October

Kemnay Community Council
Report of Meeting Held in Kemnay Academy on:

31 October 2002

1. Present:-
Mr A. Davies, Mr D. Evans, Mr P. Findlater, Cdr C. Hunneyball, Mrs S. Milton, Dr J. Piggins, Mr A. Thomson, Mrs M. Wainman.
Attending:-Inspector D. Allan, Mr D. Duncan (Inverurie Herald), Councillor A. Leitch, Councillor G. Saluja, Ms S. Taylor, Mr T. McKay.
Apologies:- Mr D. Caney, Mrs J Newberry.

2. Police Matters.
Inspector Allan reported that there had been one or two incidents in Kemnay, plus the same number of domestic problems.
The Youth Café plans were proceeding slowly, largely because the potential cost was increasing rapidly.
Operation Neighbourhood had been instituted, whereby police identified properties likely to be winter break-in targets, and left notifications at homes they saw to be at risk.
An evening meeting had been held for Neighbourhood Watch organisations.
"Driving Ambitions" had been started, whereby presentations were given to senior pupils in secondary schools. Representatives from garages and driving schools also attended.
It was suggested that the sale of spray paint to children should be banned, and it was stated that there had been a recent spate of egg throwing in the village.
It was the responsibility of the Police to identify the owners of abandoned cars, but Aberdeenshire Council was responsible for their removal. Every effort was made to do this as quickly as possible.
150 additional policemen were being taken on or be retained to keep the strength up to 1235.

3. Minute of Last Meeting.
The Minute of meeting held on Thursday 26th September 2002 was adopted.
Proposed: Mr Davies Seconded: Mrs Milton

4. Matters Arising from Last Minute
a. Area Partnership Grants
A working party would consider the grants at a meeting to held on 11th November.
b. Community Website.
Claire Campbell had attended the workshop and will report progress at the next Community Council Meeting.
c. Calor Gas Awards
Dr Piggins had telephoned the PR company involved, who had told him that, as he had heard nothing by now, this meant that the village's application had not been short listed.
d. Aberdeenshire Local Plan
The objections to the Local Plan had been filed, and acknowledged. It had been learnt the the Medical Practice did not have any knowledge of the possible new site for the centre, and presently were opposed to any move.
e. 220 Bus Service
There had been no further serious problems with the bus service. Ms Taylor had attended the Community Bus Forum, which had also been attended by a further nine residents, who had had to travel to the meeting in a hired minibus.
Some constructive responses had been given. It was agreed to suggest that the next meeting be held in Kemnay, with delegates to it preferably travelling by Public Transport.

5. Unfinished Business
a. Lorry car Park
Cllr Leitch had nothing further to report.

6. Area Top Up Budget
Cllr Saluja said that about £10,000 remained unallocated. After discussion it was decided to submit an application for a youth shelter, and Dr Piggins will be following this up.

7. New Business
It was reported that a large pile of earth had been dumped in The Glebe several months ago. this blocked an area used by residents higher up The Glebe for parking in icy conditions.
Cllr Leitch undertook to investigate.
there had been severe flooding during the recent weather at Kirkstyle probably because the new drains had not been laid.

8. Report from Safety Group
The roundabout at Midmill owed its shape to the fact that more land to build it had not been available. Nonetheless, it was extremely dangerous, with heavy vehicles taking a direct path northwards at speed.
The mound of earth at the entrance to the roundabout on the A96 was intentional, with a view to restricting visibility.
Smoke Alarms for the deaf were now available, and if anyone needed one they should inform Mr Findlater.
The Emergency information pots had been distributed.
A home safety checklist had been produced.

9. Aberdeenshire News.
Clr Leitch said that the play area surfaces in the village were to be replaced.
The drainage problem in the Pleasure Park was to be cured, but this would mean losing the use of one pitch for about a year, so he undertook to see if one of the Academy fields could be used in lieu.
The council depot at Birley Bush was being tidied up.
Cllr saluja aid that the planning application for gravel extraction at Dalmadilly had been approved, and also that he was on the Board of Crimstoppers Scotland, which would organised by region.

10. Planning Applications.
Mr Evan gave details of the three applications that had been submitted.
One, to convert a steading at Milton farm, went against planning guidelines and this would brought to the attention of Aberdeenshire Council.

11. Correspondence.
The Police Report for the Second Quarter 2002, the Postwatch Scotland Report, and the Aberdeenshire Sports Council Newsletter had been circulated.
The Community Council had been notified about the intention to paint "School, Keep Clear" markings for the Primary School.

12. Any Other Business.
Mr McKay said that the £7,000 which had been awarded to the Academy would be used to flush the doors to the east and west of the school to remove dark corners where those with ill intent could hide.

13. Date of Next Meeting.
Thursday 28th November 2002 in the Wainman Room, Kemnay Village Hall.