Plean Community Council
Minute of Meeting 17/2/25 6pm East Plean Primary
Present: Scott Richards (Chair), Robert McWilliam (Treasurer), Zoe Nolan (Secretary, Fiona McNIcol
Wendy McAlpine (Minutes).
Other Attendees – Brian Hambly, Sharon McGrouther, Graham FOPCP.
Welcome, Apologies and Conflict of Interest - Scott welcomed all to the meeting. Apologies from
Catherine Anne Robertson, Stuart McCluckie, Leah Easton and William Silvestro. No conflict of
interest declared.
Approval of Minutes – Minutes of meeting 20th Jan 2025 proposed by Robert McWilliam and
seconded by Zoe Nolan. Wendy will send a copy to S Bly.
By-Election Result – Scott congratulated Bob Buchanan elected as New SNP Councillor. Turnout low
at 17.6%. Hope to meet with Bob soon.
Cadgers Brae/Bore Row C9/C64 junction – Brian Hambly will talk regarding this during his report.
Bob advised a site called Tell Me – which advises of all road works planned withing 10 miles of your
postcode. A TRO is shown for a 40mph limit for the Roman Road, speed limit signs were erected
before the TRO was signed, but it has been now. Brian Hambly advised that after an
Email from Head of Service and Committee Convenor work is now planned as follows:
All lining at the junction of c9/c64 junction will be recovered either this week or next week.
Red textured surfacing will applied at all slow markings on all legs of the junction to emphasise the
need for caution.
Signs currently facing wrong directions will be adjusted to ensure these are secure and face the
traffic flow to which they apply.
One redundant sign pole will be removed.
Once this work has been carried out, we will hopefully see improvements in driver practice.
A Funding request has been submitted to upgrade the junction.
Bus Stops – A McPherson sent an enquiry regarding the bus stop lining outside the church. Advised
that there are 2 official bus stops in Old Plean. Bus stop markings have been painted in advance of 2
new bus shelters being installed because of planning requirements for the new housing
development. When 2 new shelters are installed the bus stops located north and south of the zebra
crossing will be removed. Once this is done there will be no bus stop after the William Simpson one
heading toward Falkirk and the first one coming into Old Plean will be at the Church. Community
council will wait and see how this develops over time and enquire once works completed, as for
older residents in Old Plean this may be an issue moving forward.
Police Report – 10 crimes reported, 1 assault, 3 RTA, 6 were unsolved vandalism etc. 46 calls to
Police from Plean. Brian asked for any issues raised to the Community Council to advised to him
moving forward. Fiona raised the issue of inappropriate allocation of housing in the village.
Planning Report – nothing to report.
Chairs Report – The last storm caused a loss of power for a long period of time and much disruption
within the village as a result. MSP Evelyn Tweed and SPEN both provided information via social
media channels which were helpful but could not be accessed by all due to loss of power resulting in
loss of mobile signals. SPEN did provide a welfare van providing hot food and drinks which was
utilised by a lot of villagers. Stirling Council employees did knock some doors to make people aware.
Community resilience seemed good, and people were doing what they could to help others. Bob
praised the authorities for work done but did raise the question of a safe hub within the village for
any further occasions. Country Park still has some impassable paths but some work to clear storm
debris has been done. Park rangers are no longer available to clear debris up after these events.
Any debris moved is made safe and put to the side and left to rot over time. A Community
Resilience Plan may be put together moving forward for future weather events of this type, to make
it easier to find and communicate information moving forward. Scott asked if Sharon could provide
a copy of an existing plan of this type for reference.
Treasurers Report – approaching end of financial year £46 will remain from this year’s budget but
Bob needs to purchase a few stationery items. Community pride grant of £800 has arrived and been
passed to Plean Voice to purchase additional self-watering hanging baskets for the village. Jean
Cowie agreed this was an appropriate action. £33 was used for the November poppy wreath has all
been settled now. Bank bal £391.62 which will be used for planned expenditure. New bank account
with Virgin Money (no fees for approx. next 18 months) has been opened and going through process
of closing existing one, Bob will update at next meeting. Bob advised S Bly had said that the
Community Council are responsible for any bank charges that occur and how unfair this feels due to
the voluntary nature of the organisation. Sharon advised that they are looking at credit unions, but
Bob advised that he feels that if the Council are not prepared to fund a reasonable banking system,
then they should provide an alternative. Sharon will check with Pauline Ward for any update on
progress of this issue.
Elected Member Report – Brian Hambly
Bruce Street Playpark – Work was due to commence in Jan 2025. Although schedules are produced
influences such as weather and related demands may have an impact. The recent poor weather,
freezing conditions and Storm Eowyn have all influenced works scheduling (as was seen with the
road crossing by the school). Brian assumes work has not started because of teams being
reallocated because of weather etc. Hope works to be completed by the summer.
Bore Row/Cadgers Loan – discussed earlier.
