Forum 5 Community Planning Forum
(Broomridge, Borestone, Cambusbarron, Kings Park & Torbrex)
Note of meeting held in Stirling High School
On Thursday 19th May 2011
Present
Alan Rennie
Arline Brisbane
Louisa Wardlaw
Martin McCrae
Stephen Kelly
Genia Graham
Ethne Brown
Ann Rogerson
George Shaw
Malcolm Shaw
Gerry McLaughlin
Francis MacKay
Cambusbarron Community Council (chair)
Cambusbarron Community Council
Borestone Community Council
Borestone Community Council
Borestone Community Council
Torbrex Community Council
Broomridge Community Council
Broomridge Community Council
Broomridge Community Council
Broomridge Community Council
Cultenhove Opportunities
Cambusbarron News & Views
Officers
John Risk, Head of Improvement & Customer Services, Stirling Council
Barbara Allan, Manager, Communities and Culture, Stirling Council
Andy Davis, Communities Team, Stirling Council
Brian Roberts, Roads Manager, Stirling Council
Stuart Geddes, Roads Safety Engineer, Stirling Council
Shirley Blair, Minute Taker, Stirling Council
Others
Inspector Paul Fleming,
Central Scotland Police, Stirling Council
Apologies
Jim Robb
Kingspark Community Council
The chair Alan Rennie, welcomed everyone to the meeting and made
introductions.
Note of previous meetings
Note of previous meeting passed as a correct record of the meeting
Matters arising
Alan noted that the report by Donald Balsillie is now finished and will be going
to the next Executive meeting for approval.
There have been a lot of returns on the survey distributed in the Torbrex and
Broomridge community council areas. These had been distributed in a variety
of ways to households in the area. An initial analysis had been undertaken of
early returns and copies of this were distributed. Further analysis would be
carried out over the summer which would give results on a community council
basis. There is the opportunity for other community councils in the Forum to
also use the survey. It was noted that Cambusbarron have just refreshed their
local community plan.
Alan asked Paul Fleming to give an update on police issues. Paul introduced
himself and explained his background. Paul said they were looking into
different things in the community including anti social behaviour and some
more serious crimes. Paul noted that a very recent serious crime which
resulted in the death of a local elderly man is being investigated fully.
Speed Limit Reviews for A and B Roads
Brian Roberts explained that the Scottish Government is trying to get more
consistency in the application of speed limits.
Aims of the review are to:
Ensure speed limits are applied consistently
Reduce accidents through a safe distribution of speeds
Improve compliance with speed limits
Ensure that speed limits meet the expectations of all road users as well
as local residents.
Stirling Council is therefore reviewing its policy on speed limits. This has
been undertaken by reviewing speed limits on the roads affected.
The results will show that for some areas there is no need to take any action
as the speed is appropriate, in some areas there will be a need to install
signage and undertake small scale traffic calming. Other roads will need more
extensive engineering work.
This will be undertaken as resources are available.
Brian and his team are coming out to all area forums to give them an overview
of the work carried out to date, and the next steps. This ensures that all
communities have the same information. Meetings with community councils
on any issues in their area will be held in the autumn.
Stuart Geddes gave the PowerPoint presentation (attached)
Recommendations East Stirling Area
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22 Sections where no further action is required
7 Rural road sections where further accident investigation required
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2 Sections where changes to speed limits are proposed, which require
only changes to signs, road markings and Traffic Regulation Orders
5 sections where changes to speed limits are proposed but which
require supporting speed management measures
A question was asked about roads requiring no action – it was explained that
in these circumstances people were driving appropriately for the road
conditions and speed.
Ethne asked about the road along from the Peak and if there were any plans
to increase the speed limit.
Brian said Stirling Council has looked at the road and it does fit the criteria for
an increase in speed. There are also problems on that road with vegetation. It
is used as a pedestrian route. One of the issues was that the Forthside
development has not been completed yet. The other issues on this road is
the parking for The Peak as people seem to feel the need to park on the
verge to be nearer the centre rather than using the car park and having to
walk. There has been some discussion about double yellow lines rather than
having an Urban Clearway. Brian said there had been problems with speeding
in Broom Road so they had put in traffic calming and roundabouts. He is
keen to make sure the speed is what is best for the environment.
Martin McCrae spoke about Coxithill Road which has had speed bumps put in
but people are parking on or near the bumps and drivers need to go to the
other side of the road. Brian said speed cushions are either loved or hated.
Bus companies don’t like them as they found that they were causing injuries
to passengers, especially when they were standing up to go off and the bus
was going over the speed bump. This is why if it is a bus route they have
gone more for the speed cushion.
Malcolm Shaw asked about bus stops. Brian explained that there needs to be
a clear area to allow the buses into the stop without causing congestion.
They have also give consideration to footpaths. It’s about the balance and
what suits that particular area and situation. Their preference would be to get
the bus into the kerb to allow for easy access for everyone. Some of the
buses are ‘kneeling’ buses but can’t get into the bus stop because of parked
cars. Brian said that are lots of incidents in the town of buses not being able
to get into the bus stops because of parked cars which then causes
congestion. Gerry McLaughlin said that as a blind person he feels very
vulnerable when he has to go onto the road to get onto the bus.
