Draft minutes — 5 November 2026

Agenda item:

1.Welcome & Apologies – as above. PS mentioned NS was joining but will be a couple of minutes late. LM mentioned quorum is not technically met until her arrival as co-opted councillors have not formally accepted as full members.

2.Declaration of Interest - None

3/4.Approval & Acceptance of Co-Opted Members –

- PS proposed that Nina Allinson (NA) be co-opted as a Full Councillor, thereby promoting her from Associate Member. LM approved the nomination and PS seconded it. NA thereby is co-opted as a full community councillor.

- PS further proposed and requested that Dougie Mackintosh (DM) and Paul Shiels (PH) confirm their status as full community councillors. Both thanked the Chair and accepted the proposal. LM seconded the proposal.

5.Previous Meeting Minutes – There were no changes to the minutes from the previous meeting held on 3rd September. LM proposed their acceptance; seconded by PSH.

6.Action Tracker –

- PS confirmed there are few outstanding matters on the action tracker. The only outstanding query relates to the three Kinlochard Masts. SCC are finding it difficult to establish which telecom carrier is taking responsibility and unsure what will occur. Planning permission was approved some time ago, but nothing appears to be happening. Enquiries are ongoing.

- A member of the public has enquired of SCC as to the upkeep of the war memorial stating it needed some attention and that the names were difficult to read. PS is pleased to confirm that work has started on it recently and is pleased the Council is attending to its maintenance.

- For the benefit of the members of public attending, PS pointed out that the SCC website has been significantly updated and prompted everyone to take a look. There is a wealth of information about the Strathard area and a number of guides and links to useful sites. It was a particularly good source of information last week during Storm Boelo and was providing live updates.

7.Questions from the floor – There were no matters arising.

8.Police Report – See Appendix 1. There was one incident of antisocial behaviour with damage to property in the area on 23rd October. There were two road incidents during the period reported, including one arrest for drunk driving. There were two reports of theft during September. One from a business in Aberfoyle and another of housebreaking in the area. A member of the public asked about earlier incidents of house breaking and whether they had been reported. PS advised that anyone with any particular worries should report them to the police and suggested that Neighbourhood Watch schemes be investigated. He also signposted to https://neighbourhoodalert.co.uk where you can register and receive updates about the local area.

9.Stirling elected members – GM explained that the main focus, currently, is the SC budget. The Council have an estimated £9.5M funding gap. This is not unusual and, in fact, is lower than the previous few years. Planning is difficult because some 70% of income comes from Scottish Government, who don’t hold a budget until December. Despite this unknown, considerable work is underway to better allocate resources. GM appealed for any ideas in terms of fundraising or, indeed, reallocation of existing funds. GM sits as Vice Chair of the Finance and Economy Committee and so is well placed to receive and consider ideas. Budgeting completion is scheduled for the end of February, when each party will propose their ideas. For context, a 1% increase in Council Tax roughly equates to £660,000 revenue.

On a positive note, excess funds have been identified from car park revenue. Previously, excess funds had been strictly ringfenced. However, it is now clear that there is room for more flexibility for its use. Approximately £1M has been released for ancillary services relating to car parks e.g. toilet facility upkeep and some seasonal staffing. Other services include grey and black waste facilities for campervan users. LM mentioned that, specific to Aberfoyle, the bus shelters could do with some upgrading. GM noted this.

Other matters:

- GM mentioned there is a small grant scheme for Hogmanay which encourages music events. £250 - £500 available for any interested community group with very simple criteria.

- Litter Picking signs and pickers are available for loan. SC are also available to help pick up the waste. GM stressed that any litter picking group will be encouraged and supported.

No further questions.

10.Treasurers Report – See Appendix 2. The general fund closing balance as at 5th November was £4417.62, following receipt of the SC Admin Grant and payments for minute secretary, admin and meeting room costs.

NS asked if there has been an update on future Grants and PS replied it is not likely to be confirmed until the new year, once SC budgets are approved.

11. Flooding and resilience – PS attended a Trossachs & Teith Ward meeting on Community Resilience. There is a strong appetite for resilience preparedness, but it is uneven across the ward. Some participants are looking to adapt what they already have in place, others require a total re-plan. The main finding was that isolated rural communities require essential assets and there needs to be a shared baseline. However, volunteer capacity is an issue and there is a community wide misunderstanding of what to do in the event of an emergency.

