Apologies – Sandy Wallace

Present – Don Keith, Jill Hendry, Jill Gow, John Hopkins, Mark Leigh, Jean Downie, David Hirst, Ron Stark, Sgt Nichol

Ward Councillor Jenny Watson

Members of the Public – nil

The previous meeting minutes were accepted.

Matters Arising

See Action Register

It was resolved that the Royal Bank of Scotland plc be requested to continue to act as the bankers to the Crathes, Drumoak & Durris Community Council, operating on its behalf a current account as at present, plus a deposit account to contain moneys allocated in respect of the Drumoak Youth Project 03 (DYP03) in accordance with the Bank Mandate form submitted in June 2003.

Police Report

There are no specific crime issues to report in our area, although there has been an increase in "traveling" criminals with suspicious cars seen at Blairs, Tarland, Glen Tanar & Potterton. These individuals are looking for isolated/unoccupied prperties. Police advice is to "harden" the property – most of these crimes are of an opportunist nature so anything done to make it more difficult to gain entry is a help. Any or all of the following can be implemented:

• radio and lights put onto timers
• improve locks
• install burglar alarms
• redirect mail when absent
• don't put collection of potted plants in kitchen sink when away
• ensure neighbour/trusted person has key
• lock doors
• stay observant of people in area and report to Neighbourhood Watch/police
• don't tell strangers who call what neighbours are doing

Various items of correspondence received – relevant items requiring follow-up are in Action Register

ALP Public Enquiry starts July.

Due to the number of objections, there will be a site visit for the Reidford application.

David Hirst talked through a summary of the Woodlands housing planning issues. After a lengthy discussion involving the current requirement for local authorities to establish new houses, and the apparent disproportionate impact on Woodlands, a number of suggestions were made for David to progress;

• carry out questionnaire among local population to develop wider community involvement
• CDDCC could arrange public meeting, perhaps a the local school
• wait for Public Enquiry and present coherent argument then

David agreed to come back with a forward plan to address the issues.

The Brodie appeal is under way at Drumoak Village Hall

CHAP quarry site visit to be arranged within the next fortnight

The possibility of carrying out a "planning for real" exercise was discussed. We agreed that we need to involve the public in this process, with an overall aim of engaging with the planners in a more proactive way. We agreed that we needed a better process for dialogue with the authority, rather than the current "them and us" system.

It was suggested that we invite Mr Alan Guthrie to a special meeting of the CDDCC to establish a dialogue and identify a different engagement process.

An "ex gratia" payment to Tom Taylor for the installation of the benches was agreed.