Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 21 October 2002 at 7.30pm in Maryculter Community Hall.

	Agenda
	Present
	Apologies
	Absent
	Minutes
	Next Meetings

Apologies

	Philip Smart
	Robert Keeler
	Avril Tulloch
	Kate Kleppang
	Fiona Culbert

1.

MINUTES of the meeting of 16th September were approved with no amendments.

2. Matters Arising

Rural Schools Closure

Sandy Wallace reported on a meeting he had attended with Hamish Vernal along with representatives of Netherley School and NKRCC (no representative from Maryculter school had been available for the meeting). Based on the results of the consultation it is clear that the Banchory Devenick school parents and others in Banchory Devenick are definitely opposed to a three-school merger and there was not thought to be any will from the Council officials to impose such a merger. The option of a two-school merger involving Netherley and Maryculter schools is considered to be acceptable to the Council unless it is shown to be opposed by a substantial portion of the communities affected. There was however concern expressed about the impact of further discussions regarding this option on the approval of the overall "bid". As such, there would be limited for consultation on the option of a two-school merger or any change from of site. Given opinions expressed so far, it was now unlikely that there would be any change to the proposed site.
It was considered that it would be beneficial for the NKRCC to solicit opinions directly from the parents of children at Maryculter school so that these views could be taken into account in the ongoing discussions of a two-school merger.

Website

Kevin confirmed that this was up to date.

Roads

No update was available regarding the Council's ongoing study.

Kincardine and Mearns Community Council Forum

No report was available due to the absence of Kate - to be covered at next meeting.

3. Planning

Area Local Plan (ALP)

Rob reported that he had submitted several objections on behalf of NKRCC regarding
the draft plan by the deadline of 11th October 2002. These had included points relating to the
conditions required for developments such as that currently proposed for Blairs (which were
considered too loose), conversions of steadings (which were in the main considered too restrictive)
and the suggested inclusion of Cookney in the plan as a Rural Service Centre (new name
for Settlement). The Councillors present endorsed these comments. Comments regarding
promoting renewable energy were also submitted. It was reported that the Aberdeen Press
and Journal had carried an article that day in which RES had indicated their intention to
resubmit the proposal for a wind farm in the Netherley/Cookney area in January 2003.
Finally it was noted that ALP now indicated a preferred route for the southerly leg of the
proposed Western Peripheral Route.

Golf driving range

This application is scheduled to go before the committee on 5 November. Rob reported on a meeting he had attended with "Green Link" (a Cults-based community group opposed to the driving range) at which he was advised that they had retained John Agnew to speak for them at the forthcoming committee meeting. They considered that the development should be refused on a number of grounds. Rob also reported that the Rights of Way Society had declined to provide funds for a review by a QC of the documents regarding the long-standing right of way issues. It was agreed that NKRCC should send the further letter of objection which Rob read to the meeting updating our objections to include the provisions of the new ALP.

Proposed Organic Farm

The second application (retrospective) for siting of caravans is not listed for review at the next committee meeting - Alan agreed to investigate the reasons for the delay.

Blairs

Not listed for discussion at November meeting but expected to be considered before the end of the year.

Forestry Design Plan

Rob reported he had been unable to meet Phillipa from the Forestry Commission as she was off work, but was due to meet Jim Sneaton on 17th September.

Dog Agility

Permission for Dog Agility course at Stranog - Decision deferred for site visit by area Committee.

Planning applications received since last meeting
S020990HA	Full Planning Permission for Alterations and Extension to Dwellinghouse at The Bothy, Auchlunies, Blairs

4. Finance

Funding Applications - Raymond reported that three applications for funding had been received. The applications and the amounts approved following discussion were as follows:

Senior Citizens group- to assist towards the cost of their Christmas party (£150)

Maryculter Playgroup - assistance with the purchase of equipment (£300)

Maryculter Recreation Committee - to partly meet the costs of refurbishing a container to be used to store ground equipment (£100)

October 200 Club Draw winners

£5	no.268	M Broomfield
£10	no. 146	R Winmill
£50	no.228	J&P Anderson

6. Correspondence

Police report: In the absence of an officer from Grampian Police, Mike highlighted some of the key points from the written report provided in advance of the meeting including a number of road accidents and traffic violations in the area as well as a break in during which a number of items had been stolen. The police again encouraged people to report any suspicious vehicles and consider the use of timers to switch on lights in the afternoon especially when the clocks were put back.

Feedback from Planning System Consultation - Rob reported that he had received a report on the consultation conducted earlier in the year by Aberdeenshire Council, which showed a high level of participation in the survey (51 out of 71 community councils had responded). The main finding was a need for further training in the Planning system for Community Councillors.

Adjustment of Boundary - confirmation had been received of the changes to the boundaries for NKRCC with the Portlethen and Stonehaven community councils.

Sep 20	Sir Robert Smith - Future of Postal services
Sep 20	South Aberdeenshire Crime Bulletin w/e 20 September 2002
Sep 25	Email Objection to Golf Driving Range Haugh of Ardoe
Sep 26	Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee meeting 1 October 2002
Sep 26	Email to Aberdeenshire Council detailing Community Council Officers.
Sep 27	Aberdeenshire Council - Development Control Best Value review - Community Councils
Sep 27	South Aberdeenshire Crime Bulletin w/e 27 September 2002
Sep 30	Aberdeenshire Council - Acknowledgement of Objection to Golf Driving Range.
Oct 1	Aberdeenshire Council - Revised Boundary Map
Oct 1	Aberdeenshire Council - List of Community Council officers
Oct 1	Aberdeenshire Council - Community Planning in Aberdeenshire - Brochure
Oct 1	SEPA View Autumn 2002
Oct 2	Green Diary October 2002
Oct 3	Aberdeenshire Council - Invitation to PPP consultation Meeting
Oct 4	Kincardine & Mearns Area - Delegated Planning Applications 28 August 2002 to 20 September 2002
Oct 4	South Aberdeenshire Crime Bulletin w/e 4 October 2002
Oct 4	Green Diary October
Oct 7	Aberdeenshire Council - Plan of Minor Roads in area
Oct 8	Aberdeenshire Council - Result of School PPP survey
Oct 10	Maryculter Recreation Trust - request for funds to replace mower.
Oct 10	Scottish Rights of Way - Annual report
Oct 11	Post watch Scotland
Oct 11	South Aberdeenshire Crime Bulletin w/e 11 October 2002
Oct 11	Sports Council Leaflet.
Oct 18	South Aberdeenshire Crime Bulletin w/e 18 October 2002

AOCB

Mike agreed to obtain a hard copy of the "Control of Development" paper recently issued by the Aberdeenshire Council

Next Two Meetings

	November 18 2002 7:30
	December 9 2002 7:30

Present