Feb 2021 Minutes

CROFTAMIE COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING

held on online
Wednesday 10.02.21 at 7.30 pm

Attendees: Peter Lloyd (PL), Margaret Firth (MF), Mary Dickie ( MD), David Armstrong (DA),
Henry Braid (HB), Donald Watson (DW), Alistair Berrill (AB), Willie Nisbet (WN) and five
local residents

Apologies - none received
Previous Minutes Proposed DW by Seconded MD
Police Report

Forth and Endrick, Croftamie Community Council February 2021 - Compiled by PC Steven
Graham

Antisocial Behaviour

There was 2 cases of sheep worrying in the field on the A811 across from Fraser Robb’s.
We went along the following weekend at the material time to try and trace the dog/owner
but to no avail. No further reports have been made since.

Road Safety

Local officers have and will continue to carry out high visibility patrols to improve road safety.
We’re aware that speeding is an issue within the village. We have access to a “Pop up Police
Officer” which we have recently used in Croftamie. A picture is below of it operating in
Gargunnock. This seems to have a positive effect in slowing traffic down. We will use it again
and also carry out speed checks personally.

Prepare for the winter by keeping your vehicle well maintained before you take to the road.
Take special care that brakes, tyres, lights, batteries, windscreens and wiper blades are in
good condition. In addition, washer bottles need to contain an additive to stop the water from
freezing.

Tyres should also be checked weekly to ensure they are legal and at the correct pressure
(consult your vehicle handbook). The minimum legal tread depth for cars is 1.6mm across the
centre 3/4 of the breadth of the tread around the entire circumference. They should also be
checked for bulges, cuts or tears which weaken the tyre. Failure to maintain your tyres could
lead to a maximum of £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre.

Please ensure that vehicle windscreens are defrosted and you have a full view of the road
ahead prior to driving off. On that note, please do not defrost the windscreen by leaving your
engine running unattended on the road or driveway.

Theft

There has been a theft of a CCTV camera located on the wall at the gable end of Edmond
Terrace, near the Stove Centre car park.

Last month there was a Theft by Housebreaking to Killearn Country Cycles whereby several
high value bikes were stolen. That was the retail premises I referred to in last month’s report.
A van would have been required to carry out this theft.

Enquiries are continuing into both of these. If anyone has any information then please contact
Police.

All incidents in relation to suspicious persons or vehicles are welcomed and Police will attend
to all these incidents immediately. We urge people to remain vigilant and report anything
suspicious.

We remind residents to be ever vigilant and contact the Police should anyone see anything
suspicious. Please remember to follow basic home security rules and help to make it make it
harder for the thieves.

Please consider the following:
- Use timer switches on lights and radios to make it look as if your home is occupied.
- Ensure all doors and windows are secure when you leave and when you go to bed.
- If possible use secure lighting at the front and back of your property.
- Make sure all garden tools and ladders are locked away when not being used. Don’t give
  the thieves the tools to break into your house.
- Use a good quality lock on any garden sheds and outhouses.
- Make a note of all makes, models and serial numbers of expensive items in your home.
- If your house is fitted with an alarm then please use it. This is a good deterrent should
  thieves manage to force entry to your house.
- create a FREE and secure inventory of all your personal property at
  www.immobilise.com
- If you note anything suspicious in your neighbourhood report it on 101.
  
  There are guides on the Police Scotland website giving other ideas to protect property in rural
  areas.
  
  Fraud
  
  Fraudsters can make contact with you by phone. The caller might pretend to be from your
  bank and ask for personal information such as bank details or they might be someone offering
  you a deal or a prize. Recently calls have been made by persons purporting to be from HMRC
  stating that there was a warrant out for the receiver of the call and was asked to contact the
  number that was given. This is clearly a false call so please heed the below advise:
- Consider making your phone number ex-directory.
- Don’t give out any personal information unless you are the one who made the call and you
  are certain of the identity of the person you are speaking to.
- Don’t give out your credit card or bank card details to strangers on the telephone.
- NEVER tell somebody your bank PIN number, even if they claim to be the bank or police. If
  the caller is genuine they will never ask for this information.
- Don’t give out information which may infer that you live alone, are older or vulnerable.
- Never send money to anyone who claims to have a prize for you.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Contact local trading standards – they may be able to use approved ‘call blocking’ technology.
Covid 19 fraud

Criminals are using the Coronavirus as a cover story to trick you into parting with your money
or information. Always take a moment to Stop, Challenge and Protect before making any
payments.

