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KILLEARN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 21 JUNE 2023
Members present Michael Bowdidge, Caroline Carrick, Andrew Donaldson, Elizabeth Jones (Chair), Hilary McGregor, Fiona Rennie
Apologies Doug Ashworth, Heidi Bryce, Cllr Gerry McGarvey, Police Scotland
In attendance Graeme Fraser KCFC, Jessie-Anne Malcolm (NHS Forth Valley), Lachlann Mackenzie, Jim Ptolomey, Euan Shaw 18 members of the public, Christine Bauwens (Minute Secretary)
How to contact us Go to www.killearncc.org.uk and click on contact button.
CC1311 – MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 15 MARCH 2023
The minutes were voted as a true record of the meeting.
CC1312 – MATTERS ARISING
- CC1302 – Planning – Other Planning Matters
Elizabeth informed the meeting that according to SC policy, there is no provision
for Community Councils to request how funds from the developer are allocated.
The £566,000 contribution will be spent on affordable housing and waste management facilities in the Stirling Council area. It was agreed KCC contact SC again questioning the decision-making process and ask for clarity as to where specifically the money will be spent. (Action EJ)
CC1313 – KCC CHAIR’S ANNUAL REPORT
As Chair during 2022/2023, Jim Ptolomey presented the Annual Report. A copy of same
is attached to the minutes. Grateful thanks were expressed to Jim for his work for KCC
during the past nine years.
CC1314 – KCC TREASURER’S REPORT 2022/2023
Elizabeth presented the Treasurer’s Report for 2022/2023. It was voted to accept the
report, proposed by Andrew Donaldson and seconded by Fiona Rennie. Thanks were
expressed to Iain Somerville for auditing the accounts. A copy of the Treasurer’s Report
is attached to the minutes.
CC1315 – POLICE MATTERS
As Police Scotland was unable to attend the meeting, Fiona presented the following
report dated 31 May 2023:
- Reports of young people causing issues within the grounds of Killearn Primary School.
- Male rescued from the Devil’s Pulpit at Finnich Glen by Lomond Mountain Rescue
Team on 20 May 2023. - Male reported to the Procurator Fiscal for dangerous driving and initial failure to
stop when Police signalled to do so. - Following a collision with a cyclist during a dangerous overtake, male reported to
the Procurator Fiscal for dangerous driving. - Two persons taken to hospital with minor injuries after a two-car collision on Main
Street. The driver at fault was charged with careless driving. - Theft of chipper machine near Blane Smiddy Roundabout.
A member of the public asked for information about the damaged wall at the entrance to the Buchanan View housing development. It was agreed KCC contact the police regarding this. (Action FR)
The full police report is available on KCC website www.killearncc.org.uk
CC1316 – KCFC UPDATE
There was nothing to report this month from KCFC.
CC1317 – BROADBAND
As Doug was unable to attend the meeting, Euan spoke to his report. Over the last
month, there has been more activity by Morrison Telecoms, partly to increase capacity for
all the local villages, but also to provide connectivity to individual premises. Some of this
has resulted in full-fibre connections being made available to premises in Rowan Crescent, Kirkhouse Road, Main Street (between Kirhouse Road and Drumbeg Loan) and the upper end of Drumbeg Loan.
Local residents can check the availability of their premises by using the BP Openreach Fibre Checker https://www.openreach.com/fibre-checker or by contacting Euan for
assistance.
CC1318 – PLANNING
The ongoing issue with the development at Boquhan was noted. KCC has commented on
the latest proposal that it is still for two-storey housing and is, therefore, out of character
with the rest of the area. The application will now go to the Planning Committee for the
planners to decide.
Please see KCC website www.killearncc.org.uk for the full planning schedule.
A presentation was given to the meeting by KCC councillor, Michael Bowdidge, on local
Place Plans. Drawing on his experience with one of the first Place Plans in Scotland at
Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, Michael outlined suggestions for the Place Plan in this area.
