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Port of Menteith Community Council
Minutes of the Ordinary General Meeting held at 7:30pm on
Monday 15th April 2024 at Port of Menteith Village Hall
Present:
In Attendance:
Apologies:
Residents:
1.
Jim Riach (Chair), Peter Stewart (Vice-Chair), Becky Saunders
(Secretary), Martin Stewart (Treasurer), Robin Armstrong, Alastair Orr
Ewing, Claire Outterside (Associate Member)
Provost Elaine Watterson (Scottish Conservative and Unionist), Esther
Lim (Minute Taker)
None
One resident was in attendance.
Members Present and Apologies for Absence
The Chair welcomed the attendees to the meeting. There were no apologies.
2.
3.
4.
Declarations of Interest and Items of Business
None declared.
Adoption of the Draft Minutes of the General Meeting held on 19th February 2024
The unconfirmed minutes of the meeting held on 19th February 2023 were approved
having been proposed by Peter Stewart and seconded by Alastair Orr Ewing.
Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 19th February 2024
4.1
Inchmahome Update
Robin Armstrong (RA) gave an update on the re-opening of Inchmahome.
After extensive training, Inchmahome was opened to visitors from 29th March.
Due to bad weather there were a few cancellations, but since then there have
been a steady stream of cars in car park and it appears to be quite a success.
RA confirmed that there is an online booking system, with just 2 seats kept
available as ‘standby’.
As far as RA is aware, the opening has not been advertised, other than through
an email to members. He was told that the site will be publicised more widely
once the systems in place are working well. Becky Saunders (BS) suggested
we contact Joyce in a month or so to follow up on this. [Action: Robin
Armstrong]
4.2
Thank You to Outgoing Treasurer
Jim Riach officially thanked Claire Outterside (CO) for her work as a Member,
and Treasurer of Port of Menteith Community Council (PCC). BS presented
CO with a small gift in appreciation.
CO thanked the members and encouraged local residents to get involved with
the PCC.
4.3
5.
The Community Ownership Fund & Local Place Plan – Clarification
BS brought to members’ attention that the Community Ownership Fund (COF)
and the Local Place Plan (LPP) have been agenda items for a long period of
time without being actioned. She recommended these items should either be
actioned or removed from the Agenda.
The Provost reminded PCC of the purpose and benefits of the COF and LPP,
however members agreed they did not have the time or the money to move
forward on these matters and to remove them from the agenda.
Roads and Other Issues
5.1
6.
Cardross Bridge – Report on Meeting with Gary Neill and Next Steps
BS, JR, MS and AOE met with Gary Neill (GN), Roads Manager for Stirling
Council (SC) and representatives of 10 local businesses. GN explained the
problems with the bridge, and listened to concerns about its proposed closure
for 8 months. Alternative options were discussed, such as maintaining partial
access, installing a temporary bridge, limited opening times, a one way system
and pedestrian only access. Members felt that the best solution for residents
and businesses would be a temporary bridge. They have received a quotation
of £200k for a temporary bridge and are awaiting further quotations.
Members felt SC were not aware in advance of how many businesses would
be affected by the closure and how much the bridge is used. BS stressed the
need to keep on top of this issue.
GN will provide an update when he has more to report and has expressed
willingness to meet regularly with local representatives. BS will keep members
updated on scheduled meetings. [Action: Becky Saunders]
Financial
6.1
Statement and Accounts Audit
The balance of the PCC account is £741.21 with £384 of that being ring fenced
for the maintenance of the defibrillator. Last year PCC received a grant towards
defibrillator costs. CO will look into applying for this again. [Action: Claire
Outterside]
CO asked members to authorise a payment of £32.17 for group liability
insurance. Members agreed. CO will proceed with payment. [Action: Claire
Outterside]
6.2
Bank Account Signatories and Handover to Martin Stewart
CO has contacted Peter Forrester regarding the auditing of the accounts. Once
the audit is completed, CO will hand the accounts over to the new Treasurer,
Martin Stewart.
