Dec 2021 Minutes

Adopted minutes of meeting held on 15 December 2021

 

KILLEARN COMMUNITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 15 DECEMBER 2021

 

Members present Heidi Bryce, Caroline Carrick, Andrew Donaldson, Elizabeth Jones,
Hilary McGregor, Jim Ptolomey (Chair), Fiona Rennie

 

Apologies Susie Henderson, Jessie-Anne Malcolm NHS Forth Valley,
Police Scotland

 

In attendance Doug Ashworth, Cllr Rob Davies, Graeme Fraser KCFC,
Cllr Jane Hutchison, Euan Shaw,

20 members of the public,

Christine Bauwens (Minute Secretary)

 

How to contact us Go to www.killearncc.org.uk and click on contact button.

 

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the KCC meeting on 15 December 2021 was held
via Zoom.

 

CC1125 – MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 17 NOVEMBER 2021

 

The minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting.

 

CC1126 – MATTERS ARISING

 

  • CC1115 – KCFC Update

     

    Jim informed the meeting that KCC does not imagine being actively involved in
    the Kings Highway Project.

    CC 1118 – Roads and General Maintenance Report

     

    KCC has written to Scottish Water regarding the surface water which flows near
    the chicane on Station Road and awaits a response.

     

    CC1127 – POLICE MATTERS

     

    As Police Scotland was unable to attend the meeting due to it being held via Zoom, Fiona
    presented the following Police Report:

     

  • Youths were found to be interfering with traffic bollards at the Trees estate. After
    being challenged by a local resident, the bollards were returned.

  • A vehicle was uplifted on A81 for having no insurance.

  • A vehicle came off the road on A81 near Balfron Station. No injury sustained.

  • Police continue to carry out speed checks at Balfron Road, Killearn.

  • Ongoing enquiries into theft of lead from the roof of Killearn Kirk.

     

    Adopted minutes of meeting held on 15 December 2021

     

  • Report of suspicious vehicle in the area of Oakwood Garden Centre. Police
    searched the area but no vehicle was seen.

    The full police report is available on KCC website www.killearncc.org.uk

     

    Requests from the floor regarding re-erecting several traffic bollards near Oak Place and
    the adjusting of the Killearn Cemetery sign on Station Road were noted.

     

    Jim also informed the meeting that the Heritage Trail boards and the Kirk Noticeboard, all
    of which were damaged during recent storms, are in the process of being repaired and
    replaced.

     

    CC1128 – KCFC UPDATE

     

    Graeme informed the meeting of the Christmas Lights switch on and thanked everyone
    involved. Appreciation was expressed to KCFC and The Killearn Trust for their financial
    help for operating the lights. Grateful thanks were also given to Colourful Killearn and
    Eden Mill for the Christmas tree at Killearn Kirk.

     

    Changes in COVID guidelines because of the Omicron variant, may impact upon
    activities at the Village Hall.

     

    CC1129 – BROADBAND

     

    Doug spoke on work taking place across the road from the Village Hall by BT Openreach
    which, when complete, will provide a FTTC (fibre to the cabinet) connection that should
    give the opportunity for an improved broadband service for the Kirk, Village Hall and
    Killearn Health Centre.

     

    A broadband survey has been completed at Killearn Primary School and works have
    been agreed but no start date has yet been announced.

     

    CC1130 – PLANNING

     

    Please see KCC website www.killearncc.org.uk to see the full planning schedule.

     

    Other Planning Matters

     

  • Development of Former Killearn Hotel

    Project on programme. Preparations are being made to put in concrete floors at
    the beginning of 2022.

  • RSHA Development at Lampson Road
    No further information available.

