February

1. Present:-

Mr A. Davies, Mr D. Evans, Mr C. Hunneyball, Mrs S. Milton, Mrs J. Newberry, Dr J. Piggins, Mr A. Thomson, Mrs M. Wainman.

Attending:-.

Councillor A. Leitch, Mr F. Milloy, Councillor G. Saluja.

Apologies:-

Mr A. Al-Kowarri, Mr P. Findlater, Mrs M. Michie.

Dr Piggins welcomed Mr Milloy, from the Inverurie Herald, to the meeting, and congratulated Ms Gibb, his predecessor as local reporter, on her promotion.

2. Police Matters

There was no police representation at the meeting. It was confirmed that copies of the agenda and minutes were forwarded to Kemnay Police Station and to Inspector Allan in Inverurie.

3. Minute of Meeting held on 25^th January 2001

The Minute of meeting held on Thursday 25^th January 2001 was adopted.

Proposed: Mr A. Thomson Seconded: Mrs S. Milton

4. Matters Arising from Last Minute

a. Community Council Input to Budget Matters

A letter had been written to Aberdeenshire Council putting forward the Community Council proposals. Councillor Leitch said that the alterations to the pavement outside the primary School were being surveyed and would be costed.

b. Road from Kemnay to Midmill

No reply had yet been received to the letter about the flooding on this road at the bridge where it crossed the A96.

c. Recycling Bins

Aberdeenshire Council had said that the area around the bins had been checked, and it would seem that most of the cardboard was trade waste. A survey would be carried out to try and identify the perpetrators. It was not, therefore, intended to put in an extra bin.

Some concern was expressed that this waste might just be going to landfill sites. Dr Piggins said that this did depend on the fluctuating price of waste paper, but it was better to encourage people in the habit of recycling than to start and stop. He added that no authority in Scotland was anywhere near to meeting the targets for waste recycling.

d. Tree Planting at Kirkstyle

It was intended that the missing trees would be in place before the end of the planting season in March.

e. Pavilion Committee

Dr Piggins said that he had spoken to Mr Petrie, the Chairman of the Pavilion Committee, who had agreed that the outside was unsatisfactory, but had also said that it was the responsibility of Aberdeenshire Council to maintain it. There would be a meeting in two weeks time, and he would then write to the Council, pointing out that the appearance was of concern to the Community Council.

f. Graffiti

Mr Evans had spoken to Mr Caie, the owner of the garage covered in graffiti, who was very happy that it should be painted, and had offered to help. Mrs Wainman said that anti graffiti paint was available, and it might be better if this was used.

The mess in the garden had also been mentioned, but Mr Caie said that much of this had been dumped by the Council, and he had offered to clear it up if they provided a skip. This they had declined to do, and under the circumstances he was loath to pay for one himself. It was thought that it might be possible to use one if there was a village clean up day, and it was also suggested that it would be a good idea if the Council bought the site for a car park, or for some other use. It was agreed that this would be mentioned to Councillor Leitch.

As yet no village clean up had been organised, and the post of organiser would be advertised in the newsletter.

5. Unfinished Business

a. 220 Bus Service

Dr Piggins said that he did not think that Stagecoach would have expected such a vociferous protest about the timetable changes. Mr Evans said that the problems had been very bad indeed, with rush hour journeys being quite chaotic. Buses were late, and demand had been grossly underestimated, resulting in overcrowding, and, in some cases, passengers not being able to board.. Full accounts were on the website, www.kemnayvillage.fsnet.co.uk, and Mr Souter, the Chairman, had been sent a number of emails and letters. At present an inspector from Inverness was overseeing the operation, but he would only be there for two weeks, and if the service was bad now it was worrying to think how bad it could become when it was unsupervised. The area MP and MSP were being very supportive, and Mr Rumbles had tabled questions for the Scottish Parliament. It was agreed to write to thank them for their continuing support. It was also agreed to put a summary of the position in the newsletter, but little more could be done other than to keep up the present pressure.

