Why is There a Community Trust?
Gargunnock Community Trust Ltd. was established in 2005 to serve the residents of the Gargunnock Community Council area. It acts as a vehicle for fundraising and managing charitable projects that benefit the village. The Trust's objectives and powers are outlined in its Memorandum and Articles of Association. If you'd like to add something to a Trust meeting agenda, please contact one of the Trustees/Directors or email gargunnocktrust@gmail.com.
What is the Community Trust?
The Trust is a "company limited by guarantee and not having share capital," registered at Companies House (No. SC285574) and governed by Company Law. It's also a registered charity in Scotland, overseen by the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR No. SCO36793). Gargunnock Community Trust is a member of the Development Trusts Association Scotland, which supports local trusts in community-led initiatives.
What Does the Trust Do?
The Trust facilitates community projects in the village, including:
- Transferring the Community Centre from Stirling Council to community ownership.
- Securing the Glebe Land from the former Village Interests Group.
- Raising over £600,000 for Community Centre refurbishment.
- Negotiating ongoing benefits from local windfarm developments.
- Creating the Glebe Park with a footpath, trees, signage, seating, and picnic areas.
The Trust also manages village assets, supports projects, and keeps the community informed. Activities include:
- Managing the Community Centre.
- Publishing *The Bugle* newsletter.
- Maintaining the village website.
- Managing the flagpole in The Square.
- Holding a Lottery licence for village groups.
- Administering the Gargunnock Windfarm Fund.
- Supporting local walking and cycling path development.
- Running the monthly "Bite and Blether" café.
- Building connections with other organisations.
How is the Trust Managed?
The Trust is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors, who also serve as Trustees. Currently, there are 11 Directors with one vacancy. The Chair's responsibilities are shared among the Directors. Contact the Directors at gargunnocktrust@gmail.com.
An AGM is held annually, open to all members and interested parties. It includes the presentation of financial accounts, activity reports, and the election of Directors. Public input helps shape the Trust's Strategic Plan, which guides its activities. Meeting minutes are posted on the village website.
Being a Member of the Trust
The Trust aims to represent the entire village, so it offers a membership scheme. Anyone living or working in Gargunnock can become a member for a one-time payment of £1. Membership is crucial to the Trust's success, as it demonstrates broad community support, which is essential when applying for funding or negotiating with external bodies.
To become a member, fill out the Membership Form and pass it to a Director with your £1. You can also get actively involved by becoming a Director, attending the AGM, suggesting ideas, or volunteering for Trust activities. Opportunities will be highlighted in *The Bugle* and on the village notice board. The Trust’s success depends on the community’s participation!
Trust Membership Form:
What is the Community Council?
The Community Council is a statutory body. We work to represent the views of the community to the Local Authority. The Community Council is made up of local residents who volunteer to act on behalf of their area. We the most local tier of elected representation. As a Community Councils we have a direct link to Stirling Council and therefore play an important role in local democracy.
Background legislation
The general purpose of Community Councils is defined in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and in the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994.
Constitutional issues
A model constitution and code of conduct for Community Councils can be found on the community councils’ page on the Stirling Council website.
Gargunnock Community Council is made up of local people who are passionate about their community and want to make it a better place for all to live.
As well as representing the community to the local authority, we engage in a wide range of activities which promote the well-being of our community. Recent examples of our work would include the renovation of the village fountain and the Christmas lighting displays, and the planned upgrade to the A811 / Station Road junction. A subgroup of the Community Council also drove the purchase and reopening of the village shop.
We bring local people together to help make things happen, and we strive to protect and promote the identity of our community. We advise, petition, influence and advocate numerous causes and cases of concern on behalf of our local community. The Local Place Plan is an ongoing project which reflects our work.
Community Councils have a statutory right to be consulted on planning applications.
Licensing matters and any other matters may also be jointly agreed between Community Councils, the Council and other public sector and private agencies.
Community Council membership is a great way to be involved with your local area. We try to develop a good understand of the workings of local government and work to influence what is going on locally and nationally. All local authorities in Scotland encourage citizens to become a member of their Community Council.
The community council meets 6 times a year in the Community Centre, usually on a Monday at 7.30pm, and people can also join on-line.
Dates for the next meeting can be viewed below. A Stirling Councillor usually attends our meetings, and this offers a very useful link to highlight any issues we have in the community. All village residents are welcome and encouraged to attend meetings of the Community Council which are open to the public.
We are keen to encourage young people to join us and would welcome the opportunity to hear their views and opinions about the village. The minimum age to stand for election as a Community Councillor is 16 years. There is also the option to be co-opted onto the Council, even if this is only for a short term.
Come along and make a difference.
Current Community Council
The area covered by the Community Council is the village of Gargunnock itself and surrounding farms and houses in the parish. The elections to the Community Council must be held every 4 years and Councillors are elected then.
Gargunnock Community Council is entitled to have 9 community councillors.
Community Council Contacts:
Mike Buckley Chair / Social Media & Windfarm Rep
(Vacant) Vice-Chair
Christine Phillips Secretary
Tom Jamieson Treasurer
Julie Cole Planning and Licencing & Cycle Path Lead
Lovat MacGregor Roads and Transport
David Millar
Martin Harrick
Tom McEwan
General enquiries: gargunnockcommunitycouncil@gmail.com
Click here for Individual contact details.
Latest Minutes
Community Council Minutes:
3 June 2024 (ordinary meeting)
2 June 2025 - Draft AGM Minutes(Subject to approval at 2026 AM) - Draft Ordinary Meeting minutes (Subject to approval at August meeting)
Archived Minutes (on Stirling Council website)
Community Council Archive Minutes
can be found here:
Meeting dates 2025:
All meetings are 19:30, in the Community Centre and usually also on-line. Detail of the on-line link is posted with the agenda for each meeting.
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Monday 6 October
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Monday 2 December
Gargunnock Local Place Plan
Local Place Plans (LPP) are community driven documents that are part of Scottish Planning Legislation meaning local authorities (Stirling City Council) must ensure their broader Local Development Plans take account of local communities’ visions and improvement opportunities. The LPP therefore informs SC planning and in turn contributes directly to Scottish Government planning. Our LPP sets out our vision and improvement activities for the next 10 years - to make our Gargunnock Community an amazing place to live and visit
Gargunnock Community Council (GCC) has set up a Local Place Plan Steering Group
GCC has conducted a second survey to the community to gather input on likes, dislikes and improvement for the village that we should prioritise in the LPP. The outcomes will be analysed and used to form the LPP. The final draft of the LPP will be shared with the community and our neighbouring community councils for comment
Subsequently, the LPP will be submitted for registration with Stirling council-deadline for this is 31/10/2025
Latest Minutes
Community Trust Minutes: