KILMADOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL

MINUTE OF MEETING HELD ON 11 NOVEMBER 2024 AT 7.00PM

IN KILMADOCK INFORMATION AND HERITAGE CENTRE

Present :  Ro Drowley, David Harding, Sue Sedgwick, Alistair Sutherland, Elizabeth Wallace..

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

.

Apologies for absence :, Tony Farrant, Alison McAlpine, Ken Russell

In the absence of Tony Farrant the meeting was chaired by Alistair Sutherland

1 Approval of Minute

The minute of the meeting of 14 October 2024 was approved, proposed by Elizabeth

Wallace, seconded by Ro Drowley

2 Matter arising :

                                19 a) Remembrance Sunday – it was reported that the service at Doune war memorial had taken place as planned and had been appreciated by all concerned. It was understood that an act of remembrance had also been held by Deanston School.

3 Chair's Report

In his absence Tony Farrant reported as follows :

2025. Traffic lights on Teith Bridge – Stirling Council had a recent meeting with Transport Scotland, who have confirmed that the traffic modelling study, with three way lights, is being carried out over a 12-15 week period, they anticipate the results in February 2025. Once this has been completed, they will be in a position to assess the next steps.

There is not a requirement to do the traffic survey through summer of 2025 as the data we already have obtained will be factored accordingly.

The KCC have been informed that once modelling has been interpreted and completed findings will be shared with all concerned including the Community Council.

1. War memorial - work to clean and re-point the war memorial is near completion.
2. Stirling Big Conversation - Stirling Council has announced the new budget survey for 2025-26. The library consultation is still open for a few more days if anyone has still to complete it - Libraries for the Future | Stirling Council
3. Moray Park toilets - Stirling Council now has an overview of the situation, having

quotes for the works from the toilet to the main connection out on the road. However there is no confirmation yet from Scottish Water regarding the depth of the main run. It needs Scottish Water’s pipe to be at a depth which will allow the run to flow downwards. An update should be received in the next few days.

1. Thriving Communities - a meeting is scheduled for 26 November to be attended by Alistair Sutherland.
2. Dog bin at Ponds - the issue has been resolved and a litter bin will be put on the pavement near the Ponds main gate.

4 Police Report

9 October- 7 November 24 compiled by Constable Lorna Deans

1. Antisocial behaviour - On the evening of 3 November two vehicles were vandalised in Doune. Enquiries have been carried out and this incident remains undetected.
2. Road Safety - On 18 October damage was caused to a parked vehicle by another vehicle at The Cross, Doune. The driver of the offending vehicle failed to stop and failed to report the incident.  This remains undetected.

On 19 October two vehicles were involved in a collision on Balkerach Street, Doune.  The driver of the offending vehicle stopped however then left the scene prior to providing details.  Enquiries are continuing in relation to this incident.

1. Theft – About 2310 hours on 24 October the Co-op, Castlehill, Doune was broken in to and items stolen from within. Enquiries are currently ongoing in relation to this. During the night on 28 October a young male was trying door handles of vehicles in Graham Street, Doune. This was reported the following day to police.  Please ensure vehicles and properties are locked.  Officers will be carrying out extra patrols in the area when they can.

5 Councillor's Report

Cllr. Martin Earl spoke of issues likely to come before Stirling Council at its next main meeting on 12 December. He spoke of challenges in setting the next budget. Changes have been made to the housing allocation policy to the extent that those being rehoused from homelessness will in future be given one offer of accommodation rather than two. Sanitary bins in men’s toilets were being installed in Council facilities. While the emissions from Council premises comprise a low percentage of the area’s total, it is recognised that lowering this percentage further is likely to involve very significant investment which may not prove to be the best use of limited resources.

6 Treasurer's Report

Elizabeth Wallace, Treasurer, reported that at 11 November, the Council’s bank balance was £6,595.43 (restricted funds) and £1,084.50 (unrestricted).

