Blairlogie Community and Heritage Trust
Minutes of AGM on Thursday 26th September 2024 7.30pm in the Reading Room
Mike Allen, Susan Allen, Angus Annan (Hall Keeper), Claire Beechey (Secretary), Tim Beechey (Treasurer), Una Bryce, Georgina Cairns, Helen Campbell, Ian Doyle, Geoff Field, Lys Hansen, Mary Maxwell-Irving, Ross McIntosh, Angus Scott.
Craig Bryce (Interim Chair), Bill Clark, Gaye Clark, Cherie Jellison, Mike Makower, Selina Makower.
The Interim Chair, Craig, was unwell. Angus Annan chaired the meeting in his absence.
Angus welcomed everyone to the meeting, particularly those who had not attended an AGM before. Angus extended best wishes to Craig and wished him a speedy recovery, which was echoed by all present.
These were approved.
Tim outlined the accounts for 20-24 (attached). The main points were as follows:
Rent income and outgoings for cleaning and general maintenance remained largely the same.
Other income included £1000 from the sale of the Reading Room garden to Craig and Una Bryce. The ceilidh was also a big fundraiser.
The council revenue grant decreased from £1000 to £750. It was noted that this has decreased again for 24/25 to £500.
Energy costs look to have increased significantly, this is partly due to last year’s Direct Debit payments not reflecting an increase in usage and energy costs.
There were some questions regarding the accounts.
Tim confirmed that an increase in Direct Debit payments has now cleared the outstanding balance with Scottish Power.
Tim confirmed that we are paying insurance for both the Reading Room and the East and West Lanes.
Angus gave the report on behalf of Craig. This is summarised as follows:
Angus thanked Clem Flanagan for all her hard work as Chair. She is now stepping down.
Events in the village over the last year include the monthly coffee mornings organised by Susan Allen, and the BBQ in June. The ceilidh was unfortunately cancelled due to lack of ticket sales. This had been very successful the previous year.
Planned events include a Halloween party next month, a proposal for a Burns Night in August (when Burns travelled through the village) and an Open Gardens if there is sufficient interest from residents.
Angus asked if there was a desire for a Christmas or New Year gathering. There was enthusiasm for a Hogmanay event, especially one starting earlier in the day to accommodate those with young families.
A discussion around the ceilidh cancellation included suggestions to hold the event earlier in the day and to improve the advertising of tickets. Perhaps a deadline to purchase tickets would have prompted sales from those who had intended to come but had not indicated this.
The Reading Room is now advertised on the list of village halls on the Stirling Council website: https://www.stirling.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/community-centres-and-halls/our-centres/community-run-centres-and-halls/ with a link to our website and the blairlogierr@gmail.com account for bookings.
Painting of windows, doors and guttering on the main hall and Crowsteps has now been completed. Windows have been repaired, broken skylights repaired and a roof leak at the join between the main hall and Crowsteps mortared. This work was much needed, with the last major refurbishment of the hall having taken place in 1998.
Thanks were given to Mary for her kind donation towards the cost of the Crowsteps painting.
Georgina thanked Mary, and noted what an asset the Reading Room is to the village. She thanked the BCHT for their work to maintain it.
Improvements are expected to the West Lane and the field path to Logie Kirk as part of the Core Paths/City Funding Initiative, but there are no further details confirmed yet. Future Forest had also made a commitment to reinstating and maintaining the field path across their land, but so far this has not happened.
Fast Broadband is still expected for the village. The latest news from the council suggests June 2025.
Proposed by
Seconded by
Una Bryce
Susan Allen
Helen Campbell
Ross McIntosh
Ailsa McLuckie
Craig Bryce
Cherie Jellison
Susan Allen
Georgina Cairns
Clem is stepping down as a trustee. The committee thanked her for her service.
Lys asked if there could be a streetlight on the West Lane. There is no lighting at all at present.
It was pointed out that the council would not provide street lighting on an unadopted road.
Ross suggested solar lighting, he has an inexpensive one outside Blairlogie Park which provides good light and has a spare he could test in the lane.
Tarmac has been suggested as a possible surface for the West Lane. Those present were asked for their opinions around this.
There were concerns that tarmac could increase runoff, be subject to damage from leaf build-up and would be costly to maintain. There is also the visual impact on the lane to consider, and the proximity to several very large trees.
The current ‘Type 2’ surface is prone to erosion however, and some felt that tarmac would provide a more robust surface for vehicles.
It was noted that there have been proposals to upgrade the length of the King’s Highway through the entire village, there will be a bigger impact that just the West Lane. Any works would be subject to a public consultation.
Mike Makower concerned about works in the culvert and drainage ditches. Pipework for the private water supply to Gogar House runs through these and could be damaged.
This is outwith the remit of the BCHT. It was noted that there is a public water supply to Gogar House, so the council are unlikely to ensure the maintenance of a private supply.
Mary reported that the culvert under the A91 at Nethercraig is due to be replaced. Survey work has been completed but there is no date for work to commence.
Georgina raised concerns from Cotkerse and Gogar area residents regarding the speed of vehicles on the A91. There are several road access points here, farm traffic and poor visibility around the bend towards Menstrie which make this junction dangerous for pedestrians and cars. Other residents reported similar issues at various points along the A91 through the village.
Concerns were noted. However, this is outwith the remit of the BCHT. Traffic speed and management was previously a Community Council issue, but there is no Community Council at present.
Angus closed the meeting and thanked everyone for attending. A directors meeting followed immediately afterwards.
Minutes prepared 27/09/2024 by Claire Beechey
Income & Expenditure
Cash flow Analysis
Start Date
01/04/2023
01/04/2022
End Date
31/03/2024
31/03/2023
Receipts
Grants
750.00
1000.00
-250.00
Rent received
2,115.00
2137.50
-22.50
Fundraising events
1,245.73
826.56
419.17
100 Club
340.00
460.00
-120.00
Donations
299.70
231.40
68.30
Interest
651.39
296.46
354.93
Other (sale of land)
1,000.00
0.00
1000.00
Total Receipts
6,401.82
4951.92
1449.90
Payments
Event Costs
395.78
135.92
259.86
Donations
0
245.00
-245.00
Payments for Charitable activities
Operating Costs
Gas
1,476.00
420
1056.00
Electricity
795.59
409.11
386.48
Water
0.00
0.00
0.00
Insurance
1,100.48
1079.30
21.18
Hall Repairs/Service
678.12
240.82
437.30
Road Maintenance
27.56
0.00
27.56
Legal Fees
0.00
0.00
0.00
Cleaning
412.50
240.00
172.50
Administrative Costs
402.94
733.00
-330.06
Stationery and Consumables
0.00
0.00
0.00
Improvements
0.00
0.00
0.00
Village Garden
0.00
0.00
0.00
Archives costs
0.00
Total Payments
5,288.97
3,503.15
1,785.82
Surplus / deficit
1,112.85
1,448.77
-335.92
All funds are unrestricted
Statement of balances
Opening Balance (Cash)
0.00
Opening Balance (Bank)
14,370.43
Closing Balance (Cash)
0.00
Closing Balance (Bank)
15,483.28