September 2024 Minutes

Draft minutes CVDCC meeting 4 September 2024

Approved Minutes Carron Valley & District Community Council

Wed 4 September 2024 meeting at 7.30pm, via ZOOM 

In attendance

Peter Hayward, Chair, PH Dorothy Breckenridge, Sec.,

Margaret Porter, MP Maureen Berry, MB

David Petch, DP Neil Benny, Councillor, NB

Helen Bang, minute clerk, HB

1 Introductions and welcome

1.1 The Chair welcomed everyone back after the summer break.

1.2 Apologies – Morag Holdsworth, police

1.3 Declarations of interest for items on agenda - none.

1.4 Items raised by members of the public for inclusion in agenda – none.

2 Community Police report Attached as Appendix I

2.1 It was noted that this covers several months and includes information on the St

Ninian's area as well as Carron Valley.

2.2 PC Alasdair Spike is moving to a new location and is due to be replaced. The police

attended the Flower and Food Show in August and were able to speak to lots of

residents.

3 Minutes of previous meeting on 5 June 2024

3.1 Proposed PH, seconded MB. ACTION HB to send to DB for Stirling Council.

4 Matters arising from the June meeting.

ACTIONS

3.1 Approved May minutes and draft June minutes to DB and website HB done

4.1 Driving on rural roads leaflet for noticeboards MH

13.1 Local place plan MB/HB

See Appendix III and Item 13

14.2 Roads closure issue JP no update

13.3 Local place plan examples JP no update

5 Chair’s report

5.1 The Chair thanked VRG and all helpers at the Flower and Produce Day. It was a very

successful event. Children attending appreciated the prizes.

6 Secretary’s report (DB)

6.1 It has been relatively quiet over the summer break. One major issue was road closures

for Outlander filming and the initial lack of consultation. A resident was concerned

about access for his carer. This was eventually resolved. DB has had contact with the

film company in the past but it's a new entity involved with the new series who didn't

follow the same procedures.

6.2 DP - road closures. Falkirk Council have been shutting B818 without any consultation.

OpenReach were signing their own certification.( Apparently a fine has been issued.)

No mail, no carers, no medical assistance. It isn't acceptable.

6.3 This had been raised with Jen Preston at previous meetings. Issues about contacting

Falkirk Council. NB agreed to try to get a contact at Falkirk Council. The CC wants

liaison between the two councils regarding road closures.

Draft minutes CVDCC meeting 4 September 2024

Is a Scottish or UK Government directive required with regard to OpenReach to

prevent this behaviour as it is very disruptive for residents?

7 Treasurer’s report. (MH)

7.1 The Treasurer sent apologies for this meeting.

8 Stirling Councillor report (NB)

8.1 Winter maintenance schedule - any feedback from last year? Please let NB know.

DP - grit bins not filled on a regular basis. PH gave Robert Fleming an up-to-date map

of bins and where piles are left. He said the electronic map would be updated.

8.2 The CC has been advised that if the main access route is only access route it bumps

it up the priority listing. The C10 is a main access/only access for some properties as

is Greathill Road and sections of the B818 through Carron Village. Will this be

reflected in the winter programme?

8.3 A new Chief Executive has been appointed.

8.4 Budget consultations - to be looked at in January. A new Chief Finance officer starts

work shortly.

8.5 Query on road maintenance - roads are in a dreadful condition. Some repairs are

inadequate. Potholes are getting worse.

9 Valley Renewables Group report (MP)

9.1 There was a Board meeting on 3 September.

9.2 Energy Efficiency grants have been very popular. The £40K budget has almost all

been allocated. There will have to be a waiting list for further applicants. There was a

discussion about finding new moneys, but these are not available currently.

9.3 New Venture Grant relaunched in August. It was based on match-funding with

STEP's start-up grant scheme, but we have just learned that this scheme has closed

to new applicants. The grants subgroup are to look at reworking this grant in the light

of this.

9.4 Community Hall - planning require a Flood risk assessment required which will cost

£5K

9.5 Removal of winter fuel allowance - unfortunately VRG is unable to fund this, but it has

been referred to the grants subgroup.

9.6 Nadara (Falck/Renantis new name) an application for extra solar panels and a storage

battery on the Community Hall is being submitted. £10K the amount of the call for

projects scheme. A decision will be made in November.

9.7 We discussed the application to Clackmannanshire & Stirling Environment Trust -

perhaps for a small wind turbine for the Community Hall.

9.8 The AGM will be held at 8pm on Tuesday 5 November at the Mayfield Centre.

9.9 There was a discussion regarding the Energy Efficiency grant having been almost all

committed in a short space of time. Only unrestricted fund moneys can be used for

grants to individuals. It was agreed that this is frustrating.

Draft minutes CVDCC meeting 4 September 2024

10 Woodland Group report (DB)

10.1 The next woodfuel days are 14 September and 5 October. Pomona Day is on 26

October.

11 Roads report (PH)

11.1 Covered earlier in the agenda

12 Planning report (MB)

12.1 Conservatory - planning permission refused for The Cottars. It is Grade II listed.)

12.2 Auchenbowie Old Farm - repair of a wall - decided.

12.3 Wind2 have put in an application for Drummarnock. Is there a CC opinion as to

whether we are neutral, for or against the application? It is live on the council website.

