COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN 2012-2017

Gartmore

G A R T M O R E | 1 Gartmore Community Action Plan 2012-2017

This Community Action Plan GARTMORE COMMUNITY FUTURES STEERING GROUP sets out the priorities for the The preparation of the Action Plan has been guided by a local development of Gartmore over Steering Group set up by the Gartmore Community Trust. The the next 5 years as determined Steering Group brings together members of the Community by the community through an Trust, the Community Council, the Village Association and other extensive process of community ORFDOYROXQWHHUV7KLV$FWLRQ3ODQIXOO\UHƫHFWVSULRULWLHVLGHQWLƪHG engagement carried out from through the community needs survey and wider consultation -XQHŘ2FWREHU and as such provides the guide for community organisations The Plan contains: over the next 5 years. Q a summary of our &RPPXQLW\3URƪOH Q the main advantages and GARTMORE COMMUNITY TRUST disadvantages of Gartmore Gartmore Community Trust was formed in 2002 and has LGHQWLƪHGLQRXU&RPPXQLW\ Survey produced two Action Plans. Its role has been to develop and VXSSRUWLGHQWLƪHGSURMHFWV6XFFHVVHVRYHUWKHODVW\HDUV Q our Vision Statement for the future of Gartmore have included: Q the main themes, needs and Q the improvement of the Village Square priorities for action Q the revival of the Youth Club Q information on how you Q the old Gartmore Station to railway track can stay in touch and get being made into a cycle route with a new bridge over involved. the River Forth We are grateful to Loch Lomond Q local footpaths and links to forest tracks being improved & The Trossachs Community Q WUDƬFFDOPLQJPHDVXUHVEHLQJLQWURGXFHGLQWKHYLOODJH Partnership who provided funding Q the Horticultural Society investing in improving the football to support the preparation of this pitch with benches, cherry trees and attractive tubs, Community Action Plan. welcoming people into the village Q a Gartmore Goes Green Project encouraging sustainability Q initial funding that has provided plans to improve the Playpark Q plans being prepared for the refurbishment of the Village Hall and capital funding being sought Q the Village Club being sold to start the capital fund to refurbish the Hall Q Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER awarding £200,000 towards the Hall project Q continued and growing use of the Village Hall for groups and events eg, the Community Cinema, the Toddler Group, carpet bowls and Gartmore Gigs Q emergency repairs to plumbing and redecoration by volunteers to maintain the hall Q the continued growth of the Business/Apprenticeship Scheme.

2 | COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN 2012 - 2017 LOCAL PEOPLE HAVE THEIR SAY The process to accumulate the views )URPKRXVHKROGV of the villagers involved: Q a community views survey, which FRPPXQLW\ was delivered to all households Q a questionnaire, also delivered views survey forms to all households, to discover the community needs that could be met by the Village Hall DQG9LOODJH+DOO Q stakeholder interviews and PHHWLQJVZLWKGLƩHUHQWJURXSV questionnaires were and individuals representing all sectors of the community Q a Community Futures event/ returned. workshop. Stakeholder interviews and meetings were held LQYROYLQJSHRSOH SHRSOHSDUWLFLSDWHG in the workshop.

Thanks to everyone who took time to give their views.

