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Gargunnock Community Council
Minutes of the Meeting held on December 4th 2007
Present: Douglas Coupethwaite, Geoff Peart, Edmond Mansion, Maitland Clark, John Craigen, CouncillorO’Brien, Eric Dempster, Alice Dempster, John McLaren, John Arnott
1. Apologies
Barbara Drummond, Margaret McKechnie, Paul Gilhooley
2. Adoption of Minutes of the Last Meeting
Proposed: Maitland Clark
Seconded: Edmond Mansion
3. Matters Arising.
[1] Leckie Road Traffic Calming
The Secretary had be in touch with Angela McGibbon of Stirling Council who indicated that there had been considerable opposition to the original proposals. Consequently, they were now going to carry out further traffic surveys on Leckie Road and Station Road and draw up revised proposals on which the community would be consulted. Ms McGibbon also indicated that the electronic traffic speed indicator on Station Road had been placed there by Central Scotland Police and was nothing to do with the Council. It appeared that the sign was no longer working.
Action: DC to contact the Community Policeman re the electronic sign.
[2] Windfarm Developments
There had been no further communications from West Coast Energy, but it was anticipated that the revised planning application for Earlsburn Phase II would be submitted soon and that that would trigger a consultation with the Community Council
4. Secretary’s Report
The Community Council had received an invitation to the NHS Forth Valley Public Partnership Forum Open Meeting on December 5th at the Stirling Council Offices. The subject was the new Acute Hospital at Larbert in Falkirk and Community Hospitals throughout Forth Valley.
Action: Secretary to attend on behalf of the CC
5. Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer reported on the current balance. It was noted that the accounts had now been audited by Hilary McArthur and could now be forwarded to Stirling Council for the annual Administration Grant.
Action: Treasurer to forward accounts to Stirling Council
6. Water and Drainage Facilities in Gargunnock
Steven Fraser, the Area Manager of Scottish Water spoke about the facilities in Gargunnock and answered questions. In relation to sewage treatment the recent £1m upgrade in the treatment works had increased capacity so that an additional 30 units could be accommodated over present loadings. Mr Fraser highlighted maintenance problems arising from the disposal of unsuitable materials via the foul drainage system [plastic nappies, fatty foods etc] which caused choked sewers. The advice was to, “bag it and bin it”.
In terms of water supply – this presently came from North Third Reservoir via the Touch Treatment Works where various chemicals were added to remove colour and restore PH levels etc. However, next year Touch will close so the supply will be switched to come from Loch Turret. Water quality is tested weekly – any cloudiness in the water is due to air bubbles caused by changes in pressure from the trunk main to house connection.
SF raised the question of the future of Scottish Water and indicated his personal opinion was that this should be a publicly owned service and not privatised, although this was a matter for the Scottish Government. He indicated that as a company they had performed well in meeting their targets and that they were now the third cheapest water utility in the UK.
Action: SF to send “Bag it and Bin it” leaflets to DC for distribution in the village
7. Postal Services in Gargunnock
Since the last CC meeting there had been considerable activity re the PO Closure campaign. A very well attended special CC meeting had been held on November 15th and as a result a strongly worded letter of objection sent to PO Limited and copied to the local MP, MSP, local councillors, and Postwatch. PO Ltd had sent a non committal reply but support had been expressed by all the other parties. Stirling Council had also convened meetings of affected Community Councils and had met with PO Ltd officials but as yet there was no sign of movement. The situation will be kept under review and further action will be taken when it is clearer what PO Ltd intend to do following the end of the consultation period.
Action: Noted
8. Any Other Business
[1] Milmuir Farm Facility
John Arnott from Milmuir Farm updated the CC on progress with the facility and reiterated the hope that they could work with and be part of the local community. He acknowledged that there had been some difficulties with the youths from the farm but that a particular incident had now been resolved. He indicated that the youths came from very difficult backgrounds and needed support and understanding. It was important that matters were dealt with quickly and anyone should get in touch with him if there were problems. He was particularly keen to be proactive and link up with the Youth Club – various joint activities were under consideration. It was also planned to hold another Open Day on the first anniversary of the opening of the establishment.
Action: Noted
11. Date of the Next Meeting
January 15th 2008 at 7.30pm in the Community Centre
GP: 05.12.07
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