Blog

Police report for August 2025

JJG | 19th September 2025

Police Scotland provides a monthly report covering incidents and advice for the SW Stirling rural area.

The full report is here Police Report CC_August_2025

For the Strathblane area, the report says:

Theft

An attempted housebreaking has been recorded after unknown persons attempted to force open a Garage door with a jemmy or similar before leaving empty handed. Enquiries are still ongoing. Please continue to report any suspicious activity in the area.

Fraud

A fraud is currently being investigated following the victim booking a hotel room for several nights stay with advance payment being made, upon arrival, they were taken to a substandard out-house. The victim is currently seeking a refund, and this may be more of a civil issue.

Vandalism

A vandalism has been recorded after an unknown object was thrown at the front door of a property causing damage. Unfortunately, there are no further lines of enquiry and this remains undetected.

Road Traffic

A driver failed to stop and report a road traffic collision after their vehicle collided with another damaging the wingmirror. Unfortunately, there are no further lines of enquiry and his remains undetected.

Enquiries are ongoing to trace the driver of a vehicle driving on the A809 and preformed a dangerous overtake by entering the opposing carriageway and into a blind bend into oncoming traffic.

Reports received of fallen trees in the area blocking the carriageway please continue to be careful when driving on rural roads.

PC Matt McCammon PC Laura Newlands are the Ward Officers for the Forth and Endrick area. They are based at Balfron Police Office and can be contacted at the office, on 101, or at ForthEndrickCPT@scotland.police.uk. It is recommended that this email address is used by the local community for email contact however this should not be used to report crimes.

Please remember that we regularly publish useful information and updates on social media, including appeals for information, updates about road closures and crime prevention advice. Our Facebook and Twitter pages can be found at;

https://www.facebook.com/PoliceScotlandForthValley

https://www.facebook.com/PoliceScotland

X – @PSOSForthValley

X – @PoliceScotland

Local Place Plan presented for Community Council approval

JJG | 3rd September 2025

Following surveys and drop-in sessions over the past year, the LPP Working Group has provided its proposal for the Local Place Plan to community council members for discussion and approval at the meeting on 8 September 2025, 7.30pm, Village Club. The plan is to be submitted by Strathblane Community Council and Strathblane Community Development Trust, to form an important part of Stirling’s Local Development Plan in the coming years.

A copy of the proposed LPP and more information about the process can be viewed on our dedicated web page here.

There are several formal checks and steps to go through before the plan is submitted, but now is the time for CC members and residents to review the proposed LPP and make any comments.

Police Reports for Forth & Endrick area May, June, July 2025

JJG | 2nd September 2025

Over the summer we received monthly reports from Forth & Endrick policing team – apologies for the lateness sharing these on the website!

Police Report CC_May_2025

Police Report CC_June_2025

Police Report CC_July_2025

Ward Plan Priorities for our local police are Community Engagement and Reassurance

“It is important to you to have community officers who you know, who are accessible and who address local problems.

“PC Matt McCammon PC Laura Newlands are the Ward Officers for the Forth and Endrick area. They are based at Balfron Police Office and can be contacted at the office, on 101, or at ForthEndrickCPT@scotland.police.uk. It is recommended that this email address is used by the local community for email contact however this should not be used to report crimes.

“Please remember that we regularly publish useful information and updates on social media, including appeals for information, updates about road closures and crime prevention advice. Our Facebook and Twitter pages can be found at;

https://www.facebook.com/PoliceScotlandForthValley

https://www.facebook.com/PoliceScotland

X – @PSOSForthValley

X – @PoliceScotland

X10 Public Transport Update

JJG | 9th June 2025

Thanks to Val Brand for this report

X10 Update from recent PTUG meeting on 20th May 25.

Breakdowns

An increase in unreliability has been the no1 issue reported by passengers since the start of this year with a huge increase in breakdowns leaving X10 passengers stranded or unable to make appointments or get to work. This particularly affects residents travelling to and from Stirling although Balfron- Glasgow has also reported a rise in breakdowns.

Vehicle Quality

Quality of many vehicles currently running is appalling. When queried, Graeme Leslie, operational manager blamed engineering as the latest reason for this. The current Head of Engineering has left the business and a new Engineering Manager has been appointed. His expertise is in Volvos and he will attend our next meeting. They cite difficulties recruiting engineering staff as well as issues obtaining parts for vehicles. He insisted they are spending a fortune on maintenance. They have brought down some Explore Dundee vehicles to temporarily fill the gaps. Having been on one, it’s not the comfiest bus to travel on as it clatters along the road!

Other representatives reported the same issues on services across Stirling especially on Callander and Hillfoots buses. However, the impact is less as they have more frequency than the X10.