G A R T M O R E | 3 Our Community Now

Location Housing The planned estate village +RXVLQJLQWKHYLOODJHLVPDLQO\RZQHU of Gartmore lies in the Loch occupied. There are 8 properties Lomond and The Trossachs IRUUHQWE\WKH5XUDO6WLUOLQJ+RXVLQJ National Park almost a mile west Association and all are currently RIWKH$*ODVJRZWR$EHUIR\OH occupied. There are no imminent road. Nestled amongst rolling plans to increase the overall number of farmland and forests (mainly houses and no new houses have been SLQH LWVLWVDWDQHOHYDWLRQRI built in the last 5 years. Permission has metres and commands excellent EHHQJUDQWHGIRUGZHOOLQJKRXVHRQSULYDWHO\RZQHGODQG GHJUHHYLHZVVRXWKWR In addition, the former Village Club is in the process of being the Campsie Fells, North to developed into a family home. the Menteith hills ,West to Ben Education and Child Care Lomond and East to . The village also encompasses The local primary school has a good reputation groups of dwellings at DQGFXUUHQWO\KDVFKLOGUHQRQWKHVFKRROUROO and Crinigart with more isolated 7KH+HDG7HDFKHULVDOVRUHVSRQVLEOHIRU3RUWRI properties all around. Menteith Primary School. Child care facilities are limited in the Gartmore area with local nurseries in Population %DOIURQ PLOHV DQG.LOOHDUQ PLOHV 6HFRQGDU\ The total population estimate FKLOGUHQWUDYHOWRHLWKHU0F/DUHQ+LJK6FKRROLQ for Gartmore and surrounding &DOODQGHURU%DOIURQ+LJK6FKRROLQ%DOIURQ6RPH area, based on the last available children attend private school in . FHQVXVLV7KHPDMRULW\IDOOV Social and Community ZLWKLQWKHDJHJURXS is young people up to the age of The Gartmore Association has DQGRYHUśVFRQWULEXWH now merged with the Community Trust and together with the Local Employment Community Council both have a and Economy wide remit. In general the council The main local employers include is concerned with local authority *DUWPRUH+RXVH7URVVDFKV issues whereas the Trust is +ROLGD\3DUN&REOHODQG FRQFHUQHGZLWKSURMHFWVRID Camp site, Gartmore Primary capital and ongoing nature. 6FKRRO7KH%ODFN%XOO+RWHO The “Gartmore News” is a valuable monthly publication which and Gartmore Community contributes to the sense of community and social cohesion and 6KRS+RZHYHUWKHUHLVDKLJK the village website (www.gartmore-village.co.uk) provides general SURSRUWLRQRIVHOIHPSOR\HG information for the community. individuals who live in and around the village. Farming and forestry 0DQ\UHVLGHQWVDUHVKDUHKROGHUVLQWKHYLOODJHVKRSSRVWRƬFH also provide local employment. FHOHEUDWLQJ\HDUVRIFRPPXQLW\RZQHUVKLSLQ-DQXDU\ It is an essential resource at all times of the year but especially in winter when travel to and from the village can be restricted by snow and ice. Village life is enriched by the existence of numerous clubs and VRFLHWLHVLQFOXGLQJWKH+RUWLFXOWXUDO6RFLHW\:5,+HULWDJH6RFLHW\ and Forest Theatre Company. The Community Cinema is the most recent new group to evolve. Indoor Carpet Bowls and the Toddler Group have been restarted in the last two years.

4 | COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN 2012 - 2017 Our Community Now

