February 2025 Minutes

  1. February 2025 minutes

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Arnprior Community Council

Minutes of the Ordinary General Meeting held at 7.30pm on

Tuesday 18 February 2025 at Arnprior Nursery

Present: Iain Breakenridge (Chair), Morag Sheppard (Secretary), Duncan

McEwen, Margaret Pitkeathly, Wendy Weir

In Attendance: Councillor McGarvey (for Cllr Rosemary Fraser)

Apologies: Sheena Adam

Residents: No residents were in attendance

  1. Welcome and Apologies

The Chair welcomed the attendees to the meeting and Morag Sheppard (MS) gave

the apologies.

1.1 Declaration of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

1.2 Approval of Agenda

Approved having been proposed by Wendy Weir (WW) and seconded by

Duncan McEwen (DM).

  1. Approval of OGM Minutes and Matters Arising

The draft Minutes of the OGM held on 3 December 2024 were approved, having been

proposed by DM and seconded by WW.

  1. Matters Arising

3.1 Iain Breakenridge (IB) has been advised that tenders are out re the remaining

ash tree and scheduled for completion by end February.

  1. Cardross Bridge

IB reported that he and MS attended the 29 January meeting in Port of Menteith with

Stirling Council and the contractor. The next meeting will be on 26 February, with a

Teams version in the evening.

The project is now about 7 weeks behind, but work has started again following the

obtaining of the licence from NatureScot in relation to the unexpected species find.

Councillor McGarvey asked about communication from Stirling Council – IB and MS

confirmed communication has been good. Councillor McGarvey suggested the CC

might consider writing to NatureScot about the time delay. [Action: IB, MS]

DM and WW queried whether the contractors had been aware of, and taken account

of, where water levels can rise to, as the data must be available.

IB reported that the dam repair is due by 19 February. SC has issued a helpful list of

future activities.

  1. Roads

No further update on the 20 mph speed restriction plan, which SC hope will be in by

April. IB noted that the query about speed data is also outstanding.

DM noted that the white line at the B8034 junction had not been done, although the

rumble strips had been redone. He further suggested that the blind summit (Arngibbon

entrance at end of long straight) should be signed for safety reasons. [Action: IB]

Councillor McGarvey suggested that, in partnership with Buchlyvie and others, we

could consider raising awareness of the noise impact of speeding.

  1. Charitable Trust

The group’s next meeting was postponed (owing to family issues).

Councillor McGarvey noted that a Trust presents lots of opportunities to access

resources, and that SC may be able to supply advice and guidance, including via the

Councillors. [Action: DM]

IB noted that the investment decision on the wind farm remains outstanding.

  1. Community Storage and other projects

IB confirmed that everything is now stored except things which are to be burnt.

IB reported that George is working on the damaged door of the defibrillator store.

Following discussion, it was agreed that one bench would be moved (from Backside)

to the Play Park.

Councillor McGarvey asked whether access arrangements for Arnprior Nursery have

been working. MS reported that so far there has been just one failure, when the keys

were not left in the Key Safe.

  1. Public Transport

IB noted that there have been overcrowding/boarding refusal issues reported, owing to

usage of ‘under 22’ cards on public buses. There is a particular issue with the numbers

from Gargunnock to Balfron having increased to about 30 (Gargunnock is outside

Balfron’s catchment area). IB has been in touch with Val Brand.

Councillor McGarvey noted that the fleet may not be up to the required quality

standard – there have been reports of non LEZ-compliant buses being redeployed

from Glasgow. The overcrowding will be affecting people with regular needs. It would

be helpful if the CC could record experiences here with Val, to consolidate into a

collective expression of concern. [Action: IB]

Margaret Pitkeathly (MP) noted that there have been observations of unacceptable

behaviour on the buses, but that some bus drivers are taking effective action (e.g.

taking cards away).

Councillor McGarvey noted that SG would not be able now to back-pedal on the cards

but that a pilot should have been done.

IB noted that in Arnprior, the westbound carriageway bus stop sign can’t be read. IB

has raised with SC.

  1. Police Report

MS asked for feedback on the new format report. This was positive – it’s of interest to

see what’s happening in the wider area. WW noted it would be good if an officer could

come to a CC meeting once or twice a year.

MS will send feedback. [Action: MS]

Councillor McGarvey noted that Police Scotland are back into recruiting.

DM advised that shoplifting in Stirling is becoming a problem.

  1. Councillor’s Report

Councillor McGarvey reported that the big issue currently is the council budget,

working towards 27 February. SC is duty bound to create a legal budget. No decisions

have been finalised yet and there are some controversial proposals from the various

services to be considered.

WW asked about income streams, e.g. summer concerts. Councillor McGarvey

advised that in the longer term these may prove profitable. Council tax constitutes 17-

19% of the budget, with the bulk coming from the settlement.

Councillor McGarvey noted that he was appointed Council Leader last Thursday.

Arnprior CC members offered their congratulations.

  1. Finance Report

IB reported balances as follows: No 1 Acct £4279.53; No 2 Acct £5077.05.

IB reported that Bank of Scotland is still intending to move our accounts to a new

basis, which will be chargeable.

IB contacted SC re any guidance – response was that there was no specific advice

and it is a CC decision.

Following discussion, it was agreed that Arnprior CC accounts should be moved (e.g.

to Co-op Bank) and at that time consider merging the accounts. [Action: IB, Sheena

Adam]

  1. AOCB

12.1 Back Doune the Rabbit Hole

IB has been in touch with Brian Harkin, who was unable to come to the

meeting tonight. IB will ask for a range of potential meeting dates. [Action:

IB]

12.2 IB noted that the next Informed Communities meeting is on 20 February.

12.3 Councillor McGarvey suggested Arnprior CC might consider a joint Local

Place Plan with Buchlyvie, while maintaining Arnprior’s own identity. IB will

contact Jessica. [Action: IB]

12.4 IB will contact the researcher of a PhD project looking at the effect of dimmed

lighting on walking patterns.

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  1. Date of Next OGM

The next OGM will take place at 19:30 on Tuesday 22 April 2025. It is intended to take

place at Arnprior Nursery.