Feb 2022 Minutes

KILLEARN COMMUNITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16 FEBRUARY 2022

Members present Caroline Carrick, Andrew Donaldson, Jim Ptolomey (Chair), Fiona Rennie

Apologies Heidi Bryce, Susie Henderson, Elizabeth Jones, Hilary McGregor, Jessie-Anne Malcolm NHS Forth Valley, Police Scotland

In attendance Doug Ashworth, Cllr Rob Davies, Graeme Fraser KCFC, Fiona McLean SC Culture and Events Manager, Euan Shaw, 19 members of the public,

Christine Bauwens (Minute Secretary)

How to contact us Go to www.killearncc.org.uk and click on contact button.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the KCC meeting on 16 February 2022 was held via Zoom.

CC1151 – MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 19 JANUARY 2022

The minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting.

CC1152 – MATTERS ARISING

• CC1144 – Roads and General Maintenance Report – cow field

The meeting was informed that work to repair the sewer pipe bridge in the cow field will now take 3 – 4 weeks instead of around three months and will start on 21 March.

Clarification was given regarding the remediation of the former Killearn Hospital site. CALA will only remediate the land they have been allowed access to by the landowner with the remaining land being the responsibility of the landowner to remediate.

CC1153 – STIRLING BID FOR UK CITY OF CULTURE 2025

Jim welcomed Fiona McLean, SC Culture and Events Manager to the meeting, who provided information about Stirling’s bid for UK City of Culture 2025. Stirling has been long listed to eight entries. A short list of three will be decided in March, with the winner being announced in May. Should Stirling be successful, an exciting programme of cultural and community events will be held appealing to a wide range of audiences and providing opportunities for Stirling and the local area.

Fiona McLean explained that the bidding process had already delivered benefits in making linkages between organisations that would continue to benefit communities and that support would be available to communities planning Jubilee events in the summer.

CC1154 – POLICE MATTERS

As Police Scotland was unable to attend the meeting due to it being held via Zoom, Fiona presented the following Police Report:

· Three road traffic accidents reported. One on Station Road and one between Balfron and Killearn. In both cases, vehicles came off the road and hit trees. A third accident involving two vehicles took place on A809 near Killearn Lodge. No injuries were sustained.

· Speed checks have been carried out on Main Street and are set to continue. The full police report is available on KCC website www.killearncc.org.uk

CC1155 – KCFC UPDATE

Graeme informed the meeting about the Kings Highway Project, following a meeting between the various volunteer groups involved. Progress is being made and dialogue continues with local landowners. The group feels the need to have an overarching body to take responsibility for the project and have asked SC to assist with co-ordination.

Concern was expressed by a local resident about the proposed cycle track between Killearn and Balfron and the suggestion to make one lane of the bridge at Balfron solely for vehicular traffic and the other lane for cycles. In view of the age of the bridge, potential problems were voiced about the bridge not being structurally suitable and a request was made to look into the feasibility of building another bridge for cycles.

Colourful Killearn will be planting tubs around the village shortly with Spring flowers.

KCFC is waiting for an update from the Scottish government regarding public events and Covid. It is then hoped to provide more information about the Killearn Fireworks event.

Following discussion about the poor condition of the local section of the West Highland Way, it was agreed KCC write to SC about same and ask about the possibility of a link between Killearn and Milngavie which would be suitable for cycling as well as walking. (Action JP)

CC1156 – BROADBAND

Doug reported on the progress made by Euan on the Ultrafast Broadband Project for residents of the Trees estate.

An application to upgrade the mobile phone mast at Finnich Toll has been submitted to make it capable of supporting 5G. Further information is awaited. Members of the public were informed that, at some point in the future, 3G network will be phased out across the country.

CC1157– PLANNING

Please see KCC website www.killearncc.org.uk for the full planning schedule.

Other Planning Matters

· Development of Former Killearn Hotel

Developer Matt Gingles informed the meeting that the project is going to schedule. The first six flats will be ready by mid – end July 2022, with the remaining ten flats 6-8 weeks later.

Further to recent comments appearing on Facebook regarding rainwater flooding onto the park, Matt explained that these were completely erroneous. The soakaway, 20m x 20m x 6m deep, built on site will hold any rainwater from the roof and car park and allow it to slowly disperse in a controlled manner into pipes, well away from the park.

· RSHA Development at Lampson Road There are no further updates available.

• Former Killearn Hospital Site

There are no further changes to Section 75 agreement and work is due to start on site on 6 June.

Following discussion regarding water issues, it was agreed KCC write to the Water Board about general poor drainage conditions around the park and turnip field areas of the village. (Action JP)

CC1158 – ROADS AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE REPORT

Disappointment was expressed that Susan McDougall from SC Roads Department was not in attendance at the meeting to discuss local issues and respond to questions from members of the public.

Fiona presented the report, highlighting the following:

Work is underway on Branshogle Bridge which is due to be completed by the end of April.

Slow progress is being made on Catter Burn Bridge. It is hoped a contractor will be on site by May.

Assistance has been given by Alyn Smith MP regarding the active bike path from the CALA development at the former Killearn Hospital, along the West Highland Way up to Killearn. He is helping with letters to CALA re designing the path and assisting with speaking to Sustrans.

KCC recently met representatives from SC on site to view potential sites for pedestrian crossings. Three such sites have been proposed from SC; Main Street near the Outdoor Classroom, Main Street near Branziert Road and Balfron Road. Plans showing the various positions have been posted on Facebook and will also be put on KCC website. Local residents are requested to provide feedback with comments and preferences on where such a crossing/crossings should be positioned. Work is due to start on 21 March. Feedback from the KCC meeting was noted and will be sent to SC.