David Keown (DK) - Chair, Lynne Somerville (LS) – Vice chair, Ava Somerville (AS) - Secretary, Stephen Burns (SB) WDC.
Pamela Scott (PS) – Treasurer, Gillian Clark (GC) Balloch Castle Country Park Regeneration Group, Police Scotland, Hazel Sorrell (HS) – Councillor Ward 1 – Lomond
No members interest.
Minutes of previous meeting held on the 4th of November 2023 - meeting accepted as a true and accurate record.
Social Media. Ava to upload onto the Facebook Page. Ava to receive laptop to allow her to manage social media channels and to draft future minutes.
LS raised that all email correspondence needs to either be sent via the BHCC central email address or the BHCC email address should be copied, this is for transparency and record keeping purposes. This is mandatory for all Councillors and to be included in the constitution.
Biodiversity Consultation - Lynne proposes response to consultation, David seconds.
Midsteeple Quarter to be invited to a meeting with BHCC councillors to discuss community ownership of buildings.
LS proposes that Balloch and Haldane Community Council (BHCC) formally requests engagement with Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park (LLTNP) concerning the future of Lomond Shore Gateway Centre. This engagement is sought prior to any decisions being made regarding its future.
BHCC has submitted a request for an extension to the Place Plan. Seek confirmation and (A) Obtain a time-frame from LLTNP for BHCC's response. (B) Arrange for a representative from LLTNP to present the expectations for drafting the Place Plan to the local Councillors.
Request LLTNP's input on their stance regarding the proposed Wind Farm development.
Request if BHCC can use LLTNP meeting space for future BHCC meetings.
Invite other community councils + councillors to Wind Farm meeting.
LS Online survey to have more questions added published by following week.
In PS absence, LS read report out.
PS spoke with RBS who advised the email sent to Murdoch Cameron 29th Nov. PS called RBS on 2nd Dec and RBS confirmed another reminder would be sent to Murdoch 4th Dec. This email needs to be approved by Murdoch before it will trigger next email to go the 2nd signatory on the account.
DK to visit Murdoch.
Ref Mileage. LS proposed 45p per mile, DK seconds.
Pier Road and Ben Lomond Way. DK advised Pier Road owned by Scottish Enterprise, Lomond Shores and Green Space to be emailed for cleanup.
Nick Kemp suggests Balloch community councillors to be featured in flamingo land clip. Agreed BHCC would be happy to feature.
Community Place Plan - SB to invite Alan Williamson regarding place plan.
Tuesday, January 16th at 19:30 Balloch House Hotel (Web page updated to notify of the change of date).
David Keown (DK) - Chair, Pamela Scott (PS) – Treasurer, Lynne Somerville (LS) – Vice chair, Ava Somerville (AS) - Secretary, Steven Burns (SB) WDC, Sid Perrie (SP) – LLTNP, James Baird (JB) & Sam McMillan (SMc) – Vale of Leven Wind Farm
Gillian Clark (GC) Balloch Castle Country Park Regeneration Group, Police Scotland
No apologies received from Hazel Sorrell (HS) – Councilor Ward 1 – Lomond
No members interest.
Minutes of previous meeting held on the 3rd of October 2023 - meeting accepted as a true and accurate record.
No update on Balloch Station name change.
Proposal for Ava Somerville to take over the role of Secretary from Lorna McCallum, role to inc., management of the social media channels. Postal address to be changed to Lynne and Ava’s address.
Planning matters discussed, no update.
PR Comms & events to be discussed at next meeting. Strategy document to be drafted.
Pamela Scott sworn in as Treasurer.
RBS Bank Account. £3287.52 (from previous BHCC account) + £810.41 (annual grant) to be transferred by WDC as soon BHCC have access to the account.
SB to sign documents to bank.
PS to create BHCC expenses form & circulate.
No expenditure to report in Oct 2023.
Laptop to be given to Ava Somerville.
Postponed until next meeting.
Amanda Graham (WDC) to be invited to next months meeting.
No attendance but police report was sent with apologies by email.
Planning process in place.
Funded by ESB.
Carbon payback within 2 years valued at £350K to WD constituents. Community development trust to be formed if plan goes ahead.
SB to arrange meeting with all relevant community councils, ASAP due to timeline.
Vale of Leven Wind Farm » Vale of Leven Wind Farm
Lynne has been voted in as Vice Chair of Balloch and Haldane Community Council.
Sid Perrie committed to attend all future meetings, exception of the month of December due to holiday.
Tuesday 5th December at 19:30 Balloch House Hotel.
David Keown (DK) - Chair, Pamela Scott (PS) – Treasurer, Lynne Somerville CC (LS), Ava Somerville CC (AS), Gillian Clark (GC) Balloch Castle Country Park Regeneration Group
Lorna McCallum CC (LMcC) – Secretary, Steven Burns (SB) WDC.
No apologies received from Hazel Sorrell (HS) – Councilor Ward 1 – Lomond
No members interest
Minutes of previous meeting held on the 5th September 2023 - meeting accepted as a true and accurate record.
