Callander Community Council
Approved Minutes of the meeting Monday 17th February 2025
Venue: CYP, Callander 7.00-9.00pm
Community Councillors present: John Kennedy (JK), Fiona Kerr (FK), Ruth Barrie (RB), David King
(DK), Robert MacLean (RM), Olga Watkins (OW). Loucas George (LG), David Shearer (DS)
Also in attendance: Caroline Stewart (CS), minute taker, Richard Johnson (RJ) (National Park Board
Member), Martin Earl (ME) (Ward Councillor), Chiara Fingland (CF), (Development Officer), plus 1
member of the public in person.
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
- Introduction, Apologies and Meeting Procedures
JK welcomed everyone to the February meeting. Apologies were received from
DM and MM. JK advised that 8 members of the CCs were present, therefore the
meeting was quorate. The meeting was being recorded for the purpose of minute
taking only.
- Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting had been circulated but RJ stated that he had
not received them. He was then given a copy during the meeting. The minutes
were proposed by LG and seconded by FK, although RJ will be able to ask for
amendments if he feels they are necessary as he had not been able to read the
minutes before the meeting.
- Matters Arising from the Previous Minutes.
National Park – Trossachs Explorer – chase up external consultant
The lease for Callander Connect is up for renewal and the Development
Trust wants to keep the current premises for another 3 years. There was
a discussion about whether the CC would want to help support this and
if this was the case, could the CC put in an application for funds from
the B of D. There were questions raised about the cost implications and
if rent was something that B of D fund could cover.
MM security document – MM not available to give an update. MM had
submitted her report with an update.
?who will
contact
external
consultant to
ask what?
- Report from Police
No representative from Police Scotland was present. JK read out the report.
- Special Items
St Kessogs
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The future of St. Ks was raised at the last Finance and Economy meeting, and it was
decided that SC would proceed with the sale. A prospective will be prepared by the
end of February. JK and LG attended a Zoom meeting with Drew Leslie and asked
about the possibility of the CC being provided with information on the condition,
cost to repair the building etc. and it was agreed that this information can made
available. There is another visit to the building planned for the 26th of February
with interested parties from SC.
- Questions from Members of the Public
A member of the public highlighted that SC are planning to take away the regular
street cleaner from Callander for roughly 2 hours per day to cover duties in Stirling.
RMcL and DS have been in contact with SC and have received a response from
Scott Mason advising that the decision will mean no change to the service to Callander
and the northern beats and as the cleaner was temporarily based in Callander,
he could be deployed elsewhere. The role will now start from Stirling depot
to meet operational needs. Councillor Earl has also received the same response
from SC and has asked for clarification on when the position was designated as being
“temporary”. He will forward on any response when he receives it. MM has already
been in contact with Stephen Bly regarding the matter and JK will meet with
MM to write a letter to SC.
Waste Management Service at Callander
There was an issue with a member of the public who had just bought a restaurant
in Callander. He was prevented from using the waste management service in Callander
with his household waste from renovations to the accommodation above
the restaurant, as he was a business owner, and this was regarded as commercial
waste. The issue is being dealt with by Stephen Bly.
Callander car parking – Cash option?
There was a discussion about the lack of paying with money when paying for parking
in the car parks. Although this is difficult for some people, it was felt the cost of
handling cash at the machine is unlikely to be financially viable and as a society we
are moving away from the use of cash. There have also been issues with machines
being out of order and no signage to say where the nearest operational machine
was situated, which resulted in people being issues with fines.
JK/MM to
write a letter
to SC
- LPP/Callander Connect
Headline and circulate the report
The Meadows and Station Road car park Masterplan – The funded phase of
the project is complete, and the final report is available in Callander
Connect. They continue to get people dropping in and a wrap up steering
group meeting will be held on 24th February between 10 and 12pm, anyone
is welcome to attend.
Climate Seed Fund, funding was granted some time ago, need to sit down
with other partners and decide on the best way to spend the money. Also
need to nominate reps for CC, money had to be spent by the end of March,
and it is up to CC to decide what it is spent on.
