MINUTES
Meeting Monday 3rd March 2025 in the Village Club.
Final
Members Present: - Julie Hutchison; John Gray; Pamela Lee; Kate Ramsden;
Rob Davies; Andrew Thomson
In attendance: Margaret Vass (SCDT); Gerry McGarvie (SC) + 8 residents
Apologies: Ian Boardley, Grace Edmonds
(SC = Stirling Council. CC = Community Council. CDT= Community Development
Trust * Denotes an action)
- Welcome from the Chair and declarations of Interest
JH welcomed everybody to the meeting.
There were no declarations of interest.
- Minutes of February meeting and matters arising.
The minutes had been circulated to all CC members and were accepted. Proposed
by JG, Seconded by PL.
Matters arising: Last month a resident mentioned that they had been told the
new estate at Ballagan Woods (Killearn) is zoned for Strathblane Primary
School. The CC enquired and has been told that no, the new estate forms
part of the zone for Killearn Primary, although residents may still request that
their children go to Strathblane.
JH met with James Aikman (SC) on site at the playpark to see how the residual
money can be used. It was suggested that, rather than buying more
equipment, that the fund be used to improve the ground surface around the
existing area. Although it was dry at the time of the visit, James could feel how
spongy the surface was. In some areas the bark has been worn away to create
significant dips. He has suggested that, although the money is ring-fenced
by the government for fencing and equipment, he will try to make a case for
carrying out drainage work on the site and topping up the existing bark. Access
for the lorries may be an issue as it is uncertain whether the bridge can
take their weight. MV confirmed that the large boulders at the library end have
been moved in the past, so that may be a better access point. James will
come back to the CC as soon as possible. He will also chase up on the community
funds due from the development at Graham Lambie Brae.
- Local Place Plan update – report on drop-in sessions
The two drop-in sessions in the library were well attended: 24 people on the
first Saturday, 63 on the second. Due to Saturdays not being convenient for
some people, a further drop-in is being arranged for Thursday the 20th March
from 6 til 8pm, and this will be advertised nearer the time. Thanks to JH, MV &
JG for their time at these sessions and their work on the plan so far.
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It was noted that attendees came from a wide demographic, with a lot of
younger people and families attending. JH and MV explained the reason for a
paper-based/face-to-face platform being used, as not only does it help to see
the boards when answering the questions, but it ensures anonymity when collecting
the data and ensures that figures are not skewed by duplication of
submissions by single individuals.
Feedback so far highlights the need for development of smaller properties for
first-time buyers as well as those down-sizing, and not more high-end largescale
houses.
GMcG commented on how far along with the LPP the CC is, and the value of
the exercise in that it is the community formally stating what they want to SC,
and this will be used to impact other services (eg schools, transport, utilities
etc). It is also a chance to show that communities are not ‘development
averse’ but see the need for a balance between growth and keeping the existing
community values going. He emphasised that this survey is far more comprehensive
that previous ones carried out by SC, and the outcome will create
a framework for the significant future.
The LPP group have an online meeting with SC next week. The current phase
is ongoing to June with the finalised document submitted by October 2025.
- Review of Resilience Plan following the storm last month
JH showed the Housing Emergency Plan which was issued to all residents in
the BVB a couple of years ago, following work on bringing the existing Resilience
Plan up to date. It would possibly benefit from a review at some point,
but in general the CC agreed that the village communicated well using social
media and existing networks (neighbour checks etc). MV reiterated her ‘regret’
that they had not opened the library when it was safe to do so, to allow
those without electricity to recharge mobile phones etc. KR similarly added
that the Village Club was designated a refuge point on the Resilience Plan
and has a kitchen, telephone landline etc that could be used, but on the day
wasn’t. It was agreed that in future the red alert should be taken as a trigger
for these public spaces to reach out on social media and remind residents that
they are available if required.
A resident highlighted that the utilities (electricity/water/telecoms) will be affected
differently by different events so rather than try to come up with a single
plan to cover all eventualities, we tailor our responses to need. In addition,
when utility outage warning letters are issued, they do not take account of
how the same postcode area is supplied by two or three difference sources,
so they are not always accurate/relevant for the properties receiving the letters.
He suggested signing up for alerts from all utility providers, to ensure at
least some warnings might get through.
RD pointed out that many of the areas where electricity was not restored for
several days rely on fuel burning stoves for their heat and cooking, and this
should be remembered when pressure is being applied for these to be done
away with.
A resident followed up on their query raised in the February meeting about the
fallen trees in the park that don’t appear to come under SC maintenance. JH
had some correspondence with SC about this, but there seems some confusion
about what area is under discussion, so the resident will forward his
maps for reference.
