MINUTES FOR CROFTAMIE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Venue -But n Ben
Wednesday 13/11/24 at 7.30pm
Attendees: Callum Crawford (CC), Brian Sweeting (BS), David Armstrong ( DA), Cyndy Bourbousson (CB), Alli Peterson (AP), Rosemary Fraser (RF)- Stirling Council plus 6 residents
Conflict of Interests: none declared
Apologies: Police, Anne Ewing
- Previous Minutes – November. Approved CC and Seconded CB
2. Police Report - CB
Forth and Endrick, Croftamie Community Council, October 2024 – Compiled by PC Matt
McCammon
Community Engagement PC Laura Newlands joins the Forth & Endrick ward community Policing Team. She comes with 6 years’ response policing experience having spent the majority of her service within the Falkirk / Grangemouth area.
Poaching Two persons attended at the River Endrick with fishing rods fishing roads with the intention to fish without a permit. Water Bailiffs were notified by members of the public and attended confiscating their fishing rods. The suspects refused to give their details to the Water bailiffs and left the location. Details were passed to police and enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible.
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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.
Visit Cyber Aware for step-by-step instructions on keeping your devices up to date. This includes security updates and online security advice.
Remember: If it’s illegal offline it is illegal online.
This includes posting anything that promotes crime, violence or drug misuse.
This includes threats made against you or forcing you to pay money. It also includes being forced to do something to prevent images or information being posted or shared.
This activity is often linked to footage taken using webcams, known as sextortion.
The following links on this page will provide up to date and relevant information.
They give advice around being safe online. It will also help you spot when things aren't right
Should you wish further advice then contact Police Scotland by dialling 101.
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 and PC Laura Newlands are the Ward Officers for the Forth and Endrick area. They are 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 24//FUL | Erection of 1no. dwellinghouses
Application still under review. Community council objection lodged 01/06/24
Item 2: Dalnair House application 24/00640/FUL Erection of 5 houses involving changes to approved house type and alterations to approved site layout (altered from planning approvals 22/00290/FUL and 24/00242/FUL for Plots 1 to 5)
This application is to change the house plans for the 4 houses already approved and the single house listed in item 1 above still under review. The revision shows larger houses which were already on another previous amendment application and it shows (first time) a design for the footpath. This design includes stairs- prams or wheelchairs The planning team will approve the five houses however the developer contributions have not been made for the initial application nor the additional monies offered for repairs to the bridge.
Traffic officer has advised that the developer has rescinded the objections to build the linked footbridge. CC will write formally to the Planning officer at the Council to clarify position with footpath and await a response. If the path was not to be adopted by the council there is no specific design required.
Item 3: 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 4 : Pirniehall Application 2022/0329/PPP Large multiple purpose tourist development
Mixed-use residential and tourism development comprising change of use, alteration (part demolition) and conversion of former residential school (Class 8) to residential dwelling (Class 9) with ancillary swimming pool, gymnasium, and outdoor games court, erection of ancillary detached garage with self-contained flat above, alteration (part demolition and extension) and conversion of outbuildings to form 7 no. holiday apartments, formation of new road access and gateway structures, associated parking, drainage infrastructure, and erection of 8 no. holiday lodges.
After the revised design was submitted, the Community Council final objection letter was sent to the Planning dept on 5th Nov. Planners recommendation in a 70 page document was issued 11th November. It recommends acceptance with a long list of 38 conditions, some of which will address the concerns of the Community. These include phasing to include the main building being restored first and demolition restrictions on existing outbuidings.
Planning and access committee meeting set for 25th November and AP will attend.
CC will meet prior to the 25th to discuss key points.
Item 4 : Cattermuir Cottage 2024/0234/DET| Change of use of land to garden ground and replacement of ancillary building
Time for comment has passed – application under review by planning team.
4. Roads Update - CC
Pavement at the But and Ben entrance has been fixed.
Raised ironworks at other side of Catterburn bridge have been reported
Wall at Architect’s office can’t be repaired until Spring as lime render is to be used. CC raised the issue of a resident in a wheelchair that can’t use the pavement and a solution of ramps was offered. CC to follow up on this.
Bus stops have been removed in the village which impacts on the school kids having to be dropped further from home. Request made for these to be reinstated.
Wall at Drymen bridge has been repaired but the pavement has not been tarmacked– request been made.
Two of the abandoned cars in the village have been removed.
Buchanan Cres- part of the road repairs have been done. CC to chase as standard is not acceptable. Concerns raised that the tree stump has not been removed which has impacted on the hedging installed.
Stirling Council walk around – areas discussed: Footpath from Cattermills to the village is too narrow on the corner but nothing can be done to make it wider due to visibility. Suggestion to make a new pavement on the opposite side of the road but this requires a feasibility study and permission from the land owner. A Pelican crossing is to be created at the Cycle path. Speed survey has recently been redone in the village- results to follow.
5. Treasurer Update - DA
Bal of account is £701.94 after the purchase of a Memorial Bench bought with a Grant received from Stirling Council. Admin Grant of £635.40 is due to be received this month. £120 due to But and Ben for Room hire. Planters and soil placed at Cycle path entrances- £167.
- Stirling Council Update - Rosemary Fraser.
Budget discussions have started again – bit earlier that last year.
Sadly the new Council leader, Margaret Brisley, who replaced Chri Kane, has passed away. There will be a byelection in Bannockburn ward. There will be a new Council leader appointed.
RF to attend the Environment and Transport meeting tomorrow.
Council Winter volunteer scheme- Q raised again about what Insurance would cover and RF advised if someone falls, the Public liability is covered by the Council.
Individuals need to register for the Winter scheme- training will be provided with a High Viz vest and a shovel.
Council commitment that each village will have one road in and out cleared should it snow. Q raised around other villages where this has not happened in the past and RF said she would raise this with her colleague.
Q asked – has the Nursery been sold. RF advised discussions were underway with a potential purchaser. AP advised that the Estates team are aware of the Community shed on the land.
- LL&TNP update from David Mackie. No update provided.
8 . Correspondence received
CSET - been awarded for purchase of Market stall covers.
Invite from Kilmarnock CC for talk in Millenium Hall on 19th November at 7pm from the Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment.
Email received from JR Group offering £500 instead of the labour requested for community benefit. It was felt that this was a disappointing amount but that HB should accept funds on behalf of the community.
9 . AOB
CC to arrange the New bench fitting. Quote to be obtained for insuring it (DA) Thanks to CB for the installing the new whisky barrels.
Mon 16th December at 6.30- Village Sing around the Christmas Tree and then back to the But and Ben.
Confirmation of Next meeting
Wednesday 8th January 2025 at 7.30 pm
Location But n Ben