March 2024 Minutes

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Minutes of the Dunblane Community Council held on Wednesday, 6 March, 2024, at 7 p.m. in the Library, Dunblane.

Present: Ailsa Gray (Chair), Graham Mowat (Interim Secretary), Stewart Corbett (Treasurer), Terence O’Byrne, Karen Jenkins, Calum Thomson, Jonathan Failes, Alan Booth, Anna Jarchow-MacDonald, Fiona Plumtree.

In attendance: Councillor Alasdair Tollemache, PC Paul Gilliland, PC Ross Barclay, Liz Anne Richards, Steve Mason (Creative Dunblane), Bridget Clark, Margaret Bragg (Minutes Secretary).

1. Apologies

Apologies have been received from Councillors Robin Kleinman and Thomas Heald, Annalise Bakri and Mairi Santolini.

2. Conflicts of interest: There is none

3. Approval of minutes of 7 February 2024 These were approved, proposed by Terence O’Byrne and seconded by Karen Jenkins.

4. Police Report: See

PC Gilliland went through the report but clarified that officers were often pulled away to other areas, due to resourcing limitations.

In response to concerns raised over a problem Council tenant, the police were aware of this, but stressed the importance of residents contacting the police whenever a problem arises. Until a complaint is recorded, resources are not allocated. Alan Booth commented that similar problems have arisen in the past and it is not acceptable that the different agencies are not able to work

together to address the situation. PC Gilliland acknowledged that there is no quick fix but repeated that people must call in to complain.

5. Stirling Council Budget Cuts

Calum Thomson commented that better communications about the various options would have helped better inform the meeting on 7 February, rather than the focus being on the possibility of library closures. Councillor Tollemache said that Council officers were asked to propose savings in their departments, which were incorporated into the Big Conversation survey. However, savings through efficiencies and reductions in staffing (making up about 50% of the budget) were not included, but will have an impact on communities. Graham Mowat commented that by calling it the Big Conversation people did not realise that this was about cuts. The Chair agreed that Council officers should review the whole process. In the event, the discussion at the Victoria Hall meeting centred on the risk of library closures.

The Chair stressed that the long-term impact of the various proposals in terms of societal costs should have been given. The Big Conversation should have included assessments and analyses of the options.

Questions were raised over the Council spending £100,000 for a consultation exercise to determine the future shape of the library service while taking the same amount out of the budget for libraries. Calum Thomson said that the community should be part of this consultation.

The Chair commented that people had come up with revenue-generating ideas but there was no evidence these had been discussed. Disappointment was expressed that this felt like a tick-box exercise with nobody listening. Councillor Tollemache agreed to put the Chair in contact with Kate Hudson (Head of People and Community Wellbeing, Stirling Council) with a view to inviting her to a future community council meeting. Action: Councillor Tollemache.

The Chair concluded that communication between the Council and local communities needs to improve. She is also keeping Keith Brown MSP informed.

6. Chair’s Report: See

Windburn windfarm The Chair reported that the next stage is for the company to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment to the Council. She has asked for further maps showing the visual impact of the turbines as seen from higher floors of buildings, for example at Cromlix or the flats near the High School.

Local Place Plan (LPP) Reporting on a meeting he and the Chair had with Sharon Marklow (Head of Planning, Stirling Council), Terence O’Byrne said that the LPP would be taken into consideration by the Council in drawing up its Local Development Plan (LDP) if it were submitted by the end of the year. The difficulty of the LPP and the LDP consultation exercises taking place

contemporaneously was raised and the importance of including in the LPP only those topics meeting the criteria. Although they were assured that submissions by developers to the Council were not being considered, a comment quoting Glassingall Estates suggests otherwise.

In view of this, a discussion arose over how to find out what the different visions of the future of Dunblane are, as envisaged by different developers. Dandara has already made public its future proposals for the town. It was suggested that an event be organised in the Victoria Hall, where developers could pitch their different ideas, but it was agreed that it would be better if the developers themselves were not present at this. Instead, they could be invited to provide presentations for residents to comment on, using stickers and maps. The publicising of visual plans from each developer would get people in the town interested. The community council is neutral and will not be supporting any particular developer.

It was agreed that the Chair will submit a Freedom of Information request to Sharon Marklow asking for copies of all communications between developers and landowners in Dunblane, and the Council, relating to the preparation of the Council’s LDP. Action: The Chair.

The lack of statistical information was raised by the Chair, and Stewart Corbett agreed to send any data the Dunblane Development Trust holds to Anna Jarchow-MacDonald, although this will not be up-to-date. It was noted that developers will have an inflated wish list of proposed housing, which will not in reality be built. The issue of housing being built in phases over years, with plans changing over time was also noted. The criteria outlined in the new National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) will be crucial in future development applications. Steve Mason agreed to draw on his experience in helping to think through the policies of the LDP which he described as fundamentally a land use plan. Action: Steve Mason.

The possibility of organising a survey through surveymonkey was also raised, to determine the views of the community and it was agreed to extend the community council’s licence for this. It was stressed that the questions asked have to be relevant to what is covered by the LPP. The Scottish Government website gives guidance but, basically, all that Stirling Council requires from Dunblane’s LPP is a map outlining which development where. The Chair has asked the community council of Bridge of Allan for sight of their 12-question survey but has not yet had a reply. Jonathan Failes did a lot of work last year on a community survey and Anna Jarchow-MacDonald agreed to prune this to match LPP criteria. Action: Anna Jarchow-MacDonald.