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- Elected member’s report
GMcG reported on the budget that was approved last week. SC have tried to
achieve a balanced budget to preserve the services that people were concerned
about as they had previously been flagged as potential area for cutting
to make savings. Council tax will rise, but feedback from the Big Conversation
consultation showed that residents accepted a rise may be necessary and
would be tolerated if services improve. They also plan to make savings
through increased internal efficiencies e.g. streamlining and out-dated posts
not being replaced. There will be no compulsory redundancies, however they
will be re-evaluating posts that are surplus to requirement.
No frontline services will be cut. Libraries will not be closed however their
working hours may be reduced. Music Tuition has been saved. Public
Transport will be addressed, and they will push for better services in the rurals.
They currently struggle with many operators not wanting these routes as
they are not economically viable, and at the same time using these areas to
run their older buses that cannot access the new LEZ zones in Glasgow. New
routes are boing looked at, to develop currently uncovered areas. DRT has
proved and unsuccessful alternative as not enough people are willing to provide
the services.
No further Police Reports have been received since the one covered in the
last meeting. When one is received it will be displayed.
JH has received correspondence from a resident requesting that the police do
occasional speed traps (handheld cameras?) at the Braidgate end of the village.
The communication is to be forwarded to GMcG, who will raise in a
committee meeting on Tuesday. He is also trying to obtain cardboard policemen
for the village to post at different locations. Speeding remains an issue
for the village and may be set to get worse when the 70 properties in Killearn
are all occupied, as we are likely to receive the bulk of the traffic (without having
received any community benefit). Speed bumps are not an option as the
A81 is a trunk road.
RD commented on the speed restrictions on Stockiemuir not being appropriate
for the access point for Auchengillan Outdoor centre, given the number of
people using the facility, especially in the lead-up to the anniversary.
- Planning and Licensing.
JG emailed all CC members prior to the meeting regarding a new application
for a submission previously made in 2024 (25/00020/PPP | Erection of 3no.
dwellinghouses and upgrade of existing access | Land 40M East Of Auchineden
Farm Dairy Cottage Blanefield). The previous application for four
dwellings (24/00143/PPP) has been withdrawn and replaced with a 3-dwelling
proposal, apparently to avoid the need for affordable housing contribution.
The CC opposed the previous application, on the basis that it was not really
within the existing cluster. JG noted also that the new design has abandoned
a steading arrangement. RD could see no reason to object as it would produce
no extra traffic, there is already a cluster in that area, and none of the
nearest neighbours have raised concerns. JG was concerned that if policy is
not followed in this case, it it might set a precedent. It was agreed to discuss
further within the CC before drafting a response. JG will request consultation
so that we have a couple of weeks to finalise the response.
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JG also noted that this case illustrates a flaw in current policies, whereby unlimited
groups of two or three houses can be built in the countryside, without
contributing to affordable housing and other infrastructure. Such developments
have outnumbered in-village construction, and this is something that
we should address in our submissions towards the next Local Development
Plan.
- Finance
There is £4,688.80 in the account. There are still some expenses to come out
of this for shed repairs etc. PL hopes to have all of these resolved by the end
of the financial year.
- Correspondence
Peter Finnie at SEPA emailed regarding changes to environmental regulations,
and a survey that begins shortly, closing on the 30th March. The link will
be made available shortly (resident assisting in sourcing the link).
The Stirling Tourist Levy survey and drop-in events begin on the 3rd of March,
closing on the 4th May. The CC will make these available to the public via social
media, possibly in the next BVB if available.
The Strathblane Heritage Society are working to create a Heritage trail for the
village. More details will be provided at the AGM so will be shared with the
community soon.
- AOCB
JH will chase with Rosemary regarding the planned extension to the cemetery.
What site will be chosen, when will it be built?
A reminder of the free energy event being held by Changeworks in the library
on March 4th from12.30 – 20 pm.
A resident asked if the CC was aware of the proposed parking charges coming
into effect at Mugdock Country Park. JH (who is on the Mugdock Park
Management Committee) confirmed that these have been under discussion
for a few years now. The resident’s concern was that East Dumbartonshire
consulted with their residents about this, however Stirling Council has yet to
do the same, despite us having a share in the concerns. It is also likely to result
in inappropriate parking on the surrounding narrow roads, and has provision
been made for that? JH will report back after the next meeting.
- Date of next meeting
7th April, 2025
Probable BVB publication in April too.
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Contact us at contact@strathblanecc.org.uk Also on our website
www.strathblanecc.org.uk. Telephone numbers for Community Councillors
are on the notice boards, in the library and in the Blane Valley Bulletin