Feb

SAUCHIE COMMUNITY GROUP - FEBUARY 08 - (52)

PRESENT:A Irvine, A Tapsfield, A Airnes, A Robertson, C Weld, C McDonald,

D O'Donnell, E Hills, E Tapsfield, E Connor, E Davies, E Lindsay, F Orr, F MacKenzie,

G Walker, G Hastie, G Cummings, G Foxton, G Fraser, H MacKenzie, J Begg, J Cameron,

K Turner, L Turner, M Freeburn, M Horne, M Michie, M Ketchion, M Bradie, M Muir,

M Flynn, M Duffy, N Paterson, N Archibald, N Pollock, R Cammack, S McKean, S Gruar,

S Pollock, S Gilchrist, S Ross, S Allan, S Munro, T McIntosh, T Burnett, W Hunter.

COUNCIL:

G Womersley.

APOLOGIES:A Irvine, C Wright, D Stewart E Rodgers, G Rennie, J Sharp, J Allan, J Allison, J Gallacher, M Comrie, M Lindsay, S
Kirkwood and S Paterson.

MINUTES PROPOSED:M Bradie.

SECONDED: E Connor.

MATTERS ARISING:

There were no letters received as a result of the Jan 08 Meeting, however the following points were raised in
conjunction to previously raised matters:

Can we push forward with the pedestrian crossing for Main Street, it seems that we are having trouble acquiring one crossing yet Tulibody are
managing to have four built. (Keith Turner)

Apologies to T McIntosh for a point raised in the Jan 08 Minutes, which should have stated that he would infact now like his tree/trees cut down
due to interference to his TV signal.

Light fitted in the wrong place, (Gary Womersley) dealing with this issue.

GUEST SPEAKER:Forestry Commission:

Jenny Crick introduced herself as the new Forestry commission ranger for Gartmorn. She Has been in the post since Nov 07 and would ask
that if you see her out and about please do come and ask her any questions you feel you have relating to the woodlands area. Jenny then
introduced Collin Peacock to go through the Forestry design plan.

Collin Peacock introduced himself as the Chief forester for this area of Scotland and works along side Jenny in looking after Gartmorn Woods
and more so for compiling a forest design plan for what we aim to achieve in the next 20 years and in the short term over the next five years.

Collin spoke gave a brief outline of the plan to rid older Continental and American conifers and replace them with a mix of the more traditional
Scots pine and birch and native broad leaf trees. The western side of the forest is pretty untouched and is still covered mainly in pine and
spruce and could really do with a bit of work in that area.

The felling plan has already been carried out in the eastern side and there is no real plan to do much else there but rather more to allow nature
to take its course. Work will be carried out to remove some conifers, which have started to grow as a result of the previous crop of trees. This
is to ensure that it grows as a more traditional woodland. On the western side felling will be done in patches so as to preserve an overall
covering appearance and to replace again with spruce and Scots pine, the idea is to have large mixed woodland including Birch and oak. In
terms of recreation and access there are already paths in the woodland although there is some scope for adding more and some of the current
pathways would definitely require you to have on your wellies. Collin made the point that the woodlands should not bee seen a s an
independent recreational site but rather as part of the bigger countryside preservation area in conjunction with surrounding landowners and the
Council.

There is currently a population of Red squirrels in the wood, which it would be nice to encourage however there is a population also of greys
and this causes a problem in itself. The introduction of the Scots pine might well help this but only time will tell.

Will the effective sale of the dam have any effect on the plans?

It is certainly part of the bigger picture and the Forestry Commission would certainly try and work with whom ever buys the dam to
continue to preserve and improve the overall landscaping of the countryside as a whole.

Any one wishing to contact Jenny or Collin on any issues relating to the woodlands and the future plans can contact them through the following
website:

www.forestry.co.uk <http://www.forestry.co.uk>

A paper copy of the design plan and a CD Rom have been left with Sandy Pollock should anyone wish to look at the plans in greater detail the
CD also has contact details for Jenny Crick.

POLICE REPORT: George Hastie read The Police report as follows:

As part of the undetected crimes a Bus was attacked by a group of youth and a few of the widows smashed. George would be grateful of any
information on the perpetrators.

