GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Date: 3rd June 2024
Time: 1930 hrs
Location: Gargunnock Community Centre or Google Meet
GCC: David Millar (DM), Christine Phillips (CP), Lovat MacGregor (LM), Tom
Johnston (TJ)
Councillors: Rosemary Fraser (RF)
Residents: Maitland and Anne Clark
Apologies: Carolyn Johnstone (CJ), Julie Cole (JC), Mike Buckley (MB)
Minute Taker: Mark Dickson (MD)
Online Meeting: meet.google.com/fum-mxfi-jte
AGM Agenda
- Apologies (DM)
Mike Buckley (MB)
- Adoption of previous minutes (DM)
Proposed by CP, seconded by TJ
- Declarations of interest (DM)
None
- Election of Office Bearers (DM and Cllr RF)
Chair: David Millar (proposed by CP, seconded by TJ)
Vice-Chair: Carolyn Johnston (proposed by DM, seconded by CP)
Secretary: Christine Phillips (proposed by TJ, seconded by LM)
Treasurer: Tom Jamieson (proposed by DM, seconded by LM)
Planning/Licensing: Julie Cole (proposed by CP, seconded by DM)
Roads & Transport: Lovat MacGregor (proposed by TJ, seconded by CP)
Communications: Mike Buckley (proposed by CP, seconded by TJ)
Wind Farm Rep: Mike Buckley (proposed by CP, seconded by TJ)
- Chair’s Annual Report (DM)
Gargunnock Community Council (GCC)
Chair’s Report to the AGM on 3rd June 2024
Community Councillors have continued to support the residents of Gargunnock across a wide
variety of activities and issues.
Meetings continue to be every second month at the Community Centre with online joining options
for the convenience of residents. These meetings are well attended by our Ward Councillors and
residents.
The following is a summary of the main issues and activities of the GCC since the last AGM 26th
June 2023.
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
- PLANNING
GCC reviews planning applications for projects within the Community Council area, and where
appropriate may meet with developers to understand the project and may provide comments
to the planning authority. Planning applications that have raised community interest included:
Anaerobic Digestor Plant at Grahams Dairy: Objections logged from Kippen and
Gargunnock due to a number of concerns.
Briar Cottage: Objection logged to a proposed development in the grounds.
Shelloch Wind Farm: Granted planning permission for five wind turbines on the Fintry Hills,
to be located just West of the existing Earlsburn and Kingsburn Wind Farms. There will be a
Community Benefit Fund that could support projects in the village. GCC recorded our
support for the project and continue to engage Vantage ER on its progress.
Earlston windfarm extension-plenty of dialogue with the developer as some of the blades
of the proposed 11 turbines would be visible from the village (at many points) GCC
objected to this extension of the existing windfarm and await an update from the
Regulators.
- ROADS
- a) Station Road / A811 Junction
We have continued to engage with Stirling Council (SC) about safety at the junction of Station
Road and the A811.
There was original agreement in 2022-23 that works would be carried out to provide an
improved visibility splay by increasing the x-distance to 2.4m, providing the recommended
215m-distances to the west and east of the Station Road junction and would leave the junction
open to two-way traffic.
SC had indicated in 2023 that there was budget to carry out the works but due to resource
constraint nothing progressed. GCC escalated this issue within SC citing Police Scotland
accident data and the continued risk to public safety. To help expedite a solution, GCC met
with Gargunnock Estate to seek landowner approval to make the agreed changes to improve
visibility on both sides of the junction. Following these activities, GCC now have formal
agreement from SC that the planning work for the changes will be drawn up in 2024 and the
execution of the work carried out in 2025-26.
- b) Speeding Within Village
Speeding continues to be a problem in the village by residents and visitors. Numerous
attempts have been made with Police Scotland and SC to support the community in addressing
these issues. SC historically have indicated they don’t believe there is a speeding problem
citing historical 7-day average speed data. When asked for this data, they could only produce
data sets from 2018 captured on Main Street which indicated 7-day average speed of 17.8
mph. In order to put in place additional measures, the 7-day average needs to be above 24
mph.
