January

KEMNAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTE OF MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 31^ST JANUARY 2002

7.30 PM IN KEMNAY VILLAGE HALL

1. Present :-
Mr D. Evans, Mrs S. Milton, Mrs J. Newberry, Dr J. Piggins, Mr A. Thomson, Mrs M. Wainman
Attending:-
Councillor A. Leitch, Councillor G. Saluja, Inspector D. Allan, Mrs A. Phelps (Credit Union ), Mr G. Roberts(Evening Express), Mr D. Duncan(Inverurie Herald), Leading Edge Skateboard members, Sandra Reeve, Ben Reid, Scot Mann, Jo Service, Mr P. Aikenhead, Mrs H. Al Kowarri, Mr T. McKay, Mr C. Simpson, Mrs S. Taylor, Mrs R. Taylor
Apologies:-
Mr A Davies, Mr A. Al Kowarri, Mr P. Findlater, Cdr. C. Hunneyball

2. Police Matters
Dr Piggins welcomed Inspector Allan who reported that the police were now operating an Intelligence Led Policy which appeared to be working as the number of reported crimes had dropped from 60 last year to 22 in a corresponding week this year. Vandalism had decreased and there was ongoing discussion with staff at Kemnay Academy. There were three shifts with two policemen on each shift.

Congestion had been reported in the amenity area on Burnett Road and the police would try to sort out the problem. Inspector Allan still hoped to have a Community Policeman in Kemnay.

Letters had been received from Superintendent Peter Clarke and MSP Mike Rumbles in response to the K.C.C. petition for more police presence.

It was reported that there was still some difficulty with the Bluebird Bus Service, with buses sometimes waiting for connections at inconvenient locations.

Mr McKay said that there had been no major incidents at Kemnay Academy since the November meeting of KCC.

3. Skateboarding
The Skateboarders reported their progress since their A.G.M on 21^st May 2001. They helped in the Clean Up Kemnay Day, had a Table Sale, and had made three trips to the Skatepark at Dundee, with a full bus each time. They had raised ,800 in a sponsored walk of the Bennachie Range, and had a fund raising Ceilidh. Ben had designed the logo for T shirts which were on sale. They had been successful in their bid for money from Scotland against Drugs and had an offer of materials for building the Skateboard Park from Kemnay quarry.

In all they have raised ,4,000 so far. They thanked the Community for their support, and hoped to have a Disco in mid February, more trips to Dundee and a sponsored parachute jump.

The Skateboard Park would be situated in Bremner Way, initially with a Mini Ramp and Bowl. They would be applying for grants from Health Promotions and Planning Gain. Council agreed to write to Aberdeenshire Council in support of the application.

It was suggested that their forthcoming events be advertised in The Newsletter.

4. Credit Union
Mrs Anne Phelps described the workings of Credit Union, a Community Based Savings Bank. There are 170 in UK and 6 in Grampian. There had been one in Kemnay some years ago and it is hoped to start one again. Anybody interested should contact Anne on 01224 326424 or 01343 810920.

5. Minute of Meeting held on Thursday 29^th November 2001
The Minute of the Meeting held on Thursday 29^th November 2001 was approved.

Proposed: Mr D. Evans Seconded: Mrs J. Newberry

6. Matters Arising from Minute
a. Youth Shelter
Mrs Al Kowarri reported that the members of KYA did not want to use the redundant toilet in the Pleasure Park. She asked for the support of KCC for the erection of a Youth Shelter and provided a sample sketch. This could also be used by other members of the community. The cost is about ,4,800 plus VAT. She asked if the Community Council would write and ask if KCC Project money could be used for this, and it was agreed that support would be given.

Mrs Al Kowarri also reported that the members of The Tenants and Residents Association of Kemnay (TRAK) had had several meetings and decided that they wished the all weather surface play areas situated in Alehousewells to be removed as they had been vandalised and were causing problems.

It was reported that picnic benches had been installed in the Pleasure Park.

7. Jubilee Celebrations
A letter had been received concerning the forthcoming celebrations. Mrs Newberry volunteered to look into the matter and also to see if there was any enthusiasm in having a Fair in the village this year.

8. Countryside Access

There was no report from this group

9. Aberdeenshire Local Plan
There was much dissatisfaction expressed that the KCC and 33 individual letters against the building of a further 60 houses along the Bogbeth Road had been disregarded. The publicity and timescale for comment had been very inconvenient for KCC. The Aberdeenshire Local Plan was now out for consultation and comments should be returned by 12^th March to Mr Peter McRae at Woodhill House.

Copies of the Aberdeenshire Local Plan are on display in Gordon House and the Library in Inverurie. Kemnay is not considered to be a main Library and therefore does not have a copy. It was suggested that KCC write to Mr Alan Findlay and ask that copies of such documents be placed in Kemnay Library.

It was also suggested that KCC write to Stuart Robertson, in Law and Administration, inviting him to speak to us on Planning Gain as this is a very grey area.

10. Modernising Local Government
This document has been circulating among KCC members. Mrs Milton, Mrs Wainman and Mr Thompson volunteered to formulate comments and to attend the forthcoming workshop in Inverurie.

A letter had been received asking for suggestions for locations in the village where a 20 mph speed limit might be appropriate. Springfield Road, Boatcroft, Bremner Way and Milton Drive were suggested.

11. New Business
Mr Evans suggested that shops might be asked to provide bicycle stands for village cyclists.

Comment was made on the deteriorating state of the roads since the inclement weather.

12. Aberdeenshire News
Councillor Leitch reported that there would be a rent rise as Aberdeenshire Tenants had opted to stay as Council tenants. A 30 year Business plan was being formulated.

A new contractor would be continuing to build accommodation in the garden of the Burnett Arms Hotel.

From October persons over 60 would have free travel on buses in an agreement between Aberdeenshire and Moray Councils during 'off peak' hours. There might be 'peak hour' top up money also from the Councils.

Great concern was expressed that the Castle Fraser to Dunecht Road had been downgraded for gritting. Two cars had overturned on the morning of 31^st January. We were told that the road had been salted overnight but that rain had washed it away by morning and it had then frozen. It appears that the road would not be treated again until after 8.00 am. It was decided to write to Mr Mitchell and ask that treatment before 7.30 am be re instated as this is a main commuter route to the south end of Aberdeen at peak hours.

13. Planning Applications
An application to build in the garden of St. Andrews in Station Road had been received. It was decided to write and say that the Community Council had reservations about the application.

Mr Evans had written objection to the application by Mr Rae to build a house at Aquithie as it is outwith policy.

14. AOCB
Mention was made that a Kemnay Primary School pupil had contracted meningitis.

A note would be put in the Newsletter asking for a temporary Minute Secretary for three months whilst Cdr Hunneyball was working elsewhere.

15. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 28^th February 2002 at 7.30 pm in the Wainman Room, Kemnay Village Hall