April 2025 Minutes

  1. April 2025 minutes

    PDF

    279.4 KB

KILMADOCK COMMUNITY COUNCIL

MINUTE OF MEETING HELD ON 14 APRIL 2025 AT 7.00PM

IN KILMADOCK INFORMATION AND HERITAGE CENTRE

Present : Tony Farrant (Chair), David Harding, Alistair Sutherland, Ro Drowley, Ken Russell,

Alison McAlpine, Sue Sedgwick, Elizabeth Wallace

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

Martin Earl, Constable Lorna Deans (item 2 only)

.

Apologies for absence : none

Visitors : Steven Morrow, Graham Silcocks

1 Approval of Minute

The minute of the meeting of 10 March 2025 was approved, proposed by Ken Russell,

seconded by Alistair Sutherland.

2 Police Report

9 March – 10 April 2025, compiled by Constable Donald King and presented by Constable

Lorna Deans

  1. a) Antisocial behaviour - There have been reports of youths causing issues in the

are of Moray Park, and Springbank Road, Doune. The identity of the youths responsible

is not known and extra attention will be given by Police when available.

  1. b) Road Safety - On 23 March Officers were on mobile patrol in the area of the A84

near Doune when they had cause to stop and issue a driver with a fixed penalty

ticket for careless driving in relation to the manner of their driving.

On 22 March Officers were carrying out speed checks on the A84 in the Doune area

when they stopped a male driver for travelling at 75mph in a 60mph limit. The driver

was issued with a fixed penalty ticket.

On 10 April reports were received of the temporary traffic lights on A84 Doune not

working correctly, officers contacted SGN networks who had an engineer attend to

rectify the situation.

  1. c) Theft – There have been no reported thefts during this time.

3 Potential co-options

The Chair, Tony Farrant, welcomed Steven Morrow and Graham Silcocks who had both

expressed an interest in being co-opted to the Community Council, and invited each to speak

of their background, what they might offer and to answer any questions.

4 Chair’s Report

Tony Farrant reported as follows :

  1. a) Draggie Burn Park & Stride – work within the car park is now complete apart from

signage both within (conditions of use) and outwith (directional). Financial slippage

has been recorded in order that the budget is maintained in the next financial year. It

appears that at least one electric charger is not functioning.

  1. b) Moray Park Toilets – vandalism by young people has caused a further flood. The

issue of drain improvements has not progressed between Stirling Council and

Scottish Water. Cllr. Earl agreed to pursue the matter. It was agreed that a separate

2

power supply was preferable and a supplier will fit a business meter free of charge.

Electrical connection work will be necessary and will be undertaken locally. An

application to the Windfarm Trust will be made for funding the connection. Settlement

of accounts with the football club can now take place.

  1. c) Deanston Primary School – congratulations were expressed to Deanston Primary

School for winning all three Digital Schools Awards, recognising the school’s

commitment to embedding digital skills throughout every aspect of the curriculum by

encouraging creativity, critical thinking and collaboration through integrating coding

skills into a variety of subjects and activities.

5 Councillor's Report

Cllr. Martin Earl reported on recent Council activity and encouraged engagement with the

consultation on a proposed Visitors’ Levy. It is anticipated that Stirling Council will make a

decision by the end of 2025 and, if approved, the Levy will come into effect in June 2027

6 Treasurer's Report

Elizabeth Wallace, Treasurer, presented the Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31

March 2025, indicating an income of £10,7444.04 and expenditure of £13,551.05, giving a

year-end balance of £11,625.87 (Restricted funds £10,246.88 and Unrestricted Funds

£1,378.99). The Council approved the accounts.

7 Secretary's Report

David Harding reported as follows :

Stirling Council property – a meeting with Stirling Council officers to discuss

the letting policy and fabric condition of the property at 24 Main Street, Doune

has still to take place

8 Development Officer

Neil Fergusson reported work on the new Youth Project building was progressing

well as was the revamp of the Heritage Centre.

9 Roads

Ro Drowley reported that road faults eg slipped kerbstone in Main Street Doune had

been reported but not yet repaired. It was noted that there appeared to a fault in the

sound system at the new crossing. There were signage issues at Buchany and the

Teith Bridge/Deanston junction requiring attention. There was no word yet of the

promised modelling of traffic lights at Teith Bridge.

10 Villages

Sue Sedgwick reported that road marking in the central car park has now been done

but that it has proved impossible to have a ‘give way’ sign at the entrance. She also

commented on reports of antisocial behaviour related to tenancies at the Council

flats in Main Street, Doune. Repairs were required to the secure door entry and the

general condition of the building was poor. It was agreed to approach Historic

Environment Scotland to instal benches on the river path in the vicinity of the castle.

It was agreed that Sue Sedgwick and Ken Russell would liaise to arrange a group of

volunteers to undertake litter and weed removal in Doune.

11 Planning

Alistair Sutherland reported that there had been no further word after complaints had been

raised with Stirling Council about the Safelec facility and developments at Lochhill Industrial

Estate.

3

12 Community Action for Deanston

Alistair Sutherland reported on the need for maintenance work on the Divisions in Deanston.

It was proposed that a survey be undertaken of both Council and privately owned properties

in this area to assess necessary repairs. Questions were asked about the revenue from

location filming over several years and what is done with it.

13 Kilmadock Development Trust

Ken Russell reported on repairs to the Rural Hall, the revamp of the Heritage Centre,

satisfactory Post Office staffing and the need for more volunteers for the Information Centre

and Shop.

14 Woodland Group

Tony Farrant reported on arrangements for the Egg Hunt on Easter Day, 20 April.

15 Media

Ken Russell reported that work on the Spotlight feature on both website and Facebook pages

continued to be developed.

16 Forestry

Tony Farrant reported that a complaint had been received about the condition of the

woodland at the junction of A84 and Balkerach Street and that the complainant feels that the

site is untidy and requires remedial work. He confirmed that Moray Estates will be invited to

assess the situation.

17 Resilience Plan

Alison McAlpine reported that Stirling Council has bought appropriate equipment for a variety

of scenarios and it is stored in the Muir Hall. A leaflet appeal for volunteers in Deanston had

produced encouraging results and leaflets were now available for Doune. Concern was

expressed at the lack of liaison with the Community Council on the style and content of the

leaflet.

18 Other business

  1. a) Annual Stated Meeting – it was agreed to hold this meeting in conjunction with the

regular Council meeting on Monday 9 June.

  1. b) Former Kilmadock Parish Church – it was noted that the former church in Main

Street Doune had now been sold. It was agreed that contact with the new owners be

attempted with a view to constructive dialogue on proposed plans for the

development of the building.

  1. c) VE Day Commemoration – it was agreed to purchase two flags to be flown to mark

the anniversary on 8 May.

19 Next meeting

It was agreed that the next ordinary meeting would take place on Monday 12 May 2025 at

7.00pm at Kilmadock Information Centre.

20 Closure

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.40pm.