Compensation has been offered to a resident whose property will be affected. 60%

has been allocated for community benefit for the CVDCC area.

12.4 Roads have not been returned to a satisfactory condition following previous wind farm

construction. This is perhaps something we could request be a condition although it

should already be a requirement.

12.5 It was agreed the CC will generate a list of things for which our approval will be

conditional. ACTION PH

13 Local place plan (MB)

13.1 See Appendix II

MB had a display at the Flower and Produce show in August. We got some interesting

ideas, and 25 households took away the template and said they would come back to

us.

13.2 Road conditions was an issue that was important to many residents. She spoke to

Adam Brooker of Carron Community Growers - he wants to contribute to the plan.

13.3 It was agreed to raise the local place plan at the next wood fuel day.

14 AOB

14.1 PH raised the issue of care of residents in the community - some carers are refusing to

drive down farm tracks. Surely it should be a requirement that carers have appropriate

vehicles for rural roads? Is it because this area is classed as urban rather than rural?

Care is outsourced but should councillors be copied in when residents have an issue

so Stirling Council are aware?

ACTION NB will speak to health and social care partnership, also colleagues in other

rural areas to see if they have come across this issue.

15 Date of next CC meeting – Wednesday 2 October 2024 at 7.30pm via Zoom.

The meeting closed at 9pm

16 ACTIONS

3.1 Approved June minutes to DB for Stirling Council. HB

12.5 List of requirements for windfarm development PH

14.1 Care for residents – issues regarding agency staff etc. NB

Draft minutes CVDCC meeting 4 September 2024

Appendix I Police Report

Name of

Community

Council

04/09/2024 – Carron Valley Community Council

Our priorities in the Carron Valley area continue to

be Anti-Social Behaviour, Drug misuse/Drug dealing,

Road Safety and Community Engagement and

Reassurance.

Crime

reports

Crime Reports for the Carron Valley area between

05/06/2024 – 03/09/2024

Detected: 15

Assault to Injury – Reported to PF

Vandalism – Reported to PF

Threatening and abusive behaviour – Reported to

PF

Driving with no insurance – Reported to PF X 3

Fail to Stop for Police Vehicle – Reported to PF

Dangerous Driving – Reported to PF X 2

Driving whilst under the influence – Reported to PF

Assault - Reported to PF

Failure to comply with road traffic test – Reported to

PF X2

Driving without a license – Reported to PF

Careless Driving – Reported to PF

Undetected: 7

Theft – No further lines of enquiry

Theft – Enquiries on going

Driving under the influence – Enquiries on going

Theft by shoplifting – Enquiries on going

Attempted Fraud – No further lines of enquiry

Fraud – Enquiries on going

Fail to stop after an accident – Enquiries on going

Total Crime Reports: 22

No crime trends have been identified within the area.

999/101 CALLS

There were 73 calls made to Police for the Carron

Valley area over the stated period. The calls relate

Draft minutes CVDCC meeting 4 September 2024

to incidents including reports of theft, animals, road

traffic matters, planned shoots, assist members of

the public, abandoned 999 calls, assault and youths.

Other

Incidents of

note/relevant

Community

Council

information

On 24/08/2024 PC Spike and PC Goldie attended the

Carron Valley Show. This was a fantastic day where

they were able to meet many members of the local

community and speak to them about their concerns.

They were also able to engage with youths from the

area and show them their equipment and marked

police vehicle.

Feedback

from

meeting

Please e-mail any feedback/questions to PCs Goldie

/ Spike at:

StirlingWestCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk

Appendix II Local Place Plan

Local place plan - update.

In August 2024 we consulted widely across the community about the need to develop a local

place plan.

25 households showed considerable interest in taking away the LPP template to consider in

their own time proposals that they think would add value to our community.

The proposals exhibited were positively received.

Many agreed that the road conditions was by far the greatest concern. With additional

suggestion for the need for better signage, speed restrictions, tree trimming to improve

visibility/safety.

Adam Brooker who is leading the Community Growers is keen to expand on the existing

proposal and we will forward the proposal to him (adambrooker1@hotmail.com)

A range of new issues raised included:

 The need for bins at the waterfalls and other high traffic areas

 A community skip to help the community deal with waste and Dumb Dumpers.

 Anti-social littering signs to promote visitors to take rubbish home. Develop a litter

picking zones across the community with Local authority up lifts.

 Purchasing community equipment to improve our surroundings e.g. grass cutting, dog

waste bins, litter (12 people), etc.

 Increase reporting of anti-social driving cars, motor bikes and cycling. On discussion

with police, they are very keen to hear from the community and suggested a range of

ways of reporting methods. Including telephone 999 or 101, reporting Police Scotland

by emailing your concerns via their ‘contact us’ section of their website. Regular

Draft minutes CVDCC meeting 4 September 2024

reporting with enable the police to understand the problems identify patterns of

behaviors and address the problem.

 A map of suitable access points for open swimming in the area. We need to make

reference to the Scottish outdoor access code for open water swimming.

 Develop a program of fishing training for young people.

 Explore transport for our community.

 Community outdoor fitness area.

Maureen Berry 040924

Draft minutes CVDCC meeting 4 September 2024

Draft minutes CVDCC meeting 4 September 2024