APPROVED minutes 159 meeting of Cambusbarron CC 20 February 2024
APPROVED minutes of Cambusbarron Community Council Ordinary meeting
159 held Tuesday 20 February 2024 at 7pm at the Community Centre
In attendance
Ann Finlayson, Chair, AF Melissa Nelson, Treasurer, MN
Shaun Nesbitt, Planning, SN Jennifer Haggerty, Secretary, JH
Lynda Simpson, LS Dawn Marie Todd - Events Group
Neil Benny, elected rep, NB PC Alistair Spike, Police, AS
Helen Bang, minute clerk, HB
Officers not in attendance at this meeting
Jennifer McLeod
David Ross
Richard Blore
1 Introductions and welcome
1.1 The Chair, AF, welcomed everyone to the meeting
Apologies were received from David Ross, Mark Hill and Jennifer McLeod
1.2 Conflicts of interest were declared:
Ann Finlayson– CCDT Board, Walled Garden and Management Group,
Melissa Nelson– CCDT Walled Garden,
Richard Blore–CCDT Management Group
Lynda Simpson- CVN employee and director
Jennifer Haggerty- CVN director
Dawn Marie Todd- Events Group
Shaun Nesbitt- none.
Jennifer Macleod - CVN employee
David Ross, DR
1.3 The minutes of the January 2024 meeting were approved. Proposed SN,
seconded DMT. ACTION HB send to AF for Stirling Council.
2. Matters arising
2.1 Funding for website Community Pride application - MB
A second website quote is required for the application. ACTION AF to forward
to MN. Initially this will just be for the Community Council. It is hoped that other
groups will contribute once it is up and running.
2.2 Burnside Orchard - RB - awaiting Spring for new planting.
2.3 Benches Touch Road benches - RB - one is ready to put on site dependent on
the weather. We would need more funds for a second bench.
A specific design would be required for a WWI bench. The WWI fund has
£311. Or it could come under the funds for a footpath i.e. bench and footpath.
ACTION MN. There are some WWI memorial benches in Callendar.
APPROVED minutes 159 meeting of Cambusbarron CC 20 February 2024
2.4 Playpark improvements - AF
James Aitman has been very helpful. The gym equipment should be going in
first. The climbing tower is on order. Some residents may not be aware that
new equipment will be installed, there was a discussion as to how best to
publicise this.
2.5 Quarry Road - JM
The Council are attending next week to deal with the slip by the burn.
2.6 Road sign near Walled Garden
The restricted access sign is now in place.
2.7 Fleming Trust bookcase - AF
2.7.1 AF has got in touch with a local company, will meet to decide what is required.
MN - is it worth getting the portrait done as well?
2.7.2 The Fleming and Goodwill Trust have merged. It was originally intended to
recognise good works. There is a meeting on 29 February regarding the
library. This may be a way to inform the community about this recognition
scheme.
2.8 Who owns the land around the entrance to football park? Councillor Jen
Preston taking this forward. Ongoing.
2.9 Rovers park bridge safety concerns – MN
The Community Council has made every effort to find the owner of the land
including checking the Land Registry, but this is proving difficult. NB
suggested putting up a sign advising of the plans to construct a bridge. But it
is uncertain whether the Development Trust has the capacity to do this
currently not how much a bridge would cost.
2.10 Garages in Thomson Place – Jen Preston to query with housing.
There are still concerns regarding these derelict structures which children
climb on. ACTION MN to ask JP if she has had any feedback.
2.11 Forum 5
We are awaiting the date of the next meeting. ACTION AF to ask Fern what is
happening.
2.12 Drug use/discarded needles. No more have been spotted recently so
hopefully it was an isolated incident.
2.13 Cambusbarron Goodwill Fund
More people are needed to serve on this Board. Ongoing. ACTION MN to ask
the Treasurer Janice if it can go into general funds to be managed for the
community.
APPROVED minutes 159 meeting of Cambusbarron CC 20 February 2024
2.14 Removal of School Crossing Patrol. The Parent Council are hoping for a
meeting with the Community Council. An alternative system i.e. an automated
crossing, would have to be in place for seven weeks before the patrol is
removed.
A rota of parents may be required to replace the patrols, but this is a big task
to set up. Braehead operate this kind of system. ACTION MN to contact
Braehead school. ACTION NB will find out what is happening in
Cambusbarron.
2.15 CCDT lease from Stirling Council.
This has been outsourced - this is ongoing.
