January

KEMNAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
REPORT OF MEETING IN THE VILLAGE HALL

29th JANUARY 2004

PRESENT
Cdr C. Hunneyball, Miss S. Taylor, Mrs M. Wainman, Mr A. Davies, Dr R. Dunham, Mr A. Thomson, Dr J. Piggins, J. Newberry, Mr P. Findlater, Mr B. Blackwood, Mr A. Hinton.

ATTENDING
Inspector D. Allan, Ms. S Waters

APOLOGIES
Mrs S. Milton, Ms H. Al-Kowarri, Mr D Evans, Mr I Morgan, Mr T. McKay, Cllr G. Saluja and Cllr A. Leitch.

1. POLICE MATTERS
Inspector Allan was pleased to report a quiet Christmas & New Year period in the area. He also took this opportunity to reflect on the figures from last year and that the reported crime in Kemnay is at is lowest in 6 years. When we hear of all the vandalism and crime, it is worth pointing out that we do live in one of the safest parts of the UK. Both Insp. Allan and our local Police Officer PC Simpson are working closely within the community to ensure that our community maintains this low level. He did raise our awareness on the issue of dog fouling on the Academy playing fields and would like to make the public aware that this is not permitted and asks that the dog owners can be made aware of this.

2. MINUTE OF MEETING HELD ON 27th OF NOVEMBER 2003
ADOPTION PROPOSED - Janet Newberry
SECONDED - Alan Davies

3. QUESTION TIME
Opportunity for members of the public present to address the Community Council
Sharon Waters addressed the community council on the appalling conditions of the road and the lack of snowploughs and gritters within the village and the actions she has taken with Aberdeenshire Council. She asks that we also take this matter up with the council and improve the situation for the next time.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MINUTE
a. Tipping of Rubbish at Aquithie Road
On private land and the owner has kindly allowed the Council to stockpile road material at this site. The material will be used for roadworks in the Kemnay area in the future.

b. Wood Gardens/Kendall Road Wall
now repaired by Brian Riach. However, within 6 hours of it being completed, a brick had been kicked out and a footprint and graffiti had been put in the wet cement. Very kindly and at no extra cost Mr Riach put this right for us and we would like to thank him for this.

c. Finance Budget Briefing
copy sent to all members. It is a background brief but it did highlight the plan to increase the council tax next year by 5%.

d. Midmill Stop Sign
It intended to replace this STOP sign to GIVE WAY when the sign is next due for replacement.

e. Broadband
The target of 500 has been met however as yet no date set for it's implementation.

f. Daffodil Bulbs
Mavis had some 100 bulbs, they have now very kindly been planted round Littlewood Court by the local guides.

5. ABERDEENSHIRE NEWS - As none were able to attend due to the snow.

6. PLANNING APPLICATIONS - No objections as nothing contentious.

7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Youth Cafe Update - The builders (Anderson) are in at present.

b. Finalised Aberdeenshire Local Plan
Local Plan Inquiry - It has been postponed once more and we are still to be advised of the new dates.

c. Loaves and Fishes Sign - The Council will progress this item as a matter of urgency.

8. NEW BUSINESS
a. Portsoy Letter - drinking in public places.
Whilst we understand their concerns it was felt this would be a very difficult policy to formulate without dampening the enjoyment for others, as it would mean having a BBQ in the park would mean only soft drinks would be permitted. We felt that it would mean restricting everyone for the minority of people who do abuse the drinking of alcohol in public as most people are sensible and responsible when drink in public places. It was noted however that it is very easy to get alcohol these days and so you do see more people drinking in public but as long as this is done responsibly then it is ok although may not be entirely pleasant to see someone walking down the road swigging from a bottle or can. It was in the end decided that we would not support this for our village.

b. Paradise Road Gritting
A letter from a resident with signatures from all the residents there sent to Mr lan Rendall, asking that this important route be gritted on a regular basis (they point out that a road gritter has not come along this road in years). It is pleasing to report that this has now happened and we hope will continue to happen on a regular basis.

c. Kemnay Primary School Temporary Speed Limit
copy enclosed to all members we had no objection to this and in fact the only thing we would encourage is its extension to further along Victoria Terrace. Also double yellow lines to be put on Victoria Terrace, as this is a head on collision waiting to happen. When the school children are being dropped off and collected cars are parked nose to tail along it's length giving motorists on this road no choice but to drive on the wrong side of this very busy main road.

9. REPORT FORM THE SAFETY GROUP REPRESENTATIVE
The Message in a Bottle has been a fantastic success since its start in June 2003 and now has 70,000 homes with vital information in the bottle in the fridge. Alison Chandler of Northsound Radio is campaigning to increase the number of 18 to 24 years old to call the Crimestoppers in the area. Crimestoppers is a charity and not part of the police they provide a free phone anonymous number and their aim is to make people aware.

10. CORRESPONDENCE - All correspondence in circulation or copies with members.

11. A.O.C.B
Snow Clearing - we are to write to Aberdeenshire Council Roads Department to invite them to come along and explain how we are prioritised and their policy on snow clearing and gritting in Kemnay.

Signs for the Speed Bumps in Bremner Way -none at present.

White Lines -lack of white lines after a road has been patched or resurfaced. As these are beneficial in bad weather and particularly in the fog on rural roads.

Victorian Lamppost - On Monday 19th the lamppost was removed so that it can be repaired it should be returned on Monday the 2nd of February.

12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
26th OF FEBRUARY 2004 IN THE VILLAGE HALL - ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.