Bridget Clark stressed the need for a joined-up masterplan to retain green space and walking routes while Fiona Plumtree said it would be better for a definite boundary at the edge of housing, on the non-town side, marked, for example, by a woodland. The Chair also highlighted that those assets and services missing from Dunblane and requiring residents to travel to Stirling to

access them need to be identified. Consultation would help in prioritising community benefit accruing from developments.

Dunblane Common Good Fund The Chair reported on a meeting of Stirling Council’s Civic Panel where Common Good Funds were discussed. She said that the Council’s definition of what is a common good asset is too narrow. With reference to the Victoria Hall and the Burgh Chambers in Dunblane, it is up to the Council to prove why they are not regarded as common good assets. She thought that rent from these buildings should have been going into the Dunblane common good fund. If a common good asset produces income, this can be used for maintenance and repairs. However, if the Council were to sell the Burgh Chambers, Alan Booth queried whether the money would go to the Council or to Dunblane’s Common Good Fund. The Chair is willing to write to challenge the Council over the status of the Victoria Hall and the Burgh Chambers. Councillor Tollemache notified the meeting that the next meeting of the Civic Panel is on 20 April and the community council could request a list of common good assets and ask for an invitation to the meeting to make representation.

7. Operational Report: See

Terence O’Byrne has produced a 17 point Report and highlighted certain issues.

Kinbuck Road 40mph request Councillor Tollemache agreed to chase this up.

Action: Councillor Tollemache.

Ramoyle traffic proposals Councillor Tollemache reported that this has been programmed for the next financial year.

Flood on southbound B8033 Apart from traffic signs blown over by the wind, it was acknowledged that the contraflow while repairs were done worked quite well.

Gas main replacement Terence O’Byrne reported that the work should be completed in about 3 weeks, but while the last phase is being done it is essential that the pedestrian crossing at the hotel is protected. Councillor Tollemache has been assured by Scottish Gas Networks that the grass at the Fourways roundabout would be reinstated, but was told that a compactor has been used before reseeding. Terence O’Byrne agreed to look at the site. Action: Terence O’Byrne.

Skatepark drainage Although this has been repaired, the paths to the skatepark need work. When concerns were raised over the graffiti which the Council are not minded to remove, Anna Jarchow-MacDonald suggested the repainting could be an art project for High School pupils.

Manhole cover replacement at Claredon Place Terence O’Byrne reported on traffic management problems again. He has requested a meeting with the Roads Manager at the Council to get clarification on the role of the Council,

the contractor and the community council, which can provide detailed local knowledge. Councillor Tollemache said it would be useful if the community council received prior notice of traffic management plans.

Railway lift towers refurbishment Terence O’Byrne has requested that the site compound be moved to the end of the lower Tesco car park. The lifts should remain in operation while the work is being done.

Kinbuck bridge approach road alterations The Chair is of the view that, as the B8033 is used as a relief road when the A9 is closed, and this is an inappropriate road for that traffic, Stirling Council should insist that Transport Scotland find an alternative relief route or pay for the bridge repairs.

Pedestrian crossings Councillor Tollemache confirmed that pedestrian crossings at the Dunblane Centre and on Doune Road have been allocated to a future programme.

8. Planning Report: See

With reference to the planning applications for changes to The Bank, Graham Mowat also agreed to have a look at them.

Alan Booth reported that a wooden structure has been relocated from the Braeport Centre and re-erected on Holmehill.

Councillor Tollemache reported that Mark Ruskell MSP has written to Sport Scotland enquiring if money is still being ring-fenced for funding a grant for Park of Keir.

9. Communications Report

Calum Thomson has circulated a brief email and will post monthly updates on the Dunblane website on the work of the community council.

10. AOCB

The Treasurer has nothing to report.

Burgh Chambers Steve Mason gave a brief update and appealed for support. Creative Dunblane has a 3-month licence agreement and, from April, the Council has agreed to a 1-year lease. Co-working spaces are being developed which will raise income, and funding applications are being submitted, but financially they are not in a secure position. Once they take over the building, there will be immediate expenses. The Council will sell the building if the project is not viable.

Participation by Zoom Although there was no Zoom at this meeting, it was agreed to continue with Zoom to allow greater participation in meetings. Alan Booth will be reimbursed for any expenses.

Woodland near Dumyat Alan Booth asked if anyone had attended a workshop organised by Julie Wilson a Community Ranger from Edinburgh University about installing four interpretation panels at Drumbrae woodland near Dumyat. Councillor Tollemache has had a site visit. There are various woodland areas being planned, without there being a joined-up policy.

Litter Graham Mowat will send Councillor Tollemache details of the chewing gum outside Greens with a view to the Council blasting it off. Action: Graham Mowat.

Twinning The Chair and Alan Booth are going to meet three representatives from Vaison-la-Romaine, at the end of May. (See Minutes December 2019). Alan Booth commented that there are other potential options for twinning.

11. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting of the Dunblane community council will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, 3 April, 2024, in the Library, Dunblane.

The meeting ended at 9.30 .m.

This is a true representation of the meeting.

Ailsa Gray ……………………………………………………. Date……………………… Chair

Graham Mowat ……………………………………………… Date …………………… Interim Secretary