March

KEMNAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE MEETING IN THE VILLAGE HALL

25th MARCH 2004

PRESENT
Sheila Taylor, Chris Hunneyball, Susan Milton, Pat Findlater, Alistair Thomson, Alan Davies, Hazel Al-Kowarri, David Evans, Andy Hinton, Mavis Wainman, Janet Newberry, Bill Blackwood, Jim Piggins & Roger Dunham

ATTENDING
Cllr Alister Leitch & Sgt G Munro of Grampian Police

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
lain Morgan & Cllr Gurudeo Saluja

A) POLICE MATTERS
Since our last meeting in February, there have been 7 reports of vandalism and 11 youth disorder issues (mostly snowballing) and 2 Opportune thefts from motor vehicles. Sgt Munro asked that we highlight the opportune thefts and asks that people are vigilant and lock their cars even when parked outside their own front door and always secure your vehicle. He also asked that people report every instance, as it is only through reported crimes that the true picture can be seen and acted upon. PC Simpson is currently dealing with the concerns of the disruption at Millstone Place and Shannoch Way. The police are also going to be more visible in the village when a youth disco is on to reduce the likelihood of disturbance and they are working on ways to improve the situation at the Church Centre but it is a delicate balance between security lighting and illuminating the surrounding areas.

FOR NON EMERGENCY CALLS TO THE POLICE DIAL - 0845 600 5 700

B) SNOW CLEARING & GRITTING IN KEMNAY
Response from Aberdeenshire Council Roads Dept" we have discussed the matter of Winter Maintenance in Kemnay with colleagues in Operations and given the severe weather with the drifting snow hampering ploughing and gritting on the priority routes towns and villages did not receive the level of treatment, which could be expected at other times." Robert Gray attended our meeting and took note of all our concerns he advised us that from the whole area the most complaints received were from Kemnay and that they are going to review our situation in light of this and improve our service for next year.

C) MINUTE OF MEETING HELD ON 26^TM OF FEBRUARY 2004
Adoption Proposed - Hazel Al-Kowarri
Seconded - David Evans

D) QUESTION TIME
a/ Opportunity for members of the public present to address the Community Council should they wish
No members of the public were present this time.

E) MATTERS ARISING FROM THE LAST MINUTE
War Memorial Update - now underway again and the wall and railings should be finished shortly then in the spring/summer Landscape Services will being work on the garden area, replacing and putting in new plants and generally overhauling the area.

F) ABERDEENSHIRE NEWS
Community Council members were advised at the GACCF that all councillors have been given a map and details of work to be carried out in their wards and so we have asked Cllr Leitch to take this with him to our next meeting to share the details with us. Cllr Leitch advised us of the double relocatable classroom unit for Kemnay Academy and told us where it would be positioned, it is a large and modern version of a portacabin but is of high quality and will from the inside look very much like a normal classroom. The skate park continues to be built after a slight hiccup with access and then more digging than originally planned, which has lead to a slight change in the plan, but all is going ahead. Much praise has to go to Isobel Kendrick who has been a stalwart of this project and the fantastic fundraising of the youths of Kemnay for this project to have reached this stage. It is hoped after a few problems that the youth cafe will open in May and once again it has been a real triumph to the young people of Kemnay who have held many fundraising events and had a great part to play in getting this project off the ground and kept the momentum going to see their idea completed. The play areas in Alehousewells are in their final phase of restoration and transformation our thanks to TRAK for their excellent work on this and the consultation they carried out on each area.

G) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1) Double Yellow Lines on Victoria Terrace & Grove Road - Response from Aberdeenshire Council - "Waiting restrictions require the promotion of a Traffic Order for enforcement purposes. The process involves consultation with Grampian Police and other Statutory Bodies, this can take some time. "

2) Aberdeenshire Local Plan Update - Now have state that any previous objections still stand and note new objections can be sent in up to the 29th of April at 5pm.

3) Bus Forum - A new timetable will come into force in April with the main changes being:
16:20 Aberdeen to Kemnay (was 16:15)
17:45 Aberdeen to Kemnay (was 18:00) note that the next bus after this is 2010
A new through bus at 15:08 Kemnay High Street to Aberdeen
And revised departures in the morning from the High Street at 06:33,07:08,07:38 and 09:23

H) REPORT FROM THE SAFETY GROUP REPRESENTATIVE
Crimestoppers is not an arm of the police but a charity who you can call with information anonymously - 0500 555111.
ROSPA have again supplied booklet for the new starts at the scolds this summer on safety advice. You can still go along and see the 'safe house' in Blackburn up to the end of May on Wed to Sun.
The group are discussing the issue of anti-social behaviour in the form of litter, vandalism and threatening behaviour. They are also discussing alcohol abuse, underage drinking and binge drinking as ongoing projects.

I) DATE OF NEXT MEETING
29th OF APRIL - All Welcome