Minutes of meeting 7th November 2024
Present: Stuart Freckingham (Chair), Craig Potter (Vice Chair), Alison Limbert (Secretary), Sue Bell (Treasurer), Alasdair Street (Member), Laura Shaw (Minutes)
Apologies: Stuart Duffy (Member), Fiona Shaw (Member), Chelsea McKinnon (Member)
In Attendance: Cllr Gerry McGarvey, April Maxwell-Campbell (Visitor), Bill Noblett
(Visitor), Ian McVean (Visitor), Tina Morrison (Visitor), Char Hunt (Visitor), Sandra Strang (Visitor)
- Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Minutes from the meeting on 3rd October 2024 were proposed by Alasdair Street and seconded by Craig Potter.
- Matters Arising
Millennium benches
Alasdair shared the survey of benches with the group; it will be added to the shared Google Drive. Agreement to be made on the sequence of maintaining/repairing the benches.
Christmas tree lights
The warm white Christmas tree lights have been purchased for the Tontine Christmas tree. A grant monitoring & evaluation form will be returned to Jean Cowie at Stirling
Council. Action: SB
The meeting agreed on Sunday 1st December at 4pm for the tree lights switch-on. The tree will be put up by volunteers on Saturday 30th November. BCC has written to the Co-op to request a donation of mince pies and chocolate bars for the switch-on. Balfron Primary School will be asked to make posters to promote the light switch on and will share which Christmas songs the pupils practice at school.
Christmas lights on lamp posts
Thanks to the lights volunteers, the village will have lights installed on 9 lampposts; these will be staggered up Buchanan Street. They will be taken down during the first week in January. The lights will be included in the BCC asset list for insurance purposes.
Broken fence
The broken fence above the burn at the top of Buchanan Street has been reported to
Stirling Council. Cllr McGarvey will also follow up on this. Action: Cllr McGarvey
- Declarations of Interest
- Projects
- Police Report TBC
- Elected Councillor's report
A wreath will be laid at the war memorial on Sunday 10th November for Remembrance Day.
The Big Conversation 2025/26 is underway and residents are asked to complete the survey https://engage.stirling.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/the-big-conversation-2025-26 (closing date 17th November).
Cllr McGarvey has been appointed Deputy Leader of Stirling Council. Sadly, the former Council Leader, Cllr Margaret Brisley died last month. An election process will follow.
- Treasurer report
Balfron in Bloom (whose funds are held on their behalf by BCC) has received a generous donation from a resident. The community orchard received £92 from Apple Day. BCC received on behalf of the Phonebox Food Exchange £1200 from the Coop as the final payment of being a Local Cause for 2023-2024. We are delighted that the Phonebox Food Exchange has been chosen as one of the Coop Local Causes for 2024-2025.
- Planning report
See the planning applications from October/November below. BCC has no comment on the applications. Planning applications can be found at https://www.stirling.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning/view-and-comment-on-planni ng-applications/.
Two storey extension to dwellinghouse
8 Lomond Terrace Balfron G63 0PQ
Ref. No: 24/00668/FUL | Received: Fri 25 Oct 2024 | Validated: Thu 31Oct 2024 |
Status: Awaiting decision
Small Deciduous Tree - Complete removal of multi-stemmed deciduous tree
Charis 32 Dunmore Street Balfron G63 0TX
Ref. No: TREENQ-2024-091 | Received: Mon 14 Oct 2024 | Validated: Mon 14 Oct
2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
Small Sycamore Tree - remove new growth from previous pollard and small Cyprus
Tree - top out the tree
Tigh Cuairt 30 Dunmore Street Balfron G63 0TX
Ref. No: TREENQ-2024-074 | Received: Thu 19 Sep 2024 | Validated: Thu 19 Sep
2024 | Status: Unknown
Single storey sunroom extension and formation of two first floor balconies
10 Burns Begg Crescent Balfron G63 0NR
Ref. No: 24/00591/FUL | Received: Thu 12 Sep 2024 | Validated: Thu 12 Sep 2024 |
Status: Awaiting decision
Single storey extensions to rear of dwellinghouse
Parkhall North Lodge Balfron G63 0RW
Ref. No: 24/00574/FUL | Received: Wed 04 Sep 2024 | Validated: Thu 05 Sep 2024 | Status: Unknown
Replacement of existing timber garage with new garage and garden store
10 Roman Road Balfron G63 0PW
Ref. No: 24/00561/FUL | Received: Mon 26 Aug 2024 | Validated: Mon 26 Aug 2024 | Status: Unknown
Alterations to bay window to form french doors with raised patio and steps to garden, reinstate existing blocked up doorway to form full height window and reconfigure glazing to Utility at rear
2 Clachan Spoker's Loan Balfron G63 0NY
Ref. No: 24/00511/FUL | Received: Mon 05 Aug 2024 | Validated: Wed 14 Aug 2024 | Status: Unknown
Proposed double garage
7 Burns Begg Crescent Balfron G63 0NR
Ref. No: 24/00497/FUL | Received: Wed 31 Jul 2024 | Validated: Mon 02 Sep 2024 |
Status: Unknown
- Chair’s report
- Local Place Plan
Trustees from the Donaldson Trust attended to learn about the Local Place Plan process. A representative of the group is invited to join the Local Place Plan Steering Group. A survey was carried out by Paths for All and from this the group are aware of several projects they would like to pursue if funding was available. A copy of the survey to be shared and considered in gathering ideas for the Local Place Plan.
The Local Place Plan Steering Group is in phase 2 of data collection to hear residents’ views on the future of Balfron. They are currently analysing responses to the Place Check survey. The next opportunity to get involved will be on Thursday 28th November, 7-9pm, Balfron High School. Residents and businesses are invited to share their views on themes such as paths, transport and housing (full list TBC) to elaborate on findings from the Place Check survey.
- AOB
The Coop celebration event on 20th November, 2-4pm at Balfron Bowling Club - all welcome.
- Next meeting 5th December 2024 at 7:30pm in Balfron High School.
As per Stirling Council Scheme of Establishment, these minutes are classified as draft until they are adopted at the next meeting.