Minutes of Meeting of Tillicoultry Community Council Held in the Community Centre, Tillicoultry

MINUTES OF MEETING OF TILLICOULTRY COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE, TILLICOULTRY ON 14THSEPTEMBER 2010 AT 7.30 P.M.

PRESENT :-Ian Gordon, Ian Millar, Elma Mitchell, Graeme Clark, Paul McCormick and Mima Allan.

IN ATTENDANCE :-John Biggam, Lesley Baillie and 6 members of the public.

APOLOGIES :-Walter McAdam, Shirley Milne, George Banner and Robert McAulay.

CHAIRPERSON’S REMARKS

Mima Allan welcomed all to the meeting and was glad to see the members of the public in attendance.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

Approval of the Minutes of the meeting on 10th August 2010 was proposed byIan Millar and seconded byElma Mitchell. There being no dissent the Minutes were agreed as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING

These will be taken under their respective headings.

Mima asked if anyone wished to raise a specific issue at this time.

Lesley Baillie introduced herself and stated that there would be an induction course for new Community Councillors on Thursday 04/11/10 in AlvaAcademy from 7.00 – 9.00pm and on 5/11/10 from 10.00 – 12.00 noon at Greenfield in Alloa. There would be a basic book-keeping workshop on 11th November in the conference room in AlloaAcademy from 7 – 9pm for which names are required by 21/10/10. A committee skills course would be run on a date to be advised.

A meeting on budget savings will be arranged between Ian Gordon and Lesley but preferably on 28/09/10 in Tillicoultry Community Centre at 7.30 pm.

POLICE REPORT

Shirley Milne could not be present as she was being married and would be setting off on her honeymoon and hence there was no report.

COUNCILLORS REPORT

John Biggam said that because the Tillicoultry Community Policewoman was getting married that Dollar and Tillicoultry would be covered by the current Dollar officer for the time being. This may be a permanent arrangement but is not yet confirmed and which this Community Council would resist.

Pensions for temporary staff will be reviewed in March 2001. There had been a payment to a shortfall in these pensions of £1.5m. Temporary teachers are on a different scheme which will not be affected. In answer to a question about where the money goes John said that there was a scheme operated by Falkirk Council into which Stirling and Clackmannanshire subscribed.

HMP Glenochil is to receive 150 prisoners from HMP Peterhead. Presumably because HMP Peterhead is scheduled for closure.

The ex-Equestrian Centre will not have children visits until, at least, the new facility is running as it should.

Clackmannanshire Council has received a national business award. If this gives the citizens of Tillicoultry, or Clackmannanshire in general, some gain it is welcomed.

There is some doubt that the “Excel” system of procurement will discriminate against local businesses. No evidence has been advanced with the pros and cons of the system.

There was a question about Police numbers in Clackmannanshire. John could not answer that but undertook to find the official answer.

There was a general discussion on Clackmannanshire Council spending

The subject of the clock tower in Ochil Street was raised. John said that the Council had no money to spend on making the clock work and the tower being safe. Ian Gordon said that it had been reported that the Ochil Landscape Partnership had the tower on its list for the funding from SNH Lottery fund. Ian Gordon would check the lists from OLP to ascertain that this was correct. The current alleged cost to sort the clock tower is around £70k - £80k.

It was agreed to set up a working group to investigate sources of funding to renovate the clock tower. Graeme Clark undertook to contact all those who were interested in joining the group. The first meeting will be on 5th October 2010.

Walter McAdam in his written report covered most of the points which John had covered other than Telecare. John said that this was still ongoing.

Walter should be back in Dorothy Terrace by October.

SECRETARY’S REPORT

The Secretary had received the following: - Kirkin of The Councilinvitationand bank statements.

The Community Council had the results of the recent elections which made Chris McCallion and Billy Shepherd members of Tillicoultry Community Council at the AGM on Tuesday 9th October 2010. Ian Gordon, Robert McAulay and Paul McCormick were also re-elected.

There was a meeting of the Clackmannanshire Community Health Partnership on 7th September 2010. Unfortunately, no Community Councillors could attend.

Planning Aid is holding an evening event in Glasgow on 14/10/10. Unfortunately, the CC cannot afford to send a representative to such an event unless finance is forthcoming.

Planning Aid is having its AGM in Edinburgh on 16th September from 6.00 – 8.00pm. It is not possible to send a representative.

CVS has sent the papers for its AGM on 23/09/10 to be held in the CVS office at 2.30pm. Ian Gordon will attend.

Paragon Housing has extended an invitation to their AGM in Polmont on 15/09/10. Ian Gordon will attend this AGM.

Clackmannanshire Council is no longer willing to order Remembrance Wreaths for Community Councils. Mima will order this year’s wreath along with one she requires to order for the Pilots.

TREASURER’S EPORT

The Community Council’s finances are still relatively healthy. The books etc are in the hands of the auditor.

PLANNING REPORT

The Marchglen problem is still around.

Post Meeting note: Information has been received that the owner of the land has been asked to put in a Planning application for the site but has not so done to date. Currently there is an Enforcement Notice in force for the total re-establishment of the site to its original condition. The owner of the land has appealed this Notice which is now being dealt with by a Scottish Government Reporter.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Ian Millar said that the Wee County News had let down the Gala by not having a photographer or a reporter at the event and it was agreed that the sponsors of the Gala should not be encouraged to place advertisements in the Wee County News. Incidentally, the 2011 Gala is the 25th birthday of the modern Gala.

It was agreed that the format for Santa’s Grotto would be settled at the meeting in October.

The Hoole tickets had been printed and Graeme Clark will be responsible for sales. They are available now.

ANY OTHER REPORT

None.

AOCB

There was a complaint about “Special Uplifts” from private properties whereas Council tenants had a right to 4 “Special Uplifts” a year. It is alleged by the Council that this charge is included in the rents charged for these properties. Either, the Council is overcharging their tenants or, they are overcharging their Council Tax payers. John Biggam undertook to investigate. The Community Council will write to Clacks Council on this matter.

The park opposite Devonvale Hall has not been reinstated to its original state. Children will not play on the surface because they consider that they could be seriously injured by the stones which are apparent on the surface.

The Glen needs some attention to keep it safe. Ian Gordon said that Ochil Landscape Partnership had some input to the Glen. Ian will check and report back to the next meeting.

With regard to all the funds required to improve the environs of Tillicoultry Ian Millar will check out the use which can be made of the Burnfoot Windfarm Community Fund.

The meeting ended at 9.10 pm.

The next meeting of Tillicoultry Community Council will be held in Tillicoultry Community Centre at 7.00 pm on 12thOctober 2010 which will be the AGM. There will be an ordinary meeting of the Community Council after the AGM.