GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes
Date: 4th February 2025
Gargunnock Community Council
GCC: David Millar (DM), Julie Cole (JC), Mike Buckley (MB), Tom Jamieson (TJ)
Councillors: Gerry McGarvie (GMc),
Apologies: Christine Phillips (CP), Mark Dickson (MD)
Members of the
Public There were 14 members of the public in attendance.
Agenda
- Apologies (DM)
- Adoption of previous minutes (DM)
The previous Minutes were accepted as an accurate record of the meeting held on 9th
December 2024. Proposed MB, seconded JC.
- Declarations of interest (DM)
There were no declarations of interest
- Matters arising (DM)
(a) Village Shop (CP)
JC informed the meeting that the shop had enjoyed a very successful start and
its opening, stock etc. had been well received within the village. The tenants
will begin to pay rental for the premises from January. The shop was seen as a
major asset which had brought a sense of community back to the village. GMc
complimented the work that had been done and recognised its value. He also
said that the approach and process Gargunnock had used was likely to be a
blueprint for other villages.
(b) Local Place Plan (DM)
The LPP was discussed with DM stating the importance of the plan in
influencing future developments within in the village. It was recognised that
the development of housing was perhaps the most controversial aspect of the
plan. DM outlined the consultation process which GCC had undertaken to date
– public meetings, open days, electronic copies of the plan, physical copies
passed to every house in the village – and concern was expressed about the
limited number of physical or online responses. GMc stated that a low response
from the community was unfortunately fairly normal and that 10 - 17% would
be seen as a high response. He stressed that we should not be despondent
about this and recognised the enormous amount of work that had gone into the
consultation to develop the draft plan to date. He further emphasised the
importance of the plan in setting out how residents wanted the village to
develop. This was a very important document in informing the local council
about the value local people placed on their individual area and would be the
key reference document used in consideration of future developments, within
the local and national context.
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes
The question of what type of housing is required and the extent of any
development was raised. TJ pointed out that the current sewage plant could
only accommodate 26 new houses and that the LPP was an advisory document.
Any plans for future development would have to go through the normal
planning process. JC pointed out that in a recent meeting with the LA planners,
that any larger developments would have to address the sewage limits and
address these at the cost of the developer. This was seen as a limiting factor on
any larger scale development in the village. DM added that any developments
to the north of the village would be constrained by the flood plain and the
proximity to sea levels, which meant that any builds would most likely be
concentrated on the south of the village.
The current draft LPP will have more caveats added to indicate what the
community would like to see preserved within the village, as well as any new
development plans. It was emphasised that the plan should further highlight
that there needs to be a strong consensus on the types of housing required.
DM stated that the school has a falling role and that its future was potentially at
risk if the decline continued.
(c) Roads (LM)
GCC has been campaigning for improvements to the road junctions with the
A811 to be improved for many years. The recent accidents on the A811 near
Gargunnock have reinforced the need for action. An agreement was reached
with Stirling Council that improvement works to the visibility splays at the
Station Road / A811 would be planned in 2024 and that work would be carried
out in 2025- 26. (See below from Stirling Council)
‘A topographical survey was undertaken in October 2024, and this was used to
inform the preliminary design for a visibility improvement at the
junction. Contact has been made with the agent acting on behalf of the
landowner, and this preliminary design will be forwarded to the agent to discuss
with the landowner. Once the proposals have been agreed with the landowner,
legal representatives will be instructed to commence negotiations for the land,
and the detailed design of the proposals will be developed. A funding
application has been made for this project in the 2025/26 financial year, to
include construction costs for the visibility improvement.’
GMc asked DM to write to him so that he could support this measure and ask
for the detailed plans for the junction to be shared with GCC and to work to
prevent any slippage in the time frame.
Action: DM to write to GMc to seek further information on progress re junction
The results of the recent speed surveys in the village were received from SC
yesterday and were only briefly discussed at the meeting. They are attached
below:
The traffic surveys were undertaken at four locations within Gargunnock
between 28th September and 4th October 2024, a summary of the data is shown
in the table below.
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes
Main Street, Gargunnock (Approx 128m west of junction with Leckie
Road)
Directional Traffic
Data
Direction 1 Eastbound Direction 2 Westbound
Traffic Volumes Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
24 Hour Day 317 290 325 297
Vehicle Speeds Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
85 Percentile
Speed (mph)
23.4 23.4 23.3 23.2
Average Speed
(mph)
18.7 18.7 18.8 18.7
Leckie Road, Gargunnock (Approx 150m northwest of junction with
Main Street)
Directional Traffic
Data
Direction 1 Eastbound Direction 2 Westbound
Traffic Volumes Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
24 Hour Day 245 219 203 182
Vehicle Speeds Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
85 Percentile
Speed (mph)
25.9 25.5 25.0 24.6
Average Speed
(mph)
20.8 20.6 20.2 19.9
Station Road, Gargunnock (Approx 130m north of junction with
Leckie Road)
Directional Traffic
Data
Direction 1 Northbound Direction 2 Southbound
Traffic Volumes Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
24 Hour Day 148 140 416 292
Vehicle Speeds Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
85 Percentile
Speed (mph)
25.5 24.8 23.0 23.0
Average Speed
(mph)
20.5 20.4 18.8 18.8
Manse Brae, Gargunnock (East of The Glebe)
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes
Directional Traffic
Data
Direction 1 Eastbound
Direction 2 Westbound
Traffic Volumes Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
24 Hour Day 370 340 121 121
Vehicle Speeds Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
Weekday
Average
7 Day
Average
85 Percentile
Speed (mph)
22.7 22.6 23.3 23.0
Average Speed
(mph)
18.1 18.0 18.3 18.0
(d) Planning (JC)
There were no planning requests.
