January

Kemnay Community Council
Report of Meeting Held in the Village Hall on:

30 January 2003

1. Present:-
Mr A. Davies, Mr D. Evans, Mr P. Findlater, Cdr C. Hunneyball, Mrs J. Newberry, Dr J. Piggins, Mrs M. Wainman
Attending:- W. Anderson, Ms P. Bremner, Ms C. Campbell, Ms D. Collie, Mr M. Collie, F. Coull, Mr K. Coull, Mr I. Fowell, Ms L. Mackie, Ms M. Mackie, Mr M. Mackie, Ms L. Michie, G. Milward, Ms H. Milward, Mr P. Morgan, Mr G. Paterson, Ms S. Taylor
Apologies:- Mr D Duncan (Inverurie Herald), Inspector Ledingham, Councillor A. Leitch Mr. T. McKay, Mrs M. Michie, Mrs S. Milton, Councillor G. Saluja

Dr Piggins welcomed Mr Fowell, the Garioch Area Manager, to the meeting, and also the large number of the public attending. He encouraged those who had an interest in community matters to stand for election to the Community Council at the forthcoming election.

2. Minute of Last Meeting.
The Minute of meeting held on Thursday 28th November 2002 was adopted.
Proposed: Mr A. Davies Seconded: Mr D. Evans

3. Matters Arising from Minute
a. Community Web Site.
Ms Campbell reported that this was coming on well, and had received an award from Goldenweb. It can be found at www.kemnay.org.uk
b. The Glebe Obstruction.
In the absence of Cllr Leitch there was no further news.
c. Area Top Up Budget.
The request for funds to convert the police house to a youth café would be considered on 18th February. Money could come instead from the Community Council grant.
d. Bremner Way 20 mph Limit.
It was reported that this could not be implemented because speeds were too high, but other traffic calming measures would be investigated.
e. Gritting.
Mr Davies noted, in connection with road safety, that the Craigearn road was never gritted, although it was a main artery to Aberdeen from Kemnay. Mr Fowell said that the usage would have to be monitored before its priority could be changed.

4. Unfinished Business.
a. Aberdeenshire Local Plan.
Mr Fowell said that the Council had kept to its original plan, including the development by Bogbeth Road, but if there were still objections there would have to be a local enquiry.
b. Skateboard Park.
There was strong criticism from members of the public about the possibility of the skateboard park being near houses around Bremner Way. Mr Fowell made clear that no valid application had been made so far, and, even if one was, any approval would have to be endorsed by the Scottish Executive as Council land would be involved. The general feeling was that it would be better if it were to be located in the Pleasure Park, or behind the Academy, particularly as the opinion was expressed that it ran counter to planning guidelines on the use of open land. Dr Piggins said that, as the Community Council had not seen any plans, it was not in a position to comment.

5. New Business
a. A96/B977 Roundabout.
As there had been no accidents caused by the mound of earth, it was agreed that it would be futile to pursue this further.
b. Scottish Executive Rural Transport Initiative.
Dr Piggins undertook to speak to Mrs Sneddon about the possibility of obtaining funding for the community mini bus.
c. Bus Timetables.
Dr Piggins noted that Stagecoach had changed the timetable in October last, but had not informed anyone. This month they had changed it again, but although it was advertised, no new timetables were available. The revised times were also very inconvenient for workers returning from Aberdeen. The next Bus Forum was expected to be held on 26th February in Kemnay, when these and other points would be raised.
d. Litter Bins.
There was a lack of litter bins in Kemnay, and dog fouling bins were not always emptied regularly. Mr Fowell encouraged residents to inform Gordon House if there was a problem.

6. Garioch Area Community Council Forum.
Dr Piggins said that there would be a meeting on 6th March to discuss an Area Partnership, which would initially focus on youth facilities. Mrs Wainman and Ms Taylor volunteered to represent Kemnay. The village orderly concept had been successful, and it was hoped to run a pilot project in Kemnay, having a part time orderly in term time.

7. Report from the Safety Group.
The Annual Seminar would be held in Woodhill House on 29th March. If anyone wished to attend they should submit their details by 3rd March. It was suggested that the sloping pavement around the war memorial would benefit from having a handrail, as the slope was steep and the path was slippery in icy weather. The Roads Department would be contacted about this.

8. Planning Applications.
There had been nine applications received, all but two having already been approved or were uncontentious. It was agreed to oppose the proposed house in Kendal Road, because of the unsatisfactory access. Barrett's had proposed a development of 66 house in Bogbeth Road, but comment would have to wait until more detailed plans had been studied. Use of this land for housing had yet to be finally agreed.

9. A.O.C.B.
Visits to the European Parliament could be arranged by MEPs at a cost of around £250 per head for a group visit. Cash was available for community environmental projects, but applications had to be in by the end of February. Contenders could be walkways in Fetternear, the wet area by the Academy, removal of cobble pathways in Bremner Way, or surfacing the path from Milton Meadows to Riverside Road.
A manhole cover near Kirkstyle Garage was sinking. The Roads Department will be informed, but it would be helpful if such problems are seen that they be reported to Gordon House.
A fence was down by the water carrier statue, but it was not known to whom this fence belonged.

10. Date of Next Meeting.
Thursday 27th February 2003, in Kemnay Academy.