January

KEMNAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL REPORT OF THE MEETING ON THE 25th JANUARY 2007 AT 7.30PM IN KEMNAY VILLAGE HALL

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

Attending: Cllr Alister Leitch, Bill Blackie, John Clarke, Paul Dudley, Hilda Hart, Patrick Hart.

Apologies: Cllr Gurudeo Saluja, Janet Newberry.

1. Police Matters
The Police will be having an informal event, "Total Community", at the Kintore Arms Hotel aimed at improving current multi agency work on 14th February, 3.00 to 7.00 pm.

2. Minute of the Meeting held on 30th November 2006 was approved.

3. Question Time.
Paul Dudley asked if the Community Council would oppose the extraction of further sand from Dalmadilly. After discussion it was agreed to write and ask that restoration of the existing site be completed before further applications were granted.

4. Matters arising from Minute
a. Postcomm Consultation.  A submission had been made.

b. Milton Drive Traffic Calming.  The Roads Department have said that the planned schemes for the current year had already been approved, but this would be considered next year.

c. Bus Ticket Agency.  There had been no contact from Stagecoach about a ticket agency. It was agreed to contact the bus company again, and also ask why the 220 service buses were still routed via the airport.

5. Planning Applications
The Bridgend development had been slightly modified, but the objections had not been addressed and opposition to the scheme remained extant.

There had been comments about the internal layout of the "Little Treasure's" application, but it had been felt inappropriate to comment.

Ross's application for a coffee shop, which would incorporate the old Rae's shop, was felt to be beneficial.

It has been reported that the Infrastructure Committee has rejected the application to develop the chicken shed site. The Community Council will write to protest about this. Other applications were not thought to be contentious.

6. Report from Safety Group Representative
There has been an increase in misbehaviour in Kintore. The Safety Partnership is looking at suggestions to reduce youth road deaths - 62 last year in Grampian. Ideas include limiting engine size, banning passengers, and "P" plates. Ideas were requested. An appeal to upgrade the A96 has been made.

7. Report from Community Learning and Development Representative
Rosemary Atkey is now organising evening classes.

8. New Business
a. Composting Presentation.
This was not well attended, with only 8 people coming. It was now proposed, subject to there being interest, to have a centrally organised composting scheme with garden waste being collected fortnightly

b. "What Can We Do to Help Community Councils" Response from the Scottish Executive.
Disappointment was expressed that the two aspects which we had stressed, to give more authority to Community Councils, and to enhance their rights of appeal in planning matters, had been either ignored or discounted.

c. NHS Grampian Consultation Response.
The proposals which had been floated last June had been broadly accepted by the Minister.

d. Community Planning
Chris is a member of the Garioch Community Planning Committee, representing all Community Councils in the Garioch area.

e. Boat Croft Path.
A request for a handrail to be provided on the steps of the path from Boat Croft to Bridge Road would be investigated by Cllr Leitch

f. Knackery Visit.
Chris, Mavis and Annie visited the Knackery on Wednesday 24th January and were impressed by the changes that had been made. A £1m thermal oxidiser should eliminate the smells from the processor. No untreated products will be kept on site. The plant, employing about 20 people, could become operational around June. John Clarke (Cottown) asked what plans the CC had to monitor odours. Nothing was decided, but the feeling was to give Oran a chance first.

g. Fetternear Meeting.
This was very popular, with about one hundred people attending. The Trust's aim was to make the Bishop's Palace safe and a visitor attraction, create a commercial centre for varied use, build an accommodation facility, and a leisure centre, perhaps with a swimming pool. Funding problems were elaborated.

h. Recycling Site Problems.
There had been a build up of rubbish at the recycling site over Christmas, with some thoughtless people leaving ordinary domestic rubbish. Some even left their names and addresses on boxes! Aberdeenshire Council were commended on their rapid response to a request to remove it.

i. Traffic Signs - St Bryde's Rd.
The No Entry signs at the High Street end of St Bryde's Road had been twisted, perhaps by delivery lorries parking close to the kerb by the butcher. The Roads Department has been informed.

j. Appointment of Secretary.
Neil had intimated that he would have to stand down as Secretary at the next AGM due to pressure of work. Chris thanked Neil most warmly for his efforts, and said he had placed an article in the Newsletter asking for a volunteer to take over.

9. Unfinished Business
a. Christmas Lights.
Thanks were expressed to the Forestry Commission who provided the trees and to Bon Accord Landscapes for transporting and erecting them. One could not be lit because the underground wiring had been installed incorrectly, and by the time this was discovered the ground had frozen. Chris had obtained a quote for a more extensive lighting arrangement, but at nearly £650 this was felt to be expensive. Other sources of funds were suggested.

b. Youth Representation.
No volunteers yet.

c.  Agenda for February "Young People's Meeting".
Several items general discussion had been proposed. Alex produced a poster and the meeting would be publicised. Chris had been invited o address an Academy assembly.

 

Date of Next Meeting - Thursday 22nd February 2007 at 7.30 pm.
Members of the public are welcome to attend