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Cambuskenneth Community Council
Meeting held on Monday 22 April 2024 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
Present: Archie McIver (Chair), Elaine Turner (Secretary), Maggie Ruddy, Graham Barrett
In attendance: Councillor Danny Gibson; 2 residents; Hamish Taylor (prospective parliamentary candidate Scottish Liberal Democrat)
Apologies: Barbara McElhinney (Treasurer)
The meeting was chaired by Archie McIver. Minutes were taken by Elaine Turner.
Adoption of minutes from meeting held on 25 March 2024:
Proposed: Maggie
Seconded: Archie
Role of Chair and Code of Conduct for Community Councillors
Because there have been recent changes in the Community Council membership and a recent misunderstanding over the role of the Chair, we circulated and reviewed the documents produced by Stirling Council outlining the role of the Chair at meetings and the Code of Conduct for members. We all agreed with the content and noted that the Chair was responsible for ensuring that meetings run smoothly. The Chair may therefore have to make decisions on how much time to allocate to each item on the agenda. When a member requests continued discussion of an item after the Chair has asked to move on, this would be put to a vote of the members present.
We also noted that Councillors have a duty to represent the views of the whole community. A member of the public had emailed the Community Council secretary to express concern that residents were less aware of the actions of the Community Council. Previously, a paper copy of the minutes had been circulated to every household. Elaine explained that 6 residents continue to receive paper copies of the minutes, 6 residents have personal copies sent by email and the minutes are available on our Facebook page and the Community Council website, as well as the Community Council notice Board. Some elderly residents do not have access to social media. Elaine offered to attend the next village Coffee morning to ascertain if other residents would like paper copies and to seek views of attendees on current matters. We could also leave a copy of the minutes in the Hall in a poly pocket which could be referred to at the coffee morning. We also circulate a Newsletter quarterly to every household giving an update on recent events, dates of upcoming meetings and highlighting current issues.
Action: All Community Council members to note the guidance circulated to support Community Councils
Elaine to attend a village coffee morning to discuss access to Community Council minutes and current issues.
Future Funding of Cambuskenneth Village Hall
Archie outlined the threat to the Village Hall. Stirling Councillors have voted to continue funding until the end of the lease on 31/3/25 but it is uncertain whether funding will be continued beyond this. Archie showed a flood risk map from SEPA which indicates that there is a risk that the village could be entirely cut off if Ladysneuk Rd floods and there is also flooding just beyond the footbridge in Riverside – estimated as a 1 in 200 risk per year, or approximately 1 in 20 risk over 10 years, although the properties within Cambuskenneth are not likely to be flooded with current projections. This highlights the need to have a public space to co-ordinate support of vulnerable people within the village, especially if there is a risk of a prolonged power cut. The Hall is also our only public space for social events and public meetings. We asked Danny if Councillors were aware that this is our only public space and if this was a specific criterion to continue to fund a community centre or Hall. He explained that as a Labour Councillor he would prefer not to close any public spaces but the Council is required to return a balanced budget. After discussion, we agreed that we should lobby councillors more actively about the unique situation of our Hall. We discussed timescales and options for the future of the Hall and agreed by unanimous vote that we should set up a sub-committee to focus on the future of the Hall. This would include looking at the work previously done, requesting more detailed information on running costs and looking at the options for the future which include: the Council continues with the lease, the community leases the Hall directly or considers community purchase of the Hall. Hamish Taylor flagged up that we would need to create a legal entity such as a Development Trust which can hold the lease or own the Hall, and this can take some time to establish. Community Councils are not allowed to own or manage property but can facilitate this process.
Graham and Catriona agreed to be members of the Group, which will be a sub-committee of the Community Council, and to seek further members. This will be highlighted in the Newsletter to be circulated later in the week. We discussed holding a public meeting and voted that this should be held after the first meeting of the sub-committee when more information would be available to present to the public. Archie and Elaine have a meeting with Lorne Scott, the factor of Cowane’s Trust, on 23/4/24 and will report back from that meeting.