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An application has been made to the National Centre for Resilience for
funding and a decision is expected by the end of April.
Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund meeting on 17th February to discuss
criteria and requirements for eligibility. LG is currently involved, and
discussions are at an early stage. There is also the opportunity for other
people to get involved if they are interested.
Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund – The Development Trust is not eligible to
apply but CC could make an application as the lead applicant. CF will provide
further information.
St K’s – CF was keen to thank LG for his support with the work that has been
going on. JK and LG attended the meeting with Drew Leslie. Drew will
speak to residents of Callander and have a walk round and work together to
ensure a positive outcome for the community.
Callander Connect – the lease at 43 Main Street will be continued for
another 3 years. Funding support to help with running costs may be applied
for through B of D.
The 4 areas that were previously agreed were highlighted and CF advised it
was good practice to have a review to check they are still the correct
priority areas.
- Footbridge – A business justification case is being prepared by SC to be
able to draw down funds from the Scottish Government to progress
with the feasibility design stage of a pedestrian footbridge and the
associated connecting active travel routes. A joint letter from 7 other
local organisations is due to be send to the locals MSPs and Scottish
Government,
- Safe walking route to the Primary School - joint business case treated as
one project along with the footbridge.
- Meadows masterplan - All the information is available in Callander Connect
and Freddie can take people through it. The information is also
available online.
- Regeneration including Main Street, survey underway to confirm what
shop fronts will receive grant. Supplementary funds from Hydro to get
signage improved – MM lead on this project.
There was a discussion about Callander Connect. It was highlighted that the
Development Trust are keen to keep the current premises. It was agreed
that LG will gather information on usage before the CC decides if it wants to
get involved in the funding application to B of D. The information will be
provided at the next meeting, and the matter will then be put to a vote.
An application has been made for the Bird feeder. There is currently a delay
as need to find out the ownership of the property. It was stated that information
on the ownership has been provided by Freddie.
LG to gather
information
on usage of
Callander
Connect
- Reports from office bearers
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Chair
Nothing to report
Planning
Copies of the report for weeks 50 and 51 of last year and weeks 1 to 6 of 2025 had
been sent out prior to the meeting. Activity has been low with 3 planning
applications included. There is one significant application for Invertrossachs House
to demolish the stable block. The building is remote from the community, and it
was felt there was no reason to object or comment.
Secretary
MM was not present at the meeting but has submitted a report. JK summarised
the report.
Roads
RMcL had issued the report. It was noted that there is a sign at the traffic lights at
Bridgend advising of a road closure further up the A85.
Licensing
There was a recent meeting which DK was unable to attend but watched online, no
unusual applications made.
Stirling Council
The budget gap is likely to be around £10.5 million and the Scottish
Conservative and Labour group are trying to work together to come up with
proposals for a balanced budget. The budget setting meeting is on 27th
February with proposals published the week before the meeting.
There was a discussion about the visitor levy and how this may operate.
National Park
Planning committee dealing with several planning applications, currently
nothing relevant to Callander
Next version of LDP, officer dealing with compiling the evidence that is used
as a basis, producing an evidence report which will come to CC for
comments and review.
- AOCB
The plants will go out in the heather barrels in South Ancaster Square
this weekend
RJ has put in an application to Development Trust to make use of the
phone box on Camp Place. He organised Callander Window Wonderland
previously and the plan is to take over the phone box and install a light,
three sides have glass windows for displays, so they are illuminated.
RJ has made a formal application for a licence to occupy the site at
Bridgend Cemetery and will work with SC. He will take responsibility for
sorting out vegetation and grass cutting over the next 3 years, SC will be
responsible for maintain gravestones that need structural renovation.
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The ‘bicycle tree’ at Brig O Turk was a casualty of the recent storm. Now
looking at how to preserve the tree.
- Date of the Next Meeting: 17th March 2025