT (AF)
Attached as Appendix V
The minute of the meeting has been circulated. The website is being updated. The public meeting will be on 23 May, should be ticket only. The hall capacity is 90.
5. Main agenda
5.1 Forum 5 SC (FM) (taken first)
Stirling Council is looking at re-establishment of the area forums. FM has interviewed people across the area regarding previous area forums, some have been very successful, others not so. The consensus was there wasn't sufficient representation of senior management of SC. MN has asked about the value of area forums and what a good one would look like. Two main themes: firstly, not many young people are participating, and secondly the forum does not represent a wide demographic in some areas.
MN is pilot - testing with people who have an interest to get something fit for purpose and how to do things more effectively.
A Youth forum has been established.
MN has looked at the eastern villages as this was an area where a forum did not establish previously.
MN is working with Forum 5, Wallace Forum and Rural South. It’s not just community councils, it can include anyone who is part of a community. They are looking at examples of good practice worldwide.
5.1.1 There will be a meeting on 3 May 6:45pm to 8pm at St Ninians primary school.
In June the next step will be to link with the Council.
After the summer they will incorporate all the ideas, it is currently a blank canvas.
5.1.2 Q & A session
AF - we have had people previously attending Forum 5 but after the Council stopped attending they lost value. ACTION FM to share action report.
There is a drive to try to do things differently, aspiration to make Stirling the best place possible, want input from as many people as possible. A fun term is to codiwomple (to travel with purpose to an unknown destination.)
MN - how did you get youth involved? FM has experience in education. She set up a digital link between schools, pupil councils. They have a forum that allows anyone up to age 25 to attend.
In June will bring everyone together to collaborate. The 3 May meeting will be an opportunity to find out more about this.
5.2 Thomson Place traffic problems (JP)
Traffic is increasing again during school hours. There are issues with speeding too. Previously police presence reduced the issue.
This issue should be raised in the improved school plan. ACTION MN contact police to request attendance along with query regarding someone trying doors.
5.3 Three more dilapidated garages are falling down and considered dangerous. Previously SC removed garages causing concern.
5.4 Action regarding land at Rovers Park (DC)
Ownership of the land is not as clear-cut as previously thought.
When the land was purchased in 1998 it included the land at the bridge, the developer built and sold houses – the Hayford Mill Development document says land has been sold so they are excluded from the title. Hayford Mill Ltd was dissolved in September 2010. Normally the land would have been sold but this is a small area. If land belonging to a dissolved company is unsold it goes to the Crown.
Option 1: do nothing - the bridge is in poor condition, but Stirling Council may then close the bridge for safety reasons. This is unacceptable to the community.
Option 2 - lobby Stirling Council to highlight their historic involvement with the plot as they owned it until 1998. They need Swing park access, access to cut the grass etc. Ask them to repair under public safety heading or consider investigating land ownership and repurchase the land, hopefully for a nominal sum, e.g. £1.
Option 3 - contact previous registered address of Hayford Mill Ltd and try to establish ownership. There is an address in Edinburgh where they were previously.
Option 4 - carry out repairs using a grant but only if we can insure third party risk without the involvement of the land owner - we managed to do this for the Burnside but it is not ideal.
JP surely Stirling Council needs access to the land. One issue is that the access officer is leaving. (This information in an email regarding Tillicoultry Quarry.)
AF just dealing with the bridge leaves the issue of trees that may need attention in the future.
Someone has already injured themselves by trapping their foot on the bridge.
It was agreed it would be preferable if Stirling Council would take the lead on this.
Decision - it was agreed to take option 2 and contact Stirling Council. ACTION JCP
5.5 Drummarnock windfarm. There was a display in the Community Centre on 18 April. If planning permission is received it is hoped that construction will commence in 2025, the windfarm would start generating electricity in 2026. Community benefit
is set at £5K per megawatt - would be £150K a year. The windfarm is in Carron Valley but benefit can be shared amongst surrounding communities as well. This is still to be discussed. ACTION SN to ask for presentation at next CC meeting on 16 May with proviso that the CC is reinaugurated by this date following the elections.
