5th June 2025, 7-9pm Crook of Devon Village Hall
Attendees – Directors – Marion Anness, Mike Barnacle (Chair), Sarah Bruce-Jones, Tony Lamb
Secretary – Nicola Marchant
Members – Angus Cheape, Trudy Duffy, Carol Farquar, Alan Johnson, Maureen Lamb, Muriel Oliver, Jane Pelly, Jim Pritchard, Matthew Rice, Johnny Stewart, Gillian Vick
Apologies – John & Sheila Anderson, Judy Buchanan, John Buick, Joyce Hope, Diane McMillan, Richard Miller, Richenda Pearson, Katie Stewart, Lady Stewart, Hugh Wallace
Introduction
Mike welcomed everyone to the 19th meeting of the Fossoway Community Development Trust.
Item 1
Approval of minutes of 18th February 2025 – The minutes were approved, seconded by Tony Lamb.
Item 2
Chair’s Report
Since the last meeting we have secured lottery funding to extend the role of Richard Miller our freelance development officer for a further 12 months period ending mid-May 2026, also we have received funding from the Rumbling Bridge Hydro fund to cover the running costs of a community bus if and when we receive one.
Item 3
Finance Reports
Mike has prepared an income and expenditure sheet for the period of the 1st of November 2024 to the 31st of March 2025 (this is now our revised annual accounts period end) Members were circulated with copies of the accounts. These accounts follow on from the period of the 1st of April 2024 to the 31st of October 2024 previously agreed. Members then agreed that the accounts could be submitted to Ross McConnell who will then submit them to Companies House.
It was noted that from the period of the 1st of November 2024 to the 31st of March 2025 the level of grant funding received, the expenditure outlined, and the surplus generated balanced to the bank account. Notes were provided to several outstanding items for the company’s accounts.
Mike drew members attention to the admin and governance fund which only stood at £28.74 on the 31st of March 2025 and the proposals to transfer £83.10 from the Blairingone school consultancy and the remaining £6 residue from the Perth and Kinross councils funding for Richard Miller which has been transferred to the admin fund. The current admin fund will not cover ongoing costs but we hope to boost our household membership by charging £5 to non members for the Community Action Plan at our launch in October. We hope to increase our membership from 61 households to at least 75 going forward. After the launch Mike would like members to consider an annual subscription of £15 which would give us an annual admin budget of around £1125 this could further be boosted by gift aid which we are investigating at this time.
Nicola shared an update of our current funding status (Appendix 1). To date we have been awarded £67,065 in grants. However it has not been possible to find funds to cover our administrative costs and this element of the budget will be in deficit by end of June. To date subscriptions have covered administrative costs.
Item 4
The Trust has applied for funding of a marketing campaign which will be led by Sarah Bruce-Jones. The Trust is also looking in to getting a bank card reader to enable us to take card donations and subscriptions. https://business.bankofscotland.co.uk/payment-services/cardnet.html
Community Action Plan launch (Autumn)
It was agreed that the Trust should host a CAP launch event (October), date to be agreed by Directors. The event should be on a weekend afternoon with refreshments, entertainment and a quiz with prizes. It was also agreed that our CAP will not be posted on the website until after the launch event but a copy of the cover will be posted on social media.
Fossoway Gathering Stall
Fossoway Gathering (6th September 2025) – propose 2 stalls to showcase what we have achieved – CAP (£5 which will include membership) and Fossoway Map (£2). Nicola to email Trudy regarding stalls.
Local Place Plan
The Fossoway & District CC have been advised by PKC that the submitted LPP and additional information complies with the requirements for a valid Local Place Plan and PKC will proceed to register it as soon as they can. This will happen in the next couple of days.
Item 5
Project Updates
Theme 1 – Traffic Travel and Active Travel – Tony Lamb
The Trust have been awarded funds by Rumbling Bridge Hydo which will be used to pay for running costs of bus we hope to receive from PKC in the near future. Tony has applied for the second tranche of buses, with a very full application form demonstrating we are ready to use a Community Bus. PKC are releasing 3 buses end June and 3 end of August. We now have two fully qualified drivers and two in training. We wish to thank Glenfarg who have funded training of our drivers and supported us in our application.
Theme 3 – Community Facilities, Activities & Events – Sarah Bruce-Jones, Nicola Marchant
Moubray Hall
Nicola has supported the new Moubray Hall committee in discussions with PKC regarding what maintenance work can be carried out without planning permission. The Hall has received funds from the Fossoway Hydro Fund to cover costs of new planters and noticeboard. There are ongoing discussions regarding a full survey and maintenance plan for the Hall. Perth Heritage Trust have indicated that they may fund any repair work.
Village Halls – Net zero journey, Building Resilience
Sarah reported that a fund has been released by SSEN to fund communities to become more resilient and helping achieve net zero. Due to the timeline for applications we are not going for net zero funds this year but will get application ready for 2026 application. We are working with HEAT project to audit energy saving options for each Village Hall to support 2026 fund application.