7 Secretary's Report 

David Harding reported as follows :

1. Provision of benches – it was noted that installation of the new bench

near the Co-op was awaited and that two benches scheduled for the adult gym area in Moray Park had not yet been installed In respect of additional benches, which cost in the region of £1,500 each, it was noted that there was a limit to the number of applications for grant funding it was possible to make. A request was made for the replacement of the bench outside the old bank house in Main Street and the one which had been destroyed on the old railway cycle path. It was agreed that Historic Scotland be approached regarding the provision of benches along the banks of the River Teith in the castle area. (Action – David Harding)

1. Storage for community groups – the inadequacy of storage facilities for local community groups and facilities was highlighted viz. the toilets, Gala committee, Youth Project, Village Pride. A new container to be sited near the adult gym would cost in the region of £10,500 plus VAT with ground works extra. It was agreed to explore other options before coming to a decision, for example vacant Council-owned garages or the Muir Hall. (Action – David Harding)
2. Antisocial behaviour action – it was agreed that publicity regarding

appropriate steps for the public to report instances of antisocial behaviour would take the form of flyers, with contact numbers, and that these would be distributed by hand to all addresses in the villages of

Doune and Deanston. (Action – David Harding)

8 Development Officer

Neil Fergusson reported as follows :

                                Rural Hall Centenary - events to celebrate the Rural Hall’s Centenary

all went well, including record turnouts forthe Kilmadock Society Quiz and Sunday concert.Thanks to all those who volunteered in a variety of ways to make it a success

                                 DDYP: New Youth Hub - the DDYP committee are starting on their

decant’ plans to vacate the current building and allow works to begin. No specific dates for starting on site yet, as there are a number of services that need disconnected first. No valuables will be left in the building when it is unoccupied.

9 Roads

Ro Drowley reported that the proposed bus parking bay near the Woodside Hotel was still being explored. It was noted that buses were using and negotiating the new Park and Stride facility with comparative ease

10 Villages

Sue Sedgwick reported that safety issues continued at the car park opposite the Coop because of indiscriminate parking. The car park will be relined with road markings making it clear that the entrance is a two-way road and not a parking area. Sue Sedgwick agreed to continue to pursue the matter to a conclusion. She also commented on the poor exterior condition of Council-owned properties in Main Street and agreed to pursue a meeting with the Housing Department to take in both building condition and continued antisocial behaviour.

• Planning - there was nothing to report

• Community Action for Deanston – the AGM will be held later in November.

• Kilmadock Development Trust – there was no report

14 Village Pride

Ken Russell reported in his absence that the newly revived group is now up and running and has carried out two sessions last week.  On Tuesday heavy leaf litter was cleared from the footpath along George Street; on Saturday the area around the War Memorial was tidied up and more leaves removed and a section of footpath at the base of the steep path up into Wood of Doune was also cleared of a heavy cover of leaf litter.  We received a lot of positive comments from passers-by and again after the Sunday Remembrance Ceremony.  Next outing will be a general tidy-up session on Tuesday 19 November followed by putting lights on the village Christmas Tree on Tuesday 3 December.

15 Woodland Group

Ro Drowley reported that the Education Centre was now complete and in use. The Ponds Group now has logs for sale.

16 The Bridge

It was noted that it now appeared very likely that the December-January issue would be the last as insufficient volunteers had come forward to take up the leadership roles. It was suggested that the Council’s Community Team might be in a position to undertake some of the work and it was agreed that Alistair Sutherland would pursue this. (Action – Alistair Sutherland)

17 Forestry

Ro Drowley reported that further planting had taken place on the Argaty estate.

18 Resilience Plan – there was no report

19 Other business

1. Resignation – it was noted that a letter of resignation had been received from a Community Councillor. The Council agreed to continue consideration of the matter to allow time for issues to be discussed with the Councillor involved.
2. Membership – noting that the number of Councillors was below the maximum allowed under the Constitution, it was agreed to explore appropriate methods of increasing the number of serving Councillors.
3. Tractor Run – it was noted that the annual festive Trossachs Tractor Run of decorated vehicles would take place on Saturday 7 December and that the route would come through Doune.

20 Next meeting

It was agreed that the next ordinary meeting would take place on Monday 9 December 2024 at 7.00pm at Doune Information Centre. 

21 Closure

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.50pm.