Minute of the meeting held on Monday August 18th at 7.30pm in Maryculter Community Hall.
|
Maryculter |
Netherley |
Banchory-Devenick |
Aberdeenshire Councillors |
Bill Fraser Philip Smart - Chairman Kate Kleppang Sandy Wallace
Avril Tulloch Rob Winmill – Vice Chairman Mike Birch. (Lower Deeside)
Kevin Park Robert Keeler - Secretary
3 Members of the Public
APOLOGIES – Raymond Cowan (Treasurer), Kate Kleppang, Jill Greenlees, Bob McKinney,
Michael Sullivan (Stonehaven North & Fetteresso) , Absent Duncan Petrie.
MINUTES of the meeting of 16th June were approved.
1. MATTERS ARISING
Web site – Feature on dangers of Ragwort had been added. Bill going through parliament to take action against people who have it on their land.
Western Peripheral Route – All enquiries now go to Scottish Executive. Corridor 14 is the agreed route and Mike will make copies of the plan available to Community Councillors. Suggested article for South Deeside View.
Roads – Flashing warning lights had been installed at Netherley House bridge. Rob reported that the Durris Portlethen road had been resurfaced but the edge reconstruction had not been carried out. There was concern that the new tourist signs at Maryculter were a traffic hazard.
Stobhall - One letter of objection had been received regarding the designation Rural Settlement Centre (RSC). Sandy pointed out that it does have a place of employment and a bus stop. Also that Banchory-Devenick crossroads is not an RSC, but maybe considered for the future.
Blairs Hearing now delayed further as Trunk road section of the Scottish Executive has not yet produced its responses.
2. PLANNING
New Houses – Stobhall – New houses at Stobhall to be called Wedderburn Rise
New School The site has to be advertised as it is a departure from policy. The Council should not allow anyone preferential treatment – especially themselves. The Council had agreed to pass the application provided no more letters of objection were received. However several residents had written, with concerns including the traffic implications. No explanation of any sort had been received about the choice of site arrangement. Sandy reported that the council would be discussing the matter again.
“Maryculter Organic Farm”. No further information.
Goldcrest development at Kirkton of Maryculter We have received no letters from concerned residents .
Pipeline – From Garlogie to Montrose, goes to the west of our area, Scottish Executive had advertised compulsory purchase of land in the P&J recently.
Haugh of Ardoe – Bill said that Alistair Lawson of Scottish Rights of Way Society had met with W Munro. George produced a map from 1945 which showed a path marked. Aspire to Golf were concerned over the community’s objection to the Right of Way being barred. Agreed that a sensible dialog with the new owners should take place a.s.a.p. Rob would speak to Henry Irvine- Fortescue who might know them.
Simplification of Public Inquiries – Consultation paper. Responses required by November. NKRCC will be writing in due course.
Maryculter Hall – George Masson said that the Hall committee would be submitting a planning application for an extension to the hall to allow the changing rooms to be used without disturbing hall users. It was agreed that NKRCC would support the application. Philip suggested the Rural Partnership Funding scheme as a source of funds.
Steadings at Stripeside – Bill expressed concern over the buildings being erected by Forbes Builders. As these were agricultural buildings, planning was not required. If he requested change of use then we would be concerned. Planning dept. are aware of local concern and had already visited the site but can do nothing as the owner insists that these are traditional agricultural buildings.
Sign at Ardoe House Hotel – Mike asked if new sign was legal, We will write to planning dept.
Local Plan – Public Inquiry. This will take place during November December and January. NKRCC has already submitted some objections to the modifications to the plan – in line with our original objections which Rob had been through – this was agreed. The Community Council will take part in the Public Local Inquiry by combining with other individuals or groups (such as Green Wedge/McWAG) to present common cause.
3. FINANCE
200
Club Draw – June £5
no.108 £10 no.163
Sinclair Groat and £50 no.231 Ron
Turner
July £5 no.208 S Grieve, £10
no.46 Bill Pritchard and £15 no.71 Pam Byers
August £5 no. 71 Pam Byers, £10 no.62
Audrey Anderson £25 no.125 C Parker
4. CORRESPONDENCE
Police report: No report but Robert summarised the weekly reports Between Sunday 1st and Sunday 15th June, a glass vase, a rose bush and a pot were stolen from a graveside at Maryculter Cemetery.
Between 11 am and 4.20 pm on Monday 21st July, a break in occurred to an isolated house near Blairs where by a leather purse containing a two figure sum of money was stolen. The report included the following
“UNSOLICITED CALLERS This week within South Aberdeenshire we have seen a sharp increase in the number of rural homes break into during the day time, when householders were at work. During the summer months, one of the methods used by the thieves to find out if a householder is at home is to simply knock on someone's door and if there is a response they will make up an excuse as to why they are there by asking for directions or for water for their car. Using this method, it is possible for the thief to call at a number of homes before they find an unoccupied property suitable to break into and I would urge householders to note details of suspicious persons and vehicles and report these incidents to there local Police Office at the time. Indeed we are actively seeking information on the following two vehicles which were seen in suspicious circumstances this week; a light blue, small left hand drive car, which had a white number plate on the rear displaying a European symbol and an old style grey or silver metallic BMW. Between 2.30am and 9.30am on Sunday 3rd August, a red metal tool-chest containing various tools and a heavy duty Lucas battery charger were stolen from a shed located on the Altries road.
PREVENTABLE THEFTS Unfortunately, this week has again seen thefts from unlocked vehicles, homes, garages and sheds. Please don't think that it won't happen to you – the vast majority of thefts are committed by opportunist criminals, many of whom are quite happy to travel to find an easy target.
SUCCESS RE RECENT BREAK-INS
On Tuesday 5th August, a 37 year old male was apprehended in connection with the recent spate of break-ins to rural and isolated homes in our South Aberdeenshire Command Area. He has been charged with a total of 20 crimes, and will be appearing at Court next week.”
Age of community Councillors – in response to a request by Aberdeenshire Council , the matter of reducing eligibility age from 18 to 14 was discussed. It was agreed that whilst we had no youngsters currently interested in the Community Council, there would be no objection to lowering the age although there was discussion as to what the minimumage should be. NKRCC would reply following the next meeting. It was also suggested that presentations to secondary schools in Aberdeenshire on the duties of community councils might increase interest from the younger members of our communities.
Composting – Mike has been nominated Master composter.
Concerns had been raised about dumping and fires at the tip by the B979 opposite the Maryculter school turning. Secretary will write to Council
15 September 2003 at 7:30pm
20 October 2003 at 7:30pm
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