The Council was very worried that passenger numbers might decline as users sought alternative means of travel, and Stagecoach might then use this as an excuse to reduce the service still further.

b. Primary School Keep Clear Markings

It was reported that No Waiting at Any Time restrictions are in force outside the primary School. There was some discussion as to whether the area inside the double yellow lines at the top of the High Street should be for school buses only, but as there does not seem to be a problem at present no further action is intended.

c. Village Notice Boards

Mr Pollard had reported that he had been unable to arrange for the notice board refurbishment to be undertaken by the Academy, however he was having the one outside the Post Office looked at by a cabinet maker. Dr Piggins said that there was some urgency about this, as the estimate would have to be approved by the Area Committee at their meeting on 13^th March. He thought that Aberdeenshire would pay, even if the bill was unreceipted, providing it was presented before the end of the financial year.

d. Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils

A copy of the latest summary of comments about the proposed scheme had been circulated to all members. Dr Piggins noted that some, but not all, of Kemnay's proposals had been adopted. The revised scheme will be promulgated shortly and will come into force on 1^st April. Within this framework Councils will have considerable latitude to draw up a constitution appropriate to their circumstances.

6. Garioch Area Bus Forum

A review of bus services subsidised by Aberdeenshire had been carried out. There had been some proposed reductions, but none affecting Kemnay.

7. New Business

a. Car Parking at the Pleasure Park

Dr Piggins said that when the development at Kirklands was built the car park that had been there had been removed, and replaced by a smaller one adjacent to the pavilion. As a result visitors to the Pleasure Park were now parking in Kirklands. The problem was going to get worse as double yellow lines are going to be painted along Bogbeth Road. These are necessary, as presently there are times when farm traffic cannot pass the parked cars. The Kirklands residents are not happy with the situation, especially as one of the clauses in their purchase agreements prohibits them from parking in the road.

Mrs Newberry suggested that the Primary School car park could be used at weekends. Councillor Leitch undertook to seek permission for this. If it is granted the football club, and the secretary to the Pavilion Committee, would be informed. Even if only local players and supporters used the school car park, this would free up places in the other one.

b. Fetternear Trust

The Fetternear Trust were applying for a grant from the Lottery, and asked if the Community Council would support this. It was agreed that an appropriate letter would be sent.

8. Report from Safety Group

As Mr Findlater had been unable to attend the Council meeting, there was no report from the Safety Group.

9. Report from the Press Scrutiniser

There had been a good cover over the bus problems, both in the press and on TV.

It had been reported that the Kinnellar School parents had voted overwhelmingly to have Kemnay Academy as their secondary school.

10. Aberdeenshire News

Councillors Leitch and Saluja gave a report.

Councillor Leitch said that Council rents had been set, and increased. He had also had a breakfast meeting with Henry McLeish, during which the infrastructure of Councils outwith the central belt was discussed. If the ideas came to fruition they would be beneficial.

The Northern Criminal Justice Forum had been reduced from thirty two authorities to just eight regional fora. It was suspected that other authorities may be similarly reduced in number.

The Council tax rise had been set at 10%.

There had been an Older People Strategy Meeting at Pittodrie, looking at such items as transport, healthcare and sports centres. The prime aim was for them to have a reasonable amount of money, and companionship.

A press release concerning subsidies for transport was due out shortly. The amount involved was around £60,000, but Councillor Leitch said he had not yet seen the statement.

The bulb in the Victorian lamp had been tested and found serviceable. The circuit was now being checked.

Councillor Saluja said that Grampian Police had conducted a project on problem orientated policing, producing seven studies of high quality.

There had been a presentation on Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire Councils strategic plan, and a further meeting was planned.

The Grampian Deputy Chief Constable (Peter Vincent)had left, and interviews for his replacement would be held the following month.

11. Planning Applications

Planning applications for alterations to 11 Daun Walk, and Meadowlands, Aquithie Road, had been approved.

An application to alter and extend Garyvene, Paradise Road, had been submitted.

Outline planning permission had been given in 1996 for a farmhouse at West Leschangie, but some concern was being expressed about the design. The new farmhouse, as well as the existing one, would be tied to the farm.

Mrs Wainman said that Milton Farm was being renovated beautifully.

The Milton Meadows Phase 3 appeal had been rejected, not on the grounds of potential flooding, but because of the ribbon development effect.

12. Correspondence

A consultation draft on the Joint Community Care Plan 2001 - 4 had been received.

North of Scotland Water Authority had written regarding water and sewage charges for 2001/2. They said that the average water charge would be £154 and the sewage charge £124 annually, but did not say what percentage increase this represented.

Orange will be staging an exhibition in Safeway, Inverurie, on 27^th February.

13. A.O.C.B.

Mr Evans asked if anything had been done about an entry sign for the village, which had been discussed in connection with the Kirkstyle development.

14. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 29^th March 2001 at 7.30 pm in the Wainman Room at Kemnay Village Hall.