Cornton Community Council minutes

Meeting Wednesday 30^th August 2023 at 7pm, Cornton Community centre Present Apologies

Jackie McKecknie (Chair) Robert Kemp (Resident)

Mary Brown (Vice Chair)

Chris Burns (SC)

Shona Cullen (Secretary) Rose Curley (Treasurer) Charles Russell (Planning) Anna Johnston (CC) Sarah Jane Welsh (CC)

Patricia McCormick (CAPP) Crispin Bennett (CC) Sharon McQuillian (CC)

Caroline Stewart (Minute taker) Councillor Rachel Nunn

There are currently 2 separate local organisations interested in taking over the Family Hub at Cornton Vale Women’s Prison, both have submitted bids through an Asset Transfer request and representatives from each came along to the meeting to provide more information on their organisations and how they would hope to use the facility if their bid was successful.

Susan Fullerton – PLUS

The first speaker was Susan Fullerton, Chief Officer, PLUS. Susan gave a description of the service provided:

PLUS supports children and young adults from birth to age
There has been significant demand in social care therefore the organisation doesn’t have the capacity to meet demand.
Current premises are based in Springkerse Industrial The organisation is keen to find a base within a community.

Currently have an asset transfer application in for premises in This is paused due to work needed to the building. They have also submitted an application for the Family hub at Cornton Vale.
PLUS, have recently held 2 sessions to engage with the community and have met with local community groups and residents.

If they were successful in their application for the building at Cornton Vale. The plans are:

Extend current service, retain current premises in PLUS, also currently rent space in other areas.
The faculty would be used to deliver day care facilities, independent living skills as well as group activities.

They currently have a live questionnaire to encourage open dialogue with the local community.

Councillor Nunn also advise that it is important to retain the building and car park as there is no option for the community to purchase the space and the building is likely to be demolished if neither of the interested parties are successful.

Janice Beaton - Stirling 4 Families

The other organisation who are interested in taking over the facility are Stirling 4 Families. Janice Beaton, Chief Officer came along to provide some information on the organisation and how they hope to use the facility if their bid is successful.

Stirling 4 Families was set up in 1999 by a group of local Mums whose children were struggling with addiction issues.
Initially the service was based around a telephone helpline
Support is now available through a range of channels including a telephone helpline, face to face support, children’s programmes, summer programme during school holidays, as well as counselling, a listening ear and complimentary therapies.
Based in the Boys Club, Top of Town

Janice went through some of the benefits of being able to purchase the premises at Cornton Vale:

Bring the service into the
Summer programmes open to all local
New facilities for local community where there is a lack of facilities for local
Service runs Monday to Thursday; facility could be used by other organisations the rest of the week.
Then plan is to relocate the service from the Top of the Town if the bid is successful They are currently conducting community consultation.
Survey available through social media
QR code on organisation website that links to
Questionnaires have also been distributed in the community café, school and in the street locally and is available in paper form.

Jackie advised that the CC is not able to provide specific support for either organisation, however there was a vote that the CC is in favour of one of the interest parties taking over the Family hub and all members voted in favour of this.

Nursery

An invite was sent to the nursery to attend the meeting but no reply. Shona will get in touch with them again.

Notes from last meeting.

There was a discussion about what information should/should not be included in the minutes as they are in the public domain. This led to a wider discussion around the need for training for all the CC members. Jackie McKechnie will send a letter to Stephen Blyth to ask if Marnie Foster and Chris Burns could attend the next CC meeting. Clarification is also required around who the keyholders are for the community centre and if an induction can be provided.

Matters Arising

Sharon McQuillian raised the issue of Cornton not always being included in all correspondence sent out regarding local communities. A recent example is the Stirling Council article “The Big

Conversation” where Cornton was omitted. Sharon has already been in touch regarding this but has had no response. Rachel Nunn advised if she doesn’t receive a reply within 10 days of her request, she should send this again and copy in the 4 local councillors. Sharon also asked for a special meeting.

Crispin has received a request from an individual to donate money to the CC. Jackie will clarify if this is possible and if so, the correct procedures that would need to be followed.

Bank account

Rose is still having issues around opening the bank account. The account is now open, but the bank is still saying they need additional information that has already been provided. Shona Cullen will write to the local MSP, Alyn Smith regarding this if the matter isn’t resolved.

Office bearers reports. Planning

Charles has received the floorplan for the community centre from SC. Keen to complete a survey with the local community to find out how they would like the space to look and how it could be used.
He has also spoken to SC planning and has gained permission for communication boards in the form of a noticeboard and a sandwich board to be placed in The plan is to have the main noticeboard in the playpark and a sandwich board in the street. There was a discussion about the need for a vote on where the communication boards will be placed. Charles will continue to lead on this and provide more information when it becomes available.
Crispin brought everyone’s attention to the rail crossing and a recent incident He has spoken to Stirling Council and will also contact Network Rail as the path needs to be straightened.

Police Report

No report provided and no communication from Police Scotland. Shona Cullen will contact to ask for the report and it will be attached to this month minutes when available.

AOCB

A local resident has contacted Jackie to raise concerns about a van unloading in the pedestrian area outside the Chinese restaurant at 3pm when school children were going home from Jackie was keen to raise at the meeting to discuss how the issue should be dealt with. This lead on to a discussion about CCTV coverage locally. Jackie will clarify with Stirling Council to gather more information on about CCTV and if it works and also if there are any options for the cameras to be relocated.

The next meeting will take place at Cornton Community centre on Wednesday 27^th September at 7pm

August 2023 Minutes