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MINUTES FOR CROFTAMIE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Venue -But n Ben
Wednesday 12th June 24 at 7.30pm
Attendees: Cyndy Bourbousson (CB), Alli Peterson (AP), David Armstrong (DA), Paul Henke –
Stirling Council, David Mackie- LL&TNP, plus 7 residents
Apologies: Henry Braid (HB), Callum Crawford(CC) and the Police.
1. Previous Minutes – May Approved by CB and Seconded by AP
2. Police Report - CB
Forth and Endrick, Croftamie Community Council
May 2024 – Compiled by PC Matt McCammon
No crimes have been recorded in the village of Croftamie during this reporting period.
Please keep in mind that there have been a number of house breakings and thefts in other
nearby villages and remember to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
Police attended an intruder alarm call in the village. Fortunately, it was a false activation.
Scams
In Scotland, report all scams to Advice Direct Scotland by calling 0808 164
6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or online at www.consumeradvice.scot
Fraud
If you have been the victim of fraud, report it to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an
emergency.
Suspicious Emails
You can forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and send links from
websites which you think are trying to scam the public to the National Cyber
Security Centre's scam website reporting service
at www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-this-website/report-scam-website
Suspicious Text Messages
If you receive a suspicious text message you can forward it to 7726. The free-of
charge ‘7726’ service enables your provider to investigate and take action if
malicious content is found.
What basic steps can I take to protect my home?
Having your home broken into is not common. There are however many ways
that you can help secure your home. They don’t all cost money – some are
common sense and good housekeeping.
First, think about basic good housekeeping routines that aren’t expensive:
• Keep your home locked at all times
• Many thieves do not need to break in at all because a door or window has
been left open or unlocked
• Don’t leave keys on the inside of door locks, under mats or anywhere else
they can be easily found
• If you have a ‘thumb turn’ lock on the inside of a door, ensure that it
cannot be accessed from outside
• See details on letter-plates, glazing and adjacent windows advice below
• Don't put your name or room number on your keyring if you live in shared
accommodation, if it is lost or stolen, the thief will have information that
could direct them there
• Don’t keep house keys and car keys on the same key ring
• Don't keep a lot of cash in the house
• Mark your property with a UV marker pen or Security DNA marking Kit -
these can be bought online or in some stores
• Look for the Secured By Design accreditation on the product and register -
you can place an invisible imprint of your postcode and house number on
your possessions
• You can record and register details of your valuables, serial numbers and
features or marks, on devices on the national mobile property register
on the immobilise website - this includes mobile phones, cameras, laptops
and tablets
• Don’t leave valuables where they can be seen through a window - for
example, around the tree at Christmas time
• If you have a wall calendar, avoid having it shown near a window from
where appointments can be seen - people may see when there will be no
one in.
What should I do when I go on holiday?
When you go on holiday there are a few steps you should take for security.
• Get to know your neighbours, if you trust them they might keep an eye on
your home, draw curtains and remove mail from behind the door
• Consider using Royal Mail’s Keepsafe service, they will keep your mail for
up to 66 days
• Make sure you cancel any regular deliveries such as milk or newspapers
• Use timers on lights, make sure your alarm is set
• Don’t post on social media that you’re going on holiday - criminals can
search for this kind of information to identify empty houses.
Some other tips include:
• Doors should be fitted with a 5 lever mortice deadlock to BS 3621
standard or a Euro Profile Cylinder lock to TS007 3 star standard
• Door frames should be strong enough to support the door, hinges and
lock.
• If the door is not a ‘multi – point locking’ door, fit mortice bolts at the top
and bottom of the door and hinge-bolts give additional resistance
• External timber doors should be solid core and a minimum of 45 mm
thick.
• UPVC doors should be to PAS024:2016 standard as below
• New / replacement doors should be manufactured and installed to meet
standards PAS 024:2016 or equivalent
• Glazed panels within or adjacent to the door should have laminated glass
in at least the inner pane to standards P1A
• Letterboxes should have an internal cover plate and not be at floor level.
This means that mail drops down and can't be taken from outside
• If you are replacing your letter-plate, look to replace it with a letter-plate
to TS008 standard
• Fit a door viewer and a door chain
• Don’t leave keys in the door. They could be turned or stolen through the
letter-plate if a standard letter plate is fitted
• Think about having your door reinforced with a security door bar
• Ask the manufacturer/supplier before fitting any extra locks to double
glazed windows or doors
• Windows should have internal beading to avoid the glass being removed
from the outside. Some systems which have external beading are secure
because the glass is adhered to the frame or secured by special tamper
proof clips. This can be checked by consulting the manufacturer
• New / replacement windows should be manufactured and installed to
PAS024:2016 or equivalent. This indicates set specific standards of design
and security for windows.
What if I’m making home improvements or even carrying out routine
maintenance?
Your property can be more vulnerable whilst you’re carrying out home
improvements.
• Don't give keys to workers as they can make copies quickly and easily
• Let your neighbours know about work being carried out, where workers
are likely to be and who they are
• Scaffolding may allow an intruder access to areas they wouldn’t normally
be able to access
• Remember to lock all accessible windows.