Shops and Services Environment and Access While Gartmore relies to a *DUWPRUHLVRQHRIWKHFRPPXQLWLHV large extent on neighbouring of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs towns and villages for some National Park and lies at the heart of PDMRUVHUYLFHVWKHYLOODJHLWVHOI the Queen Elizabeth Forest. There are contains and values: WKUHHVLWHVRIVSHFLDOVFLHQWLƪFLQWHUHVW in the area and the village is on National &\FOH5RXWH1R$VXEVLGLDU\F\FOH route connecting the village (Cobleland) to Buchlyvie has been created by utilising the track of an old railway line and building the new Gartrenich bridge over the river Forth. Several local paths have been cleared and village YROXQWHHUVZRUNLQFRQMXQFWLRQZLWKWKH1DWLRQDO3DUN to develop potentially new routes. There is an active Sustainable Gartmore Group within the Community Trust and Gartmore was one of eight villages in the Q Gartmore Community Shop DQG3RVW2ƬFH 1DWLRQDO3DUNVHOHFWHGWRWDNHSDUWLQDQHQHUJ\FRQVHUYDWLRQSURMHFW carrying out home insulation surveys and installation, electricity Q Gartmore Primary School monitoring etc. Gartmore Primary School took part in “Gartmore Q The Black Bull Hotel *RHV*UHHQŞDQGLVWKHƪUVWVFKRROLQ6WLUOLQJWRPHULWWKHWK*UHHQ Q Gartmore Village Hall )ODJHFRVWDWXV7KHUHLVFRQVLGHUDEOHLQWHUHVWLQGHYHORSPHQWRI Q Gartmore House including local hydro schemes and surveys are in progress. Green Routes (a social enterprise for young adults Roads and Transport with learning disabilities) *DUWPRUHLVFRQQHFWHGWRWKHPDLQ$URDGE\WZRVSXUVQRUWK Q The Surgery Run to DQGVRXWK$PLQRUXQFODVVLƪHGURDGFRQQHFWVWKHYLOODJHZLWK Aberfoyle and Buchlyvie via a voluntary transport 'U\PHQDERXWPLOHVVRXWKSDVVLQJ'DOPDU\%XVVHUYLFHVUXQ scheme four direct services a day to Stirling and three direct services a day Q Mobile Library Service to . Q Mobile Fishmonger. Heritage The community lacks close Gartmore is an example of a planned estate village proximity to hospitals and other IRXQGHGLQWKHWK&HQWXU\7KHYLOODJHLVSHUKDSV medical services, cinemas, best known for its association with Robert Bontine WKHDWUHVDQGVXƩHUVIURP Cunninghame Graham whose family owned Gartmore inadequate public transport. +RXVH GHVLJQHGE\:LOOLDP$GDP &XQQLQJKDPH *UDKDPZDVDZHOONQRZQZULWHUDQGWUDYHOOHU+HZDV one of the founders of the Scottish Labour Party and the Scottish National Party. A monument to him is erected DERYHWKHIRRWEDOOƪHOGDQGDQLQIRUPDWLRQREHOLVNLQWKH centre of the village also refers to him. ,QWKHJURXQGVRI*DUWPRUH+RXVHVWDQGVWKHUXLQRI *DUWDUWDQFDVWOHGDWLQJIURPWKHHDUO\WKFHQWXU\ *DUWPRUH3DULVK&KXUFKEXLOWLQKDVDXQLTXH sundial situated to the back of the Church. A service of morning worship is held every Sunday. *DUWPRUH+HULWDJH6RFLHW\KDVDYDVWFROOHFWLRQ of photographic memorabilia on their website www.gartmoreheritage.org. The village has conservation status and there are several prehistoric cup and ring markings around the village.

G A R T M O R E | 5 Community Views Survey Advantages

Advantages of living in Gartmore % of Responses

A friendly, supportive and interesting community 69% Surrounding countryside, views, walks and recreation 61% Rural nature of the village 51% Local facilities and services 47% Location 26%

A friendly, supportive and Rural nature of the village interesting community “tranquility, lack of crime” “in a small community, knowing so many people” ŝQLFHTXLHWYLOODJHRƩWKHPDLQURDGŞ ŝLWśVDVRFLDOYLOODJHŘƫRZHUVKRZVJDODVHWFŞ “a safe environment to bring up children” “friendly, cosmopolitan community” ŝWKHORRSURDGSURWHFWVXVIURPWUDƬFŞ “close friendly community – it feels like an “not too much development” extended family” “an interesting, stimulating population – lots of “small, safe and supportive community” talent. Unique in my experience” ŝDYLOODJHVSLULWŘQRWMXVWDFROOHFWLRQRI Local facilities and services FRPPXWHUśVKRXVHVŞ “a nice friendly pub” ŝƪUVWFODVVPHGLFDOVHUYLFHZLWKHDV\DFFHVVŞ “Surrounding countryside, views, “a great place to bring up children – including walks and recreation good local primary school” “a world away from work – still often feels like ŝVKRSDQGSRVWRƬFHIRUWKHGDLO\EDVLFVDQG being on holiday” meeting people” “access to villages and local pathways” ŝYLOODJHVKRSDQGIULHQGO\VWDƩŞ “lots of places to ride your horse” “nice Church” “surrounding countryside has very open access” “Gartmore has everything it needs to be “proximity to forest, walking/cycling paths – living VHOIVXƬFLHQWŞ close to nature” “access to footpaths and cyclepaths from Location the door” “a pleasant, pretty place to live within easy commuting from Glasgow” ŝDFFHVVWRPDMRUFHQWUHVŞ “living in a wonderful National Park” “good communication with the rest of – except no railway” “being able to walk to work”

