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Minutes approved: 04JUN24 Proposed by: FR Seconded by: RM
Drymen Community Council
Ordinary Meeting
7pm Tuesday 07 May 2024
Drymen Village Hall
Meeting chaired by: Rebekah MacDonald, Chair, DCC
Present: Louise Macfarlane (LM); Fraser Robb (FR); Jakki Sendall (JS); Rebekah MacDonald -
Chair (RM); Maja McTavish – Treasurer (MM); Simon Reid – Secretary (SPR); Dawn Connors –
Associate Member (DC); Cllr. Rosemary Fraser (RF).
Apologies: Rhona Carmichael (RC) & David Mackie.
Ref: What: Who: When:
RM opened the meeting by welcoming all and asking for apologies.
Approval of minutes of 05MAR24 proposed by: JS seconded by: FR
with a small amendment relating to Gala Day preparations hiring a marquee
from the Scouts.
SPR
ASAP
Ask the Councillor:
A question from the floor was how the Council justifies a rise from £35 to £50
per annum for the collection of Brown Bins. RF explained that with the budget
shortfall and the Council Tax freeze it was fair increase. RF noted that when
the original charge was first introduced, there was no noticeable increase in
fly-tipping. The questioner was very disappointed, especially as this is a 42%
increase.
It was noted that some councils have subsidised the provision of compost bins
and RF thought that may still be possible. DCC will check.
RF mentioned that Stirling Council provides household recycling facilities for
its residents at three locations and the introduction of an online booking
system for Lower Polmaise and Callander brings those sites into line with the
Waste & Recycling Centre at Balfron, where it has been in operation since
June 2020. RF also explained that an appointment system helps prevent
waste from other areas, such as Falkirk, and helps commercial waste as vans
can visit 12 times per annum.
SPR
ASAP
Police Matter:
Report attached
Planning:
Several questions were asked about the Springfield/MacMic development
regarding breaking ground in June and consultation with the community. It
was expected that the first phase will be as per the existing planning
permission and that Consultations were being organized for June by
Springfield/MacMic. DC explained that Springfield/MacMic had hoped to make
changes via a non-material variation but may have to seek new planning
permission not to build some homes. However, it was noted that there are no
written proposal and so this is all speculation at this time.
Planning cont’d:
Laurelfields was then discussed. It was noted that 9 objections had been
lodged with the National Park Planners including from Stirling Council as
potentially the primary school would be operating outwith legal requirements.
DC went through a potential letter listing comments and concerns of the
community council to the development and it was agreed that this would be
sent to Caroline Strugnell of the Park Planning Team.
DC/
SPR
Drymen Community Development Trust (DCDT):
1. Paths Group has been restarted with Buchanan Arms Hotel to Home
Farm path cleared of brambles and hedges trimmed in February with
the next task being the path from Coldrach to West Highland Way in
Garadhban 18MAY24 – all welcome to help and suggestions for other
paths to be tidied up would also be very welcome.
2. The village defibrillator was replaced and insured by the DCDT and
Rebekah MacDonald has kindly agreed to be the point of contact. The
Trossachs Search & Rescue (TSR) will check every month. It was
noted that Louise McInnes’ son raised the money for the original
defibrillator and that she pays for the electricity to keep the defibrillator
charged.
3. E-bike Load Scheme has been relaunched and so Join!
4. Village Public Toilets update – this is still being progressed but is very
much tied into progress with the Springfield/MacMic development.
5. A village business map is being produced, and any businesses that
ASAP
want to be included should get in touch. A member of the community
suggested that the various West Highland Way (WHW) bag transport
companies could be included. It was noted that DACS (taxis is local.
6. The DCDT 2024 AGM will be held 25 June 2024 at the Village Hall for
its members – it is not too late to join at www.drymen.org or
hello@drymen.org
7. Information signs are being produced for the side of the Beer Shop
and the Deli & Bakery sized A0.
Gala Day:
LM gave an update on the Gala Day preparations.
1. The Gala Day Booklet goes to print 13 May 2024.
2. Remote Paramedic Services have been contracted to be the first
responders at the Gala Day.
