Adopted minutes of meeting held on 16 April 2025
KILLEARN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16 April 2025
Members present Fiona Rennie, Andrew Donaldson, Calum McLean, Michael Bowdidge
Apologies Elizabeth Jones, Heidi Bryce, Matt McCammon (Police Scotland), Hilary McGregor, Lachlann Mckenzie, Rev Stuart Sharp
In attendance Cllr Rosemary Fraser, Tasha Houchin (KCC Planning Consultant), Graeme Fraser (KCFC)
17 members of the public,
Emily Semple (Minute Secretary)
How to contact us Go to www.killearncc.org.uk and click on the contact button.
CC1523 - MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 19 March ‘25
Minutes were approved by Andrew Donaldson and Calum McLean.
CC1524 - MATTERS ARISING
- Conversations over access to Drumtian Road are still ongoing. There is no right of way outlined on ScotWays, however KCC have reached out to Stirling Council for verification.
The new landowner is not averse to creating a throughway.
CC1525 - POLICE MATTERS
Fiona gave the following Police Report on items relevant to Killearn:
- Fraud
A fraud has been recorded after the reporter received a phone call from a person purporting to be from the reporter’s bank. During the call, the reporter was advised, in order to prevent 2 x 5 figure transactions being imminently debited from her account she would have to reverse the transactions. The reporter was provided with the bank account details in order to do so. On sending the first 5 figure payment the reporter immediately became suspicious and terminated the call. The reporter contacted her bank, who are investigating the matter. Police enquiries are ongoing to identify a suspect.
The full police report is available on KCC website www.killearncc.org.uk
CC1526 – KCFC UPDATE
Graeme Fraser gave the following update:
- Cycle Path
Over a number of years there has been a project to develop a cycle path route between Killearn and Balfron funded by Sustrans (6 or 7 years) and discussions of a possible cycle route between the Cala development and Killearn.
Unfortunately the funding structure has now changed and has reverted to a local government responsibility. KCFC will continue to monitor the situation and hope to come back to it in the future should an opportunity arise.
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Adopted minutes of meeting held on 16 April 2025
Fiona thanked everyone involved in the paths projects, acknowledging the challenges and hard work it has taken to get to this point.
It was noted that CALA is spending considerable funds on the path along to Station Rd. from their site and then up Station Rd.
- Wild About Killearn Weekend - Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April
A fun Saturday with a lot of it geared towards the younger generation. Sunday evening will host the UK premier of Wildheart - by local producers Maramedia.
- Recyke-a-bike
Cycling Killearn have arranged a donation day; Killearn Village Hall on Fri 18th April (Good Friday), 10am - 2pm. There will be a drop-off zone in front of the main entrance to the village hall. Bike parts can also be donated. Thanks to local residents who have donated 108 bikes for this cause already.
CC1527 – PLANNING AND LOCAL PLACE PLAN
Tasha Houchin (KCC Planning Consultant) presented the following update:
3 new planning applications received:
- 25/00145/FUL - Broadfields 19A, Drumbeg Loan, Killearn G63 9LG - Erection of garage
- 25/00155/FUL - Fairwinds, Endrick Road, Killearn G63 9QD - Roof alterations including the formation of 4no. dormers
- 25/00165/PPP - Land at former Stockiemuir Gun Site Killearn - Demolition of existing buildings and erection of two dwellings
1 application has been approved:
- 25/00050/FUL - Land And Buildings At Former Hall, Main Street, Killearn - Renewal of planning permission 21/01049/FUL for 2no. dwellinghouses under Regulation 11 of the Development Management Procedure (Scotland) Regulations 2013
Other applications discussed:
- 24/00787/LAW (certificate of lawfulness) 6 Station Road Killearn G63 9NS - No decision has been made as of yet. Tasha has spoken to Stirling Council as the planning was granted circa 35 years ago to get a better understanding of this type of application (no issue with the application, just a reference query)
- Commercial units at Cala - A member of the public asked about the retained land beside the Cala development and it was confirmed that this is cordoned off with heras fencing and remains contaminated.