6 | COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN 2012 - 2017 ” Community Views Survey Disadvantages

Disadvantages of Living in Gartmore % of responses

Lack of and cost of local services 78% Social and community facilities 48% Anti social or inconsiderate behaviour 16% Nothing 8% Other 7%

Lack of and cost of local services Anti social or inconsiderate behaviour “dependent on using car – cost of petrol “congestion on main street by parked cars” and NOT green” ŝWUDFWRUVGULYLQJRYHUPSKRQPDLQVWUHHWŞ “dependency on the car – village is cluttered with them” ŝVSHHGLQJWUDƬFŘVWLOOŞ “poor public transport means I have to give “more recently population are becoming my children lifts everywhere” less community minded” “broadband is very poor – I work from home DQGLWPDNHVWKDWGLƬFXOWŞ “lack of snow ploughing and gritting of paths Nothing and roads” “some folk said there was nothing they “no gas in village” GLGQRWOLNHDERXWWKHDUHDŞ “ “I GRQśWKDYHDQ\WKLQJWRFRPSODLQDERXWŞ Social and community facilities “village hall in a complete state of deterioration” Other “village hall is cold and miserable – ŝWKUHDWRIƫRRGLQJŞ SXWV\RXRƩDWWHQGLQJŞ “concern about wind farm development” “lack of childcare/after school clubs” “too many midges” “lack of indoor clubs/organisations for recreation” “poor state of hall means the great things that happen there might stop” ŝODFNRIIDFLOLWLHVIRU\HDUROGVŞ ”

G A R T M O R E | 7 The Community Workshop

7KHQHHGVRIWKHFRPPXQLW\FROODWHGIURPWKHFRPSOHWHGVXUYH\IRUPVDQGWKHUHSRUWVRIWKH stakeholder interviews, were divided into 5 Themes and presented for discussion and comment at the ZRUNVKRS3DUWLFLSDQWV  ZHUHWKHQDVNHGWRLQGLFDWHQHHGVWKDWWKH\WKRXJKWWREHPRVWLPSRUWDQW The votes cast for each need were used to establish a list of priorities.

TOP TEN PRIORITIES No. of PARTICIPANTS

Refurbish the Hall (108) Better broadband (69) Support the shop and school (59) Paths & Cycle routes (58) Better clearing of roads and pavements in winter (48) Playpark improvements (47) Environmental projects (31) All weather sports pitch (26) Childcare and after school care (25) Discussion on wind farm proposal (24)

7KH9LOODJH+DOO 7KH9LOODJH+DOOLVGLODSLGDWHGDQGFORVHV Recurring comments in very cold weather but it provides the included: only indoor community space in Gartmore. refurbish at a It is the meeting place for community reasonable cost; groups and Village events, as well as for concerts, gigs, shows and local cinema. improve the heating/ It is an essential facility for Gartmore insulation, toilets, Primary School for PE and school events kitchen and natural lighting; and it is a useful resource for local small improve the layout in the extension; EXVLQHVVHV$VWKH+DOOLVFUXFLDOWRPDQ\ encourage new activities, especially for sectors of the community, “ teenagers; a separate questionnaire was circulated to retain the present size and shape of main hall; all households to seek views on the many WKH6FKRROQHHGVWKHKDOOWRIXOƥOOLWV&XUULFXOXPIRU DQGYDULHGQHHGVIRUD+DOOZHUH Excellence values; returned and 2 themes stood out (percentage of respondents shown). the Hall is a vital need for a small rural community, particularly for new mothers, babies and toddlers; Absolute necessity for the Hall (95%) it is part of their way of life, the heart of the village would to be maintained for future be destroyed if there were no hall; community use with better traditional village events like the Horticultural Show insulation/heating/energy that have run for 95 years, Indoor Bowling and Summer HƬFLHQF\ Ice need the large space of the village hall or they can’t Refurbish the Hall (92%) be played; or Build a new Hall (3%) activities in the village reduce the need to WDFNOHWKHGLƣFXOWSUREOHPRIWUDYHO 8 | COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN 2012 - 2017 ” Gartmore: Our Vision for the Future.

