November 2022 Minutes | Stirling Council

Minutes of meeting 3rd November 2022

Present: Colin Cameron (Chair) Alison Limbert (Secretary), Alison Lamont Chalmers, Craig Potter, Sue Bell, Claudia Duncan, Donna Dutch (Minutes)

Apologies: John Nicholson, Robert Young, Alasdair Street, Paul Henke, Claire McIlvenna, Police Scotland

In Attendance: Cllr. Gerry McGarvey, Douglas Martin (MiAlgae), Jo Partridge (MiAlgae), Alexander Haig, Susan Haig, Sophie Morrish, René Jansen, Cathy North, Jony North, Mark Davidson

2) Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting

The Minutes from the meeting on 6th October were proposed by Alison Limbert and seconded by Alison Lamont Chalmers.

3) Matters Arising

Eco Festival - a meeting of volunteers will take place on 15 November to say thanks and plan next actions.

Balfron Co-Op - CC has spoken to a Co-Op property representative and established that any development plans have been put on hold pending financial reviews.

Remembrance Sunday - ALC confirmed that all arrangements for the War Memorial are in hand. CP volunteered to lay the wreath on behalf of the Community Council.

Balfron Christmas lights - the trees are on order from Duffs and will be erected on 3rd December. The switch on with carols from the Primary School will be on Tuesday 6th December 4:30pm at the Library.

Donaldson Park - Following reports of motorhomes using the carpark overnight, CP identified one instance. He discovered it is listed as a car park on websites with no restrictions on overnight parking. CC to pass this to Donaldson Trust. Action CC

4) Declarations of Interest

CC noted a conflict of interest in an application in the Planning Report. AL noted a potential conflict of interest in the Treasurer’s Report.

5) Proposal for Claylands - presentation and Q & A from MiAlgae Ltd

The two Mi-algae representatives made a brief presentation on the planning application they have made for an algae processing plant at Claylands Farm. They apologised that the application had proceeded without adequate communication with the affected communities, and they were now doing their best to address this. They described the economic and ecological benefits of extracting algae from the pot ale from local distilleries which is already

being delivered to the site for use in the biogas plant. They argued that noise issues had been addressed and were within limits, and that there would be no noticeable increase in existing traffic volumes. Questioning from residents neighbouring Claylands Farm raised numerous concerns about the impact of traffic on road safety, road conditions and in particular the Branshogle bridge. The residents aired worries about the continuing expansion of the farm from its original purpose as a dairy farm to a full-scale industrial site that lacks the necessary infrastructure to support that level of development. Is it an appropriate site for this rural community? They have concerns about noise pollution, light pollution, and the impact on local wildlife.

Balfron Community Council members noted that in principle the project has great potential to both reduce waste and produce Omega 3 in an environmentally sustainable way. They did record concerns that there is insufficient information for BCC, Stirling Council and other stakeholders to properly assess the application and its potential environmental impacts. They encouraged MiAlgae to provide Environmental Impact Assessments covering traffic volumes, noise, landscape and ecology. The Claylands residents urged BCC to lodge a further objection to the project with Stirling Council. CC pointed out that as residents within the Killearn Community Council boundary they could also raise that with them.

The MiAlgae representatives undertook to have further meetings with the Claylands residents to try to allay further concerns. Action CC/CP/RY

The MiAlgae representatives and the Claylands residents left the meeting at this point.

6) Projects

Balfron Active Places - the steering group had a positive meeting with the new Project Manager but no further update is available until Stirling Council can provide a date for the removal of the HGV diversion through Buchanan Street as a result of the bridge closures.
War Memorial - No Update
Phone Box - No Update
Community Orchard - Christine Wilson reports that Stirling council is supportive of the work of the community volunteers.
Donaldson Park - BCC currently has no representative on The Donaldson Trust Board and CC asked for volunteers. He asked SB if she knew of any update on the She will check with Christine Wilson. Action SB

7) Police Report

The Police report is available on the BCC website and notice boards along with warnings on how to identify fraud and scams. https://balfroncc.org.uk/. ALC has been approached with concerns about inconsiderate and unsafe behaviour by parents with cars at the Primary School drop off points. CC will raise this with Police Scotland. Action CC

8) Elected Councillor’s Report

Branshogle Bridge - current understanding is that the bridge will reopen for daytime traffic on 11 November. Cllr. McGarvey undertook to confirm.

The community is reminded to log road/pavement issues with Stirling council. See link: https://stirling.gov.uk/online-forms/potholes/

9) Treasurer’s Report

Generous donations have been received from the 10K committee for the Community Orchard project and Phone box Food Exchange. The meeting expressed its thanks.
Additional funding has been received from the Co-op to provide the phone box with stock. It was proposed to invite Luci Rooney to the next meeting to discuss the best way to spend it. Action CC

10) Planning Report

2 new applications since the last report, both awaiting decisions: Erection of dwelling house on land 130m west of Old Manse Stud, Station Road; new golf clubhouse and storage at Balfron Golf Club. Planning Applications can be found at

stirling.gov.uk/planning-building-the-environment/planning/view-comment-on-planning/

11) Chair’s Report

Offer of Full Membership: Craig Potter has now attended three meetings as a co-opted member and is therefore eligible for full The meeting voted unanimously to accept him as a full member.
CC noted closures on Dunmore Street for 7 weeks for resurfacing
A Stirling Council Waste survey has been sent out to residents. CC encouraged everyone to complete it.
Stirling Council has announced a pilot of a Winter Volunteer scheme to help residents during adverse CC reminded the meeting that the Balfron Resilience Group was currently inactive due to personnel changes. AL undertook to advertise for volunteers. Action AL
Claire McIlvenna is looking for volunteers to participate in a Balfron Advent Window display, and suggestions for local projects that would benefit from any funding If interested you can contact her through hello@balfroncc.org.uk or Facebook.

12) AOB

CD raised the question as to why there is a 20mph Vehicle Activation Sign (VAS) on leaving the village at Printer’s Row heading south, but not one coming into the village where it might be more useful. CC undertook to investigate. Action CC

Next meeting Thursday 1st December starting at30pm