DCC Meeting Agenda

Wednesday 6 November 2024, 7.00pm - Dunblane Library and Zoom

 

 

1. Apologies
2. Conflicts of interest
3. Adoption of minutes of previous meeting
4. Matters arising and Action tracker
5. Current topics
   • Zoom access
   • Dangerous dogs
   • Dunblane road signs
   • Remembrance Sunday
6. Reports
   1. Police Report
   2. Elected members

Planning and Operations

1. Planning Report (TOB)
2. Operational Report (TOB)

Community

1. Local Place Plan (JF)
2. Schools
3. Windfarm Grants Committee Environment/Sustainability
4. Allotments, Community

gardens and Orchards

1. Playgrounds
2. Forestry

Events

1. Extravaganza plans
2. Vaison update

Internal

1. Correspondence and

Communications Reports (CT)

1. Treasurer’s Report (SC)
2. Offer of Full Membership
3. Offer of Co-opting
4. AOB
5. Residents Forum (opportunity for residents to raise any issue)
6. Date, time, place of next meeting

 

 

 

 

Dunblane Community Council

 

 

 

 

Minutes of the Dunblane Community Council held on Wednesday, 6 November, 2024, at 7 p.m. in the Library, Dunblane.  This is a “blended” meeting, with some attendees joining by Zoom.

 

Present:  Anna Jarchow-MacDonald (Chair), Calum Thomson (Secretary), Stewart Corbett (Treasurer), Alan Booth, Jonathan Failes, Karen Jenkins, Rachel Nelson, Peter Swindon, Annelise Bakri, Fiona Plumtree.

 

In attendance: Councillors David Wilson, Robin Kleinman and Alasdair Tollemache, Mairi Santolini (Parent Council, Dunblane High School), Liz-Anne Richards, Ross Aylott, Caroline McArthur, Margaret Bragg (Minutes Secretary).

 

1. Apologies  

Apologies have been received from Terence O’Byrne, Councillor Thomas Heald and the Police.  

 

2. Chair’s remarks and Conflicts of Interest

Councillors remembered Kate Fawcett, a previous community councillor who has recently died.  There were no stated conflicts of interest.

 

3. Approval of minutes of 9 October 2024

These were approved, proposed by Jonathan Failes and seconded by Annelise Bakri.

 

4. Matters arising and action tracker

Braemar playpark  Peter Swindon has circulated details of different play equipment options for the park, for the community council to consider.  The Council has confirmed they will pay to upgrade the playpark but a decision on the different options is required by 15 November.  It was agreed that he will contact the Headteachers and Parent Councils of the schools to find out their opinion on the equipment, and Mairi Santolini will forward a list of contacts for him.  Councillor Tollemache suggested that there should be an attempt to involve interested neighbouring families as well.  Rachel Nelson also noted that the park would have been designed with an age group in mind. 

Peter Swindon asked councillors to contact him with any comments. Action: Peter Swindon.

 

Road signs commemorating the Murray brothers   The Town Centre Group of the Dunblane Development Trust (DDT) has suggested wording for a road sign on the entrance to the town to commemorate Dunblane as the home of Jamie and Andy Murray.  It was agreed to suggest to the Town Centre Group that they contact the Murray brothers for their permission. Stewart Corbett, who is also on the DDT, asked for comments to be sent to him. Action: Stewart Corbett.

 

Cambushinnie substation haul road  It was agreed that the Secretary will post details of the public consultation, to be held on 20 November in Braco, on the website. Action: The Secretary. Leaflets are being distributed through Dunblane.

 

Common Good Fund  Alan Booth reported that he is waiting for a revised list of common good assets from the Council’s assets department. Councillor Tollemache commented that there has been an interest shown in the Laighhills pavilion and it was reported in The Courier that the Council confirmed that the pavilion is a common good asset.  He has written to Council officers for clarification but has not had a reply yet.  The Civic Panel is due to meet next week but he does not know if the Common Good Fund will be discussed.  He agreed to let the Chair know if it is on the agenda.  Action: Councillor Tollemache. Alan Booth insisted that any common good asset should be properly maintained and in good condition when it is transferred to Dunblane. The Chair agreed to send a query to the Council through Stephen Bly (Community Council Enquiry Co-ordinator) asking for an update. Action: The Chair. 

 

Dandara In response to their request to address the community council, and after discussion amongst council members, the Chair has relied via email that the community council would welcome updates in writing and would support a public meeting. As the proposed development is in the Green Belt and not designated for housing in the current Local Development Plan, any alteration to this would have to be agreed by the community and be subject to an open discussion in an open forum.

