October

KEMNAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL REPORT
FOR THE MEETING HELD

ON THURSDAY 27th October 2005

Present:
Chris Hunneyball, Alan Davies, Roger Dunham, Pat Findlater, Susan Milton, Janet Newberry, Jim Piggins, Mavis Wainman.

Attending:
Cllr Gurudeo Saluja, Carol Kidd, David Fyffe, John Whittall.

Apologies:
Cllr Alister Leitch and Bill Blackwood had tendered apologies.

Plans for Old Stables at Fetternear:
John Whittall reviewed the history of various discussions with the Heritage Land Fund (HLF) over proposals to stabilise the ruined Bishops' Palace, including bracing at first-floor level and a staircase up one tower. Facilities will be required if visitors are to be encouraged, and hence the idea of a visitor centre with toilets and café, etc. The HLF had indicated that they want facilities kept low-key, with only a series of "special events" to pay for everything. John had pointed out that with no facilities, Fetternear would not get large numbers of visitors, and that other attractions already have events almost every Sunday, but the HLF had said that their position stands.

David Fyffe stated that Fetternear had the advantage of ‘a great location'. Agriculture on the estate had been wound down to exclude cattle from most fields, making public access possible. He had met the Built & Natural Heritage team of Aberdeenshire Council who had suggested making a case for a "supporting development", since the minimum cost of stabilising the ruins would be much more than any likely grant. Hence, the Fetternear Trust is looking at incorporating the old stables, which also badly need rescue. The idea is a new build at the adjacent farm buildings to create 20 rooms with a breakfast facility, and to use the stables to create workshops for courses etc. and a leisure area. In the space between the stables and the new building, they hope to create a leisure centre for use both by people attending courses and by the local community. David himself is on the local Access Forum and endorses the need to encourage wider access. They need to raise some initial income to show that they mean business, and so are looking at the possibility of building one house on the Estate to start finance.

The Community Council agreed to support the intentions and will do all that it can to help.

Police Matters:
No police representative was present.

It was reported that on Friday nights, Alehousewells School playground is being left littered with tins and bottles, which the janitor has to clear up. The Police will be contacted to suggest that they talk to the janitor about this.

On a suggestion from Cllr Saluja, it was agreed that a talk on drugs would be useful, and a visit from the drugs team will be requested.

Bus Forum:
Chris Hunneyball had written to Stagecoach emphasising that we didn't want the Community Council to become another Bus Forum. Stagecoach had replied saying that he attended other Community Councils without that happening.

Green Belt Company:
Carol Kidd had organised a well-publicised meeting at Kirkstyle with Mr Middleton, who had promised that the work paid for by householders would be done. She had also had a meeting with Mike Rumbles M.S.P. who had not been aware that the Green Belt Company actually owned the land, and would now write to the Minister, Malcolm Chisholm. Trading Standards have suggested that the Green Belt Company be given until May to carry out the requisite work or otherwise the Office of Fair Trading could take out injunctions.

A report from Aberdeenshire Council suggests that "where possible" property developers should pay the Council to take over the maintenance of open spaces; it was suggested that that should rather be the norm. It was reported that householders at Kirkland had taken over the common area themselves.

Aberdeenshire News:
Cllr Saluja reported that the Infrastructure Committee meeting on 6th October had approved the recommendations from Area committees in respect of the Reporter's findings on the Aberdeenshire Local Plan. There had been a split over the proposals for Inverurie and a vote had been taken. The proposed changes to the Local Plan will be advertised soon and the Plan should be formally adopted next year. In respect of Site A in Kemnay, no change to the Local Plan is being made.

Report from Safety Group Representative:
Pat Findlater reported that a poster competition had been held in Alehousewells School and money had been given for prizes. The Group had recommended that skid warning signs should be put up where roads had been freshly resurfaced as they could be slippery in the wet. It was noted that there had been a number of break-ins in the Westhill area.

Pat had encountered a ‘Road Closed" sign en route to Memsie, necessitating a diversion on very narrow roads around Auchnagatt. Chris Hunneyball reported that the Garioch Area Forum had had a reply from Aberdeenshire saying that they would not give notice of closure of minor roads. There is a list of road closures on Aberdeenshires web site, but it is rarely correct. The meeting agreed that it should be possible for Aberdeenshire to issue a weekly e-mail of closures to those interested, and Chris will raise the suggestion at the next Area Forum meeting.

• The following grants from the Garioch and North Marr Community Safety Partnership were noted:
  Kemnay Youth Forum - toward the organisation of their first disco;
• Kemnay Senior Youth Club - for fitness tutors and equipment;
• Kemnay Youth Café - for internet access;
• Kemnay Leading Edge Skatepark Group - for repairs to embankments, and insurance.

Christmas Lights:
Chris Hunneyball stated that thousands of pounds would be required to buy lights, as well as on-going costs for maintenance, erection and storage. Kintore had raised funds through barbecues etc., and local traders there had given a lot of money.

Garioch Area Plan:
The latest issue incorporates the request for toilets at the Pleasure Park. The Village orderly had been mentioned in the Plan for the past few years, but it would be good to see a proposal to extend the period for which the orderly is employed. It was pleasing to see that the desire for a swimming pool in Kemnay was noted in the Plan.

ASCC Annual Conference and Report:
Chris Hunneyball offered to attend this year's conference of the Association of Scottish Community Councils.

The ASCC annual report notes that ‘From December 2005, every community council will have to do an assessment of compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act'. The meeting felt that this was totally unnecessary bureaucracy.

"Safe Drive - Stay Alive":
The Community Council had received an invitation to this hard-hitting safety presentation, at Thainstone on 9^th November.

Bonfire:
Janet Newberry asked for volunteers to shake cans at this years Bonfire. It was stated that Janet deserved credit for her work in organising the bonfire over a number of years, and this was universally endorsed.

Bridgend:
This site had been advertised as a "development opportunity", although no planning permission exists. It may have been sold as the sign has been removed. Concern was expressed that there might be an application for a development of 3 or 4 homes there, and it was agreed to oppose such an application should one appear over the Christmas recess.

Election of new Community Council:
This will take place in March 2006. Volunteers to put themselves forward for election are to be sought. The constitution presently requires the election to be by the Single Transferable Vote system. This system is not liked and it was agreed to hold an EGM to change the constitution to remove the provision.

Date of next meeting:
Thursday 24th November 2005,
preceded by an Extraordinary General Meeting to consider the proposal to amend the constitution.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THESE MEETINGS
7.30 PM IN THE FRIENDSHIP ROOM OF THE KEMNAY VILLAGE HALL.