NMCC 2008-2009 (969-979)

 

PARISH OF NEW MACHAR COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held on

Thursday, 15th January 2009

 

Members:

 

Mr Mike Taylor  ( Chair 2008-9 &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: Cllr Cullinane, PC David Calvert, Mr Gordon Murray, Ms Lyn Lockhart

 

In attendance as visitor(s): Ms Annette Holland (Aberdeenshire Council)

 

Minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 15th December 2008 were accepted as a correct record         subject of the correction of Minute 964 to refer not to ‘Craig Cook’ but Ali Parker.

 

969.     Printing of Newmachar News

            PY reported that a revised estimate of £929.00 had been received from McKenzie Print for          the next issue.  The estimate was accepted.

 

970.     Quarrying at Greendams

            It was reported that quarrying for gravel at Greendams had re-commenced.  CllrFH agreed          to investigate whether Planning Gain or any other compensatory funds might be available.

 

971.     Youth Project (See Minute 961)

            Annette Holland reported her efforts to obtain change of use permission so that the       Portacabin could be used for the After-School Club and the Holiday Club.  On the other      hand, difficulties over the electricity supply remained since arrangements with the suppliers             had to be made by AC electricians.  Annette was thanked for all her efforts. NMCC             believed that to have some use for the facility was better than none even if the youth ‘drop-         in’ function was yet to operate.

 

972.     Notice Board (See Minute 964)

            PY reported that Ali Parker has been away but has ideas on how to tackle the necessary   work.  Meanwhile, she had had extra keys cut.

973.     Election Arrangements (See Minute 965)

            MT reported that he had now been inn touch with the Area Manager who had agreed to            act once more as Returning Officer.  It was agreed that nomination forms and instructions           about nomination procedure should appear in the Spring issue of Newmachar News.  The       Editor had agreed to bring forward the usual publication date for the Summer issue so that    the actual election date in late June could be announced.  Polling would be between 3 p.m.       and 7 p.m.

 

974.     Website

            Mr David Lee’s offer to take an active role in organising NMCC’s website was received    with thanks but as there was an incumbent webmaster, it was thought not possible to            accept the offer.  However, any helpful publicity for the Council, e.g. over elections, which         Dave Lee might be able to give on his own websites would be welcomed.  MT undertook to    write accordingly.

 

975.     Local Development Plan (See Minutes 966 i, ii, & 967)

            The plans for development projects as lodged by January 2009 were briefly         reviewed and it was agreed to point out to AC that it would be wrong to allow any more     houses to be built in or around the village until (a) better community facilities were          available; (b) the problems of danger and congestion on the A947 where it ran through the             village had been alleviated; and (c) more local employment opportunities had become     available.  MT would write accordingly.

 

976.     Aberdeenshire Council Matters

            (i) The appointment of Mr Colin McKenzie as the new Chief Executive was noted.

            (ii) CllrFH reported that he had been appointed to the Police Board towards which AC             pays £19m  per annum. A new Police headquarters was adumbrated for 2010-11.

            (iii) The Kingseat bus service could not begin until the developers had made the roads     usable.

            (iv) The path to Kingseat will be opened when 55% of the houses are completed.

 

977.     Correspondence

            New proposals for improving the work of the Garioch Forum had been received; these    would be discussed at the next meeting.

 

978.     Planning Matters

            It was reported that the newly-erected notice board at the southern end of the village which        advertised Newmachar Football Club matches had not received planning permission and    would have to be taken down.  Its position hindered grass cutting.

 

979.     Christmas Lights

            CllrFH said he would investigate whether Scotia Ltd might agree to store the Christmas             lights so saving NMCC £27.56 per month currently being paid to AC for a lock-up garage.

 

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2130.

 

The next meeting will be on Thursday 26th February 2009.