 

Speed limits in Kinbuck  Councillor Tollemache reported that the implementation of the 40 mph limit on the Dunblane to Kinbuck Road and the 20 mph limit through Kinbuck is delayed as there has been an objection to the latter.  If not resolved, this would go before the Planning Panel.

 

Ramoyle traffic proposals  A reply from the Council’s Road Department, after a recent meeting, is expected. Councillor Tollemache agreed to chase this up. Action: Councillor Tollemache.

 

Zebra crossings  Zebra crossings are being installed on Old Doune Road and Doune Road.  A pedestrian survey is being carried out at Springfield Terrace  with a view to installing a further crossing over to the Dunblane Centre.

 

Safe routes to school  Mairi Santolini called for a wider consultation with parents, police and residents on traffic dangers at peak times near the Primary School and High School.  Alan Booth noted that there is a Council officer whose remit covers safe walking routes to school and the Active Travel initiative was mentioned. The Chair agreed to contact Mairi Santolini and the Headteacher to discuss the best way to bring people together to address this. Alan Booth commented that more houses have been built resulting in an increase in traffic near schools.  Councillor Tollemache suggested that the safety of the Old Doune Road should be challenged and felt that the rough surface of the road also discouraged cyclists.  The Chair agreed to discuss this with Mairi Santolini and, at the suggestion of Alan Booth, also with Bridget Clark. Action: The Chair.

 

Ross Aylott from Ramoyle commented that, following the designated safe route to school, many pupils also crowd down the narrow Ramoyle at peak times. The Chair agreed to pursue this as well. Action: The Chair.

 

5. Current topics 

Zoom access  Alan Booth apologised for the zoom access not working but he was unaware that he was expected to set it up.  The Secretary opined that zoom was no longer required and there were only exceptional circumstances why people could not attend in person. The set-up is complex and the community council does not have a Zoom licence in its own right.  However, it was felt that it offered greater accessibility to everyone, including young people and it should be publicised more. Fiona Plumtree commented that, due to illness, it has sometimes been the only way she could participate. Alan Booth agreed that the community council could continue to use his personal licence and he asked Councillor Tollemache to push for an upgrade of the equipment in the Library.  The speaker and microphone are rented for each meeting from the DDT at a minimum cost. The Secretary agreed to look into having a simpler set-up.  The Chair stated that hybrid meetings increase access and noted that community councillors have even joined remotely while on holiday. She said that the community council will vote on this at the next meeting when, hopefully, the Zoom access will work. 

 

Dangerous dogs  It was noted that the term ‘dangerous dogs’ refers to specific breeds of dog.  What was discussed, as raised by Caroline McArthur, were two separate issues. 

 

Caroline McArthur reported that there have been various incidents in Dunblane involving members of the public and other dogs being injured, resulting in the removal of the aggressor dogs.  This has been dealt with by the police.

 

A second, separate issue is the problem of dogs who are off the lead and not under control.   It is important that dog owners realise their dogs should be under control, and Caroline McArthur suggested that it should be publicised that dogs should be on the lead in a public space.  At present, keeping dogs on a lead is only given as advice by VisitScotland and the Highway Code, and Councillor Tollemache is going to push for the Council’s Parks Department to clarify their position.  There are regular, popular, dog training sessions at King’s Park in Stirling and this may be an opportunity for Dunblane to improve the wellbeing of everyone including the dogs. It should be recognised that many people do not want to interact with dogs at all while for others they provide companionship. The Chair commented that dogs in play parks represent a public health risk and that all incidents of dogs out of control should be reported to the Police. The Secretary suggested that better signage at play parks aimed at advising dog owners to keep their dog on a lead and under control should be looked at.  It was acknowledged that these are delicate conversations, and the goal of the community council is to ensure an agreed approach without alienating particular groups in the community.  Councillor David Wilson reported that the future of the Bandeath Dog Shelter is in doubt.  

 

Remembrance Sunday  It was agreed that the Chair, Jonathan Failes and Rachel Nelson will attend for the laying of the community council’s wreath on Sunday. Action: Jonathan Failes.

 

6. Reports

Police Report : See attached.

 

Elected members’ reports  Councillor Tollemache reported that he is meeting with residents at Ochlochy Park as a repair to the pond is needed.

