Dunblane Community Council

Minutes of the meeting of the Dunblane Community Council held on Wednesday,
4 August, 2021, at 7 p.m., held remotely via Zoom.

Present: Alan Booth (Secretary), Chris Toop (Treasurer), Andy Mitchell, Graham
Mowat, Rosemary Hunter, Karen Jenkins. Ailsa Gray joined later.

In attendance: Councillors Douglas Dodds and Graham Houston, Bridget Clark,
Margaret Bragg (Minutes Secretary).

1. Apologies Apologies have been received from David Prescott (Chairman), Craig
   French, Sharon Mylchreest, James Byrne, Fiona Plumtree and Councillor Alasdair
   Tollemache.

    

2. Appointment of Chair, Chairman's Remarks, Conflicts of Interest

   It was agreed that Rosemary Hunter will be Acting Chairperson for this meeting.
   Thereis no Press presence and no stated conflicts of interest.

    

3. Approval of minutes of 2 June 2021

   These were approved, proposed by Karen Jenkins and seconded by Andy Mitchell.

    

4. Standing items and actions from previous meetings: See attached.
   FFFFFF Fof Burgh Chambers A meeting on this will be held shortly.

    

   Dunblane High School/Dunblane Young People's Project Rosemary Hunter reported
   that there have been complaints about the state of the plant tubs at the bottom of
   the Old Doune Road, which, because of the pandemic, have not been maintained by
   High School pupils. The Treasurer confirmed that money could be drawn down from
   the fund to pay for preparing them for the new school term and it was agreed that
   the work could go ahead. Action: Rosemary Hunter.

    

    

   Twinning project There is nothing to report.

    

   Hielanman's Land - proposed transfer to Carman Family Trust There is nothing to
   report.

    

   Cycle routes and Active Travel Bridget Clark reported that there is no progress on
   installing "walking, cycling and horse friendly” signs as Stirling Council has decided
   not to go ahead with this as part of the temporary measures. (See minutes April
   2021.) Rosemary Hunter reported that Councillor Tollemache has agreed to pursue
   this. Action: Councillor Tollemache. There is to be a meeting to discuss Auchinlay
   Road. Rosemary Hunter reported that the surface of the cycle routes is unsuitable
   as it is too uneven and dangerous for cyclists. Just after this meeting Susan Mitchell
   circulated her report on the difficulties faced by cyclists in Dunblane, including
   unusable or broken bike racks, incomprehensible bike lane markings, illegible
   pavement signs and confusing speed limit signs on the Doune Road. Councillor
   Dodds reported that there is vegetation overhanging the pavement between
   Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, causing difficulties to both pedestrians and cyclists.

    

   Gritting of roads and footpaths There is no further progress.

    

5. Police Report: See attached.

   Andy Mitchell noted that incidents of anti-social behaviour have decreased and
   commended police action in deploying mounted officers in the Laighhills. Chris
   Toop agreed that the increased police presence has had a positive effect. Thanks
   were also expressed to the new volunteer co-ordinator at the Dunblane Development
   Trust who organised a litter pick by children. Chris Toop agreed to draft a letter of
   support and thanks to the police. Action: Chris Toop.

    

6. Planning Report: See attached.

   Park of Keir Councillor Dodds reported that the Section 75 agreement between
   Stirling Council and the developer was noted by the Planning Panel and will now be
   passed to the Planning Minister. The paper before the Panel could not be approved
   or rejected; the only action open to the Panel was to note it. He had unsuccessfully
   suggested that a public meeting be held and that it be deferred. However, a detailed
   planning application will have to be submitted in due course, and if there is a
   material change from the original application, then objections could be raised.
   Councillor Dodds urged people to write to the Minister to ensure she is fully aware
   of the situation and it was agreed that David Prescott will draft a paper for the Press
   the Minister, and the local MSPs. Action: David Prescott.

    

   Firs of Kinbuck Ailsa Gray reported on a recent accident at the central reservation,
   highlighting traffic dangers.

    

   Auchinlay glamping development The application has been rejected but Councillor
   Dodds expected there to be a revised plan submitted in due course.

