Callander Community Council
Approved Minutes of the meeting Monday 22nd April 2025
Venue: CYP, Callander 7.00-9.00pm
Community Councillors present: John Kennedy (JK), Fiona Kerr (FK), Ruth Barrie (RB), David King
(DK), Loucas George (LG), Olga Watkins (OW).
Also in attendance: Caroline Stewart (CS), minute taker, Richard Johnson (RJ) (National Park Board
Member), Councillor Elaine Watterson, plus 1 member of the public.
Apologies: Marilyn Moore (MM), David Moore (DM),
Abbreviations: All in attendance will be referred to by their initials.
CCC = Callander Community Council; CE = Callander Enterprise; CCDT = Callander Community
Development Trust; SC = Stirling Council; LPP = Local Place Plan; NP = Loch Lomond and the
Trossachs National Park; FLS= Forestry and Land Scotland; FOI = Freedom of Information; CC =
Community Councillors, St.K = St Kessogs, BoD = Braes of Doune Community Fund
Chair of Meeting: John Kennedy (JK)
Item Action
1. Introduction, Apologies and Meeting Procedures
JK welcomed everyone to the April meeting and advised that the meeting was
being recorded for the purposes of minute taking. Apologies were received from
MM and DM. David Shearer and Robert McLean have both resigned since the last
meeting. A member of the public was keen to express his thanks to DS for the service he has given to the community and to RMcL for the input he has had recently. JK and MM will write an official letter of thanks to both.
JK/MM to
write letter
of thanks
2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes and reports were emailed on Sunday, and concerns were expressed
about how late the reports are being issued. MM only received the reports at the
weekend and OW reminded everyone that as volunteers the secretary cannot put
pressure on individuals to send in reports sooner. There have been previous
discussions about better distribution of work, and it was an agenda item to be
discussed later in the meeting.
Amendments were requested to the March minutes before being approved. They
were as follows.
The minutes need to be amended to remove the word “partnership
agreement”. The CC will work with the development trust on a case-by-case
basis as any partnership agreement had never been formalised or
discussed.
Discussion about Callander Connect. This is to be amended to, A member of
the public highlighted the issue with no other alternatives that are free of
charge.
It was agreed at the last meeting that Freddie would attend the meeting in person,
unfortunately Freddie had to send his apologies but had submitted a performance
report for Callander Connect.
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3. Matters Arising
No actions outstanding
4. Report from the Police
No-one was present from Police Scotland. The chair read through the report.
5. Special Items
CCC meeting schedule – AGM date change
The AGM will take place on 18th August 2025.
Resignation of 2 CCC members
Due to the resignation of DS and RMCL there is now the option to co-opt two new
members. LG asked for clarification on the co-option process and OW referred him
to the Scheme of Establishment on the SC website. JK asked everyone to
encourage new people to join. MM has a copy of the Co-option form if anyone is
interested, and it is also available online.
Delegation of tasks within the CC
A special meeting took place to discuss if the May and June meetings should go
ahead, due to several members of the CC not being able to attend. It was agreed a
that both the May and June meetings would go ahead and therefore other people
will need to take on additional responsibilities. MM had provided a checklist of the
tasks that need to be completed for the meeting to go ahead and had passed this
to OW in the first instance to see what tasks she could help with.
JK proposed that they take the list of tasks that need to be covered and go through
them.
Chair – JK will not be able to chair on 19th May, LG will step in and chair the meeting as Vice Chair.
Secretary – MM is suggesting that OW takes this on while she isn’t available. OW
happy to take on this role short term.
Planning – FK will take on this responsibility and JK will provide support.
Communications –OW will deal with Secretary inbox and any queries. OW
suggested that the CC speak to SC to find out if other CC get named email accounts
and how they do it. LG will discuss with Stephen Bly on how to make the process
easier.
Surgeries – Saturday 17th May with CC meeting on Monday 19th May. FK and RB
will cover if RB available, RB will need to check her work rota. CC open 11am to
1pm.
Agenda preparation and Distribution – LG will put together the agenda for the
May meeting that he will chair.
Minutes review and distribution – Unedited version will go out within the week
and all comments will be given at the next meeting. Approve the version at the
meeting subject to the amendments. The minute taker will amend the minutes
with any amendments agreed at the meeting.
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3
Other reports distributed prior to meeting – sent reports to the google group
within a timely manner. FK advised that the group needs reviewed.
