May

SAUCHIE COMMUNITY GROUP - May 08 - (32)

PRESENT:A Fleming, Anne Irvine, A Irvine, A Airnes, C Weld, C McDonald, E Fraser,

G Rennie, G Cummings, G Foxton, G Fraser, J Gallacher, K Turner, L Boyd, M Comrie,

M Freeburn, M Horne, M Lindsay, M Bradie, M Ketchion, M Muir, N Patterson,

N Archibald, N Pollock, N Kane, R Cammack, S McKean, S Gruar, S Pollock, S Gilchrist, S Allan, S Munro.

COUNCIL:

G Womersley, M Flynn, R Patterson.

APOLOGIES:C Wright, D Stewart, E Rodgers, E Connor, E Davies, F MacKenzie, G Hastie, H MacKenzie, L Turner, S Patterson, T
McIntosh, T Burnett.

MINUTES PROPOSED:S Pollock.

SECONDED: Roy Cammack.

MATTERS ARISING:

An update on the estate team visit - Beechwood Area was given, the General outcome was that there was a feeling
that prior to the visit much work had been carried out on faults previously raised by members of the group in an attempt to cover up any short
comings within the area. Michelle Flynn gave the reply stating that there had been a change of estate managers and this is why the remarked
progress had been seen in the area.

Michelle Flynn made the point that it was recorded incorrectly that there was no Council presence on the published Mar 08 minutes
although she was present. The Secretary made the point that he previously understood the council prefix on the minutes to be for councillors and
apologised and recognised that all council members present be added as above.

Letter received from Clackmannanshire council regarding the receipt of the letter on the objection to the College Annex, stating the necessary
requirements before work can commence on the site.

Email received from Keith Browns office thanking all those who attended the Parliament Visit in May and made the point that he always finds it
comforting when Constituents visit. Photographs of the visiting Party were also received and the Secretary made the point that all those pictured
are asked to consider giving permission for the photographs to be published on the website. Agreements/objections through the IT Officer
(Sandy Pollock).

GUEST SPEAKER:Robert Patterson - Land Services:

Robert started by thanking the group for the invite to speak at the meeting. Robert gave an overview of the structure of land Services the
emphasis being placed on there relation to Development and Environmental Services. Land services being split further into 3 further groups
those being Burial grounds, Strategic operations and Land services operational Section which deals with green part on the ground so to speak.

Robert briefed the group on some of the various operations covered within land services such as care of burial grounds, their involvement with
planning applications and the negotiation of planning gain. Land services are also responsible for the maintenance of educational grounds
including both Primary and Secondary schools.

Land services were last year responsible for the maintenance of some 3760,000 square meters within Clackmannanshire. Grass maintenance
is generally the greatest area of significance within the department and something, which the department does to a very high standard. Water
areas such as the Delphi pond in Tulibody also come under the remit of Land Services. Further services include Tree maintenance, Leisure
Properties including the town Hall and Cochrane Hall. Landscaping work including new housing or roundabouts including any subsequent
maintenance, the service also install the majority of there own Play facilities.

Land services also take on the odd last minute jobs if required to do so, a couple of recent examples would be the cleanup of Greenfield park
and also the completion of the landscaping in time for the re-opening of the Alloa Railway.

Robert ended by saying he hopes that his presentation has made the group members aware of how much more Land Services are involved with
beyond the cutting of grass and cutting of trees and at this point welcomed questions from the floor.

What was the reason for Lime Tree walk being cut down and what is the site

now going to be used for?

Robert was involved in the planning for this, and the public had been given

access to the details to pertaining to this. The trees should have been felled 3 years ago however the funding was not in place to do so. The

reason for the work going ahead now was in conjunction with the opening of the new Alloa Academy. Robert was involved in surveying the

trees in question in 1999 for the planning department and placed a prefix on those trees at this time and it was found that none of those trees

surveyed at this time were the original trees that were planted in the area infact the oldest trees were of the age of 19yrs and not 300 years.

It was attempted to plant younger trees amongst the current older trees but it was due to people parking on the central reservations and the

suppressing effect that mature trees have on young trees those younger trees never got a chance. The outcome was to try to save a dozen

or so of the trees in place or remove them all due to their lifetime usefulness and plant from new. The new trees will be planted in Jul 08.

Along with the new trees new pathways and lighting for pupils and Staff of the new academy will be carried out.

Will there be access through the new trees as there currently is?

There was certainly a plan to keep the footpath down the centre, however

Robert could not certify that this was the case at the final planning stage, and commented that the he had already received calls questioning

what the preparatory measures were for the planting including the soil types and base courses.

There have been a few things taken away from the Fairfield play area a couple

of benches and the such like have been removed during a recent refurbishment.

There has already been a few calls made on this subject and it is merely a case

of time and resources however the plan is to reinstate benches and waste bins.

Is it possible for the trees to be cut on the Asda roundabout as these are

an eyesore and block the view of oncoming traffic.

Robert commented that he is not a roads engineer, but is of the understanding

that at roundabouts it is suffice to see only the traffic coming fro the junction immediately to your right.

A query was raised on the placement of shrubs and the lack of litterbins at the new Railway station.

Robert took note of the point and is to approach the contractor Mac West, to see if a management plan is in place for the shrubs and

whether or not installation of litterbins was to be completed in the future. His assumption on the litterbins is that it may be to stop vandalism

at the station.

