2. Introduction of Community Councillors

Hamish Taylor as Chairman of the previous CDDCC welcomed all the newly-elected Community Councillors to the meeting and noted that he was heartened that sufficient volunteers had come forward to enable CDDCC to continue under Aberdeenshire Council’s new Community Council Scheme, which came into effect last year. He also noted that Community Councils are non-political, which is a particular strength in assuring their objectivity.

There then followed general introductions round the table where councillors introduced themselves and stated why they had volunteered for CC service. There was a common thread through all the introductions in that all councillors felt :-

• a strong need to look after our local environment;
• that any improvements to the community will only occur through community effort;
• that the community needs to be vigilant to ensure that developers and planners alike produce properly developed proposals;
• that our local environment does not deteriorate through inappropriate development.

They all felt that somebody has to look after our environment and in the absence of any other volunteers from the three communities were all happy to offer their services.

Having helped to secure the continuation of CDDCC by submitting a nomination, Sarah Hopkins duly submitted her resignation.

Donald Keith presented a brief summary of the status, aims, objectives and responsibilities of community councils in general - and CDDCC in particular. A list of suggested tasks for division amongst the councillors was included (see the attached summary of viewgraphs).

4.1 In a wide-ranging and fully participative discussion, there was unanimous agreement that the key to a successful Community Council was good communications. To date, CDDCC have not exploited all avenues to get the message across to the community. Apart from highly-successful public meetings on contentious issues, notice boards and the library are posted with detailed minutes, although with questionable readership and - in the case of the library - copies are not always available. The local Parish Newsletter is another, perhaps more effective, medium for news dissemination. Donald Keith noted that the message he provides as editor, may sometimes more neutral than CDDCC might wish. The recent sample web site by John Hopkins was unanimously hailed as a signicant step forward in CDDCC visibility and a communications medium with considerable promise.

It was agreed that:-

5. A Synopsis of the meeting minutes to be included in all dissemination media - Ronald Stark will produce.
6. Photographs and thumbnail CVs to be provided by all councillors for website and notice boards. Data to John Hopkins for processing. (Note preferably a happy snapshot looking at your best rather than a passport mug shot)
7. Donald Keith will arrange for dedicated notice boards at the shop and post office (already agreed by both establishments)

1. Further discussion on aims and objects focussed on the desirability of fostering community spirit. Currently CDDCC is perceived as a planning application objection organisation, albeit the Drumoak footpath and the Friends of Durris Forest show the potential for self-help projects. There was unanimous agreement that a key role of CDDCC should be to encourage the community to be a real community.

1. Councillor Watson suggested some early steps in this journey such as CDDCC-sponsored competitions in the three schools; a beautiful gardens competition; and so forth. To be discussed at next meeting.
2. Hamish Taylor noted that Banchory’s "Planning for Real" exercise had generated considerable interest and suggested that CDDCC should consider generating their own longer term (say 30 year) plans for the community to stimulate debate such that, ultimately, the community as a whole has more say in planning than the current piecemeal approach permits.
3. David Hirst cited the proposed ALP for Durris as a case in point and advised that the Planners’ proposals appeared to diverge from community views. Donald Keith undertook to check with Mark Hagger and obtain his planning files to check the actual situation.

In view of the length of time since the last meeting (2^nd Oct 02), it was agreed to adopt the minutes (Proposed Hamish Taylor seconded Donald Keith) and to cancel any outstanding actions arising therefrom.

Hamish Taylor noted that the previous venues and frequency of meetings were so arranged as to take advantage of the free use of school premises; to rotate the venues to give greater local coverage, and to spread the meeting evenings throughout the week thereby minimising clashes with other events. However, this has the downside that the public rarely knew when and where meetings were to occur, and in consequence their interest and attendance was minimal.

After some discussion, it was unanimously agreed that meetings should be held monthly on the first Tuesday of the month and that they will be held in the lounge bar of the Irvine Arms. (Note: subsequent to the meeting, Donald Keith discussed the use of the Irvine Arms Lounge with Mr George Wight, who has graciously agreed to its use for CDDCC purposes.)

It was also agreed that the meetings would commence at 7.30pm, but that all correspondence and planning documents would be available for inspection from 7.00pm.

7. Windfarm at Mid Hill

There have recently been some public presentations on this. Agreed that CDDCC should invite the developers to present their proposals. Donald Keith noted that he had had some discussions with the developer last year and will re-circulate a note for file on the issues discussed.

CDDCC Councillors

Councillor Jenny Watson

Councillor Sandy Wallace

Area Manager Kincardine & Mearns Mr W. Munro

Area Manager Marr Mr L . Allen

Crathes Hall Notice board (HT)

Banchory Public Library (HT)

Durris Hall Notice board (JH)

Drumoak PO (DK)

Drumoak Shop (DK)

Rev Jim Scott, Durris Manse Durris, Banchory AB31 6BU

Community Police Officers

Drumoak , PC Allan Tennant c/o Banchory Police Office

Durris, PC Kevin Skivington c/o Banchory Police Office

Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator

Mrs Lesley Moore, "Patchways" Drumoak AB31 5HA