5.6 SEPA opinion survey - a link has been sent for completion.
5.7 Stirling Council pre-engagement survey - a link has been sent for completion.
5.8 Local place plan - a link has been sent for completion.
6 Correspondence
6.1 Community Council elections – paperwork has been circulated. See Appendix VI
6.1.1 From Marion MacAllister
To my fellow community councillors – it has been a huge privilege to work with you over the years, many of you for lots of years and I value our relationships and friendship. Looking round the village I have a huge sense of pride in what we have achieved from benches and beauty to achieving a pharmacy for the community – without our efforts this would not have happened. We have impacted planning decisions and ensured the voice of the little people has been heard. So many things – and all because a few people chose to make an effort! Congratulations to all and, to those stepping back, enjoy the rest. Thank you for being you!
6.2 Reinstatement of Forum 5 - See item 5.1
7 AOCB
7.1 Next meeting dates
These were proposed as
Tuesday 16.05.23
Tuesday 20.06.23
Tuesday 19.09.23
Tuesday 17.10.23
Tuesday 21.11.23
8 Date of next meeting
Assuming CC is re-established the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 16 May 2023
9 ACTIONS
2.1 Approved March minutes to AF for Stirling Council HB
3.3 Funding benches AF
3.5 Quarry Road embankment DC
3.6 Reinstatement of Quarry land – walk area AF/MN
4.1 Someone trying doors in Gillies Hill, contact police MN
5.1.2 Share action report – Forum 5 FM
5.2 Contact police regarding traffic issues at school MN
5.4 Bridge issues JCP
5.5 Invite Drummarnock windfarm to May CC meeting SN
The meeting closed at 9pm
Appendix I Police Report
Name of
Community Council 18/04/2023 – Cambusbarron Community Council meeting
Our priorities in the Cambusbarron area continue to be Anti-Social Behaviour, Drug misuse/Drug dealing, Road Safety and Community Engagement and Reassurance.
Crime reports Crime Reports for Cambusbarron area between 21/03/2023 – 18/04/2023 Undetected: 4 Relating to vandalism, fraud and crimes of disorder. Detected: 2 Relating to a crimes of disorder and a drugs offence. Total Crime Reports: 6 999/101 CALLS There were 37 calls made to Police for the Cambusbarron area over the stated period. The calls relate to a number of incidents including suspect persons, concern for persons, domestic matters, assaults, road traffic matters and anti-social behaviour.
Other Incidents of note/relevant Community Council information DRUGS Efforts are always being made to obtain intelligence in relation to substance misuse and drug dealing in the Cambusbarron area. Any information regarding substance misuse and drug dealing is welcomed, and can be reported to Police Scotland via tel or email. Your information/name will never be disclosed.
CARS DAMAGED ON DOUGLAS TERRACE Police carried out enquiries into the damaged cars however the crimes remain undetected. Police have been carrying out active patrols of Douglas Terrace in order to try deter any further antisocial behaviour. This street has also been added to the Police Weekend Policing Plan to increase police presence in the area over antisocial periods. Camera on Douglas Terrace This camera is not pointing into any properties and therefore does not fall into the police remit to enforce. Police have passed this matter onto the council.
ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR – WALLACE PLACE
We are aware of antisocial behaviour at an address on Wallace Place whereby youths are attending playing loud music, shouting etc. Stirling Council antisocial behaviour team have been informed and the area has been added to our weekend policing plan to monitor the situation and deal with any criminality. Any residents experiencing issues should contact Police on tel 101 (non-emergency) or 999 (emergency) or alternatively using the email noted below.
