Community vision – the future

Theme 3. Community cohesion

For several years there has been turbulence at the heart of our community and residents want it to stop.

Discord stalls progress and gnaws at resilience. Better communication and meaningful collaboration between our local civic organisations are essential to our town’s future.

Many unincorporated local groups depend on either Callander Community Council or Callander Community Development Trust to support their projects.

Newcomers to the town told us they would like to get more involved in community organisations. However, some did not know how to apply while others were deterred by public squabbles.

Most of these issues are for the whole community to solve. Callander needs change and the community needs new voices, talents and energy to help bring it about. That said, change must be appropriate, proportionate and wanted. It must not damage those excellent qualities that draw people here and sustain so many residents’ lives.

Solutions

i. Community hall

St Kessogs is Callander’s landmark building but it has been unoccupied for four years and needs extensive, very costly repairs.

Residents have said that they want to see the building brought back to life as a community centre/town hall. Reopening the building for community events would provide a central meeting and socialising space. The provision of a business hub would generate income towards the building’s upkeep.

However, the owner Stirling Council estimates that it would cost in the region of £4.6 million to restore and upgrade the building. St Kessogs Steering Group is working with Stirling to secure funding. Additional funds would be needed to pay rent, employ staff and maintain the building.

If those sums cannot be raised, Callander will need another site for our community centre. The current Primary School building would be a good alternative when the school moves to its new home.

ii. Communications

Callander’s civic groups should work together to create a central information point that disseminates accurate, up-to-date information in both physical and digital formats about events, meetings and proposals affecting the community.

iii.Public consultations

Callander residents should be given a forum for participating in community decisions and should be consulted more frequently.

iv. Welcoming new people and ideas

To recover from the present economic shocks and to build a stronger future, Callander must embrace change, though not at the expense of its character or environment. Callander’s civic groups should encourage new members or board members in order to widen the scope of their expertise and broaden their demographics. For example, there should be a High School pupils’ representative on Callander Community Council.

v. Community resilience

Climate change is increasing the frequency and scale of severe weather events. Callander needs to establish a resilience plan and a designated place of safety. The building should be equipped, in advance, to provide heat, light, food and communications links.