October

KEMNAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTE OF THE MEETING
ON THE 26th OCTOBER 2006 AT 7.30PM IN KEMNAY VILLAGE HALL

Present:
Chris Hunneyball, Neil Johnson, Mavis Wainman, David Evans, Bill Blackwood, Susan Milton, Ian Wakely, Paul Smart, Annie Ferries Janet Newberry

Attending:
Cllr Alister Leitch, Cllr Sheena Lonchay, PC Alec Allan

Apologies for absence:
Alexandra Burnett, Pat Findlater, Hazel Al-Kowarri, Jim Piggins, Cllr Gurudeo Saluja

Welcome:
Chris welcomed the Community Council, Cllr Lonchay (Chair of Garioch Area Committee) and members of the public.

Police Matters:
PC Allan explained that the policing of speed restrictions raised at the last meeting was under the control of the traffic department at present - who tended to be busy on the main arterial routes.  However train of community officers to use speed guns was imminent which would enable a more flexible approach.  Parking around Kemnay Primary was raised and he would make efforts to be in this area in coming weeks at the end of the school day to look at this - at which time he would be able to issue on-the-spot fines.  Recorded crimes in Kemnay were less than for the same period last year (18 in October compared with 28 for last year).  A worrying increase in the number of thefts from parked cars in the area included thefts from unsecured cars.  He asked that people take care to lock their vehicles at night and to keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour.  Cllr Leitch asked if there had been an increase in complaints about noise outside pubs since the smoking ban - PC Allan confirmed that this had not been the case.

Minute of Meeting held on 28th September 2006 was approved.
Proposed: Susan, Seconded: Annie

Matters Arising from Minute:
a. Traffic in Fyfe Park.  It has been established that the proposal to block off one end of Fyfe Park had been rejected when the original planning application was approved.  The effect of blocking this now would be opposed by roads department as it would seriously impede access for emergency vehicles.  The possibility of traffic calming measures was being investigated by Aberdeenshire Council.  The issue of continued speeding on Fyfe Park was raised from the floor - this would be passed on

b. Development of Redundant Farm Buildings.  On investigation it was established that redundant farm buildings could be redeveloped subject to the usual planning constraints.  Any move to promote their use would need to be on a regional level through the Aberdeen City-Region Planning process which was now underway.  Cllr Leitch suggested getting one of the Council's strategic planners in to discuss this.

c. School Bus Routes.  Bus operators had been told to avoid residential streets.

d. Rubbish Skips in Bogbeth Road.  We have been told that the skips should only be there on the day of collection; however the Council was investigating alternatives.  Annie confirmed that they had not been parked there overnight since the last meeting.

e. Academy Representation on KCC.  Chris had spoken to the Rector and this was being followed up, as was the idea of a youth meeting in February which would fit in well with the school curriculum.

f. Glebe Footpath. This has been costed and has been put on the priority list.

g. Bremner Way Christmas Tree Stand.  This should be completed by the end of November.  The lights have been ordered and would be funded partly by the Community Council Partly through an area top-up grant.

Place of Origin Opening.  Plans are now complete. The opening by the Duke of Kent will take place at 1145 on 30th October. 

Planning Applications.  None of the four applications were contentious. We had received notification that an application for a house to be built on the plot opposite the Village Hall had been received. This will tidy up an eyesore.

Strategic Development plan for Aberdeen City Region.  A presentation had been held in Inverurie at which the background was explained.  This was more than a local plan; it was a way ahead for the whole region, deciding where, in broad terms, development should be concentrated.  Along the A92 corridor was one of eight proposals.  This will be followed up by a further meeting in January/February.

Garioch Area Bus Forum.  A lively meeting was held at which Bluebird admitted completely misjudging the impact of the 220 bus going via the airport. This would revert as soon as possible, but changes took ten weeks to be processed by the regulator.  It was suggested that there should be a bus ticket agent in the village, and the possibility of the Post Office taking this on was being investigated.

Association of Scottish Community Councils AGM.  Chris attended this.  At the AGM a new constitution was adopted; following this the existing office holders were replaced in toto. Chris had his doubts about the new organisation.

Correspondence:
Fyfe Park Development Brief - Most of the points raised by the CC had been accepted, although the cap on the number of houses to be built had been lifted.  We were also concerned about the way in which planning gain might be administered.  Ian questioned the logic behind trying to reduce the density of housing as this may well lead to there being increased hard standing and a consequential increase in runoff.  It was agreed that there was little to be gained in discussing this further as it was now open to developers t submit proposals - there would the opportunity to comment on these at the time.

PostComm Consultation - comments were sought on changes to posting times via the website (www.psc.gov.uk) as some areas were likely to receive significant changes in postal timings.  It was pointed out that input from the public had just as much weight as the Community Council and that people should be encouraged to respond to consultations.

Date of Next Meeting - Thursday 30th November 2006.
Members of the public are welcome to attend