• Community Engagement and Reassurance
• It is important to you to have community officers who you know, who are accessible
and who address local problems.
• PC Matt McCammon is the Ward Officer for the Forth and Endrick area. He is based
at Balfron Police Office and can be contacted at the office, on 101, or at
ForthEndrickCPT@scotland.police.uk. It is recommended that this email address is
used by the local community for email contact however this should not be used to
report crimes.
• Please remember that we regularly publish useful information and updates on social
media, including appeals for information, updates about road closures and crime
prevention advice. Our Facebook and Twitter pages can be found at;
www.facebook.com/forthvalleypolicedivision
www.facebook.com/policescotland
www.twitter.com/stirlingpol
www.twitter.com/policescotland
PH advised that the Police were hosting a meeting in Balfron Bowling Club on Tues 18th June
providing advice on avoiding Scams.
3. Planning Report -AP
DM advised that the Park planning department are waiting on info for the application at
Pirnie Hall so the application will not be discussed at the June meeting.
Dalnair – Despite promising at the meeting for the application for two more houses that
there would be no more requests, a planning application has been received for another
house.
The Developer has contacted CC to meet and AP has invited them to our meeting.
Q was asked to PH around why approval was given to the two new houses when there has
been community objection.
The Community Council will object to the other house. This will include a Safe access
footpath objection.
There is an outstanding Section 75 from 7 years ago for a footbridge and footpath. The
current clearing of trees will not provide DDA compliant footbridge as the corridor is
insufficient.
No drawing of the planned bridge can be provided.
The developer is to provide a sum of money to Stirling Council in lieu of the repairs to the
Croftamie bridge.
Planning will not be provided with any history, they will only have the application that is
presented.
As there is an ongoing legal situation no more info can be provided. PH to ask for an update.
4. Roads Update
Email received from Angela McGibbon Roads department. She has offered to come and do a
site visit in the village and meet with representatives from the CC.
1 - Dropped Kerbs & Zebra Crossing - this work is on our Programme to be completed this
financial year.
2 - Pelican crossings -A pelican crossing is a traffic signal-controlled pedestrian
crossing. They are obsolete and have been replaced by puffin crossings. Traffic signal
controlled crossings are only considered for installation in locations where both traffic and
pedestrian volumes are high enough to justify their installation. Can be reviewed at the
onsite visit.
3 - 20mph Speed Limit - ongoing rollout of this programme but this process takes a
minimum of 12 weeks. Given this timescale, it will not be possible to implement the 20
mph speed limit in time for the busy summer tourist season.
4 - Speed Survey - agreement has been given to conduct another speed survey.
5 – Speed cushions- Angela is happy to discuss further at a site visit.
Question asked around what is a puffing crossing?
Question asked around why complete another speed survey if the 20mph restriction has
been agreed.
Q asked around speed restriction and understanding is that it will go from 20 to 30 to 40.
Suggestion that the Cushion bumps should be brought back.
Blane bridge closes this Sunday for 10 weeks. Online meeting re the Blane Bridge to be held
on Thurs 13th June. Landowners have not been informed re the possible repairs. Of concern,
there is a gas main and water main under the bridge.
Q asked will traffic lights remain on the bridge- unknown
Q asked when will the pavement on the Main St be repaired?
5. Treasurer Update – DA. Balance of the account is £1035.09
6. Stirling Council Update – PH Nothing to report
7. LL&TNP update from David Mackie.
Question asked around the repairs to Conic hill which make it more difficult to walk on
Question asked around the ownership of the Cycle path ( where we want to place a bench)
and DM has put a request into the Legal team. Suggestion made that it is owned by
National highways and a resident is able get a contact name.
CB asked would this impact the request for tidying the area and repairing the broken fence
at the other side of the cycle path which Sustrance currently maintain.
8. Correspondence received
Since the last meeting the CC have received the resignation of Clifford Clark. The process for
recruiting a new member was read and HB to inform Stephen Bly that the process of
advertising should be started.
Developers contribution from Buchanan Cres- request was made for a better Gate shutting
mechanism but concern was made around how noisy this might be and would the gate still
just be left open.
9. AOB
• Drymen, Buchanan and Croftamie Gala day is to be held on Sat 15th June. There is
also a Scarecrow competition.
• There was a meeting held about the closure of Drymen Library which was well
attended. The Winnock have withdrawn their lease of the building and the library
will close on Fri 5 July. There is to be a working group and CCC have asked to be
included. Until/if alternative premises are found the village will be provided with a
Mobile library.
• Q was asked around why the Dalnair development did not provide the funds agreed
for a library at the school site but due to falling prediction of residents this was no
longer required.
• Two people have complained about the derelict cars on the Main St. Action for CC-
when the Council roads person comes for the visit can the ownership and adoption
of the pavement be established.
• CSET- grant application Clack and Stirling environment trust. HB to contact Audrey
for more info.
• Question was asked around the large volume of stray cats in the village but there is
nothing that can be done.
Date of next meeting - But and Ben
Wed 14 Aug 24 at 7.30pm