June 2022 Minutes

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APPROVED minutes Meeting 146 Cambusbarron Community Council held via Zoom at 7:00pm on Tuesday 21 June 2022

Members and office bearers

Janice Paterson, (JP) Ann Finlayson, Secretary (AF)

Keith Ratcliffe (KR) * Melissa Nelson, Treasurer (MN) * Jennifer Macleod, Planning (JM)* Cathie Graham (CG) *

Douglas Campbell (DC) Richard Blore (RB) Scott Farmer (SF) elected rep Pam King, police (PK) *

Mark Hill, Headteacher (MH) * Helen Bang, minute clerk (HB) Marion McAllister (MMacA)* Erin Murchie, Falck, (ER)

Keith Geddes (KG) Justin Reid, Reg Power Mgt (JR)

In attendance

 

1. Introductions and Welcome (JP)

1.1 The acting Chair JP welcomed everyone to the meeting via Zoom.

1.2 *Apologies were received from Melissa Nelson, Cathie Graham, Pam King, Keith Ratcliffe, Marion MacAllister, Mark Hill, and Jennifer MacLeod.

2. Minutes of previous meeting

2.1 The minutes of the May Zoom meeting were approved with the following amendments: remove personal email from Appendix, Item 3.15 DC newsletter

- other people to provide copy, Action on item 6.6 should be AF. Proposed DC Seconded AF ACTION HB to AF for Stirling Council.

2.2 Conflicts of interest declared

AF on CCDT Board and Save Gillies Hill, MN Walled Garden Group, RB on Management Group. AF and MN Save Gillies Hill. JP Save Gilles Hill.

3 Earlsburn (JR)

3.1 Background on the wind farm extension.

JR from Reg Power Management who are in partnership with Falck Renewables and Naturalis did a presentation on this project.

The 562 hectare site is approx 4 km south of Gargunnock and 6km west of Cambusbarron. Site varies above AOD 485m to 370m. Rough grazing moorland, blocks of plantation forestry, watercourses and mosaics of blanket bog.

Up to 15 turbines, maximum height of 180m. Onsite substation and energy storage equipment. 35 years of operation, grid connection - transformers and underground cables connected to the Grid. Government ECU will ultimately be responsible for whether to grant planning permission.

Why Earlsburn extension? Technical factors include: area where wind farms already established. Wind speeds are favourable across the site. Environmental designation - the area doesn't have any statutory wildlife designations that could constrain development. Surveys are ongoing. Landscape - the site is sufficient distance from designated landscapes.

Residential separation distances, they will produce a visual amenity assessment as part of the application. There is suitable access to the road network as well as the potential to use existing paths.

Site constraints: cumulative impact with existing windfarms. proximity to watercourses, telecommunications links, residential amenity, slopes and transportation, landscape, historic environment, noise, peat, private water supplies.

Zone of theoretical visibility with screening effect of woodland and settlement - a slide was shared showing this geographic area. E.g 1-5 turbines, 6-10 turbines, 11-15 turbines visible. Will agree with stakeholders - Nature Scotland, Stirling Council etc.

By 2030 we need to double the number of wind farms in Scotland.

3.2 Community Benefits (EM)

EM, from Falck, may already know some CC members through Earlsburn and Kingsburn.

At the moment we can't say how much the package would be, they are awaiting the approval of the planning application and the number of windfarms. Foundation Scotland manage funds currently, this can be discussed at a later stage.

3.3 Next steps (JR)

Community consultations were held on 15 June. They will review feedback during June and July. There will be a second round of exhibitions in the autumn. The target date for application for submission is December 2022. Target decision is the autumn of 2023. Residents can give their views via the websites below:

www.earlsburnextension.co.uk http://earlsburnextension@pagodapr.com

Discussion

DC queried the size of turbines - what is the capacity for each turbine? Modern turbines, we're looking for 5-7 megawatts per turbine. These projects are of national significance.

JP thanked JR and EM for attending. Any other queries can be forwarded via AF.

JR, EM and KG left the meeting at this point.

3.4 RB - pressure of work means he has not managed to get the Burnside work or benches done yet, however it is in progress. RB left the meeting at this point.

