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GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
AUGUST MEETING 2023
MINUTES
Date: 07/08/2023
Time: 19.30
Location: Gargunnock Community Centre
In Attendance: David Millar (DM), Christine Phillips (CP), Richard Parkin (RP), Julie Cole (JC), Carolyn Johnston (CJ), Mike Buckley (MB)
Minute Taker: Mark Dickson (MD)
Elected Councillors: Rosemary Fraser (RF)
Members of the public: Douglas Coupethwaite, Jonathan MacLaren
Agenda
1. Apologies
Lovat MacGregor
2. Action Points
DM to provide Police Scotland representative to LM. Done
LM to make one final effort to reach Carlyn Fraser notifying her that there was a RTC at the site and provide Police incident report. TBC
JC to provide contact details of Stirling Council representative to LM. Done
LM to compile and send all correspondence to Cllr RF who will chase with Stirling Council. TBC
CP to share previous correspondence between C Fraser and Environment &
Housing committee about improving visibility at the Station Rd exit from the village Lovatt McGregor. Done
3. Adoption of previous minutes (DM)
Proposed by CP, seconded by MB
4. Declarations of interest (DM)
None to declare
5. Matters arising:
(a) UCI Cycling Event (DM)
Complaints have been received from residents with regards to
lack of communications and conflicting information from Stirling Council
Rosemary Fraser addressed concerns raised by residents concerning care
provision during the race. Staff will be stationed at the Community Centre
who will be able to assist and individual packages have already been given
to all those on the official care register. With regards to residents who are
not on the official register the staff stationed at the Community Centre
will be on hand to assist in case of emergency.
Concerns over loss of earnings: Stirling Council has no funds to provide for
any loss of earnings as a consequence of the race.
Stirling Council believes that all pothole issues have been addressed
ahead of the race. It was pointed out that this was not the case and
Leckie Road remained in poor condition.
RF felt that Stirling Council had been working hard to address all issues
and concerns and that more issues stemmed from UCI’s management of
the event.
Douglas Coupethwaite raised issues over the access times being
contradictory and the disruption this has caused to the everyday lives of
residents. Douglas pointed out that the phone number provided for any
concerns was the general Council switchboard and not a dedicated line.
The GCC stressed that the community were supportive of the event but
frustrated at the lack of engagement, the poor communications and
contradictory information provided.
RF understood the frustration from residents and was reassured from
Council officers that these issues were addressed and were working hard
to enable the event.
ACTION:
RF to check whether the UCI is going to use the Community Centre car
Park and whether there is availability for residents to use it.
(b) Village Shop (CP)
Community Ownership Fund application has been submitted and the
application to the Scottish Land Fund is going in this week. A private
investor is on board who is going to make an offer for the shop on behalf
of the community. The Gargunnock Estate Trust is also interested in
providing funds and the Chair of the Windfarm Fund is also looking at
their ability to fill any gaps in funding.
(c) Roads (DM)
Concerning the improvements to the Station Road junction - a reply was
received from Steven Bly who told the Community Council not to get in
contact with Council head of services directly. It was pointed out that the
GCC had little choice when no reply had been forthcoming for months on this
issue.
A reply was received shortly after stating that the Council did not have the
resources to pursue the issue at this time. GCC expressed frustration given it
has been over two years since the Council conducted the survey
recommending the road improvement, that funds were committed to the
improvements and yet no progress has been made.
ACTION: RF to raise the issue with the Head of Roads
(d) Defibrillator Ownership (MB)
GCC currently owns the units and the intent is to move the ownership of
these assets to the Community Trust. The Trust is meeting on 24th August to
confirm the transfer. Douglas Coupethwaite assured the GCC that no deeds
existed for the Phone Box and that the transfer was done over a series of
emails with BT in line with all communities who adopted the units at the
time.
(e) Christmas Lights (DM)
As part of efforts to improve our Christmas light display, GCC has identified
nine lampposts that can be used for new lights. Eight of the nine got approval
from the Council. Cost received (£2,900) and submitted by GCC to the
Gargunnock Trust for the new power supply from Bridge End Cottage and the
new sockets on the eight lampposts..
Costings need to be conducted for their annual erection, removal and
storage. More funds (£3,500) will need to be raised to cover all the capital
costs. Suggested that GCC runs a pub quiz and run a crowdfunding page for
residents to support. Costs for routine instalment, removal and storage will
be covered by Stirling Council.
ACTION: DM to initiate Crowdfunder for new Christmas light units. DONE
(f) Local Place Plan (DM)
Meeting held with Doune and Deanston to look at how they are working on
their Local Place Plan. The Plan will involve a number of workshops,
community engagement events and drawing up all the initiatives into a
cohesive plan for the Community’s interests over the next 10 year period.
(g) Website & Communications (MB/ DM)
Gargunnock is falling behind relative to neighbouring villages concerning our
online platform. No engagement has been made with residents as yet but it is
recognised there is an opportunity to make improvements. Doune
was highlighted as a village which have a good website that is useful for both
visitors and residents.
ACTION: DM to engage with the Community Trust to gauge their interest in
collaborating on this
6. External reports
(i) Police report (DM)
ACTION: LM to follow up with the Police as the recent RTC at the Station
Road junction was not logged in their report.
(b) Planning report (JC)
No decision made on the new Windfarm though Historic Scotland has
objected to it given its proximity to the Bronze Age Cairns at the summit
and visibility from Stirling Council.
7. Finance reports (RP)
Started the year with just over £1,000 in the bank. Currently have £656. Printing of fliers took up most of this expenditure. Still pending response from Stirling Council on the Admin grant. These applications need to be made retrospectively which requires the GCC to maintain a float to cover ongoing costs.
8. Residents’ forum
The Paths Group is meeting later this month at which point an update will be sought from SUSTRANS concerning the proposed Cycle Path.
ACTION: JC to circulate update following the meeting
9. AOB
Resident requested a bollard put in place at the junction of Charlie’s Loan and Main Street to prevent cars from using their drive as a turning point.
ACTION: RF to raise the issue with Stirling Council
Next meeting: Monday 2nd October 2023 1930 hrs