 

Councillor Wilson reported that the poor road surface between the Queen Victoria school and the Fourways roundabout is being looked at by the Council’s Roads Manager.

 

Planning report : See attached.

Rachael Muir raised the issue of the new gate in the wall at the back of the Braeport which she claims has been put in the wrong position and not as agreed by the Planning Department.  Councillor Tollemache is following this up with the Planning Department and will send their reply to the Chair.  Action: Councillor Tollemache.

 

Operational report:  See attached.

Councillor Tollemache, pointing out the number of items carried forward over many months with no resolution, agreed to try to get updates on them. Action: Councillor Tollemache.  He noted that the Kinbuck bridge has been damaged for some time. The Chair agreed to ask for updates through the community enquiry form process. Action: The Chair.

 

The Secretary reported that he updated the tracker on the website immediately after community council meetings and welcomed any feedback.

 

Local Place Plan (LPP)

Jonathan Failes is still awaiting a response to funding applications and noted that the time frame is getting tight.  In response to the problem of analysing the data received, the Chair suggested that a group be formed to tackle this.  Alan Booth agreed to look at the data and asked Jonathan Failes to send it to him. Action: Jonathan Failes and Alan Booth.

 

Schools  Mairi Santolini reported on the working group which is organising the school’s 50^th anniversary celebrations. Initiatives to encourage reading are going well, with Book Week, and attempts to ensure younger pupils have a library card.  The Careers Fair is taking place this week, and she is grateful to the input from Jonathan Failes in involving pupils in the upcoming Christmas Extravaganza. She reported that there is little space in the school for a social space for S6 pupils and enquired about the possibility of a Portakabin for them.  Councillor Tollemache agreed to take this up with the Council. Action: Councillor Tollemache.

 

Jonathan Failes reported that Stephen Bly hosts a show on Stirling Community Radio every Saturday and has offered to share community news from and for Dunblane.  

 

The Chair and Vide-Chair have attended an induction session for new Chairs of community councils.

 

In a comment to the notice on Facebook of this meeting, Hazel Meechan from NHS Forth Valley, requested that the subject of child poverty be raised at the community council.  It was agreed that to invite her to the next meting and the Chair is willing to contact her.  Action: The Chair.

 

Peter Swindon is on the fund-raising committee of the parent council at the Primary School, and Rachel Nelson is also on the parent council at St Mary’s and felt updates from all the schools should be part of community council’s meetings.

 

Windfarm Grants Committee  The grants for this year have been awarded.

 

Playgrounds  Annelise Bakri reported that the High School garden project is waiting for more funding. All the primary schools have orchards.

 

Forestry Alan Booth reported that the sustainability project run by the University of Edinburgh at Drumbrae, on land round Dumyat and Sheriffmuir, is holding a community meeting in Bridge of Allan on 22 November. Karen Jenkins agreed to put this on Facebook. Action: Karen Jenkins.

 

Christmas Extravaganza  Stewart Corbett reported that the food and entertainment on offer has been expanded and traders have been providing funds. Jonathan Failes reported that school pupils from the High School are going to be involved. Connections have been made with other parent councils and the Rotary Club. There is going to be a story-telling hub in the Library.

 

Vaison-la-Romaine  As minuted last meeting, a co-ordinator is required.  It was  suggested that the link with Vaison be on a road sign coming into Dunblane.

The potential exchange with Vaison will be on next month’s agenda. Action: The Chair for the agenda.

 

Treasurer’s Report : See attached.

 

Community council representation on the DDT  Alan Booth noted that Stewart Corbett is on the Board of the DDT but that the community council can have another representative on its Board, and that it was useful to keep up-to-date with news from the DDT.  The Chair is going to contact the DDT and will put this on the agenda for the next meeting.  Stewart Corbett agreed to give her more information.  Action: The Chair.

 

7. Full membership of the community council

As both Rachel Nelson and Peter Swindon have fulfilled the qualification of attending three meetings as co-opted members, it was agreed they be accepted as full members.

 

8. Co-option of new members

As there are now 12 community councillors, another four can be accepted as co-opted members. The closing deadline is 27 November and it will need to be publicised and Stirling Council officially notified.  Karen Jenkins will post the application form on Facebook. Action: Karen Jenkins. It was noted that Rachael Muir, who is attending this meeting, has previously expressed an interest.

 

9. AOCB

Jonthan Failes asked councillors to send him any comments on the new agenda structure.

 

10. Residents’ Forum

 

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, 4 December, 2024, in the Library, Dunblane.

