September

KEMNAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTE OF THE MEETING ON THE 28th September 2006 AT 7.30PM IN KEMNAY VILLAGE HALL

Present:
Chris Hunneyball, Neil Johnson, Jim Piggins, Mavis Wainman, David Evans, Bill Blackwood, Susan Milton, Pat Findlater, Ian Wakly, Hazel Al-Kowarri, Eric Pashley, Paul Smart and Annie Ferries.

Attending:
Cllr Gurudeo Saluja

Apologies for absence:
Alexandra Burnett, Janet Newberry and Cllr Alastair Leitch

Welcome
Chris welcomed members of the Community Council and 8 members of the public.

Police Matters:
Susan asked for better enforcement of the speed limit along Victoria Terrace/Grove Road. Ian asked about vehicles being parked along Victoria Terrace - was it possible to get the yellow lines extended further as the presence of parked cars made it difficult to pass through the village with a long vehicle. Chris explained that the lines had recently been extended for a trial period, and that at a site visit, Ian Rendell had made it clear that this was as far as he was able to go with lines. Jim agreed that parking was a problem - particularly at the end of the school day with many cars parked illegally and dangerously at the end of the High St. Another request would be made to Grampian Police for some enforcement of regulations.

Minute of Meeting held on 29th June 2006 were approved.
Adoption: Proposed Susan , Seconded Mavis

Kemnay Village Website:
Chris commended the website and thanked all those who had worked so hard on getting it up and running. It was now full of current information and he urged people to make use of the site and to express their views. It can be found at www.kemnay.org.uk .

Question Time - Opportunity for Members of Public to speak:
The plans for development adjacent to Fyfe Park was raised. Chris explained the history of the site, and that despite repeated objections from the Community Council, two areas had been incorporated into the local plan, site fh1 (housing) and fe1 (employment). Concern was expressed from the floor that the employment development would spoil the entrance to the village. The Community Council had suggested that the site by the quarry be developed before new ones were proposed. Ian agreed with the sentiments and pointed out that Aberdeenshire increased the requirement for greenfield by refusing to acknowledge redundant intensive farm buildings as brownfield sites - leaving many of these units to rot as it was uneconomic to demolish them. It had to be accepted that there was nothing we could do about stopping development here - although interested parties should inform Aberdeenshire Council of their views, once detailed applications had been submitted.

Matters arising from Minute:
Alcohol Consumption by under-age children - a request through the area forum for a byelaw prohibiting the consumption of alcohol by under-age people around the village would not be fulfilled. Gurudeo was surprised that additional powers were needed by the Police and would look into this.

Waste bins - additional bins requested last year had not been installed. Hazel has phoned Aberdeenshire Council 3 times to complain about dog-waste bins not being emptied.

Police Numbers - communication with Mike Rumbles had elicited support but no action on this matter. Police numbers will increase over the next 2 years with an addition of 110 officers.

Planning Applications - David referred to his e-mails re the 18 applications received - most were not contentious. The development at Bridgend had been objected to during the summer. The majority of views were that this development was too dense and of an inappropriate style for the area. Rerouting the riverside path was also an issue. An application to expand extraction of sand and gravel at Dalmadilly raised no objections and the request to site a small wind turbine at Pictillum Croft was welcomed and a letter of support would be sent. The Clydesdale ATM is due to be moved across the road to Dow's garage if planning is approved.

Place of Origin - The official opening of the Place of Origin is to be done by HRH The Duke of Kent on 30th October A flyer is being produced to explain the sculpture and this would be circulated with the newsletter. Funding had been obtained from various sources to provide a plaque and information boards which would be on permanent display. Chris sought permission to spend up to £500 of Community Council monies in the event that no more money could be raised to pay for the event, and this was agreed.

Report from Safety Group Representative - Pat outlined the activities of the Garioch & North Marr Safety Partnership. Key points were the Safe Drive Stay Alive sessions would run again in November and their annual seminar would take place in Kemnay in March.

Report from Community Learning and Development Representative - Jim raised two issues:
1) The ‘dumping' of refuse skips in the parking bays, and on the road, by the skate park. This was both health and safety issue as liquid effluent was seeping out of the skips and bags of rubbish were accessible, but also a problem for users of Bogbeth Road as skate park cars are being displaced onto the roadside. Ian and Annie agreed that this was a common problem and that 2 skips were there at the moment. Chris will write to the Council about this.
2) The Community Development Handbook has been issued for consultation prior to its adoption on 16th September - once again no time has been allowed for any meaningful consultation on a major document.

New Business:
Maintenance of Communal Areas around Kembhill Park - Neil raised communications received by residents of Kembhill Park about the maintenance of Communal Areas. The requirements outlined are extremely vague and the repeated changes of ownership make liability for these matters quite ambiguous. Grampian Housing and Aberdeenshire Council will be contact to obtain further information.

Village Hall Safety Training - there is a requirement for Hall user groups to attend this training Chris, Janet Mavis, Jim and Bill would attend

Community Council Boundaries - changes to the Council wards mean that the current area covered by Kemnay Community Council will be served by 11 Councillors under the new system. We will be invited to look at our boundaries with a view to aligning them to the new wards.

Unfinished Business:
Christmas Lights - some funding has been received to pay for lights - the rest would be met from the Community Council Funds. 2 trees with lights would be erected at the entrances to the Village.

AOCB:
The Bus Forum will meet in the Village Hall on 12th October - a good attendance is sought. Chris to contact Kemnay Academy with a request for representation at meetings. The February Meeting will be devoted to young people's issues and suitable groups will be contacted for agenda items. The fate of the Path between The Glebe and Kirklands was questioned.

Date of Next Meeting - Thursday 26th October 2006
Members of the public are welcome to attend .