Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre
Community Council Minutes – 10th March 2021
This meeting took place online via Zoom on 10th March 2021.
Present: David Johnston (DJ), William Dalziel (WD), Andrew Poulter (AP), Ruth McLusky
(RM), Donald McLaren (DM).
Apologies: Jim Heron (JH), Angus Cameron (AC); Cllr Evelyn Tweed (ET), Michelle Flynn
(MF), Stirling Council.
Also
Attending:
Cllr Martin Earl (ME), Cllr Jeremy McDonald (JM); Billy Ronald (BR), National
Park; Inspector Andrew Bushell (AB), Police Scotland; Andy Aitken (AA), Chair,
Killin Community Council; Paul Hicks, minute-taker.
Item Content Action
Welcome
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Approval of minutes
It was proposed by AP and seconded by RM, that the minutes of the
meeting on 27th January 2021 should be accepted and this was
approved unanimously. -
Declarations of interest
None made.
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Police Report
PC Will Diamond had recently been transferred from rural policing to a
new rôle and, on 23rd February 2021, DJ had sent a le tter of
appreciation to the Police Divisional Commander. In his comments, DJ
had made reference to the way in which PC Diamond had served the
local community exceptionally well and set a high standard for others
to follow. He listed the numerous projects and creative ideas initiated
by PC Diamond and his contribution by way of regular articles in Theand reports to the community council, concluding by wishing
him well in his future career. -
Community Policing Team
DJ invited Inspector Andrew Bushell (AB) of the Trossachs & Teith
Community Policing Team to address the meeting. AB began by
thanking members for the letter of appreciation and then announced
that a new officer had been identified to serve in this area and would
shortly be moving to Lochearnhead to take up residence in the policeTaken by Paul Hicks on 10 Mar 2021 - C
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Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre
Community Council Minutes – 10th March 2021AP asked about the requested change in the local bye-law concerning
alcohol consumption. AB replied that the change has been received
favourably, although a statutory consultation will be required. Stirling
Council is optimistic that the revised bye-law may be passed by June
or July 2021. DJ thought that the measure was not controversial for
local residents who considered it a positive measure to deal with
antisocial behaviour. ME added that the Scottish Government had
given approval in principle, but went on to mention that there was no
equivalent bye-law in place at Killin and it would be good to consider
applying the new bye-law there in due course as well. -
Speeding in Strathyre
DJ then proposed bringing forward item 10 on the agenda and this
was agreed and discussed as item 5. RM stated that many vehicles
were still travelling too fast through Strathyre. The Safety Camera
Team is there regularly, but local people still have concerns. It hadn't
been possible to construct a pedestrian crossing but the possibility of
using a sign that indicated drivers' speeds was discussed. Life-sized,
cardboard models of a police officer holding a speed camera were also
suggested. AA mentioned that Killin CC had purchased two such
cardboard figures, but one had been stolen and the other had been
destroyed by bad weather. Other traffic calming measures were
discussed, but ME pointed out that the roads in ques tion are trunkRM to contact Stirling Council regarding interactive traffic signs.
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Community Council Minutes – 10th March 2021roads and the national imperative is to keep traffic moving on these
roads. It was suggested that an enquiry be made of Stirling Council to
see what interactive traffic signs are available. -
Dean Lockhart, MSP
A request had been sent to Dean Lockhart, MSP for Mid-Scotland &
Fife, inviting him to join this meeting of the community council. This
had been accepted but Mr Lockhart had since sent his sincere
apologies as another meeting had urgently required his presence at
short notice. -
Postponed Business
The following items have been postponed until the current restrictions
have been relaxed:-
Lesley Milne's presentation on Town Break Dementia Support
Services. -
The installation of lights between Balvaig Bridge and A84, Strathyre.
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Parking in Callander. ME gave an update regarding the proposed
Community Parking Management Scheme, explaining that there is no
longer any budget for this project so it is likely to be delayed.
