Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre
Community Council Minutes – 27th January 2021

This meeting took place online via Zoom on 27th January 2021.

Present: David Johnston (DJ), William Dalziel (WD), Andrew Poulter (AP), Ruth McLusky
(RM), Jim Heron (JH), Donald McLaren (DM).

Apologies: Angus Cameron (AC).

Also
Attending:

Cllr Martin Earl (ME), Cllr Evelyn Tweed (ET), Cllr Jeremy McDonald (JM),
Michelle Flynn (MF), Stirling Council; Billy Ronald (BR), National Park; PC Will
Diamond (PCWD), Police Scotland; Paul Hicks, minute-taker.

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Welcome

DJ welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained firstly that the
Annual General Meeting for 2020, which had been postponed because
of the pandemic measures, would not now take place at all. Following
some discussion it was agreed that an AGM would be held on 21st
April 2021, as an online meeting, if necessary.

AGM to be held on 21st April 2021.

1. Approval of minutes

   It was proposed by WD and seconded by AP, that the minutes of the
   meeting on 16th December 2020 should be accepted and this was
   approved unanimously.

    

2. Declarations of interest

   None made.

    

3. Police Report (15 Dec 2020 – 25 Jan 2021)

   In respect of anti-social behaviour, there were three incidents relating
   to breaches of The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (R&R) (Local
   Levels) (Scotland) Regulations, 2020. On 28th December 2020, a
   vehicle was stopped on the A84, Main Street, Strathyre. The male
   driver was found to have breached the travel restrictions and was
   issued with a Fixed Penalty notice. On 15th January 2021, police
   attention was drawn to a group of eight males who were walking on
   Ben Vorlich. Police later checked the men who were found to be from
   the Lothians area. All eight were reported to the Procurator Fiscal,
   having breached the Government restrictions in terms of unnecessary
   travel, in addition to failing to comply with the restriction on

    

    

    

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   household mixing, which is limited to two people from two
   households. On 16th January 2021, a female was issued with a Fixed
   Penalty notice, having visited an address in Balquhidder, contrary to
   the restrictions which prevent households mixing within a residential
   property.

   On 28th December 2020, a vehicle was stopped on the A84, Main
   Street, Strathyre and the female occupant was found to be in
   possession of a quantity of controlled drugs. She was issued with a
   Recorded Police Warning as a result. Between 17-19th January 2021,
   vandalism was reported to a telegraph pole between Stronvar and
   Muirlaggan in Balquhidder. Enquiries are still ongoing at present.
   Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Diamond. During this
   period, there were no incidents of note concerning either road safety
   or theft.

   DJ and AP were both aware of the telegraph pole in ques tion and
   suggested that it may have collapsed in a strong wind, simply because
   the timber had rotted. PCWD then gave a personal update, stating that
   he would shortly be transferring to Stirling with the possibility of a
   promotion in the offing. In response, WD led a number of tributes to
   the excellent work carried out by PC Diamond during his time in the
   local communities. A heartfelt and unanimous vote of thanks was
   made. To date, a replacement officer has not been designated, but it is
   hoped to fill the post without delay.

    

4. Postponed Business

   The following items have been postponed until the current restrictions
   have been relaxed:

   1. Lesley Milne's presentation on Town Break Dementia Support
      Services.

   2. The installation of lights between Balvaig Bridge and A84, Strathyre.

   3. Parking in Callander.

    

5. Matters arising from previous meeting

   a) Signs and notices prohibiting access. Nothing further had been heard
   from Dave Robinson, Recreation and Access Adviser for the Loch, since the previous

    

    

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   meeting, but members were confident that Mr Robinson would be
   taking action to tackle this problem.

    

6. Fire Hydrants in Balquhidder

   DJ reported that no further progress on this problem had been made,
   but that he would continue to liaise with Scottish Water.

    

7. National Park Community Council Forum

   As previously noted during the community council meetings on 4th
   November and 16th December, 2020, concerns had been raised by
   Kilmaronock Community Council regarding The Loch Lomond & Theand how it functions. A survey had
   been prepared and circulated to other community councils in the Park
   area to see if these concerns were shared. Broadly speaking, the
   matters raised related to community representation, a perceived
   conflict between tourism and protection of the environment and a
   concern that the Authority is seeking to avoid public scrutiny and
   accountability.

