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Strathard Community Council
Approved Minutes of the Ordinary General Meeting
on Thursday 6th June 2024 at Strathard Business Hub
Present: Paul Mackintosh (Chair), Nick Lester-Davis (Vice Chair), Lynda McColl
(Secretary), Joyce Kelly (Planning), Catherine Cairns (Treasurer), Trevor
Geraghty (Strathard Community Trust), Natasha Sheppard, Gillian
McEwan.
In Attendance: Councillor Gene Maxwell (Scottish National Party), Christopher Roads
(Flood Group), Roger Doubal (Flood Group)
Apologies: Andre Goulancourt, PC Lorna Deans, PC Donald King.
Residents: There were no members of the public in attendance.
1. Welcome and Apologies
The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting and gave the apologies.
2. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
The unconfirmed minutes of the OGM held on 2nd May 2024 were approved having been
proposed by Joyce Kelly (JK) and seconded by Nick Lester-Davis (NLD).
3. Questions from the floor / Members of the public to be declared
No questions were raised.
4. Summary of Ongoing Business / Enquiries Raised
4.
1
Repairs to Aberfoyle Play Park
Efforts continue to get the play park repaired. Damage was caused when tanks were
uplifted by flood water and their contents spilt on the park. The ground has been allowed
to settle and the soil tested. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) have been instructed to
repair the section which was dug up but discussions between Stirling Council (SC) and
FLS are still ongoing. PM suggested SC should undertake the repairs in the first
instance and charge FLS.
Councillor Gene Maxwell (GM) has been in contact with SC regarding the removal of
materials dumped in the park, He agreed to chase SC to action this. [Action:
Councillor Maxwell]
NLD will also raise the issue during his regular meeting with FLS next week. [Action:
Nick Lester-Davis]
4.2 Repainting: Junction of Main Street, Loch Ard Road & Manse Road
The faded ‘Give Way’ signs and one of the zebra crossings have been
repainted.
4.3 Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) Enquiry to be raised
JK suggested that SCC raise an enquiry regarding the DRT as no progress has
been made.
Members noted there were trial services running in Callender, Balfron and Killin
whilst nothing had been done for Strathard. PM agreed to raise this with Martin
XX. [Action: Paul Mackintosh]
5. Flood Group Update
Roger Dubal (RD) and Christopher Roads (CR) thanked members for approving the
Flood Report and gave the following update:
5.1 Meeting with Councillor Martin Earl
CR and RD met with Councillor Martin Earl (ME) to brainstorm how to take
things forward. They agreed the following:
Seek support from Strathard Community Trust (SCT ) – discussions are
ongoing.
Seek support from other community councils (CCs), specifically those
on the west side of Flanders Moss and the Carse – Thornhill, Gartmore
and Gargunnock.
Identify the right person to champion this. No obvious person is yet
identified, so at present the Flood Group need to push this forward.
Hold discussions with Forestry and Land Scotland, the National Park,
Scottish Water and elected members at different levels.
5.2 SEPA Flood report – Forth Catchment Area
Stirling University have been commissioned by SEPA to carry out a report on
flooding in the Forth catchment area/ Forth River basin using money from the
Level Up Fund. This is a very welcome change in position. A copy of the
Strathard Flood Report has been sent to Professor Simmons at Stirling
University. Professor Simmons has arranged a meeting of interested parties in
Edinburgh on 18th June. The group await with interest what will come out of
this.
5.3 Information on Damage to Property – Kate Bovill
Kate Bovill has gathered considerable information on damage to properties due
to flooding in the Aberfoyle area. This information was not available when the
Flood Report was compiled but the group are currently working out how to
make this an addition to the report.
5.4 Vulnerable Areas Questionnaire
SEPA have produced a questionnaire to identify whether it has correctly
designated vulnerable areas. The Flood Group are taking the opportunity to
respond to the questionnaire and send them a copy of the report.
5.5 Emergency Access During Flooding – B829
Members discussed ongoing concerns regarding emergency access during
flooding of the B829 and the consequent planning restrictions.
GM has raised this issue with SC and queried whether they have conducted
analysis of other areas. He feels that if this analysis were conducted it would
become clear that a number of places in the Stirling area face similar issues
and SC would be forced to come up with a solution. SC have no plans to
conduct the analysis at this time.
Members felt there were huge inconsistencies in the way areas are treated and
are aware of other SC areas which flood regularly but do not have planning
restrictions.
There is continued uncertainty as to whether emergency services have keys to
access Forest Road if the B829 is blocked. It was noted that representatives of
senior management from FLS and SC met recently specifically to discuss
access issues on Forest Road.
Gillian MeEwan reminded members of the modelling work being conducted by
Brian Campbell. Nick Lester-Davis (NLD) agreed to contact Brian to find out
what has been done. [Action: Nick Lester-Davis]
6. Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer’s Report was read by Catherine Cairns. The opening balance as of 28th
March 2024 was £6,081.46. Total monies out was £152.44. The closing balance as of
30th April 2024 was £5,929.02. There are a few cheques written but not yet cashed.
The balance minus subsequent spend is £5,531.57. See Addendum 1 for further
details.
PM queried whether the £800 ringfenced for the Kinlochard Village Hall IT fund was
still needed. Joyce responded that they had been awarded funding for IT equipment
from the Community Pride Grant but were awaiting the outcome of applications to the
CLLD and Strathard Community Trust for the cost of a laptop. SCC agreed to keep the
£800 ringfenced until the outcome of these applications is known.