It’s important not to let the criminals rush or panic you into making a decision that you later
come to regret and remain vigilant and guard against criminals using the publicity around
Coronavirus as a chance to target you with fraudulent emails, phone calls, texts messages or
social media posts.

With fake news articles on the internet and in the press promoting remedies, cures and false
advice around coronavirus, it’s also important to only share articles from trustworthy
sources. If you are in any doubt, then visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus or www.who.int/ for
updates and information.

Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They spend

hours researching you for their scams, hoping you’ll let your guard down for just a moment.
Stop and think: it could protect you and your money.

If you receive an email, text or WhatsApp message purporting to be from the government,
HMRC, the World Health Organisation (WHO) or a coronavirus-related charity, then take a
moment to think before you part with your money or information.

Never click on links or download attachments as criminals may infect your devices with
malware or ask you to enter your personal or financial information into fake websites. In
some cases this can lead to your identity being stolen

Community Engagement and Reassurance

It is important to you to have community officers who you know, who are accessible and who
address local problems

PC Steven Graham and PC Gary Martin are based at Balfron Police Office and can be contacted
at the office, on 101, or at ForthEndrickCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk. It is recommended that
this email address is used by the local community for email contact.

Please remember that we regularly publish useful information and updates on social media,
including appeals for information, updates about road closures and crime prevention advice.
Our Facebook and Twitter pages can be found at

www.facebook.com/forthvalleypolicedivision
www.facebook.com/policescotland
www.twitter.com/stirlingpol
www.twitter.com/policescotland

MF commented on the Fly tipping of tyres near the Brownie Hall on the back road.
Planning Report – MD

Nothing new has been submitted but 4 houses which were to be built on the former gun site
on Stockiemuir Rd, the application has been withdrawn.
Roads Update – DW

Nothing for this area on the scheduled report.

Q to AB- after the last meeting works were done at Finnich Toll but they had not been
indicated in the roads schedule. AB will investigate and report back.

HB advised that there was a lot of rubbish piled near the traffic light sites.

DY- asked the workmen and they were from Open reach to take the fibre connection to the
telephone mast. Minor roadworks consent may not have been published.
Treasurer Update – DA

No activity this month. Balance remains at £2514.75. PL is due to be reimbursed for Zoom
monthly fee.
Stirling Council Update – Councilor AB

Council have an area Engage Stirling – consultations, sent a petition but is having some
teething issues with closing dates not being correct.

Concessionary business support funds for very small business - closed today but might
still be worth applying.

Issue of the bin collections going to 4 weekly and £35 permits for the brown bins- Meeting
on 18 Feb to make administration revisit the issue and try to get them to change the minds
Nursery- update website still says nursery closes in May but AB unable to provide further
update. AB will attempt to get further info. PL asked if there was a timescale by which the
nursery had to close after the consultation.
LL&TNP -WN

Apologies for not attending the last meeting.

Meeting for stakeholders on 13 Jan was cancelled as not enough people could attend. Follow
on is that change of circumstances is that budget from Scottish Government has been
approved. There will be £1.3m extra requested due to Covid. ie portable toilets etc. For Part
capital resources awarded- £2.6M. £1.56K for resource extra, 500K Covid one off and 540K
for Capital.

Capital budget is for 5 years not just for the 1 year. 1.7M for each of the next 5 years.
Figure out between now and spring as to

3% wage rise to come out of the budget also
We also have a new Government minister.
Caringorm have also had an uplift in Budget.

This summer may have restrictions like last year and we are more prepared.

PL asked re Community partnership will it still be disbanded.

