MINUTE OF MEETING
HELD ON: WEDNESDAY 16TH OCTOBER AT 19:00
IN: CIVIL DEFENCE CLUB (HYBRID), CRAIGEND ROAD, ST.NINIANS FK7 9BP
PRESENT:
Office Bearers: Mike McCormick (Chair), James Wigglesworth (Treasurer)
Community Councillors: Caroline Hamilton, Angela Clarke, Julia Temisevä
Also: four residents, Cllr Scott Farmer (Stirling West), Rev. Gary McIntyre (St.Ninians Old Parish)
APOLOGIES:
Jim Bruton (Community Councillor)
WELCOME
Mike welcomed and thanked everyone for coming along tonight.
1. ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTE (18SEP2024) AND MATTERS ARISING
There being no matters arising minute proposed by James Wigglesworth and seconded by Caroline Hamilton.
- DECLARATION OF INTEREST None noted.
3. REPORTS/UPDATES
Police Update: Mike read out the report from the police, updating on the calls/concerns received. Please continue reporting any information/concerns to Police Scotland Community Officers via email: StirlingWestCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk by calling 101 or reporting through Crime Stoppers.
Elected Member Update: Scott advised the ongoing situation around the budget, pre-consultation meetings, with the meeting being in February 2025. Last week a report came back that a proposal for a new council headquarters in the city centre, which was opposed due to the disruption, construction etc. Following the reports it was decided that due to costs involved it was unaffordable. A further project was commissioned to look at the total refurbishment of Old Viewforth, including extensions. In total £590 thousand was spent on both of these exercises, for new buildings to replace the old building, which established it is unaffordable. It is regrettable that this has been spent on an exercise to establish this. Concern was raised in the room that this spend could have been used more practically and usefully within the area to have spent this money better.
Sub-Groups: Following on from last month around thistle park. A report has been received that this can be completed however would need to take into account health & safety issues. Footway would potentially need a temporary closure however this cost would be supported by the council. Some of the damaged equipment/ground surface has been looked at and the springer will be repaired. Costs are also being sought to repair other items within the park. Would be good to get a group together to get this moving. Anyone interested to let us know.
Chair: no report from me other than items covered within the other topics tonight. Hopefully as mentioned we will have some interest on the potential of the secretary role for going forward.
Secretary: as we do not have a secretary at the moment the items are covered under appropriate headings by other councillors.
Treasurer: James updated on the spend to date. A little expenditure with insurance and minute taker. The grant should arrive within the next couple of weeks for the year going forward.
Planning/Development: Mike advised nothing to report at the moment, however to view and comment on all of the planning within the council area, details can be found under Stirling Council Planning on the Stirling Council website. Searches can also be completed using the map facility through the links noted.
4. COMMUNITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
Mayfield Area: Angela updated that there are currently two benches of which one is broken. This will be reported, as they are wooden the wood has rotten through the years. Scottish Water work is still ongoing.
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Sunnyside Area: resident thanked everyone for the work having been completed since the last meeting. The broken window issue remains however this continues to be looked at. With the cold weather coming in a black bag over it will not prevent the cold potentially causing issues again this year.
Residents are concerned around the issue of the property which was previously raised and no-one seems to have been out to visit the state of this. Details have been taken and Mike will continue to look into this. Also, when looking for a move due to health issues nothing seems to be coming forward regarding availability in the area. Mike will look into this as well.
Underpasses: looking to get this moving with a small group to clear and make all underpasses fit for purpose. Rev. McIntyre believes the underpass near the Church is being used to some degree throughout the day for genuine reasons. We will all keep a close eye on this and the others.
Wordie Road - Fencing: following the council handing over to Bear. The fencing is still down. The factor has been noted as Hacking and Paterson, Glasgow. Further communication will be made around this issue. Local Buses: there was a meeting last Wednesday. With regards to the previous complaint around the bus stopping at the bottom Coxithill not switching engine off. There will be an inspector will be looking at the compliance with the buses as all engines should be switched off whilst sitting. There are a few changes happening to times at end of the month. They continue to look for drivers. Also looking to potentially install electric chargers at Larbert, this may potentially be looked at Bannockburn. McGills continue to be concerned around the parking on these routes for getting buses through safely. This continues to be looked at for potential extension of the routes as previously completed by First. The next meeting will be in January. Please let us know if you have anything and we will pass this onto Jonathan.
5. AOCB
Report It Function: please continue to use this in the first instance, to obtain a reference number for all local concerns. Full details are held through the Report It - which is on the Stirling Council Website
6. RESIDENTS FORUM / QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Trotting Track: is currently in the hands of the Scottish Government. Concern remains around this potential application. This is a substantial development that has been proposed for the area. The Friends of Bannockburn group has been formed and have a petition, here. This does not cost anything to lodge any objection you may have regarding the location of this. They would like to raise more awareness.
McGrigor Road – parking: concern was raised around the parking issues at the Chapel end. Whilst it was recognised that spaces had been added towards the other end. This has not resolved the parking at the Chapel end on the pavement etc. Especially with large work trucks being parked on corners taking up spaces and also causing potential blind spots. Scott confirmed that there are discussions in progress at present regarding the parking with the police and the Chapel.
Bin Collection: as these dates are no longer being posted out to residents, they can be found on the Stirling Council Website here. Hardcopies can also be obtained from local libraries or customer first in Stirling. Borestone Primary: the Christmas Fair will be on 21st November once full details are available, we will get this circulated. There will be items to purchase from local makers, tea/coffee available.
Defibrillator: Gary advised that the Church has purchased a defibrillator. This will be located at the church hall in Kirk Wynd. Once installed full details will be circulated. Great to have another defibrillator in the area.
Clock Tower: great to have the tower clock is illuminated once again. Gary advised that the tower belongs to the church and the clock belongs to Stirling Council. Gary thanked the council for replacing the lighting and completing other works. It is good to have this back working, it is quite a feature.
Cemetery: Gary updated on this, following conversations with Murray Cook and others. The council had been asked to identify unsafe grave stones, which are not many and that is quite reassuring. The plan is to form a group of around five/six in total. Which would allow us to form a constitution and therefore allow applications for funding to help clear this cemetery. There is only one concern over insurance as the cemetery is currently locked for safety reasons. This is something that can be addressed through the formed group obtaining the appropriate insurance. This is a great benefit to help people with getting out, socialising and also help with local history. Gary would like to raise the profile and get local schools involved with the historical and educational aspect of the area.
St.Ninians Tower should be promoted more as it has a lot of history associated with it and the cemetery. It would be great to see it looking good and allowing access again.
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If anyone would be interested in this please contact Rev. McIntyre directly, or ourselves and we will pass your details on.
Citizens Advice: Mike advised that Citizens Advice are looking for volunteers and to contact them directly if interested.
7. COMMUNITY COUNCILLORS
Mike offered Julia, who accepted, full membership as a community councillor having now attended three meetings following co-option. If you are interested in joining us, or know anyone that would be please let us know. We do also continue to look for a secretary. Meantime councillors will all oversee this role.
- DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Wednesday 20th November 2024 at 19:00 in Civil Defence Club.
9. CLOSE
Mike thanked everyone for coming along tonight, it was a good meeting and hope to see everyone next month. Which will be our last meeting this year.
Meeting closed at 20:58
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