3. This year’s Gala Day is being held as a tribute to Andrew Lee and in
fact his legacy has become self-evident as his Risk Assessments
(General Risk Assessment & Fire Risk Assessment) were able to be
dusted down and used as a framework to create new which was a
massive help.
4. There will be an ice-cream van but no archery or axe throwing.
5. A donation box at the Deli & Bakery collected £120.
6. It was recognized that this is a team effort but a big thank you to LM!
7. It will be held Saturday 15 June 2024 with the parade starting at the
Primary School at midday and is expected to reach the Football Pitch
by 12:30h. At 1700h to 2330h there will be a bar.
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Minutes approved: 04JUN24 Proposed by: FR
Seconded by: RM
Treasurer’s Report:
The balance is £ £2581.38
It was agreed that the Treasurer’s Bank Account should be changed to a
Current Account to allow access to online payments. It was noted that this
may need to change supplier to bank of Scotland.
Roads & Maintenance:
JS explained forthcoming road closures and updated the meeting on two
MM
ASAP
actions relating to flooding drains (Charles Crescent and outside the old
vicarage).
Discussion took place on road white lining in particular Balmaha Road/Main
Street junction. SPR noted that this had been raised with Stirling Council
Roads Department previously but was found to be ‘in spec’. RF said she
would investigate this issue. RM to ask Croftamie Community Council as
concerns were raised about white lining on the Old Military Road.
Co-opting New Councilors:
RF
RM
ASAP
ASAP
An invitation and notice were given by RM that the Community Council is
looking to co-opt one new Councilor as a Planning Consultant. Please send
your expression of interest to support@drymencc.org to receive a nomination
form.
Community Transport Update:
Bob Edwards as a member of the Community Transport Working Group gave
an update on the work he had generously completed. He noted the following
information:
1. Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) in rural Stirling is problematical.
2. Alloa Coaches drops the children at Balfron High School and then
parks up and waits until home time to pick the children up to take
them home – an opportunity wasted?
3. McColls Coaches do what Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
(SPT) ask them to. McColls provide #309 bus service to Balmaha
from Dumbarton via Drymen. Could this service be extended to
Balfron linking up with the X10 Stirling to Glasgow and everywhere in
between. Previously a First Bus service transported residents to
Glasgow for their work but it didn’t get them home again. Chris
Maloney of SPT has stated that they would work in concert with
Stirling Council regarding extending this service to Balfron.
RF explained that the Killin to Callander bus service had stopped but had
been re-instated as a 2-year trial service using a minibus by Stirling
Council. Perhaps a trial could be held here.
It was agreed that the DCC would organize an inaugural Community
Transport Working Group meeting as soon as possible.
JS
ASAP
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Minutes approved: 04JUN24 Proposed by: FR
Seconded by: RM
Any Other Business
There is a suggestion that the Treatment Room is closing at Drymen Medical
Centre. If a patient’s dressing needs to be changed then a visit to Killearn or
Balfron Medical Centre may be required. It was noted that Health Visitors will
still be coming to Drymen for home visits and, of course, there is no public
transport to these other locations. DCC to check with the Drymen Medical
Centre.
The question was asked if the only disabled parking space is at the Square. It
was noted that there are disabled parking spaces in the Winnock Hotel
SPR
ASAP
carpark and the Stirling Road Carpark.
The increasing population of red squirrels was raised and a plea to take care
especially when driving and not to run them over. It was suggested that the
Drymen Bypass could have a 40mph speed limit or a Red Squirrel crossing. It
was noted that the Cairngorms National Park had installed tunnels for some
roaming animals.
A question was asked by a visitor who noted that in the Drymen Place Plan
that support and communication was noted between lots of local organisations
and representatives but not our Member of Parliament – why not? Several
opinions were voiced including that MPs reflect the government and their
party’s views down whereas others reflect their constituents up.
Next meeting:
The next meeting will be held after our Annual General Meeting. The AGM will
start at 7pm Tuesday 04 June 2024 at Drymen Village Hall.
Attached
Police Report for DCC
Meeting 07MAY24
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Minutes approved: 04JUN24 Proposed by: FR
Seconded by: RM