2.16 Local Place Plan Review DR
DR was not in attendance at this meeting.
3 Reports
3.1 Police Report – PC Spike attended for part of the meeting. Report attached as
Appendix I
There are no particular crime trends, incidents have been the usual: fraud,
domestic incidents, public nuisance etc.
3.2 Concerns were raised about young people gathering in the village at night
with knives. School-based officers are talking to pupils about the dangers and
consequences of carrying knives. If there are concerns about specific areas,
please advise the police so they can be added to the weekend policing plan.
3.3 Any advice on woodlands being damaged by motorbikes? The affected area is
up from the Lodge on Polmaise Road, near the quarry, where the new entrance
would be located if Patersons Quarry opens. The bikers have removed the
safety signs and thrown them away.
Police - the bikes don't have registration plates, if the riders are wearing helmets
it's difficult to identify. They could try doing patrols. A registration number for a
van is insufficient, it requires a witness seeing the bikes being unloaded
from the vans, and then witnessing a rider witnessing engaging in anti-social
behaviour.
Patersons have been requested to block the parking area with large rocks.
Making parking difficult seems the most practical solution at present.
3.4 Suspicion of someone growing drugs in a house - there is a strong smell, heat
is coming from the property, what should the resident do? PC Spike requested
more information. Crimestoppers pass on information anonymously.
3.5 Flat on Main Street with broken windows. Police are regularly in attendance at.
this household. They are aware of issues with anti-social behaviour but they
can't get involved with tenancy issues.
APPROVED minutes 159 meeting of Cambusbarron CC 20 February 2024
NB - there is a major issue with some council tenants refusing repairs, e.g. boiler
replacements, other work. Tenants don't want the disruption and they do not
have to grant admission unlike in private lets.
3.2 School Report - attached as Appendix II
There was a discussion about the new plans now it has been decided not to
build an extension - NB believes the CC would be informed before the end of
the financial year.
The £5 million was assessed three years ago - it will purchase less now. The
Council doesn't have the money, and the housing developer doesn't have to
provide it until the development is complete - if this is slowed down or delayed
SC will be on the hook for the money.
Concerns were expressed about the state of repair of the school. The Council
has a separate budget for repairs, so these should be done.
The CC is disappointed that the school is not engaging with the community.
The report, see Appendix II, says they are looking for volunteers, but they
have not done this in the village. The Gala organisers have not been made
welcome as apparently some children were upset at not being chosen for
events.
The community has done a great deal for the school, so the current lack of
communication is very disappointing.
3.3 Planning Report - SN
3.3.1 Sign on Dumbarton Road - application has been withdrawn.
Houses at the Mill are in a different development scheme.
3.3.2 SN has received information on the housing and business development at
Forthside. Levelling up funding from the old MoD site.
3.3.3 Residents feel there should be more fairly-priced facilities for children in the
Stirling area - for example Falkirk has more soft play places and a trampoline
centre.
3.4 Treasurer’s Report - attached as Appendix III
£769.50 is available for Christmas at Cambusbarron
Greener Cambusbarron have been awarded their new funds for the bowser
and tubs.
£ 2442.80 available.
3.5 Greener Cambusbarron - Derek MacAllister
Preparatory work has begun for this season;
• the replacement Bowser has been ordered, it should be delivered in time for
the new season
• The replacement tubs for the Birkhill Road sign have been ordered from
Amberol
APPROVED minutes 159 meeting of Cambusbarron CC 20 February 2024
They have also been in touch with SDC, and they have agreed to provide
resources to remove the old tubs and place the new ones in position, they
anticipate this work will be carried out in 4-8 weeks.
3.6 CCDT - AF
Attached as Appendix IV
There was an Information day at the centre. We are replanting larch felled
areas and working on the drainage behind the residential boundary. We
have been in touch with the Scottish Redwood Society who will provide us
with Sequoia and Redwoods to plant as near as possible to the original
Sequoia Grove if this is damaged. Because of the storms we have had to
close the Dark Wids and several other paths. We have brought in contractors t
o clear as many paths and dangerous trees as possible.
Volunteering is on hold owing to an insurance problem.
