Spotlight on Kilmadock Community Council

Here are the main takeaway points from the June KCC meeting in Kilmadock Information Centre on Monday 9 June.  Along with our councillors, also attending were Cllr. Gene Maxwell (Stirling Council), Neil Fergusson (KDT Development Officer), P Cs Donald King and Lorna Deans (Community Police).  Apologies from David Harding and Graham Morrow.

This meeting was the last meeting before the hiatus of the summer break and business included our Annual General Meeting.  Our Chair, Tony Farrant, gave the following short summary of our activity over the past year.

Thanks to all who assisted in the delivery for the co-option leaflets, we now have two new co-opted members, Graham Slicocks and Stephen Morrow for the KCC. We also hope to co-opt another member towards the end of this year.

Finally, the EV chargers at the Draggie Burn Park & Stride are working, signage has been proposed with one change required and agreed. Signage for the village has yet to be proposed.

Thanks to David for managing the toilets and the volunteers who open and close them. Hopefully the periodic flooding will be a thing of the past as SC are to start the  groundworks to install a new and more effective drainage system. A new electricity meter has been installed; we are no longer reliant on the football club although we have to agree what payment is outstanding. E.ON Next will provide the power supply for the next year and are invoicing KDT, who hold the lease and insurance.

A number of meetings were held with the Primary School Parents regarding the dangers of the crossing in main street following the removal of the lollipop person. Thanks to Ro’s persistence the upgrading of the crossing to a Puffin status included the removal of the speed bumps in Balkerach Street.  We are still waiting for some traffic calming to take place. After much frustration from Sue and constant chasing the main village car park has now no parking yellow lines at the entrance.

The saga of what to do about Teith bridge continues with the latest:-  “The subject was raised once again by Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell in a question to Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop – with Ms Hyslop outlining modelling work that has looked at the option of restricting the carriageway to a single lane with a widened footpath and traffic lights. A modelling exercise completed in January this year said this option “may operate with acceptable levels of delay and queuing for vehicles including in average traffic conditions in the summer”. So far, I have only received a response from BEAR.

Anti-social behaviour is a constant issue for rural communities, we are no exception.  Some residents have attended our meetings seeking help with the Police and Stirling Council. Thanks go to SC Housing for their help. It is very evident when we have face to face meetings with officers, it results in a more positive outcome.

The resilience plan is now coming together, a small core and wider group are being planned to run it. A communication “teaser” plan to promote it prior to this year’s Gala to gain interest,  a Stirling Council team will be on site to show some of the available kit, with a target of attracting volunteers and being up and running by the autumn. Training is also part of the plan.

A close eye has been kept on planning applications and at least two required action and a response by us.

Previously the KCC meetings were reported in The Bridge. Since it stopped publication Ken has filled the void with his Spotlight version that is also shared on social media.

Community Safety Enforcement officers (parking wardens) visit Doune a few times each week but do not provide exact dates.

Thanks to TSAR for managing our defibrillators, 2 new sets of pads are required and have been replaced.

We are soon due to see the Council’s Visitor levy proposal.

Sadly, Elizabeth has decided to stand down as our Treasurer. Thanks for all her work.

A reminder that the KCC has an obligation for Doune Ponds under the new ten-year agreement signed by Moray Estates, KCC and DCWG.

Thanks to all for their efforts on behalf of the community.

AGM Appointment of Office bearers

Councillor Gene Maxwell took the chair for this item of business.

Appointments for the next session of the KCC were made as follows :

1. Chair – Tony Farrant
2. Vice-Chair – Alistair Sutherland
3. Secretary – David Harding
4. Treasurer – no appointment was made; Elizabeth Wallace agreed to remain as Treasurer until an appointment was made.
5. Planning/Licensing – Alistair Sutherland

Tony Farrant then resumed the chair and expressed his thanks to all involved in the work of the Council.  The AGM was closed and we moved on to normal KCC business.

Police Report:  (covering the period 10 May – 6 June)

Road Safety

On 16 May a road traffic collision occurred on the A84 near Doune. Police attended and the driver was charged with having an expired driving licence and careless driving.

On 4 June, police stopped a vehicle in the Doune area being driven in a careless manner.  The driver was issued with a Conditional Offer of Fixed Penalty.

Theft

The theft of quad bikes is still an issue in the area and members of the public are being asked to be vigilant and report any suspicious people/vehicle to police. 

Stirling Councillor’s Report:

Cllr. Gene Maxwell reported that the sale of land on the former Viewforth Council site had been approved. He indicated that the annual Council accounts were still not to hand and were seriously overdue. Cllr. Maxwell undertook to report on unoccupied non-residential properties within the Kilmadock Community Council area.

Treasurer’s Report:

Elizabeth Wallace reported that at 9 June the bank balance was £9, 237.15, of which £8,019.60 was in restricted funds and £1,217.55 in unrestricted funds. 

KDT Development Officer

Neil Fergusson reported work on the new Youth Project building was progressing on schedule, there is now electricity supply in the building.

Roads:

Ro Drowley reported that matters such as potholes continued to be advised to and dealt with by Stirling Council. 

Villages:

Sue Sedgwick reported the incidence of anti-social behaviour appeared to have lessened and that the painting of double yellow lines in the main village car park was having a beneficial effect. Ro Drowley undertook to ascertain the reaction of Stirling Council if photos of vehicles parked on yellow lines or on the pavement were to be sent to them.

Planning

Alistair Sutherland reported that there appeared to be no activity at the Lochhill Safelec facility but asked who was overseeing potential breaches of planning regulations. 

Community Action for Deanston

Alistair Sutherland reported that a Freedom of Information request to Stirling Council to ascertain the level of income from filming in Deanston had only resulted in a list of costs to the Council, rather than the requested information about income. 

Kilmadock Development Trust

Ken Russell reported on the need for more volunteers to assist in the Heritage and Information Centre and that there was inadequate cover for any Post Office staff  who may be off work.  There has been an encouraging response of donations by visitors to the new Heritage Exhibition Room.

Woodland Group

Tony Farrant reported that the Woodland Group would have a presence at Doune Gala on 21 June and that pond dipping activities would be offered in July.

Resilience Plan:

Alistair Sutherland reported on steps being taken to set up a Resilience Hub for the area. Volunteers are being sought and there will be a promotion at the Doune Gala on 21 June and a public meeting at the Muir Hall on 25 June. Promotional material would also be available on local social media.

Other business:

Tennis courts – it was agreed to approach Stirling Council as a matter of urgency to arrange cleaning and repair of the tennis court surfaces in Moray Park

Sustainable Mobility Strategy – material had been received, circulated and noted. 

Windfarm Trust – it was agreed that Alistair Sutherland and Sue Sedgwick would represent the Community Council on the Windfarm Trust. Members of the Council then voted on members of the public nominated to serve on the Windfarm Trust. 

Next Meeting – the next meeting will be held on Monday 8 September in the Information and Heritage Centre, Doune at 7pm.