Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre Community Council Minutes of Meeting held at the King’s House Hotel on 11th January 2012
Present: Malcolm McNaughton (MM), Alistair Barclay (AB), Adrian Squires (AS), (MK), Rosanne McWilliams (RM), and Paul Hicks (PH). Apologies: Richard Eastland (RE), Sara Hesp, Marguerite Kobs, Karen Methven, Angus Cameron, PC Andy Ward (Central Scotland Police) and Owen McKee (National Park). In attendance: Cllr Paul Owens (PO) and Suzanne Player (SP) of Stirling Council (SC).
1) Approval of Minutes The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed. It was proposed by RM and seconded by AB that the minutes should be accepted and this was approved unanimously. 2) Police Report PC Ward was unable to attend so no report was available. 3) Matters Arising 3.1) Memorial Path, Forest Lodge, Strathyre RE was unable to attend so no report was available. 3.2) Nursery Bus SP reported that a quotation had been obtained from Kingshouse Travel to transport up to sixteen children, twice a week. Parents were willing to contribute when their children attended the nursery but provision had to be made for shortfalls through unforeseen circumstances. Estimates suggested that up to £70 per week might be required. PO was asked if SC might be prepared to fund any such shortfalls. He responded that opinions might be mixed but he, personally, would argue that such support is vital in rural areas, particularly as SC is focused on early intervention with problem families and promoting attendance at a nursery school would support that goal. It was also pointed out that the local nursery might suffer a loss of funding if children could not attend due to lack of transport. The further point was made that, having had very short notice as to the demise of the previous service provided by SC, the parents of affected children had worked hard to seek an alternative and were prepared to support it, both financially and in the practical matter of providing daily escorts for the children. PO reminded councillors that SC prepared its budgets for the coming financial year in February and SP offered to work with parents to prepare a formal proposal to SC, in time for it to be included in the appropriate budget. Action: SP to work with parents on formal proposal. 3.3) Telephone Kiosk at Balquhidder PH gave a short report on the suggestion that an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) should be installed in the telephone box at Balquhidder, now owned by the CC. He highlighted the benefits of having such equipment available and pointed out that two key factors would be: the need for an electrical supply to be restored to the kiosk, and the need to raise money toward the cost (between £1,600 and £2,000). MM raised concerns about the security of the equipment but was keen to pursue the project, provided that such queries could be resolved satisfactorily. It was suggested that an electrical supply might be made available from the Village Hall and PH agreed to do some further research regarding the aspect of security. Action: PH to research further the security of the AED. 3.4) Modular Fuel Stations PH then gave a short report on a proposal put forward in the bulletin of the Association of Scottish Community Councils for a modular fuel station to be sited in a rural area. A British company (Terence Barker Tanks) manufactures modular fuel stations using a unique system of above-ground, storage tanks. They are designed to provide unattended fuel service and are considered ideally suited to rural locations such as our own. Councillors were attracted to the idea but foresaw significant obstacles. No details of cost were available and, although the company was offering to build two test sites at cost, it was thought that the capital required would be beyond the means of the local communities. It was also pointed out that profit margins on the sale of fuel are extremely low and that such a venture would probably only succeed if allied to another business venture (such as a small shop or other retail outlet). It was decided that PH should seek to obtain some indication of the costs involved but, unless an interested party came forward to take on the idea as a business venture, this proposal should be held in abeyance for the time being. Action: PH to seek details of cost from TB Tanks. 4) Correspondence 4.1) Forest Planting at Balquhidder MM had received some correspondence regarding the planting of trees at a site near Balquhidder but, so far as he could see, it was only likely to affect one local farmer (C Methven) and MM undertook to liaise with him about it personally. Action: MM to liaise with CM. 5) Planning Matters 5.1) Ballimore Hydro Scheme AS reported that no evidence had come to light that the arrangements agreed with the National Park authorities in the traffic plan for this scheme were not being followed. After discussion, it was apparent that only one family was likely to be affected significantly and could be relied upon to report any problems, either to the CC or to the Park authorities. It was decided that no further action by the CC was necessary. 6) Any Other Business 6.1) Elections to Community Council All ten of the existing councillors are willing to continue in office so, constitutionally, the work of the CC may continue unabated. However, there are two vacancies for representatives from Strathyre and notice of a forthcoming election in May 2012 has been given. PH distributed application packs for prospective councillors but RM pointed out that there seems to be little interest currently from residents of Strathyre in joining the CC. One or two people have been approached but, so far, no firm commitments have been made. Members agreed to keep in mind the opportunity to recruit two additional members during the next few weeks. 6.2) Waste Disposal at Glenbeich, Lochearnhead AB reported that five households at Glenbeich (his own included) had not had any domestic waste removed for at least four weeks. Rubbish was accumulating and he had serious concerns for public health and safety. PO offered to contact the appropriate department in SC with a view to resolving this issue. Action: PO to liaise with SC to resolve this problem. 6.3) Five Lochs Management Plan AB reported that the details of the plan are still being prepared but the final draft is scheduled for presentation to another meeting in February, whereupon the finished product will be made public. 6.4) Attendance at CC Meetings MM reported that he had been approached by a candidate in the forthcoming election to SC with a view to being ‘introduced’ at the next meeting. Whilst, of course, anyone was free to attend the CC as a member of the public, he was concerned to maintain the non-political stance of the CC itself. Members agreed with this and SP offered to check the protocol of whether political candidates should attend CC meetings. Action: SP to check protocol of political candidates attending CC meetings. 6.5) Local Road Conditions MM reported that he had recently contacted the head of Environment Services at SC regarding the extremely poor and dangerous condition of some local roads. He had been advised that a team would be filling in pot holes during the early days of January 2012 but, so far, he had seen no evidence of this. AB added that the problems were exacerbated by the lack of hedging and ditching operations, leading to many roads being covered for long periods with standing water and having stones and other debris washed over them from surrounding land. It was suggested that Perth & Kinross Council had adopted a more through and effective system of dealing with damaged roads, resulting in less damage to vehicles and, consequently, far smaller costs from compensation to motorists. Action: PO agreed to raise this with the appropriate authorities in SC. 6.6) Toilets in Strathyre RM reported that the building and the land on which it stands are currently the subject of a planning application. If this is successful, a local business has made an offer to buy the land and re-develop the area as a tourist facility, providing light refreshments, toilets and parking space. 6.7) Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations SP advised members that applications for grants towards the funding of events and functions to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee may be made to the Community Pride Fund. The final date for submission is 17 February 2012. There was no other business and, at 9:05pm, MM declared the meeting closed. The next meeting is planned to take place at 7:30pm on Wednesday 22nd February 2012 at the Kingshouse Hotel.
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