September

KEMNAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL

MINUTE OF MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 27th SEPTEMBER 2001

7.30 PM IN KEMNAY VILLAGE HALL

1. Present:- Mr A. Davies, Mr D. Evans, Mrs S. Milton, Mrs J. Newberry, Dr J. Piggins, Mr A. Thomson, Mrs M. Wainman
Attending:-Mr G. Roberts (Evening Express), P.C. A.Lyon, Mrs Urquhart, Mr S. Yates
Apologies:- Mr D. Caney, Mr P. Findlater, Cdr C. Hunneyball, Councillor A. Leitch, Councillor G. Saluja

2. Police Matters

There was some discussion with Constable Lyon on law and order in the village. It was reported that cars with trade plates had been speeding in the village and Constable Lyon would follow this up. Several saplings in Bremner Way had been broken off, this was most disappointing and would be reported to Aberdeenshire Council. The unfinished building site in the former Burnett Arms Garden is still a mess and unlit. At the moment it is still in the hands of the developer and so not yet taken over by the Roads Department who would otherwise be responsible for road surfacing and lighting. It was requested that a note be put in the Newsletter reminding cyclists that lights are required when the nights are dark.

It was noted that there will be an open meeting for all residents on Thursday 1st November at 7.30 pm in Friendship Room at Kemnay Village Hall to meet the police.

3. Minute of Meeting held on 28^th June 2001

The Minute of the Meeting held on 28^th June 2001 was approved.

Proposed: Mr D. Evans Seconded: Mr A. Davies

4. Proposed Skateboard Rink

It was noted that the skateboarding group " Leading Edge" were raising funds for a skateboarding rink.

5. Matters Arising from Last Minute

a. Village Orderly

It was noted that Debbie Service had now concluded the project of Village Orderly and that her efforts had made a considerable improvement to the tidiness of the village. Residents appreciated the improvement and the Community Council would recommend to Aberdeenshire Council that the service be continued, although the funding had not been budgeted for at the moment.

b. One2One Mast

The One to One mast has now been erected at Kemnay quarry. Mr Evans had taken photographs and did not consider that the new mast was unduly intrusive.

c. Post Office Entrance Door

Many residents of Kemnay have reported that the door of The Post Office is hard to open particularly from the outside. Older and less able residents have particular difficulty with this. Mr Findlater had been going to talk to the Postmaster about this and the Community Council would await his report

6. Garioch Area Community Council Forum

There was a report from the Community Council Forum Meeting held on 12th September by Mrs Wainman. Items discussed had included the role of the Local Government Ombudsman and Aberdeenshire Council's decision not to purchase Woodhill House

7. Unfinished Business

a. Pavilion Committee

Comment was made that there were still graffiti on the wall of the Pavilion in the park and residents found this unsightly. There was also discussion on the state of the redundant toilet which had graffiti. It was decided to recommend to Aberdeenshire Council that this building be revamped as a Youth Shelter with funding from the Community Council Project Fund, and Dr Piggins said he would speak to Councillor Saluja about this. Several Youth Shelters have already been erected in Aberdeenshire settlements.

b. Village Notice Boards

BAA Aberdeen had been thanked for their assistance in providing new noticeboards.

c. Smell from Knackery

Many complaints have been registered with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency about the smell coming from the Knackery and the Scottish Executive are aware of the serious situation there. There is a Planning Application to extend and develop the Knackery and it was suggested that we link with Kintore Community Council in our representations to Aberdeenshire Council on this as the premises are in the Parish of Kintore

8. New Business

a. Proposed amendments to Consolidated Aberdeenshire Local Plan

There was some concern that the C.A.L.P.S. plans for future house building in Kemnay were not on display in Kemnay Library and the very short period for consultation in the summer holiday. Local recommendations have been overruled by the Scottish Office Reporter who favours an extra 60 houses beyond Kirklands, by The Pleasure Park. Kemnay Community Council did submit comments timeously but have not had an acknowledgement of their letter. Dr Piggins had also written to Mike Rumbles.

b. Vandalism and recent stone-throwing incidents

Mr Yates and Mrs Urquhart were then invited to speak and expressed their disappointment about the behaviour of some of the youngsters in the village who had caused damage to the new Church Hall premises. Rev John Renton has visited the schools and 'Crime Stopper' leaflets have been distributed. It was suggested that a forum be set up in the village to look at ways of curbing vandalism.

The Church has already started a Youth Club for teenagers. After discussion it was decided to use the meeting with the police as a starting point and try to have a forum to include local shopkeepers and interested residents.

9. Report from the Safety Group

A report from the Garioch and North Marr Community Safety group was presented. Youth Shelters have been erected at Westhill and Newmachar. The play by Nicola Barry called `Double Vision' is touring Aberdeenshire and we hope to have a performance in Kemnay. R.O.S.P.A. Homesafety booklets have been distributed to schools in Aberdeenshire.

10. Planning Applications

There were no contentious planning applications.

11. Correspondence

Letters had been received about the Draft Contaminated Land Strategy and the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund. An update on the Fetternear Trust had also been received and circulated.

12. A.O.C.B

a. 220/307 Bus Service

There was discussion on the bus service to and from Aberdeen with passengers still having to change at Blackburn. Some buses have 20 passengers standing on the journey from Aberdeen in the evening when it states that only 15 may stand. It is considered unsatisfactory for any passengers to have to stand when car drivers and passengers have to sit and wear seat belts. It was decided to write again to Stagecoach expressing dissatisfaction with the situation.

b. Aberdeenshire Car Parking Standards Consultation

A paper on Aberdeenshire Council Review of Car Parking Standards Consultation was discussed. It was felt that the new standards provided for inadequate parking at commercial premises in rural towns, where public transport services were poor. Comments would be sent before 12th October. The proposals will be available for public inspection at Council Offices, public libraries and also on Aberdeenshire Council website at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

13. Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 25th October at 7.30 pm in the Wainman Room at Kemnay Village Hall.