MINUTES OF COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Final draft Monday 2nd April 2012 in the Kirk Rooms

Members Present: - Margaret Vass, Alan Hutton, John Gray, Richard Arnold, Fiona Murray, Elspeth Posnett, Marian Lever,Philip Graves. In attendance: - Cllr Graham Lambie, Gordon Ash. + 6 members of the community & Alistair Weir prospective labour candidate

(SC = Council. CC = Community Council. CDT= Community Development Trust * Denotes an action)

1. Welcome from Chair and apologies: Apologies received from WO, AH,MMcN & PC McNally.

2. Declaration of interests: - there were no conflicts of interests to note.

3. Minutes of February’s meeting: Approval of Minutes moved by FM, seconded ML.

4. Matters Arising: - None

5. Police report – read by MV in the absence of PC McNally.

"March has been a very varied month in regard to crime and incidents in the Strathblane Community Council area. Proactive patrols in and around , and Loch Ardinning have prevented further thefts from motor vehicles parked in this area. Unfortunately the problem shows signs of having been displaced following a theft of a Sat Nav and some wine from a VW Polo parked at the shops car park on Southview Road between 11th March and 12th March. I would remind everyone to leave nothing of value within your cars whenever it is unattended. Sometime between 7th March and 8th March one sheep was killed and another injured on Craigend Farm as a result of what is believed to have been a dog running loose amongst the livestock. I would appeal to anyone walking dogs in any of the open country around Blanefield to keep them fully under control (i.e on a lead), particularly as we are at the start of the lambing season. Prior to the roadworks on Cuilt Brae finishing at the beginning of March, there was a theft of batteries powering the traffic lights. I mentioned this in last months meeting and considered that this may have been perpetrated by an individual with a gripe against Scottish Water carrying out work in this area. Fortunately these works are now finished. Between 1000hrs on 24th March and 1000hrs on 28th March a garage outhouse has been broken into on Kirkhouse Road. Nothing was stolen however it is important to keep garages locked and if possible park a car in front of the door in order to prevent the door being opened as a further security measure. If you see anyone you are suspicious of please report it immediately. One resident of

1 Kirkhouse Road telephoned ourselves a few weeks back to report persons in a van looking for scrap metal. This is exactly the type of assistance we are looking for from the public and we will quickly drive this problem out if we all remain vigilant. I would ask that anyone who has any information in regard to the above incidents contacts PC McNally at Blanefield or Balfron Police Offices on 01360 440220."

Various other matters were raised from the floor, including rugby playing in Kirkland Ave and the resultant risk of property damage. PC McNally to be asked to address this issue. There was a report of sheep and chickens being killed in Mugdock village/ country park area; thought to be by dogs. MSP Fiona McLeod is trying to raise a petition with enough signatures to legislate to control irresponsible dog owners. One further item raised by Cllr Lambie was for car drivers to be aware of the increased skid risk on rural roads due to spillage by muck-spreading tractors. This was an activity at its peak at the present time.

6. Community Assets – from Margaret Vass. a) Craigend Castle ruin – there are plans afoot to dispose of the castle situated within the Mugdock Country Park grounds (NOT Mugdock Castle!). This could be for housing purposes and any funds raised would be ring-fenced to go to the Country Park. An access route for cars has been identified which will not require access to the park. b) Public toilet and adjacent sloping site – some issues remain regarding title to the plot, so no decision yet. c) Lesley Malkin SC is going to be involved in carrying out a complete survey of community assets.