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Adopted minutes of meeting held on 16 April 2025
CC1528 – ROADS AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE REPORT
Calum McLean shared the following updates:
- Road Closures:
○ B858 – road into Drymen from Aberfoyle end, closed 5/5/25-18/5/25
○ B834 – Blanewater bridge, closed 8am-5pm 7/5/25 ( following a query, KCC has requested whether the closure time for this bridge inspection could be adjusted to allow for school drop off / pick up - i.e. 9am - 3 pm
- Continued rollout of 20mph limit. Stirling Council are awaiting further funding from the Scottish Government before further signage etc can be installed – should be this financial year.
- Stockiemuir Road First section at Carbeth has been resurfaced, this week is resurfacing between Finnoch Toll and Stockiemuir Farm, w/c 28th April will be the section at the Balloch junction. - The Balloch Junction closure has been confirmed as overnight only. There is access from the Drymen side. KCC to confirm which sections are being fixed and if further work is planned.
- White lining at Balfron/Buchlyvie junction - SC have confirmed this is a work in progress – most of the lines have now been painted, a few left to complete.
- Repainting of yellow lines at top of Station Road – ongoing this week SC have assessed the area, and have confirmed they will re-paint the existing lines but not extend them. Looks like they are fixing the sunken kerb and resulting puddle on the Doctors Surgery side of the road too.
- No Waiting at Any Time Restrictions to be imposed at the Station Road/Balfron Road junction, to prevent parking near the traffic island - KCC to confirm boundaries and further detail.
Members of the general public raised the following points:
- Station Rd. has had a small section of new tarmac laid and white lines repainted, however the lines have only been painted on the new section. A request has been made to paint lines on the rest of the road, where the lines have worn away - KCC to confirm
- Station Road towards the bridge is needing repaired
- Concerns over the road side disintegrating due to the works on the footpath along Station Road. A request for Stirling Council to look at this before the road is re-opened.
- Confirmation needed around the new street lights along Station Road, and whether they are on timers - KCC to confirm
This information is available on KCC website www.killearncc.org.uk
CC1529 – CORRESPONDENCE
Fiona reported on the following correspondence:
- The Oak Tree in Play Park
Fencing can now be removed and Stirling Council will be looking to appoint arboricultural contractors to undertake work as advised by the consultant, to be completed in Autumn (after bird nesting season).
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Adopted minutes of meeting held on 16 April 2025
Stirling Council need to look at reducing compaction within the root zone of the tree, part of the likely cause of the branch loss, it was noted that vehicles are squeezing between retained timber in line with existing pedestrian path - plans to prevent this are being discussed.
- Stirling’s Economy
Forecast to be the fastest-growing in Scotland. Stirling will have the fastest-growing economy in Scotland over the next three years – and be among the top four for growth in the UK, according to new research from Ernst & Young (E&Y). Stirling also features in the UK’s top ten performing major cities and local authorities for projected employment growth over the same 3 year period.
- Ibert Rd. gate
KCC are seeking advice as to whether the iron gate latch at the end of Ibert Road can be made more easily accessible for pedestrians.
- Stirling ranked as top Scottish visitor destination ahead of Easter holidays
Stirling has been named the top Scottish visitor destination by Lonely Planet ahead of this year’s peak tourism season. The popular and renowned travel guide, which has printed more 150 million books since it was founded in 1973, ranked Stirling top of its list of 14 places that showcase the best of Scotland.
- Cala Community Pledge
Local causes to donate money, out with any legislative contributions. Confirmation
has been shared:
➢ Designing an entrance wall sculpture with local artist Rob Mullholland and with an education piece with Balfron High School
➢ Donated to Strathendrick Rugby Club for new women's team strips
➢ Donation to Village Hall to help with activities
➢ Donation towards Christmas lights
➢ Donation to Colourful Killearn
➢ One off donation to Tennis Club to help purchase new equipment
➢ One off donation to Killearn Primary school to support ongoing presents
➢ Annual attendance of Cala staff to High School careers fair
➢ Ongoing activities; Showhome of support (10 products from local business)
➢ Stay away programme with local primary school - interactive sessions around the history of building houses and the varied careers involved and an educational piece about the danger of going into construction areas unsupervised
➢ Land to Life programme; delivery of this within local primary or secondary school every other year - curriculum based, aimed at 7 plus years with detailed notes and lesson plans to educate children around how new communities are created from land acquisition to sales and marketing
➢ Urban wildlife strategy - wildlife friendly measures within the new development to support Britain's rapidly declining wildlife (birds, bats, bees and hedgehogs) to thrive in urban areas. Including swift nesting features, bat roosting features, hedgehibb friendly fences, tree saplings in gardens.
