May 2024 Minutes

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MINUTES FOR CROFTAMIE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Venue -But n Ben, Wednesday 8/05/24 at 7.45pm
Attendees: Henry Braid (HB), Cyndy Bourbousson (CB), Alli Peterson (AP), Callum
Crawford ( CC) and 9 residents
Apologies: David Mackie(LL&TNP), David Armstrong (DA),
Jade and Jim Mullen, Emma Okeefe, Anne Ewing,
1. Previous Minutes – April. Approved by CC Seconded by CB
2. Police Report - CB
Forth and Endrick, Croftamie Community Council
April 2024 – Compiled by PC Matt McCammon
Antisocial behaviour
A resident contacted Police after he had a disagreement with a friend who was refusing to
leave his property while under the influence of alcohol. Police attended and person left
when asked to do so and returned to his home address. No complaints forthcoming and
advice given to both parties.
Incidents of note
Police received a report of a Missing person following a call from a resident concerned for
the wellbeing of their friend. Details were noted and person was traced the next day safe
and well.
Where to report Scams
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.
Poaching Hare coursing is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Anyone
involved in this activity will usually use lurchers, greyhounds, and whippet dogs to chase the
hares, but the motive is rarely to take the hare but to treat it as a sport.
It is predominantly a seasonal crime occurring during the Spring as crops emerge into fields
and during late Summer and early Autumn when the crops have been harvested. However,
it can occur at any time of the year.
Deer hunting is allowed if it is the right time of year (varies for species and sexes), during
daylight and there is permission from the landowner.
It is a crime that is usually committed during the night and poachers often trespass on
private land to get to the deer. Apart from the cruelty inflicted on the animals hunted there
is also a question of food preparation hygiene when animals are taken for human
consumption.
Fish poaching is illegal under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland)
Act 2003. The activity is usually done for commercial purposes.
Other offences under the Act tend to be committed by individuals or small groups who wish
to fish for free or catch coarse fish for their own consumption.
The only legal methods of fishing for salmon and freshwater fish likely to be encountered in
Scotland are the use of rod and line and a small number of legitimate netting stations.
What to do if you witness wildlife crime
If you suspect a wildlife crime is/has taken place
Do:
1.
2.
3.
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Report any suspicious activity as soon as possible to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 if
it is an emergency, and ask to speak to a Wildlife Crime Officer if one is available
Take note of the date, time, and weather conditions
If possible, identify a map reference using the My Three Words app, or ideally a GPS
reading of both the incident scene and location from where you witnessed the
incident
Note a description of person/s involved including gender, age, height, clothing, etc
Write down any vehicle registration numbers, make, model, and colour that may be
involved
Identify other witnesses and obtain their name and contact details
If possible, video or photograph the scene, or make a rough sketch
8.
Cover up any suspected poisoned baits or victims to prevent any animal or person
from coming into contact with them.
9.
Do report. Even if you are not sure - report the incident. The evidence of wildlife
crime is not always obvious.
Do not:
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3.
Never:
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Do not disturb the scene by moving items or walking about unnecessarily
Do not touch dead animals or birds, especially if you suspect that poison may have
been used
Do not interfere with legal countryside practices such as the legal use of traps and
snares, hides, high seats, and shooting butts.
Never approach suspects or intervene if you suspect someone is committing a
wildlife crime – you may put yourself in danger.
Crime against other animals
Wildlife Crime is not about:
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Domestic animals
Livestock
Stray dogs
Dangerous dogs
Licensing of dangerous wild animals (contact your local authority)
Injured domestic birds or animals (you can contact the SSPCA for more information).
However, crimes against these animals are still taken very seriously and you should get in
touch with Police Scotland if you come across such crime.
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
3. Planning Report -AP
Item 1: Dalnair House application 23/00392/FUL | Erection of 3no. dwellinghouses
Application decided at Planning and Regulation committee Stirling council.
The committee voted unanimously in favour.
A representative of the Dalnair residents and a representative from the community council
spoke against the application. The developer spoke in favour.
The councillors seemed to understand the community anxiety regarding the lack of
compliance with previous section 75 agreement matters but they voted in favour anyway. It
is not possible to explain why they voted for approval as they left the meeting to discuss the
matter in private before their vote. We will need to wait for one of our local councillors to
attend a meeting and explain what happened.
The footpath is not included in the new planning permission and is the subject of
enforcement action by Stirling related to the previous application. The Stirling planning team
and the councillors in giving approval have set a deal in place with the developer that means
the developer will pay Stirling council nearly £100,000 as a contribution to the new road
bridge and they will not build a new separate footbridge.
