Tillicoultry, Coalsnaughton & Devonside Community Council

TILLICOULTRY, COALSNAUGHTON & DEVONSIDE COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE BEN CLEUCH CENTRE, TILLICOULTRY ON 11 MARCH 2014 AT 7.00 PM.

PRESENT :- Chris McCallion, Ian Gordon, Elma Mitchell, Ewart McAuslane, Billy Sheppard, Robert McAulay, Robert McClelland, Claire McKay.

IN ATTENDANCE: - PC Roy Mitchell, Cllr Archie Drummond, Cllr Donald Balsillie. Mr Robert Walters from CTSi had been invited but did not turn up.

APOLOGIES :- Graeme Clark, Melanie White, Ian Millar, Paul McCormick.

CHAIRPERSON’S REMARKS

Chris welcomed all to the meeting.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

The acceptance of the Minutes for the 11th February was proposed by Robert McClelland and seconded by Elma Mitchell. There being no dissent the Minutes were agreed as a correct record.

POLICE REPORT/PACT

See attached report.

TCDCC appreciate that circumstances may dictate that attendance at the monthly meetings is not always possible by a PC. Although PC Mitchell has confirmed that it is Police Scotland’s intention to attend, TCDCC have requested that more information be given on the written Police Report, obviously without compromising any ongoing investigation.

PLEASE NOTE – there have been several house break-ins in the Hillfoots recently. TCDCC suggests that all residents pay particular attention to ensuring their property and outbuildings are secure.

Fake £20 Clydesdale notes appear to have been in circulation (also some £20 RBS notes) – please pay attention when dealing with £20 notes.

Please report any anti-social behaviour to Police Scotland – mention was made of youths climbing on the Baptist Church Roof and fighting at Murray Square and in the High Street outside licensed premises.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The general fund of TCDCC stands at £3929.69 (£600 Council Grant received)

The Over 70’s fund of TCDCC stands at £1,870.28

The Tillicoultry Gala Fund stands at £4891.68

The Tillicoultry Christmas Lights fund stands at £1148.71

SECRETARY’S REPORT

Ian Gordon had received a Newsletter from Scotways, Wicksteed flier and bank statements.

There was a Health Partnership meeting being held in the Bowmar Centre at the same time as the TCDCC meeting and hence no one could attend. TILLICOULTRY, COALSNAUGHTON & DEVONSIDE COMMUNITY COUNCIL Ian Gordon had had a good look at the Plunkett Funding and discovered it was basically for communities buying POs, shops etc. to save them being closed. TCDCC is not in that kind of league, at least for the time being.

A letter from Local Energy Scotland stated that they were helping the Scottish Government with local renewable schemes. It is unlikely that TCDCC would be able to come up with such a scheme in the near future.

Ian Gordon had negotiated the new insurance scheme for the Gala. This scheme would cover all people who were not Community Councillors on the Gala Committee for Public Liability Insurance.

The Tullibody Pilot Launch was cancelled at the last minute. Perhaps it will take place when all can attend.

So far there has not been a big response to the Community Conference which will take place on 29th March. It has been agreed that Clacks Council paid officers can attend if they wish and there may be better conference with some of them present.

There will be a meeting on 13th March in Tullibody regarding the Queen’s Baton Relay although there will be probably little information which those present will be able to present to their communities. This is not very good for planning an event to take place when the Baton is in the area.

The Boundary Commission will have a consultation about the Fifth Review of Local Government Electoral Arrangements but it would appear that CCs will have a chance to comment sometime in May 2014.

Keith Brown would like to donate £75 to either the Gala or the Christmas Lights and he is available to attend at the meeting on 8th April 2014. We will look forward to his visit.

The conference room in Alva Academy has been booked at 7.00pm to permit the Police and Fire & Rescue Service to present their performance statistics for 2013 – 2014.