    

   Kippendavie Woods The Secretary reported that the developer, as requested, has
   undertaken a consultation exercise and wanted to present the findings to the
   community council. At present, the land is overgrown and boggy, with trees fallen over. The argument of the developer is that limited development should be
   permitted to fund future maintenance. Chris Toop raised the issue of the
   community council hearing only one side of the question. It was agreed to ask the
   developer to submit the report for circulation to the community councillors. If it
   was then felt that their attendance at a council meeting would be helpful, then this
   would be publicised so that residents would also have the chance to attend.
   Rosemary Hunter agreed to refer this to David Prescott for his guidance. Action:
   Rosemary Hunter.

    

7. Treasurer's Report: See attached.

   With reference to outstanding actions from the Annual General Meeting, the
   Treasurer was pleased to report that the accounts for 2020-2021 have been verified
   by the Treasurer of the Bridge of Allan community council. The accounts were
   approved by the community council and the Treasurer will send a copy to Stephen
   Bly (Community Link Officer, Stirling Council). Action: The Treasurer.

    

8. Correspondence Report: See attached.

   Temporary speed limits The Secretary noted that there have been complaints about
   the temporary speed limits on cycle routes and that the Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS)
   on the Doune Road, which flashes when a vehicle exceeds the speed limit, has been
   switched off rather than being recalibrated to take account of the temporary
   reduction in the speed limit. Councillor Houston has raised this issue with Council
   officers, also pointing out that when entering Dunblane on the Doune Road there
   are no 20 mph repeater signs and the signs on the road surface differ from the pole-
   mountedsigns.

    

   Giant hogweed Rosemary Hunter had circulated a report on a child suffering from
   burns caused by giant hogweed in Dunblane and she thanked the Secretary and
   Terence O'Byrne for their continued efforts in reducing its spread. The Secretary
   and Councillor Dodds are to attend a meeting later this week with Council officers
   to discuss how to tackle it. Although Council officers can spray it when it is growing
   on Council land, the problem is getting private landowners, Network Rail and
   Scottish Water to deal with it on their land. Rosemary Hunter urged that, at least,
   warning signs are erected where the plant is prevalent.

    

9. Dunblane Development Trust Report

   Rosemary Hunter reported that the Chair, Barbara Allan, and a few other trustees
   are going to stand down at the upcoming AGM, and thus the DDT is looking for new
   Board members. Andy Mitchell reported that he understood that the application for
   gates onto Holmehill has been withdrawn. The Secretary informed the meeting that
   David Chisholm, with Paul Nelson from the DDT, building on the work of Discover
   Dunblane and the BID, is looking at tourism and how Dunblane promotes itself.
   Rosemary Hunter felt that the community council should be involved in this.

    

10. Report of other meetings

    The Secretary found himself the only attendee at a meeting with Council officers via
    Teams to discuss the new waste strategy: the change from two- to four- weekly
    uplifts of the grey and blue bins and the requirement to purchase a permit for the
    uplift of garden waste. He highlighted that extra bins and uplifts will be provided for those with two children in nappies and those disposing of personal medical
    waste. He agreed to circulate the PowerPoint slides of the meeting. Action: The
    Secretary. Councillor Houston said that people should compact their waste before
    binning it, as it is necessary to reduce the amount of landfill. There has been a very
    good uptake in purchasing permits for garden waste. He reassured the meeting that
    any anomalies will be dealt with, for example in narrow streets such as Ramoyle and
    Golfhill.

     

11. Elected Members ' Reports: There is nothing further to report.

     

12. AOCB

    The Secretary reported that Trossachs Search and Rescue, which took over from
    Dunblane First Responders, is now in charge of the defibrillators in Dunblane. They
    are undertaking a review of the defibrillators and are looking for local sponsors to
    help with funding their maintenance. Steve Mason is liaising with them and
    Rosemary Hunter noted that the machines need regularly checked.