SC have now agreed to instal speed monitoring at all three access points to the village to
provide comprehensive data to decide on additional measures such as Vehicle Speed Activate
Signs.
- c) Flooding on Back Road
During heavy rain, there has been continual flooding on the Back Road leading to the A811
from the top of Manse Brae. This occurs at the small bridge just after the entrance to Hillhead
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Farm and was due to a block culvert. SC were notified and they cleared the blockage and will
add the culvert to their Culvert Clearing Schedule.
- PATHWAYS AND CYCLEWAYS
The Paths group is a subgroup of The Gargunnock Community Trust (GCT), and its main
purpose is to maintain and where appropriate upgrade the existing Paths network and also to
take forward new projects identified by the village community. Projects completed include
extensive repairs to the Beeches Path.
Application for funding for the Detailed Design element of the proposed pathway from the
Village to Stirling has now been submitted but progress is being haltered by SC who are citing
the redevelopment of their SusTrans Strategy as the cause.
- COMMUNICATIONS
GCC has regularly submitted articles for The Bugle newsletter and posted information on
Village notice board and Facebook providing information for residents and updating the
community on our work. Information posters are also placed in the CC and local Gargunnock
Inn. The Village notice board and website has all GCC minutes and information posted.
GCC councillors can be contacted in person, by phone or email.
- a) Website
GCC and GCT are working together to upgrade the existing Gargunnock Website. This is to
create a more engaging and content rich site that promotes our village, the ongoing events
and improvement activities, local amenities and provide overall support to the community as a
whole.
- VILLAGE SHOP
The Community Benefit Society established in 2023 has successfully raised the required
funding from Community Ownership Fund and Scottish Land Fund that will enable the
purchase of the shop and essential repair and fit out.
A management committee has been created that will oversee the project and it is comprised
of members from GCC, GCT and residents.
A Project Development Officer – Danielle McRorie-Smith has been appointed for 18 months to
support the CBS in delivering the project as well as the Community Share Offer.
A dedicated webpage is available on the Gargunnock website and information will be regularly
posted on the noticeboard, Facebook and via the Bugle as appropriate.
- CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
GCC were successful in raising funds to purchase and instal new Christmas Lights for the
village.
This included new sockets installed by SC on 8 lamp posts and a series of new lights for the
lamp posts and The Square. There was an official turn on in December that was very well
attended by the community. A lot of positive feedback was received.
GCC will look to raise further funds in 2024 to expand the lamp post displays and The Square
display.
- DEFIBRILLATORS
The ownership of the Telephone Booth and defibrillator next to the Shop have formally been
handed over to the Trust.
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
- LOCAL PLACE PLAN DEVELOPMENT
Local Place Plans (LPP) are community driven documents that recently became part of Scottish
Planning Legislation meaning local authorities (Stirling City Council) must ensure their broader
Local Development Plans take account of local communities’ visions and improvement
opportunities. Our LPP sets out our vision and improvement activities for the next 10 years - to
make our Gargunnock Community an amazing place to live and visit.
The Gargunnock Community Council and the Gargunnock Community Trust are managing the
development of Gargunnock LPP and recently issued the first survey to the community to
gather input on likes, dislikes and improvement for the village that we should prioritise in the
LPP. The outcomes of this survey have been analysed and shared with the community via the
website, Facebook and Noticeboard. The next step is a series of public events to gather further
information and priorities to inform the LPP. It is planned to issue Gargunnock LPP at the end
of 2024.
