March

1. Present:-

Mr D. Evans, Mr P. Findlater, Mrs S. Milton, Dr J. Piggins.

Attending:-.

Councillor A. Leitch, Mr F. Milloy, Mr George Paterson

Apologies:-

Mr David Caney, Mr Alan Davies, Mrs J. Newberry, Mr Alister Thomson, Mrs M. Wainman, Mr Chris Hunneyball.

Dr Piggins welcomed those present. Mrs Milton pointed out that insufficient members were present to constitute a quorum. It was agreed to continue the meeting but that no substantive decisions could be taken.

2. Police Matters

There was once again no police representation at the meeting. Mr Paterson expressed concern that officers had spent two hours visiting him in the context of his application for routine renewal of a shotgun licence, yet several windows at the Academy had been kicked in when there was apparently no police presence there. Councillor Leitch explained that this was an example of thoroughness on gun matters following the Dunblane incident. Councillor Leitch would investigate when security cameras would be installed at the Academy.

3. Minute of Meeting held on 22nd February 2001

In absence of a quorum, adoption of the Minute of meeting held on Thursday 22^nd February 2001 was deferred.

4. Matters Arising from Last Minute

None.

5. 220 Bus Service

The spotlight was still very much on Stagecoach. Mr Evans reported that the VIEA have written to Stagecoach asking why Blackburn/Aberdeen buses were overloaded with too many standing passengers. Meanwhile, Mike Rumbles MSP had raised the matter with Sarah Boyack, Minister for Transport, who replied that she plans to increase the statutory period of notice of proposals to change bus services. Councillor Leitch emphasised that more time was indeed needed to allow local authorities to consider the social implications of changes. Mr Evans mentioned that Stagecoach fares from Kemnay to Aberdeen were significantly higher than from Inverurie to Aberdeen, despite the similarity of the distance.

6. Garioch Area Community Council Forum

Dr Piggins and Mr Davies had attended the meeting on 21^st March 2001. Bus services had been discussed, both in the context of dissatisfaction with the quality of school transport in some areas, and the changes to Stagecoach services. There was sympathy for the particular problem with the 220 service. It had been agreed to ask a representative of Stagecoach to attend the June meeting of the Forum.

7. Unfinished Business

a. Pavilion Committee

Dr Piggins will contact Mr Petrie to confirm that the promised meeting did take place.

b. Village Notice Boards

It was reported at the Forum that a sum of up to £200 by way of a project grant had been allocated to Kemnay. Estimates for notice boards had been sought. Dr Piggins will ask Mr Davies if he has received estimates.

c. Car Parking at the Pleasure Park.

Councillor Leitch will investigate.

d. Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils

Community Councils have not yet received a copy of the Scheme as agreed by Aberdeenshire Council, with all the accepted changes. Once we receive the final scheme, we should examine our existing Constitution to see whether any changes are required for compliance.

8. New Business

None

9. Report from Safety Group

Mr Findlater reported that most repairs at the Playpark have been done, including new safety matting, and thanked Cllr Leitch for his role. A letter of thanks to Andy Hickman was proposed. There had been eight applications under the Safety Award Scheme. Revisions to the Scottish Ambulance Service's organisation had been discussed and Mr Taylor, divisional manager, had attended the meeting; approval of the business case is now awaited from the Minister, Susan Deacon. A retail crime seminar is proposed for May or June. Security pens for marking goods are to be distributed to householders.

10. Report from the Press Scrutiniser

In the absence of the press scrutiniser, no significant items other than regarding the 220 bus were reported.

11. Aberdeenshire News

Councillor Leitch said that the widening of Grove Road had been included in the Council's programme.

A nursery at Kemnay School had been planned to open at the end of April, but may be delayed by the need for listed-building approval.

Drainage at the Pleasure Park is being investigated, particularly why there are five inspection hatches including one under a carpet inside the Bowling Club!

Kemnay Academy had raised a large sum for Comic Relief, all the organisation having been done by the pupils themselves.

A request for a metal railing at the corner beside Littlewood Court, to assist the elderly in icy weather, was made.

It was noted that the new bus shelters had been very welcome in the recent severe winter weather.

12. Planning Applications

No new applications.

Mr Evans had discovered on Aberdeenshire Council's web site a recommendation by the Reporters on the Consolidated Aberdeenshire Local Plans (CALPS), which have apparently never been adopted, that 60 houses should be approved on Stewart Milne's proposed site in Kemnay. He expressed disappointment that this had not been drawn to the Community Council's attention, and asked how the Community Council might object. Cllr Leitch thought that a letter to the Reporters, or to the Ombudsman, might be the only available channel, but he would enquire.

Dr Piggins expressed concern at potential conflict with the Draft Local Plan on which a wide public consultation was held in summer 2000. We had been given the impression that this would be the plan for the future, but if the Reporters' recommendation for approval of the site went through under CALPS, it could hardly be "un-approved" if the new Local Plan should find against it.

Mr Evans made the point that "planning gain" is always a contentious issue and creates friction between developers and planners. He would like to see its replacement by a Development Land Tax so that everyone knows exactly what they must pay or provide.

13. Correspondence

A letter from Aberdeenshire Council explains that some rural waste collection routes are being curtailed due to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, to avoid unnecessary entry onto farm premises.

A letter from the Fetternear Trust enclosing an illustrated brochure about Fetternear House was circulated.

Aberdeenshire Council had requested an appropriate name for the new housing off Station Road. Enquiries had revealed that the area was once known as Leslie Place, and it had been recommended that this name be retained.

Aberdeenshire Council had requested our input by 13 April on the Land Reform Draft Bill and Outdoor Access Code. As these thick documents are only now being circulated to the Community Council members, it was agreed that this would be impracticable. The Community Council may however wish to submit views direct to the Scottish Executive, for which the deadline is 18 May.

The Association of Scottish Community Councils will hold its A.G.M. on 9 June 2001 in Dumfries. (It is unlikely that Kemnay will wish to send a representative).

14. A.O.C.B.

None

15. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 26^th April 2001 at 7.30 pm in the Wainman Room at Kemnay Village Hall.