March 2010

KEMNAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL - REPORT OF THE MEETING ON THURSDAY 25 MARCH 2010 IN KEMNAY VILLAGE HALL

Present:  Chris Hunneyball (Chairman), Gavin Adam, Bill Blackwood, Margaret Christie, David Evans, Annie Ferries, John Hern, Bob Ingram, Ian Murray, Jim Piggins, Mavis Wainman.

1.       Attending: Cllr Hazel Al-Kowarri, Glyn Jones, PC Craig Currie, PC Caroline Lindsay, 3 members of the public.

 2.       Welcome:  The Chairman welcomed those present.

 3.       Apologies for absence:  Janet Newberry, Eric Pashley.

 4.       Police matters:  There had been few serious crimes in Kemnay recently, but vandalism and anti-social behaviour were problems.  Police would be tackling these with foot and bicycle patrols.  The problems of vandalism in Kemnay School garden and under-age drinking in Bogbeth Park were raised and noted by the police.

 5.       Aggregate Industries Presentation:  The Place of Origin had been cleared of broom and the paths on the area owned by Aggregate Industries had been sprayed and trimmed.   Work on the Mill Farm 2 site was progressing and in two to three months they would be ready to shape the site ready for planting trees in the autumn.  A design for the "Welcome to Kemnay" granite sign had been produced. The Council thanked Aggregate Industries for the very positive work they were doing on our behalf.

 6.       The Minutes of the Meeting held on 25^th February 2010 were approved.

 7.       Question Time:  One member of the public would like more play equipment for toddlers in the park; another was concerned about the car park on Bremner Way, but was assured that protected areas would not be used for such purposes.

 8.       Matters Arising from Minutes: 

a)       Fetternear:  There had still been no response from the owners about the possibility of locating the new pool on their land on the corner of Bremner Way and Aquithie Road.

b)       Traffic Management:  Parking enforcement action will be taken once the line painting has been completed.

c)       Garioch Area Bus Forum:  The 420 Service was generally liked apart from limited periodicity. Passenger numbers on this service will be provided at the next meeting. The difficulty of returning from Glasgow by train and bus on a Sunday was raised.

d)       Beechhill:  There had been no further progress.

 9.       Planning matters and applications:  There were no controversial applications.

 10.    Reports

a)       Safety Group:  Community Safety in 2010-2011 was to be tackled under 3 priorities: Road Safety, Violence and Anti-Social Behaviour.  Drugs, Acquisitive Crime and Hate Crime were to be monitored.  The Annual Seminar had been very interesting.

b)       Community Learning:  There was still no progress on the fitness suite.  A volunteer had been found to drive and care for the mini-bus.  ITC funding for the library was to be extended - but it was not probable that the opening hours would be increased.  The NHS were to run a smoking cessation class at the Youth Café.  There would be a Community Learning drop in on Friday 23 April in the village hall where people could suggest new classes.

c)       Garioch Area CC Forum:  A local version of the proposed national CC scheme would be put out to consultation. Concern had been expressed that Community Councillors might have to undergo criminal record checks if young people joined Community Councils.  In view of general apathy it had been agreed to leave block membership of the ASCC in place.

 11.    Aberdeenshire news:  The path along the river had been restored.  The lay-by for school buses was almost complete.  Some concern had been expressed about bendy- buses replacing double-deckers so that seat belts could be installed, but parents had been assured that  bendy-buses could go everywhere that was necessary.  Cllr Al-Kowarri was disappointed to announce that TRAK had so few members that it might not be able to continue.

 12.    Aberdeenshire Parks and Open Spaces Strategy:  It was agreed to endorse the proposals for greater provision of open space in new developments and for requiring developers to lodge bonds to ensure that open spaces were maintained.  Ideally all open spaces should be adopted by the Council.

 13.    Correspondence:

a)    Aberdeenshire's Licensing Boards Consultation:   Concerned gambling. No action.

b)    The Network Newsletter:  This was passed to a member of the CC.

c)     Scottish Health Council Annual Report:  This was passed to a member of the CC.

d)    Viewpoint - Citizens' Panel Newsletter:  To be passed to the library.

e)     Letter from a member of the public:  The Secretary was to reply.

 14.    AOCB:  The CC grant next year will be £777.72 which includes £35 for Data Protection Act registration. It was agreed to donate £300 to the Village Hall towards new flooring in the Friendship Room.  Concern was expressed over the felling of trees at Leslie Place.  Cllr Al-Kowarri agreed to make enquiries.