Test purchasing in regards to under age sales of tobacco and alcohol are taking place throughout the local area.

Road traffic operations continue to take place in the coming weeks throughout Sauchie and Clackmannanshire, to include mobile phone usage
and also seat belt checks. Residents are advised to place all external property in a secure shed with a fitted hasp and padlock.

The Internet page is updated regularly with relevant information regarding Sauchie community, please contact George Hastie with any relevant
issues/events and these will be added to the web page.

COUNILORS REPORT:Gary Womersley

Gary updated the group on the fact that there had recently been an article in the press, which had criticised the Council for the lack of resources
for public sector and childcare facilities.

The point raised on the road safety issue at the ASDA roundabout in Alloa has been raised and Gary hopes to give an update with a
satisfactory solution at the next meeting.

The Ochilview planning application on the College Annex has gone in, this should have been decided within a week of submission since the
last meeting, however this has been pushed back for whatever reason by Ochil View Housing and the Council. I will update at the next meeting.

Scottish Water are still holding talks with the Council with reference to the sale/preservation of Gartmorn Dam, without disclosing too much
information Gary indicated that the cost of the facility to the council would be far less than was originally proposed, it is hoped that something
can still be done in regards to saving the facility although the indications are that the council would still like to see some sort of community
ownership or trust set up to take on the Dam.

Gary gave a brief on the Council budget, with this year being the highest ever funding given to local Authorities since Devolution, also there is to
be no ring fencing of monies, which means that Government will not be telling Local Authorities what and how much is to be spent on various
projects. The main objective for this is to try and make Local Authorities use monies for more effective use. There was a budget put forward by
the current administration, which would have forced the Council to make a 3.5m-pound saving through the cutting of various services such as
tree/grass cutting. Schools were to be hit particularly hard with the loss of breakfast/ after school clubs and the ending of the free milk program.
There was also a proposal to remove all the Road Crossing Officers within the County, which gives you some idea of how tight the money is.
Rumour has spread that this is a result of there being no change to Council Tax charges, however this is not true as Gary pointed out the
Council has received more money than it has ever had previously and it has been financially rewarded to freeze Council Tax. The reality of the
situation is that the Council would have had to raise Council Tax by 7% to generate the extra funding, which it now has.

The Budget put forward by the opposition doesn't involve any cut in frontline services at all, it does not effect Schools or the elderly, and to put a
prospective on this also Gary pointed out that a year ago the County was praised for its care facilities and services for the elderly, and again
pointed out that under the current administration there were proposals to scrap facilities which were currently free such as Emergency
necklaces and a proposed fee of �2 per week was to sought for such care facilities. An increase in charges for home helps and/or carers was
to be part of the opposition budget where as there are no services affected by the opposition budget plans. The opposition has planned to
continue with current levels of frontline services and has proposed to raise the money from various procurement and also efficiency savings,
which are in excess of �400,000. There are also other slush funds and the oppositions view is that where a slush fund exists for whatever
reason it should be used. To satisfy himself of the confidence for the opposition budget Gary has spoken to most of the senior Council
Officers, who have confirmed there delight at the Opposition Budget for not cutting frontline services.

As previously mentioned the reserves stand at �9000 instead of �2m and this is the reason for the need of drastic cuts which firmly lies with the
current administration as far as responsibility is concerned.

A further example of how the budget in general affects everyone would be that there are people here who have kids and grandkids or are a
tenant or a householder and a lot of the points raised asking for activities for the kids to do in Sauchie, well there are things to do now and
although Gary agrees they are not exhaustive he reminds us that those activities in place are only pilot projects which means that funding is in
place only for a limited period of time, any further funding or cuts in funding would threaten the continuation of such projects. A personal
annoyance of Gary's is the post Dispersal Order planning for Sauchie and the answer quite simply is not very good. It seems the Police and
the Local Community have upheld their side of the bargain but when looked at it as a whole for all stakeholders it seems the Council failed in
that regard. A further cut proposed by the current administration is that the two Police Officers currently delegated to patrol and support the
Community Wardens would be under threat. The other disappointing thing for Gary personally is that if you look at any Capital Projects planned
for Sauchie and this would include any work to improve the High Street, there is in fact no money currently budgeted for Sauchie, Gary has
opposed this but pointed out that under previous and the current Administrations Budget proposal this would continue to be the case.

