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Drymen Community Council
Minutes Of The Ordinary Meeting
Held On Tuesday 9th January 2024
Within Drymen Village Hall
Present: Fraser Robb (FR), Simon Reid (SR), Rhona Carmichael (RC), Maja McTavish (MM),
Louise Macfarlane (LM), Jacqueline Sendall (JS), Dawn Conner (DC), Councillor Paul Henke
(CPH), Richard Boddington of Drymen Community Development Trust (RB), Rowan Higgins
(minutes) and 10 residents.
Apologies: Rebekah Stewart
Fraser Robb opens the meeting by wishing everyone a Happy New Year.
FR starts by listing apologies for tonights meeting from David Mackie who is abroad, and Rebekah
Stewart. FR asks if there are any other apologies and the response from attended is that there are
none. David Mackie’s apology was later retracted as David is no longer a member of the
Community Council and this apology was made in error. This is clarified later in the meeting under
‘Community Council Appointments’.
1. Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held Tuesday 5 th December 2023
SR proposes and JS seconds previous minutes.
2. Ask your Councillor – Councillor Paul Henke
CPH noted that nothing had come across his desk for a couple of months.
The Big Conversation
CPH explained that they (in the Conservative group) had had the first of a series of meetings to
discuss the budget. CPH noted that there are lots of rumours flying around, but there have been no
definite plans for cuts yet.
CPH said he is happy to “put his neck on the block” for the likes of bus cuts, cuts in nurseries and the
closure of public conveniences.
SR asked if Stirling Council has an idea of what the Scottish Government is going to give it as a
settlement; CPH thinks that it is 5% from the Government. Stirling Council has the option to raise the
money itself, but then would not receive the 5%.
CPH noted that as a community we need to do a lot more for ourselves, i.e. keeping the village tidy
(drains, gutters, etc)
There is possibly grant money available from Central Scotland Environmental Trust. CPH is aware of 4
applications going through at the moment that look favourable. He suggested DCDT look into this.
A resident mentioned retarmacking roads – it was initially Sky taking responsibility for this however
the Stirling Council minutes said there was £1m spent by Stirling Council on this for the cycling.
This causes a contradiction, with resident wondering whether it was Stirling Council or Sky that paid
for the road resurfacing. CPH said will ask the question and let DCC know, but he thinks the money
came from the Scottish Government or Sky for Stirling Council to pay for this.
One resident mentioned the state of the roads, with which CPH agreed. Particularly Stockiemuir
Road and into Balfron. There are currently no plans to improve the roads.
The problem of flooding due to blocked drains was also raised. A resident reiterated CPH’s previous
point that we need to do more for ourselves and look after the drains that are closest to home.
3. Police Report
No police communication for this evening
4. Community Council Appointments
FR noted that David Mackie has officially resigned from his position of Chair of the Community
Council. FR stated that David Mackie was still a member of the community Council, however not an
active member due to his role with Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National park. This was an error
and JS noted that David Mackie had said he was leaving the Community Council at December’s
meeting. This was also confirmed by RC.
In light of that, FR would like to propose that RS would take on the role of chair. JS seconds this.
As vice chair, FR would like to propose RC takes on this role. JS seconds.
SR also proposed that Dawn Conner joins the Community Council as planning correspondent.
5. Planning
Springfield Development
There was a meeting in November with provisional ideas of reducing the number of houses from 88
to 66. Springfield was invited to today’s meeting, however said it wasn’t suitable for them to attend.
Springfield would like to meet with a small group who represent the community. This is an
opportunity for them to build a better bridge with the community, and an opportunity for Drymen to
get better community benefits.
Coldrach Steading
The National Park planning committee met on the 18th of December and one of the items on the
committee was the steading at Coldrach Farm. This is a long-standing planning application which has
been presented multiple times over the last decade. The planning has lapsed and the developer has
re-applied. The planning portal states this application has been heard. DC sent a note to the
committee regarding this, stating that the conditions now laid upon the developer may be too
onerous for them to develop the Coldrach steading. Some of the conditions included but were not
limited to:----
A £30000 lump sum towards the Stirling Council affordable supply programme
Retarmacking of the Coldrach Lane
Creating passing places within the lane
A pedestrian route
On the weekly list on the planning portal (week 51 of last year), there was one planning application
made to convert the Royal Bank building on Main Street from office use to Class 9 residential.
