Agenda

1. Apologies (DM) Lovat MacGregor (LM)

 

2. Declarations of interest (DM)

DM has submitted a Planning Application for their property

 

3. Adoption of previous minutes (DM)

Proposed by CP, seconded by MB

 

4. Matters Arising

4.1 Village Shop (CP)

Tree that had ash dieback has now come down. Fence now in place though will have to extend around the perimeter of the shop garden space. The solar panels and air source heat pump are operational and will generate around £3,000 a year. The energy rating for the building is expected to increase to A/B. A tap is also being put outside the building. New road signs are being put up outside of the village. The Community Share Offer received applications from over 250 people raising over £65k. 

 

AGM to be held on 01 December. 

 

Tentative open date of mid to late November. 

 

Chair recognised the great work done by the Shop Committee and support from all the village to enable this project.

 

 

4.2 Roads (CF)

Speeding: speed survey tracks in place in the village. 

 

Repairs to potholes and road resurfacing has been conducted on most of the problem areas highlighted around the village. 

ACTION: Cllr RF to follow up on repairs to other problem areas highlighted

 

 

Email from Nicky Slack from Stirling Council regarding the Station Road junction as they’re currently looking into the topography of the area before work can (hopefully) proceed on upgrading the site next year. 

 

4.3 Planning (JC)

Consultation received regarding another Wind Farm on the south side of the Carron Valley Reservoir for 4 x 200m high turbines. They are currently conducting an EIA. Not expected to be visible from Gargunnock but JC suggested the Community Council submits a request for more information given the scale of these new turbines. Proposed by CP, seconded by TJ, passed unanimously. 

ACTION: JC to submit request for further information on the new Windfarm

 

4.4 Village Fountain (CJ)

Funds received from the Gargunnock Community Trust. Conservation Planning and Buildings and Estates Management at Stirling Council have been contacted twice regarding the refurbishments but have not responded. Stephen Bly has been contacted to assist in chasing them up so that the initial repairs can go ahead before winter. Pending reply. 

ACTION: Cllr RF to help chase up Stirling Council on this issue

 

4.5 Christmas Lights (DM)

£4,000 received from the Gargunnock Community Trust and anticipate a further +£300 from the Pub Quiz next month. It is anticipated an additional £1,000 will be required to cover the budget for the new lights. Surveys conducted and quotes received for the six additional lights which would bring the total up to twelve in the village. 

 

PAT testing to be conducted on the lights (£70 costing). 

 

Street lights to go up on 6^th December and the turning on of the lights at the square on Saturday 7^th December. Discussions are ongoing with Gargunnock Inn over possible mulled wine and mince pies. 

 

Stirling Council traffic team initially declined to support the temporary road closure but conceded after it was explained it would be done between bus times to allow for the public to attend the Christmas light ceremony. DM still to follow up with Police Scotland. The Songsters have also been contacted to see if they will be able to perform at the event. 

 

ACTION: DM to ask Gargunnock Estate for funding and the new company running Leckie Estate for a tree donation

 

4.6 Provost Park Upgrades (TJ)

Progress has been made (new flying fox and matting in place). Additional play equipment will be put in where the pile of logs used to be. Estimate the new items at this location will cost £8-15k though this will need to be self-funded as Stirling Council has no budget left to replace defunct equipment. Gargunnock Community Trust to be approached to gauge their ability to support.

 

Fencing to the back of the garages is in poor condition and needs replaced ACTION: TJ to follow up with Stirling Council on repairing the fences as they belong to the Council

 

4.7 Local Place Plan (DM)

Initial drafts are in the final stages of development. Door drops of the physical plan, once drafted, to be circulated and further public engagement sessions to be held. Copies also to be made available at the Gargunnock Inn, Village Notice Board and the (new!) Shop. Further agreement needs to be made on the scale, location and nature of future housing development in the village. 

 

4.8 Website & Communications (MB/DM)

No progress made on this front

ACTION: DM to follow up with Dan

 

 

4.9 Police report (DM)

One complaint received about speeding in the village. No further update.

 

Car swerved off the A811 to avoid deer.

 

Second caravan now parked for a prolonged period on Leckie Road causing an obstruction.

ACTION: DM to follow up with Police Scotland to register it as an obstruction. ACTION: CP to follow up with Stirling Council

 

                                                   4.10     Finance reports (TJ)

£6,955 in account (including £4k for lights, £1,824 for lights). Pending money to come in from admin grant. 

 

Google Meets subscription can be claimed next year under the Admin Grant. 

 

                                                   4.11     Residents’ forum (DM)

NTR

 

                                                   4.12     AOB:  

 

 Kings Highway (JC)

JC attended a meeting with the new MP on the subject of resurrecting the King’s Highway project. SUSTRANS funding is going to be filtering out to Councils and other agencies (TACTRAN and SETRAN). Currently unsure how communities would access these funds. Meeting held with Stirling Council who said the current project (cycle path connecting Gargunnock and Stirling) is over engineered. Responded with a scaled down version (no lighting, narrower pathways) but Stirling Council has not provided a response to this. £500k has already been invested in the project but it is proving difficult to get it kick started. Communities are in support though it is felt that Stirling Council have been and are continuing to frustrate efforts for this. 

 

 Fraud Prevention Presentation (MB)

The constable assigned to do this forgot to schedule his time though interest from the Community had been relatively low for the event. Community Council agreed to cancel the presentation given the lack of demand.

 

 Grass Cutting Management

Cllr RF has confirmed that no grass cuttings will be picked up anymore by Stirling Council

ACTION: DM to follow up with Cllr RF on TJ’s questions.

 

 Snow clearance

Stirling Council will no longer guarantee support for this.

                                           ACTION: DM to raise with the Trust

 

 Community Bench Replacement

The resident who place the white bench put in place at the top of the Community Field requested whether it could be replaced with a proper structure. 

ACTION: TJ to contact Stephen Blythe to learn more about the process.

 

 Wind Farm Trust – Future Requests 

Gargunnock Community Trust has enquired whether the Community Council has any anticipated requests for future projects/funding.

ACTION: DM to develop a list from the Local Place Plan and distribute it to the Community Council for review before responding to the Trust

 

 CJ Resignation

CJ is resigning from the Community Council. The Chair recognised and expressed their thanks for all the hard work done by CJ helping the Community Council.

 

 

 

                                                   4.13     Next meeting: Monday 2^nd December 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Membership of GCC in full