Query on retaining wall structure - information to be forwarded. ACTION JH
3.7 Microgrants
Foundation Scotland Micro Grants
Sep 2023 2024 June
Date Opening Balance e £2,226.75
09/10/2023 Trash Trail -£494.22
27/12/2023 Wee Rovers -£500.00
19/02/2024 P7Leavers -£500.00
£732.53
4 Main agenda
4.1 Cambusbarron Primary School Extension/New Build Update
See item 3.2
4.2 Safer route to school path from Seven Sisters to Underwood Cottages
NB had received a response from the responsible officer - Stephen Spiers. He
will pass on planning correspondence.
A natural, solid path is required, that can take bikes and prams and will not be
muddy in the winter. ACTION NB
4.3 The Easter treasure hunt is going ahead.
APPROVED minutes 159 meeting of Cambusbarron CC 20 February 2024
5 Correspondence
5.1 AC Consultation Roads - Noise barrier between St Thomas' well. Work is
starting in March. They wish to erect a fence 3 metres high.
ACTION AF to put on Facebook.
5.1 FS EQ Investment Fund Zoom webinar
5.2 Asset insurance – held over.
5.3 Park safety – held over.
5.4 Local licensing Board – held over
5.5 Unsocial neighbours – see police report item 3.5
5.6 Park update - thanks to James Aikman
5.7 Shelloch windfarm change of ownership, it is now owned by Vantage RE.
ACTION SN to contact re community benefit.
5.8 Thanks were received from Wee Rovers for microgrant.
5.9 Earlsburn extension - SN got an email from Keith Geddes. They have reduced
the number of turbines, seem to have Scottish Heritage on side now.
5.10 Burnside lighting and vegetation needing cut back email from Alan Finlayson
6. AOCB
6.1 Christmas in Cambusbarron 2023 – held over.
6.2 Green space council not willing to sell – held over.
6.3 Polmaise Road Kings Park hospital parking – held over.
6.4 Handrail between Bruce Terrace and Underwood Cottages - held over.
6.5 Drugs - see Police report item 3.4
7. Date of next meeting
7.1 This was confirmed as Tuesday 19 March at 7pm at the Community Centre.
7.2 The meeting closed at 9:10pm
APPROVED minutes 159 meeting of Cambusbarron CC 20 February 2024
8. Meeting dates
20/02/24 21/05/24 15/10/24
19/03/24 18/06/24 19/11/24
16/04/24 17/09/24 AGM?
9 ACTIONS
1.3 Approved January and draft February minutes HB
2.1 Additional quote for website for application AF/MN
2.3 WWI Memorial Bench MN
2.10 Garages Thomson Place. Ask Jen Preston for update MN
2.11 Forum 5 date of next meeting AF
2.13 Cambusbarron Goodwill Fund MN
2.14 School crossing patrol NB/MN
3.6 Information on environmentally-friendly retaining walls JH
4.2 Safer route to school path NB
5.1 AC Consultation Roads AF
5.7 Contact Vantage RE (Shelloch windfarm) SN
Appendix I
Name of
Community
Council
Cambusbarron Community Council meeting
20/02/2024
Our priorities in the Cambusbarron area continue to be
Anti-Social Behaviour, Drug Misuse/Drug Dealing,
Road Safety and Community Engagement and
Reassurance.
Our activity over the crime report period has been
focussed towards these priorities.
Crime reports Crime Reports for Cambusbarron area between
16/01/2024 – 20/02/2024.
Detected cases: 0
Undetected: 4
APPROVED minutes 159 meeting of Cambusbarron CC 20 February 2024
For crimes of Theft, Fraud, Possession of
Controlled Drugs and Threatening and Abusive
Behaviour.
From the 4 undetected noted above, the enquiries
have been concluded for 1 with the report
completed. The other 3 remain open with live lines
of enquiry.
Total Crime Reports: 4
There were 37 calls made to Police for the
Cambusbarron area over the stated period. The calls
relate to a number of incidents including fraud,
domestic incidents, assaults, theft, neighbour disputes,
public nuisance, planned shoots, concern for person
calls and calls to assist members of the public.
Other Incidents of
note/relevant
Community
Council
information
DRUGS
Efforts are always being made to obtain intelligence
in relation to substance misuse and drug dealing in
the Cambusbarron area.
Any information regarding substance misuse and
drug dealing is welcomed, and can be reported to
APPROVED minutes 159 meeting of Cambusbarron CC 20 February 2024
Police Scotland via Tel: 101, to Crime stoppers, or
directly to the Community Officers via:
StirlingWestCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk
Your information/name will never be disclosed.