7. Police Report
PM read the police report for the period 1st May to 2nd June.
Anti-social Behaviour:
On 11th May considerable damage was caused within the Aberfoyle Inn. The
toilets were completely smashed up. Enquiries are continuing.
Road Safety:
At around 12.15 hours on 25th May. A report was received of a vehicle driving
erratically in the Aberfoyle area. The vehicle was traced and the driver charged
with drink driving.
Theft
On 4th May an unoccupied rural property in the Kinlochard area was broken
into. Nothing was stolen and enquiries are still ongoing. The people responsible
have not yet been identified.
During the period, 4 thefts by shoplifting occurred in a local shop. 1 person has
been charged in relation to one of these incidents. Enquiries are continuing in
regard to the others.
On 19 May 2 windows were broken and property stolen from a vehicle left
unattended in a forestry car park in the Aberfoyle area. The person responsible
has not been identified.
8. Strathard Community Trust (SCT) Update
NLD provided the SCT update from the last SCT meeting 19th April.
8.1 Big Tent Community Meeting
SCT are proposing a Big Tent Community Meeting on Saturday 28th
September. The intention is to invite all relevant community groups such as
SC, CC, AVP, the bowling club etc to attend and share knowledge and ideas.
Details will be agreed at the next SCT meeting on 19th June.
8.1 Aberfoyle Visitor Information Centre
The SCT has contacted SC and Visit Scotland to ascertain their plans for the
building containing the Visitor Information Centre and Strathard Business Hub
once the Information Centre closes. They are awaiting a response.
GM reported that he had received assurances from the economic development
department that the closure of the Visitor Information Centre should not impact
the rest of the building and SC will look for another tenant.
PM met with Anne-Michelle Ketteridge on Monday who confirmed that SC
would be supportive if the community would like to take over use of the
building. A steering group has been formed to look at various ideas for using
the building including taking over the Tourist information Centre and modelling
it after the one in Callander but with some differences. Going forward the
steering group will need to identify revenue streams and come up with a
business plan.
The steering group are in process of setting up a meeting with the Regional
Director of Visit Scotland to get information on the financials which they have
said they are happy to share.
9. Forestry Land Scotland / Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Nothing of note to report.
10. Planning Update
There were 4 new planning applications lodged for May 2024 and 5 approvals for the
same period. No objections have been lodged.
11. Local Place Plan (LPP) and Community Life Plan (CLP)
11.1 Local Place Plan
JK reported that the LPP had undergone the statutory circulation to all
interested parties and no objections or comments had been received. PM
confirmed he was about to press send to the LLTNP to lodge the LPP as the
final Strathard LPP. It is not envisaged that there will be any issues with the
LPP as SCC has worked closely with the LLTNP during the process.
11.2 Community Life Plan
Business as usual with no new developments to report.
12. Stirling Council Report
GM gave the Councillor’s Report. He highlighted the following:
12.1 Senior Management Changes
A new Chief Executive has been appointed and SC are looking for a new Chief
Finance Officer, Head of Waste Services and Head of Economic Development
and Tourism.
12.2 Extended Recess
Due to the redeployment of staff to work on the general election and the Bridge
of Allan by-election, the council recess has been extended. No committee
meetings or full council meetings will take place until September 2024.
12.3 SC Budget Overspend
Following the Big Conversation and the threatened budget cuts, SC has
underspent its services budget by 1.4 Million and it’s capital budget by 11
million.
13. AOCB
13.1 Road Repairs – B829
Trevor Geraghty expressed his thanks to PM for his assistance in getting a
huge pothole repaired after considerable damage to vehicles and numerous
calls to SC. He also expressed his thanks to the emergency repair crew. He
queried if there was an update on when the repair work will be done to the
B829. SCC were told that this would be done after repair work to the gullies
and drainage was completed. This work has been done. PM will reopen an
enquiry about the B829 repairs. [Action: Paul Mackintosh]
PM reminded members that the repair work is expected to take place from 6pm
to 2am over a period of 6 months. Residents returning home within these hours
should expect a considerable wait.
GM informed the meeting that the 3 ward councillors will be meeting with the
Roads Department over the next couple of weeks to discuss road closures.
13.2 Gillian McEwan has been contacted by Stephen Hope, a land owner of 2
pieces of land in the Aberfoyle area. He would like an update on the work on
the flood path, particularly the area near the Episcopal church and the potential
building work nearby as interest has been expressed in the land.
14. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of Strathard Community Council will be at 7pm on 1st August at
Kinlochard Village Hall.
Strathard Community Council – Bank account balance for meeting 06 June 2024
£ £
General Fund opening Bank balance 28 March 2024 6081.46
Monies out
Aberfoyle Memorial Hall (25.00)
Microsoft reimbursement (127.44)
Total monies out (152.44)
Monies in
Total monies in (00.00)
General Fund closing Bank balance 30 April 2024
5929.02
Subsequent expenditure / income (cheques written to date but not cashed)
Minute secretary May
Claire Graham – Microsoft (April 2023 - Aug 2023, Jan 2024)
Claire Graham – Microsoft (May 2024)
Claire Graham – Microsoft (March 2023 – reissued)
Aberfoyle Memorial Hall (May)
Mailchimp subscription
Total subsequent spend
(50.00)
(125.64)
(19.44)
(25.00)
(56.13)
(21.24)
(297.45)
Balance minus subsequent spend
5631.57
Less Commitments
Community Events Fund
KVH IT fund
Available Funds
318.97
300.00
5012.60