Causewayhead Community Council
Confirmed Minutes of the meeting held at 7.00pm on Monday 2nd December 2024
Present: Valerie Sinclair (Chair), Stuart Wilson (Secretary), Fiona McLeod (Treasurer),
Joyce Carberry, Amy Britten, Councillor Danny Gibson, Ward Councillor, Caroline Stewart
(Minute taker) plus 9 members of the public.
Apologies: Darren Draper, Sue White
- Welcome and apologies.
Apologies were received from Darren Draper and Sue White. Councillor Gibson
declared a conflict of interest as he is part of the planning appeal committee which is
due to meet on 10th December to discuss a planning application for Causewayhead.
It was agreed that the discussion around this would be left until the end of the
meeting and Councillor Gibson would leave the meeting at this point.
- Minutes
The minutes were approved by Stuart Wilson and seconded by Joyce Carberry.
- Matters arising
Still awaiting the minutes from Gary Neil re: Stevenson Bridge he had agreed
to provide a report of the meeting but so far this has not been received. Val
has chased this up by email but no reply.
Cycle lane work still on going. Buchanan Drive, Councillor Thomson
submitted information to Craig Brown as the double yellow lines have not
been put at the junction of Buchanan Drive. Vehicles are parking too close to
the traffic lights at Dumyat Right and it is difficult for people turning left. Have
asked council if signage could be put on pavement but council refused as it is
against the highway code. He also asked for another walk about with
someone from the roads team, as the situation has not been resolved at the
end of Dunster Rd. The previous no entry sign has been smashed and signs
no right and left turns are being ignored. However, he had not had a reply.
Stuart Wilson has contacted google and apple for sat nav update but there
will be a delay before this will take place.
A member of the public raised issues with buses stopping in Causewayhead
Rd, when the bus stops, all traffic stops. It was highlighted that Sustrans
wanted to slow everyone down.
Speed bump going back in on Dumyat Road, if people see lights changing,
they are speeding up to get through them quickly. Cyclists still using the
pavement even through cycle lane is in place. Acknowledge that the work has
been done and there is no easy answer. Also issues with cyclists not using
lights and wearing dark clothes. There was a discussion about cycling
proficiency with the school which has been raised at previous meetings.
Planning application will be left until the end as Councillor Gibson is on the
planning appeal committee.
- Police Report
No report was provided, and information has been received to advise that Joshua Capes has
now left the area. He did agree to forward the email to the relevant community police
officers, but no response has been received. It was highlighted that the police need to spend
time preparing the report, which is very general as they have no admin back up. It was also
highlighted that there is a community police officer attached to Wallace High who patrols at
lunchtime. Councillor Gibson will contact the divisional commander for contact details. Stuart
Wilson will check if the new officers were copied into the email that PC Capes forwarded on.
It was also agreed that Val Sinclair and Stuart Wilson will contact Wallace High and the
university in January to discuss issues with pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
- Councillors Report
The Scottish Government are due to set out their budget on Wednesday 4th
December, Councillor Gibson advised that things will be different due to the minority
government. There will be more information on the budget in late January and
council will set their budget after this has been decided.
The final full council meeting of the year will take place on 12th December and the
agenda will be published on Friday 6th December.
There is a Bi election for Stirling East on Thursday 5th December and one to replace
Margaret Brisley due to take place in Bannockburn in January 2025.
Councillor Gibson advised that the option that was accepted for the cycle lanes was
not his preferred one. They are currently looking at the next section from Alloa Road
to Menstrie. The funding of the cycle lanes is provided by Sustrans.
Councillor Gibson advised that he is on the Planning and regulation panel therefore
he has to be careful under the code if any planning issues are raised, he would need
to exit the meeting.
There was a discussion about the properties at the roundabout that are boarded up.
Councillor Gibson will contact the empty homes officer.
- Chairs Report
Hedge Morland place not being maintained and there has been no update
from Councillor Thomson
Bins overflowing, rats being seen in Morland Place again no update from the
factor, will chase it up.
Alloa Road, parking, cones have been put down for utilities work to take place
however nothing has happened, and people are parking. It was highlighted
that the work is taking place at night.
Tractor procession will take place between 6.30 to 8pm on Saturday 7th
December. It is being organised by Royal Highland Education Trust and will
start at the cattle market and go round Causewayhead, Bridge of Allan and
Dunblane with approximately 80 tractors involved.
Fence along the cycle lane that links to Bridge of Allan is in a state of
disrepair, it was initially through it belonged to Grahams but on further
research it has been discovered it belongs to SC. SC have admitted it is
there, and they will look at doing repairs.
Hedge at Barnwell Monument cut down in height and width.
The CC attended the remembrance service at Logie Kirk which was
decorated with knitted poppies.
Shop planning application for 2 x 5 bed houses and various residents have
put in letters of comments it will go to the planning appeal commit on 10th
December. Sharon Marklow the leader of building standards has looked at
plans and contacted the agent to raise concerns about privacy and amenities.
She has since emailed the chair to advise that the plans have changed, one
will now be a 4-bed house and the other will be a 5-bed house and they have
altered layout, so they are not overlooking other homes. It was highlighted
people have been on the portal to look at the new plans, but nothing looks
different form original plans that were submitted. The committee is made up of
9 councillors from the local area who will look at plans and letters and decide.
There is no appeal for recourse once they have decided.
Concerns about a property being used for multiple occupancy and various
vehicles being outside the building. It has already been raised with SC who
have visited the property.
Beds at the Barnwell, SC no longer have funds to look after them. It has been
decided they will either be taken on by the community or be grassed over.
Some volunteers have come forward to help and Terry Lawrence attended the
meeting to discuss ideas, which are to grass over and put bushes and shrubs
- SC will maintain the grass areas. The ground would be stripped initially as
there are invasive weeks, then clean and rake over and reseeded area and
maintain it from there. The plan is to keep it as low maintain as possible. SC
were delaying cutting hedge down, but this has now been done. Will need to
leave work until the spring as the ground is frozen. The CC are currently
getting quotes from landscaping contractors, some of whom have not come
back with a reply. Terry has a contact in landscaping, has volunteers but will
need a small digger and a contractor to take away debris. Need to find out the
cost as will require grant funding. Terry Lawrence and his team have worked
hard as the benches at the Barnwell memorial were in a poor state, so they
have been stripped back and bolts have been replaced. They are going away
tomorrow to be powder coated, underside of benches was rotten so have had
to be welded so this has been a substantial task. Need to get gilding done of
plaque at Barnwell Memorial as it is faded, can take money out of funds to get
this done.
Keep getting asked about local place plans, Stuart and Val have attended
meetings online. Val will attend a meeting in January, mindful that the grass to
left of Birds and Bees and park on right and grass area behind Fraser Place
are all privately owned by house builder. There have been issues in Bridge of
Allan with a house builder selling land. The community there managed to
raise funds and have bought the land for the community.
- AOB
Any further information with regards to the Stevenson Bridge still waiting on
minutes and more information on planned work. Question was asked about
road line painting and people walking on bridge and on roundabout trying to
cross the road to Stevenson Bridge rather than going through the underpass.
Keir Roundabout now until 20th December, work will take place every night
between 7.30 pm until 6am replacing lighting.
Treasurers Report – nothing has changed, CC paid out for £50 to cover the
cost of the wreath.
- Date of next meeting - 3rd Feb 2025