May 2024 Minutes

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Plean Community Council – Minutes of meeting 20th May 2024 – East Plean
Primary
Attendance – Zoe Nolan (Chair), William Silvestro (Vice Chair), Scott Richards
(Secretary), Robert McWilliam (Treasurer), Catherine Anne Robertson, Leah Easton,
Wendy McAlpine (Minutes), Sharon McGrouther (CDO).
Apologies – Neil McCambridge.
Declaration of Interest – None.
Minutes of Last meeting (15/04/24) – Proposed Scott Richards, seconded by
Robert McWilliam. Wendy to forward to 3 EM’s and S Bly.
Matters Arising - Litter pick carried out by Plean’s Voice, and article uploaded to
their website, mentioning that litter causes vermin (because of recent complaints re
rats etc). Facebook post to be done asking residents to report any vermin problems
directly to the report it email. – Scott to arrange this.
Treasurers Report - Bal of account £267.34. Only change was Minute Secretary
Payment for last meeting minutes.
Elected Member Update – No Elected Member attended this meeting. The following
comments were supplied after the meeting by Brian Hambly.
Parkrun – I have been liaising with Parkrun and communicating on their behalf with
council officers regarding the damage done to paths when work was carried out
during a period of inclement weather. I have encouraged officers to talk directly and
perhaps make a site visit only to be informed that periodic contact is made and that a
site visit could be considered.
Friends of Plean Country Park (FoPCP) – There has been ongoing correspondence
with FoPCP on several issues, access to the toilet unit, electricity supply to the
FoPCP facility. Following a meeting with officers there will be a change made as to
which area of the council will manage the toilet facility, this is expected to influence
opening times. Officers are to meet with members of FoPCP to discuss the
installation of electricity supply. I await to hear the outcome of this meeting.
Traffic management scheme – As you will be aware the long-awaited work on the
‘speed bumps’, these are being altered as from the 20th May, unfortunately there now
appears to be a conflict of opinion over the ability to convert one of the raised traffic
‘bumps’ to a clearly defined pedestrian crossing removing any ambiguity for both
pedestrians and drivers alike. I have a further meeting arranged with officers from
Roads Services to discuss this and other matters that assurances were given for and
would be address by now and still outstanding! (19th June 2024 for meeting)
Buses – As you may be aware the F55 Ferguson bus service in Fallin has been
removed much to the consternation of that community. When I met with McGills
buses I posed the question of circular community services, in particular a service
could be considered running through the Eastern Villages to the Peak area and
Stirling bus station. This appeared to receive a positive response with their CEO
stating this is something they have been considering and with a specific vehicle in
mind. With the loss of the Fallin service, I have revisited this with McGills and await
a reply.
OVF – The cuts made to funding is having serious impact on some critical services.
There appears to be further impacts and and unforeseen reductions to certain
services such as grass cutting and maintenance of planted areas.
There was a leaving reception for Carole Beattie CEO. Carole steered the council
through some very difficult times and achieved much for Stirling during her time and
the helm and will be sadly missed. A new CEO has been appointed and will be in
post in the very near future.
It is note that the council has been without a Senior Finance Officer for some time
now and that several other officers in prominent positions are also leaving the
council in the near future.
With the calling of a Westminster General Election much council work has gone on
hold with a number of committees postponed, there will however be a Special
Meeting of Council on Thursday 30th May regarding the forthcoming election and the
implications for the council.
Planning issues – Objection raised regarding amendment proposed by Carmichael
Planning conditions for new development and await Stirling Council response to
same. Battery Storage Company are planning a public meeting with community in
the Balfour Centre possibly. Daisy is to arrange and asked for contacts to do so.
Co-opting of additional Councillors - Process will begin on 21st May 2024 with a
closing date of 14th June 2024. Suggested that application forms should be printed
off and put into the library, which can be handed back into the library or submitted by
email. After closing date any applications will be checked by the Council for eligibility
and members can either be co-opted on at that stage or a vote carried out, if
necessary. Any new members need to be part of CC for 6 months or attend at least
3 meetings to obtain voting rights. Scott to check this information and confirm.
Associate members from other organisations to be considered moving forward, to
help with projects.
AOCB – Wall has been repaired across from Chip shop and planting has been
refreshed at bus stop. Other areas at bus stop will be grass seeded. Road works to
correct speed bumps height start on 22nd May 2024 and Community Council were
not advised of same. S Bly will send out a report detailing all planned works for next
few weeks to allow Community Council to advise residents accordingly. Brian
Hambly had advised that a zebra crossing was to be designated on one of the
humps, but Roads have advised no plan for that work to be done. Wendy and Zoe
will query this with Angela McGibbon, Roads Department, and advise once a
response has been received. This needs to be done for pedestrian safety moving
forward as currently very confusing for both drivers and pedestrians. Granite
planters at either side of the main road are very messy and full of weeds. Council
plan to remove all weeds and plant bedding plants as part of road works action. Will
await further confirmation of same.
Frustration voiced by several members at the lack of communication from
organisations that are supposed work in partnership with the Community Council.
Responses to queries to Stirling Council (re roadworks etc) have been very
dismissive.
Police Reports – None received. Scott had sent an email last week reminding them
of the meeting date, but nothing has been received. Really disappointed by lack of
communication with this issue. Sharon McGrouther will advise correct contacts
regarding Police Reports as suspect some officers have moved on and Community
Council have not been advised.
Questions from the floor – none.
Questions from Councillors – Bins on Main Street issue raised by Will, Community
Council need Brian Hambly to provide and update on moving a bin across the
road. Will has the contact details for the landowner of the land beside the corner
shop, where a further bin could be located. Owners of shop have contacted
landowner but had no joy. Leah will investigate this further and advise. Could
be added to the Place Plan moving forward.
Date of next meeting – June 17th, 2024, East Plean Primary School.