7. Jubilee Celebrations Funding of £3000 has been obtained by the CC and CDT to defray the costs of the proposed celebrations. Unspent monies will have to be returned so it is important that we maximise its use. All purchased items have to be backed up by invoices approved by SC. So far, purchase and planting of 12 cherry trees at already earmarked sites is in hand. It is also planned to purchase a marquee which can be retained and used in the future and also high-viz vests for use for the planned triathlon event. It is envisaged that the organizational and personnel involvement will be as follows: Primary school parents council –Summer fair CDT Barbecue and ceilidh Strathblane Church The Big lunch SCC Afternoon tea at the school Richard Begg Beacon on Dumgoyne as a joint effort with Killearn. SCC Permission granted to have a further Beacon on hillock NW of King George V park . Thanks expressed for this offer. There was the suggestion of an asssociated fundraising event by text phone to find the

2 furthest viewee of the Dumgoyne beacon – maybe at 50p per text with a prize for the person giving the most distant sighting. SCC Village club “expo” for village groups to display their “wares”. The bowling club have no plans to join in with this at this stage. Other possibles included Mugdock Country Park and Loch Ardinning wildlife. Other matters: FM said that she had applied for support from Highland Spring to provide free water for the triathlon. EP said the VC and Edmonstone Hall had both been booked for use during the celebrations. She will contact Margaret McIntyre re the school after the Easter break. Keith Vass and RA would prepare a booklet of events for distribution in the village.

8. Current Planning applications – from John Gray There was little planning activity last month. The housing application at Mugdock had been rejected, but there was always a possibility of appeal. The wind turbine application on Stockiemuir road would most likely impact on those living outwith our area and the onus to decide should rest with the planners. We would point out that it lies within an area of outstanding beauty. PG pointed out that individual applications for wind turbines below 25mts height “pass below the planning radar”. There was, therefore, a problem of countryside clutter and blight if many single applications are allowed.

PG took the floor to appraise the meeting of various other larger windfarm issues in the area a) 12/00069/FUL - Merkins Windfarm, Kilpatrick Hills Development in WDC area not SC but will be visibly prominent from many points in SC, e.g 10.7 km distant from Dumgoyne; 5.4 km distant from the Whangie. Key points: Planning application submitted on 27/1/12 are and Environmental statement submission by Lomond Energy, the developer. There will be ten turbines 110 –120 metres high to highest point. See also extract from WDC windfarm policy in appendix on www.strathblanefield.org.uk Agreement was to take no action as a community council as well outside our area, but nothing to stop individuals making their views known to WDC. b) Ard Gaoth(Craigievern) windfarm, Drymen. Key points: Development by Banks Renewables and presently “in scoping”. Number of turbines reduced from 20 x 100 metres high to 10 x 115metres high. Local communities are being offered 4% of revenues, but which communities should be included? SC windfarm policy limits turbines to 50 metres high. Agreed to review it again when the plans were formally submitted.

9. Community Comments There is still no resolution of the roadworks clutter at the bottom on Kirkhouse Road – in fact it has become worse. Suggestion re “Spring Cleaning” the roadsides in and around the village was discussed. Scouts and Guides already do this, but not near main roads which are a problem. Could the Community Justice system help out? There are no council resources available for this task outwith the village envelope. Mugdock villagers carry out an annual selfhelp clean

3 up. The best time to do this is before mid April and the growing season really takes off. Suggested by SR that a date for adults to do this be decided and advertised in the forthcoming newsletter. There was particular comment re the untidy state in the environs of Brown’s shop The issue of dog fouling was again raised with an area of trees at Milndavie Cresc a particular problem. EP to check with Sandra Logan if the dog warden had been out. A request was made for a dog waste bin to be provided at the access walkway by the manse, which was a popular dog-walkers route without a dog dirt disposal facility. The newly erected commemorative seat in the play park was also raised and highly praised. This was a fitting memorial to Gordon Eastcroft.

10. Financial matters – from Fiona Murray The current account stands at £3469.49; the gold account at £2720.86, totalling £6190.35. The grant monies received must be spent in full. Residual amounts cannot be subsumed into CC funds and will have to be returned. A cheque for £115 had been Received to go towards the upkeep of the village tubs. RA to send a letter of thanks.