3.5 Scoping - Electricity works - AF is forwarding this ACTION AF.

 

3.6 DC attended the walk-in session last week and provided these notes:

• planning permission - possibly later this year for up to 15 180m tip heigh turbines

· some of planned turbines are within tree area: either 'clear fell' or 'key hole' clearance. In both cases compensatory planting or other ecological compensation

• route into site: A811/Touch Rd /Johnny's Burn road :

· visibility: unlikely to be seen from Cambusbarron main residential area

· financial contribution to Cambusbarron Community Fund will be broadly as previous. Possibly £5000/mw: split 5 community council area

4 Matters arising

4.1 Park Improvements - ongoing. Need to meet with Donna from SC re the playpark. MMacA wishes to continue to be involved with this.

4.2 Quarry Road DC Attached as Appendix I

SF replied with response from Roads. SF suggests discussion with DC to see how to approach the issue. It is an operational matter but he can raise with Brian Roberts once he knows how the CC wishes to proceed. ACTION SF

 

4.3 Burnside Orchard - ongoing.

4.4 Fleming Trust - email from MMacA. Confirmed with the librarian that any work which was still required has to be done formally. AF has email from cabinet maker. ACTION AF. If not JP knows someone who might be able to do the work.

4.5 Motorway Bridges DC

Has twice tried to get in touch with BEAR Scotland. At the weekend he got an email saying He has forwarded to someone else. Ongoing.

4.6 Touch Road Benches. Ongoing.

4.7 Christmas in Cambusbarron (AF)

We need to get a meeting with everyone - is it just going to be CC or are we asking other people to join? MN and AF happy to continue, will ask if MMacA wishes to be involved. ACTION AF - put on Facebook.

4.8 Football Park Benches

Received an email from MMacA: these have been fixed. Thanks to MMacA for persevering with this.

4.9 Rovers Park Project

MMacA is meeting on 28 June with management committee so we will have a report for September.

4.10 Advert for new Community Councillors

At the last meeting it was agreed to put this into the next newsletter.

ACTION JP to write a paragraph with more detail. DC are we just going to focus on this issue? The newsletter should detail what the CC has done and what it

will be doing in the future as there is the possibility of more funds for the community. ACTION DC.

4.11 Community Council meeting venue - the next meeting will be at the Community Centre.

4.12 Solar Lighting - ongoing

4.13 State of Residents Gardens in Murray Place - Letter to follow from resident. AF at one time these were maintained but have been neglected, scaffolding left from work etc. The resident has raised this with the Council.

Attached as Appendix II.

4.14 Motorbikes on Gillies Hill and local streets (JP)

PK responded saying the bikes could only be used on private property with the landowners' permission. Residents experiencing issues should contact the police.

4.15 Complaint re Pub business

AF - the pub has been spoken to. The glass collection is now done later in the day rather than at the crack of dawn.

4.16 Additional bin request for Football Park

AF thought a bin was required at the top of the steps but the resident was talking about the foot of the steps. MN and JP felt the park was quite well supplied with bins on walk round last year. This will be looked at once the step project is finished.

5 Reports

5.1 Planning

JM has passed on applications - one for fencing and one for an over-garage extension.

5.2 Roads

JP can't open attachments.

5.3 Treasurers Report (MN)

Attached as Appendix III. Expenditure as follows:

Greener Cambusbarron paid for the Amberol tubs Micro Grant for trash trail

Helen Bang for minute taking

Leaving a balance for the community council £2557.16.

5.4 Murrayshall quarry and ROMP (DC)

Attached as Appendix IV

The ROMP is still not completed. DC understands they are aiming for the 2nd week of July.

Proposed improvements to Polmaise Road. Patersons and Roads have been discussing the scheme, they are close to agreeing a scheme. SF - usually these plans are reported in the Bulletin and he can forward them once he receives them.

AF CCDT has had meetings with Andy from Patersons. Public footpath to be completed in September. There will be a pedestrian crossing and road markings. Quarry will not be operational for some time. There will be no additional work. e.g. carpark, will happen this year. AF would prefer a pavement.

DC time is running down on the quarry - now only 20 years until 2042. They may apply to extend this so we need to keep up with developments and cannot be complacent.

5.5 School Report (MH)

No report this month.

5.6 Sequoia Grove (MN)

No report this month.

5.7 CCDT/DVN (AF)

No report this month. An AGM is to be held at the end August or beginning of September.

