The Community Council has had a request from a regular attender to join the monthly meeting, which has recently been held on Zoom and limited to Community Council members and Elected members (the police and Stirling Council staff are not permitted to attend zoom meetings).
It may be that we are able to open more to interested members of the public. I say more interested as having 100 people signed into zoom will be a nightmare. If you are interested you will need to tell us that you wish to join and provide an email address so you can get an invitation to the zoom meeting.
It is probably best to tell us if you have a burning issue that you want to have discussed. I am wary of putting a limit on numbers – so we will see how it goes to start with.
So looking for something different to do on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm then drop me a line to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
NEW Police launch wildlife crime probe at bus tycoon's estate following blaze Stirling Observer Article from 27 July 2020
Read Stirling Observer Article from 25 June 2020
Article below updated on 20 June 2020 - updates in Green
Some local residents on the Glassingall Estate sent a letter to Glassingall Estates Ltd in response to the demolition and burning of Glassingall House on the 11th and 12th of June. The full letter can be viewed here. A letter has also been sent to the Health & Safety Executive SEPA and the Council. SEPA has apparently responded and is now taking witness statements.
Glassingall Estates Limited is one of the companies in the Gloag portfolio. Dame Ann Gloag bought the estate over a year ago and a Pre Application Notification of Planning was submitted last year. This outlined a development of 135 chalets and an outdoor centre.
The local residents say that ‘the remains of Glassingall House appear to have materials looking awfully like asbestos lying around in the open in a fragile condition. Do not attempt to enter the area and please keep your children away. Asbestos is extremely hazardous and kills. People have been seen wandering around with their children within the fenced off area. This is a very bad idea. Please keep away’.
Here is a statement from Stirling Council
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the demolition works at Glassinghall estate and can confirm investigations are underway.
“Demolition works of this nature are subject to statutory processes and require permission from the planning authority, in this case, Stirling Council. We can confirm no building warrant for demolition was requested from, or issued by, Stirling Council in relation to this work and we have taken immediate measures to ensure the site is safe.
“We are in discussions with the landowner regarding the submission of a building warrant to regulate the works already undertaken, and to cover the completion of the remaining unauthorised work.”
Here is a Tweet from Mark Ruskell MSP
Appointments with your GP practice can now be arranged by video link from your smartphone or computer
The Carman Family Foundation - the relatively new owner of Holmehill - is seeking to buy the Hielieman's from the Council. This is the land the land to the North of Holmehill, stretching from Ramoyle to the new houses in Bogside.
The letter and plan below have been delivered to households living close to the site.
In addition to sending your views to the Council and the Carman family, you might also want to email the community council at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Atlantic Wall is close to the Sheriffmuir Road and the former Sheriffmuir Inn. It was used to test weapons as preparation for the attack on the Atlantic Wall in Normandy.
Volunteers Terence O'Byrne and Iain O'Byrne have been out
spraying the giant hogweed in and around Dunblane.
It can take three weeks for the effects of the spraying to be visible.
The death has been announced of local treasure, Sandy Hunter
SSEN launches £350,000 resilience fund to support community coronavirus response
31 March 2020: for immediate release
A new £350,000 fund to support communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic is now open for applications.
Due to the significant impact on communities from the coronavirus outbreak, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has repurposed its annual Resilient Communities Fund to offer grants of up to £3,000 for projects that will specifically support community members in vulnerable situations.
Applications are being encouraged for projects that will provide extra help to those who are self-isolating or social shielding, such as the elderly or those with underlying health conditions. Examples include a social delivery service, online advice centres or a befriending scheme.
The fund is open to community councils in SSEN’s north of Scotland network area, which covers the area north of the central belt including Scotland’s islands. The initial funding round will close on 30 April, with additional rounds to open based on demand. Grant awards will be issued in early May to ensure timely release of funding to community groups.
In the event the fund is oversubscribed, the panel will give priority to applications which support communities that are particularly remote or isolated, contain high levels of vulnerability or low levels of resilience.
Colin Nicol, SSEN’s Managing Director, hopes the fund will make a difference as communities rally together to support those most in need:
“In keeping the power flowing, safely and reliably, SSEN will play an integral role in the communities we serve during the coronavirus pandemic. As a responsible business, we believe this role also extends to supporting communities in their own response to the crisis.
“Following positive consultation with stakeholders and independent community fund panel members, we are delighted to relaunch our Resilient Communities Fund to help fund community resilience projects that will help those most in need.
“It’s encouraging to see communities pulling together at this time and we are pleased to play a small part in that response. I’d call on all local community council representatives to apply for a grant where they think we can help.”
Kerry Jardine, Scottish Government’s Resilient Communities Policy Manager and Resilient Communities Fund panel member, added:
“The SSEN Resilient Communities Fund provides a significant resource for communities to enhance their resilience to the challenges that are important to them.
“Groups throughout Scotland are currently focussing their energy on supporting their communities through the risk and restrictions that Covid-19 is presenting. We are seeing communities all over Scotland come together to develop their resilience to these challenges.
“This fund can be used to support community groups in their immediate activities and thinking ahead to their community recovering and building on their resilience to future challenges.”
Since its launch in 2015, SSEN’s Resilient Communities Fund has provided over £2.4 million to 362 local community projects to build resilience and protect those most vulnerable. The criteria for this year’s fund was changed following consultation with SSEN stakeholder groups, who strongly supported opening the fund early and targeting coronavirus response.
For more information on this year’s Resilient Communities Fund or to apply, please visit ssen.co.uk/resiliencefund.
To check who your network operator is and to see if your community, parish or town council is eligible for SSEN funding, visit ssen.co.uk/whoismynetworkoperator.
For more information on how SSEN is protecting its customers, colleagues and network during the coronavirus pandemic, please visit ssen.co.uk/covid19response/.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
* Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), operating as Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) and Southern Electric Power Distribution (SEPD) under licence, is responsible for operating and maintaining the electricity distribution networks supplying over 3.8 million homes and businesses across central southern England and north of the central belt of Scotland, the Mull of Kintyre and the Scottish islands.
* Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks is the trading name of Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution Limited, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc, Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc and Southern Electric Power Distribution plc.
Stirling Council and Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise (SVE) are asking volunteers and local community groups to register and be part of a co-ordinated response to the Covid-19 emergency. By volunteering you can make a big difference in your area and on a national level.
We are developing a recognised, formal Stirling area wide network to support those in need at a local level. By being part of a formal coordinated effort, our response will be stronger and safer for those vulnerable individuals and families needing support.
Stirling Council and SVE are fully tied in to the national volunteering agencies and their campaigns.
The www.investinstirling.com/key-sectors/volunteering site will allow community groups and individuals to register their interest, by registering you are helping us to provide co-ordinated support across the Stirling area.
Please register
* As individuals who would be willing to become Befrienders, Volunteer drivers, Volunteers assisting with essential groceries and collecting prescriptions or to assist with food preparation for vulnerable people.
* As local community groups who can organise a local response and provide assistance in their area. Individual members of groups need not register just a primary contact.
* As third sector organisations who can support the collective effort or commit resources at a local level.
After registration, you will be contacted by a Local Co-ordination Team in your area. We will ensure that all volunteers’ health & wellbeing is protected by following all official guidelines related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Thank you for your continued support.
Stuart Oliver
Senior Manager
Economic Development & Communities
Natalie Masterson
Chief Executive
Stirling Voluntary Enterprise
