NMCC 2006 (653 666)

 

PARISH OF NEW MACHAR COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held on

Thursday, 23rd March 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]     Vacant post

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 Mike Taylor; Mr Graham Geddes; Mr Gordon Murray; Mr R Loughridge

 

In attendance as visitor(s): Mr Sean Bate of the Evening Express

 

Minutes

      The Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd February 2006 were approved as correct subject to the amendment of (i) Minute 647 to read: ‘ CllrF reported that the Grooup had received £1000 from the Police and £2600 from AC this latter sum comprising £1000 to meet the cost of a youth worker’s continuing to attend at the village for one night a week for a further year and £1600 to repay a loan taken out by NYPD to cover the costs of furbishing the centre.

                            (ii) Minute 652 to refer to £6.50 per week rather than per month.

 

653.     Police Matters

FH reported some further unpleasant incidents in the village including an unprovoked attack on an innocent victim.  A youth had been apprehended and FH expressed the hope that, if found guilty, the offender would receive a heavy sentence sufficient to deter him and any other Newmachar inhabitants from behaving likewise.

 

654.     The Website (See Minute 641)

RB reported that no doubt because of nuptial distractions, the webmaster had apparently not yet been able to put the new material provided onto the website nor advertise the forthcoming Community Council election.

 

655.     Community Council Elections  (See Minute 644)

RB reported that all the arrangements were ready for nominations to be received and to be forwarded to the Returning Officer.

 

656.     Garioch Forum Business

      (i) The report on the Forum’s business of 16th March was noted.

ii) Some discussion took place on the question which had been raised at the Forum of whether community councils in the Garioch Area should have the right to attend AC Area Committee meetings as non-voting members as seemed to be the case in Formartine.   CllrF confirmed the answer given to the Forum – that AC aimed to produce a uniform policy on this matter for the whole of Aberdeenshire and it seemed unlikely that the Formartine practice would be extended elsewhere or remain in place there.  There were held to be difficulties over fairness, especially on planning matters when various individuals and groups would wish to have speaking rights.  Anyone could of course attend meetings as an observer.

 

657.     Flower Baskets (See Minute 645)

FH reported he had been in contact with AC’s Mr Rendall over the siting of NMCC’s projected post for flower baskets and would also consult Mr Robert Rose who was offering support for certain horticultural projects.  The meeting approved the suggestion that if it proved practicable, a socket for the flower basket post should be used at Christmas time for a Christmas tree.  A project grant would be applied for.

 

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

(i) RB reported that he had responded to MSP Mr Davidson’s request for information on NMCC’s views on the Executive’s paper by sending him the Forum’s submission plus some particular points about Newmachar.  Mr Davidson had acknowledged the information. 

      (ii) RB was thanked for his work on formulating the Forum’s response

 

659.     Aberdeen Airport Master Plan

      (i) The summary of the Masterplan was noted.  Its contents were generally approved.

(ii) It was agreed to send in a submission drawing attention to the possible problems which could arise  at the northern end of the airport when the northern leg of the Western Peripheral Route is built; there were implications for the efficiency and safety of the instrument landing system.

660.     Youth Project  (See Minute 647 as amended, above)

      It was believed that work on decorating and furbishing the centre was proceeding.  FH promised to visit the centre.

 

661.     Village Hall Project  (See Minute 648)

      (i) FH conveyed a message from GraG indicating that a public meeting had been held at which the proposed Constitution for the ‘Newmachar Community Hall Association’ had been approved.  The meeting had also elected a Committee.

      (ii) The Constitution had now been sent to the Charities Commission for approval.

      (iii) The Golf Day in aid of funds arranged for July was now fully booked.

 

662.     First Responder Scheme  (See Minute 649)

      MT reported via FH that the necessary equipment had now been received and that the team would try to get itself ‘bedded in’ for a month before any official launch of its services.  Its own vehicle would be desirable but queries were raised about insurance for both the vehicle and its drivers. 

 

 

 

663.     AC Waste Strategy

      (i) NMCC noted that 29th May would be the start day for the new scheme in the Newmachar  area.

      (ii) It was agreed to invite Elaine Sinclair or one of her colleagues to the next meeting of NMCC to explain the details of the new arrangements.

      (iii) FH undertook to examine the Scottish executive paper which explained the overall waste strategy.

 

664.     AC Elections 2007

      CllrF reported that a great deal of planning is taking place in anticipation of the new arrangements for the 2007 Local Authority elections.  For example, training for councillors would be provided in respect of certain matters.

 

665.     Planning Issues  (See Minute 642)

      (i) AB drew attention to the proceedings of the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association’s concern over the question of developers’ needs to acquire land for new housing schemes.  There was controversy, for example, about whether Aberdeenshire was providing enough land.  CllrF said that AC believed it had provided an adequate five-year supply of land although he acknowledged that some developers held that the amount was not adequate.

      (ii) In this context, continuing unhappiness was expressed about the Reporter’s decision to put more land west of the War Memorial into the official village area and so make that land available for housing.  NMCC continued to believe that AC should have contested the decision.

 

666.     Correspondence

      A Scottish Executive  discussion paper on Ageing in Scotland had been received; it was agreed to pass it on to the Thursday Club for comment if they so chose.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was declared closed at 2130

 

The date of the next meeting was agreed as 27th April 2006