NMCC 2006 (640-652 )

 

PARISH OF NEW MACHAR COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held on

Thursday 23rd February 2006

 

Members:

 

Mr Fergus Hood                 (Chairman) [FH]     Mr Alexander Buchan                   [AB]

Mr Mike Taylor                   (Secretary)  [MT]     Mr Robert Loughridge                  [RL]

Mrs Fiona Duncan               (Treasurer) [FD]     [Position vacant]

Prof Roy Bridges            (Minute Sec.)  [RB]      Mr Graham Geddes                   [GraG]

Mr Gordon Murray                               [GM]

 

In attendance ex officio:  Councillor Dr Martin Ford [CllrF]

 

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

 

Apologies were recorded for: Mr Gordon Murray

 

In attendance as visitor(s): Mr Sean Bate, Reporter, Evening Express

 

Minutes

      The Minutes of the meeting held on 26th January 2006 were accepted as a correct record subject to the removal of the name of Mrs Lee from the list of those present and the amendment of Minute 633 ii, line 2 to read; ‘CllrF reported that money would be available from the Bakersfield development without limit of time but that other Planning Gain grants would be subject to the usual restrictions.’

 

640      .           Police Matters

FH reported that there had been break-ins at some isolated properties including Highlands Farm

 

641.     The Council Website (See Minute 623)

(i) RB explained that the site had temporarily been restored to its former condition but he would ask David Jolly to install the new material as soon as possible.

(ii) The suggestion that descriptive data on clubs and societies be put on the site was approved; a request for data would be included in the next issue of Newmachar News.

 

642      Aberdeenshire Local Plan  (See Minute 629)

(i) CllrF set out the procedure by which the AC Infrastructure and Services Committee had proceeded in reviewing objections, including Newmachar’s,  to Reporters’ alterations.  He had pointed out to the Committee that NMCC’s objection encompassed the views of eighteen local residents before withdrawing himself as an interested party.   He pointed out further that nothing could happen on the site until planning permission for buildings had been granted and it would be open to NMCC to oppose this on the grounds of the transport and drainage issues they had raised in their letter of objection.

(ii) After some debate, NMCC recorded its opinion that its views should have been sought at an earlier stage in the process of appeals against the ALP and that the current decision was wrong in principle and unfortunate in its effects on local confidence in AC.  A statement to this effect was authorised to appear in the newsletter.

 

643.     Community Planning (See Minute 625)

CllrF said that community councils would be represented at Area level in Community Planning arrangements by the Chairman of the Forum.

 

644.     NMCC Election 2006 (See Minute 635)

RB reported the arrangements he had made with the Returning Officer, Mr Ian Fowell, for the receipt of nominations by 9th April and an election on 4th May.  These were approved.

 

645.     Flower Baskets (See Minute 627)

FH reported that Mr R Ross had again generously agreed to make and donate a post for three or four baskets.  The post would be sited near the crossroads.  FH promised to liaise with Mr Ian Rendall of AC’s Traffic Department over the precise position.

 

646.     Scottish Executive Discussion Paper on Community Councils (See Minute 630)

            (i) The Garioch Forum response was approved as encapsulating NMCC’s views.

(ii) RB was empowered to provide a copy of the response together with appropriate remarks to Mr David Davidson MSP who had asked for NMCC’s view on the Paper.

 

647.     Youth Project (See Minute 632)

CllrF reported that the group had applied for £2700 to help meet the costs of furbishing the portacabin.  The Police and AC had each given £1000.  In addition, an AC youth worker would continue to come to the village one night a week for another year.

 

648.     Village Hall Project (See Minute 633)

GraG explained that a constitution had been drafted and would be made viewable in the Hall an the Library prior to the public meeting called for 28th February to set up a new organisation for the project.

 

649.     First Responder Scheme (See Minute 634)

MT reported that the group was still awaiting equipment; he hoped their enthusiasm and commitment would not wane as a result of the delay.

 

 

 

650.     New Notice Board (See Minute 636)

GraG said that one quotation for erecting a second notice board, to be sited outside the Hall, had been received.  There was a possibility of a donation of the facility.

 

651.     Aberdeenshire Council Matters

CllrF reported that AC’s Budget had been set.   It was much affected by the implementation of the ‘fair pay’ policy the cost of which for AC will be £12.168m.  Hence the 4½% increase in the level of Council Tax.

 

652.     Garage Rent

            NMCC was now, it was reported, paying £6.50 per mensem for its lock-up garage.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was declared closed at 2140

 

The date of the next meeting was agreed as 23rd March 2006