NMCC
2006-2007 (714-730)
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: Inspector
Pratt
In attendance as visitor(s): Mrs Judith MacSween & Mrs June Patterson
representing the Garden Club; Mr Sean Murray of the Evening Express.
Minutes
The
Minutes of the meeting of
714. Traffic Matters etc
(See Minute 702)
(i)
FH reported that the repairs were going ahead both in the village and on the
main road to the south.
(ii)
CllrF said that speed-activated signs do have an effect but other members
thought that many vehicles still drove at excessive speed through the village
and that not a few showed a reluctance to stop at the pedestrian crossing; more
traffic calming measures were needed for the main road.
(iii)
RL said he had received a complaint about vehicles driving too fast on
(iv)
AB said that while he appreciated that roads must be closed for repairs, he did
not see why they were closed for 24 hours when work went on for only six.
(v)
Correspondence from Mr Richard Page asking for changes to be made in the road
markings at the Parkhill junction was noted; it was reported that AC was
undertaking the changes.
715. Christmas Lights
(See Minute 700)
FH
said that a current of 700 watts was required for the new decorations. Hence they could be installed only on every
other lamppost or the system would fuse.
Sockets were to be installed on the new lampposts outside Somerfield’s
Shop.
716. Village Notice Board
FH
reported that he had now been able to get the lock replaced and new keys
cut. As some unauthorised notices had
appeared in recent months, he suggested that new regulations be drawn up and
set out in the next issue of the Newsletter.
717.
Retiral of Mrs Bruce (See
Minute 705 i)
MT
reported that Mrs Bruce had asked for the charitable donation in her name to go
to the Hall Fund.
718. Audited Accounts for 2005-6
FD
presented the audited accounts for the Community Council’s financial operations
(copies attached to the principal copy of these minutes). Both accounts showed healthy balances and
thanks were recorded to Mrs Duncan for her careful and efficient management of
the finances. On the motion of PY,
seconded by MM, the accounts were adopted.
719. Website (see Minute 706)
(i)
It was agreed that, for the time being, the NMCC website should remain
basically as it was with the minutes of the monthly meetings being regularly
brought up to date.
(ii)
As the Community Hall campaign got fully underway, information on its progress
could also be regularly added.
(iii)
The website and any connected problems of the kind which had arisen in the past
would be kept in review.
720. Flights over the Village (See
Minute 711)
The
problems previously mentioned were unabated and MT would now write to NATS
having obtained the address.
721. Children on Bicycles
(See Minute 712)
(i)CllrF
reported that Cycling Proficiency classes continued to be held regularly in
(ii)
FH undertook to consult Inspector Pratt on the problem while MM promised to
investigate whether the Shell Oil Company’s reflective bands produced for a
campaign on children’s safety were still available.
722. Aberdeenshire Local Plan (See
Minutes 697 ii and 710)
RL
reported that Mrs Radcliffe had received a constructive reply from the Scottish
Executive in response to her taking up the complaints and questions raised by
NMCC. In summary:
(i)
Rule changes were imminent which would have the effect of inhibiting Reporters
from identifying new sites for development in the way that this had happened in
Newmachar although it is not clear whether the rule changes cover relatively
small developments.
(ii)
The Scottish Executive intend that when the present Planning Bill becomes an
Act, community councils will become statutory consultees. If this does happen,
a community council would be alerted if there were a preparatory S.E.A.
(iii)
NMCC had been most concerned about the fact that supporters of a local plan had
no standing at all in reporters’ enquiries.
Mrs Radcliffe had been told that although objections would continue the
main focus of enquiries, some account would be taken of statements of support;
the Executive recognised that public support for a plan must not be undermined.
It
was agreed that RL should write a further letter to Mrs Radcliffe welcoming the
indications which she had received but emphasising that NMCC believed that
community councils must definitely become statutory consultees and pointing out
that Newmachar had suffered because of the way the Reporter acted over the
glebe field issue.
There
was some debate over whether the Executive should be advised to make road
safety a factor in planning procedures.
723. Unadopted Amenity Areas (See
Minute 708)
FH
reported his continuing but unavailing efforts to get in touch with the
Scottish Green Belt Company. CllrF
reported that AC has taken over
724. Maintenance of War Memorial (See
Minute 709 iv)
CllrF
reported that AC would prune back the vegetation again. The object would be to keep the vegetation at
a permanently low level.
725. Flower Baskets and Tubs (See
Minute 694)
(i)
Following an explanation from the Garden Club representatives of the
difficulties of getting together a team to plant up the baskets, NMCC agreed to
pay for this task to be undertaken by Swailend Nursery.
(ii)
The major problem of watering the baskets remained. The example of Old Meldrum with its much
better equipment was cited. It was
agreed to ask for a notice to be put in the Newsletter inviting (a) volunteers
to take part in watering and (b) sponsors for a new watering system. A notice could also go in the Evening Express in the Spring. GM agreed to investigate the availability and
cost of a new pump and wand etc.
(iii)
The Garden Club would continue to arrange the care of the boxes using plants
provided by AC and they would liaise with Swailend Nursery over the baskets.
726. Community Hall Campaign (See Minute
704)
(i)
GM reported that the Craft Fair had produced £400, more money was due from the
Golf Club and other activities were being planned.
(ii)
FH suggested ‘founder memberships’ for £500;
a ‘buy a brick’ campaign; sponsored walks and a ‘fun-run’ as possible
means of raising money.
(iii)
CllrF said that AC could now be formally asked whether planning gain money is
available for the campaign. The money is
definitely in a special AC account gaining interest. RL said that something should be put in
writing now.
727. Youth Project (See
Minute 703
There
had been a slight delay caused by the need to ensure wheelchair access to the
Drop-in Centre but progress remains good and full usage imminent.
728. Garioch Forum (See Minute
707)
FH
said that it had proved impossible for him to attend the 7th September
meeting in place of RB who was absent in New York. However, it was agreed that both he and RB
would try to attend the special meeting being organised for community
councillors in the Garioch Area on the next Strategic Land Use Plan for
729. Aberdeenshire Council Business
CllrF
reported that budget pressures are intense especially because of steep
increases in enegy and fuel bills; it will be impossible to cover the overspend
on Social Work. AC usually underspent
its budget by about 1% or 2% but there would be at least a paper overspend on
2005-6.
730. Correspondence
Various
matters were reported of which those of chief interest were details of the
‘Green Butterfly’ awards for schemes to benefit the environment communicated by
Mrs Gina Ford and news that a major sewer was being installed for the Kingseat
development.
There being no further business, the
meeting was closed at 2120.
The
next meeting was agreed for Thursday, October 26th