KCC News
Spotlight on Kilmadock Community Council – February 2025
The meeting took place in Kilmadock Information Centre on Monday 10 February. Along with our councillors, also attending were Cllr. Elaine Watterson (Stirling Council) and Neil Fergusson (KDT Development Officer). We had apologies for absence from Alison McAlpine, Sue Sedgwick and Elizabeth Wallace.
Our Chair, Tony Farrant reported:
Toilets and Parking
No new information on the Moray Park toilets or the Draggie Burn Park & Stride. The issue of the soil pipe from the Moray Park toilets was not yet resolved.
Refuse Collection
We were reminded that new arrangements will apply from 3 March.
Informed Communities
Stirling Council will hold the next quarterly meeting on 20 February and Ro Drowley will attend on our behalf.
Police Report
Co-op thefts
We had received a Police Report covering 15 January-9 February. Police had previously reported a number of break-ins to the Co-op in Doune. After considerable inquiry, two males were arrested and charged with 15 separate commercial thefts by house breaking throughout Scotland. This includes four at the Co-op in Doune during which a five-figure sum was taken.
Dangerous Driving
On 14 January police officers on patrol on A84 near Doune witnessed a driver carrying out an overtaking manoeuvre in the face of oncoming traffic, causing them to take evasive action to avoid a collision. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was charged and is the subject of a report to the Fiscal for dangerous driving.
Door to Door
On 15 January reports were received of a male causing concern to residents, selling items door to door. Police attended and traced the male who was arrested and later charged in relation to not having a pedlar’s certificate.
Cllr. Elaine Watterson reported:
Budget
The meeting to set Stirling Council’s budget would take place on 27 February. Early indications were that cuts to services might not be as drastic as at first feared. Council Housing rents would rise by 7% and it was confirmed that this income was ring-fenced for housing maintenance etc. Arrangements are in hand to sell off redundant council properties to raise funds but no specific information is available.
Stirling 900
Events to commemorate Stirling 900 (the 900th anniversary of Stirling becoming a Royal Burgh) would culminate on 29 March with live events which will be advertised on social media and in the local press.
Stirling Studios
A major development of film studios at the Forthside former MoD site has begun in a major funding partnership with the UK and Scottish Governments, with initial completion as early as March 2026; the project is anticipated to become a major employer including trickle-down demand for a wide variety of trades.
Our Treasurer, Elizabeth Wallace reported in her absence that at 6 February, the Council’s bank balance was £2,764.30 (restricted funds) and £1,455.14 (unrestricted).
Our KDT Development Officer Neil Fergusson reported that work has now commenced on the new Youth Hub building in the Moray Park.
Our Secretary David Harding reported:
Co-opted position – there had been one application for a co-opted position on the Community Council – the closing date is 1 March.
Moray Park toilets – a new 3-year fixed price maintenance contract has been agreed with Wilson Washroom Services at an increase of £30 per annum over the current contract.
Stirling Council property – the operation of Stirling Council’s sensitive letting policy has been queried and a survey of the condition of the exterior of Council property in Main Street has been requested.
Community Storage – a Stirling Council owned garage has been allocated and a new lease will be signed when the lock is repaired/replaced.
Benches – there was positive feedback on the new bench at the Castle Hill junction with Main Street. The possibility of another bench in Deanston was raised and will be discussed at the next CaFD meeting. There was discussion on the style, cost and position of other potential new benches.
Village
Our Chair, Tony, confirmed that there has been no update on the re-lining (white-lining) of the village car park.
Roads – Ro Drowley reported:
Bus Parking
Stirling Council had confirmed its refusal to create a bus parking bay adjacent to the Woodside Hotel.
Speed Bumps and Puffin Crossing
While roadworks were underway in Balkerach Street there was no word or sign of the removal of speed bumps as had been agreed on the completion of the Puffin crossing in Main Street. An issue remained to be resolved concerning the siting of the control box for the new crossing.
KDT
Ken Russell reported on problems with the BT connection at the Post Office; discussion with the Post Office is ongoing. The training of a new counter assistant was progressing well. Several new volunteers are joining the Information Centre.
Woodland Group
Tony Farrant reported on a successful Fairy Trail at Christmas and indicated that the Easter Egg Hunt would take place on Sunday 20 April. The Scottish Land Commission had commended the agreement in place between the Woodland Group and Moray Estates as an excellent example of such co-operation.
