THORNHILL & BLAIR DRUMMOND COMMUNITY COUNCIL  

10th December 2024 at 7:30 pm  

 Thornhill Community Hall

Minutes  

1. Present and Apologies

Present: Elaine Blanchard (EB) Secretary, Alison Newlands (AN) Minute Taker, Veronica

Bachelor (VB), Cllr Martin Earl (GM), Al Rawlinson (AR) Chair, Gabriela Ingle (GI), Robert Craig (RC), Hector Muir (HM) Campbell Millar (CM), Moira Russell (MR)

Apologies: Rowena Coulthard (RC), Gary Thompson (GT) 2. Approval of minutes of meeting on the 12^th November 2024

Minutes approved.

Approved by EB

Seconded by AR

3. Matters Arising

Planning Application 

Ongoing traffic issues on Kirk Lane and planning application from a local business for a change of use of their premises. The planning application has been approved with conditions. See agenda item 7.

Smiddy Cycle Lane

ME reported that the total cost of the cycle path at Smiddy Lane exceeded £177,000. Stirling Council follows a policy focused on safer roads, with the cycle path being a key component of this initiative. The Service's mission is to "manage and maintain roads to ensure the safe movement of people, goods, and services for the social and economic benefit of all residents in Stirling." Furthermore, there is a need to adjust the policy to encourage cyclists to use the cycle path and ensure the safety of this route.

There was a suggestion of carrying out a user survey at the Smiddy Restaurant and how beneficial this would be. To be considered moving forward. 

4. Reports – External a. Police Scotland

HM updated the meeting on the Police Scotland Report.

Road Safety

On 16/11/24 officers attended a two vehicle non injury collision on the B822 near to Thornhill. After enquiry was carried out, one driver was issued a Fixed Penalty for Careless Driving.

On 08/12/24 a report was received of a vehicle having crashed off the road on the A873 between Thornhill and Blair Drummond. Police attended and the driver was traced safe and well. No further Police involvement required.

Theft 

On 18/11/24 a theft by shoplifting occurred at Angling Active. Enquiries are ongoing.

Overnight 01/12 – 02/12/24 a quad bike was stolen from a farm in the Port of Menteith area, enquiries are continuing.

b. Stirling County Councillor 

ME informed that Stirling Council will be holding a full budget meeting on Thursday 12^th

December. This meeting will be discussing the budget options and allocations from the Scottish Government. Options will be circulated to members of the public soon for discussion.

5. Reports – Internal

1. Chair No update

b. Secretary 

EB advised that an email has been received from EGGER Forestry Limited regarding purchasing a standing timber sale from Forestry and Land Scotland at Torrie Muir Forest near Callander. The sale will involve the felling and dispatch of around 25,000 tonnes of timber which equates to around one thousand wagon loads. Haulage is expected to run from December 2024 – August 2025 and will leave site via the B822. Haulage from the sale will be spilt with a proportion of the volume heading towards Thornhill with the remainder heading out onto the A81 towards Callander. Egger Forestry Limited have undergone consultation with Stirlingshire council and agreed to a maximum of eight loads per day to be dispatched from site Monday – Friday. They would welcome any feedback or concerns from the community.

EB advised that a response has been sent to Egger Forestry Limited requesting adhering to the speed limit in the village.

ME commented that the TBDCC should investigate the Strategic Timber Transport Fund (STTF) to reduce the impact of timber transport on rural infrastructure and strengthen the integrity of the roads. The fund is administered by Scottish Forestry on behalf of the Scottish Ministers and provides up to 50% in grant funding. 

1. Treasurer

HM advised the balance in the account is approximately £636 at present. 

d. Planning

AR Report circulated prior to meeting and advised of the updates and changes received for planning in the area.

AR advised on the planning breach information received regarding a property in Thornhill. Stirling Council Planning Department are seeking a retrospective planning application or removal in order to rectify the breach. 

6. Community Council Business a. Traffic Issues - A84/Thornhill

No further update at present on traffic issues at present from Bear Scotland.

HM advised that a letter has been sent to the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh by the Kincardine and Menteith Primary School Parent Council regarding the proposed sale of the Kincardine in Menteith church, beside the primary school, and related land. ME advised that he has received an email from Stirling Council advising that through their external support have been in contact with the Church of Scotland seeking their valuation of the land covered by the footpath and car park and we await their response.

 The Church have intimated that while they intend selling the Church building itself, they have no plans at the moment to sell the adjoin field as part of the deal and so there is no likelihood in the near term that there will be any change to the current arrangement. Once they receive a valuation from the Church, they can then decide how to progress. ME will keep the TBDCC committee updated of any developments.

b. Traffic Issues - Primary Schools

EB raised the ongoing concerns about potholes in the children's play park and the cost to repair. EB advised that the Thornhill Primary School Headteacher is in discussions with Stirling Council to try and resolve this and investigate any local funding that could be used to meets the costs of the repairs.

c. Dunsire and Partners’ development in Thornhill 

AR informed that the official deadline for appeal has now lapsed. Agreed to keep on the agenda until official notification has been received. 

d. 2025 Meeting Dates to be decided

HM circulated meeting dates for 2025. All agreed and are as follows:

28/01/25

11/03/25

22/04/25 AGM

03/06/25

19/08/25

07/10/25

9/12/25

7.   Residents Forum Kirk Lane

RC reported that he planning application from a local business for a change of use of their premises has been approved with conditions. The TBDCC entered a discussion on the planning applications. ME suggested RC forward the submission to him, and he will review and help compile a document to be submitted to Planning Aid Scotland. 

Resident Email – Coldoch Road

A local resident has Coldoch road, B8031 would like the provision of designated passing places on the road to help solve a number of issues, due to the increased volume of traffic in recent years on the road.

TBDCC agreed to submit the request to CC enquiries at Stirling Council to ascertain if the road has been assessed for passing places.

8. AOB Nothing to report.

8. Date, time, and venue of next meeting

28th January 2025 at 7:30pm Thornhill Community Hall.

Meeting closed 20:30.