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Cambuskenneth Community Council Meeting APPROVED MINUTES
Village Hall, Cambuskenneth
28th April 2025 at 7.30pm
Present: Archie McIver (Chair), Barbara McElhinney (Treasurer), Maggie Ruddy, Catriona Taylor,
Jim Richardson, Councillor Thomson and two members of the public.
Apologies: None were received
The meeting was chaired by Archie McIver and minutes were taken by Caroline Stewart
1. Introduction
The chair welcomed everyone to the April meeting and advised that no apologies had been received.
2. Items of AOCB
Nothing was raised
3. Adoptions of previous minutes
Proposed by Barbara McElhinney and seconded by Catriona Taylor.
4. Future of Cambuskenneth Community Council website
Barbara has received log in information for the website from the previous Secretary. It was agreed that
research needs to be carried out to monitor if the website is used and worth maintaining. Catriona will
monitor usage. Barbara has been unable to get log in details for the Facebook page. The CC have
reached out to various people but not had a response.
Actions:
Catriona will log on once she has details and investigate usage. It was agreed the latest minutes could
be uploaded to see how many people look at them. Archie will try and get Facebook log in details.
5. Cambuskenneth WhatsApp group
There was a discussion at the March meeting about setting up a WhatsApp group to share information
with residents of Cambuskenneth. The CC have contacted the Data Protection Officer at Stirling
Council, regarding any data protection issues. They were referred to Stephen Bly, who advised there is
no specific guidance. It was agreed that it will be down to individual settings who can see names and
numbers, and this will need to be communicated to residents who sign up. The group will only be for
announcements and any information will be agreed by the CC before it is shared. Catriona will be
responsible for posting with Maggie as a back and once the group has been set up this will be minuted
to raise awareness within the community.
6. Update on Cambuskenneth village hall
Jim Richardson gave an update. He had sent round information prior to the meeting and brought along
paper copies. He highlighted that there is support in the village to keep the hall open. To do this there
is the need to incorporate a Community Trust that would require at least four trustees and a management
committee to run the hall. Jim highlighted his concerns about getting enough support. There are about
110 houses with an ageing population. Young families may not have time to commit now but may be
able to do so in the future. The chair asked for clarity on how many people would be needed and Jim
advised around 10. This is based on the information he has gathered on Cambusbarron community hall
which is a large project with a lot of community involvement.
Jim feels the first step is to gather a list of interested parties. Jim will make up a leaflet and the CC will
help to circulate. Once interest has been gathered, Jim is happy to chair a meeting and discuss the way
forward. There are also various specialisms such as legal, administration etc needed and there may be
people with these skills available in the village.
7. Disabled toilet in village hall
Various residents have advised that they are unable to attend events in the hall, as there is no disabled
access toilet. Catriona has spent some time researching the options for an external disabled toilet. There
was also a discussion about upgrading current toilet to allow disabled access.
It was highlighted that there may be the option to apply to the Clacks and Stirling Community Trust.
There are three dates to apply, with the next eligible date likely to be September.
Action: Contact Stirling Council and Cowanes Trust to find out what options are available.
8. Update on Hanging Baskets
The hanging baskets are still going ahead this year. The CC have been liaising with Ian Gibson from
Riverside CC. Martin will collect the baskets and co-ordinate the watering rota. More people are needed
for the rota, with the commitment for each person normally being two weeks of the summer, carried
out in pairs.
Action: Barbara will arrange for Martin to check hooks as some safety issues have been
highlighted. Posters also to be put in the window of village hall to encourage more people to sign
up.
9. Safety issues
The bench at the pergola has collapsed and is now lying on its back, so no one can sit on it.
Action: Councillor Thomson will ask SC if the bench can be removed.
10. Update from Councillors
Councillor Thomson gave his update:
He advised that he hadn’t received a copy of the minutes prior to the meeting
● Approved budget has now been passed.
● There is a council meeting on Thursday which will include discussions about the integrated
joint board. There is likely to be an overspend by the Stirling and Clacks Health and Social
Care Partnership, however adult social care services still need to be maintained.
● The Smith Art Gallery is facing financial difficulties, want to access money from the city deal
to make the building more inviting and financially viable.
11. Active Travel and Consultation Process
There was a recent consultation took place with the meeting held on Saturday, but notification was only
received on Wednesday. A formal complaint has been made by a resident about the short notice. It was
felt that concerns are not being taken on board, and it doesn’t feel like a consultation. The chair pointed
out that the consultations for the village and Manor Powis link have not been done in accordance with
guidelines [the Gunning principles]. There is an online engage platform for the route to Manor Powis
and a link has been sent into the CC. Barbara provided a printed copy of the proposed route which has
been displayed in the village hall. The next consultation meeting has been arranged for the 17May with
the venue still to be confirmed. The chair asked for Councillor Thomson to get clarification on why the
route was chosen. Councillor Thompson said that he and the other councillors were waiting on written
evidence as to why the North Manor Powis route wasn’t taken forward and urged residents to put their
views about the current proposed route on Stirling Council’s Engage platform. Issues with lighting were
also highlighted.
12. Signposts and maps
There are issues with signage that point across the field and says “Broom Farm” which means visitors
assume they can visit the farm. Archie will check with the farm if they want the signs altered. There
are also issues with the maps that are available in the telephone box, as people looking at the map, can’t
see where to go as the maps cut off. It was asked if the welcome leaflet has a wider map.
Action: Archie to liaise with Stephen Bly re: signage
13. Heritage Leaflets
Barbara has a new version which doesn’t include the pub on the map. Currently in PDF format so needs
to print paper copies.
14. Keyholder Updates
Three more keyholders have been orientated, Barbara, Maggie, and Les (who belongs to a sub group).
There are ongoing issues with one of the keyholders having to be present when events take place, and
the booking must be completed by a keyholder which is restricting the number of bookings being made.
Councillor Nunn has previously advised that the system will be updated and go online.
15. Phone box use
Barbara has been keeping an eye usage and people are using it to discard of items other than books.
Recently there has been an iron and hobby horses left in the telephone box. It was agreed a notice will
be put on the telephone box with details of the items that can be left and also have suggestions of where
other items can be donated.
Action: –Barbara will put a poster up with details of what can be included.
16. Vandalism in village
Two stones were taken off a wall in the village and two phones’ calls were included in the police report,
concerning anti-social behaviour. Due to this a patrol will be sent to Cambuskenneth. It was also
highlighted that the toy box needs a new notice to remind people to return any items after use and not
to add any more toys.
17. Treasurers Report
Nothing has changed, current balance is £4429.80. Awaiting a reply from Alan Loughray to arrange to
audit the account prior to the AGM.
18. Matters Arising
Nothing discussed
19. Sub group reports
● Resilience group are meeting on May 12th, currently has four members. Looking at doing a
publicity campaign giving the public advice on how they can prepare themselves for an
emergency.
● Social committee - haven’t met only had 2 members. The main topic will be to decide if the
BBQ is going to run this year. £200 was donated to Food Train which was raised at the music
night.
20. Police Report
Main points have already been covered
21. Questions from members of the public
It was highlighted if anyone finds a dead bird in their garden, on a walk, in a field etc this should be
reported to DEFRA on 03459 33 55 77 or using the online form at www.gov.uk and search for “Report
dead wild birds” and the relevant body will arrange for it to be removed.
22. AOCB
Nothing raised
The next meeting with take place on Monday 26th May 2025 at 7pm in Cambuskenneth Village
Hall