DY- can the funding only be spent in the Park or can it be spent outwith the Park
Recognition that the Rural have had to deal with issues due to Covid that are outwith
norm
Outstanding points from last meeting

Participation Request
- PL- have been circulated. Traffic Calming within village and Pavement &
  Walkways to Drymen. DW and MF have confirmed that the ideas excellent.
- Suggestions are: Reduce speed limit to 20 MPH in the village, potential for
  traffic leaving the village, rumble strips in both ends of the village, MF described about
  lights if speeding on entering village automatically trigger a pelican light ie red light
  stopping the traffic. Suggestion for Pelican crossing John Muir way nursery and
  Cattermills. Speed cushions speed bumps in middle of road.
- LA commented that rumble strips can be too noisy for the residents. WN-
  agreed to careful not to put them next to housing and comment around the cushions in
  other villages.
- Pavements – state of the roads and speeding have been added to Action
  plans since 2008. Concern that it takes until someone is injured or worse until action is
  taken.
- PL will check with Pam Campbell to review the forms and submit the forms.
  - Pavements are not wide enough and not fit for purpose. Uneven cannot use
    wheelchairs and prams.
  - MF has walked with Council representatives in the past to review the pavements, they
    agreed not fit for purpose but also stated no funds
  - DY- there is a pavement from the village to Finnich Toll and the neglect means that it
    has overgrown. How can these pavements be reinstated.
  - PL has asked for pavements in the village and route to Drymen but long term could
    include the Finnich Glen.
  - PL asked if National Park could provide funding to support the upgrading of the
    pavements.
  - WN says that there have been suggestions in the Park to upgrade the pavements from
    Gartocharn to Balloch.
  Food Bank- But and Ben is collection point for local food bank. PL- 3 bags were collected and
  thanks to those who have donated. If you know of anyone who would benefit please let us know.
  Next time you pop in for a coffee please drop off a tin or two. You can also make a donation
  using the the Go Fund Me page - https://www.gofundme.com/f/drymen-covid19-support-
  fund
Correspondence received
- Stage 2 survey about how Community feedback- councillors have been sent a link and is
  open until 15 Mar.
- Rural south west forum- MF will attend the dial in meeting on Monday 15th Feb. The
  agenda includes Roads & Traffic Management – How RSW Communities can inform and
  influence road maintenance e & traffic management programs.
- Health and social care partnership – 18 Feb – 2pm to 4pm this has been circulated.
- Non domestic rates- for the storage Hut at Nursery no action required MF scanned copy
  to DA.
- Sad passing of one of older residents Mrs Marion Dow.
  
  Marion celebrated her 90 th Birthday last year.
  
  She lived & worked in this community most of her life.
  
  After serving an apprenticeship in Glasgow, she joined Stuart Cameron the Haulage Company
  until it close (they operated from the old station yard).
  
  Moved to Alex & then Sandy Mckenzie Veterinary Services and worked well into Marions late
  Eighties . Remising Sandy stated better than any computer, paperwork & accounts
  immaculate.
  
  Marion married Willie one of the Dow Brothers both were our local postie’s, the couples living
  within the village. Played an active role in the Community from Sunday School Teacher and
  various other roles with our Parish Church - Kilmaronock .
  
  Held various posts like Secretary for the Croftamie Rural for many a year.
  
  Marion more recently looked after her twin sister who passed away a couple of years ago with
  Dementia.
  
  Will be missed by neighbours & friends.
- MF confirmed that Stirling Council, enforcement team includes Dog Wardens,
  ccenquiries@stirling.gov.uk a request sent if there could be possibility to be included
  within their patrol area
Any Other Business

Nothing new about the development in Buchanan Cres. Plans approved by Park. Cyndy
has agreed to be on the Consultation Board.

Litter Pick had been postponed last year but there is concern that there is an increase in
litter.

Previously the Croftamie Community Trust arrange a date in April before the grass verges
camouflaged the rubbish. AE to suggest a date next meeting

WN suggested that the Park could support – Access teams Dave Robinson is access officer.

Confirmation of next Meeting Wednesday 10.03.2021

Commencing at 7.30 pm online

Apologies - none received

Previous Minutes Proposed DW by Seconded MD

Police Report

Planning Report – MD

Roads Update – DW

Treasurer Update – DA

Stirling Council Update – Councilor AB

LL&TNP -WN

Outstanding points from last meeting

Any Other Business