Balfron Community Council

BALFRON COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWS 

Phone Box Fundraiser

Join the campaign to save our phone box – it’s done a fantastic job over the past year as a Food Exchange, but is badly in need of refurbishment. If you can help contribute to its future, make your donation here

Donaldson Park – Small Playpark

The first two play units have now been installed in the wee playpark in Donaldson Park. There are a few snagging issues to attend to and further work will take place shortly to replace the fences and put in a sandpit. The little playpark celebrates its 25th birthday this year and we hope everyone is enjoying the new play units.

Strathendrick Care Home

At an online meeting on 8th December, it was formally announced, for the first time in an open forum, that Strathendrick Care Home will close in the near future.   This is due to the fact that the facilities and services offered there are not appropriate for the Model of Care now deemed necessary for those who require the full range of Health and Social Care services available during periods of respite;  indeed, it was stated that the Home was never intended to be a respite centre.

To enable the Health and Social Care Partnership to plan the next steps in developing the appropriate model of care, a consultation process is underway.

Balfron Bank of Scotland Closure

In spite of our community petitioning, meetings with the Bank supported by MPs, MSPs and local councillors, and raising awareness in the media, our local Bank of Scotland closed on 23th March 2021.  The building is now on the market. A mobile bank will visit Balfron every other Monday from 10:45 to 12:45, and will park in the Co-op car park.

We are in discussions with Stirling Council to explore any opportunities that might allow us to keep the building for local use, and would be delighted to hear from anyone within the community who might have an interest in it or ideas for how it might be repurposed. You can contact us at hello@balfroncc.org.uk.

Invasive Plants Along the River Endrick and its Tributaries

The Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust continue to focus on removal of invasive plant (giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, American skunk cabbage) and animal (American mink and signal crayfish) species. Further information about these species is available from www.nonnativespecies.org. Their project also includes works to enhance and secure habitats through tree planting and improving access to burns and other waterways for fish. 

If you spot any of these invasive species or want to report any other incidents (e.g. pollution, riverbank damage) impacting the River Endrick and its tributaries please report them by email to l.lomondfisheriestrust@gmail.com.   

Balfron Active Places – Construction Phase One Complete

The improvement works to The Clachan and Printers Row have now been completed, and the flower beds planted up for the summer by the village Balfron in Bloom group.

The works reflect the outcomes that were highlighted by the community during the consultations, such as:

• Improve the public realm and create space that provides enjoyment, comfort and protection.
• Provide positive road safety impact. Improve pedestrian and cyclist circulation.
• Improve accessibility for those with impaired mobility.

We are looking forward to working with Stirling Council on the next stages, covering Buchanan Street North and South, with the aim to secure funding during 2021.

Full details of the latest plans can be found at www.stirling.gov.uk/balfronactiveplaces.

Balfron Community Council Meetings

All Balfron Community Council meetings will be held remotely by video conference for the foreseeable future due to the Coronavirus. We will continue to keep you informed via this website, our Facebook page and via the Balfron Community Resilience page. We will also share information on our 2 noticeboards in the village. If you have an issue you want raised at our online meeting, you can contact us via the Facebook page or by emailing us at hello@balfroncc.org.uk

COVID-19 – Support and Information

If you or a member of your household are showing symptoms of COVID-19, arranging for a test to be carried out is straightforward. Find out more on the NHS Inform page.

If you are self isolating or need support if you have to self-isolate any time in the future, there is a group of Balfron volunteers who are happy to help with errands such as shopping, dog walking, urgent supplies and posting mail (for free). Please call Michelle Conway on 07540 667260 if you need assistance or if you want to join the local volunteer group.

You can also contact Stirling Council if you are vulnerable, know of somebody who is vulnerable, self-isolating and has no immediate support available on 01786 404040 or email communitysupport@stirling.gov.uk.

Keep up to date with the latest local information about the Coronavirus on the Balfron Community Resilience Facebook page. Balfron has its own resilience plan, and the volunteers behind the plan are now working closely with Stirling Council to ensure our village needs are understood, and what we as a community can do to support Stirling Council to ensure the most vulnerable are looked after.