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Approved minutes Carron Valley & District Community Council
Meeting held Wednesday 4 October 2023 meeting at 7.30pm, via ZOOM
In attendance
Margaret Porter, MP Dorothy Breckenridge, Secretary, DB David Petch, DP Morag Holdsworth, Treasurer Scott Farmer, elected rep, SF Helen Bang, minute clerk, HB
1 Introductions and welcome
1.1 The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1.2 Apologies – Maureen Berry did not attend this meeting.
1.3 Declarations of interest for items on agenda. None declared.
1.4 Items raised by members of the public for inclusion in agenda – none.
2 Community Police report
2.1 No report was received. Late report arrived for September. ACTION PH to circulate CC email address and password to MH and MB.
3 Minutes of previous meeting
Minutes of September meeting were approved with no amendments. Proposed DP Seconded DB
3.1 ACTION HB to DB for Stirling Council.
4 Matters arising – actions from September meeting
Item Description Action
4.1 Approved April and July and draft September minutes to Secretary. HB - closed
4.2 Induction sessions DB - closed
4.3 CC email and password DB - 2.1
4.4 Community care/ district nurse concerns MB/DB
DB circulated letter to interim CEO awaiting a response.
DP also put in a complaint. He should receive a response by 20 October.
4.5 Consultation local plan info to go on Facebook HB - closed
DB and MH attended Zoom session - it's about communities putting
forward ideas of what is needed in the next 10 years for our area. e.g. housing, roads, energy efficiency, speed limits.
DB enquired whether cross boundary issues - e.g. gritting of B818 by
Falkirk Council continuing to the Carron Valley village area, would be part
of the plan. SF said this was a different aspect of the local area plan.
There have been issues with Falkirk Council planning decisions affecting
residents on the Stirling Council the side of the boundary. SF said that
other councils do not have a legal obligation to advise residents outwith
their area if a planning decision is for a property just in their area.
4.6 DRT DB
This has currently ceased operation. Previous hours of operation were
not really useful to residents as they were just within the middle part
of the day. It also took residents to the nearest bus stop. A new contractor would need to take this on.
4.7 Food waste bin collection unnecessary some properties NB ongoing
4.8 Road closure signs SF
There have been issues with road closure signs used inappropriately.
Correspondence with Roads has been disappointing.
Residents have had medical visits cancelled, post hasn't been
delivered.
The solution should be 'works up ahead follow guidance of workers'.
4.9 Roads – white lines DB/NB ongoing
4.10 Planning concerns contact Borestone CC MB
SF - the trotting track application has been withdrawn because the
applicant had not contacted the landowner (Stirling Council) where
part of the track was going through. There is a variation to the golf
range – they have now put up high nets which detracts from the landscape
value of the area. This is still being determined.
NPF4 - planning guidance from the Scottish Government - makes rural
development more complex.
5 Chair’s report, PH
5.1 Locally there was a planning application for four eco-chalets. They had
woodburning stoves and a councillor recommended going on the grid and having air source heat pumps. Amy Russell responded regarding compliance with conditions - but how do you determine that someone is not complying when it is a private property down a private road? It was noted that the property has now been put on the market with planning permission. SF advised that any new owner would have to comply with the conditions unless they apply for a variation.
Will these eco-chalets fall within short term let conditions? SF said that they would.
6 Secretary’s report, DB
6.1 Covered elsewhere in the agenda.
7 Treasurer’s report MH
7.1 Bank details are being updated. Admin grant has been received. Balance should be £1358.47 Subject to bank statements being verified.
TSB is asking for headed notepaper. MH advised to create some.
8 Stirling Councillor report, SF
8.1 Planning issues covered item 4.10 in Matters arising above.
8.2 SC has tough decisions to be made regarding budgets.
8.3 The damaged Christie clock has received a great deal of media and social media coverage. There is an internal audit being carried out along with a review of the heritage strategy in terms of minimising risk to historic infrastructure. Initial survey will cost £50K. It is hoped to source stone from the original quarry if possible.
8.4 The planned electronic booking system for the landfill site is being reviewed.
8.5 The CC asked what communication is going out to the public regarding this? SF says this is being looked at. The CC asked if there is any evidence that fly-tipping has increased in areas that use these systems? Is there any provision for areas that already have an issue with fly-tipping. SF said this would be reviewed.
8.6 Elected representatives - there is an issue about feeding back on actions as there is a long delay before they attend another CC meeting.
SF suggested emailing with an individual member a week prior to the CC for an update.
9 Valley Renewables Group report MP
9.1 Energy Efficiency Group to interview two possible individuals for undertaking surveys. The next phase will start at the beginning of November when we will find if we have been successful in obtaining grant assistance for the costs of this. 30 EPCs and upgraded advice and reports are to be done by the end of January.
9.2 The independent grants review has been received and is accepted as fair. It concludes that we could do with more paid resource in the administration of approx 160 grants a year. VRG is looking at this although it already has paid support from the admin clerk.
9.3 Meeting room project - meeting architect, quantity surveyors and VRG to discuss the project and costs.
9.4 Communications - social media and website require constant updating and
monitoring. We are looking at who can take this on.
9.5 There is a Wood fuel event on Saturday 7 October.
9.6 The AGM will be held on Tuesday 7 November at 8pm at the Mayfield Centre and is open to all members.
10 Woodland Group report DB
10.1 There are Wood Fuel Days on Saturday 7 October and Saturday 4 November. The final planting of the felled area will take place Saturday 9 December.
10.2 A chainsaw course being undertaken by a number of volunteers.
10.3 Saturday 14 October is Pomona Day being held at the woodland - residents are invited to bring along spare apples. The Woodland Group has a scratter and a fruit press which are available for community use.
10.4 Christmas trees - these will be available on 9 December. Plant 6 trees and get a Christmas tree.
11 Roads report
11.1 Covered earlier see item 4.8 in Matters arising.
12 Planning report, PH
12.1 Nothing new to report.
13 AOB
13.1 ACTION HB to circulate The Scotsman article on rural communities benefiting from green developments in their area.
13.2 Windfarm - Wind2 Drummarnock development. VRG directors are meeting with them on Friday 6 October to discuss community benefit. Turbines may also be repositioned owing to issues with air traffic control etc.
14 Date of next meeting Wednesday 1 November at 7:30pm via Zoom.
The meeting ended at 9pm
15 ACTIONS
2.1 Circulate CC email and password PH
2.2 Approved September and draft October minutes to DB HB
4.8 Road closures SF
13.1 Circulate article in The Scotsman HB