11. Health and Wellbeing – from Marian Lever

A recent National survey discovered that 3 million people suffered from malnutrition, a large number of whom are elderly. Of the elderly malnourished 95% are living in the community which adds relevance to the current discussions about prepared meals services. The survey also established that social contact via lunch clubs was considered very important. The recent village survey has found that there is a desire to have more lunch club days. The current lunch club can only accommodate 16 people in the Lower Edmonstone Hall. The research group will consider other venues and also work with the WRVS to recruit more volunteers as necessary precursors to expanding the current lunch club provision. The use of the village club for lunches may be a possibility once the new kitchen is installed and the new car park laid. Other issues being considered are safe handling of food, disclosure, insurances, training - and this is likely to take until September. Copies of the draft report were distributed those interested.

Another “wish” item is a day-time coffee club. Donald Peddie is looking at the Kirk Rooms as a possible venue – they are almost passed off for safe handling of food.

The excellent support being received from Pam Campbell was applauded.

12. Environment – from Elspeth Posnett Tubs are now looking lovely. Nothing else to report at present

13. Roads In the absence of a road report, with WO on holiday, general discussions took place. The main road at Netherblane Flats was stated to be in poor condition and was now a trip risk for pedestrians crossing it. Cllr Lambie said that the new roads programme was due out shortly and a complete section of the A81 towards Killearn was scheduled for re-surfacing. This would cause disruption and rerouting of buses along Stockiemuir Road with a minibus shuttle service via the Cuilt Road. This raised general alarm as the Cuilt Road is in places in extremely poor condition with large edge potholes causing traffic to swerve. If its traffic loads are to 4 increase temporarily it will require prior attention. This would be raised by Cllr Lambie with Steven Todd the roads area inspector. A capital sum of £750k was earmarked for road maintenance in Stirling as a whole. Edward Pickard wanted to see plans of the Old Mugdock Road to see if additional passing places could be incorporated. There were also visibility problems on the road due to overhanging rhododendron bushes in need of pruning.

14. Correspondence - read by Richard Arnold and Margaret Vass a) Rural Stirling Housing – consultation on housing allocation has been received. The aim of this is to find a way within the Government guidelines that local people with housing needs can receive some prioritisation on the housing list. The questionnaire would be e-mailed to all CC members and PG,JG and ML will co-ordinate and respond to it. b) Conference on 18th April 10.30 –3.30 looking at the future of community Councils. MV and PG planning to attend. c) Fiona Murray had tendered her resignation from the CC as she felt she had served on it for an adequate length of time (6 yrs). She will, however, prepare accounts for this year so will stay in post until the AGM in June. This means that the CC is now looking for a Treasurer.

15. AOCB – None

17.Date of next meeting – Monday 30th April 2012 at 7.30 in the school.

Appendices follow –on-line only at: www.strathblanefield.org.uk

ooo000ooo

Appendix I - Planning notes

Planning Issues- West Dunbartonshire Council Local Development Plan. Kilpatrick Hills Wind Farm – WDC 2010 Local Development Plan

3.8 Policy RSA 1 - Regional Scenic Area 3.8.1 The Council will conserve the high quality landscape of the Kilpatrick Hills as indicated on the Key Policies Map as an important Scenic Area. There will be a general presumption against proposals for development that would have an adverse impact on the landscape quality and character, visual amenity, or nature conservation value of the area. Reasoned Justification 3.8.2

5 This policy seeks to preserve the natural character of the Kilpatrick Hills beyond the green belt and wider countryside policy area. The policy aims to resist development proposals that would result in an adverse impact upon the landscape. The nature conservation value of the Kilpatrick Hills is also recognised, and this similarly is to be conserved. 3.8.3 The Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan 2006 identifies the Kilpatrick Hills as a strategic environmental resource to be safeguarded and there is a presumption against development that would have an adverse effect on such a resource. The Local Plan policy seeks to complement the strategic guidance offered by the Structure Plan, by confirming a resistance to developments within this area 12.17.4 The Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan 2006 identifies Potential Areas of Search where there is most scope for windfarm development of strategic significance (developments with an output capacity of over 20 MW). There are no Potential Areas of Search within West Dunbartonshire and therefore the Structure Plan advises any large-scale wind farm developments would raise strategic planning issues and priority should be given to the protection of strategic environmental resources, particularly Green Belt sensitivities.

6