June

KEMNAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL REPORT
FOR THE MEETING HELD

ON THURSDAY 30th JUNE 2005

Present:
Chris Hunneyball, Jim Piggins, Mavis Wainman, Susan Milton, Janet Newberry, Bill Blackwood.

Attending:
Cllr Alister Leitch, Sgt Raymond Munro, Mr George Paterson. Apologies - Hazel Al-Kowarri, Roger Dunham, David Evans, Pat Findlater, Neil Johnson

Apologies:
Cllr Gurudeo Saluja and Inspector Dave Allan tendered apologies.

It was announced that Alistair Thomson has resigned from the Council due to work commitments.

Police News:
Sgt Munro reported a mixed bag of recent incidents in Kemnay, placing Kemnay high on the last months statistics. Vandalism mostly to vehicles has been reported; some incidents have been detected, other inquiries are on-going. Two notable incidents were:

A car abandoned in the Leschangie Forestry. - Due to the high fire risk at this time of year, fast-track arrangements were made with Aberdeenshire Council for its removal.

A car driven around the cricket pitches and subsequently pushed into the Skatepark -. Fortuitously, little damage appeared to have been done other than to the vehicle itself. Inquiries to identify the driver continue.

Staffing at the Kemnay Police Office has been increased and it is still hoped to have a permanent beat officer, possibly by the autumn. Following the recent change in the management responsibility for wardens, it was hoped that they will be more visible in villages like Kemnay.

Alister Leitch reported that discussions involving the Police had been held about discos at the Youth Club. This followed suspension of discos at the Academy because of damage outside. He had been impressed by the attitude of the young people, who had suggested T-shirts with the Disco Rules printed on the back. It was reported that the door hook from the front of the Village Hall had been removed (whether stolen or vandalised), causing needless inconvenience.

It was reported that a couple of vehicles a week still travel the wrong way up the High Street. Also, the "No Entry" signs at St Brydes Road are damaged. The Police have a system for reporting defects to the Roads Department, and Sgt Munro said that he would have a look at these problems.

Question Time:
George Paterson had attended the recent Planning Inquiry in the Church Hall. He stated that the community should thank Jim & Fiona Piggins and Chris Hunneyball for their presentations at the Inquiry. He was aghast at the inadequate performance by Aberdeenshire Council's officers in front of the Inquiry. Chris Hunneyball agreed that Barratt had had a very competent counsel, who could have got Aberdeenshires witnesses to agree that 2 + 2 = 5! He thanked Jim Piggins and David Evans for their help in preparing his own presentation. Alister Leitch had missed the Inquiry because of a family illness, but he had passed on comments to the Chair of Aberdeenshires Infrastructure and Services Committee.

Christmas Lights:
Chris Hunneyball had been to Blackburn and Kintore, and had obtained catalogues. The cost of lights is about £300 to £500 + VAT per lamp-post. About 10 or 12 lamp-post fittings would be the minimum for Kemnay, and hence the cost would be of the order of £6,000. Blackburn raised their funding through collections, Kintore through sponsored walks, barbecues etc. It is likely to be 2006 before we can contemplate purchasing lights for Kemnay, and the topic was deferred to the September meeting.

Aberdeenshire News:
Alister had attended the Awards ceremony at Kemnay Academy. High awards had been won by the former youth members of the Community Council.

The Monymusk Road is to be closed between Milton Farm and Kembhill for three weeks commencing 4th July. Diversions will be necessary for traffic to and from Castle Fraser and Monymusk; however, buses will be allowed to follow their usual route. This follows Aberdeenshires policy of closing roads completely during road works, on safety grounds, but it was noted that the diversions will be long. The meeting agreed unanimously to register its unease and dissatisfaction at this clo­sure and consequent inconvenience.

Planning Applications:
Retrospective application for a garden arbour at 44 Bremner Way. The arbour has been constructed in the back garden. Concern was expressed that this might set a precedent, but it was agreed to make no representation on the mailer.

Extension to Kemnay Primary School - No observations will be submitted.

Swimming Pool:
Jim Piggins reported that a committee meeting had been held, when Simon Copping was elected as Chairman. A letter about the proposed 50m pool for Garioch was sent to our MP, MSP and Councilors. Further canvassing of village opinion on the need for a swimming pool is to be carried out. Alister Leitch raises the issue at every opportunity to try to get it included in Aberdeenshire's programme.

A96 (Broomhill) Roundabout:
Members had met BEAR and a representative of the Scottish Executive. It would cost money either to lorry away the mound that obstructs visibility, or to erect barriers to obstruct the view and so make traffic slow down. However, it was agreed to remove the vegetation on the mound, reduce the Kintore entry to one lane and move the stop line forward a few feet.

Litter bins:
Chris Hunneyball noted that bins are required at the swings in the Pleasure Park. Alister Leitch will provide a map on which we can mark locations where bins are required.

Community Planning Partnership:
The meeting agreed its responses to a questionnaire that had been received.

AOCB:
Janet Newberry asked Alister Leitch when his surgeries are held. They are at Kemnay Academy from 7:15 to 8:00pm. on the first Tuesday of each month, except during school holidays.

George Paterson asked about the proposed Clydesdale Bank closures. It was stated that only those in the Glasgow area had been announced so far. George expressed concern for pensioners who might have to collect their pensions in Inverurie, should the Kemnay branch close. It was agreed that the Council would write to the Bank's thief executive to express concern. Members of the public might wish to do likewise.

Janet had received a letter about the lack of a pavement between the Don Bridge and the entrance to Fetternear Estate. Alister agreed to take up the matter.

Date of next meeting:
29th September 2005.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO COME ALONG TO THESE MEETINGS - 7.3Opm