NMCC
2009-2010 (1062-1070)
Thursday,
26th November 2009
Members:
Mr Mike
Taylor ( Chair &Sec) [MT]
Mr Alexander Buchan (Planning) [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]
Mr Graham
Geddes
[GrG]
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: Messrs Mike Taylor, Robert Loughridge, Graham Geddes
and Gordon Murray plus PC David Calvert and Annette Holland.
In attendance as visitor(s):
(The chair was
taken by Roy Bridges in the absence of the elected Chairman)
Minutes
The
Minutes of the meeting of 29th October 2009 were accepted as a
correct record subject to the
amendment of Minute 1058 line 5 so that it read: ’…for the repairs to go
ahead…’
1062. Police Matters (See
Minute 1055)
(i) The
Newsletter would give publicity to the proposed Police ‘surgery’.
(ii)
David Calvert had submitted a report which referred to two car break-ins for
which it had not been possible
to find the perpetrators; a detected assault plus a house break-in, a nuisance call and a case of vandalism which
were the subject of continuing enquiries.
There were also some road
traffic accidents because of bad weather.
That there was only one youth
annoyance problem and it is hoped that this bodes well for the future.
(iii)
PC Calvert also reported that as he was moving to a new department, he would no
longer be Newmachar’s community
policeman. His role would be taken over
by PC Lawson.
(iv)
NMCC expressed its gratitude to David Calvert for the interest he had taken in Newmachar and his contributions to the
community, not least in relation to youth contacts.
1063. Traffic Matters
(i) It was reported that new road
markings would be in place at Swailend and at the turning for Goval.
(ii) The Scottish Government’s decision
on the AWPR and the results of the Public Enquiry to which NMCC had submitted evidence were
expected before the end of this year.
1064. Dyce Leisure Centre (See Minute
1056)
(i) MM reported that GrG had been
in touch with the organisers chiefly with a view to seeking information on how they intended to raise the £16m they
needed.
(ii) MM expressed his own view that
the existence of this project so near to Newmachar could well make the task of those working for the Community Hall
more difficult.
1065. Christmas Lights
(i) CllrFH said that this year’s
lights would go up on 5th December.
When they come down, his interim
plan was to store them at his Garage premises.
(ii) It was reported that the
Balmedie group had decide not to purchase Newmachar’s old decorations as they were considered to
be too heavy.
1066. Clerkship to Community Council (See Minute 1043
(iv)
A sub-committee consisting of PY,
FD and RB was set up to carry this matter forward by contacting possible nominees and devising terms for a
trial period appointment. It was accepted that the cost of any appointment
should amount to no more than the administration
grant.
1067. Community Hall (See Minute
1057)
(i) MM reported that he and GG
had consulted with the Area Manager. A
letter from AC’s Property Department
promising a lease of the required land for 25 years had been received. Mr Fowell considered that the
Hall plans could be fitted into the LDP.
However, if wider plans for the re-design of the
village centre were to come to pass, the site might have to be changed together with that of the School to allow a
shopping centre to be built.
(ii) The major task for 2010 would
be to look for grants, especially from the Sports Council which matched funds to the capacity measured
in badminton courts. If AC and the NHS Trust were to use the Hall, they might
provide some finance. If things went
well, a Hall could be in place
in 2012. A company would need to be set
up to manage the Hall which would cost
about £75k per annum to run.
1068. Youth Project/After School Club (See Minute
1058)
The three AC councillors reported
that they were supporting the After School Club idea.
1069. Aberdeenshire Council Matters
(i) AC’s auditors had reported favourably on
financial governance and signed off the accounts
although they had flagged up some issues for attention.
(ii) The Budget for 2010-11 would be
the subject of a meeting with the Scottish Government
on 9th December. £434m would
be received plus c. £150m in Council Tax. Problems
were likely to arise in later years as savings of £60m were being demanded; it seemed doubtful that these could be
achieved without cuts in services. In
the view of the councillors, there
remained a problem of comparability with Central Belt authorities.
(iii) Efforts have been made to
clean out ditches and gullies to alleviate possible flooding problems. The number to ring for sandbags is 0845 608 1205. In dire emergencies the Police may be contacted on 0845 600
5700. There were reports of drainage problems on the old railway line.
(iv) The path link to Kingseat will
be completed by Christmas and bollards put at either end. But the bus
service remains to be instituted because a mistake over the alignment of a sewer means
1070. Planning Matters
AB reported that there were no new
applications needing attention. The
Chalmers Bakery application was
now the subject of an appeal following AC’s rejection of the plans because parking arrangements were considered
inadequate.
There
being no further business the meeting closed at 2102.
The next meeting
will be on Thursday 28th January 2010.