Minute of the meeting held on Monday March 15 th 2004 at Maryculter Community Hall.
|
Maryculter |
Netherley |
Banchory-Devenick |
Aberdeenshire Councillors |
Bill Fraser Philip Smart - Chairman Mike Birch Sandy Wallace
Avril Tulloch Rob Winmill – Vice Chairman Lower Deeside)
Robert Keeler - Secretary Duncan Petrie. Michael Sullivan
Raymond Cowan - Treasurer Bob McKinney (Stonehaven North & Fetteresso
9 Members of the Public
APOLOGIES –Kate Kleppang . Absent Kevin Park, Jill Greenlees.
MINUTES of the meeting of February 16th were approved.
1. MATTERS ARISING
Web site – Up to date , but there appears to be a problem with emails not being forwarded.
Western Peripheral Route – Philip reported from the recent meeting with the managing agents that the route was not as fixed as we had previously been told by council officers. Three possible River Dee crossing points being considered at the Old Post Office, with a third skirting Blairs Estate and crossing much further west (accommodating Camphill Community appeared to be a major concern for the project team, NKRCC encourages our other residents to also make their views known). There is a possibility of an additional junction with the A90 at Findon. It was confirmed that the Scottish Executive will meet 81% of the final costs and the two councils will meet the balance. Any junction at the South Deeside road would be a full grade-separated. There is consultation between the Agents and various directly affected landowners, the Agents do not intend visiting the Community Council until October by when the route will be “firmer”. No minor road closures are envisaged at present but some will be re-routed. Mike Birch asked if we could contact Portlethen CC over this matter.
Friends of the Earth request, relayed by Sandy, to speak at one of our future meetings was agreed.
Roads (i) – Durris - Portlethen road - Repairs were now in progress.
Roads (ii) – Signage at Maryculter Bridge –South Deeside road junction. Rob had still not received a reply to his letter.
Roads (iii) – B-D community councillors and the Roads dept have met and discussed the situation.
Changing priority of roads was not an option. Roads dept will arrange a manual survey of traffic at rush hours, to monitor the situation. Installation of pavements - not possible (no room and total pavement budget for Aberdeenshire is £30k). Flashing lights were also suggested. The most likely option is a speed limit both sides of the junction. A resident asked that traffic calming should also be introduced outside Banchory-Devenick School. It was hoped that a mobile sign would be installed for several months to see if there is improvement. Sandy Wallace said as new money is available a 20 mph limit for all schools this may be achievable within a year or so.
Blairs College – 281 houses etc - Due to the WPR alternative river crossings (see above) we are told that the application apparently will not be determined at an early date.
Supposed temporary Pipe Yard at Meikle Carewe – Rob has written requesting details of permission and restrictions. It was suggested that Aberdeenshire ask for recompense for the damage being caused to the verges. Colin Pike stated that the pipe lorries appear racing to get finished making driving even more hazardous on the B979. Sandy Wallace offered to speak to the Police board.
Fly tipping B979 – Rob had written to the Roads and Environmental Health departments regarding
Tipping at the laybys by Fishermyre Netherley.
New School –At the date of the meeting we had no information that Aberdeenshire had actually yet replied to the Executive as to the type of Public Inquiry they are requested. In the event that this is still the case Rob will write to Willie Munro to query why the Council is delaying responding. Mike Sullivan was pressed to progress Aberdeenshire Council adding traffic calming into the School project. Steve Davies commented that the School had been removed from the PPP and will now be funded through the Council’s capital budget. Sandy Wallace confirmed that this deal had completed all approval stages in the Council and commented that there would be a saving of £25k over 25 years and that it was probable that the same contractor (Robertsons) would be used, but also possible that the project may have to go out to tender again. There was general incredulity that this would be a meaningful saving given that the council would be accepting the budgetary risk in this revised deal.
2. PLANNING
Kirkton of Maryculter – application for 7 houses - as previously shown.
Extension to 'The Coach House', Banchory Devenick. Mr Hennigan asked if the Community
Council could help, as the Planning Dept were recommending refusal for his application to extend
his steading. There had been no objections from neighbours. After discussion it was agreed that we would write in support of the application.
Local Plan (ALP) – Public Inquiry. Nothing new, though we will contact Helen Cleaver after 1 April to ask for update on new submissions etc.
2. FINANCE
Requests for funding had been received from Banchory-Devenick School for furniture in their library £120 granted, and Maryculter Friendship Club towards travelling expenses £150 granted. We have funds of £2000, (of which £500 will be 200+club prize money.
200 Club Draw –
March Draw £5 no 70 N Parker - £10 no.98 B Smart £20 no.250 H Irvine-Fortescue and
£50 no. 300 W Donald Snr.
4. CORRESPONDENCE
Police report. There were a number of accidents during the recent bad weather but none serious.
From the weekly reports: Between 3.30pm on Friday 20th and 8.15am on Monday 23rd February, a control panel from a piece of 'Skyjack' machinery was stolen from a building site within the area of Parkhead Farm. The site is in full view of both the South Deeside Road and the Netherley Road, and may be better known to many for its Ostrich farm.
Between 5.30pm on Monday 23rd and 10am on Tuesday 24th February, an attempt was made to break-in to the shop building at Storybook Glen.
On Thursday 4th March, a male and a female stayed at a Bed & Breakfast establishment in Netherley and then left the following morning without paying. The male is described as between 25 and 35 years of age, over 6' in height, of slim build, as having short dark hair, a prominent chin and a poor facial complexion. The female is described as being aged in her early 20's, of very slim build with long dark hair. Both are believed to have local accents. They had use of a red Ford Escort van with darkened rear windows
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