Feedback from
meeting
Please e-mail any feedback/questions to PCs Spike
and Goldie:
StirlingWestCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk
Appendix II School Report
1. - School Building – repairs update / Feedback from meeting notes requested
Following on from the stormy weather we have had several sections of the roof repaired to
ensure rooms are watertight. The P6 classroom was temporarily closed and children
relocated to the Support for Learning Classroom downstairs. During this time repairs were
carried out and a new carpet installed as the previous one was water damaged. We are
awaiting repairs to the roof glazing in the top corridor which is allowing water ingress at this
time.
2. - Attendance Policy refresh shared for feedback
All the primary school that feed into Stirling High have been working with colleagues in
Education Scotland to review and consider how we record and promote attendance at
school. Over the last few years, following on from Covid 19, there has been a general
decline in attendance across Scotland. Myself and colleagues from schools in Stirling and
working to better understand these trends and work to proactively support families to attend
school. As part of this process we conducted an Attendance Audit which highlighted a
number of areas which formed an attendance action plan. Some of the points we are
working on over the coming months, as highlighted by this process are;
• • Reviewing how we track attendance and late coming to provide appropriate early
intervention and support as required
• • Reviewing how we communicate attendance / late coming in a supportive way
• • Raising the profile of attendance and punctuality with all stakeholders in a positive
way.
APPROVED minutes 159 meeting of Cambusbarron CC 20 February 2024
The first action point I have led on was to create a streamlined attendance protocol/
guide to share with families and have available online, and as part of our School
Handbook. I was hoping to share this with the PC after the meeting and invite
feedback from yourselves if possible. Once reviewed this would then be shared with
the wider school community.
3. - Parent / Carer volunteers
Recently we have communicated our desire, through our newsletters, for parent / carer
volunteers to support the school in a number of ways. Regrettably, The response has been
fairly minimal at this time but we will continue to encourage families who may have an hour
or so to spare to join us. I have also reached out to
4. - Wider Achievement – gathering information
Our school is keen to promote the wider achievements of our young people from
outwith the school. Recognising achievement increases self-esteem, improves
motivation and keeps pupils engaged in learning. We want the children to
understand that all achievement in and out of school matters!
As such we are developing an approach to capture and celebrate wider
achievement. This could be in many areas such as
The Retired and Senior Volunteering
Programme (RSVP) in Forth Valley and I am hopeful we may make some headway
there. If you can think of any other ideas to further raise the profile of finding
volunteers then I would be interested to hear. Even promoting this through the class
Whatsapp groups would be very much appreciated.
Caring for others, making a difference in the community, Enterprise and
entrepreneurship, Attending clubs or events, Activities or sports success out with
school, Gaining work or volunteering skills or overcoming a personal challenge
The challenge is how we best gather this in a way that is sustainable for families and
staff.
Ideas to discuss:
- Google form promoted regularly through school comms.
- Linked to Homework for all classes as an optional activity?
APPROVED minutes 159 meeting of Cambusbarron CC 20 February 2024
Appendix IV
1. We recently ran an information day in the Community Centre to give information
on ongoing projects.
2. Working on the replanting of the larch felled area, heavy machinery has been in
to prepare the ground for replanting they were working until midnight last night
and are now off site We have Scots pine rescued from the quarries with oak
seedlings from acorns gathered locally these will be planted we also have a
selection of around 900 trees to be planted around this area.
3. They also worked on the drainage behind the residential boundary which
following recent weather has proved very successful taking a lot of the rainwater
away from the houses and the street.
4. We have been in contact with the Scottish Redwood society they will provide us
with Sequoia and Redwoods to plant as far up the hill as possible near to the
original Sequoia Grove.
Appendix III
APPROVED minutes 159 meeting of Cambusbarron CC 20 February 2024
5. We are investigating the formation of an accessible path through the woodland
consultation has been done application made for funding.
6. CVN now looking to build nursery building outside the east wall.
7. Volunteering is on hold at the moment pending insurance renewal.
8. Because of the storms we have had to close the Dark Wids and several other
paths we have had to bring in contractors with their own insurance to clear as
many paths and dangerous trees as possible. The Dark Wids remains closed but
most of the other paths are now open.
9. We have had a lot of problems with motorbikes accessing the woods from
Patersons land coming down through the woods to Whinneyknowe removing safety
signs as they go making these dangerous for walkers and mountain bikers.
10. Walled Garden has recently been awarded funding for a new polytunnel
unfortunately because of volunteering being on hold there is little we can do at
present. We will start planting seeds at home to avoid losing the timing for
planting.