However we do intend to produce a resilience shopping list from each of the Halls to bid for this fund by end of June 2025
Greenspaces
Sarah is working with PKC greenspaces to map greenspaces, play parks in our community as well as ownership and management plan. Sarah has a wish list for play. We intend to partner with DTAS to consider future leases or transfer of any greenspace using the Community Empowerment Act.
Noticeboards
The Trust intends to apply for funding from PKC CLLD for new Fossoway Community noticeboards in Carnbo, Blairingone, Crook of Devon, Rumbling Bridge.
Theme 4 – Environment & Heritage – Mike Barnacle, Maureen Lamb
Map of Footpaths and Cyclepaths
Maureen Lamb and Bryony Malvenan partnered with Muckhart CC and Active Dollar to develop a map of Fossoway Footpaths and Cyclepaths which was shown to members. There were 1000 maps printed and they have been shared between Muckhart and us. 30 maps have been given to Fossoway Primary School who helped in the development of the map. Active Dollar are currently seeking funding for a second map (not covering our area) and have asked for a letter of support from the Trust. Members agreed that Nicola should write this.
Mike noted that the current map did not include the Millennium Walk and that this could be considered as an addition to any reprint.
In discussions with Muckhart it was agreed that we should ask for a donation of £2 for the maps. Members agreed that this is reasonable.
Nicola will approach our shops and Milkbar to see if they will gather map donations for us. The Trust may have to purchase donation boxes using remaining community engagement funds.
Also agreed that we should form a paths working group to engage with TRACKS and other local organisations.
Replacement Bridge
With regard to the proposed replacement bridge over the river Devon, John Buick Angus Cheape and Mike attended a meeting in Dunfermline at Kilmac office in February and in April we’re still waiting for a project costing from them for erecting the Rennie Mackintosh bridge at the previous bridge location. TRACKS thought this may not be possible. Mike has tried to get an update from Matthew Pease of Blairhill land, and this has not been forthcoming. SSE confirmed that any bridge near to their substation would not be agreed to and the project is stalled. Mike suggested members of subgroup visit the site of the Millennium bridge with TRACKS members and then consider an alternative simple wooden and steel structured bridge.
Formation of a Heritage Group
Katie Evans is keen to improve the lade in Crook of Devon as part of our promotion of our local heritage. It was agreed that Nicola writes to members to ask for volunteers to form a working group.
Item 6 – Marion Anness
Theme 3 – Decision regarding next steps in CAT of Blairingone School
The three options were discussed and carefully considered.
11 members had voted via email and a further 18 members voted in the Hall. The outcome of the vote was 21 for Option 1 (Lease with a view to purchase) , 2 for Option 2, 6 for Option 3.
Mike posed an option to give members another week to return voting slip but other Directors stated that members had been asked to vote twice and hence the vote tonight in the Hall and already received by email should be final.
Item 7 – Mike Barnacle
Review of Constitution
We are currently a charitable company limited by guarantee. Mike reported he attended the APRS AGM in May in Edinburgh and they are looking at becoming a SCIO which reduces admin and reporting burdens. It was proposed, and agreed, that a subgroup is reconvened to look at this and that they make a report at a future meeting.
Directors will also meet with DTAS to discuss how we can move from an aspiring Trust to a full DTAS member.
It was agreed that the Trust should register with HMRC for gift aid (this will also mean that we no longer have to complete annual declaration re Corporation Tax).
Item 8 – Mike Barnacle
AOCB, Date of next meeting.
Waulkmill Park has been vandalised recently. There was a MoP in the park at the time who was severely shaken. PKC have now repaired the gate and fence.
Next meeting to be determined -probably Oct.
Appendix 1 – Grant funding status
| Source | Project | Amount | Remaining | Comments |
| PKC CLLD | Website & logo design | £2100 | £0 | |
| Members £5 | Admin of Trust | £405 | £20.36 | Includes transferred monies |
| PKC CLLD | CAP | £15294 | £0 | |
| PKC CLLD | Community Engagement | £5000 | £1884.30 | To cover printing of CAP and launch events |
| PKC Vacant Property Fund | Blairingone CAT | £5000 | £0 | |
| SLF | Blairingone CAT | £13360 | £83.10 | Transferred to Admin fund |
| PKC CLLD | Development Officer contract | £3606 | £6 | Transferred to Admin fund |
| Lottery Fund | Development Officer contract | £15600 | £15600 | |
| PKC Warm Spaces | Moubray Hall | £700 | £26.79 | To be returned to PKC |
| Rumbling Bridge Hydro | Community Bus | £6000 | £6000 | Only receive when we get bus |
Appendix 2 – Proposed Administrative Budget
| Item | Charge | Annual Cost |
| Website maintenance | £35/month | £420 |
| Bank Charges | £10/month (estimate) | £120 |
| Companies House | £34 annual | £34 |
| Accountant | Audit of accounts | £250 |
| Hall hire | £60 four times a yr | £240 |
| Microsoft licence* | £85 annual | £85 |
| Stationary | £150 annual | £150 |
| Trust events | £300 | £300 |
| Total | £1599 |