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Cambuskenneth Community Council
Meeting held on Monday 27th March 2023 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
Present: Ross McGregor (Chair), Elaine Turner (Secretary), Barbara McElhinney (Treasurer)
In attendance: Councillor Susan McGill
Apologies: Tessa Carroll
Minutes were taken by Elaine Turner
Adoption of minutes from meeting held on 27thFebruary: Carried forward to next meeting for
approval when quorate.
Amendment: the CC handbook was checked after the meeting: ‘A quorum is one third of the voting
members or three voting members, whichever is greater.’ Noted for future reference.
Matters arising
Hall charges/booking procedure: Councillor McGill read out the information sent in reply to our
queries about Village Hall charges and booking. There have been delays in sending out invoices after installing a new booking system. Invoices have been sent out up to the end of September 2022 and bills for the next quarter will be sent out in the next two weeks. After that, invoices will be sent out quarterly. With regard to the online booking system, the service has not been aware of any problems so they will monitor this and report accordingly. At present, payments cannot be made at the time of booking. There is no dedicated phone number for Hall bookings so communication should either be made by email or by phoning the Council contact centre who will arrange a call back. When a booking is made, an online message appears, advising that the booking is not confirmed until the Bookings team make contact to confirm, as they have to check Hall availability etc. They did not comment on our complaint that costs are prohibitive at weekends, and advised that there is increased availability when a key holder makes the booking, otherwise only when caretaker staff are available. Business meetings of Community Council subgroups are free, so we should ensure this is clearly stated on the booking form.
Welcome leaflet: Action: Elaine to ask Linda to pass on to Community Council for printing and
circulation.
Hall and Park Funds: Linda has circulated information on gazebos and notice boards by email and we have agreed which are suitable.
Action: Barbara will arrange to purchase online directly via BACS if possible.
Pergola: Tessa provided written information on possible sources of funding to put in raised beds
after dismantling the pergola. Funding up to £7,500 may be available from the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Environmental Trust, which will require a specific application. Repollinate are fully subscribed for this year but could include Cambuskenneth next year if we wished to apply. Riverside CC do not have details of who funded their raised beds and benches as this was some time ago, before the current Community Council. Riverside Naturally are now responsible for the planting. We will discuss with CNEG if they wish to make an application to the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Environmental Trust, or if this should be from the Community Council.
Waterside Cottage: Councillor Jim Thomson had circulated by email a pre-application for the site
which had been submitted to the planning department. Taylor Wimpey has sold on the site to new owners. It was noted on the application that SEPA will be asked to comment on the plans as well as Network Rail so we will await further information on whether the plans will proceed.
Cycling Route/Manor Powis/Speed limit: It was noted that the speed on Alloa Rd is now reduced to 30mph up to Manor Powis roundabout with new cycle symbols on the road to highlight that it is a
cycle route. These have also been added to the approach road to Cambuskenneth. Ross noted that it is now easier to turn right from the Ladysneuk Rd junction because of the slower speed limit. A member of the Nature and Environment subgroup has drafted a letter to send to the Scottish minister responsible for Active Travel about the delays in establishing the new route to Manor Powis, despite this being stated as a priority in several documents since 2016. Elaine suggested adding a paragraph about how busy and dangerous this piece of road is and will draft this and circulate. Given the appointment of a new First Minister, we will delay sending until the new Minister for Active Travel is appointed.
Community Council membership – co-option process: As we are not quorate we cannot co-opt a new member, and will have to use the Council Election process to appoint new members.
Amendment: the CC handbook was checked after the meeting: ‘A quorum is one third of the voting
members or three voting members, whichever is greater.’ Noted for future reference.
Community Council elections: The Community Council has been provided with information from
Stephen Bly, including posters explaining the process and how to apply to become a CC member. Deadline for nominations is 4pm Wednesday 19 April. We still need one new member – unless we have 6 members, the CC cannot be formed. Actions: we will all approach people in the CCC area who may be interested in becoming CCC members. Elaine will put up posters and add information to the CCC website.
Vandalism in the village: This was discussed at previous meetings and again discussed with Susan McGill, who emphasised reporting any vandalism to the police. There have been no further incidents reported in the village. Elaine will return the books to the phone box and monitor.
Wild flower strip in the park: Tessa reported via email from Leigh Biagi of On the Verge that Stirling Council Land Services continue to be under pressure and are unlikely to strim the wild flower meadow at the end of the summer as originally planned when the strip was sown. We will organise a raking group when the weather is drier to clear last year’s growth.
Cycling on footbridge: Ross has emailed the resident in Riverside who contacted the Community Council to inform him that we have not had any recent reports of problems with cyclists on the Bridge. The issue was resolved after speaking to local cycling groups and the policy of ‘Share with care’ seems to work.
SUBGROUP REPORTS
Cambuskenneth Nature and Environment Group (CNEG) Report
Ross reported that the Group had held a successful event to plant 50 trees on the riverbank beyond the septic tank. Tessa reported that they have bought more plants for the park planters and tubs and have planted a flowering cherry in Ferry Orchard.
Social Group Report: Elaine is still pursuing the refund from Ask Calendars. The Group will hold a
meeting soon to plan the summer barbecue and other events.
Sustrans Art: no update
Resilience Group: As Linda has now resigned as a Community Councillor, we will need to find a new
CC representative for this sub-group.
Treasurer’s Report: There has been no change since the last meeting. Ross will ask Alan Loughray to audit the accounts.
Community Orchards: Volunteers have held maintenance sessions in Tower Orchard to plant
replacement trees and weed the area. A replacement tree has also been planted in the park.
Report from Councillors: There is a £17 million gap in the Council budget, but the Scottish
Government are planning to offer further funding. This will help with the shortfall and should enable
nursery hours to be maintained. There is a £12 million deficit for next year.
North St Road Surface: The upgrading works planned for North St have been postponed until the next financial year but potholes will be patched in the interim, and Ross reported that this had started.
Police Report: No reports at present
AOCB: Martin has agreed to again organise the hanging baskets this year.
Date of next meeting: 1930h, Monday, 22 May, 2023 in the village hall, TBC subject to Stirling
Council arranging inaugural meeting after CC elections.
Stirling Council: 01786 404040, Police non-emergency 101, NHS 24 111
Scottish Power emergency: 105, Scottish Gas emergency: 0800 111999
Reminder: Minutes are available via the CC website and Facebook page. If you want them
emailed privately or paper copies, please let us know via email at cambuskennethcc@gmail.com or by contacting any CC member.
*No meeting on 24 April 23*
*Next meeting on 22 May 23 TBC*