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 the statutory body representing the area to the Local Authority. Run by local residents who volunteer to act on behalf of their area, as the most local tier of elected representation, Community Councils 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
The model constitution and model code of conduct for Community Councils can be found on the community councils’ page on the Stirling Council website.
Gargunnock Community Council is comprised of local people who are passionate and care 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 facilitate a wide range of activities which promote the well-being of our community. 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.
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.
We are the strongest means of becoming involved with your local area. It will give you a good understand of the workings of local government and 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 at 7.30pm, and by Zoom.
Dates for the next meeting can be viewed below. A Stirling Councillor is usually in attendance half an hour before the community council meeting. All village residents are encouraged to attend meetings of the Community Council which are open to the public.
There are also places for young people. The minimum age to stand for election as a Community Councillor is 16 years.
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 are a maximum of 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 minutes will be posted as soon as available,
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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Tuesday 4 February
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Monday 31 March
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Monday 2 June
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Monday 4 August
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Monday 6 October
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Monday 2 December
Gargunnock Local Place Plan
Every ten years or so, each local Community Council is asked by Stirling Council if they wish to produce a Local Place Plan (LPP) to help inform the statutory Local Areas Development Plan as required by Scottish Govt.
The LPP is a proposal by a community body about the development and use of land. Their aim is to improve people’s engagement and involvement in the planning system. They are a way for communities to achieve change in their local area by proactively feeding into development planning.
There is no legal requirement for a Community Body to engage with the wider community when developing the LPP but it must set out:
a) its view of the level and nature of support for the Local Place Plan; and
b) the basis on which it has reached that view, including a description of any consultation in respect of the proposed Local Place Plan
Gargunnock Community Council wants to ensure the voice of the community is at the centre of the LPP and this is why there have been - and will continue to be - extensive consultation with residents as we move towards a final version.
The final document is not a statement of what will happen. It is an opportunity for us to highlight what we see as our collective priorities to improve the area we live in. And the areas we want to preserve and protect.
Given the existing public financial constraints it is likely much of the desired improvements in the plan will require funding sources beyond Stirling City Council and any new development will have to go through normal planning process where residents will get every opportunity to support or object accordingly.
Because the LPP is NOT part of the statutory Local Area Development Plan it does not state with any authority things that will happen. These are activities and improvement we would like to see happen.
We aspire to create an inclusive LPP that reflects local views and hopes to influence and contribute to any decisions affecting the future of the village. Having as many views, contributions and comments about the LPP as possible, will really help to ensure that this document is truly a reflection of the community wishes and desires over the next decade.
Latest Minutes
Community Trust Minutes: