NMCC 2006-2007 (731-740 )

 

PARISH OF NEW MACHAR COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held on

Thursday, 26th October 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]     Mr Martin Morley, JP                   [MM]

Prof Roy Bridges             (Minute Sec.)   [RB]     Mrs Pamela Young                        [PY]

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 Loughridge; Prof Bridges and Sean Bate (Evening Express)

 

In attendance as visitor(s):

 

Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting of 28th September 2006 were accepted as a correct record subject to the correction of the list of visitors to read Sean Bate, not Sean Murray.

 

731.     Village Notice Board (See Minute 716)

It was agreed that no new regulations were required; the ban on commercial usage was reiterated.

 

732.     Flights over the Village (See Minute 720)

MT reported that he had received a letter confirming that aircraft were required to fly over settlements at a certain height unless the captain judged lower flight necessary.

 

733.     Children on Bicycles (See Minute 721)

MM reported that Shell had no reflective bands left.  FH had an article on safety which emphasised ‘be seen, be safe’ and promised to carry the matter further.

 

734.     Aberdeenshire Local Plan (See Minute 722 and R Loughridge to Mrs Radcliffe, Ref NR/CO85/06/js)

            The correspondence was noted and NMCC’s policy confirmed.

 

735.     Flower Baskets and Tubs (See Minute 725)

            GM is investigating new equipment.  Tony Anderson was spoken of as a possible organiser of watering.

 

736.     Community Hall (See Minute 726)

            GM reported that over 50% of the costs of the new hall have to be raised before a ‘Community Fund’ grant can be sought.    That target could be reached in the second quarter of 2007.  A Casino Night is planned for March 2007.

 

737.     Youth Project (see Minute 727)

CllrF reported that problems over disabled access were still delaying the opening of the Centre.  FH promised to investigate the problem.

 

738.     Traffic and Related Problems (see Minute 714)

(i) FH reported that all the road repairs he had asked for were now complete except for yellow lines in Station Road.

(ii) Residents near Somerfield’s Shop reported instances of abuse and unpleasantness if they asked customers not to park so as to block their driveways.

(iii) Motorbikes sometimes use the railway line to the danger of other users; is this allowed?

 

739.     Christmas Lights (see Minute 715)

FH reported that new sockets were being arranged and that Scotia would instal the decorations c. 25th November. Certification of the existing lights was required

 

740.     Aberdeenshire Council Matters

(i) CllrF reported that single status pay for AC employees would be in place by the end of the year but this did make budget problems greater.

(ii) The new refuse collection arrangements were still throwing up some problems, especially in the Kingseat area.

(iii) CllrF replied to a question by saying that the former Director of Education had left his post by mutual consent.

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2030.

 

The next meeting was agreed for 23rd November 2006