NMCC 2007-2008 (922-933)

 

PARISH OF NEW MACHAR COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held on

Thursday, 28th August 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 Lyn 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: Mrs Pam Young, Cllr Nan Cullinane, Ms Annette Holland, PC David Calvert, Mr Gordon Murray and Ms Lyn Lockhart.

 

In attendance as visitor(s):

 

Minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting of 26th June 2008 were accepted as a correct record.

 

922.     Christmas Lights (See Minute 910)

            CllrFH announced that he had ordered nine new sets of lights which would            actually be purchased by AC.  The possibility of Blackburn wanting to acquire the      old lights was now unlikely.

 

923.     Structure Plan  (See Minute 910)

            FH said he thought Newmachar would get further housing although it was in          neither development corridor.  It was agreed that NMCC should make a   submission pointing out the present lack of local facilities for an increased         population, the need for appropriate structures for an area like Newmachar’s and, most important, the need for    local communities to have the confidence that the    Local Plan which emerges and which such a communities accept, will be adhered   to.

 

924.     The Last Local Development Plan (See Minute 920 ii)

            NMCC had been asked to comment on the existing Local Development Plan by     answering a questionnaire;  The agreed answers were generally favourable to AC.

 

 

925.     Arrangements for AGM (See Minute 896)

            It was agreed that the AGM Agenda for 25th September should include a proposal that the STV system for Community Council Elections be abandoned and the           FPTP system restored; a motion on the timing of the 2009 election; and the            election of officers for the remaining life of the present elected Council.

 

926.     Heritage Matters

            (i) Repair of Moneykebbock Burial Ground.  CllrMF announced that arrangements           were proceeding.

            (ii)  RB suggested the revival of the plan to renovate the Straloch Mausoleum in the           Kirkyard.  CllrMF advised that the Regional Archaeologist be consulted and that          perhaps a Garioch Area Project Grant be applied for.

 

927.     Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (See Minute 919)

            (i) NMCC approved the precognition for the Public Local Inquiry prepared by RB and in view of the likely dates for Northern Leg proceedings asked him to be             present to put it before the Inspectors.

            (ii) CllrFH said that his attempt to persuade the Transport Minister to come and     meet NMCC on its AWPR concerns had been unsuccessful.

 

928.     Police Matters (See Minute 913)

            RB said that he found it difficult to contact PC Calvert by e-mail but possibly he      had been given the wrong address.  MT said he would contact Inspector Thompson      and stress that NMCC wished to keep in touch.

 

929.     Community Hall  (See Minute 915)

            (i) The financial situation was believed to continue favourable to progress towards   the grant application phase.  However, it was important to consult Walter Taylor of          the Grants Sub-committee of AC regarding the time limits on funds from       developers’ planning gain contributions.

            (ii) The sponsored walk would be on a date to be arranged.

 

930.     Youth Project  (See Minute 916)

            It was announced that although the rates problem had been solved, numerous        other difficulties had prevented the drop-in centre from actually being used.  A     network of adult volunteer helpers was needed in Newmachar.  CllrFH said he   expected the issue to come before the Area Committee and he promised to             progress the matter as far as he could.

 

931.     Aberdeenshire Council Matters (See Minutes 914 & 921)

            (i) CllrMF said the process of finding a new Chief Executive was underway.

            (ii) CllrFH said that the Authority’s Capital Plan allowed for a new swimming pool             in Fraserburgh, the upgrading of others and the payment of £134k p.a. to           Aberdeen City Council for 96 hours use of their pool, this being 11% of the pool      time.  A new pool would eventually be built at Alford Academy.  The Plan envisaged a new school for Newmachar in 2012.

            (iii) MT said that Newmachar suffered from a lack of community work activity        compared with other parts of the Shire.

            (iv) CllrFH drew attention to the Education Committee’s new curriculum for the 5-            18 age group.

            (v) The Core Paths policy from AC had been received and all NMCC’s        recommendations apart from Lairshill appeared to have been accepted.  RB would             ask why this was not included.

            (vi) Plants from AC for the tubs could now be ordered.

            (vii) RL complained of the frequent breakdowns of street lights and thought there must be a systems failure.

            (viii) CllrFH promised to see whether vegetation along the footpath from Miller     Gardens to the Main Road could be cut back.

            (ix) Complaints continued to be received about overflowing waste containers           outside the Hall; AC has promised to monitor the situation.

            (x)  Parking in the Disblair Road junction area was made difficult for local people, said MM, by drivers who parked their vehicles irresponsibly.  CllrFH    promised to discuss the problems with AC’s Traffic Department.

 

932.     Planning Matters  (See Minute 918)

            The proposed flats on the site of the present bakery shop still caused worry for local            residents mainly because of parking although the original planning application          appeared to have been withdrawn. 

 

933.     Correspondence

            (i) Details of the Mediation Service had been received and would be passed to the   Newsletter editor.

            (iv) Other correspondence concerned AC’s walking and cycling strategy, the Old     Meldrum Dial a Bus service and a community magazine.

 

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2115

 

 

The next meeting, plus the AGM, is scheduled for 25th September 2008.