Spotlight on Kilmadock Community Council

The minutes of the meetings of the KCC

September Meeting

The KCC met on 14 September in the Doune and Deanston Youth Project Building.  Along with our councillors, also attending were Brian Roberts (Chief Executive of Stirling Council), Cllr. Gene Maxwell (Stirling Council), Joyce Kitchen (Historic Environment Scotland), Karen Fox and Victoria Stanford (Co-opted councillors) and David Clark (Minute Secretary).  Apologies for absence from David Harding and Jane McGready (KDT Project Officer)

 Community Council membership

The Community Council approved promotion of Morag Pentland to full membership and agreed to co-opt two new members, Karen Fox and Victoria Stanford.

 Police Report

6 June – 11 September, compiled by Constable Lorna Deans. 

Antisocial behaviour – On 20/06/26 a report was received of a vehicle having been damaged in the Doune area.  The damage was deliberate vandalism rather than a RTC; the person responsible has not been identified.

On 10/07/26 a report was received of abusive behaviour in the Doune area.  One person was issued with a recorded police warning in relation to threatening and abusive behaviour.

In the early hours of 28/08/26 reports were received of a disturbance taking place in the Doune area.  One female was given a recorded police warning in relation to threatening and abusive behaviour.

Road Safety – On 15/06/26, whilst on proactive patrol, officers had cause to stop a car in the Doune area.  The driver and sole occupant was found to have only a provisional licence and no insurance.  The driver was charged and is the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

On 31/07/26 a report was received of a drunk driver in the Doune area. Officers attended and traced a vehicle with the driver found to be under the influence of alcohol.  The driver was arrested and found to be over the legal limit.  The accused was charged with drunk driving and kept in police custody to appear at court the next day.

In the early hours of 22/08/26, officers were on mobile patrol in the Doune area when they had cause to stop a vehicle.  They found the driver to be under the influence of alcohol.  The accused was arrested and found to be over the legal limit.  The accused was charged and remained in police custody to attend at court the next day.

Theft

On 08/07/26 a report of a theft by shoplifting in the Doune area was received.  One person was issued a recorded police warning.

On 20/08/26 a report of theft by Shoplifting in the Doune area was received.  The person responsible has not been identified.

Other Incidents – On the evening of 15/06/26 police received a call in the Doune area in relation to a 2 year old child unaccompanied walking about the street.  Police attended and traced the child and returned them home.  Police found the adult who was supposed to be caring for the child to be under the influence of alcohol.  That person became abusive towards officers, refused to desist and was arrested.  That person violently resisted arrest and attempted to bite and headbutt officers.  With assistance from colleagues the arrested person was taken to police custody where they remained to appear at court the next day in relation to numerous disorder and assault offences as well as child protection charges.  Officers suffered slight injuries as a result of the incident.

On 04/08/26 reports were received of males fishing without permits on the river Teith.  Enquiry was carried out with two males being the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal in relation to fishing for salmon without permits.

New email address – stirlingcommunitypolice@scotland.police.uk

Councillor’s Report

Cllr Gene Maxwell commented on the initial stages of the Council’s budget planning for the next year. It was noted that Stirling Council has earmarked funds for the maintenance of Council-owned public toilets and the hope was expressed that it may be possible for this to be extended to the toilets in Moray Park.

Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer, David Harding, reported in his absence that the bank balances at 14 September were £2,156.08 (restricted) and £1,377.01 (unrestricted) totalling £3,536.09.

Associate Secretary’s Report

Graham Silcocks reported that Stirlng Council was reviewing the level of administration grant to Community Councils and that Doune and Deanston would shortly have a deep clean. There was some evidence of fly tipping locally. Helping Hands had worked throughout the summer in various tasks. The committee formed to consider Remembrance commemorations had met and arrangements are in hand.

Development Officer

Jane McGeary was not present but a summary report was submitted later.

Roads

Ro Drowley commented on the urgent need for repairs to Queen Street. There was still nothing to report on the provision of road signs agreed for Moray Street (No Through Road); the Park & Stride car park; Argaty Road and the back road from Deanston to Callander (walking/cycling friendly with reduced speed limits).

Villages

Sue Sedgwick reported that some action had been taken at the entrance to Castlehill car park but it was considered that more needs to be done. The matter of timing of the traffic lights in Main Street remained unresolved and anti-social behaviour issues believed to relate to housing allocation policies continued.

Planning/Forestry/Community Action for Deanston

Alistair Sutherland reported that there were no concerns noted for any current planning applications. A decision was awaited on the planning issues regarding the food outlets in the business park.

On the matter of the proposed planning application for the conversion of the former church, the Council was invited to state its preferences in respect of possible parking areas for seven cars in Moray Park. Three options were offered – a) the current informal parking area on the east side of the park, b) an area on the west side near the toilets,  c) an area on west side closer to tennis court. The possibility of turning the graveyard into a parking area was raised but this was deemed both impractical and undesirable, as was the option of moving the play park to another area of the park. Of the options offered, the Council preferred a) on the east side with the possibility of extending it towards the former railway line to create more public parking. It was also agreed that the legality of Stirling Council offering part of Moray Park for sale should be clarified.

Community Resilience

Alistair Sutherland reported on an imminent meeting which would consider the preparation of a leaflet on public resilience matters for local distribution.

Kilmadock Development Trust

Ken Russell reported on increased footfall and income at the Information and Heritage Centre.  There are continuing IT communication issues at the Post Office.  The Trust is presently canvassing opinion on the desirability of acquiring premises to the rear of the present centre to improve provision of community space.

Woodland Group

Tony Farrant reported on the recent successful, despite the weather, Family Day and on plans for the Fairy Trail at Christmas.

Forestry – Ro Drowley reported on timber extraction on the Argaty Road near the Motor Park.

Cycle Path Proposed Extension – Steven Morrow reported on progress on the planned crossing for cyclists at Buchany and emphasised the desirability for consistent and lower speed limits between Doune and Buchany.

Community Engagement – It was noted that Ken Russell will resume regular reporting on the Community Council meetings, available as the SPOTLIGHT entry on the douneanddeanston.com community website, with a link from the popular Doune Village and Doune Ponds Facebook page.  It was hoped to also secure dedicated space on the public noticeboards outside the Information Centre.

Other business

Blair Drummond War Memorial – although it will lie within the area of Thornhill Community Council, the Council noted that a new stone War Memorial will be erected and dedicated at 3.00pm on Remembrance Sunday at the entrance to Blair Drummond Cemetery, to replace the memorial in the former church which is now in private hands.

Teith Bridge – the need for better and safer provision for pedestrians to cross the River Teith was again emphasised, preferably by the provision of a dedicated footbridge. Advice was given to the Community Council to pursue the matter with Transport Scotland.

Next meeting – It was agreed that the next meeting would take place on Monday 12 October at 7.00pm at Kilmadock Information and Heritage Centre.