DDT Board Update October 2009 to March 2010

What Has the Board Been Doing?
October 2009 to March 2010

Those of you who read the Allanwater News or are DDT members will know that, over the past 9 months, the Board of the Trust has not had its troubles to seek. It has been a long and gruelling few months for everyone involved with DDT as we have grappled with very differing views about what would be an appropriate relationship between DDT and local landowners.

It has now been agreed that DDT will speak to a local landowner if they have a development proposal which will assist the implementation of the community plan and meet the needs of the community. However, there will be no written working agreements between DDT and landowners, unless approved by the community, following consultation.

The previous Board of DDT had entered into a written agreement with Kippendavie Group Trustees (KGT) in relation (a) to large scale development proposals on the eastern edge of the town and (b) to temporary funding support for the High Street gap site.

In consultation with KGT and as a result of a vote of DDT members at the January 2010 Extraordinary General Meeting (see separate note of meeting), this agreement has now been significantly modified.

The New Board of DDT

The Board has changed a great deal since the last AGM. In total nine new faces have come forward to share the workload of the Trust:-

At the AGM the board welcomed four new Directors elected by the membership – Dougal Thornton (the new Secretary), Nora Dougherty, Alan Booth and Steve Mason. Since the AGM the new board has appointed five more Directors – Janice Stewart (the new Treasurer), Malcolm Dougall, Morag Watson, Jessica Lindohf and Tim Hughes.

Since the AGM, two long standing Directors, Bryan Grieve and Sandy MacKay, have decided to stand down. We would like to pay tribute to both Bryan & Sandy for their sterling work over the past 6 years. Sandy will continue with his role with the Dunblane in Bloom Group. Every year the Group provides a magnificent display of flowers and plants – our thanks to all of them.

Thanks also to the Mid-week Group and the Braeport Team who continue to undertake townscape improvements and repairs & maintenance - and they put up the Christmas lights as well!!! Thanks too to Bill Stewart and his colleagues who keep the Braeport Centre running – it is such an important resource.

So what has the DDT Board been doing since the AGM in September 2009?

The local press has been quiet recently but that does not mean that nothing has been happening. Over recent months board members have averaged 3 meetings a month debating future directions for the Trust. Progress has been slow and gradual - so it has not been easy to keep members up to date.

In our press release in December, we committed ourselves to greater openness & accountability and clearer communications. We also undertook to involve our members more in the work of the Trust.

So what have we been doing?

Improved Website : We are working to improve www.dunblaneweb.co.uk and considering setting up a new, linked website which is more easily kept up to date

Openness : We will be holding an open meetings of the board before the Summer - ordinary members will be able to attend. We will also post our minutes on the website and place them in the library.

Communications : We are gathering members’ email address so that we can communicate more easily and regularly. Any members who want to receive DDT emails should post their e mail address details to dunblanedevelopmenttrust@googlemail.com.

Business Plan : We are working on a business plan so that the Trust has clear and agreed objectives and a sound financial footing.

Braeport Centre We are in discussion with the Council about taking over and upgrading the Braeport Centre.

High Street Site : The project will be on site in April. It will provide a restaurant on two floors and five flats (see separate article).

Subsidiary Company : We have set up a new subsidiary company DDT (Projects) Ltd through which we can manage projects on behalf of the community.

Retail Study : We have arranged for Stirling University to undertake a retail capacity study.

Involving Members : Three working groups are to be set up in May 2010 (see separate article)

As a Board we feel we have turned a corner, and we are looking forward to a very busy and productive 2010/11.

We are hoping to attract as many new DDT members as possible. A membership application form can be downloaded by clicking here

The Dunblane web has been set up to provide information and support for locals and visitors alike.

We are always looking to update and add any relevant information that the Dunblane community would benefit from being included in this site.

If you have a club, group, Organisation, Local business or any news, or up and Coming event then please let us Know!!!

We have put a lot of time, effort and resources into building this web site. We would appreciate any input that you can offer or suggest any suitable links to improve this site.

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