Actions: Graham and Catriona to identify further members of the Hall sub-committee and to arrange the first meeting
Elaine and Archie to provide a report of meeting with Cowane’s Trust
Cambuskenneth Nature and Environment Group (CNEG) Report
Helen had provided a verbal update to Elaine. Ricoh do not wish to proceed with plans to improve biodiversity in their fields. The workshop event to make birdboxes would cost £250 and be limited to
10 people equating to £25 per birdbox. This did not seem good value for money. She asked if the Community Council would be willing to fund the planned talk on gardening for wildlife to which members agreed.
The next meeting of CNEG is on Monday 29/4/24 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Treasurer’s Report
Barbara reported prior to the meeting that there has been no change in the financial balance sheet. Our balance is now just under £4000.
Matters Arising (not covered below)
None
Matters Arising Membership of Community Council
Graham confirmed that he wished to remain a member of the Community Council. Catriona wishes to be co-opted which can be formalised at the end of the meeting. The Community Council will then have full membership of 6.
Funding of Cambuskenneth Nature & Environment Group events and pergola replacement Elaine and Helen, Chair of CNEG, had met to discuss a funding application to Clackmannan & Stirling Environment Trust for resources to increase biodiversity within the village area and to replace the pergola with raised beds and new seating. However, Helen does not have any further items requiring funding at present, if the Community Council fund the gardening talk.
Elaine will therefore look at possible seating and raised beds to replace the existing seat and pergola to present to Council members.
Action: Elaine to identify styles and costs of seating and raised beds for the pergola area with costs to share with CCC members.
Openreach cables over footbridge
The poles and cable have now been put in position and the engineers have aimed to screen the poles by placing them close to trees, which is effective.
Feedback from first meeting of Active Travel Community Advisory Group
Archie had attended the first meeting of this group. He said that it had been constructive. They do not wish to circulate the content of the meetings at present as they are discussing options, but will circulate plans once these have been finalised, for consultation.
The Active Travel team have also requested a representative from the Community Council for their overarching North East Active travel group and Catriona offered to represent the Community Council on this.
Subgroup Reports Social Subgroup
The next event is a Local History talk by Murray Cook, the City Archaeologist, on 9/5/24 at 7pm in the Village Hall. Historic Environment Scotland have agreed to evening access to the Abbey grounds where Murray will present part of the talk. It is also planned to hold a summer BBQ on Saturday 22nd June.
Resilience group
Graham has not yet been able to organise a meeting. He has the names of several people in the village who are willing to be part of the group. Maggie offered to help organise the first meeting. Hamish Taylor highlighted that SEPA are consulting on potentially vulnerable flood risk areas – PVAs – with the consultation running until 24/6/24. The Community Council should take part in this consultation given our situation and SEPA have sent an email on this topic. It would be helpful if the sub-group could consider the consultation.
Action: Graham and Maggie will organise a meeting of the resilience subgroup. Elaine will forward the relevant SEPA emails on PVAs.
Report from Councillors
Danny had left the meeting after the main topics of discussion and had contributed to these topics from a Council perspective.
Police Report
A police report had been received covering 27/2/24 to 17/4/24. There had been no crime reports or phone calls received from the Cambuskenneth area. Action: Elaine will request a report for the next meeting
Questions from floor/ members of public
A member of the public reported that access to Cambuskenneth Abbey is poor for disabled visitors if they use a walking aid or wheelchair because of the design of the gate – a kissing gate - and the presence of a cattle grid. We explained that we had already contacted the Access Officer about access around this route but have not received an update.
Action: Elaine will contact the Access Officer to request an update on their assessment of access to Cambuskenneth Abbey
Community Council: Offer of co-opted membership
The Community Council is entitled to have 6 members based on the local population. Now that there are 5 full members, a further member can be co-opted. This was advertised following the last Community Council meeting and one application has been received and approved by Stirling Council from Catriona Taylor. No voting was therefore needed, and Catriona was offered and accepted to be co-opted onto the Community Council. She was welcomed on to the Council by Archie.
Date of next meeting: 7.30pm, Monday 27th May 2024 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 would like them emailed privately or paper copies, please let us know via email at cambuskennethcc@gmail.com or by contacting any CC member.