Dunblane Community Council
Rachael Muir
Secretary
cc@dunblane.info
Anna Jarchow-MacDonald
Chair
cc@dunblane.info
Minutes of the Dunblane Community Council held on Wednesday, 5 March,
2025, at 7 p.m. in the Library, Dunblane. This is a “blended” meeting, with
some attendees joining by Zoom.
Present: Anna Jarchow-MacDonald (Chair), Rachael Muir (Secretary), Karen
Jenkins, Annelise Bakri, Peter Swindon, Jonthan Failes. By Zoom: Alan Booth.
In attendance: Councillors Alasdair Tollemache, Robin Kleinman and David
Wilson, Steve Mason, Liz-Anne Richard, Catherine McKay, Margaret Bragg
(Minutes Secretary), and residents including: Irene Milne, Christine MacLean,
Colin MacKenzie and Lyn Mathieson. By Zoom: Councillor Thomas Heald,
Imaan Betteridge and Angus Cockayne from the High School and other
residents.
- Apologies
Apologies have been received from Calum Thomson, Rachel Nelson, Caroline
McArthur, Fiona Plumtree and Bridget Clark.
- Conflicts of interest and Chair’s Remarks There are no conflicts of
interest. The Chair intimated that two High School pupils are attending by
Zoom to give a presentation to the community council on The Rights
Respecting Schools award scheme.
- Adoption of minutes of 5 February 2025 and matters arising
These were approved, proposed by Karen Jenkins and seconded by Peter
Swindon.
- Residents’ Forum and current topics
Update on 2025-26 Council budget Although not many people attended the
public meeting organised by the community council on 19 February, the Chair
felt that it had been useful in bringing community councillors, elected
members and the public together. The Budget has now been decided and
publicised, with council tax rising by 8.8%. However, certain services, such as
support for mental health of young people, have been retained. Councillor
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Wilson raised concerns that the overspend on the healthcare system, part of
the Council expenditure, was not publicised.
Start-up Dunblane visit report Karen Jenkins reported on a visit she, Peter
Swindon, and the Chair made to Start-up Stirling and the discussion they had
with its co-ordinator. People have to be referred to the service for an initial
period of three weeks. During this period, they are given support to help them
improve their situation; they have to interact with this otherwise they will lose
services. As some find it difficult to transition to the next step, there is now
a café they can attend which provides continuing support, including the
attendance of a trained psychologist. Some may go into temporary
accommodation and require household goods and bedding. Many families
with children rely on the Start-up foodbank.
Start-up Stirling is run almost entirely by volunteers and it was suggested that
community councillors could help, especially at Christmas. It also needs more
donations of food and money. The Chair felt that there should be more done
to raise awareness and the work of Start-up Stirling could be publicised at The
Fling and Blossom Day. Councillor Tollemache reminded the meeting that,
during lock-down, help was given in Bridge of Allan to those who had slipped
through the safety net, and pointed out that it can be difficult to find out who
needs help in Dunblane.
The Chair said that the visit with the co-ordinator had been very useful and
they were keen to work with community councils.
The Rights Respecting Schools Award The Chair welcomed Imaan Betteridge
and Angus Cockayne, school captains, to the meeting to speak on the High
School’s aim to achieve the silver award of The Rights Respecting Schools,
having been awarded the bronze award last year. This initiative is run by
UNICEF and more information can be found on its website. The school is
concentrating on five rights: the right of a child to know children’s rights; to
education; not to face discrimination; to respect children’s views; and to
relaxation and rest. There will be an accreditation visit in April after which
they hope to be awarded the silver award. When the Chair asked if they were
linking in with other schools, they confirmed they were in communication
with the other secondary schools in the region, but not with primary schools.
With reference to the Council budget, the Chair pointed out that impact
assessments measured against the list of the rights of the child have been
informative. Imaan Betteridge reported that they were unaware of the budget
proposals until they had conversations with community council members,
which they felt were useful. The Chair thanked Annelise Bakri and Jonathan
Failes for going into the school and connecting with the young people. She
also thanked the pupils for attending and invited them to return.
Burgh Chambers and Creative Dunblane update Steve Mason gave a brief
report on the progress so far in negotiating a lease from Stirling Council; this
should be finalised by 1 April. It is hoped to expand the co-working spaces to
accommodate 23 people, who might otherwise be isolated working at home.
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The provision of a community room is also part of the plans. Funding from
various sources has been awarded and Steve Mason highlighted the £15,000
received as a Stirling Council’s Premises Improvement Grant to tackle the
problem of dampness. He said the use of the building will develop with time,
bringing people to work together.
In response to questions, Steve Mason said that, because it is listed, any work
on the outside of the building is very restricted. After the lease is agreed,
more information will be provided on the website. The Digital Makerspace is
a separate organisation.
The Chair said the building is now a welcoming space in the middle of the
community, which has taken a lot of effort and care. The existence of this
community initiative was noted when the community council applied for
funding for workshops for the Local Place Plan, and the community council
should consider how it can continue its support.
Path closure near the Dandara Wallace View development Colin MacKenzie
spoke on behalf of residents who are unhappy that access to an established,
well used path to Wanderwrang Wood has been obstructed by the closure of
an existing gate at the development. This had not been in the final plans for
the site and the construction of a fence to block the gate happened after
complaints from some of the new residents. Walkers now have to use a
muddy, unsafe path among tree roots, which cyclists are unable to use at all.
