NMCC 2009-2010 (1121-1129)

PARISH OF NEW MACHAR COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held on

Thursday 26 August 2010

Members:

Mr Mike Taylor (Chair & Sec) [MT] Mr Alexander Buchan (Planning) [AB]

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

Prof Roy Bridges [RB] Mrs Pamela Young [PY]

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

Mr Graham Geddes [GrG]

Clerk to the Community Council: Mrs Linda Rendall

In attendance ex officio: Councillor Martin Ford [CllrMF], Councillor Fergus Hood [CllrFH], Councillor Nan Cullinane [CllrNC]

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

Apologies were recorded for: Gordon Murray, Robert Loughridge, Martin Morley

In attendance as visitors: Annette Holland (AC), Alan Buchan, Robbie Ingram, PC Peter Milne

Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting on 1 July 2010 were accepted as a correct record.

Matters arising not on the Agenda

Wildlife Friendly Space – MT has written to Ian Fowell (AC) advising him of the request by Rhona Thompson for short term public liability insurance cover. Clarification of the policy will be sought but it is not envisaged that there will be a problem.

Routing of Stagecoach Service – MT has made representation to Stagecoach regarding the rerouting of the service to Aberdeen and the lack of local consultation but has received no reply to date. MT will write to them again.

1121 Police Matters

(i) Enquiries are continuing into the two major incidents at Elrick House and in Greens Road.

(ii) PC Milne reported on the following crimes over the summer months – two Breaches of the Peace, one of which has been detected and the other is currently being investigated; three reported thefts (garden equipment, a mountain bike and a wheelie bin); one housebreaking.

(iii) Speed checks have been carried out on Hillbrae Way by the traffic police, resulting in a number of drivers being issued with conditional fixed penalty notices for driving at excessive speed. In addition there have been two reports of hit and run vehicle collisions.

(iv) PC Milne advised on a card skimming device which has been uncovered in Grampian. There have been no reports locally of such incidents but any suspicious activity at cashpoint machines should be reported to the police.

(v) The monthly police surgery which is held in the school on the fourth Thursday of the month immediately before NMCC meetings is continuing.

Robbie Ingram advised NMCC of a new community awareness initiative which he is planning to set up in light of the recent crime at Elrick House. Grampian Police are supporting this initiative and will actively encourage people to become more aware of any suspicious activity. There will be a public meeting at the end of September to advise people of the project and further details will be available in the next edition of the Newmachar News. NMCC fully supports the efforts being taken by Mr Ingram.

1122 Local Development Plan

A summary of the issues raised at the Public Meeting on 23 August were circulated. It was well attended (around 100 people were present) and it was reported that there was a general feeling of acceptance that the proposed developments would go ahead, regardless of the opinion of residents. There were various points of concern raised which will be put forward when NMCC makes representation to AC. Details of this representation will be finalised at the September meeting of the NMCC, the deadline for submission is 1 October 2010. As a way forward, it was agreed to prioritise the items on the Supplementary Guidance, and that positive as well as negative responses should be included.

1123 Youth Project & Youth Cabin

(i) As a result of the article in the Newmachar News, MT reported that he had received enquiries from four possible users. Due to ongoing vandalism, Annette Holland estimated that the cost to upgrade the portacabin to an acceptable standard of repair is now in the region of £15,000. NMCC was unable to justify this outlay in the current financial climate and reluctantly made the decision that there is no further use for the building in Newmachar. The council will be asked to remove the building at the lowest cost possible.

(ii) Annette Holland advised NMCC of the intention by the Community Learning Department to undertake a Needs Assessment within the village to find out what is required by all age groups within the community.

1124 Visit of Mr Alistair Mair

There has been no update on the proposed visit to Newmachar by Mr Mair (see Minute 1117/1092).

1125 Aberdeenshire Council Matters

(i) The new bus service linking Kingseat to the village commenced on 16 August 2010. It is operated by Bains, on contract to AC. The timetable can be found on AC’s website (service number 404). Usage will be monitored over the coming months.

(ii) The upgrade to the Kinmundy crossroads is imminent. The whole junction area is to be revamped, alerting drivers of potential dangers.

1126 Planning Issues

(i) Swailend Nurseries have applied for planning permission to build a house at Swailend and also a steading conversion at Whiterashes.

(ii) An appeal lodged by CMB Autos to the local review body has been refused. A second separate application has also been refused.

1127 Newsletter Team

A request to purchase two memory sticks costing £45.98 was approved.

1128 Correspondence

The following items of correspondence were noted:

(i) Advice of A947 road closure at Kinmundy crossroads due to upgrade of junction.

(ii) Questionnaire from Grampian Community Council – MT to complete on behalf of NMCC.

(iii) Receipt of admin grant from AC (£801.98).

(iv) Aberdeen Community Planning Partnership – Garioch Community Plan 2010-14.

(v) Advice re building of new bus shelter at northbound bus stop at Corseduick Road.

(vi) Correspondence regarding a new pharmacy in Tarves & Pitmedden.

(vii) Bus Forum Meeting, 13 September – PY to attend.

(viii) Newsletter from the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland.

(ix) Summary of outstanding planning gain allocations:

H & SW Affordable Housing - £3100

ELL Education - £242,856

ELL Library - £9,823

ELL Art - £92

T&I Roads/PTU - £67,582

1129 AOB

RB reminded NMCC of the AGM (see Minute 1043) which will be held before the next meeting of the NMCC on 23 September and that there will be a requirement for a Chairman’s Report and a Financial Report, followed by the election of officers.