Communication

Still poor delays and cancellations are not being posted on app or it is the wrong information.

No-one at bus station stances to tell if buses are cancelled.

Staff at ticket office don’t know.

We have asked if staff at ticket office in bus station can be updated if there are delays.

App

Passengers report no improvement at all often with wrong or conflicting information.

Similar reply as last meeting the App is provided by a third party who they are in discussions with. Faulty ticket machines which are apparently end of life and will be updated ( again same as last meeting in January) Gps another reason given as to why app doesn’t work.

Driver Complaints

Pleased to report there’s been a big drop in driver complaints since introduction of designated drivers. Still a few issues with a couple of drivers e,g. poor concentration, fast driving with harsh braking between Killearn and Milngavie to make up time is an issue and down Kippen Brae …although much improved this side.

Other driver issues still being reported;

Not looking or speaking to passengers and not wearing name badges provided.

Smoking at Bus Station- No improvement.

Learner drivers – not paying attention.

Fares: drivers overcharging – blamed this on the faulty ticket machines not updating.

Behaviour

Ongoing issue on buses and at bus station.

I met separately with Mark Ruskell MSP and Claire Baker MSP. The Scottish Government are looking at legislation to remove U22 passes for the most serious cases of bad behaviour. Education is also being looked at for future S1 pupils to impress upon them this pass is a privilege and they must abide by the rules of carriage including showing respect to elders and those with disabilities onboard. Parents also need to encourage their children to behave courteously on public transport.

Capacity on X10 Balfron-Stirling 15.35 School Bus.

Graeme cited his reply to the cCCs involved.

We dispute the figures McGills gave in their reply and will continue to monitor this when the new term starts.

Trossachs Explorer

This service will run again this year but with a new operator. Midland Bluebird failed to win the contract for this service. National Park will make an announcement as to when the service starts normally in July.

Other news:

In light of the unreliability issues on X10/X10A which McGills continually blame on roadworks Glasgow side they are considering a further tweak to the timetable possibly in October.

It was raised that previous changes made no difference to the reliability of this service. We also impressed upon Graeme that passengers heading east must be able to go straight through at Balfron and not be left there waiting for connections. They have been asked to consult with PTUG in August re any changes prior to implementing them.

A new shunter has been employed at Balfron which we hope will see an improvement in the cleanliness of vehicles.

Thanks, Val!

Police Report for events in April 2025

JJG | 9th June 2025

Police Scotland provides a monthly report covering incidents and advice for the SW Stirling rural area.

The full report is here Police report CC_Apr_2025

For the Strathblane area, the report for April says:

Assault

A suspect remains outstanding after they assaulted their partner, then take and driveaway the victims motor vehicle in a careless manner. Efforts are ongoing to trace the suspect. Three staff members were arrested from a campsite following a physical altercation. Two of the people were charged with assault and theft and held in Police custody. They were then released from Court with bail conditions not to return to the campsite.
They thereafter returned to the campsite and were arrested again for breaching their bail conditions.

Vandalism

A vandalism has been recorded after a padlock was cut from a gate of Auchineden estate.

Theft / Fraud

Enquiries are ongoing after numerous unauthorised cash withdrawals have been made from various ATMs from the bank account of an elderly member of the community. The victims debit card has now
been cancelled and efforts are being made to trace those responsible.

Incidents of note

There were no incidents of note.

Community Engagement and Reassurance

It is important to you to have community officers who you know, who are accessible and who address local problems. PC Matt McCammon PC Laura Newlands are the Ward Officers for the Forth and Endrick area. They are based at Balfron Police Office and can be contacted at the office, on 101, or at
ForthEndrickCPT@scotland.police.uk. It is recommended that this email address is used by the local community for email contact however this should not be used to report crimes.

Please remember that we regularly publish useful information and updates on social media, including appeals for information, updates about road closures and crime prevention advice. Our Facebook and Twitter pages can be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/PoliceScotlandForthValley
https://www.facebook.com/PoliceScotland
X – @PSOSForthValley
X – @PoliceScotland

Forth & Endrick Police Report – Feb 2025

JJG | 7th April 2025

The local Police are providing monthly reports for all the community council areas in the Forth & Endrick area.

THe report for the month of February is here. 20250315 Police Report CC_Feb_2025

Stirling draft Climate Adaptation Strategy for comment

JJG | 27th March 2025

Deadline for comments is 8 April 2025

Stirling Council says:

“As part of our Climate and Nature Emergency Plan, we set an action to create a Climate Adaptation Str

ategy. We’d now like to hear what the people of Stirling think about our draft strategy.

Our climate is changing and we all need to understand, and be prepared for, the impacts. Taking adaptation measures now, including at a local level, will make us better prepared for future events.