 

The meeting ended at 9.20 p.m.

 

This is a true representation of the meeting.

 

Anna Jarchow-MacDonald  …………………………………..  Date  26/11/24

Chair

 

Calum Thomson  …………  Date  ……28/11/24…………… Secretary

 

Police Service of Scotland             

Community Council Meeting  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any issues raised at Community Council meeting:

 

https://scotland.police.uk/yourviewcounts

        

 

 

MONTHLY REPORT – November 2024.

 

 

New Planning Applications received since last meeting in October 2024

 

 

It is considered that the following applications have no implications for Dunblane as a whole and it is recommended that we leave it to the neighbour notification system to identify any local objections that there may be:

           

• Extension to dwellinghouse at 5 Bruce Avenue, Dunblane,
• Proposed restaurant extension to C-listed hotel, with internal alterations and associated infrastructure and landscaping works, at Cromlix House, Cromlix,

 

 

Applications to be discussed. 

 

None

 

Progress on Planning Action Log Items since last meeting. 

 

• Construction of New 20 bed luxury care home and associated parking and landscaping at Randolph Hill Nursing Home. No decision

 

Outstanding 

 

None

 

Other Planning Matters 

 

DPEA refused the appeal by KGT for the development at Kellie Wynd

 

Terence O'Byrne  

Page 1 of 1

 

Operations report, Dunblane Community Council meeting 6^th November 2024

This report details the issues that involve the Roads Department in the main at Stirling Council since the August Community Council meeting.  

1. Kinbuck Road culvert.

The ditch was cleaned out several months ago. The culvert has been provisionally scheduled to be cleaned at the end of May this year. New date now February 2025.

2. Kinbuck Road gullies and poor road surfaces.

These repair works were originally scheduled for the end of August. Word was done in December but the main water ponding closer to the A9 slips was not resolved. The gully is still blocked and further works is required on the side opposite the gully. New date November 2024.

3. Gullies and road surface issues between the QV school and the 4 Ways Roundabout.

DAMM have to revisit 4 gullies close to the Hotel entrance. This has been outstanding for almost 1 year. The road surface issues at various points are causing water ponding leading to pedestrians getting showered with water and old stone walls getting damaged have still not been fixed. This works was delayed due to SGN working on the Perth Rd. Work to fix the flooding at the 4 Ways roundabout crossing has still not been scheduled. Will be scheduled for December 2024 after a meeting with the Roads Mgr on October 29^th.

4. Gullies on all the main entrance routes to Dunblane.

These include Doune Road from the junction the A9 slips roads, Springfield Terrace to the lights at Sunnyside, Keir Roundabout to the 4 Ways Roundabout, Glen Road. It was requested that all gullies be cleared on these routes, this was done at the February meeting in 2023. Some gullies on the B8033 between the Keir roundabout and the Claredon Place roundabout have been done. This topic is ongoing. The Council takes over the DAMM contract from November 1^st.

5. Kinbuck Bridge approach road alterations.

The parapets on the north bound approach are the main point of damage. This is caused by oversize vehicles. There are measures in place to prevent this, but these are inadequate. There needs to be a width restriction put in place in addition to the current weight restriction. In addition, the road geometry needs further alteration to help reduce the possibly of damage. This topic was raised again by me at my meetings on October 3^rd  and October 20^th . The width restriction will be implemented in the next 3 months. Road realignment will take longer as detailed engineering evaluations have to be made. No progress on this issue.

6. Kinbuck Road 40mph request.

The Roads Dept agreed to implement the 40mph on the Dunblane to Kinbuck road. No timescale provided. Traffic regulation orders advertised for this 40mph and the 20mph through Kinbuck.

40mph will be implemented in December 2024.

 

 

 

7. Ramoyle traffic proposals.

Draft proposals were provided to reduce traffic flows and calm traffic through Ramoyle. These proposals require some fine tuning. The request to restrict the Access Only zone limits was not in the proposals. We had asked that the restriction start just after the Tannahill junction and end just before the garage. A new Roads Officer has been appointed to take this work forward. This project is still outstanding. A meeting took place in October to discuss proposals. Revised plans will be drawn up. Cllr Tollemache to update.