5.8 Greener Cambusbarron (MMacA)

A report was circulated prior to meeting. Attached as Appendix V

5.9 Police Report

A report was circulated prior to the meeting. Joint May and June report is attached as Appendix VI. Police were unable to attend this meeting but will take note of any issues raised.

6 Main Agenda

 

6.1 Following discussion at last meeting regarding disseminating information to the Community. The possibility of a Web Page was raised. It would need designing and possibly someone paying to update it.

MN keen to consider having a web page to host general information and enable wider circulation of emails to the community. Ongoing.

6.2 Paths for all launch - Email received 9 June. Grants will be available between

£5K and £50K but need to be match-funded. JP can forward information if required. ACTION AF to circulate.

6.3 National Smile Month - May/June. Oral health poster was sent. This is the sort of information that could go on Facebook or a web page.

6.4 Forestry and Land Scotland - an email was received on 10 June regarding community strategy consultation. 23 August deadline. ACTION AF to circulate.

6.5 Scottish Water Spring Newsletter received 13 June. This could go on the community noticeboard. ACTION DC.

6.6 Douglas Westwater - Support Programme Accelerate. ACTION JP to circulate programme of events for Stirling City status anniversary. This could also go on the noticeboard. ACTION DC.

6.7 SHARE Poster. Email from Sarah Ritchie.

SHARE - The Scottish Health Research Register and Biobank, is a register of people aged 11 years and over, who are interested in helping health research and being contacted by SHARE if a health project relevant to you becomes available.

I would like to ask if you might be willing to help promote SHARE by displaying our poster on your notice board at work or in your community hall. We also have information postcards you could share with your colleagues, friends and family. If you are willing to support our initiative, please get in touch to confirm how many posters and postcards we can send to you along with your preferred delivery address.

Please sign up to SHARE today at www.registerforshare.org If you prefer to speak with someone, please contact us on tel: 01382 383471.

ACTION JP to circulate the poster.

7 AOB

7.1 DC - MMacA and KR have resigned at this meeting..

JP to ask again if they have definitely resigned. ACTION JP.

7.2 The AGM is to be held on Tuesday 18 October.

Next ordinary meeting 20 September 2022 in the Community Centre. ACTION JP to circulate draft email to Stephen Bly to get his advice.

Does SC need to be advised about AGM and issue with sufficient number of councillors? Should CC be having a conversation with Cathie Graham?

As there are so few people on the CC at the moment, emails are constant - what about putting 'out of hours' auto response during the break? It will be monitored but nothing will be discussed until the September meeting.

DECISION agreed . ACTION JP to circulate this.

7.3 AF no one has been in touch with emails of the new councillors. ACTION SF

to let them know.

7.4 Not discussed at meeting - update on Burnside public liability insurance from DC attached as Appendix VII.

7.5 The acting Chair thanked everyone for attending. The meeting closed at 8:30pm.

Appendices

Appendix I

QUARRY ROAD EMBANKMENT

 

Quarry Road Embankment

At the May meeting I reported that Cllr Farmer agreed to raise the issue as an ‘Elected

Member Enquiry

I received a response from Cllr Farmer on 17^th June, which stated that the Council position was unchanged and no plans to repair the embankment were planned as it was a ‘only a minor risk’

I propose to responded to Cllr Farmer expressing the CC disagreement with this approach

Douglas Campbell 18^th June 2022

Appendix II

Old Dairy Cottage Murray Place Cambusbarron

FK7 9PF

June 2022

Cambusbarron Community Council (CCC)

Murray Place Cambusbarron - Social Housing Gardens

 

They say "You are nearer God in the garden than anywhere else on earth." Well in Murray Place, for some time, we have been sadly neglected of this opportunity by the abandonment by Stirling Council (SC) of their garden support. The Social Housing gardens have been neglected, well before the pandemic hit and are a disgrace. Do we expect "residents" some in their 99^th and 95^{t h} year to look out on weeds, waist high; scaffolding strewn across what was rose beds and it's getting worse by the day.

The Social Housing gardens at one time fronted "The Old People Houses" and were a joy to walk past. Each section with different coloured rose beds; frequently maintained and managed by a dedicated SC gardening team; throughout the growing months. A joy to behold for all.

