Sept 2022 Minutes

Public Meeting Minutes Date – September 2022

Sue Dembleton Joan Murphy

Emily McLaughlin Cllr Rachel Nunn Alison Swanson Ashleigh Phillip

Carol Robertson

1) Welcome and record of those present and apologies

2) Declarations of Interest

No Declaration of Interest was recorded.

3) Approval of Previous Minutes

Minutes for August were adopted

Ashleigh Phillip proposed; Carol Robertson seconded

4) Matters Arising from previous minutes not to be addressed within the meeting

None arising

5) Reports

a) Chair

Riverside Community Council is currently recruiting for one councillor – they need to be a resident of Riverside, registered to vote and 16+ years of age.

In addition - elections for the next community council with be held April 2023 and some current community council members may step down. It is hoped that any community members that may be interested in joining the team would consider being involved with the current activities.

Riverside Community Council is still looking for a regular venue that is within budget. This has been an ongoing discussion and frustration at the effort and time being dedicated to resolving this issue was noted.

The Riverbank Centre will not entertain any outside bookings until at least the spring and Riverside Primary school have no spaces suitable for our meeting. The Lawn Bowling has been booked until the end of the year, however this has depleted our Admin Grant and Riverside Community Council has no further budget for venue hire.

b) Secretary

Police Report

There was one undetected case recorded in the reporting period which relates the theft of an unsecured bicycle.

Consultations and Funding Opportunities

Asda Foundation have launched a new Cost of Living Grants scheme. Applications are open now for grants between £500 - £2,000. There are two categories of grants available:

1. Increased rent and utility bill support: support with increases in bills, and to stay open longer to help people with 'warm spaces'.

2. Increased food costs support: enables groups to support those impacted by increased food costs.

To find our more you can visit the Asda Foundation website.

Monday 26th September, Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise (SVE) and Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSI) as part of the TSI Scotland Network, launched for a second year, the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund that will specifically help people cope with the impact of the rising cost of living, for example, getting them out to a warm and welcoming venue in the winter months. The fund is now open for applications and will close at 5pm on Friday.

For further information and how to apply please visit the website here .

Tactran have issued a consultation regarding the work on writing a new Regional Transport Strategy for the Angus, Dundee, Perth and Kinross and Stirling Council areas to consider the challenges and opportunities that have arisen since 2015, not least the Climate Emergency declared by the Scottish Government and the four constituent Councils. Riverside Community Council, led by Ashleigh Phillip, will submit comments on this consultation – end date 4^th November 2022

The 2022 Stirling Council Residents' Survey is officially underway. Your View” will give people living locally the chance to have their say on satisfaction levels with the Council and its services, following on from the last survey in 2019.

The survey is open to every Council resident, as well as those who work or study in the Stirling Council area. Find it here .

Correspondence

Some Community Councils are struggling to source and employ a Minute taker for their meetings and if anyone is interested in supporting local democracy they can get in touch. Minute takers are paid £40 per meeting.

Stephen Bly has been tasked with developing a Community Council Newsletter and has asked for suggestions on what would be interesting and useful to Community Councils.

National Power of Attorney Campaign – this campaign was launched help at the end of September to let people know the benefits of having a Power of Attorney and what can happen if you don't. You can find out more here.

c) Treasurer

Expenditure: We hired Riverside Bowling Club for the August Community Council meeting (£30) and the cheque for the food for the Jubilee afternoon tea was cashed (£150).

Income: We received our Admin Grant for 2022-23 from Stirling Council (£308.49).

d) Planning

You can visit Stirling Council’s Planning Portal for further planning information.

You can visit the Scottish Government’sTell Me W ebsite for further licensing information.

6) Sub-Groups

a) Active Travel and Sustainable Transport

Discussions continued about the confusing signage, uncertainty around the designations and unsuitable marking of some of Riverside’s foot-ways and shared paths.

Frustration was indicated regarding disrespectful and unsafe behaviour of some road users. Proactive Steps to be taken include:

• Audit of current signage
• Ascertain the designation of foot ways in Riverside – in particular Seaforth Place and Lovers Walk

· 20’s Plenty Awareness Campaign

· Potential Conversation with Community Police Officers for support and advice.

It was noted that dangerous and anti-social behaviour from any road/footway user can be reported to the Police on their non-urgent number if residents feel unsafe.

b) Environment

Ash Dieback Disease - Ash Dieback is a disease affecting over 50% of the British population of Ash trees. Stirling Council makes all decisions about any trees to be felled. It has been pointed out trees along the

riverbank near the Cambuskenneth bridge that will become unsafe and will need to be removed.

c) The Green, Forth Place

There has been no further update regarding the Sustrans application Stirling Council will submit in Spring 2023. This funding will be used to enhance the space as you enter Riverside from the City Centre by making it safer and more enjoyable to use the area. A meeting of interested parties will be held in January.

d) Imagination Library

Bob Dale has been in touch with Kirsty from the Imagination Library to arrange a meeting to discuss this initiative further. It was highlighted that fundraising should be mindful of the economic environment.

e) Lovers Walk

The Network Rail work being undertaken at Lovers Walk will be completed in October. The road will be opened and full access will be granted. There has been no further discussion regarding the closure of this road to motorised traffic.

f) Parking (inc School Streets)

There is no further update at this point.

8) Local Groups

Riverside Naturally was recently assessed as a member of the Its Your Neighbourhood scheme which is run by Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Royal Horticultural Society and has been graded 'outstanding'. Riverside Naturally thanked Riverside Community Council for your help and support over the past year. The report can be found here.

Lawn Bowling has closed the green for the season but is trailling carpet bowls on a Tuesday afternoon for £2 per person through the winter month. They are hosting a Christmas fun night on the 3^rd of December. Contact Jackie for more details.

9) Upcoming Events

Orchard Day 8^th October, 11am – 2pm, There will be juicing, planting, cooking, storytelling, home baking and Orchard Activities

9) A.O.B

It was agreed that Riverside Community Council will look into a Christmas event/activity and funding can be sought if necessary.

10) Date of Next Meeting

26^th October 2022 – Venue TBD

All previous minutes, policies and consultation comments can be found on our website and available on request.