A diverse community capable RILQŃXHQFLQJLWVRZQIXWXUH with a thriving economy, outstanding facilities and a beautiful, safe village set in accessible countryside.

Main Themes, Strategies and Priorities

The following pages highlight the main themes for the community, in partnership with a UDQJHRIDJHQFLHVDQGVXSSRUWHUVRYHUWKHQH[WƪYH\HDUV7KHFRPPXQLW\ZLOOZRUNWRZDUGV achieving action on:

THEME 1: THEME 2: THEME 3: THEME 4: THEME 5: Community Local Services Environment and Children and Roads, Streets Facilities, and the Economy Access to the Young People and Pavements Activities and Countryside Information

G A R T M O R E | 9 7KHPH&RPPXQLW\)DFLOLWLHV$FWLYLWLHV ,QIRUPDWLRQACTION Priority 1: Redevelop the Village Hall

OAppoint architect OConsult with community on design OApply for statutory warrants regarding building process OSubmit further funding applications – using evidence from the Action Plan Responsibility of: Ř+DOO'HYHORSPHQW*URXS

Priority 2: Extend range of 6LWXDWHGLQWKHFHQWUHRIWKHYLOODJH*DUWPRUH9LOODJH+DOOLVWKH Activities and Events geographical, social and vital heart of the community. As the only large indoor resource available, it provides a hub for village life, with almost OCreate a team of volunteers to every activity revolving around it, from the primary school children manage current activities and who use the hall for physical education to the carpet bowling club to extend range of activities who meet weekly. and events available OProvide venue for artifacts and 7KHKDOOśVLQDGHTXDFLHVKDYHEHHQWROHUDWHGDQGPLQLPLVHGE\WKHKDUG heritage information within the ZRUNRIYROXQWHHUVZKRPDQDJHWRNHHSLWRSHQDQGUXQQLQJ+RZHYHU 9LOODJH+DOO this focal point of the village has continued to deteriorate over the OConsider European twinning \HDUVDQGLVQRZLQDYHU\SRRUVWDWHRIUHSDLU7KHKDOOśVIXQFWLRQLVQRZ Responsibility of: VHYHUHO\FRPSURPLVHGDQGLWLVLQQHHGRIXUJHQWUHGHYHORSPHQW – Gartmore CommunityTrust This has been a priority in both of the previous Action Plans, with Ř+HULWDJH6RFLHW\ PXFKYROXQWDU\ZRUNDQGHƩRUWKDYLQJDOUHDG\JRQHLQWRLWVFRQWLQXHG maintenance. The planning of the refurbishment and reorganisation Priority 3: Village Website and RIWKHVWUXFWXUHRIWKHKDOOLVZHOOXQGHUZD\6LQFHWKH+DOO Gartmore News Development Group has been actively working to produce plans, OPromote and develop through community consultation, which will meet the present and Gartmore Village Website IXWXUHQHHGVRIRXUFRPPXQLW\SURYLGLQJDVXVWDLQDEOHHQHUJ\HƬFLHQW to ensure reaching a wider KDOOIRUWKHVW&HQWXU\ audience OContinue to support the $QLPSURYHG9LOODJH+DOOZLOOPHDQWKDWWKHUDQJHRIFRPPXQLW\EDVHG Gartmore News activities and events for villagers of all ages can be extended and Responsibility of: SURYLGHDVROXWLRQWRWKRVHQHHGVLGHQWLƪHGIURPWKLVDQGSUHYLRXV Ř(+DPLOWRQ community consultations. The current music and theatre events, Ř+:HEVWHU PRQWKO\FLQHPDYLHZLQJVDQGGD\WRGD\XVHRIWKHKDOOFDQEH – Gartmore News developed further. We will use and develop the village website to ensure promotion and marketing of events and activities in and beyond Gartmore, with the continuing use of the Gartmore News for sharing of information within the community. 7KHLQWHUGHSHQGHQF\EHWZHHQWKHYLOODJHKDOOFRPPXQLW\VKRSSXE church and primary school cannot be underestimated, all of which are vital lifelines to the continuing sustainability of Gartmore Village. To this HQGLWLVQRZHVVHQWLDOWKDWWKH+DOOLVUHGHYHORSHGZLWKLQWKHOLIHWLPHRI this Action Plan.

