Thornhill Community Website

Thornhill, Stirling, United Kingdom

Community Council Meeting Minutes 12/08/23

 Thornhill Community Hall / 22nd August 2023 at 7:30 pm 

1. Present and Apologies

Present: Hector Muir (HM) Chair, Elaine Blanchard (EB) Secretary, Alison Newlands (AN) Minute Taker, Andy Greig (AG), Cllr Gene Maxwell (GM), Moira Russell (MR), Gary Thompson (GT) Treasurer, Sheena Stewart (SS), Rowena Coulthard (RC), Bob Marshall (BM), Veronica Bachelor (VB), Heather Aitkenhead (HA), Sara Fullerton (SF).

2. Approval of minutes of meeting on the 22nd February 2023

Minutes approved, no objections or comments.

Approved by MR

Seconded by AG

3. Approval of minutes of meeting on the 21st June 2023.

Minutes approved, no objections or comments.

Approved by AG

Seconded by EB

4. Matters Arising

a) Vote on co-opting members

Further to the Inaugural Meeting in June, where seven candidates were elected to the Community Council, it was advised there was the capacity to elect up to nine people. 

All agreed that new members would be welcome, and co-option nominations will be accepted from the November 2023 meeting onwards. 

5. Reports – External

a. Transport Scotland – Traffic Alleviation at Safari Park

HM – no update on this issue at present.  Agreed to leave on the agenda until funding has been agreed.

b. Police Scotland

The Police Scotland latest report has been received and details listed below.

Antisocial Behaviour

On 29/05/23 an incident took place on the A873 between Thornhill and the A84 at Blair Drummond whereby the passenger of a vehicle was threatening and abusive to the occupants of another. Enquiry was conducted and one male identified and issued with a recorded Police warning.

Cllr Gene Maxwell added that there have been a number of instances of anti-social behaviour in Stirling recently, which have raised some concerns.  This is highly unusual and has been raised with Police Scotland.

Theft

On 03/05/23 a theft by shoplifting occurred at Angling Active, Stirling Agricultural Centre. One male has been identified and issued with a recoded Police Warning. 

On 07/05/23 a theft by shoplifting occurred at Angling Active, Stirling Agricultural Centre. The person responsible for this brandished a knife at staff when leaving the store. One male was identified, arrested, charged, and kept in custody to appear at court in relation to this.

Fraud

Fraud continues to be a problem in all areas of Scotland. Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations, and the police. They spend hours researching you for their scams, hoping you will let your guard down for just a moment. Stop and think. It could protect you and your money. 

There is advice including information on a number of different types of fraud on the Police Scotland website at – Personal Fraud – 

Police Scotland Police Scotland are currently recruiting for Special Constables. “As a special constable, you’ll collaborate with our police officers in your spare time – forging strong partnerships in the community, patrolling our streets, preventing crime, and interacting with all kinds of people to give back, keep your local community safe and make a real difference.” If you think you could make a difference in your local community then head to their recruitment pages for more info – Police Scotland Recruitment – Police Scotland

c. Stirling County Councillor 

GM advised that Stirling Council Councillors are just returning from summer recess and dealing with issues with potholes and housing overcrowding.

Planning has approved a new housing development, Durieshill located between Stirling Services and Plean.  This development will have three thousand new homes, a mix of tenures with private housing, affordable housing, and private rented sector housing.  The site will also have a primary and secondary school and community organisations and businesses. 

Stirling Council are involved in a City Region Deal with Clackmannanshire Council. This is a package of significant investment in innovation and infrastructure that will drive inclusive economic growth throughout the city region.  As part of this deal Stirling Council will see major investment into the Ministry of Defence land at Forthside.  At point of transfer, the site will have been surveyed and cleansed of any dangerous contaminants by the MOD, with the buildings and infrastructural elements being handed over on a ‘current condition’ basis. Opportunities will continue to be explored to support early release of any or all of the site.  There has been some interest in using the current buildings as they are.