Steven Burns to be asked for WDC event list.
The last two meetings there has been no police presence nor has the CC received any reports on local police activity. LMcC to issue a complaint to Police Scotland for non-attendance at CC meeting and for not providing update on local activity. (PC Heron).
DK to contact the park authority regarding Balloch train station name change.
Website to be updated to read meeting location first Tuesday of every month versus the date.
CC request that extension until April 2024 at the earliest to allow for community consultation to be conducted. Alan Williamson to be invited to attend Nov CC meeting.
PS is still experiencing difficulty regarding the transfer of the CC bank account to her name. SB to be notified and asked for his input.
A more comprehensive Treasurers report is to be given at next month’s meeting.
‘Food for thought’ food bank update. Volunteers are needed. DK to send further information around the team for consideration and promotion via personal networks.
Water safety update. 18 lifebelts are DK’s responsibility. No deaths recorded in 2023.
Tuesday 7th November at 19:30 Balloch House Hotel.
Stephen Burns - WDC & Acting Chair,
David Keown CC,
Lorna McCallum CC,
Pamela Scott CC,
Lynne Somerville CC,
Jim Biddulph, Gillian Clark, Police Scotland on behalf of Stevie McGarrigle
Kristen McIntyre, Alison Lindsay, Ava Somerville
1. Police Scotland gave a debrief on local activity specific to anti-social behavior in and around the main areas of Balloch.
It was discussed that the Transport Police should be invited to a meeting to discuss them having a presence on the trains to try and deter gangs of drunken youth from attending. All were in agreement that something needs to be done as all other visitors suffer as a result as well as the local landscape from vandalism.
Police Scotland confirmed that their new Chief Constable was keen for the force to have a presence at ALL WDC CC meetings to ensure a joined up approach in tackling issues felt by the local communities. Police Sergeant, Stevie McGarrigle badge # LM41 will be in attendance at all future meetings.
DK to notify the police of the next meeting date and the new central email for BHCC when confirmed.
2. Jim Biddulph confirmed that WDC were issued with a cheque to the value of £3287.52 when the former BHCC was dissolved.
SB is to confirm with WDC how BHCC will be reimbursed for this amount.
Jim will work with BHCC to sign over the BHCC bank account to the new treasurer and office bearers. 2 x signatories are required and a new address for ALL banking correspondence to be sent is required.
3. Gillian Clarke previous BHCC Secretary confirmed that she had handed the new laptop purchased by BHCC and an old printer to the WDC reception for the attention of Suzanne Mason.
SB to chase this and return to the BHCC at the earliest convenience.
4. Confirmed that CC’s are entitled to £800 funding per annum.
UPDATE: At the quarterly CC Forum LS & DK attended on the 7/6/23 – it was discussed that due to not all WDC CC’s forming that there was left over CC funding to be divided between all active CC’s.
Request for SB to chase for an answer on this.
5. Pamela Scott was co-opted to BHCC, proposed by Lynne Somerville, seconded by Lorna McCallum.
6. David Keown CC was proposed as Chair by Lorna McCallum, seconded Lynne Somerville.
7. Lorna McCallum CC was proposed as Secretary by David Keown, seconded by Lynne Somerville.
8. Pamela Scott to consider whether she wishes to take the role of Treasurer. Decision deferred until next meeting, but it is essential that a Treasurer be appointed.
9. Lynne Somerville suggested that a PR, Communications and Events role be created in support of the BHCC.
10. Ava Somerville to assist Lorna with the drafting of future minutes.
11. Lynne Somerville offered update on Planning Aid Scotland (PAS) training session. Slides forwarded in separate email for ALL’s review.
Lynne will contact PAS to enquire if there is any online or recorded resource the other CC’s can access. Update will be offered at next meeting. www.pas.org.uk
12. BHCC to re-register with the National Park for all planning applications to be shared with the group.
13. Lynne Somerville to share Planning and Building Standards Weekly List sent to her on the 23rd May 2023. Email forwarded in separate email for ALL’s review.
*NB No further lists received since from WDC. DK to update SB when a central email is confirmed. SB to update Lorna’s email with immediate effect.
14. Lorna McCallum offered update on the planning application # DC23/046 March 2023 for the old disused boiler house in Dalvait to be turned into either a late night fast food takeaway or a builders depot. Neither would be suitable for multiple reasons such as but not limited to;
David Keown was happy to attend the next WDC planning meeting with LMc to voice concerns and oppose the plans.
Update: Lorna confirmed that the application had been withdrawn but an eye needs to be kept on this incase the proposers resubmit an application at a later date.
15. Gillian Clark offered update on Balloch Castle Country Park Regeneration Group and Friends of Balloch.
Consultation conducted and they have a new volunteer who is experienced in and will be able to help with funding bid applications.
They have engaged the following stakeholders: -
BHCC will promote this group wherever possible. GC will attend all future BHCC meetings.