April

KEMNAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL
REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD IN KEMNAY VILLAGE HALL

ON April 2006 AT 7.3OPM

Present:
Chris Hunneyball, Neil Johnson, Jim Piggins, Mavis Wainman, David Evans, Bill Blackwood, Susan Milton Hazel Al-Kowarri, Eric Pashley, Paul Smart, Annie Ferries, Ian Wakley, Alexandra Burnett and Janet Newberry.

Attending:
Cllr Alister Leitch

Apologies for absence:
Cllr Gurudeo Saluja & Pat Findlater.

Welcome:
Chris welcomed members of the Community Council and 3 members of the public

Police Matters:
Mavis raised the complaints she had received about people riding motorcycles around the village, sometimes at speed, during the evenings. Chris agreed that two small motorbikes had been circling the village for a considerable time last night from about 18:00. Discussion about how to approach this lead to a discussion about why the non-emergency Grampian Police number was not a free-call number, as this would make it less likely for people to contact the Police with complaints about this type of nuisance behaviour. A letter will be sent to the Chair of Grampian Police Board (Cllr Saluja). Cllr Leitch raised the issue of buses ‘parking up' on the High Street when they arrive early in the Village. Chris undertook to contact Stagecoach.

Minute of Meeting held on 30th March 2006
were approved - Adoption Proposed - Mavis
Seconded - Bill

Question Time:
Opportunity for Members of Public to speak.

Alan Lyon raised several issues pertaining to the Chairman's report published in the last Newsletter:
Why had the Community Council not made a positive representation re the planning application for the land adjacent to Bogbeth Park?
Chris explained that the only representations received by the Community Council had been against the proposal as it stood, and that objections had also been based upon the development running contrary to the extant area plans. Had anyone made positive representations, these would have been considered equally. Alan Lyon asked how members of the public were supposed to know when planning applications were due for discussion. Mavis pointed out that planning applications were posted on the notice board in the High Street every week and had been since 1979. Planning is a standing item in the agenda for each meeting. Annie asked why members of the Council were not actively canvassing views of residents about planning. Eric pointed out that many people did not have the spare time during the day to go around the Village or to knock on doors. Hazel pointed out that we all live in the community, and as such discuss these matters with neighbours, colleagues, friends and organisations such as TRAK within the village. The consensus was that the idea of more active canvassing was a good one and that we should try to be more pro-active about this in the future.

Why are the Leading Edge still receiving financial assistance from Aberdeenshire Council?
Cllr Leitch answered that this had now ended as the Council had taken over maintenance of the skate park (along with all other similar parks in the ‘shire).

What were the Community Council doing about the level of vandalism based around the skate park?
He reported that his and other vehicles had been stoned and had cans etc thrown at them.Ian concurred with this and said other areas were also affected. It was pointed out that it had to be the victims who complained to the police.

Why had the Community Council not approached him and other local businesses to support the Xmas lights as he (and he was sure others) would have been happy to offer financial aid?
Hazel pointed out that there had been two separate appeals for support through the Newsletter, which had resulted in offers of financial aid, but, crucially, absolutely no offers of help with other aspects. The Council felt that the plan could not progress, and that money should not be raised, unless there was the prospect of help to organise the scheme and erect and store any lights that were bought.

Matters arising from Minute:
Bus Timetable
new timetables was now in place. Problems with the 220 service (especially on Saturday) were raised by Paul and will be monitored. Janet reported that young people had been asked their opinions on public transport in the village at the academy recently.

Mini Mobs on the river path and grass areas around Bremner Way
Gordon Daniels will act as the complainant from Aberdeenshire Council and so complaints should be referred to the Police who can now act.

Planning Applications:
Only 3 applications for minor extensions which were not deemed contentious and had elicited no representations to the members.

Garioch Area Community Council Forum:
nominations for officers was discussed and Chris's name was put forward for the Chair.

New Business:
Cllr Leitch asked what view KCC would take on buses no longer going down the High Street as this had been suggested to him due to the congestion it causes at times. Various options were discussed and the consensus was that we should consult more widely around the Village about this I line with Annie and Ian's observations about canvassing opinion.

Footpath repairs are due on Fraser Place from Aquithie Road to Bennachie view.

Unfinished Business:
Keep the Village beautiful - works around the village had been begun by Bob Rose. These were discussed and Chris will contact him about bulb-planting and the works in progress on the Kintore Road.

Swimming Pool - Jim reported that AGM of the Swimming pool group was inquorate and had been rescheduled for 18th May at 7.30pm in the Hall. Ian questioned whether this was the right thing to spend money on in the village. Would other sporting facilities be more suitable? After discussion Chris suggested that those who had a strong view on this should go to the swimming pool meeting to discuss this further.

Bogbeth toilets - Cllr Leitch will contact the Pavilion Committee as this was now a Health & Safety issue.

Litter - infrastructure committee had this in hand and clearing was currently taking place along the A96.

AOCB:
Chris had drafted a response to the Older People's consultation, which had been circulated. He was asked to be more forceful about the needs for suitable housing and residential accommodation with an aging population. Rodger Dunham had asked about the new recycling arrangements and KCC would ask Elaine Sinclair to come to a meeting to address several issues relating to waste & recycling.

Date of Next Meeting:
Thursday 25th May 2006

Members of the public are welcome to attend