PLANNING REPORT

Ewart advised nothing of concern and it’s encouraging to see activity in planning applications in the town. The former Community Centre at Institution Place has now been demolished but the site has not yet been cleared.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

No updates to share this month other than The Gala Committee are applying for an EDF Grant for a Gala Tent (with flooring and lighting). If successful, this will be a shared community resource which other organisations can use at their events. To enhance this, Tillycoeur Twinning Association is applying for a generator. If successful, this will power the lights and any electrical equipment that could be used at an event. This too would be a shared community resource.

Next Gala Committee meeting will be on Tuesday1 April 2014, 7pm at the Ben Cleuch Centre.

COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Cllr Drummond confirmed that the budget had been passed. Huge response and great engagement, better than ever experienced previously – thanks given to Alva Academy & Tillicoultry Primary Parent Councils.

There is £300k funding from the capital budget for Mill Glen. Regular meetings are planned with officers to oversee the planning and subsequent works and to determine a clear vision of what the project will deliver. There is also the possibility of engaging the Army with the works itself i.e. engineering and the heavy works.

Clacks Council have a village/town centre initiative – currently happening in Sauchie, next will be Tullibody then Tillicoultry. This gives the community an opportunity to think about what they would like to see happen in the street and for example if the Xmas Lights were to be extended up the High Street, what additional electrical work would we need done? TILLICOULTRY, COALSNAUGHTON & DEVONSIDE COMMUNITY COUNCIL OLE has received continued investment for the Sports Centre. The CPO is still being pursued by Clacks Council for Alva Glen Hotel. It was reported that a local businessman has purchased the building but this has no impact on the CPO. The impact it would have would be a financial one if any – the council are owed funds from the existing owner and this sum would be deducted from the value of the CPO. If, however, there was a new owner, this sum owed effectively to the community could not be reclaimed.

EDF funding – Clacks Council will be contacting EDF re the extension to the windfarm at Rhodders. Originally planners at Clacks agreed the proposal, the Planning Committee disagreed and rejected it, it was appealed and the Scottish Government Reporter passed the permission. However, the additional community funding that EDF originally offered was not part of that passed permission i.e. potentially losing out on £26k of community funding. It is hoped that EDF will uphold their original commitment, albeit they are under no obligation to do so.

It was agreed that Ian Gordon would contact the other Community Councils who benefit from the EDF funding to draft a joint response asking for consideration of approving the additional funding.

The first phase of Social Housing has been released at The Glen, Coalsnaughton. This mid-rent housing, with an option to buy is a great step forward in addressing housing requirements.

As Convenor of the Enterprise and Environment Committee, Donald Balsillie is pleased with the investment in Mill Glen. However, there was previously talk of a potential Hydro scheme from one of the Hill owners. He wishes this to be explored before proceeding. The TCDCC did make it clear that they would not wish the progress on the Mill Glen work being hindered or delayed as a result of this.

Tillicoultry to Alva Cycle Route –hoping for end of April 2014 completion. H1 & H2 extended until December 2014 – working party set up to explore options beyond Dec 2014.

Alan Jones has been appointed to lead a review of Leisure in Clackmannanshire.

A question over the state of the Meat Processing Factory in Main Street Alva was raised. Cllr Balsillie did explain that unlike Tilly, Alva Main Street consists of many private buildings, making it difficult for the Council to control the aesthetics of the street. He did confirm that he and officials have previously met with the Meat Factory owners to assist with advice on how to address the state of the building.

ANY OTHER REPORT

A sub-group has been set up look at creating up a Community Development Plan – a vision for the future. We have been successful in securing £3200 funding from Clacks Council to start that process. Thanks were given to Robert McClelland who submitted the successful grant application and to Lesley Baillie at Clacks Council for her assistance and support. The date of the sub-groups next meeting is Tuesday 18 March 2014, 7pm at the Ben Cleuch Centre.

The next meeting of the Community Council will be held in the Ben Cleuch Centre at 7.00 pm on 8th April 2014. TILLICOULTRY, COALSNAUGHTON & DEVONSIDE COMMUNITY COUNCIL