Causewayhead Community Council Minutes of the Annual General Meeting for 2021-22

held on Monday, 4 July 2022

Present:

Val Sinclair, Chair

Sonja Cameron, Treasurer Joyce Carberry, Member

Darren Draper, Co-opted Member Paul Mcdonald, Secretary

Fiona MacLeod, Vice-Chair Sue White, Associate Member

In attendance:

Thelma Barron (Resident and Minutes Secretary) Councillor Rachel Nunn, Ward 4, Stirling North

Four local residents (including Councillor Jim Thomson attending as a local resident)

Apologies:

PC Greig Lowery; PC Stuart Gray, Community Police Officers

1. Welcome

The Chair welcomed all attendees to the Annual General Meeting and extended thanks for the contributions of Community and Ward Councillors over the preceding year, as well as the support of local residents.

2. Appointment of Officers for 2022-23

Officers for 2022-23 were confirmed as follows:

Chair: Valerie Sinclair; Vice-Chair: Fiona Macleod; Secretary: Paul Mcdonald Treasurer: Sonja Cameron

3. Vacancies and Nominations for Ordinary and Co-opted Members

Resignation of Bill MacLellan

The Chair reported that Bill MacLellan had resigned, after ten years’ service on the Community Council. On behalf of the Community Council, she expressed her deepest gratitude to him, particularly for his stalwart support to her husband, Jim Sinclair, when he was Chair, and subsequently, when she succeeded to the Chair.

3.2 Resignation of Duncan McDougall

The Chair reported that Duncan McDougall has resigned from his position as an associate member of Causewayhead Community Council and a full member of Bridge of Allan Community Council. He had represented both Community Councils over many years, in respect of the proposed Airthrey Park development, providing written evidence, formal responses to

submissions, as well as meticulously providing regular updates to both Community Councils. The Chair extended sincere gratitude to Duncan, for his tireless efforts on our behalf, as we await the decision from Scottish Ministers.

Transfer of Darren Draper from Co-opted to Full Member

The recommendation to transfer Darren Draper from co-opted to full member was approved unanimously.

Transfer of Sue White from Associate to Co-opted Member

The recommendation to transfer Sue White from associate to co-opted member was approved unanimously.

4. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting

The Unconfirmed Minutes of the meeting held on 10 May 2021 were approved, having been proposed for adoption by Fiona Macleod, seconded by Paul Mcdonald.

5. Annual Report

The Chair presented the annual report for the period 2021-22. She thanked all Community Council members for their continuing support, local residents for their attendance, and Ward Councillors for their ongoing support in addressing any issues arising in our community. She also thanked our Community Police Officers for their continuing support in providing monthly reports, attending meetings when schedules permitted, and for their willingness to respond to any problems that arise. Matters of note highlighted in the report included:

5.1 Airthrey Kerse

The Minister’s refusal of planning permission in late November 2019, on the recommendation of the Reporter, in effect rejecting the Graham’s Dairies’ claim that there was a shortfall in Stirling’s planned housebuilding, and taking the view that the development would be contrary to Stirling Council’s adopted development plan because of its Green Belt location.

The submission by Graham’s Dairies of a further appeal in February 2020 to the Court of Session on a technical issue, namely the Reporter’s methodology for calculating housing land supply, which, they said, was counter to Scottish Government guidance. The Court of Session referred the case back to the Scottish Government, who appointed yet another Reporter to look at the case

The completion by the Reporter of his consideration of all previous evidence, together with new evidence submitted, and the submission of his final report and recommendations to the Minister

The case is still ongoing, as we await the Minister’s decision.

5.2 SUSTRANS

Working in partnership with Stirling Council, the progression by SUSTRANS of ‘Walk, Cycle, Ride’, a project to improve routes from the city centre to Forth Valley College and from Stirling Station to the University of Stirling, with the aim of making it easier and safer to travel on foot or by bike.

Following several consultative sessions to address the cycle route that should be taken through Causewayhead, the final decision to adopt Dunster Road, the current designated cycle route, as the preferred option, and enhance this route to the University.

The impact of delays on the project as a result of the Covid pandemic, such that work was due to commence this summer. [Secretary’s Note: since the meeting, the Chair was informed that the work was now likely to be further delayed into the late )

In addition to the installation of a new cycle path on Dunster Road, agreed adjustments on Causewayhead Road, which include a pedestrian crossing at Stephens Bakery and an extension of the pavements into the road at the bus stops, on both sides of the

Furthermore, the future designation of Dunster Road as exit only, at the junction with Airthrey Road.

The very welcome installation of a steel bench at the top of Easter Cornton Road, at the intersection with Causewayhead Road. The bench has been well received and is being used

5.3 Traffic Calming

Since May 2021, the reduction of the speed limit on Causewayhead Road to 20mph, as a result of a Scottish Government initiative, adherence to which was being monitored.
Concerns raised by some residents at the top end of Easter Cornton Road, towards the intersection with Causewayhead Road, regarding vibration from traffic going over the speed The concerned residents were in dialogue with Stirling Council.

5.4 Speeding issues at Craigmill

The continuation of speeding issues on the A907 Alloa road in the vicinity of Craigmill. Although we were given to understand that the speed limit on this part of the road was to be reduced to 30mph, to date this has not been implemented.

5.5 Network Rail

Network Rail’s plan to convert the pedestrian crossing at Cornton from a diagonal to a straight pathway, to improve safety. To date

this work has not been carried out, and there is no timeline for the work to be completed.

5.6 Wallace Monument

Continuing liaison between the Chair and Tracey Macintosh of Events and Tourism to promote activities that take place at the Monument.

5.7 Wallace Park

Continuing exclusion of Wallace Park housing estate from the CityFibre rollout due to drainage problems and complex legal issues regarding responsibility for roads and drains.

5.8 Health and Social Care – ongoing impact of Covid

The continuing impact of Covid on local services, particularly in Health and Social Care.

5.9 Note of thanks

The Chair expressed her gratitude to Joyce Carberry for maintaining plants at the planters and War Memorial, and to Thelma Barron for her work as Minutes Secretary.

6. Annual Accounts

The Treasurer presented the end of year report.

The balance in the account as at 31 March 2022 was £7,581.01

Expenditure of £451.00 to 31 March 2022 comprised secretarial fees, purchase of an Armistice wreath, floral planters, cost of audit and purchase of Windows 10.

The accounts had been signed off by the

7. Any Other Business

There was no other business.

The business of the Annual General Meeting was concluded at approximately

7.30 pm.

July 2022 AGM Minutes