MINUTES FOR CROFTAMIE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Venue -But n Ben
Wednesday 9th April at 7.30pm
Attendees: Henry Braid (HB), David Armstrong (DA), Alli Peterson ( AP), Cyndy Bourbousson (CB), David Mackie- LL & TNP (DM), Paul Henke- Stirling Council, Anne Ewing- Croftamie Community Trust, plus 4 residents.
Apologies: Brian Sweeting
Conflicts of Interest- none
- Previous Minutes – March 25 proposed AP and seconded CB
- Police Report – CB. February report which was received after the March meeting
Forth and Endrick, Community Council Police Report. February 2025 – Compiled by PC Matt McCammon 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 Matt McCammon PC Laura Newlands are the Ward Officers for the Forth and Endrick area. They are based at Balfron Police Office and can be contacted at the office, on 101, or at ForthEndrickCPT@scotland.police.uk. It is recommended that this email address is used by the local community for email contact however this should not be used to report crimes.
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;
https://www.facebook.com/PoliceScotlandForthValley
https://www.facebook.com/PoliceScotland
X - @PSOSForthValley
X - @PoliceScotland
CROFTAMIE
Anti-social behaviour
A male was arrested and released on Police undertaking to appear at Court at a later date after shouting, swearing and issuing threats to a resident.
A person was issued with a recorded Police warning for theft after removing a quantity of wooden logs from private land.
DRYMEN
Theft
A theft has been recorded after £2000 cash within an envelope has
went missing from a commercial premises in the village. Unfortunately,
there are no further lines of enquiry, and the theft remains undetected.
Theft
An unattended parked vehicle had its rear window smashed and a
quantity of tools taken from within. Enquiries are still ongoing.
Another unattended parked vehicle had its passenger window smashed
and a handbag was taken from within. Enquires are still ongoing.
Please remember do not keep valuable items in vehicles or if
unavoidable keep them out of sight.
Mountain rescue
A walker required the assistance of Lomond Mountain rescue after
falling and spraining their ankle near the top of Ben Lomond.
Fortunately, the walker made it safely off the hill and was checked over
by the team before being returned to his car.
Where to Report Scams
Scams
In Scotland, report all scams to Advice Direct Scotland by calling 0808 164 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-
5pm) or online at www.consumeradvice.scot
Fraud
If you have been the victim of fraud, report it to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Suspicious Emails
You can forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and send links from websites which
you think are trying to scam the public to the National Cyber Security Centre's scam website
reporting service at www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-this-website/report-scam-website
Suspicious Text Messages
If you receive a suspicious text message you can forward it to 7726. The free-of-charge ‘7726’
service enables your provider to investigate and take action if malicious content is found.
ADVICE What basic steps can I take to protect my home? Having your home broken into is not common. There are however many ways that you can help secure your home. They don’t all cost money – some are common sense and good housekeeping. First, think about basic good housekeeping routines that aren’t expensive:
- Keep your home locked at all times
- Many thieves do not need to break in at all because a door or window has been left open or unlocked
- Don’t leave keys on the inside of door locks, under mats or anywhere else they can be easily found
- If you have a ‘thumb turn’ lock on the inside of a door, ensure that it cannot be accessed from outside
- See details on letter-plates, glazing and adjacent windows advice below
- Don't put your name or room number on your keyring if you live in shared accommodation, if it is lost or stolen, the thief will have information that could direct them there
- Don’t keep house keys and car keys on the same key ring
- Don't keep a lot of cash in the house
- Mark your property with a UV marker pen or Security DNA marking Kit - these can be bought online or in some stores
- Look for the Secured By Design accreditation on the product and register - you can place an invisible imprint of your postcode and house number on your possessions
- You can record and register details of your valuables, serial numbers and features or marks, on devices on the national mobile property register on the immobilise website - this includes mobile phones, cameras, laptops and tablets
- Don’t leave valuables where they can be seen through a window - for example, around the tree at Christmas time
- If you have a wall calendar, avoid having it shown near a window from where appointments can be seen - people may see when there will be no one in. What should I do when I go on holiday? When you go on holiday there are a few steps you should take for security.
- Get to know your neighbours, if you trust them they might keep an eye on your home, draw curtains and remove mail from behind the door
- Consider using Royal Mail’s Keepsafe service, they will keep your mail for up to 66 days
- Make sure you cancel any regular deliveries such as milk or newspapers
- Use timers on lights, make sure your alarm is set
- Don’t post on social media that you’re going on holiday - criminals can search for this kind of information to identify empty houses. Some other tips include:
- Doors should be fitted with a 5 lever mortice deadlock to BS 3621 standard or a Euro Profile Cylinder lock to TS007 3 star standard
- Door frames should be strong enough to support the door, hinges and lock.
