NMCC
2006-2007 ( 830--841)
Members:
Position vacant(Chairperson)
Mr Alexander Buchan [AB]
Mr
Mike Taylor
(Secretary) [MT] Mr Robert Loughridge [RL]
Mrs
Fiona Duncan (Treasurer)
[FD] Mr Martin Morley, JP [MM]
Prof
Roy Bridges (Minute Sec.)
[RB] Mrs Pamela Young [PY]
Mr
Gordon Murray
[GM]
In attendance ex officio: Councillors Dr
Martin Ford [CllrF], Fergus Hood [CllrFH] and Nan Cullinane [CllrNC]
Abbreviations:
AC = Aberdeenshire Council; NMCC =
Newmachar Community Council
Apologies were recorded for: Mr Robert Loughridge; Insp Steve Pratt.
In attendance as visitor(s): Mr Graham Edmond; Mr Cliff Buchan to speak on the
AWPR; Irene Dunbar of Meldrum and Bourtie CC; and the following members of the
public: Graham Geddes, Euan McIntosh, John McIntosh, Bob Reid, Alan &
Caroline Alexander, Linden Wemyss, Richard page, Bill Ronnie, Robert Ross, AN
Other
Minutes
The
Minutes of the meeting of
(i)
Mr Edmond and Mr Buchan explained the rationale behind their proposed arrangements for the Parkhill Junction
area. A large roundabout at the AWPR/
A947 junction would have been
too large a concrete structure and so the present scheme evolved.
Although objections could be lodged to the draft road orders and representations made to the Scottish
Executive’s Reporter, they were confident that their
simulation models and other evidence had given them the best possible arrangement.
(ii)
Various objections were then raised by NMCC members and the public present over matters including the effect of
traffic lights; access to Dyce, the airport, the new railway marshalling
yard and Aberdeen from the north; the unique design of the junctions; problems concerning farmers’
tractor movements; the effect on the oil industry;
the effects on local residents in Parkhill; the effects on local roads which
had important local functions
independently of their relationship to the AWPR; and the implications for the projected Park and Ride facility.
(iii)
Messrs Edmond and Buchan said that all the points made had been and would continue to be taken into consideration
as refinement of the planning proceeded but they
insisted that their proposals were the best possible approach to the traffic
situation at Parkhill. While they would do all they could to ease
local traffic problems, in the last resort
it was not their function to tackle worries about the A947 and lesser roads;
their remit was to get the trunk road A90
established as a route around
MT
thanked Mr Edmond and Mr Buchan for attending the meeting and for their clear explanations.
831. Website (See
Minute 828)
It
was agreed that the direct communication to NMCC should be routed via admin@newmacharcouncil.co.uk to
the Secretary but that he should ignore anonymous
or irrelevant communications. This
would be announced in the Newsletter.
832 Gift from Old Meldrum Rotary Club
A
letter of appreciation would be sent and the Newsletter team were congratulated
on earning this support. NMCC decided the money should be used to
boost the Community Hall Fund.
833. Newsletter Business
(i)PY
explained that the increased number of newsletters needing to be produced plus increased postal charges meant that if the
Newsletter was to break even financially, advertising
rates would need to be raised in 2008 to £40 (two-thirds page); £30 (half page); £20 (one-third page); and £15
(quarter page). These rates were
approved with the comment that the
newsletter provided good value for both the advertisers and the residents.
(ii)
PY further noted that the Editor proposed to invite the three
834. Police Matters (See Minute 827)
(i)
Inspector Pratt’s Report noting that no vandalism had been reported for Newmachar in the month up to August 15th
and that about 20 drivers had been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for
speeding on the A947 was noted. Thanks
were expressed to the Inspector for
his report and continuing interest.
(ii)
CllrF reported that he understood that Grampian Police were considering
arranging their area inspectorates to
coincide with local government areas. If
this proved the case,
Newmachar would no longer be served from the Ellon Police Office.
835. Garioch Forum
(i)
The meeting noted the timetable for the evolution of the Strategic Development Plan for
(ii)
It was agreed that elaborate standing orders for community council meetings
were inappropriate and NMCC agreed to
co-operate with the Forum in devising suitable guidelines
to be incorporated in AC’s Scheme for Community Councils in due course.
836. Christmas Lights
The Forum had advised applications for grants
by community councils under one or
more of three heads. NMCC agreed to apply for a Project Grant for
the purchase of more Christmas
lights. CllrFH offered to continue to
deal with the lights. It was agreed that c. £2000 was needed.
837. Arrangements for AGM (See
Minutes 817 & 818)
(i)
It was agreed that the agenda and arrangements should be as in previous years.
(ii)
As no volunteers interested in being co-opted to NMCC had come forward as a result of the Newsletter appeal, it was
agreed that some private approaches should be made
before 27th September.
(iii)
It was agreed that the question of a new Chairperson be left open until the meeting of NMCC following the AGM.
838. War Memorial
(See Minute 808iii)
Only
one respondent to the appeal for views in the Newsletter had favoured moving the Memorial. Other views coincided with those of NMCC viz that the vegetation should be cleared more completely and concrete
steps installed. CllrF & CllrFH agreed to convey this view to AC.
839. Aberdeenshire Council Business
(See Minute 820)
(a)
MT reported on his correspondence with AC over the Hillbrae junction. The Police
were looking at the possibility of speed limits; AC officials were endeavouring
to follow national guidelines and
hoped that custom would stale objections. It seemed
that Mike Daw, on behalf of Balmedie CC had also made representations. AC’ official
response was still awaited.
(ii)
The Monykebbock Burial Ground wall had not been forgotten but, reported CllrF, landowners needed to be
consulted.
840. Correspondence
(i)
No answer had yet come from Royal Mail (See Minute 826).
(ii)
The ‘Linden Partnership,’ which comprised three football clubs, had sought
support from NMCC in its
approach to AC for the allocation of land for football pitches to be developed in the areas south of the existing
Football Ground. The land in question was designated for leisure purposes in the
Local Plan. NMCC agreed that it could
not take the matter into review until a
planning application had been made.
(iii)
More 20mph zones in the village would become statutory.
(iv)
Library hours at the Old Meldrum Library were under review.
(v)
AC had asked for advice on designating ‘core paths’ in the area. It was agreed to defer this item.
(vi)
Travelling communities’ encampments were the subject of an AC policy statement.
MM agreed to report on this.
(vii)
Other AC reports on Public Performance and Local Transport Strategy were noted.
841. Community Hall (See Minute 822)
Mr
Graham Geddes was invited to provide a progress report. He said Dyce Rotary Club had gifted £750.
Although rain meant holding the ‘Fun Day’ in the Hall, takings plus sponsorship realised £3,400. Nevertheless,
it had been hoped to raise much more. The total now stood at £43,100 and so the
target of £50,000 before the end of the year so
that grant applications could begin to be made was perhaps not so easily
achievable. There would be a casino night on 29th September. The Bowling Club was now seeking to take a more active part as they were
interested in the layout of the Hall. It
was hoped to attract more
interest from some fifty other groups.
There being no further business, the
meeting closed at 2155.
The
next meeting (plus AGM) would be held on