NMCC 2009-2010 (1131-1139)

 

PARISH OF NEW MACHAR COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held on

Thursday 23 September 2010

 

Members:

 

Mr Mike Taylor (Chair & Sec) [MT]                    Mr Alexander Buchan (Planning) [AB]

Mrs Fiona Duncan (Treasurer) [FD]                   Mr Martin Morley [MM]

Prof Roy Bridges [RB]                                       Mrs Pamela Young [PY]

Mr Gordon Murray [GM]                                    Mr Robert Loughridge [RL]

Mr Graham Geddes [GrG]

 

Clerk to the Community Council:  Mrs Linda Rendall

 

In attendance ex officio:  Councillor Martin Ford [CllrMF], Councillor Fergus Hood [CllrFH],

Abbreviations: AC = Aberdeenshire Council; NMCC = Newmachar Community Council

 

Apologies were recorded for:  Mike Taylor, Robert Loughridge, Cllr Nan Cullinane, PC Peter Milne

 

In attendance as visitors:  Annette Holland (AC), Mrs R Thompson

 

In the absence of the Chairman, RB took the chair.

 

Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting on 26 August were accepted with the following amendments:

Minute 1121 (vi) Add: GG reported concerns had been raised to him about the profile of individuals being allocated council houses, particularly in the Greens Road area of Newmachar.  The councillors pointed out that AC cannot discriminate against any one individual and have to follow a points based system based on need.  The concern of NMCC was recorded.

Minute 1122, third line, delete ‘regardless of the opinion of residents’.  Insert ‘Constructive engagement in the planning process seems more likely to be productive than simple opposition’.

Minute 1126 (i), after ‘Swailend’ insert full stop, then ‘There is also….’

 

Matters arising not on the Agenda

Wildlife Friendly Space - Mrs Thompson updated NMCC on progress made and advised that a constituted group has now been formed called ‘Wildlife in Newmachar’.  They have received donations from local companies and NMCC advised Mrs Thompson to apply for additional funding from the Area top up budget, and to ensure that she noted on the application form that there is support from NMCC for the venture.  She was urged to contact Ian Fowell (AC) to clarify the situation regarding public liability insurance as it is unlikely that she will have cover, given the new status of the group.  She was advised to seek quotes for insurance to present to the next meeting of NMCC.  Concern was expressed about dog fouling along the Wildlife Friendly Space and signs will be displayed along the pathway requesting dog owners to clear up after their pets.  An initiative by Udny Station to reduce the effects of dog fouling was mentioned and will be explored further.

           

1131    Police Matters

            PC Milne submitted a report which was read by RB.

            (i) There has been one reported minor Breach of the Peace, one reported assault and no reported incidents of vandalism.

            (ii) A report of flytipping was receiving regarding individuals depositing rubbish at Newmachar Quarry.  Enquiries are continuing and it is anticipated that a male will be reported for this offence.

            (iii) Traffic police are continuing their vigilance at Hillbrae Way.

            (iv) There is no new information to report regarding the incident at Elrick House but it is hoped that an appeal through the media by Mr Ingram’s family will generate further lines of enquiry.

 

 

 

1132    Visit of Mr Alistair Mair (see Minute 1117/1092/1124)

            The visit of Mr Mair will take place on 2 November.  Members of NMCC, together with the councillors, are invited to meet with Mr Mair (and other ex pupils from the 1940s) at 12 noon for a light lunch.  The party will then be shown round the school at 2 pm.  RB and AB to finalise arrangements.  It was agreed that NMCC would fund the lunch.

 

1133    Local Development Plan

            (i) The Garioch Area Forum of Community Councils had made a series of submissions on the LDP and the accompanying Supplementary Guidance.  These were noted by NMCC and generally approved.

            (ii) MT had prepared a memorandum outlining NMCC’s position in relation to the LDP in the light of its earlier discussions and the views expressed at the public meeting in August.  The Memorandum was approved and RB was asked to prepare a formal detailed submission to AC in the light of the memorandum before the closing date.  It was agreed that the submission should include an extra item on the undesirability of allowing business units to spoil the amenity values of nearby houses in mixed developments like Newmachar’s M1. AB, GG and MM agreed to review RB’s draft submission.

            (iii) NMCC also noted a submission on the LDP received from RL.  There was a unanimous feeling that the views expressed by RL were not consistent with the attitudes that NMCC had been developing.  NMCC believe RL would be best advised to make an individual submission to AC.

 

1134    Aberdeenshire Council Matters

            (i) Work on the Kinmundy Crossroads has now been completed.

            (ii) Work has commenced on the 2011/12 budget in an attempt to identify areas where savings can be made.

            (iii)  Ian Fowell (AC) has been advised that the portacabin is to be removed by the cheapest possible means. 

 

 

1135    Planning Issues

            (i) Crossroads Filling Station (5 flats).  A new application has been received with design changes.  No concern was expressed by NMCC.

            (ii) The appeal by Chalmers was passed (2 flats and a retail unit).

            (iii) MM raised a query about parking at the east end of Disblair Road and the lack of yellow lines despite notification to residents last year to that effect.  The councillors will look into this.

            (iv) RB reported that concern has been raised by some local residents about the possible extension of sand and gravel quarrying at Little Goval.

 

1136    Tipping Rubbish

            This item was carried forward to the next meeting.

 

1137    Routing of Stagecoach 325/305

            PY reported that at the Garioch Area Bus Forum it was agreed that the 325 would revert to its original route through Woodside and that the 305 would continue to be routed via Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.  NMCC agreed that this was a good compromise.

 

1138    Correspondence

            A letter had been received from AC regarding the closure of B977 between Place of Goval and Parkhill, from 27 September 2010 for one week.

 

1139    AOB

            (i) Annette Holland is working on the Needs Assessment questionnaire to find out what is required by all ages within the community.

(ii) GG reported that the Lotteries Grant has now reopened and ‘Investing in Communities’ is available.  There will be £400 million available within Scotland until 2015.

 

Date of Next Meeting

            The Extraordinary General Meeting (see Minute 1130 (d)) and regular meeting will be held on Thursday 28 October 2010.