- If the door is not a ‘multi – point locking’ door, fit mortice bolts at the top and bottom of the door and hinge-bolts give additional resistance
- External timber doors should be solid core and a minimum of 45 mm thick.
- UPVC doors should be to PAS024:2016 standard as below
- New / replacement doors should be manufactured and installed to meet standards PAS 024:2016 or equivalent
- Glazed panels within or adjacent to the door should have laminated glass in at least the inner pane to standards P1A
- Letterboxes should have an internal cover plate and not be at floor level. This means that mail drops down and can't be taken from outside
- If you are replacing your letter-plate, look to replace it with a letter-plate to TS008 standard
- Fit a door viewer and a door chain
- Don’t leave keys in the door. They could be turned or stolen through the letter-plate if a standard letter plate is fitted
- Think about having your door reinforced with a security door bar
- Ask the manufacturer/supplier before fitting any extra locks to double glazed windows or doors
- Windows should have internal beading to avoid the glass being removed from the outside. Some systems which have external beading are secure because the glass is adhered to the frame or secured by special tamper-proof clips. This can be checked by consulting the manufacturer
- New / replacement windows should be manufactured and installed to PAS024:2016 or equivalent. This indicates set specific standards of design and security for windows. What if I’m making home improvements or even carrying out routine maintenance? Your property can be more vulnerable whilst you’re carrying out home improvements.
- Don't give keys to workers as they can make copies quickly and easily
- Let your neighbours know about work being carried out, where workers are likely to be and who they are
- Scaffolding may allow an intruder access to areas they wouldn’t normally be able to access
- Remember to lock all accessible windows.
- Planning Report -AP
Item 1: Dalnair House, application 24//FUL | Erection of 1no. dwellinghouses, application 24/00640/FUL Erection of 5 houses
application 23/00392/FUL Erection of 2 no. dwellinghouses
The public footpath required as part of the original masterplan application for Dalnair has not been designed or constructed. There is no safe pedestrian or active travel route between the new houses and the village centre.
Councillor Gerry McGarvey was asked for an update from the planning department 11th January on behalf of Croftamie Community Council. Waiting for response.
Item 2 : Pirniehall Application 2022/0329/PPP Large multiple-purpose tourist development
The application was approved at the planning and access committee at the meeting 25th November 2024. Application has not appeared as formally approved on the planning portal.
Item 3: Liquor License application for Cattermuir Lodge.
The applicant confirmed that there would be no new shop. They have also confirmed sales of alcohol would be only to residents staying in the accommodation at Cattermuir, and that existing signage and external lighting will be covered by a future planning application.
On this basis no objection was submitted by the Community Council.
- Roads Update
Stockiemuir Road is closing for one week on 14 April from 9am til 6pm.
T Junction at A809 and A811- Confusion around the time of the closure on 28 April. (Now confirmed as 8pm to 6am.) Concern expressed around this closure and users deferring to using the Back Road.
Concern around folks overtaking in the village when people doing 20 mph. HB to call the Police.
- Treasurer Update - DA . Balance of account is £1365.14 which includes £500 ringfenced for community improvements.
- Stirling Council Update – PH confirmed no updates to report. Question was asked for the reinstatement of the “Croftamie” Village signs which were both taken away when the new speed limit signs were installed. PH confirmed he would make this request.
- LL&TNP update from David. DM confirmed that Volunteer ranger posts are available.
- Correspondence received
Stirling Visitor Levy - drop in day Drymen Village Hall Wed 16 April 11-6. Income to be spent in Stirling Council.
Croftamie Community Trust AGM- Wed 30th April in But and Ben at 7.30pm
SEPA strategy consultation for environmental scheme.
- AOB
HB to ask for new bin stickers with correct 20 mph limit on them
Community Coffee morning - funds raised £620 and purchase of 3 Gazebos will go ahead with funding support from CSET, HB thanked the Rural for their support.
Q asked around why the Mobile Library was in the Nursery Car park and consensus was that this was the safest place to park
Litter pick day- Sat 26th April at 11am meet at the Nursery
A local resident would like to build a Pergola in Mill Quadrant on the grass area. HB to confirm with the Council who owns the land. There would be no cost to the community. And then the CC can canvas opinion.
Q was asked could he look at the broken fence at the cycle path and repair
Bench- concrete still to be laid for base of bench.
Gala Day will be 21 June 25– There will be a Scarecrow competition and applicants encouraged – no specific theme. Committee would like Croftamie to submit a float
Reminder of AGM on 14th May at 7.30pm
Confirmation of Next meeting
Wednesday 14th May 2025 at 7.45 pm ( after AGM which is 7.30pm)
Venue: But n Ben