Tillicoultry, Coalsnaughton & Devonside Community Council s1

TILLICOULTRY, COALSNAUGHTON & DEVONSIDE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TILLICOULTRY ON 10TH APRIL 2012 AT 7.30 P.M.

PRESENT :- Ian Gordon ,Ian Millar, Elma Mitchell, Chris McCallion, Melanie White, Billy Shepherd, Robert McClelland, Robert McAulay, Ewart McAuslane, Andrew Gadsden and Paul McCormick.

IN ATTENDANCE :- John Biggam, Claire MacKay, Jordan Cuthbertson, Caroline Wilson, Donald Balsillie and Archie Drummond.

APOLOGIES :- Jock McConville.

CHAIRPERSON’S REMARKS

As the CC meeting was missing the Chair and Vice-Chair Chris McCallion was invited to take the Chair. He welcomed all to the meeting and suggested that the participants should keep their contributions as brief as possible.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

It was pointed out that the reference to Alloa High School should have been Alloa Academy. It was pointed out that a query to Walter McAdam at the February meeting had been referred to Donald Balsillie at the March meeting, which Walter McAdam had not attended, had not been recorded. Acceptance of the Minutes of the meeting on 14th February 2012 with these amendments was proposed by Elma Mitchell and seconded by Paul McCormick. There being no further dissent the Minutes were accepted as a correct record.

DIAMOND JUBILEE

Elma said that the Cadets CO was dealing with Neil McFarlane regarding their contribution. There followed a discussion whether the CC should back a bonfire or have flares for the celebration. It was agreed that a bonfire would be the best idea and that it should be high on one of the hills above Tillicoultry. This scenario will be checked out with both the Cadets and the Mountain Rescue team. Neil McFarlane will have to be informed of the result of this meeting so it can be integrated with all the other bonfires and celebrations. Landowners will have to be contacted to permit the bonfire and the access to it.

TWINNING

Archie Drummond said that the French were very keen on the twinning with Tillicoultry. The visit to France at the end of March was very successful. Archie gave a brief rundown of the progress of the visit. There was much information available from the French. There will be a meeting of the Twinning Group soon. There is to be a visit to France by one of the Tillicoultry football clubs and there will be a fundraising dinner in the Harviestoun Hotel in May.

POLICE REPORT/PACT

There had been 32 crimes in the last month of which 8 were undetected. There were several traffic offences and anti-social behaviour in the detected crimes and the undetected included thefts and housebreakings. The crime scene within the CC area was relatively quiet although it could change just as quickly.

There was some discussion on the problems that the young people faced and it was pointed out that in France there was much more provision for young people. TILLICOULTRY, COALSNAUGHTON & DEVONSIDE COMMUNITY COUNCIL Jordan said that the accident on the Dollar bends was fortunate that no fatality had occurred. There followed a discussion on road safety.

COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

John Biggam said that there will be no further meeting of Clackmannanshire Council until after the election on 3rd May.

The Devonpark Inn had been given a Provisional Licence and it could now get a permanent Licence without going to the Licencing Board.

The situation in Marchglen was that the Enforcement Notice had been applied. The caravans should be removed and the site reinstated to its original condition.

There is a caravan in Union Street which is in a state of disrepair and it is possible that it is used to take drugs. The Police will look into this.

The problems with the “POD” are still there. It is palpably not vandal proof and apparently is not well used. The costs of repair must be more than the income. It should work properly 24 hours per day but it does not. It was agreed that the CC would write to the Chief Executive to request that the “POD” be available as it should be 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Donald Balsillie replied to the query put to the last meeting about nursery staff reductions and said that one teacher had retired and would not be replaced which would get Tillicoultry PS into line with other schools in Clackmannanshire. It was pointed out that nothing has been communicated to staff or parents. Donald said that he would take up the concerns expressed.

There would be 6 hours of nursery education and there would be nursery teachers on early years.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

The Secretary had received the following : - Notice of LA elections, confirmation of hire of room for EDF meeting, NHS magazine, Furniture flier and bank statements.

Bank of Scotland had sent forms to complete which had not yet been inspected to find out what the exact information was required. No doubt this is a requirement of the current bureaucracy with the bank being owned mostly by the people.

Keith Brown had sent a letter informing the CC of a conference in Edinburgh on 21st April about Planning. This would be a good conference to attend but there is no word of financial help to attend. No one from this CC will attend.

Another letter from Keith Brown regarding a consultation, about a subject which is perhaps a bit ephemeral, on tackling anti-social behaviour. No one was willing to respond.

A letter from Keith Brown indicated that a consultation was currently being held on the Flood Risk Management Act 2009. Ian Gordon said that he had sent a reply to the original consultation and was willing to do the same with this current consultation which closes on 21st June 2012. TILLICOULTRY, COALSNAUGHTON & DEVONSIDE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

TREASURER’S REPORT

The Treasurer said that the finances were adequate. Elma had telephoned the number which Ian Gordon was given by the bank in Alloa to alter the name of the CC only to be told that she would have to write. This Elma did but at the time of this meeting she had not been given an answer. However, there was an insurance premium to pay and a cheque was signed to keep the CC insurance valid.

PLANNING REPORT

There had been a retrospective planning application for the installation of solar panels on the South facing roof of a house in Walker Terrace. The CC took the view that the Conservation area should be protected and a letter would be sent to the relevant Planning officer.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

The Gala meeting in March was very successful. The organisation of the Gala was proceeding and only a few bits and pieces have to be sorted out. The Gala Prize Draw required to be held under the new name of the CC and the tickets will be printed with the new name. Ian Gordon said that he would check with the Licencing authority that the Gambling Licence would be altered to reflect the new name of the CC.

There will be a Gala Meeting in the CC office on 24th April at 7.30pm.

ANY OTHER REPORT

Jim Cochrane will be retiring from the Parish Church in the near future. There followed a discussion about a retiral send off. It was agreed to invite him and his wife to the Gala where some tribute could be paid for his service to the community.

Tic-Toc have organised a garden party in the vicinity of the Clock Tower on Saturday 12th May 2012 from 11 am to 2.00 pm. There will be various attractions available for children of all ages.

It was agreed that the new manager of Sterling Mills should be invited to the next meeting to give an overview of the current situation within the complex.

The subject of help for the Pigeon Club was raised. It was agreed that the CC would offer a donation to their fund for removal of asbestos from their clubhouse which would be conditional on them raising the rest of the money through their own efforts.

It was agreed that a meeting would be held to discuss and agree the Constitution etc. for the CC in the Community Centre at 7.30 pm on 15th May 2012..

The meeting ended at 9.25 pm

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held in Tillicoultry Community Centre at 7.30 pm on 8th May 2012. TILLICOULTRY, COALSNAUGHTON & DEVONSIDE COMMUNITY COUNCIL