Puffin Crossing – Brian raised the issues faced and timescales of this work. Work was started in
School time and the lack of safety features resulted in the work team removing themselves. Work
has now been completed, and Brian will review the effectiveness with the school and community
once it has been used and experienced. Scott has spoken the Mrs Donnelly, Head teacher, who
advised she feels this is a Toucan crossing and not a Pelican crossing. School is grateful that work
has now been completed, and thanks all involved in getting the work done. It will never replace a
person who can teach road safety and supervise children crossing safely.
A9 Buffer Zone – On wester approach to Plean the TRO process is complete and a 40mph buffer will
be introduced, which will include the junction of B 9124 with the A9. Signage will be erected as soon
as current programme of works permit and Brian anticipates this will be before the end of Feb 2025.
Access to changing rooms – One community group appears to be restricting access to this Stirling
Council Facility. Why is there no identified Key Holder or Caretaker? Brian will continue to
investigate.
Plean Church Lothian Broadband – Early consultations indicated that all public places would benefit
from the offer of free installation and service provision, which appears now not to be the case. This
is being investigated further, and officers have been requested to contact Lothian Broadband on
behalf of the community.
Village Shop – Brian will meet with Head of Service this week to make a case for this to be utilised on
behalf of the community by the community. Community still want access to this, and it will be on
the Local Place Plan, but no communication has been received regarding the shop for a long time.
Questions asked why it has lain empty and not used for such a long period of time.
Rent Rate rise – At a special meeting of Stirling Council a rise of 7.2% was passed by 12 votes to 11.
The Housing Review Account which set rental rates is supposed to be put to the Council’s Finance
Committee, Brian identified that this scrutiny had not taken place and that we as a group (SNP)
could therefore not vote for such a rent rise.
Upcoming Budget – Brian advised that as an opposition they will be putting in a budget which will
not contain cuts to frontline services.
By election result – Brian intends to do a walk round with Bob Buchanan and interested parties soon
to introduce Bob and allow the community to provide some insight into issues faced and direction
the community is moving in. To be confirmed by Brian Hambly.
Residents View – nothing specified.
AOCB - Discussions had about Plean Country Park and plans moving forward. Graham (FOPCP)
advised that the Community Asset Transfer Request has not been done due to questions/queries
that have still not been addressed or answered by Stirling Council and FOPCP are not convinced that
this is the correct way forward for the organisation. Scott asked if the Community Council can help
with anything moving forward. The walled garden is of interest and plans for many uses are still
being considered by the group (café, allotments etc). The walled garden has been poorly maintained
over several years and if the asset transfer went ahead this would become the responsibility of
FOPCP and that is a major issue. Maintenance has been done but very poorly considering its listed
status. FOPCP are meeting with a Land Services Manager soon to discuss and look and wider options
such as lease or licence to occupy. The walled garden is still being used as a storage facility by
Stirling Council and alternatives for this would need to be found. Brian advised that if FOPCP did the
asset transfer they would have access to funding that the Stirling Council would not have access to.
Sharon advised that if FOPCP put in an expression of interest then discussions could be had, and
information provided, to enable a more informed decision to be taken, with no commitment being
made. Graham will report back of any future developments relating to progress etc. Graham asked
if there would be community interest in allotments. Community Council are aware of at least 3
individuals who would be interested if they became available. Fiona suggested that someone could
visit the Community Garden in Braehead to see how it operates etc. FOPCP will advertise on social
media to ascertain interest in allotments once meeting with Land Services has taken place. Playpark
in the Country Park needs some refurbishment and Sharon asked what needs to be done moving
forward. Scott raised the point that Bruce Street playpark sill has no progress and raised concerns
that the last update given bears no resemblance to the original plan. Sharon advised that this year is
the Year of Play, and the Scottish Government has funds available to use for park refurbishment and
accessibility options.
Scott will send an enquiry re where funding is coming from for Bruce Street as the impression was it
was all from Section 75 monies and the Year of Play has never been mentioned. The Community
Council will support any playparks works to be done at the county park but have concerns that this
may overshadow the Bruce Street plans when there is no reason why they could not run
concurrently. Information from James Aikman has been sporadic and the Community Council were
advised that this was because he had been allocated to other projects. Concerns raised that there is
preferential treatment for other Stirling areas playpark refurbishment and that Plean is being left
behind, even though firm plans were agreed previously. Discussions regarding Active Stirling events
within the community (walking and stroller groups) and the low uptake rate when available.
Communication is poor and more needs to be done by Active Stirling to engage the community and
make sure people know what is happening and when it is available.
Main street crossing and planters’ issues are still ongoing, Lynsey McNair advised that Gary Neil is
meeting with his team, and an update will be provided, and apologised that information has still not
been provided for the community regarding same. Enquiries to Gary Neil are not being responded
to and are outstanding.
Sharon asked if it would be an idea to bring all local community groups together to discuss plans and
ideas moving forward to avoid funding conflicts etc and see how they can all work together.
Scott will raise an enquiry regarding the lack of heating in the school for tonight’s meeting as
Stirling Council are aware of all booked dates and the heating was not on.
Next meeting 17th March 2025 6pm East Plean Primary School