(e) Village Fountain (DM)
MB has taken over the Fountain improvement project. The fountain belongs to
Stirling Council and the monument is listed. We have been granted permission
to clean it in line with listed building consent and Impressions in Stone have
provided a quotation for this work. SC have advised that it can be cleaned with
bristle brushed and lukewarm solutions which are non-abrasive. Some
additional renovation of the stonework will also be required. Windfarm funds
have been secured to allow this project to be completed and discussions are in
place to allow the work to start.
Action: MB to follow up with Stirling Council
(f) Website & Communications (MB/ DM)
MB and TJ met with the Trust to agree the plans for a new community website.
Funds have been agreed with the with Windfarm Panel and three quoted are
being considered for a company to develop the website. DM has set out a brief
and this and the developers quotes will now be assessed by Dan to ascertain
from a technical perspective, which bid offers to best value and benefit for the
organisations involved. Local schools will be contacted to assess the value in
adding them in to the project as will other interested parties within the village.
- External report (DM)
(a) Police report (DM)
A ‘cold seller’ was reported to be operating in various villages, including
Gargunnock. He was apprehended by the police and did not have a trading
licence.
Several road accidents have been reported on the A811, including a fatality on
Christmas day last year.
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes
There were reports of anti-social behaviour in other villages but no reports from
Gargunnock.
- Finance reports (TJ)
TJ presented the finance report. Existing projects, such as the Christmas lights, are
within budget. The balance in the account is healthy and money has been allocated
and retained for the Fountain Project.
- Residents’ forum (DM)
No residents’ concerns were raised.
- AOB:
Chair Resignation
DM stated that he was resigning from his position as chair but would continue to be
a Community Council Member. This decision was taken because of professional
and family commitments. GMc thanked David for his contribution to the
Community Council. This was reiterated by other members of the CC present.
GCC requires at least one new member and preferably more and DM asked that
anyone present who wishes to become a member to contact us or complete an
application form on the website. A new chair will be appointed at the next GCC
meeting.
School Bus Service (Val Brand)
VB joined the meeting to discuss concerns about school buses. There is a
designated school bus to Stirling high School which is the catchment school for
Gargunnock. 19 students travel on this bus and the cost is covered by Stirling
Council under their statutory obligations. 30 students from Gargunnock travel to
Balfron High School. This is from parental choice and previously the parents paid
for this travel to and from school. Young people under the age of 22 years can now
travel on buses for free. This has caused problems because the service bus to and
from Balfron is often full.
In general, travel to school is not an issue. However, on the return journey to
Stirling, pupils from other villages often join the bus and this had led to issues that
there is no space for other passengers. Val cited an example of an 86 year old man
who was travelling from Kippen to meet a train, being unable to get on the bus.
VB also raised concerns about the behaviour of students on the bus and expressed
concern that they were often taking up more than one seat, refusing to give up
seats for other passengers, or leaving bags on seats. The service is operated by
McGills and VB was keen for GCC to write to them to request an additional bus on
the route.
TJ suggested that McGills might put inspectors on the buses to ascertain if there
was genuine over capacity and to reinforce the behaviour standards on the bus.
Action: ?????
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes
Village Maintenance – Quotes
DM indicated that SC has reduced the maintenance services they provide within the
village – such as weed control, grass cutting, gritting of Main Street and Manse
Brae. SC has asked that volunteers pick up this service. Both GCC and the Trust
have expressed concerns about these cuts. It has been suggested that Wind Farm
funds are allocated to employ local people to carry out maintenance tasks. The
issue is that Wind Farm funds should not be used to carry out Council’s statutory
duties. However, much of the maintenance is non statutory.
Members of the community asked what we were paying Council Tax for? GMc
stated that the Council Tax only provided 19% of the council’s budget and that the
remainder came from national government. Costs have risen dramatically, as have
demands and consequently, councils can no longer afford to provide what they
previously could.
Further discussions will take place between GCC and the Trust regarding the
provision of future maintenance.
Next meeting: Mon 31st March
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
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes
Treasurer Tom Jamieson (TJ)
07732696517
tfj1@btinternet.com
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