The local community will be encouraged to engage in consultation on e.g. planning,
future housing, sustainability, active travel, local economy etc. Drymen’s Place Plan was
shown on-screen as an example. The Local Development Plan will be finalised in 2026
and it is anticipated information from the Place Plan will inform this. A working group of
interested parties will be set up and report regularly to KCC meetings.
CC1319 – ROADS AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE REPORT
Fiona presented the following report:
- Catter Burn bridge was opened on 31 May with single lane traffic. Information
regarding the full use of the bridge is awaited. - The dangerous condition of the pathway on Station Road has been reported to SC but KCC awaits work to be carried out.
- The closure of A811 near High Wards was to upgrade the road for the 2023 UCI
(Union Cycliste Internationale) Cycling World Championships.
CC1320 – CORRESPONDENCE
Fiona spoke to the meeting about correspondence relating to the request for a grit bin opposite the Co-op and the problem of Giant Hogweed growing near Endrick Bridge.
Further to communication with Balfron High School asking if any local students would be
interested in attending KCC meetings as Youth Members, Fiona welcomed Fourth Year pupil, Lachlann Mackenzie to the meeting. It is hoped Scott Kennedy from Forth Environment Link will also attend in the future.
Lachlann requested KCC contact SC regarding reducing the speed limit on B834 east of
the village boundary. It was agreed KCC follow this up. (Action FR)
Following the police report of antisocial behaviour in the village, Lachlann suggested the provision of a cycling track, or something similar, in the local area may help by providing an activity for local young people. Following discussion on youth activities in general, it was agreed these be considered in the Place Plan.
CC1321 – COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
As Cllr McGarvey was unable to attend, there was no Councillor’s Report.
CC1322 – QUESTION TIME
Following a question from a member of the public, it was agreed KCC contact SC asking why two trees on Beech Drive, between Birch Road and Oak Place had recently been felled. (Action EJ/FR)
The applicants for the development at Boquhan spoke to the meeting, expressing their frustration at the lack of progress with their application. This has been partly due to numerous different SC planning officers dealing with same. It was agreed KCC write to SC regarding the situation. (Action EJ/FR)
CC1323 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Elizabeth and Fiona explained that following the recent elections, KCC had been formed with a minimum number of councillors ie seven, and that there is scope for a further two members to be recruited following the co-option process. The co-option process is run through SC and Elizabeth and Fiona will link up with local community volunteers. See note below.*
Anyone interested should contact KCC for further details on the process involved.
As Covid boosters/vaccines will no longer be provided by Killearn Health Centre, local
residents were assured that the NHS is looking at local premises where future clinics can be held.
A local Scout leader spoke to the meeting regarding Scout activities such as mountain
biking, tomahawk-throwing, archery and the need for suitable outdoor space for same. Members of the public were encouraged to consider helping with the running of the local Scouts group.
CC1324 – DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
Following a break over the summer, the next KCC meeting will be held at 8.00 pm on 21 September 2023 in the Garden Room at the Village Hall. The meeting will be streamed to enable residents to join online if they prefer not to attend the physical
meeting.
The meeting ended at 9.30 pm.
*Note: the Co-Option process https://www.stirling.gov.uk/media/skah3x4y/ccscheme-of-establishment-full.pdf
Co-opted members must be eligible for membership of the Community Council as
detailed in Section 7 of the Scheme. They must be elected onto the Community Council
by a two-thirds majority of the full Community Councillors present and eligible to vote.
Such co-opted members shall have full voting rights, with the exception of voting on the
co-option of members.
Co-opted Members will serve for at least six months or attend a minimum of three Community Council meetings, whichever is soonest, at which time, if they wish to do so, it will be put to the next available meeting of the Community Council to appoint them as a full member of the Community Council. They will then serve until the next round of elections, subject to the terms hereof. Notice of any proposed co-option procedure is required to be intimated to all of that Community Council’s members at least 14 days prior to the meeting when the matter will be decided