Ann Rogerson highlighted the problem of cars parking on the pavement,
especially outside the new hairdressers just at the Borestone roundabout.
Borestone Community Council are taking this on board and have written to
the Council. Paul Fleming said that this was something that the police could
deal with and can act proactively.
Louisa asked about the lights on Braehead Road and when they were going
to be switched on. She has to cross this road when she is going to work.
Brian said the issue was down to Scottish Power. The Council has now been
told that they will be switched on next week. Brian said he was press for a
confirmed date and inform the Forum.
Alan thanked Brian and Stuart for their presentation.
Broomridge Food Festival
Ann Rogerson explained about the range of activities which will take place at
the Food Festival in October. This is being organised by Broomridge
community council and is funded by a grant from the Climate Challenge Fund.
Ann distributed information on the day. The festival is in the grounds of
Bannockburn High School. They will also be promoting a car free zone with
buses picking up from around the Stirling area.
A range of activities are taking place in the run up to the estival:
 Planters have been put out in the community which contain vegetables.
 Braehead Primary and St Mary’s Primary are also involved. They are
going to have a Pizza competition and the Community Council are hoping
to have a well known Pizza Chef to be a judge.
 A cress growing competition in a recycled container
 The Community Council are also looking for people to make pledges for
example
One extra meat free day per year
Reduce food waste
Buy locally produced food in season.
 Workshops, the next one being on Tuesday 24th in Mayfield Centre.
 Website being developed
 A square foot garden demonstration at Klondyke on 10th July
Frances McKay asked where people can buy locally grown food in the Stirling
area apart from The Pen in Stirling. Ann said that people can get information
from the Going Carbon Neutral Stirling website or at the Farmers Market.
Community Round Up.
Cambusbarron
The problems with Gillieshill remain. Historic Scotland are acknowledging
Gillieshill as a battlefield site.
Alan noted that there is also a threat to the bus services in Cambusbarron due
to parked cars. The bus service has been put on hold at the moment. The
Community Council plan to hold a meeting of interested people and hope to
have a clear picture at the end.
The Community Development Trust is hoping to form a Youth Drama Club
and will be having a taster session round about the Gala day which is on June
18th.
Borestone
Stephen Kelly said people would be aware that the Community Council had
been dissolved last year. After an election they now have a good mixture of
people on the Council in terms of sex and age. Everyone elected will make a
positive contribution.
The Community Council have had their second meeting. The National Trust
came along and gave a presentation on the development for the new
Bannockburn Heritage Centre. This was very informative and looks like a
wonderful project.
The community council is also now involved in the development of a new
masterplan for the area which will look at how the area can be improved.
Stephen said it was easy for the Community Council just to be a sounding
board but hopefully they would look at them doing something and making a
positive contribution to the area.
Alan said it was nice to have Borestone back.
Torbrex
Genia Graham said the AGM for Torbrex was taking place next week. The
last meeting they held dealt more with Beechwood Park. Genia said they
have a good relationship with the school and have provided them with a poly
tunnel. They have also tried to get rid of all the graffiti. Trees and bulbs have
also been planted. Barbara Allan noted that they have been very pro active.
Stephen asked about the money for the trees etc. Genia said they had
applied for grants.
Broomridge
Ethne said they were arranging a visit to the train wash facility in
Grangemouth to see what it is like when it is working and will report back to
the Community Council
Andy Davis said that next week there will be a Volunteer week in Stirling. The
launch will be to profile volunteering. Anyone who does volunteer will get a
sticker to wear saying where and how they volunteer. There is also going to
be a celebration in the Raploch Campus. This will be to recognise volunteers
from the area.
Alan said that Cambusbarron were getting concerned as they had no one
coming forward to help out at the Gala Day. They have asked for volunteers
but no one is willing to volunteer. Barbara Allan said this was maybe
something that could be highlighted during Volunteer week. It might also be
useful to look at how they can reach out to the young people of the area. This
is something the Forum can do by promoting volunteering. This may be a
topic for a future Forum discussion.
AOCB
The next Forum will be in the Borestone Area. Barbara will email the
members to confirm the date and the venue of the meeting.
Suggestions for the Agenda items should be sent to Barbara Allan. She will
email the chairs of the Community Councils for agenda items prior to the next
meeting.
Paul Fleming said that there were a couple of things that came out following
the death of Mr Gillespie. He gave reassurance that this was a very live
enquiry and was ongoing with a large enquiry team.
There was a joint investigation with British Transport police which gave some
fantastic results. During this they recovered drugs and weapons and also
worked in conjunction with the UK Border Agency.
Prior to the next meeting the hospital will have moved to Larbert. The police
will be working on security of the hospital which will get bulldozed quickly.
Keeping Children Safe is one of the high profile initiatives that the police are
involved with. People can contact the police who can do background checks
and can tell whether they should be involved. All of this information is on the
Police web site.
Barbara Allan noted that there are also internet safety seminars going on and
said she would make sure that the information was passed to community
councils. Paul said this was a hugely important topic. Stephen said he had
attended one of these seminars and would recommend that people attend.
Alan thanked people for attending the meeting.
Meeting closed at 9pm