Feedback from meeting Please e-mail any feedback/questions to PCs King and Spike: StirlingWestCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk
Appendix II School Report
School Update 18.04.23
Spring Clean
The school worked in partnership with the community to conduct litter picks and appreciated the support and additional litter pickers. Classes targeted the school grounds, the woods and the wider community. 6 classes participated and collected 8 bin bags of rubbish. The children engaged in discussions around what impact the litter can have on our local wildlife and on the wider community. The children understood that they played an important part in talking about this at home and noted that the school grounds had the least litter by far. This was, in part, because our Eco Group have made litter a focus these past 2 terms.
House Captains Elected
Following a successful campaign we have elected our new House Captains for this term. This team will work with staff and children to make a positive difference in our school community. All children will attend their first House Meeting of the term where the Captains will discuss what goals the Houses have set.
P6 Easter Service
Our P6’s held an informative and entertaining Easter Service at the local Church. It was wonderful to have the P6 parents and carers in attendance as P6 discussed Easter traditions around the world. This felt like another important step back to ‘normality’ after a break from such gatherings.
Learning Through Landscapes
The school and nursery continue to develop their partnership with Learning Through Landscapes (LtL). The LtL team will visit us on Monday 24th April to explore our next steps in creating an outdoor play space that is engaging and creative. We look forward to working the team and exploring what ideas our children have.
Appendix III
PLANNING APPLICATIONS WARD 5 Cambusbarron Area 2023
Wk Date
Application
No
Location Description Councillor
Expiry
23/01 11 Jan None
23/02 18 Jan None
23/03 25 Jan None
23/04 1 Feb None
23/05 8 Feb None
23/06 15 Feb None
23/07 22 Feb None
Earlsburn Wind Farm Extension NEDL application for up to 15 wind turbines
23/08 1 Mar Sched N/A
23/09 8. Mar 23/00114 The Co-op The Brae External Units for DRS [Deposit Return Scheme] 24 3 23
23/10 15 Mar Ward 7 Plean Residential Dev up to 500 units [Persimmon Homes] Approved
23/11 22 Mar Sched N/A
23/12 29 Mar None
23/13 5 Apr 23/00114 The Co-op The Brae External Units for DRS [Deposit Return Scheme] Approved
23/14 12 Apr Stirling Local Development Plan Proposals for Consultation 18 5 22
Appendix IV
Cambusbarron Community Council Main Account Of this the sum hheelldd iinn trust are
28/02/2023 Opening Balance £11,355.62
06/03/2023 Internet Payment Minute Taking HB -£50.00 Newsletter £265.00
07/03/2023 BACS F/S Micro Grant £2,000 WWW1 Exhib £315.00
14/032023 CHQ 010711 Total Landscape -£1,440.00 Quarry/Fpaths £442.61
15/03/2023 Internet PaymentA/F Ink/paper -£126.00 Greener Cambs £3,111.03
21/02/2023 CHQ 010712 C/C Room Hire -£28.91 Elephant I T Sky £280.00
27/03/2023 Internet PaymentMinute Taking HB -£50.00 Touch K/BSeats £60.00
27/03/2023 Internet Payment D/C Land Regs -£7.20 Micro Grants £2,697.00
Covid-19 S/C £289.36
Covid-19 W/F £80.96
King GV P/Bench £1,480.00
Trolleys £19.02
Christmas in
Cambusbarron £131.78
£11,652.53 £9,269.76
Available Funds To C/C £2,382.77
April Treasurer Report Notes
The Sums is held in accounts had some changes:
Touch bench’s : a payment made to Total Landscapes for the cheque of £1440 has now cleared leaving
this balance in that account at £60.
Micro Grant : A credit of £,2000 added
In the main account, we’ve had payments to
1. Helen Bang, minute taking £50 February
2. Reimbursement to Ann Finlayson, for ink and paper through Internet banking £126.98
3. Payment to the community Centre for our January meeting £28.91.
4. Helen Bang, minute taking £50 March.
5. Reimbursement to Douglas Campbell, £7.20 for the land register.
Appendix V CCDT report
On Monday 20th March, CCDT held an Emergency Trustee Meeting in Cambusbarron Community Centre. The meeting was called due to the ongoing negative and escalating nature of Douglas Todd’s emails to Trustees and social media posts.
