November

Kemnay Community Council
Report of the meeting held in the Village Hall on

22nd November 2004

Present:
Alan Davies, HazeL Al-Kowarri, Billy Ridler, Neil Jack Rigby, Jim Piggins, Mavis Wainman, Pat Findlater, Susan Milton, Sheila Taylor, Roger Durham, David Evans, Bill Blackwood, Janet Newberry.

Attending:
Neil Johnson, Duncan Lyon, Dr C. Hunter, Cllr. Leitch, Cllr. Saluja and Insp. Dave Allan.

Apologies:
Chris Hunneyball Chair of KCC has tendered his apologies.

Introduction:
Alan Davies (Vice Chair) opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. He introduced Dr Hunter the new Rector of Kemnay Academy and Neil Johnson a prospective secretary for KCC, as well our guest speaker for the evening, Elaine Stewart of Aberdeenshire Council.

Police Matters:
Insp. Allan gave a quick resume of the crime locally, stating for the period 18th October to 15 November there had been 24 recorded crimes in Kemnay. He went on to describe some of the incidents including the shooting of a swan and acts of vandalism.

Guest Speaker -Aberdeenshire Council - Housing Strategy:
Elaine Stewart introduced herself as the Strategy Development Officer for Customer Service with Aberdeenshire Council.

The Aberdeenshire Housing Strategy is divided into four themes that will cover amongst other things, access to housing, quality of housing, the Scottish Housing Quality Standard, housing for particular needs and sustainable communities. Each theme will have a ‘champion' and supported by Elaine and the Strategy Team.

The Housing Strategy covers all tenures and has replaced the Housing Plan. It has been created with other partners, including other councils, developers and Housing Associations.

Question Time - An opportunity for members of the public to address the Community Council:
A resident of Leschangie introduced himself and raised his concerns about the financing of the skate park, and in particular the recent request for an additional £7,000 from the Council. It was considered that contact with the Council was perhaps the best place to direct his concerns, and as the funds have to be accounted for publicly, perhaps he should wait until these are published. KCC will also request a copy of the report.

Aberdeenshire News:
Cllr Leitch spoke of the Scottish Federation of Housing conference he had attended at the weekend. The speaker being Malcolm Chisholm, Housing Minister, bringing good news about money going into housing. One of the main items on the agenda is the review into the Right to Buy especially in pressurised areas.

Cllr Saluja spoke of the Boundary Commission saying some wards would now have three or four members. A special meeting on 1st November decided to preserve area committees in Aberdeenshire.

Planning applications:
It was reported that there was nothing controversial.

Unfinished Business:
a) Local Plan
Precognitions are now complete and emailed to all for information; Jim Piggins
will hand then in personally and face the Reporter on KCC's behalf. A vote of thanks was extended to Jim for all his hard work.
b) Calor Gas Award
Program on TV was seen by all and recorded by some, we now have to
wait for the outcome on Friday 26th November 2004.
c) Pavilion Toilets
It was reported that the Feasibility Study has not been done.

Report from the Safety Group Representative
Pat Findlater presented his report.

AOCB
Fireworks - Janet Newberry was thanked for providing the village with a spectacular firework display once again.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Thursday 27th January 2004
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO COME ALONG TO THESE MEETINGS