THORNHILL & BLAIR DRUMMOND COMMUNITY COUNCIL  

12th November 2024 at 7:30 pm  

 Thornhill Community Hall

Minutes  

1. Present and Apologies

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

Coulthard (RC), Veronica Bachelor (VB), Cllr Gene Maxwell (GM), Al Rawlinson (AR) Chair, Gabriela Ingle (GI), Gary Thompson (GT), Robert Craig (RC)

Apologies: Hector Muir (HM) Campbell Millar (CM), Moira Russell (MR)

2. Approval of minutes of meeting on the 1^st October 2024

Minutes approved.

Approved by EB

Seconded by VB

3. Matters Arising

Meeting Ian McIntosh – EB advised the meeting that Mr McIntosh has met with the Thornhill Development Trust and has some ideas for moving forward with the Scout Hall.  

Speed restrictions

GM mentioned that he has asked Stirling Council for a work program for the area. This matter should be revisited next year to gather additional relevant data. RC also noted that the new signs for Kirk Lane have been delayed due to the wrong signs being ordered.

White Line Assessment 

EB advised that the response from Stirling Council was limited, and no date confirmed for white line painting in the area.  GM added that the contract for line painting has been contracted out and there is no control on when the works are being carried out.  GM to request information on bringing the contract back in house and the associated savings.

4. Reports – External

a. Police Scotland

AR updated the meeting on the Police Scotland Report

Road Safety

On 26/10/24 police were contacted regarding a vehicle that had crashed on B822 just outside Thornhill. Police attended and carried out road traffic procedures. On 28/10/24 there was a one vehicle traffic collision on the B822, near to

Callander. The owner of the vehicle contacted police advising that their vehicle was in a ditch but off the road.

On 02/11/24 police were contacted after a van hit a pole on B822 between Thornhill and Kippen roundabout. The van failed to stop or report the incident. BT were contacted regarding the minor damage to one of their poles.

Other Incidents

Recently officers have been receiving information regarding people poaching in the Blair Drummond area. Two males who were observed in the area on a couple of occasions were traced by police. They were arrested in relation to road traffic offences and crimes under the salmon and freshwater fisheries act. They will appear at court at a later date.

b. Stirling County Councillor 

GM informed that Stirling Council is currently reviewing the 2025/26 budget, which will require significant savings, similar to those needed for the 2024/25 budget, in order to address a substantial deficit. He also mentioned that a new survey has been released, with updated questions based on the feedback received from an earlier survey this year. Additionally, GM stated that the UK Government is currently reviewing the budget, and local authorities will receive funding allocation notifications in December.

As part of the celebration of Stirling's 900th anniversary, the convener of Stirling Council will now officially hold the title of ‘Lord Provost’. This new title was granted by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, Shona Robison, on behalf of the Scottish

Government, following a request from Alan Simpson OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk, and former Stirling MP Alyn Smith. The change was accepted and approved at a full meeting of Stirling Council earlier this month.

5. Reports – Internal

1. Chair No update

1. Secretary No update

c. Treasurer

GT advised that the administration grant has been agreed.  It is down £90 from last year to approximately £650.  GT advised that the TBDCC should use all the administration grant funding or risk losing some of the allocation in 2025.

GT advised that the debit card form has been completed and an additional committee signature is required, EB agreed to sign the form.

d. Planning

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

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

GI stated that Stirling Council does not acknowledge any issues with the A84 road being too fast and dangerous. This contradicts a previous meeting with Christine Bauer, where significant concerns about the road were discussed and documented. GM added that the involvement of two different departments in addressing the issue is causing complications and making it difficult to resolve.

b. Traffic Issues - Primary Schools

EB again raised concerns about potholes in the children's play park. Stirling Council have advised there is no funding available to repair the potholes in the school playgroup at present.  

c. Dunsire and Partners’ development in Thornhill 

AR informed that the development appeal mentioned above has been dismissed by the reporter, and planning permission has been refused. The developers have two months from the decision date to appeal to the Court of Session. AR requested that the item remain on the agenda until the appeal deadline has passed.

7.   Residents Forum Kirk Lane

RC reported ongoing traffic issues on Kirk Lane and mentioned that a local business has submitted a planning application for a change of use of their premises. A request was made for the TBDCC to submit a complaint on behalf of the resident, and this was agreed by all.

8. AOB

Nothing to report.

8. Date, time, and venue of next meeting

10th December 2024 at 7:30pm Thornhill Community Hall.

Meeting closed 20:45.