CO and BS will liaise with MS to complete necessary banking forms and
change the banking signatories and address. CO will send mandate forms to
BS. [Action: Claire Outterside, Becky Saunders and Martin Stewart]
7.
8.
Correspondence
7.1
7.2
Cassafuir Woodland Creation Scheme
PCC has been contacted by John Mulgrew (JM) of JDM Woodland
Management Ltd on behalf of Cassafuir Farm regarding a proposed mixed
woodland creation scheme. JR has been corresponding with JM and requested
clarification on certain points. He is awaiting their latest response.
Members expressed concern that the scheme would involve the loss of prime
agricultural land. They also drew attention to the lack of communication with
local residents. BS had suggested a letter to be put through residents’ doors
but this does not seem to have happened as yet.
JR agreed to keep an eye on the scheme on behalf of PCC. BS will send out
an email to residents informing them of the scheme. Members agreed that local
residents with concerns should contact the owners directly. [Action: Jim Riach
and Becky Saunders]
Cardross Temporary Bridge Report
See item 5.1 above.
Planning and Licensing Issues
8.1
Detached Building for Garage and Accommodation and Upgrade Septic
Tank, Stonefield Cottage
AOE expressed some uncertainty regarding the process for reviewing planning
applications. Jim Riach explained that the details of planning applications can
be reviewed on the Stirling Council Planning portal. Applications details are
usually circulated to CC members for comment. The CC are then required to
submit a form to the National Park indicating whether they object, agree or
have no comment on the proposal. Members suggested AOE check the Stirling
Council Planning Portal to review the details of the application. [Action:
Alastair Orr Ewing]
9.
Reports
9.1
9.2
Councillor’s Report
Proctor Watterson gave the Councillor’s Report.
• SC have had the first budget review meeting for 2025-6. She indicated that
deep cuts to spending will be needed in the coming financial year and there
will be considerable job cuts in all departments. A process of voluntary
severance is already underway.
• On a more positive note, 25th May sees the start of the celebrations for
Stirling 900 with the Walking of the Marches. The Provost is very keen to
encourage rural communities to be involved in Stirling 900. She is the
process of going round the schools to explain the significance of the
celebrations to children.
• This year’s summer sessions will include concerts by bands and artists
such as Shania Twain, Tom Jones, Rag and Bone Man and Busted at no
cost to SC.
9.1.1 Road Programme
PS asked when the roads programme will be announced for the year.
EW confirmed this should be published at the end of April and should
be sent out to CCs via email.
9.1.2 C60 Bus Route
JR asked what progress there had been on a the C60 bus route. EW
confirmed that SC is trying to bring the service in house but the service
continues to be underused.
9.1.3 SC Inform Meeting
JR reported that he had attended a SC Inform meeting hosted by
Lyndsay MacNair, Thriving Communities Engagement Manager. SC
recognise that the budget discussions were badly handled this year and
these meeting are intended to be a forum for engaging with
communities throughout the year, not just in the months prior to the
budget. JR gave this feedback that this will be a useful forum if it deals
with substantial issues in the future.
National Park Authority (NPA) Report & Entry Sign Process
No report was provided and no park representative attended. JR has spoken
with Matt Buckland, Visitor Experience Manager who committed to provide a
sign. JR will follow up. [Action: Jim Riach]
9.3
Carse of Stirling Project Group Report
No update. The Carse of Stirling group will be meeting this week.
9.4
9.5
9.6
Strathard and Trossachs Visitor Management
Jim Riach provided the following update:
• Visitor management continues to be an issue.
• The Strategic Infrastructure Plan has been finalised. It includes outline
plans for the village hall but will require a local action group to raise
funding.
• The Callander Strategic Development plan is ready to be finalised.
PS expressed disappointment at the proposed closure of the Aberfoyle Visitor
Centre and members discussed the Callander Community-Led Visitor Centre.
