June

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

ON THE 29th JUNE 2006 AT 7.30PM

Present:
Chris Hunneyball, Bill Blackwood, Susan Milton, Jim Piggins, Mavis Wainman, Hazel Al-Kowarri, Annie Ferries, Janet Newberry, Ian Wakley, and Paul Smart.

Attending:
Insp Dave Allan. A. McArthur, R. McArthur, David Staniforth, M. Rasmussen, Ian Fowell (Garioch Area Manager), Melanie Jones, Judy Booth, Richard Lamb.

Apologies:
David Evans, Neil Johnson, Cllr Gurudeo Saluja, Cllr Alister Leitch, Eric Pashley, Alexandra Burnett, Pat Findlater.

Police Matters:
Inspector Allan produced a graph of crime statistics, which showed that there had been a slight increase in crime levels over the past couple of years, although the same had been true in other areas. He said he was trying to increase community policing instead of following a response policy, but such an imitative was going to take time. In the past 30 days there had been 51 recorded crimes, mainly the usual youth problems. He pointed out that police numbers were limited, and it was just not possible to react immediately to every incident. It was agreed that the Council would write to our MSP about police numbers, and also suggesting that publicity be given to the responsibilities of parents for their children. The possibility of introducing a bye law to prohibit under age drinking in public places would be put to the Area Forum.

Question Time:
a) High Street Buses. Melanie Jones said she had asked Aberdeenshire Council about the usage of the High Street bus stop but had only been given details of the 421 from all stops in Kemnay A survey would be needed to get more data. Chris said that he had had an email from a High Street resident, supporting the present route. He had not had any other comments. It was not intended to make any proposals until there had been more responses.

b) Traffic Calming in Paradise Road. Cllr Leitch had asked for this to be done and hoped to see 20 mph limits on most minor residential roads

c) Litter Bins in the Pleasure Park. The bins in the Pleasure Park were often overflowing. This would be raised with the Council.

Matters Arising from Minute:
Disabled Parking. Cllr Leitch had raised this with Ian Rendall.

Aberdeenshire News:
Ian Fowell said that it had been decided that a consistent approach across Aberdeenshire would be taken with respect to the handling of planning applications. The Garioch Area procedure will be little changed.

Garioch Area Community Council Forum:
Chris had been re-elected Chairman at the AGM.

Mr Robin Blyth, the Community Councils' representative on the Aberdeenshire Community Planning Board gave a short talk on his position.

Mr Piers Blaxter gave a presentation on the Strategic Development Plan, which aims is to identify how much land will be released for new building, where that land will be, and how that land should be identified.

Community Council grants have been set, with Kemnay being allocated £453.55, and details of top up budgets were also provided.

Kemnay will again have its orderly for the summer holidays. A plea was once more made for the scheme to be extended to cover term time.

New Business:
Waste Bin at Skate Park. - Jim reported that one weekend the bin had been used as an additional platform for skateboarders, doing the bin no good and making a lot of noise. Ian Fowell agreed to ask that it be chained in its proper place.

Unfinished Business:
Christmas Lights - Chris had received confirmation that the granite base at the junction of Bremner Way and Aquithie Road would be finished before Christmas. That meant that two trees and sets of light would be needed. The Community Council would fund half the cost, and an application made to the Top-Up Fund for the remainder.

Correspondence:
a) Scheme of Establishment for Community Councils. Chris had circulated a draft response to this consultation. This was approved.

b) Annual Report of the Traveller Education Information Project North East. Circulated to those interested

c) Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route Consultation (stage 3).. This dealt with the environmental impact assessment .Not relevant to Kemnay.

d) NHS Older People's Services. Chris had prepared a draft response to this consultation. This will be the basis of a formal reply.

e) Police Custody Visiting. An invitation to become a formal visitor had been received and circulated.

AOCB:
Post Office. Jim pointed out that although it was good to see that our post office was had been successfully taken over, a new threat had emerged in that post offices were having their TV Licence renewing facility withdrawn.

Waste Collection and Council Tax: - Ian Wakley pointed out that collections for recyclable waste were not being made in rural areas so they had lost more than those people living in larger settlements. He suggested that their Council Tax be reduced by one band. Cllr Saluja will be contacted

Date of Next Meeting:
Thursday, 28th September 2006 - ALL WELCOME