Plean Community Council
Minute of Meeting
East Plean Primary School 18th November 2024 6pm.
Present: Scott Richards (Chair), Robert McWilliam (Treasurer), Zoe Nolan (Secretary), Catherine Ann
Robertson, William Silvestro, Wendy McAlpine (Minutes)
Apologies: Leah Easton.
Other attendees: Sharon McGrouther, Pauline Roberts, Brian Hambly, Fiona McNicol, Graham (Friends of Plean County Park), Stuart McCluckie.
- Welcome, Apologies and Conflict of Interest – Scott welcomed all to the meeting. Apologies from Leah Easton. No Conflict of Interest declared.
- Approval of Minutes: Minutes of meeting 16/9/24 proposed by Zoe Nolan and seconded by Robert McWilliam. Wendy will send to S Bly.
- Co-opting: 3 applicants have been approved by Stirling Council, Fiona McNicol, Stuart McCluckie and David Waghorn. Only 2 can be co-opted, David Waghorn has agreed to become an associate member. Fiona and Stuart were voted (unanimously) in as co-opted members and were congratulated by Scott. Paul Robertson and Neil McCambrige have resigned, and this has been forwarded and records amended accordingly, Scott thanked them for their time and good work.
- Community Development: Pauline and Sharon attended to have discussion regarding what the community wants and how Stirling Council can help regarding Plean County Park. Toilet Block issues at Plean County Park appear to have been resolved. There are no big plans for the park, but discussions regarding what the future holds and what the community would like to see happen can be had. Graham had several questions regarding the last meetings and who attended. FOPCP would like clarification regarding if Stirling Council would transfer the walled garden to community ownership and if there are other areas that could follow suit? What other options are the Council thinking about? Pauline advised that the Community Empowerment Act means you can put in an asset transfer request for whatever the community are willing to take on regarding the park and the Council must look at it. Council would be looking at Community benefit and then start negotiations from there. Graham advised that Land Services don’t give the impression that progress can be made with asset transfer. Pauline advised of the process and what would be involved. Brian Hambly advised that he has been involved and is chasing
various issues for the park (booking, toilets, catering etc) He feels that Stirling Council have no ambitions for the park. Brian has said that he will participate in any future discussions regarding the park and future progress. Scott asked Pauline for clarification of how her teams’ objectives are set and monitored. Pauline advised that her team support community organizations and help where they can, not do the work for the community. Support not instigation. Deadline for Local Place Plans extended to September.
Action point – FOPCP, Brian Hambly, Pauline Roberts, Community Council and Council Land Services to arrange an onsite meeting to discuss how to move forward.
- Bruce Street Playpark: A meeting was held in Aug 2024 with 2 officers and advised that funds were available (Sect 75 Ogilvie funds approx. 60k) to make improvements to the park. There are still no costings for equipment, and nothing has happened. Community Council have chased several times and received no response to their queries. Concerns have been raised that the money will disappear or be reallocated, and officers will be moved on to other duties due to budget cuts. Community Council have chased several times and received no response to their queries. Pauline Roberts will try and get information and update once received.
- Main Street Planters and crossings: School crossing contract has been awarded to UNEX, and timescales are very fluid. Jan 2025 at earliest and still no definite date when it will be live, and community is still very concerned. Main Street zebra crossing - still have no idea when work will be done, even though Gary Neill/Lynsey McNair advised at last site meeting that funding was in place and work would be arranged in due course. Community Council will continue to chase these very important issues. Pauline Roberts agreed with frustrations and concerns raised re communication from Stirling Council. Main Street Planters saga continues with no resolution advised yet; Lynsey McNair is still looking at this. Pauline advised that Lynsey has asked for membrane to be installed until a resolution can be agreed.
- Police Report: Crime reports 16/9-17/11/24 were 23. 91 calls made to Police for the area relating to Anti-social behaviour, road traffic and domestic incidents. 16 detected cases, 7 undetected cases. Police have attended to Youth Club to talk to participants regarding recent issues/events and appropriate behaviour moving forward.
- Planning Report: Eurowind Energy Ltd plan for a new wind farm in Carron Valley. Public exhibition on 26/11 at Fintry and 27/11 at King Robert Hotel. Bob will attend the 27/11 meeting and report back in January. Boom Power 2nd Public consultation for Battery storage site is 20/11 East Plean Primary where more details should be provided. Letter received from Deputy Lord Lieutenant regarding inadequate planning for roads at Durieshill, she has been invited to the January meeting to discuss same.
- Chair’s Report: Sad to hear of the passing of Councillor Brisley. Welcomed the 2 new members to the Community Council and thanked Paul and Neil for their contributions.
- Treasurer’s Report: Admin grant received and balance of £504.62. £33 for Poppy wreath to be paid back to Bob. Bank of Scotland may start to charge charities for banking in near future and may want to look at moving the bank account to another institution (Virgin Money). Pauline suggested a credit union may be an answer and has had discussions regarding community
accounts with a couple of credit unions, Pauline will advise once further information available. Bob asked if Stirling Council would consider it a legitimate running expense and Pauline advised they do. Community Council voted to stay with Bank of Scotland until other options become available.
- Elected Members Report: No report.
- Residents View: Nothing further to add.
- Community Council Schedule of meetings: Zoe has prepared a schedule and will pass to bookings at Stirling Council. Voted and passed. Once all confirmed will be forward.
- AOCB: Application for an orienteering event at Plean County Park. FOPCP don’t automatically get notified of bookings so CC will forward any they get across to FOPCP. Concerns raised re proposed number that could attend this event re parking, litter etc and S Bly is taking that forward. Also asked for FOPCP to be advised of any bookings moving forward.
- Date of next meeting: 20th January 2025 6pm East Plean Primary School