A question was raised reference some work to be carried out on tree trimming and cutting in Gartmorn Road, it appears that work which

had been applied for to be done has not, and that infact the work was carried out in the wrong place, a query raised on the issue of any

damage caused by the trees which are rotting that have not been removed was made.

Robert has taken on board the work in question and will look at the initial Works line applied for and made the point that damage would

be a matter for the Departments insurers to resolve.

POLICE REPORT:Martin Ketchion read The Police report as follows:

Current issues

Three fixed Police CCTV camera sites are now in operation and in the following areas of Sauchie:

As per written report

Current Operations

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.

Information is required regarding drugs issues, youth disorder and anti-social behaviour.

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.

Contact via Crime-stoppers 0800 555111, Alloa 01259 723255.

COUNILORS REPORT:Gary Womersley:

Gary started by reminding the group that there is currently a 3 - 12 review taking place and without wishing to harp on about the subject of
possible plans for the local primary schools and nursery he has asked that people approach him individually on the subject to discuss any
concerns or preferences they may have on the subject regarding the merging of the local school facilities.

The walkabouts are happening within the community and Gary would be interested to hear feedback from those who attend, in the past
the Police have had environmental scans done for Sauchie which were carried out by Craig Rankine. These were of particular use in deciding
whether hard of soft landscaping techniques should be placed in strategic areas within the community. Gary was under the impression that the
group may have had a copy of these reports and there findings presented to them in the past. Keith Turner pointed out this was not the case
and requested could Gary chase a copy up for the Group to consider the reports contents.

A further point on the walkabouts was that Mac West had made it clear they wished to meet with members of the community group in
relation to specifically looking at issues concerning Branshill with particular attention being paid to the condition of the roads.

Gary raised a question with Council officers in relation to what the Capital spend had been for Sauchie in the last 5 years and what is
currently planned. The answer was that there was no proposed capital spends and that in the last 5 years the only money spent was used to
move equipment from Club Evo to the leisure Bowl and also putting the kitchens in. In Gary's opinion this was not a community use and so
asked the council officers to take this point on board as it was ridiculous considering Sauchie had received a Dispersal order.

Gary has raised the issue of Dog bins or more so the lack of. Also raising awareness that where people are cleaning up the mess but
then simply discarding the bags due to lack of facilities. Also lots of complaints about the equestrian centre regarding a lot of the walkways and
paths being blocked have been raised.

HOUSING REPORT:Michelle Flynn gave the report as Follows:

Voids:

2 x 2 Bed Maisonette above ground - Branshill Park.

1 x 1 Bed Flat ground floor - Craigview.

1 x 2 Bed Flat above ground - Lochbrae.

1 x 3 Bed House - Deerpark.

1 x 2 Bed Flat above ground Main Street.

1 x 4 Bed house - Mount William.

1 x 1 Bed Flat ground floor - Schaw Court.

1 x 2 Bed House - Rosebank.

Gardening Competition entry forms are available.

A new project called Woman into sport has been launched; further information is available through Michelle.

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

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.

Scottish parliament visit was a huge success, all whom attended enjoyed the day and due to its success another visit is planned for October.
Tickets for question time are available but this is held at 12 o'clock and tickets go fast. Laura requires knowing firstly how many people want to
go and then of those who requires tickets for 1st Ministers question time. An agreed date also needs to be agreed by those interested.

Thank you, to everyone involved with the bingo tea and to those who offered their services in baking and the donation of prizes.

The Portobello bus trip 16 Aug has been a huge success and there are limited spaces left. The cost to those attending will be �6 adults and �4
children aged 15 and under.

The Alexander brothers is currently suspended due to illness in the family, George gave an update on the unlikely hood of this changing in light of
the current situation within the family. The proposal is put to the group do you want a Big Band event or an in house Disco.

The decision on this is that we hold an in house Disco, with a further attempt to welcome the Alexander Brothers 4 weeks prior to the date, if
unsuccessful at this point advertisement and final planning for the disco will commence.

A.O.B.:Sandra started by announcing that we are applying for funding for a development worker for the Community Centre with the idea
being that we get the Centre open more often during the week. It is a joint bid with Coalsnaughton, which will hopefully make it more appealing
as a funding bid. If this is successful it is then planned to get a permanent worker in place.

The Sauchie Fun-Day organised by Sauchie Community Group through its Activ8 programme planned for 5th Jul 08. There also further
events planned which might include an over 50s health club, also the possibility of interest in courses run at the college which might include
Indian head massage and Forensic Science the activities would mainly be free but will be dependant on response levels, posters will be
produced shortly.

There are to be 2 new Police Community Liaison type staff situated in the Sauchie office on a permanent basis.

Keith Turner made the point about the much talked about second crossing on Sauchie Main Street and asked could the secretary send a
letter to the council making a point that Tulibody has 4 in as many hundred yards and yet we fail to be given a much needed second crossing for
both general use and also more importantly for an educational necessity for children attending the local school.

Keith then announced that the Tiny Tots stall at the Railway opening fair raised �75.

Sandra then asked if anyone was willing to fill the Deputy Social Convenor position. George Rennie volunteered himself for the post.
Proposed: S Pollock, Seconded: Keith Turner, the group had no objections to him filling this post.

CLOSE:

The date of the next meeting is confirmed as Thursday 26th Jun 08 at 7pm in the Resource Centre.

M D KETCHION

Secretary