     

    The Secretary also raised the issue of complaints about the grass cutting regime,
    especially at Braemar park. Supporters of the Council's pollinator strategy are in
    agreement with leaving grass uncut while others want it cut more regularly.
    Councillor Dodds reported on Memorial Park in Bridge of Allan where the strategy
    was changed, including the kind of mower used, with an improvement in the park’s
    appearance. It is recognised that it can take three years before the pollinator
    strategy can be properly assessed and it is essential that this is explained to local
    residents. Council Houston criticised the fact that any consultation this year was
    undertaken at the same time as the change in the policy took effect. Rosemary
    Hunter said that Stirling is hoping to transform itself to the Greenest Region in
    Scotland. The Secretary questioned whether the Council had the necessary
    equipment to lift the grass in parks when it does get cut and Councillor Houston
    added that there are associated costs of disposing of it.

     

13. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting of the Dunblane Community Council will take place on Wednesday,
1 September, 2021, probably by Zoom. The council will have to await guidance from
Stirling Council on when it can return to live meetings or hold "blended " meetings.

The meeting ended at 8.15 p.m.

This is a true representation of the meeting.

Rosemary Hunter …………………………………………………. Date………………………

Acting Chairperson

Alan Booth ………………………………………………………….. Date ……………………….

Secretary

Dunblane Community Council

Planning Report - Major Issues – to end July 2021

Glassingall – Proposal of Application Notice – Demolition and fire at Glassingall House.

Nothing further to report.

Park of Keir - Section 75 Processes.

Planning Panel demonstrated their dissent from the proposed agreement, but legal opinion was that the
Council had no option but to sign it. This Agreement will now be registered and passed back to the Minister
for his final decision.

This is only for Planning in Principle, there will have to be further applications to deal with the detail.

19/00243/PPP Firs of Kinbuck (Northbound services)

No further progress, other than noting that the Battlefield Trust has made helpful interventions.

21/00216/FUL Auchinlay Road – glamping development

Application rejected by Planning Panel on 3rd August in accordance with officer’s recommendation.

Kippendavie Woods

Consultation has now finished and the planning consultant for the Trust wishes to present the results to
DCC. DCC needs to consider whether and how to engage on this long-running proposal. Discussion Point

Wider development proposals

Nothing more to report at the moment

David Prescott 3 August 2021

On the 17th of June two males were seen acting suspiciously within the grounds
of a property in Park of Keir, Dunblane. Officers attended promptly however
those involved had made off prior to police arrival and were not traced. This was
crimed as Section 57(1) Civic Government Scotland Act 1982 – (Intended theft),
PS-20210617-0281 refers.

Sometime between the 20th and 21st of June a property at Park of Keir was subject
of a Housebreaking and various items of property stolen. This is likely to be linked
to the incident on the 17th of June and police are pursuing lines of enquiry at the
time of update, PS-20210621-0610 refers.

On the 9th of July, cooking oil was stolen from a business premises in Perth Road,
Dunblane. This has been crimed as theft and a positive line of enquiry is currently
being progressed.

On the 20th of July a male was seen acting suspiciously within the garden of a
property at Douglas Place, Dunblane. This was crimed as an offence under Section
57(1) Civic Government Scotland Act 1982 – (intended theft) and is under
investigation at the time of submission, PS- 20210720-2533 refers.

ROAD SAFETY AND ROAD TRAFFIC RELATED CRIME

On the 15th of June a vehicle then parked within Braeport Centre was struck by
another vehicle. Following enquiry a motorist was charged with Failing to Stop
and Failing to Report a Road Accident.

OTHER MATTERS

Between the 2nd of June and 3rd of August 2021 there was a total of 291 calls to
the Dunblane area. A breakdown of some of the calls are as follows: 21 public
nuisance calls, 2 drugs/substance related calls, 4 disturbance type calls, 6 noise
related call, 5 neighbour dispute calls, 10 theft related calls, 9 suspect person
calls, 6 concern for person calls, 3 domestic related incident and 58 road traffic
related calls.

On the 23rd and 24th of July, CPT officers with support from other officers carried
out plain clothes and high visibility bicycle patrols within the Laighills, Dunblane.
There was no antisocial behaviour relates issues identified within the Laighills
during the course of the operation.

There has been a total of four youth related antisocial behaviour calls since the
24th of July, three of which related to the same incident which occurred within,
Millrow, Dunblane on the 30th of July. (See violent crime)

Any issues raised at Community Council meeting:

https://scotland.police.uk/yourviewcounts