KILMADOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL

MINUTE OF MEETING HELD ON 9 DECEMBER 2024 AT 7.00PM

IN KILMADOCK INFORMATION AND HERITAGE CENTRE

Present :  Tony Farrant (Chair), Ro Drowley, Alison McAlpine, Ken Russell, Sue Sedgwick, Elizabeth Wallace.

In attendance : David Clark (Minute Secretary), Neil Fergusson (Development Officer), Cllr. Gene Maxwell

Visitor : Jim McKenzie

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Apologies for absence : David Harding, Alistair Sutherland

1 Approval of Minute

The minute of the meeting of 11 November 2024 was approved, proposed by Sue Sedgwick, seconded by Ro Drowley

2 Visitor

Tony Farrant invited visitor Jim McKenzie to speak to the Council on his concerns about one of several planning applications submitted by Deanston Distillery, namely a proposal to demolish old garages and install holding tanks at the distillery entrance on Leny Road. The concern was for the potential for an increase in the movement of tankers accessing the distillery facilities by this entrance, given the unsuitable road conditions for large vehicles and its proximity to the school. The Community Council agreed to submit concerns along these lines by the deadline of 11 December. Mr McKenzie then left the meeting.  (Action – David Harding)

3 Chair's Report

Tony Farrant reported as follows :

1. Christmas trees and lights – the appreciation of the Community Council to the team responsible for the erection of trees and lights was recorded, noting the considerable amount of work involved.
2. Traffic lights at Teith Bridge – no date is yet available for the traffic modelling study.
3. Dementia Café – it was noted that the financial assistance provided by the Dunblane café management would cease in February 2025. Kilmadock Development Trust has agreed to take over the management of the project, subject to a manager being employed and funding being in place.
4. Park and Stride car park – an application for appropriate signage at the new car park was in process. An electricity supply was now installed although it was uncertain whether the final connections had yet been made.

4 Police Report

7 November 24 – 6 December compiled by Constable Lorna Deans

1. Antisocial behaviour - On 25 November police were contacted about an incident that occurred on the service bus at Balkerach Street, Doune. Police attended and suitable advice was given to all parties.
2. Road Safety - Police have been made aware of issues with parking in the area of Doune Primary School at drop off/pick up times. Officers will be attending in the area when available.    
3. Theft – No thefts have been reported in the Kilmadock area. However a quad bike

was stolen overnight on 2 December from a property in the Port of Menteith area.  Police urge the public to continue to report any suspicious people/vehicles in the area.

5 Councillor's Report

Cllr. Gene Maxwell reported that Stirling Council’s budget consultation and briefing was now complete. The Council has a budget of approximately £300m, with a projected shortfall in the current year of around £13m. It was estimated that the increase in Employers’ National Insurance contributions would cost the Council an additional £2m although some assistance with this may become available. The sale of Council property continued. 

6 Treasurer's Report

Elizabeth Wallace, Treasurer, reported that at 9 December, the Council’s bank balance was £5,257.43 (restricted funds) and £1,455.14 (unrestricted).

Bank charges are being imposed on non-charity accounts and this will add some £50pa to the Council’s expenses. The Treasurer will confirm Kilmadock Development Trust the arrangements for insuring the toilets in Moray Park. It was noted that a donation from the masonic lodge, believed to be for planters, remained unspent. It was noted that the donors must be contacted for permission before re-allocating these funds.

7 Secretary's Report 

David Harding reported, in his absence, as follows :

1. Moray Park toilets – there is no further update on the replacement soil pipe. A new external light has been ordered.
2. Moray Park tennis courts - Stirling Council’s Play Officer has provided an update on the MUGA pitch - due to cost unfortunately resurfacing will not be done this financial year and has been pushed back to 2025-26. David Harding is seeking confirmation that this will be a priority.  
3. Antisocial behaviour action – 1500 A5 leaflets on anti-social behaviour reporting have been ordered at a cost of £40
4. Community Storage – Stirling Council has acknowledged the request for the use of a garage but has indicated that this will depend on vacancies and waiting lists.

8 Development Officer

Neil Fergusson reported that clearance of the old building was under way and that on the new DDYP Youth Hub is due to start in the new year.

9 Roads

Ro Drowley reported that the Council intend to repair the speed cushions and then remove them before the end of the financial year. On the provision of coach parking at the foot of George Street it was reported that the Network Team had agreed not to proceed with this. Community Council members felt that the Team had misunderstood the nature and reason for the provision and that it was not anticipated that passengers would alight or embark at the point – and even if they did it would be much safer that the current haphazard and potentially dangerous arrangements which currently prevailed, with coaches dropping and collecting passengers at much busier locations. It was agreed to return to the Council, pointing out that the proposed provision was included in the Parking Management Plan adopted in 2020 (Action – Ro Drowley)

10 Villages

Sue Sedgwick reported that improvements to the car park were due to take place and that when this was being done the car park would be closed for at least one day to allow for new lines to be painted.

It was agreed that the hours for the Christmas lights would be checked and adjusted as necessary by the electrician. (Action – Tony Farrant)

• Planning – it was understood that an application for a hot food takeaway has been made for

premises in Innes Park although the Council has not received official notification of this.

• Kilmadock Development Trust – Ken Russell reported on Christmas arrangements at the Post Office and Information Centre. The work on the Heritage Room continued and would be completed in the new year.

13 Village Pride

Ken Russell reported that this had taken off quite well and that, among other things, the group had assisted with the Christmas tree and lights. It was hoped to hold a publicity and recruitment drive after the holiday season.

14 Woodland Group

Tony Farrant reported that the Fairy Trail would begin on 21 December and rjun for two weeks. The Ponds Group now has logs for sale.

15 Moray Park Toilets

It was noted that the football club had still not provided the necessary information for a split in electricity bills to be agreed and accounts settled.

16 The Bridge

Ken Russell confirmed that the December/January issue would be the last of the community magazine in its current form.  There remained a possibility of new faces taking it over but this would not be until after a significant break.

17 Forestry – there was no report

18 Resilience Plan

Alison McAlpine reported that appropriate equipment for various types of emergencies was currently stored in Stirling and awaited suitable premises before being stored locally. It was noted that such a Resilience Plan would be entirely locally organised and run and that a team of about seven or eight volunteers would be sought. It was agreed to begin recruitment in January.

19 Other business

3. Parade of Lights – the Gala Committee will hold a fundraising Parade of Lights from the Moray Park round the Commonty area on Sunday 22 December starting at 3.30pm. There will be stalls and refreshments.
4. Santa Dash – the annual event will be held on Sunday 15 December.
5. Provision of Christmas trees – it was agreed to express thanks to Moray Estates for the kind provision of Christmas trees in Doune and Deanston (Action – David

Harding)

1. Community Council membership – it was noted that the Council was currently below its maximum strength and it was agreed to give consideration to recruitment at the January meeting
2. Communication – continued frustration was expressed at in effective efforts to improve communication between Community Councils and Stirling Council. It was noted that it was intended Lyndsay McNair of the Community Development Team intended to be present at the Council’s next meeting on 13 January.

20 Next meeting

It was agreed that the next ordinary meeting would take place on Monday 13 January 2025 at 7.00pm at Kilmadock Information Centre. 

21 Closure

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.15pm.