Since the housing terminology changed many years ago - to "Social Housing" there has been a steady decline in the garden maintenance and in recent years, even prior to the pandemic, almost nonexistent support, neglect and an apology for any adequate garden maintenance programme.

Prior to this week, the last time it would appear that the SC team visited the front gardens was about two years ago, four men and a van; only STRIMMING the garden weeds, mostly dandelions 12 inches tall and then left. Their visit some 12 month earlier pruned the roses with a chainsaw; and then left. The gardens were never touched with a spade/fork or raked. When SC allocate time and money for a Gardening Team/van to visit and work on the gardens, they need to manage and do an acceptable/accountable job to the SC tax payers.

Last week the solar panel scaffolding and fitments that had been strewn across all the gardens for weeks; on top of what was the rose beds was removed. The scaffolding could and should have been placed to the rear of the houses where there are great areas of grass space. But NO, too much trouble; take the easy option again; with no apparent accountability. Accepting that the weeds made the gardens look anything but a garden. This week, two SC members from the gardening team, were instructed to spray the garden beds with weed killer; and then left. Indicating no further knowledge of a follow-up visited to weed and dig the gardens.

One ofthe may scaffolding blocks abandoned on top of the roses/weed beds and how the gardens can look!

We are blessed that two ofthe six gardens are maintained by residents from Murray Place (pending the SC gardening team returning) but this is lost in the abandonment of the other four gardens. Very apparent when Greener Cambusbarron placed their hanging baskets in Murray Place last week.

On Wednesday after finishing watering the village hanging baskets with Jennifer, I was so annoyed at the neglected Social Housing gardens, I phoned SC to "log" my complaint. They promised to phone back - still waiting!

The beautiful hanging baskets bring a smile to the village and to all who pass through. Unfortunately they are almost lost in the Murray Place jungle that SC have created from neglect. It is difficult to see Cambusbarron retaining its "Outstanding Village" when The Keep Scotland Beautiful Award assessment is carried out this year. Not directly reflecting on SC but on Cambusbarron. We cannot let this happen.

To end with another well-known saying "I would rather be in the garden." Let's give Mrs. Buchannan (99), Mrs. Rae (95) and all the residents of the Murray Place Social Housing the opportunity to do this with enjoyment. Especially when the SC has designated Murray Place as part of the Cambusbarron Conservation Area i.e. Its character/appearance of which it is desirable to preserve and enhance!!

Our thanks to Janice Paterson for tabling this subject at the last CCC Meeting and trust this "Sitrep" is considered helpful and will assist further progress through SC to a satisfactory

Murray Place garden maintenance programme conclusion. Yours sincerely,

Jennifer and Craig Heaney OBE

Appendix III Treasurer's Report

Cambusbarron Community Council Main Account Of this the sum held in trust are

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

£13,283.84 £10,726.68

 

 

 

Funds Available to C/C £2,557.16

 

Appendix IV

CAMBUSBARRON COMMUNITY COUNCIL MURRAYSHALL QUARRY

REPORT FOR [VIRTUAL] MEETING 21^st June 2022

TILLICOULTRY QUARRIES /PATERSON QUARRIES ROMP APPLICATION 18/00137

 

The ROMP process for the determination of working conditions for Murrayshall Quarry has still not been completed

No progress on the suggested future meeting with CCC, councillors and planners to discuss ROMP

Following a telephone call with SC Planners I received this update from Jane Brooks-Burnet on 1^st June

Progress of the ROMP : We have recently recruited a number of new planning staff and they have been coming in to their posts over the last couple of weeks. This will allow the officers’ caseloads to gradually move back to dealing with the number and types of applications appropriate to their respective roles. I have been progressing my caseload and have managed to reduce the number of outstanding applications so should be in a position to review the ROMP in a few weeks (probably around 2 ^nd week in July - based on the assumption that my workload continues to reduce).

2) Progress re discharging Condition 14: Condition 14 stated: “Improvements to Polmaise Road: Prior to the hereby approved access track being operational, infrastructure improvements along Polmaise Road in accordance with the scheme of measures prepared by SYSTRA and detailed within its report Reference AG-105885 Version 4 dated 4 May 2018 (or such other amended improvements as the planning authority may agree in writing beforehand) shall be implemented in full.