World Cycling Championships

GM advised that he has received a lot of emails regarding the event and in general the feedback has been positive. It is clear there will be lessons learned from hosting such a major event in the area.

There was a discussion on funding for the event and GM agreed to check on the funding received and allocation.

Nursery Provision

GM advised that there are issues around nursery places in the area in particular Killin.  This is due to the reduction of early years provision and funding.  This has forced some nursery provisions to reduce the number of employees reducing places available and resources for provision. 

6. Reports – Internal

a. Chair

HM – Nothing to report.

TBCC email now transferred over to EB.

c. Treasurer

GT updated the meeting with the current financial information.

Treasurer’s Report: Approximately £450 in the account, awaiting admin grant being released.

d. Planning

AG – Report circulated by AL. 

AG read out new planning applications received at Stirling Council for Thornhill.

GM advised that the New National Planning Framework was published in February 2024 and has introduced stricter controls relating to flooding and the ability to build properties in flood areas.

e. Thornhill Future Group

EB advised that the group is pushing forward with the local placement plan and are currently on draft number 9, aiming to complete a final draft by January 2024.

A final public consultation has been arranged for 21st September 2023.

f. Blair Drummond Community Hall

Nothing to report.

g. North Common Trust

EB advised that the Chair of the North Common Trust has recently resigned and are currently assessing the role moving forward.  In addition, the Deed of Trust for the North Common Trust lists those members should also be members of the TBCC.  

6. Community Council Business

a. Dunsire and Partners’ development in Thornhill 

AG updated the meeting on the development application and advised that a decision has still not been reached.  The decision was previously on hold pending the decision on a planning application at Mossend, West Lothian, this has subsequently been rejected.  The Scottish Government Reporter requested any further comments to be submitted by 18th August now extended to 30th August 2023.  The Reporter will then deliberate for a period of time then pass their recommendation to the Scottish Government. 

b. Slow Down sign/flashing light on A873 after B8031 (near Coldoch Road) towards Stirling.

HM to check with Gabriela Ingle on the work conducted previously and will update at the next meeting.    

c. Sommers Lane

GM to check with Roads Department regarding an update on new signage. 

d. Speeding in Thornhill

Speeding in Thornhill continues to be an issue, see item 7.

e. Flooding in Callander

AG tabled a paper on  Aberfoyle Flooding.  

Background information – Aberfoyle has a long-standing problem with flooding. Since Stirling Council (SC) was given responsibility for dealing with this, many reports, and much money (rumoured to be £2M+) has been spent studying the problem but no action has resulted.  

The damage caused by flooding is presently calculated simply in terms of the damage to property. On this basis, Aberfoyle was not in the first tranche of communities selected for flood protection. In practice, the economic damage and inconvenience is much greater because all the communities, including two large hotels and the school, are frequently cut off to the west of Aberfoyle. A recent letter from SC to the planning authority recommends an objection to any development west of Aberfoyle, where the B829 is blocked on the grounds of flooding. This is difficult to quantify, and at present is not considered.

AG advised that Strathard Community Council has requested support from TBCC.  All agreed and AG will write to them and offer support.

f. Doig Street Water Pressure

EB raised the above item for consideration by the TBCC due to the issues that it is causing families in this area.  

MR advised that the water pressure has been particularly bad for a prolonged period of time.  Numerous calls have been logged with Scottish Water but no resolution to date.  Scottish Water have visited the area several times and believe the issue to due to old water pipes that are no longer fit for purpose, given the number of houses it supplies.

MR to telephone Scottish Water for an update and request details on escalation process.

GM agree to write to Scottish Water.

