KILLEARN COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 15 MARCH 2023

Members present Heidi Bryce, Caroline Carrick, Andrew Donaldson,

Susie Henderson, Hilary McGregor, Jim Ptolomey (Chair), Fiona Rennie

Apologies Doug Ashworth, Elizabeth Jones, Police Scotland, Euan Shaw In attendance Graeme Fraser KCFC, Cllr Rosemary Fraser,

Jessie-Anne Malcolm (NHS Forth Valley), 19 members of the public,

Christine Bauwens (Minute Secretary)

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

CC1297 – MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 15 FEBRUARY 202

Subject to the addition of “promote inter-village benchmarking and collaboration as well as” in last paragraph of CC1293 after “In addition, a Climate Change Hub WhatsApp group has been set up to”, the minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting.

CC1298 – MATTERS ARISING

CC1290 - Roads and General Maintenance Report

Jim informed the meeting that the recent flooding at Dumgoyne Distillery was caused by Scottish Water cutting through a culvert while fitting a pipe. Repair work has now been completed.

CC1299 – POLICE MATTERS

As Police Scotland was unable to attend the meeting, Fiona presented the following report:

A group of teenagers was seen entering Killearn Glen with a quantity of alcohol. However, when Police attended, there was no trace.
Male was arrested having caused a disturbance within a residential dwelling in
Enquiries are ongoing to identify a male who entered a vacant domestic dwelling property presumably with the intent to steal. He left without stealing anything.
Male seen acting suspiciously within farmland near to Members of the public are asked to remain vigilant as thieves may be operating in the area.
Vehicle road traffic collision near to the junction of A875/A81. Fortunately, no serious injuries were sustained but the driver was taken to hospital as a

The full police report is available on KCC website www.killearncc.org.uk

On behalf of the local community, KCC expressed grateful thanks to PC Steven Graham who retired from the police force on 14 March and wished him well in the future.

CC1300 – KCFC UPDATE

Graeme spoke of the successful recent meeting of the E-bikes Group and about Colourful Killearn. Unfortunately the Tete a Tete daffodils used in planting around the village have rotted over the winter, leaving gaps in the tubs. It is intended to replace the daffodils for next year. Graeme also informed the meeting of the retiral of Jim Henderson as Colourful Killearn Convenor. It was noted that Killearn Trust has agreed to continue its grant for Colourful Killearn.

CC1301 – BROADBAND

As Doug and Euan were unable to attend, Fiona informed the meeting that Ultra Fast Broadband has now been installed at the Primary School and is working well. Openreach is planning more activity in the village for other properties in the area although completion dates are not confirmed.

CC1302 – PLANNING

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

Other Planning Matters

Development of Former Killearn Hotel

The development is virtually complete with four flats remaining to be sold. The developer is still waiting for Building Control Occupation Certificates to be issued by SC.

Development of Site at Former Killearn Hospital

It is hoped building will start in the summer. Currently decontamination work is being carried out under the supervision of a Health and Safety Consultant on site. Following concern raised by a local resident, it was agreed KCC contact CALA to ask for evidence that this work is being done properly and that sample testing of the site be carried out following completion of the decontamination work.

(Action JP) Cllr Fraser agreed to make further enquiries about the Section 75, how much CALA’s community contribution amounts to and where it will be spent. As information is not available on the planning portal of SC website, it was also agreed Cllr Fraser investigate CALA’s obligations in relation to the footpath on Station Road.

Development at Lampson Road

KCC has been informed that final details require to be resolved before finance is finally approved.

CC1303 – ROADS AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE REPORT

Fiona presented the following report:

The white lines on Balfron Road near the former bank building have finally been repainted. However, lining has still to be done between Kirkhouse Road and Drumbeg Loan.
Catter Burn Bridge is due to open with a single lane in mid-April. Further works will continue into May.
Details of the 20 mph consultation with SC is still
More bike parking will be installed in the

£60,000 funding from Sustrans has been approved for a feasibility study looking at an active travel path between Killearn and the new development at the former hospital site. Interested parties should contact Caroline Carrick for more
It was noted that borrowed medical equipment such as wheelchairs etc can be returned to NHS via Balfron Recycling Centre.

CC1304 – COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Cllr Fraser spoke to the meeting about the recently approved SC budget with its £17m shortfall and the rise of 7% in Council Tax. The Pollinator Strategy has been finalised and areas are now being identified for wild flower and edible planting. Following a query from a member of the public, Cllr Fraser confirmed that Balfron Recycling Centre is not closing, although ways to improve the usage of same is being looked at - eg booking system, relocation of centre, possible charging for vans etc.

CC1305 – TREASURER’S REPORT

Expenditure

£40 Administration

£39 Hall hire

£350 Let’s Get Together grant paid out to Dancing with Parkinsons

Current bank balance

£895.85

CC1306 – PLACE PLANS

Local Place Plans are part of the Government’s wider work on planning reform and implementation of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 (the 2019 Act), including steps to reduce conflict, improve community engagement and build public trust in planning matters. They offer the opportunity for a community-led, collaborative approach to creating great local places.

Although at an early stage, Jim encouraged everyone to become involved in the Local Place Plan by considering issues such as population make-up, health, education, transport, paths, road, work opportunities, land use, conservation proposals, litter etc in the local area. A questionnaire will be available in the future, the answers to which will inform the re-writing of local development plans.

It was noted that SC may provide assistance with funding as it did for the Killearn Community Action Plan 2015-25.

CC1307 – QUESTION TIME

Following a question from a member of the public, it was agreed KCC ask Killearn Co-op if it would consider supplying a grit bin at the public car park opposite the shop. KCC to also follow up the suggestion of a community asset transfer request. (Action FR)

CC1308 – CORRESPONDENCE

There was no further correspondence to be noted.

CC1309 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Thanks and appreciation were expressed to SC and Fiona Rennie and her team of volunteers for organising the Warm Space Initiative at the Village Hall. Due to the cold weather, this will be extended into April on Sundays.

CC1310 – DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

The next KCC meeting will be held at 8.00 pm on 19 April 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 9.15 pm.

Mar 2023 Minutes