Item 2: Renewal of planning permission (2020/0239/DET) for erection of ancillary
residential unit - Ballatone 15 Cattermills Croftamie Stirling G63 0BB. Application still under
review
Item 3 : Pirniehall Application 2022/0329/PPP Large multiple purpose tourist development
The community council's response to the new information was issued in April. It has not
appeared on the planning portal but it was received. No new information.
Item 4: Buchanan Crescent. Construction of 14 no. 2 storey houses, cottage flats and semi
detached units with new private access road and associated landscaping (application
pursuant to Condition 1 of permission in principle ref: 2020/0039/PPP)
No new information in planning terms
Item 5: Change of use of land to caravan site (for the siting of 5 self-catering pods) and
associated coffee shop. Cattermuir Lodge Croftamie Stirling Ref. No:
2024/0024/DET validated 16th April.
The 5 pods will be in addition to self catering units currently in place taking it to 8 units.
There was discussion around traffic on the Back road with cars going to the coffee shop (
which will cater for up to 28 people.)
AP declared a Conflict of interest.
Comment was made about the current lighting on the site and concern raised that the Neon
lights were not in keeping with the location.
HB will write to planning and confirm that there were no objections in relation to the
application but that concern was felt about the increase in further traffic with more units on
sites on the Back road- including Pirnie Hall.
Head of Roads Neil Perrie- was written to after an accident and diverted traffic was directed
to the Back Road. He advised that this was not sufficient reason to object to Pirnie Hall.
Lack of passing places noted. Any comments should be sent to planning by 20th May.
4. Roads Update – CC
No closures planned.
In response to another request re Lines and chevrons at the T Junction a response was
received which said they were sorry this has been missed and thanks for flagging.
Wall on Main St will be completed early June. 2-3 weeks of work.
There is a big hole outside But n Ben on the pavement – CC to report.
Speeding no progress- possibility of 20 mph if there is a buffer at each end of the village.
Gate has been moved at Endrick field to the A811 side- where the safety barriers are, there
will be no gate there.
5. Treasurer Update – DA. Balance of the account is £1042.29.
6. Stirling Council Update - No councillor able to attend
7. LL&TNP emailed update from David Mackie.
He has attended two meetings at the Park since our last meeting. Discussions held around
housing and lack of low cost housing in National Park. He also attended a Planning meeting
for outwith our area.
8. Correspondence received
CSFLA - Grants of up to £600
SC Community grants up to £800 – DA to apply for a bench replace a broken bench on cycle
path and Planters.
Recycling centre. From 15 May can book on day
9. AOB
• Thoughts on Community benefits from Buchanan Crescent development. Labour
for groundworks for the bench site, fencing and soft landscaping at the entrance to
the Cycle path. (HB to ask Sustrance for permission), -Bigger Noticeboard required,
Request for funds towards a Playpark is determined by the Plans for the Nursery
site.
• CC to ask Stirling Council for a Bin on this side of the cycle path as folks are leaving
poo bags lying rather than crossing the road.
• HB to apply for a Grant for pop up stalls for the Community once a spec and cost
are provided.
• Question was asked around the volume of stray cats in the village but it was felt
that nothing can be done.
• Trust are having the Village Litter Pick on Sat 11th May at 11am. Meet in the
Nursery car park.
• March Fence wire has been repaired and then has been cut again- between Farm
and Dalnair to walk into the field- the cows can walk across the river. This is of
concern as people shouldn’t be walking in livestock fields.
• One of our Community Councillors has failed to attend any meetings or respond to
any correspondence so the guidance from Stirling Council is that HB will write to
Cliff terminating his position on the council. This will be documented at the next
meeting and the process followed to recruit a new Councillor.
• Dalnair Estate were not informed by their provider, Last Mile that the power would
be off for the full day. HB to write to find out why SSE did not tell them.
• Question asked around Facebook-can notices re the Mobile Bank and the Post
office not coming be added.
• RSPB Guided walks consultation on their 5 year Management planning. Being held
13th to 19th May from 10.30 to 12 noon.
• Meeting about the Nature discovery Project to be held on 22 May from 2pm to
4pm in the Millennium hall.
• This Sunday ( 11th May) there will be a Plant sale and craft stalls followed by a
Service at 3pm in the Kilmaronock Hall.
Confirmation of Next meeting
Wednesday 12th June 2024 at 7.30pm
Location But n Ben