Minute of the meeting held on Monday 27 February 2006 at Maryculter Community Hall.
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Maryculter |
Cookney / Netherley |
Banchory-Devenick |
Aberdeenshire Councillors |
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Bill Fraser Avril Tulloch
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Philip Smart (Chairman) Rob Winmill(Vice Chairman) Robert Keeler (Secretary), |
Duncan Petrie Mike Birch
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Sandy Wallace (Lower Deeside Michael Sullivan (Stonehaven North & Fetteresso)
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11 Members of the Public
APOLOGIES – Raymond Cowan (Treasurer), Bob McKinney, Mike Sullivan
Absent - Jill Greenlees
MINUTES of the meeting of 16 January were approved.
MATTERS ARISING
New Lairhillock School – Avril reported on the 31st Jan Consultation group attended by Avril and Philip. Minutes of meeting included further information added afterwards: NKRCC had asked for consideration for walking and cycling to the community facility, minutes now noted while there will be no pavement available the road will not be widened right back to the fenceline. Colour of outside of building stated as “agreed” but not actually revealed ! Lighting at night may be a problem despite assurances. Name to be decided by area committee 17th May – suggestions by 30th April. January opening planned subject to the usual.
Web site – Kevin reported it was up to date, Agreed that details of AWPR action groups to be noted, with Road-Sense.org link established.
Roads – B979 100yards North of Burnside turning the carriageway is still crumbling, Duncan reported another accident at Banchory–Devenick crossroads. The hedge there needed trimming. Potholes on road to Leggat Terrace from Banchory-Devenick crossroads. Secretary to write re: above. Also warning lights still not appeared Sandy will push with Mark Skilling.
Western Peripheral Route – Five possible routes for the “Fast Link” had been received, together with an invitation for us to contribute to an Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA). Various concerns were discussed and it was agreed that the letter be circulated to local interest groups including Road Sense, who could reply direct but that we would ask for copies so we can include relevant issues in our submission. Sandy queried the “Green” route and asked if the existing B979 would be moved. We had been told by AWPR Team at our official meeting that it was “not going to happen” but they had similarly refused to remove it or indeed anything else no matter how impractical they agreed an option was. However all noted the reversals on similar assurances in the past. It was agreed to put the document on to our Website as we should respond in detail by 24 March. We must also highlight all the conservation concerns anywhere within ‘the corridor’ not just in the vicinity of the routes marked. NKRCC will comment on other junction suggestions – Marywell and Portlethen/Newtonhill – and will in all respects be as comprehensive in comments as possible. Sally said that the EIA for the Murtle route had proved valuable in identifying the diversity of wildlife. Sandy felt that only a minority of Chamber of Commerce members wanted the AWPR .
We had received many concerns regarding the short peremptory notice given to demand access to land in the area. We had written to object in particular over safety issues with livestock and horses.
Mike asked if a Judicial Review could be made. Chairman said “Road Sense” group had taken legal advice on this and passed to NKRCC their QC’s opinion that it is not possible until the public inquiry process exhausted. Agreed that NKRCC will write to confirm that we see no evidence of people ‘asking for’ the ‘Fast Link’ (in the manner claimed by the WPR team)
A member of the public asked if the Community Council would object to the route. Chairman reiterated past policy that Community Council would be objecting at the very least in order to participate at the public inquiry. We will also consider the line orders and object as necessary.
South Deeside View – Next issue about Easter time, copy dead line February 28. Volunteers to deliver still needed in Banchory-Devenick and parts of Maryculter.
1. PLANNING
ALP - Public Inquiry. The responses to final modifications had been passed by the Aberdeenshire Committee. It was noted that Council officials who had previously agreed amendments in discussion with NKRCC and others at the public inquiry had subsequently reneged on some of them without making this explicit in their report to the committee.
Blairs – Duncan reported that the “Contracts Journal” 11 January 2006 had details of possible major development at Blairs, being the 281 house etc. application of 1999.
Rob read out a letter from Iris Leask questioning the New House at South Cookney. Robert stated “conflict of interest” and withdrew from the discussion. Agreed that the size of the agricultural holding should be considered but that the ‘evidence’ was only hearsay and, that Aberdeenshire Council should make the decision. We will make a comment seeking careful consideration on the part of the Area Committee given the possible precedent for further similar applications.
2. FINANCE
Banchory-Devenick School PTA had requested assistance with installation cost of whiteboard. It was felt that this should be part of Aberdeenshire Council’s budget and Sandy will take this up with Council before we decide.
Home-Start had requested a donation. We felt this was not something we could support financially but will put leaflet on noticeboard. Robert will reply with our decision.
200 Club – Not all tickets had been returned, therefore three draws at March Meeting.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
5. AOCB
Scottish Executive – Mike had final reply for agreement deadline 28th February. Mike mandated to send collated views of councillors with final inputs discussed in detail after close of meeting.
Notice Board at Hall – A grant of £120 had been made from the Co-operative Society direct to the Hall committee, thanks to Bob McKimmey.
20 March 2006 at 7:30pm
17 April 2006 at 7:30pm
Visit our Website – www.NKRCC.org.uk