Responding to individual queries – OW will deal with initial query and send on if
need further support.
Circulation of SC information – OW will deal with initial query and send on if need
further support.
Setting up domain name and individual emails – LG will investigate further.
Budget saving ideas – all
Co-opting - all, if more than 2 people apply as part of the co-opting process there
will need to be a vote by the CC.
Emails – OW will deal with, answering queries that come into the inbox.
Potholes and hedges – work previously done by DS and RMcL, RB has been
supporting recently. OW reminded everyone that residents can go directly to SC
and they will respond quickly and provide a reference number. It was suggested
that an article go in the next Ben Ledi view to remind residents how to raise issues
directly with SC. However, there still needs to be a procedure in place to deal with
issues involving BEAR. JK agreed to communicate with BEAR and DK offered to
provide support. JK and DK will discuss outside the meeting.
OW highlighted that other tasks need to be completed before the May meeting
including posting the agenda on the notice board and put an agenda into the
library. The adopted minutes would also normally be taken and given to the library.
Someone will also have to set up the Zoom meeting in case anyone wants to join
remotely and record for the minute taker. record the meeting next meeting and set
up the Zoom meeting in case anyone wants to join remotely. OW will show LG how
to set up the meeting.
Braes of Doune application – RJ asked what will happen with regards to
applications. JK will clarify with MM.
JK/DK to
meet to
discuss work
with BEAR.
OW to show
LG how to set
up Zoom.
JK to clarify
with MM
what is
happening
with B of D
applications.
6. Questions from Members of the Public
Nothing raised
7. LPP/Callander Connect
A twenty-page performance report was provided by Freddie and circulated to
everyone. The information was only received last night so people have not had the
chance to read over it yet. It was agreed this would be added as an agenda item
for the next meeting.
LPP update – no one present, and no report provided.
Performance
report to be
discussed at
next
meeting.
8. Reports
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Chair
Nothing to report.
Planning
Nothing significant. JK went through the main points of the report. JK will query if
the listed building consent for The Crags is retrospective. He will also investigate
the building consent for CYP and find out if funding has been granted.
Secretary
A report from MM was circulated. JK read through the report. It was agreed that a
letter will be sent to both DS and RMcL to express the CC thanks for the work they
have done. The letter to RMcL will advise if his health improves, he will be
welcome to rejoin in the future. It was also highlighted that he is still to receive his
Citizen of the Year award. The Complaints protocol has been drawn up by JK and
MM. JK will also ensure that MM and RB meet to do a handover of Treasurer’s role.
Treasurer
Nothing to report.
Roads
Nothing to report.
Licensing
Nothing to report.
Stirling Council
Councillor Watterson provided an update:
The consultation for the visitor levy is live on the SC website and there are
also paper copies available.
BT are holding a consultation on the digital switchover. BT will explain if
there are any issues with the digital line, what alternative will be available
in emergencies. OW directed people to Age Concern website for further information regarding provision for individuals with no mobile phone.
Stirling 900 went well.
The next full council meeting is on 1st May, key issues including council tax
have now been decided.
LLTNP
RJ gave an update for the National Park:
Local development plan, RJ has been helping with environmental section.
Full day meeting has been arranged around AI.
OW asked if there is any update on the Trossachs Explorer. RJ advised that
the NP wants it to run again this year and in the future.
An evaluation report has been prepared that showed its value to both the
local community and visitors. RB proposed that and application is made to
the B of D. However, it was highlighted that the CC can’t apply. RJ can apply
through the constituted organisation that himself and his wife manage, and
JK to look in
The Crags
and CYP
further
MM/RB to
meet for
handover of
Treasurers
role.
RB to
communicate
with NP re:
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he will clarify if this is an option with the NP, however RJ highlighted that
for it to be a sustainable option needs to be a source of funding that would
offer support long term. LG proposed that RB communicate with NP to find
out any updates. Seconded by OW.
9. AOCB
Complaints procedure, as people have not had time to look over the
information it was agreed it will be carried over and discussed next month
The information needed to take over the Treasurer role will be passed to RB
before the next meeting and if this isn’t possible it will be added to the
agenda.
DK will be organising “The Best Garden competition “for the best garden
both large and small. Mike Luti will be the judge.
Trossachs
Explorer.
10. Date of the Next Meeting 19th May 2025