SECRETARY'S REPORT TO AGM, 14th October 2008

Highlights of business during 2007 - 2008

Complaints were received regarding the wind turbine.
Our new Community Policeman Stephen Currie was welcomed to the meeting.
Initial plans were formulated for the new piece of Public Art for Midtown.
A plan was produced for the extension to the Dumyat Centre but was not acceptable to the members.
The first fundraising event was held for funds for the Village Fete/Gala.
It was agreed that a Community Council website would be created.

CC attended the Remembrance Service and laid the wreath at the War Memorial.
In Menstrie Place the flower bed was turfed and the coping stones reinstated.
Glynis Gordon from the Community Health Partnership attended the meeting to discuss the proposed closure of the Menstrie Clinic and the possibility of it being relocated elsewhere in the village.
An additional dog bin was erected in Abercrombie Place.
Removal of the bus stop at Midtown gardens was opposed.
A planning application was submitted to the Council for the erection of two flagpoles at Midtown.
A start-up grant was applied for to the Council for the Fete.
A consultation exercise took place on the Core Path Plan and Ochils Landscape Partnership.

The new bus shelter at Midtown gardens was installed.
Further discussion took place with Sandy Dawson regarding the wind turbine.
Amended plans were produced for the extension to the Dumyat Centre.
Postcards were provided by Clacks Council for residents to add their support to the proposal to name the new Kincardine Bridge as the "Clackmannanshire Bridge".
A Christmas Tree was erected and Carol Singing was held round the tree. This was followed by mulled wine provided by the Parish Church and mince pies by Wendy and Beth. £105 was raised.
The domain name was secured for the website.

CC joined a bus tour on behalf of the Community Council to publicise why the new bridge should be called the "Clackmannanshire Bridge".
A survey of the dog bins in the village was carried out by the dog warden.
Our proposals for the Glen Improvements were submitted to the OLP and were well received.
Austin Mitchell demonstrated the website on a laptop before it went live.

Sketches were produced for the public art by Andy Scott.
The new crossing at the west end of the village was started.
A report on Park Road South would be put before the Council.
Work started on the improvements to the paths in the Community Woodland.
Representatives from residents of Menstrie Mains housing development gave a presentation on the problems they are encountering with Greenbelt Group Ltd.and the maintenance issues this is causing.

Testing equipment was set up in one of the houses to monitor the noise from the wind turbine.
The design for the new public art was agreed.
The hedge in the east end of the village was cut.
Sheila Bulloch produced final plans for the Dumyat Centre extension.
Tracy Duff introduced herself as the new Youth & Community worker for the area.
The new woodland paths became well used by the community.
Additional money was secured to extend the path into the woodland and create some boardwalk.
A village clean up took place.

The Policy for unadopted roads (Park Road South) was passed by the Council.
The Community Website went live.
Production of the new public art work began.
CC and LS met with Cathy Knox from Environmental Services regarding revamping of Midtown gardens.

Staff members from the Dumyat Centre Library/CAP Office attended the meeting regarding the extension to the Dumyat Centre.
Extended parking restrictions outside the school were scheduled.
Some members of the Community Council visited Andy Scott's studios in Glasgow.

Caroline Crawford, Secretary

November 2008