2008 / 2009 Breakdown of Events

A breakdown of the year's events along with a table of related documents for this year.

January

Carron Valley hosts a mountain bike demo day for two of the world's largest manufacturers. The event is an overwhelming success.
CVDG chase updates on the long-overdue groundworks at CV
Scottish Cycling summary report on the outcomes of the Perth conference. CVDG request sight of full report and get led round in circles.
CSFT open tenders for the appointment of a consultant for multi-user trail along the lochside, despite CVP technical sub-committee not having ratified the final tender documents
The ICO begins to examine Niall Thomson's FOI case.

FCS creates another brief for catering at CVDG.
CVDG meet Minister for the Environment, Michael Russell MSP, along with Brent Meakin and Bob McIntosh of FCS to discuss the continuing issues with the project. CVDG are not given the chance to put their points across and the minister brands all previous promises and lies by FCS as "miscommunication".
CVDG are forced to pursue information relating to the March 2006 opening event through the Scottish Information Commissioner.
CVDG continue to push FCS to complete the toilets. FCS state handover is imminent.
CVDG meet the new forester responsible for overseeing trail maintenance following the last change of staff.
CVDG try to galvanise the councils into action following Michael Russell meeting.

CVDG receive a draft process for volunteer trail maintenance sessions. This requires every defect to be photographed and written up for FCS approval, hugely increasing the burden and preventing any quick fixes. It is unclear whether other volunteer trail maintenance groups in Scotland are being asked to adhere to the same process.
FCS place advert for catering contract in local papers.
Cathie Craigie writes to Michael Russell following meeting in April.
Development plan draft issued for comment by CVP - it has taken over five months to bring this document to draft stage.
CVDG make their contribution.
CVDG continue to chase answers on why progress has been so slow. Brent Meakin eventually responds.

CSFT advise that design for the multi-user lochside trail will be complete within a fortnight.
Development plan v1.1 mooted.
One bid received by FCS for catering contract
Mike Russell responds to Cathie Craigie's letter.
CVDG continue to point out the inconsistencies in FCS policy regarding mountain biking on the national forest estate.

CVDG learn from bidder that FCS has declined to take up their offer due to their "lack of experience", despite the individual previously being described as the "preferred bidder" by FCS.
Rena Tarwinska confirms the lochside trail will be maintained for 5 years once built.
CVDG invited to a community "open meeting" in Carron Valley to discuss proposals. CVDG decline to attend as it was becoming clear that FCS would continue to block any meaningful development.

Toilets open on 1st August - three years after they were due to be provided at no cost to the public.
FCS inform CVP on outcome of catering tender process on 26th August almost one month after we'd heard from the candidate.
CVDG try to unravel the mystery of the Framework report

CVDG request update from CSFT on lochside trail following the months of silence. FCS responds
CVDG FOI information on the lochside trail. FCS advises no such report exists although Rena referred to it in another email.
The Sustainable Development of Mountain Biking in Scotland: A National Strategic Framework is launched as a consultation exercise.
CVDG continue correspondence on the lochside trail - no response.
CVDG decide unanimously to resign from the CVP and rescind the WREN funding as FCS's negative behaviour continues unchecked.
Scottish Information Commissioner find in CVDGs' favour and orders the release of the requested information. Information is finally provided by the Scottish Government 449 days after it was originally requested and only a matter of days before the deadline set by the commissioner. Despite the Information Commissioner clearly stating that the information is of public interest, the Scottish Government have not made the information available via their website.

CVDG receive no response from the Environment Minister, Michael Russell, following the letter in November. Instead, Mr Russell deems it appropriate to pass the letter to Hugh Insley, Chief Executive of Forestry Commission Scotland, for him to make some "final comments" on the matter. CVDG are stunned that the Minister not only chose to ignore the calls for an investigation, he actually delegated responsibility for the matter to the very people we were complaining about.

CVDG respond to the new minister, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, following the farcical episode detailed above. This letter was penned in response to Mr Insley's diatribe but was addressed to Mr Russell as we wrote to him directly and therefore we expect a response from him directly. Unfortunately Mr Russell moved post during the SNP reshuffle and Ms Cunningham is now in the role. CVDG hope that Ms Cunningham will do the right thing and launch a full investigation.
One of CVDG members receives further information relating to a previous FOI request.

Ms Cunningham's secretary sends a holding response, stating she is 'taking advice'
All 4 of the outstanding Freedom of Information requests lodged by members of CVDG back in 2007 were successful. The ICO found in our favour on every count and lists a string of breaches committed by Forestry Commission Scotland.

CVDG register a formal complaint against senior members of Forestry Commission Scotland regarding their handling of both the CV project and the latest red herring, the Scottish MTB framework.
CVDG also ignore Ms Cunningham's helpful suggestion and instead see recourse with the First Minister. CVDG believe he is failing to live up to the SNP's flagship manifesto by failing to reform the Forestry Commission.
CVDG disburse remaining funds to Kilsyth Community Council, Fintry Community Council and Friends of Kelvin Valley Park so they can do some good in the communities surrounding Carron Valley. Sadly, the residents of Carron Valley who were largely behind the project lost out because of a small-minded minority, but that just typifies this project.