MINUTES OF STRATHBLANE 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 = Stirling 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 Mugdock, Mugdock Country Park 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.