Trossachs Community Council
Approved Minutes of the Ordinary General Meeting held at 7:30pm on Thursday 10th October 2024 in Brig O’ Turk Village Hall
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Present: |
Richard Morris (Chair), James Hill (Vice-Chair), Sue Morris (Secretary/Planning), Roger Drapper (Treasurer), Liz Maxwell, Anne Gilchrist, (Co-opted Member)
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In Attendance: |
Councillor Martin Earl (Scottish Conservative and Unionist), David Fettes (National Park), Mags Elliot (Roads Working Group Liaison)
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Apologies: |
PC Donald King, PC Lorna Deans. Councillor Elaine Watterson
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Residents: |
2 members of the public were present. |
1. Welcome and Apologies
The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting and gave the apologies. The Chair also noted that no minute taker was present, and the meeting would be recorded.
2. Approval of Minutes and Action Tracker
2.1 Approval of Minutes
The unconfirmed minutes of the meeting held on 08h August 2024 were approved having been proposed by Sue Morris (SM) and seconded by Liz Maxwell (LM).
2.2 Action Tracker
Action 3.4 On hold. To be re-visited in December 2024.
Action 6.2 Ongoing.
Action 6.19 Ongoing.
Action 7.4 Ongoing.
Action 7.15 Ongoing.
Ongoing.
Action 8.2 Ongoing.
Action 8.3 Ongoing.
Action 8.4 Ongoing.
Action 8.9 Ongoing.
Action 8.10 Ongoing.
Action 8.11 Ongoing.
Action 8.14 Ongoing.
Action 8.15 Ongoing.
Action 8.18 Ongoing.
Action 8.22 Ongoing.
3. Planning
SM provided the following planning update:
- Letter holiday extension which was discussed in the June meeting is still a live application.
- Glen Finglas phone mast planning application is still live.
- Communications mast on the hill behind the village has been granted planning permission
- EIA pre-notification received for a large solar array next to Tigh Mhor, not open for comment yet.
[Action: SM to contact NPA planning to understand more about the EIA prenotification process]
Ben More application for change of use was discussed prior to this meeting by the Council members and an objection was raised to NPA planning on two points:
o The NPA planning had previously assigned a condition that change of use from family dwelling was not allowed, so the TCC queried why a subsequent change of use would be allowed and the timing between the two applications and the precedent this could create.
[Action: SM to contact the NPA planning officer (once the name has been received from Katy and Richard) to request whether a tourism assessment has been undertaken
Katy and Richard (owners of Ben More and present at the meeting) were then given the floor:
- They would have liked to be involved in our previous discussion as they did not know the TCC reviewed planning applications.
TCC gave information on the process - the TCC receives planning applications from the NPA and responds to them, until that happens the TCC have no idea who is going through a planning application.
- They felt that the objection by Stirling Council roads department, was invalid and they are fighting this.
- They believe they have followed the NPA planning rules, yet the planning application has been objected to. Councillor Earl suggested using a third party to support their application such as the Planning Aid Scotland
- They are frustrated with the process and being passed back and forth, between the NPA planning and the TCC.
SM responded that it is usual for the TCC to receive feedback/input to the objection from the NPA planning officer but this had not been received yet. (see Action above to address this). Councillor Earl then provided an overview of the NPA planning process and what Katy and Richard can request when the planning application goes to Committee, including asking for a site visit.
4. Local Place Plan (LPP)
JH provided an update on LPP activities:
- The LPP was sent to the TCT and Welfare committee for comment, and towards the end of October (18th) will be sent out to stakeholders, neighbouring community councils etc.
- Given that our LPP Coordinator is unavailable at present, the NPA have offered increased support with the LPP.
Roads
Mags Elliot was introduced to the Roads Working Group by the Chair and has introduced herself. Mags requested the TCC ask for an update from Stirling Council regarding the status of the activities discussed with the Council. Mags Elliot is planning to hold a Roads working group meeting before Christmas and members of the TCC are welcome to attend.
[Action: SM to contact Stirling Council for an update on the Brig o ‘Turk roads review activities].
Councillor Earl informed the TCC that two new Roads dept staff were employed and are working their way through the activities that had been on hold.
SM raised a point regarding whether the Dukes Pass was an official road that will be gritted during winter, as the information from Stirling Council on the Winter policy was ambiguous. Councillor Earl stated that it would be gritted during daylight hours and that he would provide an official response to this matter.
[Action: Councillor Earl to provide the TCC with official statement].
TCT/Welfare Committee Update
LM updated the TCC saying the TCT would be having an AGM in November. Prior to this the TCT are hoping to come to agreement on three options for the Old School – sell it, lease it or develop a service using it themselves.
RM asked if there was any update on sharing a person resource between the 3 organisations, discussion is still on going.
Communications
The TCC discussed how best to disseminate relevant communications from Stirling Council and others to the community. It was agreed documents would be printed and attached to the village notice board and that a Facebook page would be set up. [Action: JH to set up TCC Facebook page]
Finance
RD confirmed that our auditor can receive digital files, reducing travel requirements in the future.
SM asked whether RD had received the TCC letter addressed to Finance regarding the funding of the minute taker, RD had not and this will be chased with Stirling Council.
[Action: SM to contact Stephen Bly]
The TCC closing balance was £17,433.13.
Invasive Species
AG provided an update on her invasive species work, having researched more on the topic and talked to a number of public bodies including FLS and Charities such as The Woodland Trust. AG discussed having a joined up community group meeting with Kinlochard and FLS, which the TCC agreed was a good idea.
5. Police Report
Sometime between 16th and 17th September an attempt was made to break in to the coin section of a ticket issuing machine within the 3 Lochs Forest Drive.
A report was received by the police of persons on trials bikes in the forestry roads in the area.
6. National Park Authority Report
David Fettes reported on the planning decision for the development on the West Riverside that was rejected.
The Trossachs Explorer has now stopped for the year, statistics collected were positive on its usage but it remains to be seen if there is funding next year.
Key highlights:
- there were over 5000 passengers that used the service
- 52% of the passengers travelled free on concessions
- 75 plus local businesses and community organisations were engaged to support
the service
- 97% of the scheduled services ran
- There were 16 drivers who were trained to operate on the Route
- 27 National Park Volunteer Rangers helped to support the project.
Stirling Council (SC) Report
7.0
Councillor Earl gave the Councillor’s Report and highlighted the following:
- An update on the Forthside potential development plans near the Vue Cinema which includes the development of a master plan and marketing resources.
- The primary school in Callander has been delayed by roughly 6 months and should be brought to NPA planning authority this November. Expected completion is 2026.
8. AOB
RM brought the council up to speed with regards to our previous minute taker and them not returning. Thanks were given for the excellent service they provided.
A discussion was had on obtaining the village Christmas tree, with the TCC making a request through LM for Gene Maxwell to purchase and install the tree.
9.0
Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of Trossachs Community Council is scheduled to take place at 7:30pm on Thursday 12th December 2024 in Brig o’ Turk Village Hall.
TCC may hold an additional meeting on Thursday 14th November 2024 to discuss the LPP comments from stakeholders. Members will use the Whatsapp Group to raise any matters that need dealing with before November and if necessary a short meeting will be held.