January

 

KEMNAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL - REPORT OF THE MEETING ON 29 JANUARY 2009 AT 7.30 PM IN KEMNAY VILLAGE HALL

Present:

Chris Hunneyball (Chairman), Bill Blackwood, Margaret Christie, David Evans, Annie Ferries, Susan Milton, Janet Newberry, Eric Pashley, Jim Piggins, Mavis Wainman.

Attending:

Cllr Hazel Al-Kowarri, Cllr Allison Grant, 7 members of the public.

1. Apologies:

Paul Smart, Alex Thomas, Alex Allan.

2. Welcome:

Chris Hunneyball welcomed those present, and offered congratulations to Derek Brown, chairman of the football club, who had already won kit for the club in the Grassroots Award and was now short listed for the final stages of the award.

3. Police Matters:

Constable Allan had submitted a report of crimes committed in Kemnay in December and January. 

4. The Minutes of the Meeting held on 29 November 2008 were approved.

5. Question Time:

Questions were raised about the maintenance of the Point of Origin and the road markings leading to the new crossing on Station Road.  The chairman was to contact the artist about his views on the Point of Origin, and Cllr Al-Kowarri agreed to make enquiries about the road markings.

6. Matters Arising from the Minutes: 

a) Leshangie Hill walk:  It was reported that although there might be some justification for barring the public from the quarry beside Beechhill, there seemed little reason for the other gates erected on the route.  The Access Forum appeared to favour the owner of the croft.  Cllrs Al-Kowarri and Grant agreed to pursue the matter.

b)Hanging Baskets:  Cllr Al-Kowarri was to write an article for the March edition of the Newsletter.

c)Leaf Sweeping:  A request had been made for the clearing of the leaves in Victoria Terrace and Grove Road.  The Council had done so.   It was pointed out that the leaves had not been moved from the paths leading from Paradise Road to the village green.  This would also be requested.

d)Kendal Green:  Markings would be painted on the road when the weather allowed.

e)Craigearn Speed Limit: Several Craigearn residents had objected to the proposed extension of the 30 mph limit so it was agreed to withdraw the request for this. Cllr Al-Kowarri said that, in any event, it would not have been agreed for legislative reasons. In future such requests would be publicised before action is taken.

7. Planning Matters and Applications:

a) Local Development Plan:  A letter had been written in response to a request for proposals for the future development of Kemnay.

b) Fetternear Development:  The chairman stated that while the Community Council had supported the plan in principle, on seeing the plans for the car park on Bremner Way, they had written to object to that on the basis that it would increase traffic, that it might be misused and that it would be built over green space which was used by the community.  Most of the members of the public present appeared to agree with this approach, although some considered that the Community Council should have opposed the whole development.

c)New Planning Applications:  There was nothing controversial.

d)Bridgend Flats Planning Gain:  There had been no planning gain agreement. Flats were on the market as affordable housing.

8. GACCF Meeting:

Reports had been circulated.  Additionally, there had been some discussion on how to attract more Community Council members to the meetings.

9. Community Planning:

A recent interesting meeting in Inverurie Fire station had concentrated on the age-gap.

10. Christmas Lights Sub-Committee:

There was general agreement that the lights had been a success.  There was a suggestion that schools sponsor and design a light.  TRAK would like a photograph of one of the Christmas trees for their next Christmas card.  A vote of thanks to Eric Pashley and the Chairman was unanimously agreed.  Thanks were also extended to Mr G. Souter who has arranged storage for the lights, and who took them down after Christmas.

11. Report from Community Learning and Development Representative:

The new mini-bus is now in operation.  There is a financial problem with the crèche.  Negotiations on the use of the gym at the Academy are on-going.

12. Aberdeenshire News:

Three of the houses at Bogbeth are too high and additional planning permission has been refused.  New road signs have been erected in Kemnay.  The pavements have been heightened at the bus stops, but still have not been lowered at junctions on Bremner Way.

13. New Business:

There was no new business.

14. Unfinished Business: 

a) ASCC:  Further letters had been written to Mike Rumbles who had passed them on to John Swinney, but the response had been unsatisfactory.

b) Planning Aid Workshop:  Those intending to attend should e-mail Cllr Grant.

c) Council Elections:  These should happen on two evenings in March.

15. Correspondence:

Correspondence had been received on school bus safety, Sports Council Awards, Leader bids, the flood warning scheme housing strategy, Asirus, Richard Baker MSP, a community safety seminar, the NHS annual report, the results of a police survey, and a submission for funding for Microphones for the Hall.

16.  AOCB:

There were complaints about the gritting of roads in the recent icy weather.  Complaints had also been received that raised flower beds had been installed in Bogbeth Park without any consultation and people were unhappy about the possible hazard to children playing.  It was agreed to create a "wish list" of projects at the next meeting.  It was pointed out that it was possible to nominate the Post Office for an award.  There is to be a bus Forum on 25 March.  The lack of tarring at the entrance to Fraser Place was attributed to the fact that the services for the new house had not yet been put in place.

Date of Next Meeting:

26 February at 7.30 pm

Members of the public are welcome to attend