10 | COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN 2012 - 2017 Theme 2: Local Services & The ACTIONEconomy Priority 1: Provision of reliable, High Speed Broadband

OContinued lobbying and MXVWLƪFDWLRQIRUWKHSURYLVLRQRI reliable, high speed broadband Responsibility of: – Community Council

Priority 2: Increase membership of Village Shop/Publicity

O5HQHZHƩRUWVWRHQFRXUDJH more trade and shareholder involvement for the village shop Providing access to improved communication technologies is crucial via local publicity campaigns to sustaining and improving the local economy. Local businesses and and advertising in a wider residents require fast and reliable access to broadband. The present geographic area via the use VHUYLFHSURYLGHGE\%7LVLQDGHTXDWHVORZDQGVXEMHFWWRIUHTXHQW of high visibility signage etc outages. This service must be improved if the village is to maintain its Responsibility of: attractiveness as a place to live and work. The provision of communal – Shop Management Committee low cost workspace would help to alleviate the need to commute. This PD\EHSURYLGHGYLDWKHKDOOLPSURYHPHQWSURMHFW Priority 3: The Provision of new, cheaper housing Gartmore Community Shop has been a mainstay of the local economy and has proved its worth as a provider of basic supplies. Over the recent ODevelop relationships with severe winters it has become the only source of basic commodities 5XUDO+RXVLQJ$VVRFLDWLRQV when residents could not leave the village because of impossible to provide a link between the road conditions. The bad weather has resulted in increased feelings community and potential of isolation for the community in general and the elderly and young developers OIdentify areas of land for mothers in particular, as essential medical and social facilities become potential development impossible to access. Responsibility of: Shop membership needs to be extended to more residents and – Community Council the shop services need to be advertised more widely to improve SURƪWDELOLW\ Priority 4: Public and $YLOODJHZLWKXSWRGDWHVHUYLFHVZLOOHQVXUHWKDW\RXQJIDPLOLHV Community Transport FRQWLQXHWRƪQGWKHDUHDDWWUDFWLYHDQGZLOOZLVKWRVHWWOHKHUH OLobby Stirling Council and 7KHLQWURGXFWLRQRIPRUHKRXVLQJZKLFKLVDƩRUGDEOHIRUQHZ Transport Operators for homeowners and young families would augment demand both improvements to the public for shop products and help maintain a viable school role. transport service OInvestigate extension Many residents commute to their places of work by car. Poor transport of demand responsive causes students to move away and encourages a high reliance on transport to Gartmore car ownership. OPromote car sharing and assess demand for community transport Responsibility of: – Community Council – Stirling Council – Residents

G A R T M O R E | 11 7KHPH(QYLURQPHQWDQG$FFHVVWRWKH&RXQWU\VLGHACTION Priority 1: Access to the countryside

OMaintain existing paths, improve signage where necessary and produce LQIRUPDWLRQOHDƫHWV OUndertake regular inspections of paths ODevelop new routes commencing with the link from the Wee Wood to the Forestry Commission routes Responsibility of: – Environment Group Developing a low carbon future for the village through reduced HQHUJ\XVHDQGWKHVXVWDLQDEOHPDQDJHPHQWDQGHQMR\PHQWRIRXU Priority 2: Environmental FRXQWU\VLGHUHPDLQVDPDMRUSULRULW\ projects 6LJQLƪFDQWSURJUHVVZDVPDGHRYHUWKHFRXUVHRIWKHODVW$FWLRQ3ODQLQ OSustainable development HQFRXUDJLQJHQHUJ\VDYLQJVWKURXJKWKH*DUWPRUH*RHV*UHHQSURMHFW RI9LOODJH+DOO and improving and developing local access routes. OPromote sustainability in 0DQ\FKDOOHQJHVUHPDLQDQGWKHSULRULWLHVLGHQWLƪHGLQWKLVSODQ FRPPXQLW\XVLQJ+DOODV continue and expand on the achievements of the last few years. example OPromote locally based activities that reduce car MRXUQH\V Responsibility of: – Gartmore Community Trust, – Sustainable Gartmore Group

