Nov 2022 Minutes

HELD ON : WEDNESDAY 16 TH NOVEMBER 2022 – HYBRID (ZOOM )

At: Civil Defence Club , CRAIGEND ROAD , ST .NINIANS , STIRLING FK7 9BP

AT : 19:00

Present

Kirsty Ryder (Vice Chair), Richard Elliott (Secretary), James Wigglesworth (Treasurer), Laura Muir (Community Councillor), PC Pam King(Police Scotland), PC Alastair Spike (Police Scotland), Gaynor Edwards (Resident), Ruth McConnell (Resident), Claire Nimmo (Resident), Jonathan Orr (Resident), Alastair Orr (Resident), Kenny Ritchie (Resident), Neil Benny(Stirling Councillor), Stephen Clark (Stirling Council-Housing), Carlyn Fraser (Stirling Council-Roads) and part meeting Mike McCormick (Chair)

Apologies

Morag Fulton (Community Councillor), Caroline Hamilton(Community Councillor/Planning Consultant), Rev.Gary McIntyre(St.Ninians Old Parish), Pamela Simpson(Community Councillor), David Wilson (Community Councillor)

1. W ELCOME

Kirsty welcomed and thanked everyone for coming along.

2. A PPROVAL OF M INUTE OF 19 TH O CTOBER 2022 AND M ATTERS A RISING (Kirsty Ryder)

There being no matters arising, minutes were proposed by Richard Elliott and seconded by James Wigglesworth.

3. D EVELOPMENT /P LANNING (R ICHARD E LLIOTT )

Local Takeaways (Churros N Chill) – retrospect planning was submitted and had been refused. Action is in process and further updates will follow from the planning department.

4. P OLICE S COTLAND

Kirsty welcomed the police and thanked them for coming along again. Alistair went through the report and updated on the local area (Stirling West and Stirling East) with twenty crime reports in total since last meeting within the area and no crime trends. One hundred and sixty-two calls had been received again no trends to report. The police staffing has been updated with four PCs permanently covering this area now. Update on tar trucks mentioned at previous meeting, this has been referred to the appropriate specialist department in Edinburgh and they will be looking into this. Sorry no answer to this as yet but we are looking into this. Glasgow Road incident previously reported will also be followed up. As always please contact us by email or call 101.

Richard mentioned the broken glass in the Mayfield Park area, causing serious injuries to dogs requiring vet visits, contact has already been made with the council for clearance. Following discussion police have noted this and it will be looked at regarding patrols. Richard to contact the council again as the clearance has not been completed.

5. H OUSING

Richard thanked Stephen Clark from housing department for coming along tonight and hopefully he could help with the queries local residents had. As no one from housing has come along recently to help with the queries. A full and detailed discussion took place covering various tenant property issues:

- waiting lists, state of property when moving in, black mould, family over-crowding, house/flat swaps, serious health issues, non-council tenant neighbours, empty units, cracks in walls, timescales for turn round time, lack of maintenance with current tenants, hedging/grass cutting etc. General feelings of despair, not getting anywhere with the requests and progress of issues submitted, general loss of faith in council locally.

Stephen discussed and addressed, taking all issues onboard. Recognising that they are challenged at present with lack of suitable properties, with around one hundred and twenty-five properties requiring work of some sort prior to release. Also looking to adapt and upgrade properties in

accordance with current legislation is taking longer than normal. External contractors have also been taken on to help move this timescale forward. Building and acquisitions are happening in the area to hopefully address the lack of properties and increase housing stock, as around three thousand on the housing list. Again these properties will need to be compliant prior to renting. Recruiting for trades due to staff leaving or retiring which is also contributing to the timescales. The process we have to go through takes time to allow offers and acceptance/refusal of property before being offered to another person. Looking to improve all these challenges going forward. Stephen will also arrange for someone to directly contact each individual concerned and has taken contact numbers, to arrange inspectors to look at the concerns raised.

Kirsty thanked Stephen for being honest and if communication was more forthcoming then some of the issues raised over the months could have been mitigated sooner. Hopefully the communication will get better and continue going forward between council and community council.

Alasdair also thanked Stephen for coming along and being candid in responses. Concern over how many more tenants feel they have ‘given up’ with council, this is not a good mindset for tenants surely should be worth looking at. Regarding contractors, they are trying to address workforce and timescale issues. However this needs to be followed up to ensure all works are being completed in a timely effective manner. Stephen stated if you see/hear something around the area regarding contractor etc, then please contact us to advise and to enable us to investigate and resolve.

Kirsty again thanked Stephen for coming along. We would be keen for feedback from tonight and if someone from housing could come along to all future meetings. Communication is vital going forward.

6. P ARKS /O PEN A REAS

Thistle Park Foot Path – Richard received a reply, also advised that he looked at all archives to obtain details and ownership of the park. The area in question was acquired by the local council in 1946 primarily reserved for local housing. Previously noted many years ago for recreational use. The open space area is currently being maintained by them. A full discussion took place and Richard passed plans round to show the area in the 40s/50s. The park was actually originally used for local football club (Borestone Thistle) until they disbanded and was previously known as Borestone Park.

Kirsty will pick this up to establish if there is a core path and will request accordingly for re-instatement of right of way. As this path/route is being and has been used for many years.

7. B USINESSES /C HURCHES /S CHOOLS

St.Ninians Parish Church – Richard advised that nothing has moved and Gary has a meeting in January where discussions will take place.

Salt & Chilli House – Richard advised that the litter issue has been taken care of by them.

8. R OADS /P ARKING /P UBLIC T RANSPORT

Roads – Kirsty thanked Carlyn for coming along. A full discussion took place regarding: - tar trucks creating noise, hot boxes, artics, speeding, parking, unsuitable loads, lack of community safety wardens, condition of roads etc. Surveys also conducted locally and handed into council.

Carlyn advised that they cover some of the issues however can only implement certain legislation. With some updates being made throughout and traffic calming measure being installed. Other departments unfortunately would need to be involved, including police depending on issues.

Kirsty stated as the issues are not going away and have been around for a while that all departments should get together to discuss this and come to some sort of plan/conclusion for going forward. Richard will contact all departments involved, via letter, to arrange a meeting; allowing a full discussion with potential resolves/actions, as this is not going to be resolved otherwise. We need to make the time to get all together for this. Also need to improve communication with this as well.

Kirsty and Richard thanked Carlyn for her time and coming along tonight.

Post Office/Lidl Crossing – Richard received confirmation that they have visited the site, checked and all of the installation complies with required regulations for this type of crossing.