|
Gargunnock Community Council
Minutes of the Meeting held on March 11th 2008
Present: Douglas Coupethwaite, John Craigen, Geoff Peart, Edmond Mansion, Maitland Clark, Barbara Drummond, Councillor Lambie, Inspector Dick, Helen & Peter Rowell, Eric and Alice Dempster, Ian Young, John Buchanan, Maureen Ferguson, Helen Weaver, Ian Lees, Marian McConish, Bruce Clayson, Rev Richard and Anne Campbell, Veronica Bellers.
1. Apologies
Margaret McKechnie, Constable Kathy Kirsop, John Arnott
2. Adoption of Minutes
Proposed: Barbara Drummond
Seconded: John Craigen
3. Matters Arising
[i] Correction to Minutes: DC corrected the minute of the last meeting which should have indicated that Paul Gilhooley had mentioned that mobile phone numbers were available for people wishing to contact Millmuir Farm, if they could not get through on the landline. The numbers are: John Arnott 07919 576854 and Marian McConish 07795 503166.
[ii] Safer Routes to Schools: The Secretary had received an email from Angela McGibbon [Stirling Council Roads and Transport] indicating that the Council’s revised proposal had been discussed with the Traffic Management Team Leader, Alan Ogilvie and the Roads Improvement Manager, Brian Roberts. They were of the opinion that the revised proposal is the best that can be achieved with the money available. The 3 local Councillors have been advised that the signs have been purchased (at a cost of £5,322.75). The remainder of the £14,000 has been lost. Although the remainder of the money has been lost, if the councillors decide they wish the scheme to go ahead the Council will be able to fund the installation of the signs from itsTraffic Management budget. If they decide they do not wish the scheme to go ahead, the signs will be used at another location. The Councillors have been fully advised of the basis of the Community Council's objection and have been told that we are happy for the appropriate traffic calming assessment to be carried out in Gargunnock. If this assessment shows that Gargunnock meets the necessary criteria for traffic calming, then Gargunnock will be added to the list of villages to be traffic calmed at some point in the future. Gargunnock's position on this list will be dependant on the outcome of the assessment.
Councillor Lambie indicated that he supported the Community Council’s approach which aims to secure wider community benefits and would discuss this with officials.
Action: The Community Council resolved to maintain its objection to the revised scheme and sought the support of councillors in achieving a better solution.
4. Youth Vandalism etc.
There were continued concerns about the behaviour of a small number of youths, some of whom were associated with Millmuir Farm. Residents had been subject to verbal abuse and, arising out of one incident, reported to the police for chasing youths from a vehicle. Inspector Dick confirmed that the approach in these circumstances should be to raise the issue with parents/Millmuir Farm in the first instance. Persistent behaviour of this nature would constitute a breach of the peace and should be reported to the police. There was discussion about what residents may legitimately do to protect themselves and their property without laying themselves open to a charge of assault. However, this was inconclusive, residents generally being advised to avoid physical contact.
Some concern was expressed that Millmuir workers were not being as proactive as was necessary to prevent and punish poor behaviour and that as a consequence the initial goodwill of the community towards the establishment was evaporating. Marian McConish [MM] indicated that boundaries were set – youths had to be in for 8.30pm on weekdays and 9.00pm on Saturdays and were “grounded” for misbehaviour. One of the youths causing problems had now been removed. MM reinforced the message that residents should phone the Millmuir mobile numbers if they see or experience problem behaviour.
Inspector Dick informed the meeting that there was now a Community Team of 4 police officers available to be deployed in rural areas where there are serious problems [Constable Kirsop is a member of the rural team]. He indicated that the spot fines [£40] for over 16’s were proving effective.
Action: Position to be kept under review.
5. Earlsburn Windfarm Extension
The Community Council was now being formally consulted by Stirling Council on the application by RDC Scotland Ltd on behalf of West Coast Energy for 9 turbines north-west of Earlsburn Wind Farm [Application Number 08/00104/DET]. There had been an all day exhibition on the proposal held in the Community Centre earlier in the month.
In response to questions, it was indicated that the turbines would not be visible from the village of Gargunnock and the tips of the rotor blades might just be seen from Thornhill. Further away more of the development could be visible but this would not be anything like as intrusive as the Braes of Doune Windfarm. Generated electricity would have to go west to a Killearn substation, initially underground, and would not be visible from Gargunnock or on the Hill itself. Turbines do cause noise and vibration but this would not affect any housing, of which there was none in the vicinity, construction traffic would also not affect the village. The Environmental Report suggested that there would be some impact on birds but it was suggested that this would be minimal from experience elsewhere.
The Community Council had been previously informed that the operator intended to set up a Community Windfarm Trust into which it would pay £20,000 pa in respect of the new Earlsburn windfarm, and which would be for community benefit in the areas affected. One of the turbines from the new Earlsburn development would be dedicated to the community and it was estimated that this might yield substantial sums of money for community projects. It was emphasised that it was important to keep the consideration of the planning merits of the scheme and any potential community benefit quite separate.
The general consensus was that a relatively small addition to an existing windfarm, on the featureless flat plateau of the hill would be acceptable but further concerns were raised about the potential proliferation of windfarms across the Gargunnock Hills and that the Community Council should object to these.
Action: The Community Council to indicate conditional support for the proposal subject to no further extension or additional separate windfarms [such as Muirpark] being permitted elsewhere on the Gargunnock Hills
6. Secretary’s Report
(a) Correspondence from Stirling Council regarding the new Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils [December 2007].
Action: Distributed to CC Members present
(b) Correspondence from Stirling Council indicating the availability of the Talkback Annual Report [on complaints handling], which could be viewed on line at www.stirling.gov.uk
Action: Noted
(c) Correspondence from Rural SW Area Forum indicating a meeting with the Community Health Partnership on 19th March at 7.00pm in Stirling Royal Infirmary Lecture Theatre.
Action: Noted
(d) Correspondence from Waterwatch Scotland inviting CC to a meeting on 25th March at 7.30pm at the Terraces Hotel, Stirling
Action: Noted
7. Treasurer’s Report
The main Community Council account was reported as standing at £1,851. A further sum of £680 from Stirling Council in respect of the Community Planning was by now expected to be in the account. £1600 remains outstanding to the Community Trust for the purchase of chairs for the Community Centre.
Action: Noted
8. Other Business
Councillor Lambie distributed a report on his activities and highlighted the main items.
9. Date of the Next Meeting
Tuesday April 22nd at 7.30pm in the Community Centre
|
