GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes
Date: 31 March 2025
Gargunnock Community Council
GCC: Julie Cole (JC), Mike Buckley (MB), Tom Jamieson (TJ), Christine Phillips (CP)
Councillors: Rosemary Fraser (RF)
Apologies: David Millar (DM), Lovat MacGregor (LM)
Members of the
Public There were 5members of the public in attendance.
Agenda
- Adoption of previous minutes (CP)
The previous Minutes were accepted as an accurate record of the meeting held on 4th Feb
- Proposed MB, seconded JC
Council Membership is shown below
DM has resigned as chair but remains a GCC member. GCC sincerely thanks him for his hard
work
CP proposed MB as interim chair, seconded by JC. MB is now the interim chair.
MB asked TJ if he would accept full membership and continue in the role of Treasurer,
seconded by JC. TJ accepted.
An advert will be placed to attract new members of the Community Council, either as full
members or as co-opted members. There are vacancies for both. Co-opting process will
therefore be considered open
We would be particularly keen for a student or young person to join the Community
Council. This would be very welcome and appreciated and offers a useful cv addition.
We are also seeking a minute taker, which will also be advertised. This is a paid position
and is renumerated at £40 per meeting
- Declarations of interest (MB)
There were no declarations of interest
- Matters arising (MB)
(a) Village Shop (CP)
Shop is doing well with the new awnings, front and back now installed. Footfall
for the shop is approx. 150 customers a day (tenant is targeting 200/day) GCS
Ltd will have its AGM in Dec 2025
(b) Local Place Plan (JC/CP)
The LPP is supported by GCC as an important document to develop and was discussed,
with all participants stating the importance of the plan in influencing future developments
within the village. It was recognised that the development of housing was perhaps the
most controversial aspect of the plan. RF emphasised the importance of the plan in setting
out how residents wanted the village to develop. RF shared that 4,500 new homes is the
target set by the Scottish Government for the Stirling Council area. Finding suitable and
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes
appropriate areas for rural housing also remains a challenging issue for SC. The LPP
document is crucial for informing the local council about the value local people place on
their individual area and will be the key reference document considered in future
developments, within the local and national context.
It was again reiterated that the LPP is not a planning application and that there are many
other aspects in the plan which are relevant considerations to enhance the village.
The importance of the school was briefly discussed. It was stressed that the school role is
stable for the next few years and there is no suggestion that it is under any threat.
Residents noted the following steps taken by GCC to gain further input:
Questionnaire
Open public meeting for themed workshops
Application to the Wind Farm Panel (WFP) for funds to support a development
officer to assist with these points and finalize the plan with GCC. This aligns with
actions taken by other local CCs.
Residents at the meeting expressed willingness to help gather resident input, and two
individuals will review the draft copy of the questionnaire.
(c) Roads
GCC has requested sight of the topographical survey from October 2024,
regarding the Station Road junction with the A811 (conducted by SC), which
informed the preliminary design for visibility improvement at the junction.
Adding a double white line to prevent overtaking in proximity to the junction
was raised, although the Road’s Department state that this is not necessary. A
resident has also raised concerns that the new junction appears to be narrower,
to force a speed reduction as traffic leaves the A811, and this may make the
junction dangerous. A funding application for this project, including
construction costs, has been made for the 2025/26 financial year, by SC
(d) Planning (JC)
There were no planning requests.
(e) Village Fountain (DM)
The final official approval license for the restoration work has now been
received by MB. Some questions have been asked by SC about the works. These
will be answered by the Stone mason and are routine expectations in this type
of work.
(f) Website & Communications (MB/ DM)
The plans for a new community website, developed with GCT and GCS Ltd are
underway. Funds have been agreed with the with WFP
- External report (MB)
Last Police report received on 15/3/25, no update since. Nothing of note from
this report
- Finance reports (TJ)
Commented [TJ1]: I’m not sure what this refers to?
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes
The closing balance for the financial year is healthy, with money reserved within the
account for the renovation work on the Fountain at the Square. The accounts will
be audited in the next few days prior to the AGM and submission to Stirling Council.
The support of the Wind Farm panel has been invaluable in our work this session,
especially in relation to the Christmas lighting.
- Residents’ forum (MB)
A resident asked if there was any update on the anti-social driving, at speed,
through the village. The police appear to have been advised about his matter.
The most recent Police Report was for the whole Stirling area, which the
Community Council found less helpful than previous reports. An anti-social
behaviour incident within the village, was referred to in the report.
A resident queried why the date of the annual Gala was being changed from
June to 31 May. No one knew why there was a change, however, a group of
parents from the Gargunnock Village Childcare have taken responsibility for
running the Gala and have sought a small amount of funding from the Wind
Farm Panel to assist. They were complimented for taking on the task.
The dilapidated caravan has been removed from Leckie Road. GCC had contacted Stirling
Council to ask if the caravan could be removed. Mr Prentice from Regulatory Services at
Stirling Council was instrumental in passing on our concerns to the caravan owner. GCC is
grateful for the resolution.
- AOB:
Bus service: Val Brand, a passenger representative, raised concerns about overcrowding
and behaviour on the bus (X 10) from Balfron High School. Stirling Council and McGill's
responded, stating that overcrowding is usually due to breakdowns and not frequent. Val
also praised two Gargunnock pupils for offering her a seat recently.
Fiona Hyslop MSP was contacted to raise awareness of concerns that the Under 22 Bus
Pass was allowing pupils from other villages to travel freely on the service bus from Balfron
at close of school, rather than using their designated school contract bus. The subsequent
overcrowding of the service bus, used as their only option by Gargunnock pupils, was on
occasion, making travel problematic for regular passengers. The reply from Fiona Hyslop
consisted of a generic report which did not address the specific questions asked in relation
to the X10 service.
Next meeting: Mon 2 June-this is also the AGM
GARGUNNOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes
Membership of GCC in full
Position Name Contact Details
Interim Chair
Social Media/ Comms
Wind Farm Panel Rep
Mike Buckley (MB)
07967 830144
mb_j@btinternet.com
Vice-Chair Vacant
Secretary Christine Phillips (CP)
07919 917792
cpphillips16@gmail.com
Treasurer Tom Jamieson (TJ)
07732696517
tfj1@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
Member David Millar (DM)
07553 016754
dwjmillar@gmail.com