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THORNHILL & BLAIR DRUMMOND COMMUNITY COUNCIL
5th March 2024 at 7:30 pm
Thornhill Community Hall
Minutes
- Present and Apologies
Present: Elaine Blanchard (EB) Secretary, Alison Newlands (AN) Minute Taker, Hector Muir
(HM) Chair, Al Rawlinson (AR), Rowena Coulthard (RC), Veronica Bachelor (VB), Gary
Thompson (GT), Moira Russell (MR), Gary Richardson (GR), Sheena Stewart (SS), Sam
Campbell (SC)
Apologies: Gabriela Ingle (GI), Cllr Martin Earl (ME), Campbell Millar (CM),
- Approval of minutes of meeting on the 23rd January 2024
Minutes approved.
Approved by RC
Seconded by VB
- Matters Arising
Bear Scotland - Deanston Bridge Survey Results
No update at present.
Rural Watch Scotland
EB confirmed that she has signed up to Rural Watch Scotland on behalf of the committee.
Doig Street Water Pressure
No response to emails sent to date. RC advised she had submitted a complaint.
Thornhill Primary School – Flashing sign
EB advised no update at present and has requested feedback on the road sensors placed
recently on main street. Feedback on the road sensors could include observations on
whether they are effectively monitoring traffic flow and contributing to overall road safety
improvements. Pop up police models have now been purchased and displayed around the
village.
- Reports – External
- Transport Scotland – Traffic Alleviation at Safari Park
HM advised that he has written to the various authorities highlighting the importance of
addressing the road safety issues promptly given the increase in accidents and a recent
fatality on this stretch of road.
- Police Scotland
HM tabled the Police Report and verbally updated TBCC on the following topics:
Antisocial Behaviour
No reported incidents.
Road Safety
On 26/02/24 a two vehicle road traffic collision occurred on the A873. No persons were injured,
and no offences detected.
On 27/02/24 a one vehicle fatal road traffic collision occurred on the A84 between
Blairdrummond and Stirling. This required a considerable road closure and is being investigated
by the Road Policing Department.
Theft
No reported incidents.
- Stirling County Councillor
HM advised that Cllr Martin Earl was unable to attend tonight’s meeting and has provided
an email update for the TBCC.
The Stirling Council’s 2024/24 budget has now been set and the Officer papers will be
published on the Friday. The budget gap is finalising now at something over 16million – so
over the 13.6m originally forecast.
The administration budget proposal and any opposition ones will also be published.
In addition, there are proposals that will be debated/voted on and a settled budget position
agreed.
- Reports – Internal
- Chair
See Agenda item 4a.
- Secretary
See matters arising Thornhill Primary School.
- Treasurer
GT updated the meeting with the current financial information.
Treasurer’s Report: £503.69 in the bank account to date. Upcoming payment due for the
TBCC Zoom account on 18th March 2024. GT advised that he has applied for a debit card to
help ease payment delays and streamline financial transactions.
All agreed no objections.
- Planning
AR Report circulated prior to meeting.
AR advised of four planning applications for the area.
- Thornhill Community Trust/ Futures Group
EB advised that a village community group meeting has been arranged for the 19th March
2024 at 7pm.
- Blair Drummond Community Hall
HM advised that the TBCC meeting on the 4th June 2024 will be held in the Blair Drummond
Community Hall.
- North Common Trust
EB advised that SSEN (Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks) has been actively
conducting surveys in the vicinity, identifying areas where trees are situated close to power
lines. They are then arranging for the trimming or removal of these trees to mitigate
potential hazards to our power lines.
- Community Council Business
- Community Council Partnership with local CC’s on funding cuts.
No further update, remove from agenda.
- Dunsire and Partners’ development in Thornhill
No update at present.
- Slow Down sign/flashing light on A873 after B8031 (near Coldoch Road) towards
Stirling.
HM advised on behalf of GI that an email is to be sent to Angela McGibbon at Stirling
Council to progress the agreed actions last year for the A873 detailed below:
- Rumble strips to be installed
- The road junction at the Smiddy to be repainted
- The bus sign renewed.
Additionally, there was an agreement to review the bend at Wood Lane on the A873 with
the possibility of installing chevrons to guide drivers and reduce accident rates.
Unfortunately, no action has been taken regarding this matter, despite the ongoing
concerns and accident statistics for this road section.
- Doig Street Water Pressure
As per matters arising agenda item.
- Traffic/Speeding in Thornhill
As per matters arising agenda item.
- Accidents in Blair Drummond
As per matters arising agenda item.
- Accessibly fund for cycle networks
HM agreed to send a follow up email to Stirling Council regarding cycle path funding.
- Spring Clean 2024, Keep Scotland Beautiful
Agenda item continued to next TBCC meeting.
- Residents Forum
No comments.
- AOB
EB advised that she has contacted Stirling Council about the fencing around the recycling
station in Thornhill. She was informed by the council that either they can repair the fencing
or the community can take the initiative to fix it and subsequently assume ownership.
TBCC agreed to ask the community their preference for the recycling station and whether it
is still required or used.
- Date, time, and venue of next meeting
23rd April 2024 at 7:30pm
Action Points Member Responsible
Bear Scotland Deanston Bridge Survey
Results
GM
Cllr Gene Maxwell to escalate issue with
Scottish water
EB/GM
Thornhill Primary School – reinstate
flashing lights
EB
Contact Roads Officer at Stirling Council
for update on traffic calming measures for
Thornhill.
EB
Email to Stirling Council regarding cycle
path funding.
HM
Email to Angela McGibbon Stirling Council
to progress A873 issues.
HM/GI
Thornhill Recycling Station EB
Meeting closed 20:15.