Jim Riach drew attention to the Aberfoyle disabled toilets being closed outside
the hours of 10am to 4pm. RA will mention this tomorrow. [Action: Robin
Armstrong]
Port Church and Cemetery
Robin Armstrong read the report on the Port of Menteith Church:
As a part of the re-adjustment and re-organisation of the Presbytery of Perth
and the Church of Scotland nationwide, Port of Menteith Church will sever its
40 year linkage with Aberfoyle and join 3 other churches to become
Gargunnock linked with Kippen & Norrieston linked with Port of Menteith. We
will share a minister between all 4 churches. There was a vote taken of the
Church members in March and there was unanimous verdict on joining the
above churches. This is a different adventure for the Church and Congregation
and one we hope will be advantageous to us all. The ability to share resources
will only add to the ability for each of us to continue working in our
communities.
We will be opening our church during July and August, Monday and Friday
afternoons. We are looking for volunteers to sit in the church and engage with
the visitors we get. This can be really interesting as people are keen to learn
about our history and life here in Port of Menteith. If anyone would like to
volunteer please do get in touch with us via pomkirk@btinternet.com
Port of Menteith Church will be open from 2pm to 4pm from Monday to Friday
in July.
Port Hall Committee Report
Claire Outterside provided the following update:
The hall will be quieter over the next few months as the school will not be using
it until October.
The Youth Fly Fishing Team are running a Ceilidh on 27th April.
There is a booking for a wedding ceilidh in July.
As CO is no longer in the village and Matthew Woods no longer has time to
manage the Village Hall, CO will liaise with committee members and reach out
to the community to form a new committee. [Action: Claire Outterside]
CO will liaise with the committee to arrange for someone to tidy the hall
grounds. [Action: Claire Outterside]
9.7
9.8
9.9
10.
School Report – Ben Outterside
No update was provided. The school will be running a puppet making event
and other activities for children aged 4-8 to raise the profile of the school.
Police Report
A Police Report for the period from 16 February 2024 to 12th April 2024 was
circulated to members prior to the meeting. There were 2 reported road safety
incidents for the period:
• On 15 March police were contacted regarding a vehicle that appeared to be
abandoned within Braeval car park. Checks were carried out with the
registered keeper who stated the vehicle had broken down and would be
uplifted in due course.
• On 16 March the Police and Fire Service were called to a vehicle on fire on
the A81 between Port of Menteith and Braeval. Enquiries are continuing in
relation to the circumstances surrounding this incident.
In addition, PCs King and Deans have carried out speed checks in the Port of
Menteith and Braeval Area. One driver in each area was warned regarding
their speed. Members noted that speeding is still a concern for residents.
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) update
A FLS update was emailed to members prior to the meeting.
BS queried who was responsible for deer management in the Loch Rusky area
as deer remains are being thrown into the undergrowth causing a nuisance to
dog owners. She was advised the land was owned by Mr Buchanan . BS will
email the estate. [Action: Becky Saunders]
JR noted that the CC do not seem to be receiving trail closure. BS will ask for
PCC to be added to the email list for updates. [Action: Becky Saunders]
Any Other Competent Business
10.1 Annual Fundraising Barbecue
Robin reported that Port of Menteith Church would not be participating in the
annual Port of Menteith School and Lake of Menteith Fisheries’ fundraising
event. Members expressed their disappointment.
10.2 Maintenance – Hammersmith Roundabout
PS drew attention to debris and a broken wall at the Hammersmith roundabout
following a crash a few months ago. BS will take pictures of the site and send
in enquiry to Stephen Bly. She will also report the Hammersmith sign which is
back-to-front. [Action: Becky Saunders]
10.3 Village Litter Pick
Members agreed the Port of Menteith litter pick should be reinstated.
11.
Next Scheduled Meeting
The next meeting of the Port of Menteith Community Council Meeting is scheduled to
take place on Monday 17th June 2024 at 7pm in the Port of Menteith Village Hall.