September

 

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

Present:

Chris Hunneyball (Chairman), Margaret Christie,  David  Evans, Janet Newberry, Eric Pashley, Jim Piggins, Paul Smart,  Alex Thomas, Mavis Wainman.

Attending:

Cllr Hazel Al-Kowarri, Cllr Allison Grant.

1.       Apologies:

Bill Blackwood, Susan Milton.

2.       Welcome:

Chris Hunneyball welcomed those present.

3.       Police Matters:

There being no police presence, there were no matters discussed.

4.       The Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 June 2008 were approved.

5.       Question Time:

There being no members of the public present, there were no questions.

6.       Matters Arising from the Minutes:

There were no matters arising.

7.       Planning Matters and Applications:

a)    Consultation - Draft Structure Plan:  The plan was in very general terms, and in some instances extremely opaque.  A response had been sent, however, commenting adversely on the projected plans for housing and opposing compulsory purchase of land.

b)    Consultation - Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan Area:  This appeared to be a very early stage of the plan, and it was agreed to make no response.

c)    Consultation - Scotland's Town Centres and High Streets:  This extremely jargon-ridden document had been commented on during the summer break.  The Community Council approved the response.

d)    Section 75 Agreement - Bogbeth Road:  The information sought in respect of this agreement had eventually been received.

e)     Current Planning Applications:  Most were uncontroversial, but members of the community council had been consulted during the break on the plans for Roslyn, and had agreed to oppose the plan for raising the height of the boundary wall on High Street.

8.     Woodhill House Meeting 25 August 2008:

The meeting was addressed by Mr Ken Mcdonald, the Assistant Commissioner for Scotland who spoke about the implications for Community Councils of the Data Protection Act.  It was clear that Community Council had no option but to register under the Act.  Mr Vincent Waters, the National Secretary of the ASCC then gave an overview of the current political thinking on Community Councils.  He envisaged few changes in the near future.

9.    Unfinished Business:

a)    Data Protection Act:  There seems no option but to register under the Act.

b)    ASCC Constitution:  It was agreed not to approve the finalised ASCC Constitution

10.   New Business: 

a)    Aberdeenshire Council Design Awards:  The Place of Origin had received a "Highly Commended" under the Aberdeenshire Council Design Awards Scheme.

11.   Christmas Lights Sub-Committee:

Eric Pashley reported that the grant from Aberdeenshire Council, and some of the money donated by groups and shopkeepers within the Village had been used to purchase lights.  Some had been kept in reserve for repairs and replacements and to finance the erection of the lights if, for example, a cherry-picker had to be hired.  The Bargain Box had made a donation to the fund.  Both Eric Pashley and the Bargain Box were thanked for their contributions.

12. Garioch Area CC Forum meeting:

The poorly-attended meeting was given a presentation on waste recycling which included the information that envelopes can now be disposed of in paper waste.  The idea of an Aberdeenshire CC Forum was discussed, as was the idea of having an "Aberdeenshire in Bloom" competition.

13.          Community Planning:   

a)    Garioch Area Community Planning Meeting:  A village hall book was being produced with information useful for those running such halls.  The question of police attendance at Community Council meetings was raised.  The police had been cracking down on alcohol abuse by young people.  Health Improvement groups had also been active.  There is some money available for community projects for this year only.

b)    Shell Small Grants Scheme:  This scheme offers a maximum of £5,000 for projects which benefit the community.  Community Councillors were invited to consider any such projects for the next meeting.

14. Report for Community Learning and Development Representative:

Before the September meeting there had been a fashion show mounted by the Youth Café.  The young people had made the clothes and modelled them on the catwalk in a most professional manner.  The question of the Fitness Suite at the Academy being made available to the public seems still unclear - further enquiries are to be made.  The new mini-bus should be acquired about the end of September.  The kindergym is flourishing in its new premises at Alehousewells.  The Adult Enrolment evening produced 92 enrolments.  It was noted that as the Adult Education Co-ordinator had not been replaced there was reduced support for tutors.

15.  Aberdeenshire News:

There was some enthusiasm in the village for involvement in a hanging basket scheme.  The Community Council expressed its support, and suggested that those interested might develop the idea.  Cllr. Al-Kowarri had been pressing for new toilets at Bogbeth park, rather than refurbishment of the ones in Aquithie Road, and some notice appeared to be being taken of her suggestion.  Cllr. Al-Kowarri had been present when the pupils from Kemnay  had given their presentation on Victim Support in the Scottish Parliament.  She had been very impressed by their professionalism.

16. Correspondence:

Most of the correspondence was for information.  However, BT had written to say that they were removing the telephone box in Burnett Road.  If residents wished to adopt it and maintain it, it could be left as a piece of village architecture.  Steven Low wrote to ask for the Community Council's support in getting permission to use the football pitches at the Academy.  Cllr. Al-Kowarri agreed to make enquiries.

17.  AOCB:

There was no other business.

Date of Next Meeting

30 October 2008 at 7.30 pm

Members of the public are welcome to attend