David Millar
Chair
Gargunnock Community Council
- Secretary Annual Report (CP)
Secretary Report
Meeting updates
Meeting continued to be held every 2 months on the First Monday (where possible)
Format continues to be hybrid – in person or online
Minutes and agendas shared with Stirling council officer (Stephen Bly)
Communications
Exchanges via Council email account - gargunnockcommunitycouncil@gmail.com
GENERAL
Complaints about speeding in the village and options for better enforcement
GCC will revisit the use of traffic calming signage later in 2024
Potholes on Leckie Rd raised and forwarded to Stirling Council
Footpaths: there is deterioration of some footpaths around the village. Resident
concern raised, GCC will; aim to work with local groups and escalated to Stirling
Council
Fence at corner of provost park and Main Street was blown down-resident query as to
repairs. Fence was repaired by resident
Village shop: Public and virtual meetings set-up throughout the year to update
residents on progress to reinstate the shop. Advertised on noticeboard, Facebook, the
Bugle and community website
Funding achieved from Scottish Land Fund, Lottery Funds, Gargunnock
Estates Trust, Wind Farm Panel
Full renovation and construction begins May 2024
Development officer will work on the project for 18 months alongside the
Shop committee
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
World cycle championships held in August 2023-fanzone created at the Gargunnock
Inn
Christmas lights project: crowdfunding page created application to Wind Farm Panel
resulted in sufficient funds raised to create a new display at the Square + lamppost
lights for the festive season
Objections to Earlsburn Wind Farm expansion proposals raised by GCC on behalf of
residents
Objections to planning application for new dwelling next to Briar Cottage
Resuscitation training conducted for residents by Trossachs Search & Rescue
Set up of Local Place Plan Steering Group
Gargunnock to update current online platform and improve communications by
updating website
Request to join other local councils regarding Big conversation
Village Fast Fibre funding: local resident has gained significant UK funding to have
whole of Gargunnock fibre network updated
Village fountain: historic Scotland asked to advise GCC on restoration
Police Scotland – Regular Ward reports
STIRLING CITY COUNCIL
Christmas Light Supply – lessons from other villages
Christmas Lights Supply – Stirling Council Policy/ Guidance
Christmas Lights Supply – use of street lighting power supply
Potholes in roads raised
Footpaths deterioration raised
Safety of exit from Gargunnock Station Rd to A811 raised and action plan requested
for both funding and works timetable
Agreement gained from Galbraith’s (factor for Gargunnock estates trust)
and Stirling council that works will commence 2025/6
Community Council Employer's Liability Insurance Documentation
Local Place Plan – Funding support options
Local Place Plan – Invite to information/ support webinars
Various press Releases
Planning Reports
Roads Programme Schedules
Promotion of meetings
Facebook & Posted on Community Notice Board also Gargunnock Inn
Articles also in Stirling Observer and Daily Record
For exceptional meeting e.g. Public meetings, hand poster communications to all
households
Publication of approved minutes
To communityengagement@stirling.gov.uk
Gargunnock.org website
Notice boards
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
- Treasurer Annual Report (TJ)
Statement of Accounts – 2023/2024
1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024
Gargunnock Community Council Account – Royal Bank of Scotland 00162462
At the start of the Financial Year the Community Council Bank Account had a balance of
£1,017.78 and at the end of the Financial Year the balance was £1,777.48, a net increase of
£759.70.
Income
The primary source of income is from Stirling Council amounting to £601.31 in the form of the
Administration Grant. There was a donation of £344 and a grant of £7,138.94 from the
Windfarm to cover the purchase and installation of Christmas Lighting. There were two
refunds: one from our insurance provider of £13.30, and one from the lighting company of
£129.00. to recompense for a defective light.
The total income for the year was £8,226.55.
Expenses
The total expenditure of the year amounted to £7,466.85 and is broken down as follows:
Hall Hire £96.08; Minute Taker £160.00; Insurance Premium £24.24;
Christmas Lighting and installation £6293.46; Fee for Google Meet £39.95; New Year
Fire Works £99.97; Refund to Gargunnock Community Trust £212.65; Printing of
Community Surveys £540.50
The total expenditure for the year was: £7466.85