Fintry Community Council 

Minutes  

17^th January 2024 

19:30

Menzies Hall

Present/apologies for absence:

Declaration of interest in any items of business 

None 

Approval of Minutes of last meeting:  Will be approved at next meeting

Councilor's Report

Stirling Council Budget

Discussion was held around the Stirling Council budget. Cllr Fraser states that this year, Stirling council have begun the process of giving out lists of cuts earlier – it was started before Christmas and so whilst the information giving process may have felt last minute last year (2023) this is less of a problem this year (2024). 

Stirling council had allocated more spending to cover voluntary redundancies. There have been less of these than were expected/desired and so the council have not saved as much money as was initially hoped.

Discussion was held around the Stirling Council budget plans in relation to libraries. Cllr Fraser that libraries are under threat, but as libraries have such a valued place in communities the council may be more reluctant to go through with these cuts.

Cllr Fraser also raises that the council are struggling to find people willing to fill council positions. For example, it took over a year to fill rural social care positions. This then forces Stirling Council to pay for outside companies to service rural locations which is very expensive. Stirling Council are currently trying to fix their service provisions by ensuring that one company services one area, in order to create more optimal service provision.

Rural transport cuts

Suggested cuts to the X10 bus service are very unpopular and a discussion is held about what a negative impact cuts to the service may have. Cllr Fraser states that there was funding for trial bus services to be run, but this has not gone much further yet.

Cllr Fraser states that last year, a group in the council spoke to McGill's bus contractor. McGill's had purchased buses which then could not be used for the routes as they did not fit under bridges in Glasgow. She states that buses must be reliable in order to encourage people to use them. Bus use from those with free bus travel entitlement cards would be a way for Stirling Council to receive more money from the Scottish Government. 

Cllr Fraser notes that the solution for travel problems in rural communities may not be a traditional one. A 7-seater, or other small vehicle could be useful. Stirling council has enhanced their payment for DRT drivers, but they are still facing problems in providing this service due to a lack of drivers.

MB brings up the fact that elderly people suffer from a lack of rural transport as sometimes appointments to doctors etc. are cancelled and therefore booking a DRT in advance can be a dilemma. She states that if DRTs could be booked on the same day, then more people may choose to ride.

Cllr Fraser states that Stirling Council may consider diverting another bus to complete a route through the villages in order to save money yet keep some of the routes that may be cut from the X10. 

Christie Clock

Cllr Fraser is due to take part in the Stirling Council audit and risk committee on 18^th January. At the last meeting they had 22 recommendations made after the Christie Clock was removed. The committee accepted the recommendations so that a similar situation will not happen. 

IR questions whether another clock will be put up in place of the Christie Clock.

Cllr Fraser states that at the moment, it appears as though the clock will be put back; however, budget problems may impact this. Initially the clock was taken down for repair, but it ended up being judged as a risk to the public and so was removed. 

Questions around the Stirling Council budget

JG questions why Stirling Council is receiving so little money. Cllr Fraser responds by stating that the Scottish Government as a whole does not have much money to designate.

Discussion held around the NHS spending a lot of money on branded drugs and single use equipment such as splints, when the money could be better used in the Health Service. If somebody is prescribed drugs but does not finish their prescription, the drugs cannot be sent back and are instead wasted.

Fintry Nursery

MB states that Fintry Nursery has managed to fill a place with a child outside of Fintry. She believes that Fintry needs young people and young families to vitalize the community, but house prices are very high and mean that many people cannot afford to move into the village. Cllr Fraser states that the Fintry Nursery campaign has reached a lot of people.

Rural Housing

MB requests Cllr Fraser to provide her with a Stirling Council contact to discuss the development of rural social housing. Cllr Fraser will do this. Cllr Fraser remarks that Stirling Council grants are often based on pre-COVID figures, therefore, Rural Housing planning has struggled to progress because the business case for it has not been made.

Council tax

Discussion was held about council tax rates. In order to fund the council tax freeze, there has been a 4-5% uplift, therefore a restriction on what can be made. Council tax will not increase, Cllr Fraser confirms.

Cllr Fraser states that a 1% council tax rise would not bring in very much money for the council, only about £500k. MM states that if Stirling Council were to raise council tax, she would support it to better support her community. Cllr Fraser notes that in England, 80% of government funding comes from council tax, whereas in Scotland, council tax contributes 20-30% of funding. 

IR raises whether Stirling Council could introduce fabric funds – a voluntary opportunity for some people to choose to pay additional council tax. Cllr Fraser states that a few years ago, Stirling Council used participatory budgeting. This involved community members suggesting ideas as to how they would like money spent in their community. She believes that communities should have opportunities like that to choose their priorities.

RG suggests the idea of a Stirling lottery to raise money. This idea is discussed.

Cllr Fraser states that she is greatly supportive of funding for the arts as COVID showcased to the nation how important television and other creative industries are.

Police Report - report submitted  

None received 

Treasurer’s Report  

Year-end report

The Foundation Scotland annual report for January to December 2023 is due. MB, JG and SW will take this forward by arranging a meeting with FS. 

Christmas Tree Grant

MM is to send back leftover money from the Christmas Tree grant to the FCC. JG will give bank details.

Grant application – received from Strathendrick Women’s Rugby club for £1770 to provide kit. Application approved by all.

Resilience Update 

Feasibility study

MB held a meeting with Stirling Council Flood officer to discuss increasing the money provided for the feasibility study. He is inquiring further about this as he wishes to help the Community Council and will report back to MB.

Cross flooding

Scottish Water are examining the flooding at the cross which MB initially reported to them. There is concern as to whether there is a burst water main contributing to this. Additionally, the water freezes and has caused people to slip.

Willow spillage

The community was very helpful in providing old Christmas trees for the willow spillage natural flood management project. The Community Council is looking to eventually extend the project up the orchard bend, Kippen Road. Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust is involved with this as they own this part of the Endrick.

Tree replacement

Trees are being planted in the village to install the coronation trees.

Community Christmas Party

The Christmas party was a great success this year. Thanks to all involved and attending.

Planning 

Removal of 3 steel tube masts approximately 55 meters high at the Earlsburn Roads/Paths 

Correspondence received from Cllr Henke regarding pothole repairs. He has been advised that work will be carried out this financial year.

Correspondence  

Written correspondence received and, as requested, was read out to everyone in the meeting. The first question was acknowledged as requested. The second question was asking for clarification of the November 2023 minutes that £1,500 was to be transferred from the Volunteer Services travel budget was to be transferred into the Community Transport budget. Clarification: The Volunteer Services travel budget was created during COVID to reimburse volunteers completing prescription, shopping runs etc. COVID restrictions were eventually lifted and in 2023 this resulted in there being underspend in Volunteer Services travel budget, this money was then moved into the Community transport budget in November., (Unfortunately, the correspondent did not leave an email address for the FCC to reply directly).

Correspondence received from the Earlsburn team regarding their planning application, advising the FCC that it is still ongoing.

IR received correspondence from Shelloch. The person IR had been trying to contact is no longer involved and so IR has been referred again. MB advises that perhaps the FCC should contact Planning as Shelloch are not upholding their end of the planning agreement.

A.O.B. 

FCC webpage

The Community Council wishes to explore getting a new webpage set up so that information about the FCC can be better distributed. It was suggested a link to the page could possibly be included on the FDT’s website. Inquiries to be made.

FCC admin email

FCC admin email is down. Is to be back up in a few days .

Broken bridge 

RG raises the issue of the broken bridge between the hall and the cross. Some slats are broken, and this is a hazard. The FCC are to pay for its repair.

Date of next meeting 

February 14th, 2024