He has provided sketches of two possible solutions and has sent details to the
Council. He asked the community council to approach Dandara Developments
to support the plan for a safe path to Wanderwrang Woods.
Councillor Tollemache has met with the Council’s Access Officer and Dandara
to find a solution. The suggestion that a new path is constructed between the
existing stone wall and the new fence, without encroaching on the new
planting, together with the construction of a small picket fence to deter
walkers from taking shortcuts too close to the new houses was discussed by
the community council. The Chair said the next step would be to discuss this
with Dandara.
Residents of the new development close to the path have felt that their privacy
has often not been respected and they have felt threatened. Photos and
negative comments have been posted on Facebook until they were deleted.
This has been upsetting for new residents making their homes in Dunblane.
The community council expects everyone in the community to treat others
with respect and this behaviour was condemned.
The Chair summarised that it is important to find a solution for safe access
for everyone to Wanderwrang Woods and to that end discussions should be
ongoing with the Council’s Access Officer and Dandara
- Reports
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Police report: The Chair will circulate this. With reference to the accident
involving a cyclist Councillor Tollemache reported last month, because there
were no broken bones, it is not reported as an accident in the police report.
He agreed to follow this up with the Public Safety Committee regarding the
guidance given to the Police. Action: Councillor Tollemache.
Planning report: This will be circulated.
It was agreed that any important planning issue would have its own short
tracker to follow its progress.
With reference to the planning application for a bakery/food and drink
premises at 1 High Street, the Chair has contacted the planning department
to express support for this, as agreed at last month’s meeting of the council.
Bridget Clark has sent an email to notify the community council of an
application for a low carbon refuelling hub at Balhaldie.
Operations Report: See attached.
Kinbuck Bridge repair Councillor Tollemache reported that the bridge is due
to be repaired at the end of April. He noted, however, that the bridge is
regularly damaged by traffic, especially when the A9 is closed.
Ramoyle traffic proposals Councillor Tollemache reported that the costs for
this work are estimated as well above the original £35,000. Budgets are very
tight. Officers are working on the proposals to be in budget.
Winter gritting Councillor Tollemache confirmed the change of priority for
gritting for the first section of Barbush would remain a priority 1 while
Braemar Avenue would change to a priority 2. The Council website has still
to be updated.
Claredon Place utility works Utility works were carried out by BT but the traffic
management with two sets of traffic lights at a weekend was chaotic.
Telegraph poles Terence O’Byrne emailed a list of new telegraph poles being
erected in Dunblane. It was stressed that there should be greater information
given to the public about the works, even though BT and Virgin might be
working together on this. Councillor Wilson said that BT is upgrading its
infrastructure which might require new telegraph poles and reminded the
meeting of the analogue switch-off in the near future.
Community
Local Place Plan (LPP) The Chair reported that Imagine If is to support the
running of two workshops funded by Community Led Local Development
(CLLD) grants.
Schools Peter Swindon reported that the Primary School will be holding its
fete this year and Councillor Tollemache agreed to send him details of a
contact from the Fling for information about raffle tickets.
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Dunblane Development Trust (DDT) The Chair will have a meeting with the
new Chair of the DDT, Stewart Corbett.
Connected Communities Report The Chair attended a meeting of Chairs of
community councils at which she has been asked, with two others, to discuss
communication between the Council and the wider community with a view to
suggest improvements. Councillor David Wilson felt that the Council budget
proposals should have been publicised earlier, and Councillor Alisdair
Tollemache said it is vital for the community to know and discuss the work
and financing of the Integration Joint Board. The Chair agreed she would raise
this at the next meeting of the Connected Communities group. A schedule of
discussion topics has been agreed including land ownership, paths and access,
and volunteering. A meeting will be held between Stirling Council officers and
Bridge of Allan and Dunblane community councils to discuss the Council’s
Common Good Fund.
Environment/Sustainability
Community gardens and orchards Annelise Bakri is going to give an update
at the next meeting. Action: Annelise Bakri. Blossom Day is planned for May.
Forestry Councillor Tollemache has requested a response about access (see
Minutes 5 February 2025).
Internal
Treasurer’s Report: To be circulated.
Correspondence and Communication A meeting will be organised before the
next meeting of the community council between the Chair, the Secretary and
Jonathan Failes to discuss this. The Secretary suggested dedicated email
addresses for the councillors to leave a clear trail so that not all the
information is not in one place. She is also going to set up a WhatsApp group
for quick communication. The Chair said the community council should
consider about how it presents itself to the community and how to let
residents know about what the community council does.
- AOCB
Councillor Tollemache reported on the planned cycle track between Bridge of
Allan and Dunblane, which has now been designated Phase 2 of the work,
Phase 1 being between Causewayhead and Bridge of Allan. He has asked
Council officers to give more information to the community council.
Councillor Wilson informed the meeting that, with the closure of the Bandeath
Dog Shelter, the Dog Warden will send all unchipped dogs to Edinburgh.
- Date, time and place of next meeting
The next meeting of the Dunblane community council will take place on
Wednesday, 2 April, at 7 p.m. in the Library, Dunblane.
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The meeting ended at 9.30 p.m.
This is a true representation of the meeting.
Anna Jarchow-MacDonald ……………………………………….. Date. 26.3.25
Chair
Rachael Muir …………………………………………………………. Date ……………..
Secretary