Priority 3: Renewable energy and the environment

OInvestigate small scale income generating community renewable energy schemes OMaintain a watching brief on any commercial renewable energy developments OMonitor environmental issues in the area and work closely with property owners Responsibility of: – Sustainable Gartmore Group

12 | COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN 2012 - 2017 7KHPH&KLOGUHQDQG

OSet up Action Group to implement current plans OEstablish priorities for action O8QGHUWDNHORFDOIXQGUDLVLQJ activities and seek grant funding Responsibility of: – Play Park Redevelopment Group

Priority 2: Explore an All-Weather Sports Facility

OEnsure new hall design allows sporting activities There is general agreement that Gartmore is a great place for children OInvestigate feasibility of additional WRJURZXS6DIHDQGIULHQGO\ZLWKDQH[FHOOHQWDQGZHOOVXSSRUWHG sites within village primary school, there is easy access to the countryside around the Responsibility of: YLOODJHDQGORWVRIZD\VWRHQMR\LQIRUPDOUHFUHDWLRQ+RZHYHUWKH Ř+DOO'HYHORSPHQW*URXS location does have a number of drawbacks. There are concerns – Community Trust about the lack of good quality facilities where children and young people can come together, especially as they grow older and want Priority 3: Childcare and WREHFRPHPRUHLQGHSHQGHQW7KHH[LVWLQJSOD\SDUNGRHVRƩHUD Pre/After-School Care space for younger children to gather, but the equipment is basic and OInvestigate opportunities for rundown, so does not encourage the kind of exploration and active fun funding for an After School Club RƩHUHGE\PRUHXSWRGDWHSDUNV)XUWKHUPRUHLWFRPSOHWHO\ODFNV OConsider the possibility IDFLOLWLHVIRUFKLOGUHQZLWKGLVDELOLWLHVZKRFXUUHQWO\KDYHGLƬFXOW\HYHQ RISURYLGLQJDSUHVFKRRO DFFHVVLQJWKHSDUNDVWKHUHLVQRƪUPSDWK$QLPSURYHGIDFLOLW\ZRXOG Breakfast Club DOVREHDQHFRQRPLFEHQHƪWDVLWZRXOGRƩHUDSOD\IDFLOLW\ZKLFKPD\ OExplore the potential for support increased use of the pub and shop by visitors to the area. establishing a pool of childminders $QDOOZHDWKHUVSRUWVIDFLOLW\ZRXOGSURPRWHDFWLYLW\E\UHVLGHQWV Responsibility of: RIDOODJHVWKURXJKRXWWKH\HDUEXWZRXOGSDUWLFXODUO\EHQHƪW\RXQJ – Gartmore Primary School people, as there are no sporting opportunities currently available – Gartmore School Partnership without travelling and very limited transport. The youth club provides – Residents a meeting place for young people, but activities are constrained by – Baby and Toddlers Group the limitations of the current hall and there is little uptake by older age groups, who are looking for a more comfortable place to meet friends Priority 4: Youth Meetings and strengthen their own community. There has been some success and Activities with setting up a new Baby and Toddlers Group which has been OEnsure an appropriate meeting ZHOFRPHGE\WKHZLGHUFRPPXQLW\+RZHYHUWKHODFNRIFKLOGFDUH space for young people is RSSRUWXQLWLHVSDUWLFXODUO\IRUVFKRRODJHFKLOGUHQZLWKWKHGHPLVH included in new hall designs. RIWKHDIWHUVFKRROFOXELQ$EHUIR\OHLVDUHDOWKUHDWWRWKHORQJHU OConsider scope for relaunching term viability of the school and village, as so many families require older age youth club as Youth this support and may be deterred from settling in Gartmore if it is not Café. available. Responsibility of: Ř+DOO'HYHORSPHQW*URXS – Youth Club Committee

G A R T M O R E | 13 Theme 5: Roads, Streets & PavementsACTION Priority 1: Keeping roads and pavements open during severe weather