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Matters arising from previous meeting
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Gritting and waste bins in Strathyre. MF had provided WD with
relevant details of Stirling Council's Winter Service Policy. These can be
seen on the community council's website at:https://www.blscc.org/index.php/filing-cabinet/salt-and-grit-bins-
strathyre/viewdocument/73WD stated that he had liaised with local residents and drawn up a map
of ideal locations to place grit piles. This had been forwarded to MF
who has passed them on to the relevant department. ME advised that
it might be helpful to submit a formal request for a site meeting in
Strathyre to agree where grit should be placed. -
Survey of local bridges. MF had reported that several local bridges
had been scheduled for repair in April, although this could be a ffected
by weather conditions.Taken by Paul Hicks on 10 Mar 2021 - C
RM to contact Bruce Reekie, senior manager, StirlingCouncil.
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Additional members for Community Council. DJ reported that an
advert had been circulated but no interest had been forthcoming.
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Alyn Smith, MSP
On 15th February 2021, a meeting took place between DJ and RM
from the Community Council and Alyn Smith, MSP for Stirling. They
discussed timber transport and place planning. Mr Smith offered to
talk to the National Park about offering some further assistance. -
Correspondence
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New household waste and recycling policy. RM reported that, on 16th
February 2021, Stirling Council had adopted a new policy on
household waste and recycling. Details of this policy are available on
the community council's website at:https://www.blscc.org/index.php/filing-cabinet/household-waste-and-
recycling/viewdocument/74ME reported that the local councillors had attempted to place a hold
on this policy review, but the motion was passed nonetheless. AP
asked about collections that cannot be made, owing to bad weather
or other circumstances. ME replied that the Council does not normally
have the resources to provide additional collections and bins have to
wait for the next scheduled uplift. -
Community Partnership. On 4th February 2021, the Community
Partnership took the decision at its AGM to wind up the Partnership
and cease all activity on 31st March 2021. Its ongoing initiatives and
projects will be transferred to the National Park Authority and the
Countryside Trust. Three rôles on the board of the Countryside Trust
will be filled from local communities and both the National Park
Authority and the Countryside Trust will be sending out bulle tins with
further information to keep people up to date with the continuing
work. DJ proposed that the Community Council should apply to join
the Countryside Trust and this was agreed. -
Coordinated response to tourism. On 4th March 2021, Andy Aitken,
Chair of Killin Community Council had written, proposing that both
community councils should keep in touch and coordinate responses to
an envisaged increase in problems such as wild camping, li tter and
congestion during the approaching summer season. Killin Community
RM to write to the Countryside Trust.
Copies of minutes to be sent to Chair of Killin Community
Taken by Paul Hicks on 10 Mar 2021 - C
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Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre
Community Council Minutes – 10th March 2021Council is advocating both a regional and a national plan to help
manage the situation to the benefit of everyone. He suggested that he
and DJ could keep in touch via email to discuss problems and liaise
over potential co-operation. DJ suggested that an exchange of minutes
could be useful. This was agreed.AP asked if the National Park could make any contribution. ME replied
that there are now regular meetings between the Police and National
Park to plan a coordinated response to problems that may arise. DJ
asked about Stirling Council's Enforcement Officers and their working
conditions and ME replied that many of them are now working on
more flexible rosters and this should provide an important, addi tional
resource. If both community councils submit a joint request for these
resources, there is a greater chance that they will be allocated to this
area. BR suggested that Strathfillan Community Council might also be
willing to participate in a joint request for resources.Council until further notice.
DJ to liaise with Killin and Strathfillan CC about a joint response letter.
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Payphone Box Removal
A telephone box at Mhor 84, near Balquhidder, had been removed
despite the Community Council responding to a consultation and
advising that it should be kept. Enquiries had been made with the
National Park Authority, which had circulated the original information
and it transpired that British Telecom had not received any
instructions from Stirling Council (which had organised the
consultation process) so went ahead and removed the telephone box,
based on the low usage of the facility. ME acknowledged that a
mistake had been made but stated that Stirling Council had since
offered to pay for the reinstatement of the telephone box. This was
welcomed by all members. It was pointed out that it need not be a
working telephone box and various options were discussed as to other
uses for the box, such as the provision of an interac tive, information
point, utilising the Balquhidder broadband scheme.DJ to liaise with Stirling Council regarding restoration of a telephone box.
