KILMADOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTE OF MEETING HELD ON 9 SEPTEMBER 2024 AT 7.00PM
IN DOUNE INFORMATION CENTRE
Present : Tony Farrant, Chair, Rowena Drowley, Ken Russell, Sue Sedgwick.
In attendance : David Clark (Minute Secretary), Neil Fergusson (Development Officer), Cllr. Martin Earl. Three members of the public attended the first part of the meeting
.
Apologies for absence : Alistair Sutherland, David Harding, Alison McAlpine, Elizabeth Wallace,
1 Approval of Minute
The minute of the meeting of 10 June 2024 was approved, proposed by Ro Drowley, seconded by Ken Russell.
2 Guest
Tony Farrant welcomed Inspector Andy Bushell, Police Scotland, who has responsibility for the Doune and Deanston area, and invited him to address the meeting on a number of concerns previously expressed. Inspector Bushell outlined the operational matters which meant that police attendance at Community Council meetings were less frequent than desired.
On the matter of housebreaking he indicated that there had been a pattern of similar offences on both domestic and commercial premises across Central Scotland. He addressed antisocial behaviour concerns particularly in the centre of Doune and Doune Ponds where individuals were clearly identifiable and outlined both the opportunities and difficulties of successful prosecution. He urged the community to report all such incidents as this would strengthen the hand of both police and Stirling Council’s housing department. He gave the Community Council the assurance that the matter would be on the agenda of his officers’ monthly tasking meeting. It was also noted that a meeting had been arranged with relevant police and Stirling Council officers and members of the Community Council.
Inspector Bushell answered questions and engaged in discussion with both Community Councillors and members of the public present and was thanked by the Chair for his attendance.
3 Visitors
Members of the public were invited to raise concerns. These related to the need for better road markings to ensure safety in the Castlehill car park, more adequate repair of pot holes and parking on pavements. A request was made for improved parking at Ardoch Bank and it was suggested that residents there should approach Stirling Council.
It was noted that litter bins and dog waste bins had been removed, sometimes without notice, and it was agreed that a full audit of bins in the area should be carried out with a view to a more co-ordinated provision.
4 Chair's Report
Tony Farrant reported that application for grant funding to support the Dementia Café had now been made.
No response had yet been received from the new Chief Executive of Stirling Council with regard to the request for a meeting although an ‘Informed Communities’ meeting had been arranged for 26 September which would be attended by Alistair Sutherland.
It appeared that the provision of electric supply at the new car park at the former green shed site would be further delayed by at least 12 weeks.
Progress was being made in the conversations about future library provision and use.
5 Police Report
6 June – 6 September 2024, compiled by Constable Lorna Deans
- Antisocial behaviour – Officers are aware of antisocial behaviour occurring in the Doune Ponds/Moray Park/Main Street areas of Doune particularly in the evenings and weekends. Patrols are carried out in the areas by all officers between calls, when they can.
- Road Safety - On 12/06/24 police were called to a traffic collision on A84 between Doune and Buchany. Enquiries were carried out and as a result one driver was issued a fixed penalty ticket for careless driving.
On 20/07/24 police were called to a vehicle that had come off the road on A84 near to Meldrum Farm. The driver was reported to the Procurator Fiscal for a number of road traffic offences.
On 17/08/24 police were contacted regarding the driver manner of a vehicle travelling through Doune on A84. Officers traced the vehicle and found the driver to be intoxicated. The driver was kept in police custody, to appear at court the following day.
- Theft – Overnight on 20/07/24 a housebreaking occurred at a commercial property in the Doune area and items were taken. Enquiries are still ongoing. On the evening of 24/08/24 police were contacted after a property owner in Deanston discovered 2 people within their rear garden. It is believed they were there for the purpose of committing theft. All enquiries have been carried out and this remains undetected.
On 28/08/24 a theft occurred from outside a property in Graham Street, Doune. Enquiries are still ongoing in relation to this.
- Other incidents - On 22/06/24 officers assisted with the Doune Gala Day procession.
On 12/08/24 police were contacted after a member of the public was bitten by a dog in the Deanston area. Enquiries are continuing in relation to this incident.
On 26/08/24 a member of the public contacted police to report they were bitten by a dog in the Doune area. Enquiries are still ongoing.
6 Councillor's Report
Cllr. Martin Earl spoke of a special Council meeting to elect the new Council leader. A strategic plan was being processed for road management. It anticipated that an increased budget would be required simply to keep a ‘steady state’ as opposed to real improvements. In a review of the winter service plan it was noted that the Springbank / Station Wynd route is being added to the Priority 1 category (Route to Medical centre ) and Wood of Doune is going from Priority 2 to 3. An improved provision of gritting bins was being assessed.
7 Treasurer's Report
In the absence of Elizabeth Wallace, Treasurer, it was noted that at 9 September the balances are £6,269.56 in restricted funds and £1,263.46 in unrestricted funds.
8 Secretary's Report – no report
9 Development Officer
Neil Fergusson indicated that while there was still no building warrant for the new
DDYP building he understood that it was now imminent. He drew the Council’s
attention to the events to mark the centenary of the Rural Hall over the weekend of 18-20 October.
10 Roads
Rowena Drowley reported that the installation of the Puffin Crossing in Main Street had not yet taken place and that it was understood that the removal of the speed bumps would not take place until the crossing was in operation although one speed bump had recently been repaired.
The designation of the Argaty Road as a shared walking and cycling had now been approved.
- Villages – there were no matters to report
- Planning - there was nothing further to report on the planning application by Deanston
Distillery.
- Community Action for Deanston - there was no report.
14 Kilmadock Development Trust
Ken Russell reported that there were still concerns about maintaining a suitable level of staffing at the Post Office. The redesign of the Heritage Centre was underway.
15 Village Pride
Ken Russell reported on plans to revive the Village Pride group to maintain the good appearance and character of the Doune, possibly meeting and working on two days per week. Risk assessment and insurance issues will require to be confirmed.
16 Woodland Group
Tony Farrant reported on a successful Family Fun Day on 8 September
17 Toilets
Tony Farrant reported that nothing further had been heard from Stirling Council about resolving the drains issue. Information was awaited from the football club on rates before payment could be made.
18 The Bridge
Ken Russell indicated that without new volunteers coming forward to write and edit, it was likely that The Bridge would cease to be published after Christmas 2024.
- Forestry – no report
- Resilience Plan – no report
21 Other business
- Development Officer – it was noted that current funding was in place until March 2025
- Christmas lights – it was reported that Gary Mather had agreed to arrange the
installation of the Christmas lights and that these would be in place by 6 December.
- Communication – the Council recognised the need to emphasise the importance of
reporting instances of antisocial behaviour. It was agreed that the Secretary should liaise
with the members of the public who had attended the meeting of 10 June. (Action – David Harding)
22 Next meeting
It was agreed that the next ordinary meeting would take place on Monday 14 October 2024 at 7.00pm in Doune Library.
23 Closure
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.45pm.