Planning and Deanston – Alistair Sutherland reported:
Doune Conversion
an application for a two-storey conversion at 60 Main Street, Doune. No objections were noted.
Waste Treatment
Concerns had been expressed about hazardous and clinical waste treatment at the proposed development of a Safetec facility at Lochhill Industrial Estate – KCC will monitor and seek more information.
Deanston storage/development
Concerns were also expressed at the development of offices and storage facilities in Deanston for which no planning application has been noted – KCC will monitor and seek more information.
Informal reporting on KCC
Ken Russell said the informal ‘Spotlight’ review of KCC meetings is now regularly appearing on the Doune and Deanston website, with links posted on social media as soon as it becomes available.
Forestry
Ro Drowley reported that approximately one million trees are in the process of being planted on the Argaty Estate.
Resilience Plan
There was no report but it was noted that a local meeting was awaited. Questions were asked about the apparently unnecessary heating and lighting of the Muir Hall.
Other business
Dementia Café
It was noted that running of the Dementia Café would be under local control from the start of March.
Noise Complaint
A number of complaints had been raised regarding the noise from the back of John McLeod’s works at Innes Park. The Chair confirmed he knew at least one resident had raised a formal complaint with Stirling Council. A Reference number was later provided Case Ref: EN/24/055/UAW.
Next Meeting – the next meeting will be held on Monday 10 March in the Information and Heritage Centre, Doune at 7pm.
Spotlight on Kilmadock Community Council – January 2025
The meeting took place in Kilmadock Information Centre on Monday 13 January. Along with our councillors, also attending were Cllr. Gene Maxwell (Stirling Council) and Neil Fergusson (KDT Development Officer). We had four visitors; Jo and Douglas Watson, Jimmie Innes and John Blackwood.
Tony Farrant invited the visitor, Jo Watson, to speak to the council about her proposal for a centre for Scottish Heritage Textile Crafts in the redundant Kilmadock Church, Main St, Doune. She talked about her social enterprise charity Lamham that she set up last year. After a presentation about the project, about her contact with Mr. Keith Shell on the possible purchase or rent of the building and about her fellow charity trustees who have ‘thrown their full support behind the idea’, the floor was opened up for discussion. We arrived at a consensus that it would be a very expensive project and until more information could be obtained on the cost of purchase and repairs to the building, the running costs and sources of funding, the Community Council was unable to support the enterprise.
Our Chair, Tony Farrant then reported on the following:
Child/Adult Protection – Community Councillors
Child and Adult Protection Training for community volunteers within the Stirling Council Area will be facilitated by Neil Whattam, Public Protection Officer, on the following dates
13 March. 10am – 12 noon
18 September. 1pm – 3pm
Sessions will be hybrid, so can be joined in person at the Bannockburn hub or online using MS Teams.
Old Green Shed Site
Work is still ongoing at the site, the electricity supply has been upgraded, but an electricity meter needs to be fitted after which the installer can then commission their EV charging units and complete final checks. The off street parking order is being advertised which will allow erection of signs displaying conditions of use. The only other work left to be done is the installation by roads service of cycle hoops.
Refuse Collections
Many residents were caught out by the early blue bin collection on Monday 30 December.
Toilets
Stirling Council are still awaiting a response from Scottish Water regarding the depth of the roadside drain before they can carry out any work.
Dementia Café
KDT have now taken over the responsibility for managing the monthly café currently held at the Bowling Club. The Dunblane group will help out with the transition process. The key priorities are funding, recruiting a manager and pvg checks for all volunteers.
Police Report. We had received a Police Report covering 7 Dec-10 Jan. Between 9-10 Jan vandalism and an attempted break-in were reported at the public toilets in Moray Park, Doune. Enquiries are continuing. On 4 Jan at around 0050hrs the Co-op, Doune was broken into with a 4 figure sum being stolen. This is being investigated as part of a crime series along with previous housebreakings to these premises and others in the wider area.
Cllr. Gene Maxwell reported that following a meeting of the finance committee and suggestions from council departments on ways to save money, the predicted shortfall for the year ending April 2026 would be approximately £10m. This is exacerbated by increases in National Insurance of an estimated £2m but there is extra money being allocated by the government, not all of it restricted. Suggestions from departments have included community halls being run by the residents, alleviating the need for council employed managers, and libraries working on reduced opening hours.
