Callander College

Discussions are taking place within the Callander Partnership about the possibility of developing a College to teach rural skills in Callander. This could be based within the McLaren High School with close links to other colleges in the Stirling and Falkirk areas.

Callander Partnership

In 2009 the Callander Community Council formed the Callander Partnership. The Partnership is made up of Callander Community Council, Callander Community Development Trust, Callander Enterprise, Callander Youth Project, Stirling Council and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The group facilitates some of the major, long-term projects in the Town which need a joint approach, often at senior level.

Cemeteries

The Callander Cemetery is reaching capacity and a new site has been identified on the outskirts of the Town. Unfortunately a large number of restrictions have had to be applied which has limited the availability of sites. It is hoped that the new site will be formally accepted within 2010.

Flooding

Stirling Council has recently commissioned a number of studies into flooding from the River Teith and the small watercourses draining through Callander. These studies identify those areas most at risk and this has led to regular maintenance of drains and culverts in the Town. The drainage along Stirling Road was recently upgraded to avoid ponding of water with vehicles causing problems to pedestrians. The National Park has recently commissioned a strategic flood risk assessment for Callander. This will assist planners and developers in keeping an up-to-date record of flood risk and any maintenance carried out. The Community Council intends purchasing a large number of flood bags which are light weight sacks filled with a material which expands when wet. These will be made available to households when they are at risk of flooding.

Housing

The Callander Partnership is looking into the housing needs in Callander. This initially involves a re-analysis of statistics to see how many families and individuals from Callander have a housing need. We also aim to identify whether there are empty buildings in Callander which could be converted into flats.

Natural environment

The Community Council with the Callander Woodland Link have a number of projects underway. There is a long-term plan to improve and expand the footpaths and cycle tracks in and around Callander. This will include linking in with access points from the town and long distance routes which pas through Callander. These routes will all be signed with information giving the distances involved and the ease or severity of the track.

Planning

The Community Council has a planning sub-committee which reviews all of the planning applications within our area. Lists of all applications are given to all Community Councillors and where necessary discussed in detail at the monthly meetings.

Public facilities

The Callander Partnership has undertaken a review of all public buildings in the Town to identify what is available and how much usage each building has. This is now being expanded to include public spaces within the town. The Partnership aims to integrate all of these facilities so that the best use can be made of them and they can be operated in the most economic way.

Roads, pavements and car parks

The Community Council is constantly in discussion with Stirling Council and Transport Scotland about the condition of the roads and pavements. The current traffic calming measures along Bridgend are of particular concern, especially the infamous speed humps. A consultation is planned for later in 2010 into car parking both in designated carparks and also along the main street and side streets.

Rural transport

The Community Council aims to develop a pilot project around Callander to improve public transport. We intend planning this using a simple model of looking to see what type of people want to go where at what time – and them providing a bus to do that route.

Signage

Signage in the town is currently a mess with many different signs of all ages still standing. We intend a thorough review of what signs and information boards are needed where. This will start with a brand new Community Council notice board in north Ancaster Square.

Wider links
Callander Community Councillors constantly strive to promote Callander in the wider world and make sure Callander has representation on all of the relevant groups. We currently have a Community Councillor on the Board of the National Park, one who is chair of the Association of Community Councils in the National Park and one who is on the steering group of the Trossachs Area Network.

Forthcoming Events in Callander