Reason: To ensure that the effects on amenity and highway safety at Polmaise Road from quarry traffic using the proposed development can be reduced.”

 

Stirling Council’s Roads Officers have been in discussions with SYSTRA, who is the applicant’s

engineer, and they are close to agreeing a scheme that they are content to take forward. The proposal had to be scaled back slightly, primarily as a result of difficulties in available space to accommodate a new footway along the full length of the route. A pragmatic view had to be taken as to what is reasonable and achievable. Stirling Council’s Roads Officers propose to share the details with the local elected members shortly, and thereafter they will share with the community council, albeit it should be noted that there is no formal requirement to consult with the community either as part of the planning process to discharge the planning condition or as part of the Roads approval process.

Douglas Campbell 18^th June 2022

 

reportFfromFGreenerFCambusbarronF F

 SinceFlastFmonthFweFhaveFreplacedFtheFwoodenFwhiskyFbarrelsFaroundFtheF communityFcentreFwithFAmberolFtubsFandFthese,FalongFwithFotherFplantersFinFtheF communityFincludingFthoseFatFtheFwelcomeFsigns,FhaveFbeenFplantedFout.FTheF communityFhangingFbasketsFhaveFalsoFbeenFhung.FFThanksFareFdueFtoFaFsmallF groupFofFloyalFvolunteersFforFtheirFtimeFandFeffortFbutFweFcanFalwaysFwelcomeF more.F InFdueFcourseFweFwillFhaveFtoFreplaceFtheFwoodenFplantersFatFtheFwelcomeFsignsF withFtheFoneFatFBirkhillFbeingFinFparticularlyFpoorFcondition.FWeFwouldFlookFtoF applyFforFwindfarmFmoneyFtoFcoverFthisFprojectFandFwillFapplyFinFdueFcourse.F TheFwateringFrotaFhasFbeenFagreedFandFthanksFtoFallFvolunteersFforFthisF importantFjob.F WeFwereFdelightedFtoFreceiveFaFdonationFofF£ 10FfromFaFlocalFresidentFtowardsFour costsFandFholdFF£ 50FandFaFfewFpenceFasFcashFinFhand;FweFintendFtoFputFoutFtheF collectionFboxesFinFourFretailFoutletsFandFinFtheFcommunityFcentre.FForF informationFeachFhangingFbasketFcostsF£ 22.50FtoFfillFwithFadditionalFmoneyFforF beddingFplants.FTheFtotalFinFplantsFandFreplacementFcompostFforFtheFnewFtubsFfor thisFyearF£1405.64.F

Appendix VII

Burnside area Public liability insurance :

Enquiries have been made over the last month or so via Community Enquiries regarding the public liability insurance that CCC hold for work done in the Burnside area [if any]. The following confirmation email was received from CE on 22/3/22- important statements from Keegan and Pennykid [insurance broker - K&P] highlighted

Stephen Bly < blys@stirling.gov.uk>

Tue 22/03/2022 14:09

To:

Afternoon Douglas, I hope this finds you well.

• You

I e mail as I have been in communication with K&P on your behalf to establish what the situation is with regards to the PLI Insurance allocated to Cambusbarron Community Council. I was interested in investigating this not only to make sure Cambusbarron Community Council was in a future proofed situation (all my comms on file) but also as I am responsible for the process and generally like to

investigate what’s what.

In my comms, I brought together what I was hearing from you, from K&P, the asset insurance issue and the landowner issue. I then presented to K&P to check my understanding to which they responded accordingly.

My statement to K&P:-

“I can now see the premium Stirling Council paid for this activity last year (£29.96).

This is a generic PLI for activity on the ground, specific for this area and I can see why they need it. While they do not have permissions from the land owner, I feel this can be explained and set aside in this instance as they have tried extensively to establish who the land owner is but to no avail. They have an audit trail of this should the land owner ever reappear and complain, a complaint hardly likely as these volunteers have been repairing the area for a few years.

To summarise:-

1. This is a PLI element of Cambusbarron Community Council’s overall insurance

policy, effective specifically for activities in relation to this area.

2. This element is not stripped back and paid for by the Community Council. It was set up before my time in post to be paid by Stirling Council.

3. Although the private land owner is not aware of these activities it is by no fault of Cambusbarron Community Council as they have taken extensive measures to