Gartmore Community Council
Date of Meeting: 5th February 2025 at 730pm
Venue: Gartmore Village Hall
Present: Janet Billett JB (chair), Mike Houghton-Evans MHE (vice chair),
Wayne Glass-Davies WGD (treasurer), Chris Webster CW (planning),
Colin Scrimgeour CS (secretary).
Apologies: Helen Webster (minute taker), Police
In attendance: Martin Earl ME (Stirling Council)
Press: None
Members of Public: 9
- Declarations of Interest.
None
- Adoption of previous meeting's minutes.
Agreed. Proposed WGD seconded CS.
- Matters Arising: Parking
CW reported on meeting with Karen Lyndsay (KL) January 30, 2025
KL said that she has carried out several parking surveys. In each case, there were
several available parking spaces (lower, east side of Main Street) varying from 11 on
one occasion, up to 23 empty spaces on another.
She therefore finds that there is no evidence of a lack of parking
and no justification for widening the road/narrowing of the pavement.
KL reported that a traffic regulation order is now in process, to have double yellow lines
painted at the corner of the top (north) end of Main Street
Martin Earl informed the meeting that he could take a motion to a meeting of the full
Stirling Council (March or May) if having conducted our own survey we could provide
alternative photographic evidence
Action: CW to coordinate the conducting of our own village survey.
- Planning: LLTNPA
a)2025/0004/DET: Aberfoyle Farm: Erection of Free-Range Egg Laying Unit/ Widening
of Vehicle Access.
Question of salmon river close by (possible environmental impact).
A check after today’s meeting confirmed that Scottish Water have already put in their
written response including requirement for further actions required from the applicant.)
- b) New plantation near Blarnaboard. (Possibly withdrawn)? JB to check
- Reports- External
a, Police Scotland
On the 25/01/25 a minor road traffic collision occurred on the A81 near Gartmore. The
driver of one of the vehicles failed to stop at the scene. To date the identity of the vehicle
and driver have not been established.
- National Park
No report
- Stirling Council
ME reported main issue is setting the budget and the level of council tax rise (possibly in
region of 7-10%)
The increasing cost of adult Social Care is a significant budget pressure.
- Reports- Internal
- Treasurer's Report
WGD provided report :
The balance of Gartmore Community Council Treasurer account on 4th February 2025
was £9497.51.
Expenditure from Community Council funds since September 30th 2024 was £40 on
minute taking, and £15 for Hall room rental.
Current Values of funds held in the account
Direct Community Council funds now stand at £324,44 for general expenditure (and £210
is assigned to Minute Taker costs).
The Shop Steering Committee fund held by the CC stands at £400.00.
The Village Shop cash fund is at £8563.07 in this account. The value of the component of
this fund in the separate savings account stood at £30,446.20 on 22nd November 2024.
There were no outstanding invoices on 4th February 2025.
- Shop/Sevices Sub-Committee
MHE reported:
Shop; A proposal is being worked on to pilot, if possible for 12 months ,to capture info
and learning for all seasons. Small meeting room in our village hall is considered ideal.
(Its separate entrance is a distinct advantage).
A a formal proposal is being drafted to discuss with the Trust, emphasising that this
would include a formal governance structure such as a Community Benefit Society
CBS thus mitigating their stated concerns over the governance issue.
Also emphasising that there will be no financial impact to the Trust eg we’d compensate
for any loss of water charge waiver. The business plan will be included as part of
this formal proposal document.
This will be presented to the next meeting of the group in 3 weeks.
Subject to agreement with the Trust, it is proposed that there will be a village meeting
convened to ensure transparency about the expenditure of the funds held by the CC and
to ensure recruitment of sufficient volunteers for the proposal to progress.
Community Café:
During the winter months there has on occasion been poorer take up on Wednesday
afternoons. It was agreed the Café shifting to Wed morning from March with proviso that
this needs to be monitored carefully. Current data shows that in Summer afternoons are
successful so this shift to mornings may be temporary.
- Community Council Business
JB reported: Ian Dinwoody stepping down after 19 years as a valued member of
GCC. We thanked him for his commitment and valued contribution throughout his
time with the CC.
There is now a vacancy, and the CC would like to co-opt a new member pending
the AGM. This is being publicised and anyone interested in finding out more
about the role please contact JB
- AOB
Resilience planning:
The recent power cut has demonstrated the need to have a plan in such
circumstances to support vulnerable individuals who may be housebound without
access to light, heat and cooking. Agreed the CC will speak with the Trust to
discuss the role our village hall could provide at such times with the suggestion
the GCC and GCT could work jointly to prepare a Gartmore Village resilience
plan.
Action: JB
Speeding – poss 30m/h limit before 20 is being considered.
- Items raised by members of the public
Gartmore House application:
MOTPs raised this and their concern that the CC had not submitted a complaint as this
would have ensured the matter went to planning committee.
JB and MHE explained that a subsequent submission of comments which sought fuller
consideration of concerns raised by MOTPs at the previous meeting of the CC.
JB pointed out that the planning guidance requires the Planning Officer to consider all
submitted concerns before deciding on the application.
ME pointed out that objection must be material.
- Date/time, and venue of next meeting: 2nd April 7.30pm Village Hall