7. Residents Forum

Speeding in Thornhill

HA outlined the issues around speeding in Thornhill:

  • Last week a dog was killed by a speeding vehicle along our Main Street. 
  • The extent to which the situation impacts the everyday lives of Thornhill residents, especially young families and older people who are unable to live and move safely around the village.
  • Damage to cars and buildings is a regular occurrence.
  • Children cannot walk or cycle to school safely as vehicles (including buses and lorries) regularly mount the pavement rather than wait for other vehicles to pass.
  • There are no crossing points or signs around the school.
  • Pavements are too narrow for prams. It is impossible to strap toddlers into car seats along the Main Street without cars speeding inches away from the door. 

HA outlined the three main areas of concern:

  • Thornhill main street down from road narrowing to Grays Loan.
  • Thornhill Cross bottle neck.
  • Area around Thornhill Primary School.

The TBCC entered a detailed discussion on the issues outlined and agreed the issues need to be addressed urgently particularly around the primary school.  

Ideas tabled:

  • Pedestrian crossing –  previously agreed with Stirling Council, never actioned.
  • One way system 
  • Flower planters along far end of village to prevent cars mounting the pavements.
  • Council CCTV van used for surveillance in the village.
  • Signage at Primary School.
  • Line painting at crossroads.
  • Community Petition to Stirling Council.
  • Look at Safe Routes to School Programme.

GM agreed to follow up signage and issues around safety at the primary school and update on pedestrian crossing plans.

HM agreed to speak to Gabriela Ingle regarding previous petition to Stirling Council and process involved.

TBCC agreed to add issue as a standing item for future meetings.

b. Road Markings

Resident email about road markings (specifically at the junction with the A84 at the Smiddy) having seen several cars going the wrong way due to poor road markings. There is also an issue at the Main Street/Kippen Road junction – Stirling Council said they were going to repaint there after the accident earlier in the year, but still have not done so.

AG agreed to write to Stirling Council regarding repainting road markings, supported by GM.

8. AOB

Back Yetts

SF advised the meeting on the issues of cars using the Back Yetts road.  It appears that Google Maps navigation is using this road as the preferred route through Thornhill.  This road is not suitable for heavy traffic and vehicles are being damaged and pavement already collapsed on the corner of the road.  GM agreed to follow up repair of pavement with Stirling Council.   

9. Date, time, and venue of next meeting

28th September 2023 at 7:30pm

Action PointsMember Responsible
Funding for World Cycling ChampionshipsGM
Update on Slow Down sign/flashing light on A873 after B8031 (near Coldoch Road) towards Stirling from Gabriela IngleHM
Update on requested signage for Sommers LaneGM
Aberfoyle Flooding – Letter to Strathard Community Council offering TBCC supportAG
GM agree to write to Scottish Water.GM
MR to telephone Scottish Water for an update and request details on escalation process. MR
Stirling Council – Follow up signage and issues around safety at the primary school and update on pedestrian crossing plans for the village.GM
Speak to Gabriela Ingle regarding previous petition to Stirling Council and process involved.HM
Letter to Stirling Council re road markings.AG
Repairs to pavement Back YettsGM

Meeting closed 20:30.

Community Council Inaugral Meeting Minutes

Thornhill Community Hall / 21st June 2023 at 7:30 pm 

Present: Michelle Flynn (MF) Stirling Council, Elaine Blanchard (EB), Alison Newlands (AN) Minute Taker, Andy Greig (AG), Hector Muir (HM), Sheen Stewart (SS), Moira Russell (MR), Gary Thomson (GT), Campbell Millar, Rowena Coulthard (RC)

Apologies: Al Rawlinson (AR)

Michelle Flynn from Stirling Council chaired the Inaugural Meeting and welcomed everyone.

2. Community Council Induction

MF advised the meeting that following the close of nominations for the Community Council elections on Wednesday 7th June 2023, sufficient valid nominations were received for the Thornhill and Blair Drummond Community Council.  The following candidates were elected:

Elaine Blanchard 

Rowena Coulthard 

Andy Greig 

Hector Muir

Alastair Rawlinson 

Moira Russell 

Gary Thomson

MF added the TBCC has elected 7 candidates and has the capacity to elect up to 9 people.  The elected candidates will hold office for a period of 4 years, with the next election being held in 2027.