A resident asked how the reduction of houses in the Springfield development affects the numbers of
affordable housing. This will remain the same at 30. However, the number of houses affordable to
buy may be reduced. It was also asked if they would be extending the car park. This was confirmed.
It was agreed among attendees to ask Springfield to attend a community council meeting.
RB noted that they did seem keen to talk to the community at the meeting they had attended and
says it would be beneficial for them when they have to go back to planning.
6. DCDT Update
RB updated the meeting on behalf of DCDT.
RB noted that things have been quieter over Christmas, but highlighted the community involvement
in the advent windows and the light switch on.
In the background, DCDT have still been working on providing public toilets. The feasibility report for
this is due soon, and once DCDT have got to a suitable point with it, it will be presented at a meeting.
The Road Safety Trial will be removed in the next few days, this should only take half a day. DCDT
need to provide a report for the funders of this trial. DCDT have been requested by the funders that
they get data from the surveys to include in the report. The funders also requested that it is included
in the report who voted for and against the trial in and out of the DCC area. DCC noted that this
information wasn’t asked for at the start, DCDT responded that they were not asked for this
information when the survey was going out either. DCDT will go back to the funders to query why
this is being asked for at this stage, and DCC will contact Stirling Council to be sure that this
information can be used in the report.
DCDT are working on a grant at the moment which will go in to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This
is to look at doing some work in the Square such as a blue badge space, pothole repairs and
improving access (particularly on the cobbled area).
7. The Big Conversation
RS attended a meeting in Aberfoyle before Christmas, with a number of other Community Councils to
discuss the possibility of Council cuts in the area.
At this meeting, they gave out topics to people who specialise in them, in order to give more detailed
arguments back to Stirling Council.
It was agreed that DCC shouldn’t rely on this, but to also go back strongly to Stirling Council on
individual things that affect Drymen.
RS will update more on this at the next meeting.
8. Roads and General Maintenance
There is a road closure from Carbeth to Blanefield, 1st – 15th January, 8am – 4pm.
There is also a road closure from Arnprior to Port of Menteith on the 25th January, 8am – 6pm for
road maintenance.
One resident asked what we do about this. CPH said to keep complaining, and noted there hasn’t yet
been a heavy frost and the roads are likely to get worse.
Resident said what do we do? CPH said keep complaining. There hasn’t been a heavy frost yet and
rods likely to get worse.
For specific potholes, CPH asks that you contact him so he can chase this.
It was clarified that any pothole that is deeper than 15mm and is reported to the council, they then
have to repair It in 2 weeks.
9. Community Transport
There have been 2 volunteers so far for the Community Transport Working Group.
Community Transport also needs to be discussed with RS as one of the Big Conversation topics was
transport, as Drymen needs to link in with other community councils on this.
There will be a meeting of the working group before the next community council meeting. DCC are
looking for people who are interested in being part of this group.
A resident mentioned Dial-a-Journey and Central Shop Mobility which may be of use to those with
transport or mobility issues.
It was also noted that St Johns Scotland provide transport for dialysis and cancer treatment patients.
A resident mentioned that it is not widely publicised that you can book DRT on the day. They
suggested instead of looking at a community bus to update the DRT to be available almost
immediately and for it to be available on weekends. At the moment the service is only available
certain hours during the week.
DCC will talk to the transport department at Stirling Council about this. RB noted it would be goo to
have them attend the working group meeting.
10. Treasurer’s Report
The current balance is £2611.22
There is now access to banking. There had been problems getting signatories organised, however
Stirling Council said that DCC have not been the only one with these issues.
It was proposed that DCC make the move to online banking. This was agreed by all in attendance.
11. 2024 Meeting Dates
The dates for the rest of the year will be published in the Library, Village Hall and Facebook page.
2024
t
ing dates
12. Any Other Business
LM gave an update on the Gala day. There will be a committee put together which will meet before
the next community council meeting.
FR closed the meeting.
Confirmation of Next meeting
Tuesday 6th February 2024 at 7pm
Drymen Village Hall