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Timber Transport
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Progress of grant application for an upgrade to the C33 road. DJ
reported that another meeting of the working group is being planned
and a proposal for an upgrade to the C33 road had been prepared. A
new version of the Timber Transport Management Plan had also been
prepared to take account of the views expressed by the localTaken by Paul Hicks on 10 Mar 2021 - C
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Community Council Minutes – 10th March 2021community. This now needs to be negotiated with the industry
representatives. AP suggested that the previous plan could be used
but DJ pointed out that the most recent plan was more
comprehensive and it would be good to seek agreement with the
industry on the additional points as well. He also mentioned that the
Ballimore Road is disintegrating rapidly and this needs to be addressed
urgently. -
Current activity. There is no transporting of timber going on at
present. The re-location of a British Telecom telegraph pole that had
been impeding progress over a bridge is progressing. DM expressed
concerns about several bridges that had been damaged with no sign
of any repairs being made, despite promises from the industry about
making good any damage caused. RM responded that repairs have
been scheduled for April 2021.
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Planning Matters
Ref: 2021/0026/PPP. An application had been submitted to build
three dwelling-houses on a plot adjacent to Ravenscroft Road at
Lochearnhead. Concerns had been expressed locally about access but
full details of the current situation were not known. ME added that he
was aware of the situation and noted that some independent,
professional advice might be required. DJ agreed to contact the
Planning Authority on behalf of the community council.DJ to write to Planning Authority, noting concern over access.
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Place Making in the National Park
a) DJ reported that a meeting had taken place on 2nd March 2021 to
consider the results of a survey, recently completed for Strathyre and
Balquhidder. There is now a proposal for further meetings with school-
children, local business people and residents to take place in May or
June. It would be good if physical meetings were allowed by then, but
Zoom meetings will be organised, if necessary. -
Matters from ward councillors and National Park
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ME reported that the Stirling Council budget would be debated on 11 th
March. There is likely to be a council tax freeze, thanks to money
provided to councils by the Scottish Government.Taken by Paul Hicks on 10 Mar 2021 - C
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Community Council Minutes – 10th March 2021 -
BR said that the main topic under discussion by the National Park at
present is the potential influx of tourists once the “lock-down”
restrictions are eased. ME added that the subject of sustainable
transport is increasingly coming under discussion as well. -
JM mentioned that Stirling Council is considering the renewed use of
participatory budgeting so it may be worth thinking about local
priorities in anticipation of any invitation to contribute to the process.
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Any other competent business
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Road Signs. DJ had been informed about a new road sign for single
track roads in Glen Orchy and wondered if this might be useful for our
area. It contained a lot of information but, given the apparent
ignorance of many drivers on the appropriate use of rural roads, it
could be useful. It was agreed to investigate further. AP added that he
had written two letters to Bruce Reekie at Stirling Council about the
existing road signs for single track roads, but, to date, had received no
reply. -
Cycle track at Strathyre. WD reminded members of problems with
cyclists using the path in Strathyre that runs behind the children's play
area and the car park at the village shop. These problems had been
investigated by Dave Robinson, Access Officer for the National Park
but, to date, nothing further had been heard. Part of this route is
privately owned and the property owners are now concerned about
the return of visitors to the area and further misuse of the path,
particularly by cyclists. WD asked if a letter could be sent to Dave
Robinson, requesting a reply. This was agreed. -
Car Park at The Broch in Strathyre. WD reported that this had been
closed during the “lock-down” but Forestry & Land, Scotland, who still
own the property, had now intervened and written a letter, insisting
that the car park should remain open. Local residents are not happy
about this and regard it as a health and safety matter during the
ongoing pandemic. WD asked that a letter be sent from the
Community Council, asking for the position to be reviewed. DM
strongly supported this. ME commented that Forestry & Land,appeared to be basing its demand solely on the terms of its
national policy regarding vehicle parks. He suggested that writing to
the Chief Executive Officer and making a case on the grounds of the
proximity of this particular car park to a community of vulnerable
people might be helpful. This was agreed.
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DJ to write to Carlyn Fraser regarding signs for the single track section of the C33 road.
RM to contact Dave Robinson with a copy to BR.
DJ to write a letter to the CEO of Forestry.
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Community Council Minutes – 10th March 2021
There was no further business and, at 9:30 p.m., DJ declared the
meeting to be closed. The next meeting, which will be the Annual, is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 21st April2021 at Balquhidder Village Hall (if permitted) or online via Zoom.
Taken by Paul Hicks on 10 Mar 2021 - C