Additional information on induction to the Community Council was circulated at the end of the meeting.

3. Appointment of Office Bearers

MF advised that the new Thornhill and Blair Drummond Community Council was now required to appointment their office bearers and must have at a minimum a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.

Nominations for appointment of Chair

Hector Muir

Proposed – Elaine Blanchard Seconded – Andy Greig

No objections Hector Muir elected as Chair.

Nominations for appointment of Secretary

Elaine Blanchard

Proposed – Rowena Coulthard Seconded – Andy Greig

No objections Elaine Blanchard elected as Secretary.

Nominations for appointment of Treasurer

Gary Thomson

Proposed – Rowena Coulthard Seconded – Hector Muir

No objections Gary Thomson elected as Treasurer.

Nominations for appointment of Vice Chair

Andy Greig

Proposed – Gary Thomson Seconded – Hector Muir

No objections Andy Greig elected as Vice Chair.

Nominations for Planning/Licensing Correspondent

Alastair Rawlinson

Proposed – Moira Russell Seconded – Elaine Blanchard

No objections Alastair Rawlinson confirmed as Planning/Licensing Correspondent.

4. Signing of the Constitution and Standing Orders

MF asked the Chair HM and Secretary EB to sign the constitution and standing orders.  Once signed a copy was given to the Chair.

5. Meeting Calendar

The following meetings have been confirmed for 2023/24

Tuesday 22nd  August       2023

Tuesday 26th  September 2023 

Tuesday 7th    November  2023 

Tuesday 12th  December  2023 

Tuesday 23rd  January       2024

Tuesday 5th    March         2024

Tuesday 23rd  April            2024 

Tuesday 4th    June             2024  AGM

6. Useful links for:

– Scheme of Establishment

– Member Booklet

– Area Profile

– Community Council Enquiry Process

MF outlined the above useful documents available to the Community Council, highlighting the main document as the scheme of establishment.

MF also advised on the enquiry process and main contact of Stephen Bly for raising any questions or queries.

7.  Document Handover and Brief Explanation

– Inaugural Additional Notes

– Administration Grant

– Community Council Enquiry

MF handed over documents on above topics to the EB.

8. Handover to duly elected Chairperson

Formal meeting concluded and handed over to HM.

Meeting closed 20:00.

Stirling Council Budget Survey

Stirling Council has launched a new survey on a range of proposed budget savings.

No decisions have been taken on any of the savings proposals and the survey aims to find out from residents affected by savings what the impact would be on them and on the community.

Please help us to inform the budget process by completing the survey.

The full list of savings is on the survey itself, but they include:

  • Close or reduce council-managed community centres.
  • Stop the annual mowing of rural road verges, reduce grass cutting or increase space for pollinator spaces.
  • Closure of some libraries.
  • Reduction in budget for events and festivals.
  • Removal of the ‘road-end’ waste collection policy.
  • Stop the greenspace ranger service.
  • Reduce spending on maintenance at buildings and facilities.
  • Removal of the community grant scheme.
  • Reduce free, confidential and impartial accredited money, debt and benefit advice to residents.
  • Change the operating models (opening times and capacity) at some nurseries.
  • Increase non statutory childcare fees.
  • Reduce or stop the play, creche, play and out of school care service.
  • Reduce teachers in the additional support needs outreach team.
  • Removal of the P5 swimming programme.
  • Reduce the primary school week for pupils.
  • Close some or all public toilets.

For more information on the councils budget position, please visit stirling.gov.uk/bigconversation

Remember, Remember November Community Lottery Draw

Fancy a shopping trip in John Lewis?

November’s prize in the Community Lottery superdraw is a £1000 John Lewis gift card. Just in time for Christmas!