Issues include:

- There is kit available in halls (sleeping bags, tents, for example) but people aren’t aware or know how to access it.

- reliable power is essential as well as the volunteers to manage those assets e.g. generators and their upkeep and maintenance.

- SC is happy to replace items required but there needs to be a team in place to coordinate it.

- An ‘offline’ method of calling for help e.g. a community wide understanding of placing a sign in your window with a code H for help. Volunteers to walk the streets and attend to any such appeals for assistance.

- The meeting concluded by agreeing to a shared resilience checklist which will help identify gaps. The group will connect with each other via email aiming for a structured approach to the issue. In due course, a booklet will be produced and sent out to communities.

PS mentioned the recent Storm Boelo and that Stirling Council were very proactive beforehand. Drains and gulleys were cleared and there was good communication about the potential for road flooding.

SCT is also heavily involved in resilience planning and, in particular, has taken on the role of coordinating volunteers.

12.Partner updates - There are no representatives from FLS, SCT or LLTNPA tonight

13.Life Plans – No update

14.Planning – In view of JK’s absence there is no full planning list this time. However, PS wanted to take the opportunity to focus on one particular planning application, that of 2026/0255/DET. This relates to Ardview, Aberfoyle and the retrospective landscaping of grounds and erection of retaining walls and change of use of existing chalet from ancillary accommodation to holiday let or staff accommodation (associated with Altskeith Hotel). PS summarised:

Factors in support:

- Small in scale and part of an existing structure

- Supporting the needs of a nearby hotel

- No objections from SEPA or SC

- LLTNPA do support small scale visitor accommodation

However, matters that may negate approval:

- Little understanding of the current lawfulness of the chalet use

- Little assessment of flood management

- Local Life Plan does not support an increase in development

- SC Flooding Officer has raised safety concerns due to the proximity to Loch Ard and the regularity of Flood Events. Thus raising an objection to the development.

A general conversation continued about the National Planning Framework 4 its themes of sustainability, 20 minute neighbourhood, productive places and heritage. This framework provides the backdrop to any planning decision. Any development must have clear emergency access. The flooding problems on the B829 have (pretty much) prevented any planning receiving the go-ahead in recent years. LM talked about problems with finding suitable housing sites, for example. She also confirmed that since 2020 planning in this area has become even more restrictive due to the increase in flooding incidents.

The discussion concluded by stating that SCC does not get involved with planning decisions unless there is a distinct lack of consistency between similar situations. SCC remain neutral but would speak up should there be unfairness or contradiction. The overall SCC view, in this case, is that the safety issue will be pivotal. SCC is aware that the application is still under review.

No further questions were raised.

15.Community Councillor updates –

- PSH questioned the time lag of SEPA Flooding updates. PS and LM agreed there seems to be different approaches between the SEPA alert and Rivertrack monitors. However, PS believes the SC updates are pretty accurate. Close observation of the systems will continue and any weaknesses investigated.

- LM mentioned the excellent service SSEN provided during the power outage (after Storm Boelo). She observed they were in the area and operating on 16 hour shifts to get everyone’s power back ASAP. They really couldn’t have worked any harder.

- PSH mentioned that the promise from Brian Roberts about replacement of white lining has not yet been fulfilled. This has not been helped by some of the new lines being dug up again. GM believed it is due to the reliance on external sub-contractors and not having a tight enough grip on their schedules. He agreed to have a word with Brian.

- PS also mentioned that Vehicle Activated Speed Signs have still not been installed, as promised. GM said he would be happy to investigate.

- LM complained that her request to SC about empty property status had been met with a demand that she submit a ‘freedom of information request’. She said there was an issue about housing allocation in the Aberfoyle area and questioned how it was being handled. She believes those will higher support needs are being housed in unsuitable properties with inadequate support services. GM empathised with this issue and suggested specific examples ought to be reported and investigated through the proper channels. He invited correspondence in this regard.

16.AOCB – There were no further matters.

17. Next meeting and Close – PS

thanked everyone for attending and declared the meeting closed. The next meeting will be in Aberfoyle Memorial Hall on 3rd December, 19.00.

Action:

GM

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LM/GM