For more info – and to tell us what you think – visit our consultation

platform: Folder: Climate and Nature Emergency | Stirling Council

The platform has the option for you to respond to a quick poll or directly annotate the documents themselves with your comments. Should you wish to respond in more detail, you could email us directly at sustainability@stirling.gov.uk.”

Drop-ins and more drop-ins – Local Place Plan

JJG | 2nd March 2025

Thanks to everyone who came along to the drop-in sessions on Saturdays 22nd February and 1st March. We collected a lot of answers to our questions, but also a lot of excellent suggestions and experiences to take into account.

The boards will be on display at the community council meeting on 3 March 2025 (Village Club from about 7pm). Another drop-in session is planned for Thursday evening, 20th March, 6.30-8.30pm at the Thomas Graham Community Library. Come and join us for coffee, biscuits and a chat.

** If you can’t join us at those times but would still like to contribute, please get in to uch **

The display boards now be viewed online – check out our dedicated web page here.

Local Place Plan – important drop-in sessions 22 Feb and 1 March 2025

JJG | 18th February 2025

After digesting the survey results, the LPP working group prepared a special edition of the Blane Valley Bulletin to summarise our preliminary conclusions, and to invite residents to review the results in more detail at Drop-in sessions.

Remember – Your voice needs to be heard – so come along and have your say at drop-in sessions on Saturdays 22nd February and 1st March from 10am-1pm at the Thomas Graham Community Library. Come and join us for coffee, biscuits and a chat.

We will be displaying our findings at these sessions, and inviting your comments on topics including:

Community assets and amenities
Transport and Traffic
Village environment & Paths
Sustainability & climate change
Housing need vs Green belt
- including a list of potential housing sites

For more information see our dedicated LPP web page.

Local Place Plan – Get involved in 2024-25 to shape our community for the future

Reply by 17 Nov to Stirling’s ‘Big Conversation’ on budget

JJG | 4th November 2024

Stirling Council’s ‘Big Conversation’ on budget – survey runs to 17 November

Residents have another fortnight to share their views as Stirling Council continues its Big Conversation on how to tackle another significant budget shortfall next year (2025-26).

More than 600 local people have so far participated in the Big Conversation on the Engage Stirling website. Feedback can also be provide via the paper copies available in libraries.

Residents will be able to share their views on the budget in two surveys, the first of which launched on 21 October and runs until 17 November.

The second survey will be published in early 2025 following the Scottish Government announcement of the annual local government finance settlement in December. It will run for around a month will include detailed savings proposals to address the estimated shortfall which residents will be able to feedback on.

The questions in the first survey are based on the feedback we received in last year’s Big Conversation, which saw more than 3,400 people participate in an online survey, and almost 700 people attend 24 events across the council area.

You told us you wanted more opportunities to tell us about the services you valued, what you liked and disliked about service delivery, and how we could do better and be more efficient. You also told us your views on raising council tax to raise income and help bridge the budget gap.

Stirling Council Deputy Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey, said:

“We’d like to thank all residents who have so far participated in our first survey – and encourage as many local people as possible to take part.

“The voices of our residents are vital in helping shape our decision making process. It’s local people who live in our communities and use our services.

“The financial environment for local government remains hugely challenging and councils across Scotland will be facing similar budgetary pressures over the coming months.

“Despite making over £45m of year-on-year savings since 2014-15, we will need to make more difficult decisions this year and continuing this big conversation with residents will be a crucial part of this process.

“The first survey is based on the feedback we received from residents last year. It will be your opportunity to tell us about the services that are important to you, the areas where you think there should be greater focus and your ideas to generate income or transform the ways we work.

“You will also be able to give your views on things like changes to council tax levels and see what this would mean for you and making up the budget shortfall.

“Your feedback will help inform the decisions made on next year’s budget and how we deliver services in your community. Please continue this big conversation with us so we can negotiate this unprecedented challenge together.”

The council must plug its budget gap in 2025-26 despite making up a shortfall that eventually amounted to more than £18 million in the current financial year. These were delivered by savings across council services, the use of one-off reserves and increases to fees and charges.

Just over 71% of overall funding to support Stirling Council’s 2024-25 budget comes from Scottish Government grant and business rates, with the other 29% from council tax, housing rents and council reserves.

To take part in the online survey, visit: https://engage.stirling.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/the-big-conversation-2025-26

Paper copies of the survey are also available at Stirling Council libraries. Please ask library staff for more details.

The council will also be engaging regularly with its staff, local partners, groups of service users and other key stakeholders throughout the budget-setting process.

For more information, including on a breakdown of how the council is funded and how it spends its money, please visit www.stirling.gov.uk/bigconversation