   DJ expressed concern at the phrasing of some of the ques tions and
   others agreed. ME queried some of the facts stated, specifically the
   matter of community representatives having to sign a pledge to
   support the chair of the Park Authority. He firmly believed that
   representatives genuinely speak out for their communities. DJ was not
   minded to support the questionnaire as it stood and this stance was
   supported and agreed.

    

   DJ to respond, stating that BLS Community Council could not support the questionnaire as it stands.

    

8. Correspondence

   1. Trossachs Area Network (TAN). Further to item eight of the
      community council minutes from 4th November 2020, Strathard(SCC) has reported that there were some positive
      responses from the thirty-two organisations approached but,
      unfortunately, the numbers fell short of what could be deemed a
      “reasonable quorum” of interested parties and the SCC has concluded
      that, at this point in time, there is insufficient interest to support
      taking the initiative further. This was noted.

       

       

       

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   2. Community Partnership Annual General Meeting. This is scheduled to
      take place on Thursday 4th February 2021 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. The
      Partnership has reported that 2020 was a year of unprecedented
      challenges and the AGM will be a chance for members to celebrate
      and reflect on the activities and impact of the Community Partnership.
      Four resolutions will be put to members which, if approved, will allow
      the organisation to undertake an orderly closure and winding up of
      the Partnership. The AGM will provide an opportunity to explain the
      reasoning behind this action. This was noted.

   3. Scottish Water Annual Consultative Meeting. The company had
      written to the community council to pass on an invitation to people in
      the local communities to learn more about its activities in an online
      report published at its website (www.scottishwater.co.uk/acm).

   4. Visitor Management Planning - Loch Earn. Further to item 8 of the
      minutes of the community council meeting on 16th December 2020, a
      meeting was held on Wednesday 13th January 2021. DJ reported that
      there are plans in place, but the coming year is likely to be di fficult
      again with the pandemic restrictions continuing. ME added that the
      problem is likely to be one of “expectation management” because
      there are significant problems with a lack of resources and staff. On
      the positive side, the Park Authority is planning to provide additional
      toilets and car parks. He added that the loss of the Communitymay actually prove to be advantageous because there will
      now need to be direct communication between local communities and
      the Park Authority. It will be important to keep reporting any problems
      because decisions are driven by data.

   ET stated that the Park Authority is trying to be proactive and is asking
   Stirling Council to assist with traffic enforcement and litter collection.
   DJ had raised the matter of the alcohol bye-laws, looking for stronger
   powers for the police. PCWD stated that a review has been scheduled
   with a proposal to amend the wording of the bye-law. DJ had also
   mentioned the problem of inconsiderate parking, but this is
   dependent on the Council having sufficient staff to enforce the
   regulations. ME added that the amendment of the bye-law had been
   tabled for March 2021. DJ mentioned that some signs regarding the
   alcohol bye-law had disappeared. MF stated that replacing them was
   not a current priority, but offered to ensure that the need for new
   signs was not overlooked as circumstances changed. PCWD offered to
   supply a list of places where there should be signs.

    

    

    

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9. Timber Transport

   1. DJ reported that a meeting of the Balquhidder Timber Transporthad been held on 17th December 2020. The
      minutes had been circulated and DJ had submi tted an agreed
      response on behalf of the community. As yet no date had been set for
      the next meeting of the working group.

   2. "Passing Place" signs on the Stroneslaney Road. AP repeated his
      previous point (from 16th December) about the positioning of the signs
      and the need to ensure that they were visible to motorists
      approaching from both directions. MF agreed to pursue this with the
      appropriate department at Stirling Council.

    

10. Current Road Works

    1. Resurfacing the A84 North of Strathyre. This work had eventually
       been completed. Further resurfacing work at Kingshouse had been
       postponed owing to poor weather conditions, but is now scheduled to
       begin on Sunday 7th February and conclude on Monday 22 nd February
       2021.

    2. Balvaig Bridge, Strathyre. DJ observed that all of the local bridges had
       recently suffered damage which had been reported. MF responded
       that where is no immediate health and safety issue, any repairs will
       not be a top priority. DJ pointed out that all of the bridges are carrying
       timber transport and DM queried whether this was not a safety issue.
       MF said that she would get a team to examine the Stronvar bridge to
       see if any urgent action was required.