ODevelop voluntary parking proposals for residents at times of heavy snowfall OLobby the Council to improve road and pavement cleaning including measures to assist self help OResidents should clear the snow and ice outside their properties and help neighbours requiring assistance. Due consideration The state of the roads, pavements and the general look of the village must be given to allow snow continues to be an issue. The very bad weather over the last few years ploughs enough access to be DQGWKHJHQHUDOHFRQRPLFFOLPDWHLQƫXHQFHVVXJJHVWLRQVRQKRZWR able to clear roads make improvements. Just calling for the council or other agencies Responsibility of: WRVSHQGPRUHLVQRWJRLQJWRKDYHWKHGHVLUHGHƩHFW5HVLGHQWV – Stirling Council may need to rely more on their own resources in order to look after – Community Council the village. – Residents &DUSDUNLQJLQWKHYLOODJHLVGLƬFXOWDQGERWKVLGHVRIWKHPDLQVWUHHW are usually fully occupied during the evening. Priority 2: 7UDƬFFDOPLQJ 5RDGPDLQWHQDQFHLVDVLJQLƪFDQWFRQFHUQIRUYLOODJHUHVLGHQWVDQG O0RYHWKHPSKUHVWULFWLRQD constant appeals have to be made to Stirling Council for repairs and little further outside the village XSNHHS6QRZFOHDULQJDQGJULWWLQJLVRFFDVLRQDOO\DPDMRUSUREOHP ORaise awareness of the need for every driver to adhere to the village speed limits Responsibility of: – Stirling Council – Community Council

Priority 3: Village enhancement

OContinue to seek funding and DUUDQJHSODQWLQJRIƫRZHUVWUHHV in the village. OPromote planting of property fronts ORaise awareness for all dog owners to clean up after their pets. OFind sites for additional dog litter bins Responsibility of: Ř+RUWLFXOWXUDO6RFLHW\ – Community Council – Residents

14 | COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN 2012 - 2017 0DNLQJ,W+DSSHQ Taking the Action Plan forward will involve input and support from the community as a whole. This will include working with the Community Trust and public agents such as the Community Council, Stirling Council, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

$FWLRQ*URXSVRIWKH&RPPXQLW\7UXVWZLOOEHUHYLVHGWRƪWZLWK the priorities resulting from the community consultations. The Community Trust, as a company limited by guarantee, will help as DSSURSULDWHZLWKDSSOLFDWLRQVIRUSURMHFWIXQGLQJ,I\RXZRXOGOLNHWR JHWLQYROYHGGRQśWZDLWWREHDVNHGSOHDVHJHWLQWRXFKZLWKDQ\RI the contacts below:

Community Groups Contact Tel No. +DOO'HYHORSPHQW*URXS (OHDQRU+DPLOWRQ  +DOO0DQDJHPHQW*URXS ,DQ'LQZRRGLH  Environment including 6XVWDLQDEOH*DUWPRUH*URXS &KULV6KHOGRQ  7RGGOHU*URXS 6DUDK0F&DQGOLVK  3OD\SDUN$FWLRQ*URXS (LOHHQ&DOYHOH\ 

Other useful contacts Gartmore Community Council ZZZJDUWPRUHYLOODJHFRXN Gartmore Community Trust ZZZJDUWPRUHYLOODJHFRXN Gartmore News HPDLOQHZV#JDUWPRUHYLOODJHFRXN Gartmore Village Website ZZZJDUWPRUHYLOODJHFRXN

G A R T M O R E | 15 Acknowledgements

Gartmore Community Trust Ltd prepared this Community Action Plan.

Thanks to all those who took the time to share their views and take part. :HZRXOGDOVROLNHWRDFNQRZOHGJHWKHZRUNRIRXU&RPPXQLW\$JHQW+HOHQ:HEVWHU

We are grateful to the following organisations for funding and support:

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Community Partnership www.thecommunitypartnership.org.uk 7HO

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority ZZZORFKORPRQGWURVVDFKVRUJ 7HO

Gartmore Community Trust Ltd prepared this Community Action Plan with assistance and resources from:

Small Town & Rural Development Group’s Community Futures Programme. (STAR) www.stardevelopmentgroup.org

Selected photographs by Cameron Phillips ZZZƫLFNUFRPSKRWRVFDPHURQSKLOOLSV

16 | COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN 2012 - 2017