On behalf of the Board, Jennifer Fraser (Chair), started the meeting by stating “I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the considerable time, effort and dedication you have put into uncovering Polmaise Castle Gardens both in terms of the history you’ve researched and shared and also what we all see today within the area when we visit it. It has undergone quite a transformation and there has been a lot of hard work by you and others and the Trust, like the wider community, acknowledges and appreciates that. We are concerned that there is a train of thought though, perhaps skewed by your posts on Facebook, that the action we are taking tonight is to discredit your good work and the benefit it has brought to those who visit the woodland. This is not the case. This meeting is solely about your conduct as a Trustee which we cannot continue to tolerate. As a result of recent breaches of the code of conduct I do not feel that your position in the Board of Trustees can continue.”
After highlighting Constitution clauses, sections from the Trustee’s Code of Conduct and Douglas Todd’s actions which contravened them, the resolution was put forward to the Board to state that Douglas Todd had breached the Code of Conduct and Constitution and should be removed from the office of Trustee of CCDT. Douglas was then given the opportunity to address the meeting. This was his statement:
“All I would like to say is I’ve loved the woods all my life, born in Cambusbarron, played in the woods all my days, and to see the state it’s in now, well won’t go down all the arguments for you, fed up and so is the community.
All I’ve got to say is I’ll accept what I’ve done, I’m guilty, as charged but I’d like to say is I have the whole backing of the community behind me and I’d like to call for an emergency public meeting as soon as possible with the whole board and the whole community.
Thank you very much to all the rest of the Trustees that have worked alongside me and helped me, now that’s came to an end, some of you will be glad, some of you will be disappointed. Thank you and goodbye.”
Douglas left the meeting before the voting process could commence.
The Board then voted on the resolution, the two-thirds majority of the current Trustees in office was confirmed and the resolution passed that Douglas Todd is removed from office of Trustee of the Board of CCDT. This vote was confirmed by Pamela Barnes who attended as an independent observer from Development Trust Association Scotland. The meeting was then concluded.
CCDT regrets that we find ourselves in this challenging situation, but these actions were necessary to uphold our legal and constitutional responsibilities. It is disappointing that social media posts have been actively discrediting not only the Board but also all the other hard-working volunteers who are also giving up their time to benefit the community and our woodland.
Following this if there are any questions to raise regarding the work of CCDT, including the woodland management of Gillies Hill Community Woodland, please put them in writing and email to admin@ccdt.org.uk. The Board will address the issues you raise and will reply in writing within 21 days. We will also publish our frequently asked questions on the website ccdt.org.uk to assist with community understanding of development projects.
As a Board we are keen to review all our methods of communication and to hold an open public meeting as we need to address the misinformation that has been put out to the community and we’d like to actively encourage anyone to contact us (admin@ccdt.org.uk) or come along to a volunteer event to further their own understanding of all the work that currently goes on by our various project teams.
Our aim is to send a further communication, at latest, during next week confirming the date of the open public meeting and the format that this will take.
Appendix VI
COMMUNITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS – 2023 – TIMETABLE
Task
Publication of Notice of Election
Monday 3 April
Nominations to be submitted by
(no later than 4pm)
Wednesday 19 April
Nominations to be withdrawn by
(no later than 4pm)
Thursday 20 April
Arrange Inaugural Meetings (where no ballot required)
From Tuesday 25 April
Issue of Ballot Papers
w/c Monday 29 May
Ballot Papers to be returned by (No later than 5pm)
Friday 16 June
Counting of Ballot Papers (separate sessions as required)
Monday 19 June to Wednesday 28 June
Publication of results
Thursday 29 June
Arrange Inaugural Meetings (where ballot held)
From Monday 3 July