March

KEMNAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL REPORT
FOR THE MEETING HELD

ON THURSDAY 31st MARCH 2005

Present:
Chris Hunneyball, Hazel Al-Kowarri, Billy Ridler, Jim Piggins, Mavis Wainman, Pat Findlater, Susan Milton, Roger Durham, David Evans, Janet Newberry, Cllr Leitch, Jack Rigby, Bill Blackwood, Neil Johnson

Attending:
D Lyon, I Wakely, P Hart, I Kendrick, S Clark, S Reive.

Apologies:
A Davies, I Fowell, D Evans, S Taylor & Cllr Saluja tendered apologies.

Question Time:
Several members of the community raised the issue of the Skate park. Chris Hunneyball explained that this would be discussed as an agenda item later in the meeting.

Aberdeenshire News:
Cllr Leitch was asked by Mavis Wainman about a communication from Aberdeenshire Council suggesting that all groups using facilities such as the village hall would be required to have a first-aider present. He confirmed that although this appeared to be the case, an amendment to this was in the process of being issued which would considerably reduce the requirements for the provision of first aiders.

Cllr Leitch reported that Burnett Road and the footpaths around the Glebe were due to be resurfaced.

Chris Hunneyball congratulated Cllr Leitch on his appointment as a Burgess of both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.

Mavis Wainman expressed her concern that Lunchtime Assistants at Kemnay School were being required to buy their own lunch after a review of the provision of school meals by the Audit & Scrutiny Committee. Cllr Leitch explained that this was not the case, and that no such advice had been given by the Audit & Scrutiny Committee [he is a member]. Cllr Leitch agreed to look into this.

Roads:
The Western Peripheral Route consultation was discussed. The route which would have greatest benefit to people from Kemnay is the Purple/Yellow/Green route which skirts the western edge of Peterculter joining the A90 North of Stonehaven. Roger Dunham suggested that the Community Councils' response should be to reject further road building and that the money should be used for more sustainable means of transport. After discussion within the Community Council and from the floor, the view was that we should support the Peterculter/Stonehaven route with the proviso that spending on public transport was seen as of greater importance.

Roger Dunham raised the lack of communication about road closures, citing the recent closure of the Kintore-Hatton of Fintray road as an example. Closure signs were often in place, although the road was clearly passable. This encourages drivers to ignore such signs with obvious safety implications. Chris Hunneyball said that this had been raised at the Community Councils' Forum and that Bob Gray of Aberdeenshire Council had blamed the lack of oversight Aberdeenshire Council has over its' contractors. Alastair Leitch agreed and added that this also prevented contractors agreeing a planned programme of work - leading to roads being closed again and again at the same points [such as the Alford road at Elrick]. Neil Johnson agreed to write to Tom Mitchell asking him to come to the next meeting to explain policy.

Planning applications:
2 applications for extensions were discussed, neither of which were viewed as contentious.

Jim Piggins outlined the status of the planning application for the Glebe, which is under appeal to the planning reporter. At the moment there is the ridiculous possibility that the reporter may rule in favour of the appeal at the same time. as the Local Area Plan is published giving an opposing viewpoint. The question of which report would take precedence has yet to be answered. The reporter has refused a request to delay the appeal until after publication of the LAP. KCC will now write to Mike Rumbles and the list MSP's for assistance.

Skate park:
Isobel Kendrick spoke from the floor, responding to the questions raised by residents in the Leschangie area about the skate park. She was supported by other members of the Leading edge group who explained the financial situation and the contractor, Steven Clark, also spoke to the meeting. The Community Council felt that the misgivings expressed at previous meetings had been addressed and the Chair asked that this item now be closed as it has been dominating discussion at recent meetings. The skate park will only be discussed in future if new information is provided, in writing, before the meeting

AOCB:
Neil Johnson will write to the Council requesting litter bins around the village in response to a request from Janet Newberry and Hazel Al-Kowarri. A questionnaire would accompany this newsletter about the swimming pool. The orderly would be requested to cover the whole village, not just the centre this year.

It was reported that on a number of occasions instances of probable drug dealing had been reported to the police, without any apparent action being taken. The Community Council thought this most unsatisfactory, and agreed to write to the Police about it.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Thursday 28th April 2005