Community vision – the future

Theme 7. Public services

Crime rates in Callander have risen significantly. Data for 2016-2020 show that crime rose by an average of 25% each year: a total increase of 96% in just four years. Callander is the only area in the National Park where crime rates have increased.

Rural communities like Callander have shouldered the brunt of cuts in public service budgets. Were it not for our local volunteer groups organising litter picks, woodland maintenance and planting baskets and floral displays this would be a far shabbier town.

Dog fouling and litter remain two of the community’s major concerns due to the associated health risks and because they impact negatively on our landscape and on visitors’ perceptions of the town.

The recent changes to bin collections mean that residents are having to use the recycling centre at Lagrannoch more frequently. Ours is the only household waste recycling centre within the National Park and neighbouring communities come here to avoid going all the way to Stirling.

The Callander facility only opens for a total of 16 hours per week and last entry on weekdays is at 7.30 p.m. This makes it hard for people who commute long distances for work to access recycling services.

First impressions of Callander on the eastern approach have become spoiled by the poor external appearance of the social housing at the entrance to the town. This neglect continues along the Stirling Road. The sight of poorly maintained houses is depressing and unsettling to visitors.

There is a sense that both of our statutory authorities are failing to listen to the residents and civic groups in the town.

Where there is consultation, it is either as a response to local outcry (for example, about the flood wall scheme) or it is cursory and poorly publicised.

Worse still, feedback from public consultations has been ignored.

Solutions

i. Crime and policing

Police Scotland should produce and implement an action plan to combat rising crime in Callander, immediately. Attempts to underplay the problem have led to people taking action into their own hands and this must be discouraged. To help community relations there should be a better flow of information between the Police, residents and businesses.

ii. Community empowerment

The Scottish Government’s Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 was designed to build and sustain community relationships. It set standards for public engagement, and both our statutory authorities have a duty to adhere to and implement them.

iii. Bins and hygiene

Stirling Council should provide more litter bins along our paths and in recreational spaces, and empty them more often. Stirling Council and LLTTNP should provide practical support for community groups in raising public awareness of responsible dog ownership.

iv. Better maintenance of social housing

Social housing landlords should contribute to Callander’s sense of place by maintaining the external appearance of their properties.

v. Recycling centre

If the current schedule for bin collections is to continue, extended weekday opening hours at our recycling centre should be considered.