8. Skatepark drainage

The first bowl in the skatepark has been having drainage issues for the last number of months of 2023. The Council finally employed contractors to fix the issue. This involved having to put a new pipe which on the first attempt was in the wrong location. The new drain seems to be working. It is important that the ‘bowl’ is kept free of debris on an ongoing basis. The contractor did not finish pathways to the ‘bowl’ correctly with cracked paving slabs in place and aggregate used where paving slabs were removed. Cllr Tollemache has requested that the above be remedied, the Council has responded saying that “The team are still working on other projects and safety issues within other play areas and are currently unavailable for this work.” No timescale has been provided in this response which is normal for such responses

9. Springfield Terrace/ Claredon Place (B8033) Pedestrian Crossings

Our request for additional pedestrians crossing at these 2 locations has been acknowledged. No timescale provided; I have requested one. We have also requested that a traffic speed survey be done. Officers to progress investigation in November, no further information available.

10. Braemar Play Park

Cllr Tollemache met recently with local residents who have expressed an interest in setting up a group to support the play park. A meeting has been requested with officers to discuss the condition of the play park. This meeting took place in early November 2023. It was agreed that some works needed to be done to replenish the surfaces. Peter Swindon met with officers recently. Peter to provide an update at this meeting.

11. Water ponding and the rusty state of the rail bridge

We have been asking Scotrail/Network Rail to fix the water ponding issues on the bridge deck for the last 10 years. No progress has been made. Over the last 10 years the bridge has become very unsightly with rusting on the steps and other parts of the structure. Again, we have been asking that this be resolved for many years. We have been told that Scotrail have a ‘painting’ plan for stations in 2025, we need to ensure that Dunblane is on that plan. The water ponding is separate from this. We have requested an onsite meeting to discuss with the relevant parties. Absolutely no progress on this. Cllr Tollemache will contact Network Rail again, this issue has been ongoing since the bridge was built 10 years ago. No progress.

12. Removal of Lollipop school crossings

The Council took a decision to remove all such crossings and replace with either light controlled crossings or Zebra crossings. There are two in Dunblane, one on Doune Rd and the other on Old Doune Rd, the proposal is to replace with Zebra crossing. Information was provided on numbers of vehicles and pedestrians that were surveyed. No speed data is available. Works will be done in November.

13. SSEN upgrade works in East Dunblane

SSEN are upgrading sub-stations and wiring in east Dunblane. Works ongoing. Latest phase was top of High St and start of Smithy Loan which is now completed. Ongoing, currently working in Millrow and Haining. No information on when this project will complete.

14. Virgin Media Fibre Optic Cabling installation

Virgin Media contractors started works in various locations in Dunblane since the June report. Virgin told us at a meeting in March that households would receive an advance notice leaflet in the days before works commenced in their location. This has not happened consistently. The matter was raised with Virgin Media who stated that this would improve. The cable laying process involved digging a 300mm deep trench in the pavements with a connection point for each property. This is an intensive operation which is very noisy at times due to equipment being used. Cable laying works seem to have been completed. Testing is now taking place, no date for when connections will be available.

15. Sewage leak at rear of Roman Way

A sewage leak was reported to Scottish Water (SW) on Thu August 29^th at 09.30. Leak is due to a damage pipe in the laneway at the rear of Roman Way. The sewage flowed along the path down to the pavement at the Church where it crossed the pavement and ended up in the gully at the corner of Claredon Place and Hillside. This sewage flowed on the pavement until Thu 5^th September. SW took far too long to put in the pump system to bypass the blockage. Cllr Tollemache spent considerable time in this week encouraging SW to get on with the job at General Manager level. At the time of writing this report on Set 10^th the site is sealed off with an operation in place to excavate the pipe to locate and fix the broken pipe.  Work now completed, restoration of the grass bank and path outstanding. Cllr Tollemache and I will be requesting a meeting with the General Manager from SW once the works are complete. The main topic for discussion will be the lack of a timely response to stopping the sewage flow with the pump system. Meeting has been requested. Cllr Tollemache will provide an update at this meeting.

16. Revised routes for Winter Road and Footway gritting

The Council published the revised routes this week , can be viewed at: Gritting routes and grit bin locations | Stirling Council. I met with the Roads Mgr again in October to discuss the proposals. Changes have been agreed, the website will be updated. New tractors have arrived they will be GPS tracked. We discussed the grit bin audit I did in October 2021. Some of the recommendations will be implemented this year.

Terence O’Byrne.

5^th November 2024

 

Dunblane Community Council

Treasurer's Report

5 Nov 2024

Notes: 1.

Prepared by:                                                        Stewart Corbett (Treasurer)

5 Nov 2024