A word of thanks was given to Fiona Rennie for her work and persistence to achieve the above.
- Cala Street Naming Event
A few years ago Cala asked for street name suggestions, it was approved to use
names of those associated with the hospital. A street naming event will be taking 4
Adopted minutes of meeting held on 16 April 2025
place but Cala would like to wait until more residents move into the estate before confirming a date.
CC1530 – QUESTION TIME
No Questions.
CC1531 – COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Rosemary Fraser noted the following items;
In a long list of accolades for the area, and in addition to Stirling being a fast growing economy and tourist hot spot - local areas Bridge of Allan and Dunblane had both been acknowledged within the ’ Best Places to Live in Scotland’ index for 2025.
Killearn has the longest life expectancy out of the whole Stirling area.
Stirling Council passed a motion for 3x areas not to be included in the budget cuts for the next 2 years; ● Music tuition ● Libraries being closed ● Nursery hours being condensed/changed
They have also put a motion forward to reaffirm Stirling's standing with Ukraine in the light of Trump's comments.
The budget conversations didn't feel as intense this year, due to support from the UK and Scottish Government to balance the shortfall which will hopefully continue next year. The new Chief Executive is very keen to start the process much sooner to spend more time focussing on the work and not on the budget. They are looking at new ways of bringing forward the budget setting process so there is more discussion in the lead up to feel less frantic.
The MOD land behind the Vue cinema is being developed supported by funding from the UK Government. Stirling Council own 80% of that land, the other 20% is still being decontaminated and so won't be taken on until Stirling Council are sure it’s “clear”. The area is being developed for Media/Film and one of the buildings is going to be a Training Suit to educate and train people in that particular industry.
At the last council meeting the planning department agreed the paperwork that goes to the Scottish government for oversight with the local development plan, which is coming to fruition in the next couple of years, and what the local place plan is feeding into. A huge amount of documentation (21 papers) have been provided to the Scottish Government to verify how Stirling Council are looking and gathering evidence to help form the next part of the process. This is all publicly available online for people to view.
The rural areas are particularly struggling for land vs the demand for housing and this is how the Local Place Plan will help and support the rural communities to thrive. When landowners offer opportunities for development the council will review all applications to ensure it is feasible under the Local Development Plan creating more control than there has been in the past. (Preventing developers from over buying)
Cllr Henke will not be attending community council meetings for the foreseeable.
Cllr Fraser discussed a recent tour around to the incinerator at Grangemouth to see how the grey bin waste is managed. Circa 27 tons an hour goes into the incinerator and is burned at 1000 degrees - the energy used (circa 20,000 kw of energy an hour) runs Grangemouth, the plant next door and any excess is fed back into the grid. 12 - 17 tons 5
Adopted minutes of meeting held on 16 April 2025
come out the other side, including a lot of metal. The metal is removed and the remainder is taken for processing into aggregate. The emissions from this process are closely monitored and all the info is fed back into Sepa etc.
Frank Deas suggested that Stirling Council share this cycle/process publicly and online to support positive communication and conversations and negate any misinformation.
Frank Deas also commented on the lack of a bio-diversity officer at Stirling Council which has resulted in a backlog in areas being designated as Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS) to safeguard biodiversity and geodiversity. There are 108 applications for LNCS that have not yet been reviewed. Stirling Council are recruiting a Nature Restoration Officer - it is yet to be confirmed if the offer has been accepted.
CC1532 – TREASURER’S REPORT
Andrew Donaldson presented the following report:
Income + £0
Outgoings - £213.81
£124.00 Hall and admin costs (March and April)
£77.94 Domain subscription
£11.87 LPP Printing
£391.63 Current balance of funds
CC1533 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS
A member of the public raised concerns about litter around the cow field including dog poo and dog poo bags. It was suggested that KCC post a notice on facebook to try and raise awareness to the issue.
CC15234 – DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING
The next KCC meeting will be held at 8.00 pm on Wed. 21st May 2025 in the Garden Room at the Village Hall.
The meeting ended at 9.12pm. 6