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Cambuskenneth Community Council
Meeting held on Monday 28 November 2022 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
Present: Tessa Carroll (Chair), Barbara McElhinney (Treasurer), Linda Jones, Ross McGregor, John McCallum
In attendance: Helen Barrett (Cambuskenneth Nature & Environment Group - CNEG), Councillor Jim Thomson, 2 residents
Apologies: Elaine Turner (Secretary) Minutes were taken by Tessa Carroll
Items for AOCB
Secretary role
Adoption of Previous Minutes
Minutes of 26 September 2022:
Proposed: Ross
Seconded: Linda
Minutes of 24 October 2022 Proposed: John
Seconded: Barbara
Office bearer roles
Chair – Tessa stepped down as interim Chair and Ross was unanimously elected as Chair again. Ross chaired the rest of the meeting.
Flooding on Ladysneuk Road
This was discussed early in the meeting as an urgent issue. The CC has been in communication with SC for several weeks about the recent repeated flooding, sending photos and feedback from residents and pressing for the problem to be resolved urgently.
An email update from SC was received on 28 November in time for this CC meeting, with a detailed explanation of what has been done so far and the plans to work out what the problem is. The Roads department have been investigating and clearing the drainage system but there is still a problem, possibly relating to the outfall pipe.
They have therefore arranged for the drainage contractor to carry out a full drainage camera survey in w/c 5 December from the road right to the outfall at the river to help them understand better what the problem is, e.g. if there are any blockages or restrictions in the pipe, if the field drainage and the road drainage use the same outfall pipe, and if the outfall at the river has a non-return flap on it. This information should help Roads and the flooding team to work out together how to resolve the problem. In the interim Roads will try to manage the situation as best they can, as they realise this is the only entrance and egress to and from the village.
We will be continuing to ask for updates and pressing SC to deal better with any floods that occur in the meantime, e.g. by pumping away floodwater and providing signage at the level crossing and footbridge to warn pedestrians and cyclists.
Matters Arising
Sheds at Village Hall – The padlock from the old CC shed has been transferred to the new one.
Increase in Hall Charges/Booking procedure – Various issues were discussed: high weekend charges putting off potential users; invoices delayed/not received/incorrect; children’s parties no longer at concession rate. It was agreed to contact our councillors again.
Welcome Leaflet – Linda gave out copies of a draft leaflet to those present for feedback.
Hall and Park Funds – Linda had quotes for gazebos of various sizes. Agreed to budget about £600 for two gazebos and she will investigate further, including a particular supplier suggested by a resident. She will also get quotes for a new noticeboard for the hall. Ross will follow up on suggestions for local suppliers of benches for the hall garden, e.g. Stirling Community Enterprise. Agreed to buy Christmas lights for the front of the hall and Ross will do this.
Pergola – agreed to take down the pergola and that something is needed to replace it, as it’s an area seen by visitors to the abbey. The CNEG suggested raised beds, similar to those near the bowling club in Riverside. The CC would probably need to apply for grants for this. The benches at the pergola are also in a poor condition; Helen said that grants to refurbish benches are available.
Waterside Cottage – no update.
Cycling Route/Manor Powis/Speed Limit – After our October meeting Cllr Susan McGill passed on an update from council officer that the planned speed limit reduction from 40 to 30mph from Ladysneuk Rd to Manor Powis roundabout is to be advertised. Cllr Jim Thomson will put a question about what is causing the delays to the planned cycle route at the full council meeting on 8 December.
The CNEG asked the CC to consider writing to the Scottish Transport Minister about the long delays in getting the cycle route and to let other local CCs know they are doing so. The CC agreed to do this and Ross will ask the CNEG member who knows most about this issue to draft an email.
Christmas window competition – The CC will run the decorated Christmas window competition again with a prize for the best. Judging will take place around 5pm on Wednesday 28 December.
Sub-group reports
Cambuskenneth Nature and Environment Group (CNEG) – Helen gave a summary of the group’s meeting on 14 November and had also sent her notes from that meeting to the CC in advance. Ross will ask SC about the procedure for dealing with notes from sub-group meetings.
Ross has asked a colleague to do a botanical survey of Ricoh’s land, which will take place in April. Helen will also contact the university to see if any students might be interested in surveying the area for a project.
Helen has arranged to meet the factor of Cowane’s Trust to discuss what the group could do on CT land around the village. She has also talked to Riverside Naturally and plans to set up a joint meeting with them early next year and will ask about grants they’ve received.
The wildflower strip in the park was discussed and the CC agreed to look again at how to manage this area - on agenda for the next meeting.
Linda will work with Helen on adding a section on the CC website to tell people what the group is doing, give tips on helping wildlife etc. The group would like the following items to be added to the next CC newsletter: request for logs for log piles; would there be any interest from residents in a car share scheme?
See also Pergola and Cycling Route/Manor Powis/Speed Limit above.
Social Group Report – Quiz Night on Friday 28 October was very successful and raised £222.88. Many thanks to Graham as quizmaster and to those who donated raffle prizes.
Elaine has received the proof of the calendar and is chasing the printer for the full order.
Sustrans Art – No update.
Defibrillator – No update.
Resilience – Second meeting held on 11 November. Agreed to update Covid volunteer database and find out who is willing to help and what skills and resources they have, who potentially may need support during a crisis. A resident attending the CC meeting is happy to help. Next meeting in January. Cllr Thomson suggested asking SC for examples of other communities’ resilience plans.
Report from Councillor – Cllr Jim Thomson gave an update. Council officers have recommended keeping the temporary speed limits on Causewayhead Rd (20mph) and on Ladysneuk Rd (30mph) brought in during the covid pandemic, and these will have to go through the appropriate process. Council priorities have not yet been decided. There will be a council meeting on 8 December. There will be a £9 million shortfall in 2022–23, around 6% of total budget, with all costs going up; difficult decisions to be made. Changes in the planning framework – need to consult better with local communities; more about what communities need than what developers want.
Treasurer’s Report – Balance of around £5,000, about half of which is ringfenced for Hall & Park. Fundraising events post-Covid are going well and helping us to stay in the black.
Police Report – no report received.
There were several incidents of minor vandalism in the village on Halloween and the following weekends, including the removal of the lifebelt at the footbridge (since replaced). Ross reported these to the community policing team for info.
AOB
Community Council Secretary & Membership – Linda is stepping down from the CC in January so will not take over again as Secretary from Elaine, who’s been standing in. We are now looking for two new members. Anyone who is interested, please contact the CC. Many thanks to Linda for all her work for the CC and community over the last few years.
We are also still looking for a new minute taker; anyone who is interested, please contact the CC.
Donald Hay, a former resident and CC member passed away recently, and the CC wished to acknowledge his contribution to the village.
Hall gutters – A resident asked the CC to ask SC to clean out the v illage hall gutters, which are clogged up. We will make this request.
Date of next meeting: Monday 23 January 2023 at 7.30pm in the village hall
Stirling Council: 01786 404040, Police non-emergency 101, NHS 24 111
Scottish Power emergency: 105, Scottish Gas emergency: 0800 111999
Reminder: Minutes are available via the CC website and Facebook page. If you want them emailed privately or paper copies, please let us know via email at cambuskennethcc@gmail.com or by contacting any CC member.