  • Former Killearn Hospital Site

Jim informed the meeting that he had met with the site owner and exchanged
letters with SC Planning Department and the Developer regarding the situation at
the former Killearn Hospital site. The SC Special Meeting scheduled for

15 December has been postponed until 17 January 2022.

 

Adopted minutes of meeting held on 15 December 2021

 

It was noted that this situation is classed as a commercial dispute between the
owner of the site and CALA, the Developer. If a solution cannot be found and the
site cannot be 100% decontaminated, KCC would reluctantly support 70-80%
decontamination. Following discussion from the floor and concern expressed by
some local residents about deviation from the original planning application, it was
agreed KCC write to SC questioning if the application should be classed as major
variation and requesting clarification on the matter. (Action JP)

CC1131 – ROADS AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE REPORT

 

Fiona reported on the survey taken regarding a pedestrian crossing in the village and
thanked all those who had taken part. SC had suggested three possible sites for two
possible crossings. However, local feedback supported the need for only one crossing in
the vicinity of the Outdoor Classroom on Main Street. There was little support for another
crossing on Balfron Road, rather preferring to use any additional funds in other ways. It
was agreed KCC reports feedback to SC. (Action FR)

 

SC has agreed to repaint the road markings on the bend at Balfron Road/ Main Street at
the former Bank building and has added this to their Works Plan.

 

Following enquiries about lighting in the park on the path near Birch Road, Fiona
informed the meeting that SC cannot do this as the path has not been adopted. A request
has now been made by KCC that SC adopt same. It was also noted that the path in the
park alongside the ruined church has sunk, leaving a potentially hazardous kerb dropping
to a lower level. SC has also agreed to address this on their Works Plan.

 

Cllr Jane Hutchison proposed a community speedwatch group to collect data to assist the
local police. There was support for this initiative and it was agreed to keep this on KCC’s
agenda and revisit same once SC has reported its own findings in the new year. In the
meantime, any interested parties should contact Cllr Hutchison on
hutchisonja@stirling.gov.uk

 

A SC briefing for Councillors will be held on 16 December regarding the local bridges.
More information will then be available about Branshogle and Catter Burn bridges.

 

CC1132 – COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

 

Cllr Davies and Cllr Hutchison reported on the following:

 

  • In order to have a direct voice to SC, deputations can now be made by community
    groups to the Council.

  • Serious reservations and concerns have been expressed about the Health & Social
    Care Survey questionnaire for secondary school pupils. A SC special meeting will be
    held on Friday 17 December regarding this issue.

  • Cycling World Cup is coming to this area in 2023.

  • SC hybrid meetings will take place after the election in May.

  • Cross party agreement regarding the local bus service and plans to discuss solutions.

  • 600 births were registered last year and over 1000 deaths in Stirling district, causing
    concern about the decrease in population in rural areas.

 

Adopted minutes of meeting held on 15 December 2021

 

It was noted that Killearn Primary School would be very supportive of finding solutions to
inconsiderate parking and speeding problems in the village.

 

Further to recent discussions regarding a proposed cycle path linking Balfron and
Killearn, a local resident proposed the path be sited alongside the A875 opposite the
houses in Boquhan, rather than behind the houses. In this way, privacy issues would be
solved. It was agreed these comments be forwarded to the KCFC Paths Group.

 

CC1133 – TREASURER’S REPORT

 

Expenses £40.00 (admin fees)
Current Balance £1605.93

 

As the invoice for operating the Christmas lights has just been received, a contribution of

£267.00 will be paid from KCC funds.

 

CC1134 – QUESTION TIME

 

There were no questions from the public.

 

CC1135 – CORRESPONDENCE

 

Fiona informed the meeting about the suggestion of cycle racks at Killearn Primary
School and about SC arrangements for bin collections over Christmas and New Year.
The brown bin collection will be suspended for one cycle between 27 December and

2 January. There will be an extra blue bin collection to help recycle plastic waste over the
festive period. Residents should all receive a letter from SC detailing the arrangements.

 

CC1136 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

The meeting was informed that The Killearn Trust is considering plans for Well Green and
will keep residents informed of progress.

 

CC1137 – DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

 

The next KCC meeting is scheduled for 19 January 2022 at 8.00 pm. Details of how to
join the Zoom meeting will be issued nearer the time.

 

Jim thanked everyone for their continued support and wished everyone a very merry
Christmas and a happy New Year.

 

The meeting ended at 9.20 pm.