Part of the current budget proposals put forward includes some sort of rationalisation between Fishcross Primary, Deerpark School, Craigbank
School and the Nursery. In speaking to the Officers this is something which will not take place in the next 5 - 7 years but which will be
considered much sooner.

Gary's final mention was to the fact that CPTR would be drawing down and that he the assistance the Community Group had received had
been invaluable. Once again Gary wished to dispel any myths that the Council had not received any money to fund CPTR in the future from
central Government was incorrect and reminded us all that the Council had more money than ever before but it had chosen not to use it for
CPTR type initiatives. On that note Gary would like to extend his thanks to all members of the CPTR team and asked that a letter of thanks be
sent from the Community Group. (Letter to be sent by Secretary).

Could Gary look into the current situation where by heavy plant traffic has to use the pavement at the bottom of Parkhead road?

I have spoken on this subject before and the point was again raised with the appropriate director on Tue, and it has become

apparent that the point raised has been accompanied by many other similar complaints including the recent traffic measures imposed in

the form of traffic lights. The situation is being looked at and with the work due to start in Apr on the roundabout as part of the hospital

development all points raised are being looked at prior to works beginning.

Have we still got wardens up in Branshill area as the streets seem to be a disgrace with buckets everywhere and local residents

complaining of cars being scratched and so on

Yes as far as I am aware, however I will raise the matter again.

Gary can the point be raised as to where the Ochilview project team information was gained with reference to the direct need for

pensioners accommodation against the need for social housing in respect to young persons/families.

The issue has been raised before as to a single adult would find it hard to find accommodation in Sauchie. I shall raise the point and

ask how the information was gathered which led to the nature of required housing being given as pensioner need specifically.

LEISURE REPORT:Laura Turner gave The Leisure report as follows:

Only 50 people turned up for Second Nature and this produced a profit of only �20 so it might be worth having a rethink on the social side for
future events.

I have received no reply from the Alexander brothers as of yet and so a letter has been sent to gain confirmation of there availability.

I have received various requests for the bus trips including The Metro centre in Gateshead. Also St Andrews has been mentioned, I am waiting
on names for a trip to the Scottish Parliament at which point I Can get the busses booked, this may have to be over 2 days.

There is to be a Virgin V party on 29 Mar in the Resource centre, Ladies Only.

18 Apr 08

Frank Curran 8 - 11pm - Doors open 7.30pm - �5 per ticket.

17 Oct 08

ABBA Mania 8 - 11pm - Doors open 7.30pm - �7 per ticket.

12th Dec 08

The Robins 8pm-11.30pm - Doors open 7.30pm - �5 per ticket.

A.O.B.:

A presentation was given to Keith Turner in appreciation of his work with the Community Group.

Keith spoke and gave his assurance that he was not going to be disappearing, more that he would be taking himself out of the limelight and
putting family interests first whilst still maintaining a helping hand at social and community events.

Does anyone know what the situation is with the scout hall at present as Alistair who usually attends has raised the point that it

has been vandalised recently and also as the youths are passing it and throwing items they are causing damage to the charging unit for

his wheeled mobility vehicle.

Margaret Blackwood is still waiting for funding for the use of the scout hall issue to be raised through Gary Womersley.

Michelle Flynn raised the question as to the requirement for a housing department report on a monthly basis.

The secretary asked that we be given the report to be read out monthly but that it would be beneficial to have a representative

present every 3 months to give an overview of the bigger picture, to include future housing developments.

CLOSE:

The date of the next meeting is confirmed as Thursday 27th Mar 08 at 7pm in the Resource Centre. All members are reminded
that the meeting in Apr 08 is the AGM maximum attendance would be appreciated. The agenda will include the proposals/Volunteers for new
committee members.

M D KETCHION

Secretary