If you sign up here and enter the community lottery you could be a winner and help Thornhill community at the same time. Win, win!

North Common Trust AGM, 20 November

Thornhill North Common Trust AGM will be in the Community Hall main hall on 20 November from 7.00pm.

Public Meeting about Thornhill Local Place

Save the date! Our next meeting to discuss Thornhill’s Place Plan is on Sunday 26 November 2.00pm – 5.00pm
We’ve planned a Drop-in meeting with light refreshments available all afternoon.
This get-together is to discuss the first draft of our plan, prepared following the Community Gathering in May.
The draft plan will be circulated in the week beginning 13 November, both online and as paper copies.
Looking forward to getting your views on the document and to get your input on a number of points which are still to be finalised.

Badminton for Fun in Thornhill Hall

Playing badminton is a great way to keep fit and have fun so it’s good news that Callander and West Perthshire U3A have started a group in the community hall.

It’s held on Wednesday afternoons, at 2-4pm and there is space for new members. As the name ‘Badminton for Fun’ suggests this group is non-competative and you don’t need to be an expert or even particulary fit to join in.

If you would like to give it a go with no obligation contact membership@candwpu3a.org or peterarickard@gmail.com

For more information about Callander and West Perthshire U3A click here

Library Survey

Please see below the links to two surveys which you may wish to complete or pass on to others who may be interested.

Mobile Library Survey

Stirling Council is currently surveying mobile library readers about changes to proposed mobile timetables.  The survey will be live until 30th October.

Anyone can access the survey online directly by following this link: https://bit.ly/MobileLibrarySurvey2023.  
Or you can download and print the mobile library survey and proposed new route here. You can hand completed paper surveys in to the mobile van.

The survey offers a chance to comment on what other services people might like to see eg access to Health/Housing/Benefits advice.  The plan is to offer digital support and other kinds of help eg to rural areas. 

Public Library survey

This is a national survey and runs from Monday 2nd to Saturday 21st October.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PublicLibrarySurvey23

The survey is for anyone aged 16 and over.  No demographic or identifiable information is collected and the survey should take only 2 minutes to complete.  Once analysed, results will be available at a local and national level.  

The survey has been developed by SLIC and the Association of Public Library Services in Scotland (APLS).  SLIC will host the online version (link below) and will analyse all data received.   You are encouraged to complete online but also provided is a print version, completed paper forms can be handed in to libraries.

Speeding in Thornhill Main Street

Please see the letter below from Alyn Smith MP sent to Thornhill and Blairdrummond Community Council regarding a survey in to traffic in the Main Street.

“Thank you very much for all this information.  It is something that was brought to Alyn’s attention and we have been into it to see what discussions have been going on and the councils activity on the matter.  Attached to this email is a letter launching a survey on Road Safety in Thornhill.  Alyn is very keen to get residents views on the matter to present to Stirling Council to try and see if we can get the ball rolling on some sort of improvement being made.  Alyn has had some recent success in East Plean that was having very similar issues.  Alyn was able to help secure improved road calming measures for the area so is hoping we can do something similar for Thornhill.

As I said a letter is attached with information on how to access the survey.  Alternatively, here is a link that will take you directly to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ThornhillRoads

Again, thank you very much for providing the information have, it is very useful.  If there is any way you could help share the survey out wide that would be very helpful, we are hoping to get as many residents of Thornhill as possible to respond.  I will circulate the results to you once we have achieved a high number of responses.”

Your chance to win a theatre trip

October’s Community Lottery super draw is a luxury theatre trip or £1500 cash.
TCT is signed up as a beneficiary of Stirling Community Lottery.
If you nominate TCT as your preferred charity we receive half of the ticket value, that is 50p of every £1 ticket. This means that you are supporting your community as well.
How to take part? Just go to TCT lottery page to sign up. Don’t forget to buy your tickets as well.

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