GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Date: 9th December 2024
Time: 1930 hrs
Location: Gargunnock Community Centre Or Zoom
GCC: David Millar (DM), Christine Phillips (CP), Julie Cole (JC), Lovat MacGregor
(LM), Mike Buckley (MB), Tom Jamieson (TJ)
Residents: Mark Trussler, Maitland Clerk, Niall Tracey, Anne Christy
Councillors: NA
Minute Taker: Mark Dickson (MD)
Online Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82007825049?pwd=MaTqmGWLvJ76eZqt7wUDSfdXVwnPb1.1
Meeting ID: 820 0782 5049
Passcode: 113275
AGM Agenda
- Apologies (DM)
Cllr RF
- Follow up on action points from previous minutes
Repairs to potholes and road resurfacing has been conducted on most of the problem
areas highlighted around the village.
LAST ACTION: Cllr RF to follow up on repairs to other problem areas highlighted
NEW ACTION : DM to follow up with Council
Funds received from the Gargunnock Community Trust for the village fountain.
Conservation Planning and Buildings and Estates Management at Stirling Council have
been contacted twice regarding the refurbishments but have not responded. Stephen
Blythe has been contacted to assist in chasing them up so that the initial repairs can go
ahead before winter. Pending reply.
LAST ACTION: Cllr RF to help chase up Stirling Council on this issue
NEW ACTION: DM to ask Gargunnock Estate for funding and the new company running
Leckie Estate for a tree donation
- Adoption of previous minutes (DM)
Proposed by MB, seconded by CP
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
- Declarations of interest (DM)
NA
- Matters arising (DM)
(a) Village Shop (CP)
The new village shop formally opened on the 02nd December by Timothy Wright
(Gargunnock Estates Trust). Completion certificate received today which will
allow the alcohol license to be submitted.
Other finishing touches include putting up the last of the new road signs, the
awning and the garden furniture to be set out.
The Council offered congratulations to CP and the GCCS.
(b) Roads (LM)
Potholes on back road (Manse Brae to A811) have mostly been filled in.
The Station Road – A811 junction survey has now been completed, the budget
is secured for 2025 and Council has committed for works to go ahead then.
Stirling Council said there isn’t a speeding problem in the village based on their
data. When challenged to provide the data they were not able to and have
agreed to undertake speed monitoring
ACTION: DM to follow up with the Council
Caravans on Leckie Road – avenues to address this have been exhausted by the
Community Council to no avail. A Stirling Council Officer visited and said there
was no problem with visibility. When challenged that it was going against road
regulations they denied this to be the case and said they would change the
regulations.
(c) Planning (JC)
The total number and height of wind turbines at the Earlsburn wind farm have
been reduced (200m to 150m). This means the turbines will no longer be visible
from Gargunnock. This expansion should provide additional wind farm funds for
the community.
The information provided at the preliminary consultation for the Carron Valley
wind farm indicates it will not be visible or have any impact on Gargunnock. It is
unlikely the village will receive any funding from this development.
(d) Village Fountain (DM)
Funds secured from the Gargunnock Community Trust for restoring the village
fountain. Council has provided numerous forms and requirements before works
can commence
ACTION: DM to go through the forms and requirements
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
(e) Christmas Lights (DM)
There was a good turnout for the ceremony to turn on the village Christmas
lights. The Songsters were in good voice. Congratulations offered from the
Community Council to DM for organising the event.
DM suggested that the village could nominate a different person from the
community each year to turn on the lights. Idea was well received by the
Community Council and agreed to look into this further for next year.
(f) Local Place Plan (DM)
First draft was issued with the Bugle to the village to allow for further feedback
from residents. We have an extended time for submission (now October 2025).
Residents questions/feedback:
Mark Trussler (representing a small group of residents around Moray Place):
Challenged the survey response as not being representative owing to
insufficient responses
Council highlighted that every resident has been contacted and
encouraged to engage
Requested the survey to be redone
Council asked how this could be redone as there is a risk of apathy from
people who have already taken the time to engage
Concern the options for development sites highlighted in the
Development Plan are an invitation to the Council to go ahead with
developments. How and why were the developments were chosen?
They were previously listed under a Plan for the village and were again
identified by residents at the Open Day event. Other green sites were not
viable owing to flooding risk.
DM stressed that this is not an invitation for development, only
identifying areas for potential development. No discussions have been
held with landowners. It is recognised that the only way we can keep the
village and school thriving is if we bring in new residents. The Community
Council welcomes all engagement from residents to the Local Place Plan
and encourages people to attend the next Open Day event. The first draft
does not represent the final document and there will be plenty of time
and opportunities for residents to further engage. It does not represent a
green light for development to go ahead.
DM requested Mark to feedback to the neighbours and residents he is in
touch with at Moray Place to participate in future engagement sessions
for the Local Place Plan so that as many voices can be heard. Anticipated
that the next event will be arranged for January 2025.
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Mark suggested future events could be held at/in conjunction with the
new Village Shop to help residents to engage in person.
Do we know what kind of access would be put in place for the
development sites?
This would be a Planning Issue. If no access is viable then the
development couldn’t proceed on that land.
Mark thanked the Community Council for hearing their concerns and will
feedback to the residents at Moray Place.
(g) Website & Communications (MB/ DM)
Funding now committed from the Gargunnock Trust for upgrading the website.
Quotes have been sought and once the scope has been approved by the Trust
the money will be released.
- External report (DM)
(a) Police report (DM)
NSTR
- Finance reports (TJ)
TJ provided a comprehensive mid-year budget update and praised efforts by DM and CP in
fundraising to support projects (Christmas lighting, new website, new flags and
commemorative events) this year. As a result of the fundraising the finances are looking
healthy though TJ highlighted the need to be careful with increasing recurring costs such as
from the lights.
- Residents’ forum (DM)
A resident raised concerns over a white BMW driving dangerously in the village and
speeding on Manse Brae. DM highlighted that any residents can raise
speeding/dangerous driving concerns to the Community Council.
Concerns raised over the impact of snow on Manse Brae forcing residents to
abandon cars and preventing access to parts of the village.
The Community Council has already raised complaints with Stirling Council. The
Council has responded that as it is not a major road there are not funds to clear it.
- AOB:
New Members
Vice Chair position currently vacant and we are one member below the statutory
requirement. Community Council is actively looking for a resident of the community
to get involved.
Wind Farm Trust Meeting Update – Costs for Village Maintenance
Stirling Council is withdrawing general village maintenance (grass cutting etc.). A
meeting needs to be held with the Trust to discuss the viability of the Community
taking ownership and self-funding these services.
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
ACTION: DM to review what maintenance activities the Community could
realistically take ownership over
New Year Fire Works – Licensing Costs.
Following tradition, MC requested the Community Council to cover the cost of the
village’s New Year’s fireworks.
The Community Council agreed to cover these costs (Proposed by JC, seconded by
CP, passed without objection).
Next meeting: TBC
Membership of GCC in full
Position Name Contact Details
Chair David Millar (DM)
07553 016754
dwjmillar@gmail.com
Vice-Chair Vacant
Secretary Christine Phillips (CP)
07919 917792
cpphillips16@gmail.com
Treasurer Tom Jamieson (TJ)
07732696517
tfj1@btinternet.com
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Social Media/ Comms
Wind Farm Panel Rep
Mike Buckley (MB)
07967 830144
mb_j@btinternet.com
Planning & Licensing
Cycle Path Lead
Julie Cole (JC)
07773 391747
juliecole67@googlemail.com
Roads & Transport Lovat MacGregor (LMG)
07971 513 144
lovatmacgregor@gmail.com