    3. Keip Road, Strathyre. Complaints had been made by residents that
       that there were no grit bins available but grit is urgently required. WD
       had made a circuit of the village that day and found only three grit
       bins, one of which was damaged. On Keip Road, where the timber
       houses are located, there was an urgent need for gritting in order to
       ensure access for emergency vehicles. Similarly, a grit bin near the
       Village Hall is required in order to ensure access to the houses behind
       the hall. MF reminded members that there are established criteria for
       the number of bins allowed and their locations. ME stated that it is
       better to ask for piles of grit (without a bin). WD also mentioned that
       are about a dozen abandoned wheelie bins in Keip Road near the

     

    MF to arrange for examination of Balvaig Bridge at Stronvar.

     

    MF to arrange for a check of the grit bins in Strathyre.

     

     

     

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    timber houses and some members mentioned that they had yet to
    receive the new allocation of waste bins. ET recommended that
    people should contact one of the local councillors if their old bin had
    been removed and no replacement had been provided.

     

11. Additional Members of the Community Council

    DJ stated that two more members are required, ideally from
    Lochearnhead. He had prepared a suitable poster and adver tising will
    be coordinated in time for the AGM in April. DM suggested an
    amendment to the strap-line on the poster and this was agreed.

     

12. Planning Matters

    Stronvar, Balquidder. Application had been made to fell ten hectares
    of mature conifers and extract the timber via the Ballimore Plantation.
    An undertaking had been given to adhere to the terms of the
    Balquidder Timber Traffic Management Plan and DJ suggested that no
    additional comment was required on behalf of the local community.
    This was agreed.

     

13. Place Making in the National Park

    a) DJ reported that public meetings are still needed to progress plans in
    Strathyre and Balquhidder but, because it involves people studying
    maps and plans together, it is difficult to arrange something suitable
    whilst pandemic regulations are still in force.

     

14. Matters from ward councillors and National Park

    1. ET gave an update on a recent meeting with the Trossachs and Loch. The Rural Tourism Infrastructureadministered by VisitScotland has made a grant of £375,000 to
       the Trossachs Visitor Management Project. This will enable the
       provision of new parking for motorhomes, cars and pedal cycles at
       Trossachs Pier, Ben A'an and Stronachlachar. It is also intended to
       provide new toilets at Trossachs Pier.

    2. ME reminded members that financial budgets will be set in the
       forthcoming weeks. The Scottish government will announce its figures

        

        

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       at the end of February with Stirling Council then meeting towards the
       end of February to determine council tax levels. The rest of the budget
       will be settled on 11th March. AP reminded members of the current
       consultation on the budget that had been circulated to all members,
       but ME expressed grave reservations about its lack of precision. DM
       then asked about the possibility of an increase in council tax owing to
       the problems of Covid. ME replied that, although considerable extra
       expenditure had been incurred, the Scottish government would
       almost certainly impose a cap of between 4-5% for all councils on any
       proposed increases.

    3. BR mentioned problems with toilet facilities on the south side of Loch
       Earn and the difficulty of coordinating a suitable response by local
       landowners. PCWD mentioned that a meeting is taking place soon to
       try and resolve the problems of vehicles getting down to the
       foreshore.

     

15. Any other competent business

1. Cross Scotland Pilgrim Way. It was reported in the press on Saturday
   23rd January 2021 that NatureScot had earmarked £20,000 for a
   partnership project led by St Fillans Community Trust to create a local
   path, linking the old railway line between St Fillans and Lochearnhead.
   This will form part of the "Cross Scotland Pilgrim Way".

2. DJ reported that the local MP, Alyn Smith, had offered to meet online
   with members of the community council. DM agreed that it would be
   good to take advantage of this and members agreed to accept the
   invitation.

3. MF asked if members would be willing for copies of past minutes to be
   used in training sessions with other community councillors. It was
   acknowledged that these are already in the public domain and
   members had no objection to their being used in this way.

4. WD returned to the subject of grit bins in Strathyre and wondered if
   there would be any objection to recycling the redundant wheelie bins
   in Keip Road as grit bins. MF reminded members of the constraints in
   the existing policy on grit bins, but it was suggested that, if the Council
   were to provide piles of loose grit, there was nothing to stop local
   residents using the redundant bins to store the grit. MF offered to
   check whether this would be permitted.

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There was no further business and, at 9:10 p.m., DJ declared the
meeting to be closed. The next meeting is scheduled to take place on
Wednesday 10th March 2021 at Strathyre Primary School (if
permitted) or online.

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