NMCC 2007-2008 (892-901)

 

PARISH OF NEW MACHAR COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held on

Thursday, 24th April 2008

 

Members:

 

Mr Mike Taylor  ( Chair 2007-8 &Sec)  [MT]     Mr Alexander Buchan                  [AB]

Mrs Fiona Duncan               (Treasurer) [FD]     Mr Martin Morley, JP                   [MM]

Prof Roy Bridges             (Minute Sec.)   [RB]     Mrs Pamela Young                        [PY]

Mr Gordon Murray                                [GM]    Mr Robert Loughridge                  [RL]

Ms Linn Lockhart  (co-pted)                     [LL]

 

In attendance ex officio:  Councillors Dr Martin Ford [CllrMF]; Nan Culllinane [CllrNC] and Fergus Hood [CllrFH]

 

Abbreviations: AC = Aberdeenshire Council;  NMCC = Newmachar Community Council

 

Apologies were recorded for: Mr Loughridge, Prof. Bridges, Mr Morley. Ms Lockhart, PC David Calvert.

 

In attendance as visitor(s):

 

Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting of 20th March 2008 were accepted as a correct record subject to the removal of Councillor Hood’s name from the list of those who had sent apologies.

 

892.     Police Matters (See Minute 883)

PC Calvert was unable to be present but had submitted a report which referred to two breaches of the peace on which there are ongoing enquiries, one assault which is now the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal, and three cases of vandalism which have not been detected. The report also explained that vehicles left on the road after collisions which are not constituting an offence can be removed only by the owner – whom the Police normally contact.

PC Calvert had met local youths who need weekend facilities.   He promised to patrol Newmachar whenever it was practicable to do so.

 

893.     Aberdeenshire Council Matters (See Minute 884)

CllrMF reported that a draft strategy for the Sustainability Charter will appear after 23rd May. CllrFH said he would investigate whether an advanced copy could be obtained for the next NMCC meeting which was earlier than that date.

 

894.     Community Hall (See Minute 885)

(i)  GM said the offer of a subvention from NMCC to the Hall Fund was gratefully received. £3000 would enable a higher rate of interest account to be reached but the sum could be earmarked for furnishings as NMCC had suggested.

(ii) Various possible grants were now being investigated and architects are being instructed.

(iii) Although the Lairig Ghru walk had been cancelled, a shorter walk around Loch Muick would replace it, possibly on 25th May.  Meanwhile, the Golf Day in June is a sell-out with 36 teams entered.

 

895.     Youth Project (See Minute 886)

MT reported that a senior pupil from Dyce Academy was interested in helping the Centre and he would inform Annette Holland.

 

896.     NMCC AGM 2008 and 2009 Elections

            (i) It was agreed to hold the 2008 AGM on 25th September.

(ii) It was further agreed that the AGM agenda should include arrangements for the 2009 elections including whether the STV system should be used again.

 

897.     Small Glebe Development

In response to the Developer’s suggestion that the new housing site be called ‘The Small Glebe’, NMCC endorsed the alternative offered by CllrFH:  ‘Hervey Park’.   This name would commemorate the first Minister of Newmachar Parish.

 

898.     AWPR (See Minute s 870 & 889)

MT reported that the response to NMCC’s submission on Side Road Orders had been received from Transport Scotland. (Copy attached to the principal copy of these minutes.)  The reply had rejected all the submitted arguments about local traffic needs on the grounds that the basic flow of traffic was in and out of Aberdeen on the A947 which was therefore to be carried over the top of the AWPR.  The reply offered NMCC the option of withdrawing its objections but it was agreed that this should not be done and that a representative should attend the Public Enquiry.

 

899.     Correspondence

MT reported letters from Aberdeen Community Mediation Services and from Forest Enterprise about their Strategic Plan.

 

900.     Post Office

Recent problems over receipt of pensions etc had been followed up by CllrMF who reported that the internet line problems which had created the difficulties had now been resolved.

 

901.     Bus Services

CllrFH reported that bus fares would rise by between 50p and £1 as a result of fuel costs while  CllrMF added that further rises would result from the withdrawal of the subsidy  for Stagecoach which it currently received.

 

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2030.

 

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 22nd May 2008.