Our Treasurer, Elizabeth Wallace reported that, at 13 January the council’s bank balance was £4735.43 (Restricted funds) and £1455.14 Unrestricted). She has sent a report to the WFT to claim the next £9000.00 of funding for the toilets and the funds should appear in the bank account soon. There is still a bill of £1224 to be paid for the new bench. She has also written to the Masonic Lodge about the £48.10 outstanding in the accounts but has to date not received a reply. The electricity for the toilets has not been paid since April 2024 and she has been in touch with the football club about this.
Our KDT Development Officer Neil Fergusson reported that the services to DDYP in the Moray Park have now been disconnected and that the building will soon be removed.
Our Secretary David Harding updated us on the Moray Park toilets – these had been vandalised and would be locked until they are repaired. DH had engaged a locksmith to mend the broken lock on the cleaners cupboard. It was suggested that a CCTV camera might help to deter vandals. (DH to act). A new bench for the Castle Hill site near the Co-op is still with Stirling Council. It should have been put in place in December and no new date for installation has been agreed. A general discussion took place regarding handling of the resignation, and subsequent withdrawal, by one member of the community council, where different views were expressed. Membership of the Community Council is dangerously below the permitted number which could cause problems getting a quorum if members are absent due to illness or holidays. A leaflet encouraging residents to join the Community Council will be produced, the wording of which has been agreed with Stirling Council. A separate leaflet about how to deal with antisocial behaviour has also been supplied and both leaflets will be delivered to addresses within the Kilmadock area.
Roads
Ro Drowley reported that work on the new Puffin Crossing over Main Street has begun. The proposed coach parking space along George Street was referred back to Stirling Council via Stephen Bly on 9 December, the response from the council on 6 January being “I will get back to you as soon as possible”. With Stephen’s help she will keep chasing this. The Argaty Road will be closed along its entire length, 8am – 4pm Monday to Friday between 3/2/2025 and 14/2/2025 to allow for investigation works on the bridge at the Dunblane end of the road.
Villages
Sue Sedgwick reported that white lining in the main car park still not been done.
Village Pride and KDT
Ken Russell reported that the Village Pride group would be back in operation soon. Although the Post Office had been closed for a week due to problems with communication it should be back to normal very soon. The Information Centre had a busy time leading up to Christmas.
Woodland Group
Tony Farrant reported that the Fairy Trail at Doune Ponds was very well received with lots of compliments and donations for the Ponds. The next event will be the Easter Egg Hunt. All the seasoned logs from last year have been sold.
Planning and Deanston
Alistair Sutherland had been unable to find out any more about the proposed hot food outlet on Innes Park, likewise a proposed recycling centre at Lochhills Industrial Park. There is a wall falling down opposite Deanston Distillery that is blocking the pavement. It has been reported to the council.
The Bridge and reporting on KCC
Ken Russell suggested now that The Bridge has ceased publication the informal ‘Spotlight’ review of KCC meetings should appear on the Doune and Deanston website. He suggested that a copy of the formal Community Council minutes are made available in the Library and possibly the Information Centre. However this cannot happen until the minutes have been approved at the next meeting of the Community Council so the informal ‘Spotlight’ is still needed to provide a more timely update for the community. A revival of The Bridge will be reviewed in approximately six months if interest is shown but unlikely to take the same form.
Resilience Plan
Alison McAlpine reported that good quality rescue and safety equipment had been received by the committee and stored. This is for use by both Doune and Deanston. Kilmadock is the first Community Council to receive the equipment.
Other business
The Old Kilmadock Stone would be featured on Digging for Britain BBC2 8pm on 14 January. Gene Maxwell thanked ROOK (Rescuers of Old Kilmadock) for looking after the cemetery and for the discovery of this important stone.
Christmas Lights. Many compliments had been received, especially that they remained on all day. They will be taken down this week by Gary Mather and a letter of thanks will be sent to him.
Meetings. David Harding (Secretary) asked for a schedule of meetings. It was agreed that they would be held on the 2nd Monday of the month at 7pm in the Information Centre and that at least one should be held in Deanston. There would be no meeting in July and August.
Next Meeting – the next meeting will be held on Monday 10 February in the Information and Heritage Centre, Doune at 7pm.