1. Minutes of Annual General Meeting of 16 January 2002

The minutes were proposed as a faithful record by John Hopkins and seconded by Don Keith. There was no demur.

 

2. Acting Chairman’s Report

Don Keith outlined his written report on CDDCC Activities during the year to November 2003, which was distributed to the meeting. The text of the Acting Chairman’s report is as follows:-

This has been a busy year for CDDCC since the reconstituted council was formed in November 2002.

Activities have been dominated by planning issues, with much time taken up with commenting on the new Aberdeenshire Local Plan and three major planning applications - 60 houses for Drumoak, the proposed Brodie Countryfare shopping development at Park and the extension to Park Quarry.

The 60 Drumoak Houses had originally been limited by Aberdeenshire Council to 30 in the Local Plan. This decision was overturned on appeal to the Scottish Executive. Two conditions attach to this ruling (a) the sewage treatment plant is upgraded (b) pedestrian crossings are provided along the A93.

The Brodie Countryfare application was refused by the Council and the subsequent appeal took the form of a public enquiry held in Drumoak Public Hall in June. CDDCC participated as an interested party and was able to question a number of claims made by the developers and their agents. This is a watershed enquiry, as the Countryfare development, by nature of its size and location, could potentially change the character of Banchory and other Deeside towns and villages. Many issues were raised justifying CDDCC’s original basis for objection. CDDCC consider that the questioning and analysis was much more thorough then the initial justification in the planning application and the integrity of the planning process was thereby upheld - whatever the decision by the Reporter

By contrast, the Park Quarry Extension planning application was the antithesis of this process. There were widespread objections to the proposal within the community. Detailed objections were raised on compliance with structure and local plans. Also, on the technical grounds of dust and noise effects on nearby dwellings. None of these was satisfactorily answered by the officials involved, and councillors then proceeded to approve the application.

CDDCC objections to the conduct of the meeting have yet to be adequately addressed and a number of questions have yet to be answered by the Planning Authority. CDDCC also felt sufficiently aggrieved to raise the matter with the Scottish Executive, supported by our local MSP and a number of list MSPs. Unfortunately the Minister for Communities, Margaret Curran, declined to intervene. It is regrettable that CDDCC have been unable to impress upon Aberdeenshire Council officials and the Kincardine and Mearns Area Chairman that the conduct of this application has significantly eroded Lower Deeside residents’ trust in the planning process and its administration.

Besides these activities, CDDCC have been actively involved on a number of community initiatives, although it has to be said that much of our available time and energy has been focussed on the three major planning issues.

The Drumoak Youth Project (DYP) initiative is a major project to provide much-needed facilities for young people in Drumoak where the secondary school population is some 30 and rising. Extensive consultation with the young people has established that a youth shelter and an all weather multi-purpose sports court would meet most of their requirements. The residents of Drumoak have also been consulted and support the concepts. Some budget funding has been secured from Aberdeenshire Council and local contractors have indicated they will assist with equipment and some material, however the community will also need to raise some funds. A good start has been made with this and currently some £2000 has been raised.

Consultations on the Deeside Way section between Peterculter and Drumoak have been finalised, and the work is anticipated to start by the year-end.

www.durris.net, the community web site, has been inaugurated and is now well established with many "hits". It provides a fund of information on Lower Deeside, including the activities of CDDCC, history items, what’s on, local references and much more.

This year has also seen a change of meeting arrangements. CDDCC now meet monthly on the first Tuesday of each month in the Irvine Arms. This has improved our information flow, encouraged visibility with the general public and generally found favour with councillors and public alike.

Throughout the year many have given of their time and effort to CDDCC’s contribution to our community’s affairs, and our thanks are given to them all. Lack of space forbids individual recognition, however there are a few individuals whose efforts merit particular reference. Banchory Academy pupils Donna Duguid, Philippa Bramley and Charles Tait, for their efforts in the planning of the DYP project; Teresa and Patrick Frimpel, Jackie Buchan and Duncan Wight for their DYP fundraising efforts and John Hopkins for his sterling work on the www.durris.net web site.

Finally, to all our community councillors, my thanks for their enthusiastic support and to those who have moved on for career reasons, family and/or other commitments - namely Hamish Taylor, Edward Arthur, Mark Leigh, and Jill Henry - we wish them well.

 

In response to a question from the floor, Don Keith responded that his most recent understanding was that the Report of the Public Inquiry into the Brodie Countryfare planning application would still not be available for a number of weeks because of "pressure of other work" on the Reporter in question.

The Acting Chairman’s report was proposed for adoption by David Hirst and seconded by Jean Downie. There was no demur.

 

3. Treasurer’s Report

John Hopkins distributed copies of the draft Accounts for the year ended 12/11/03. He described the draft Accounts in the following terms:-

Crathes, Drumoak and Durris Community Council (CDDCC) received an Administration Grant for 2002/3 of £626 from Aberdeenshire Council. This was just 0.8% (£5) higher than for 2001/2.

Expenditure by CDDCC on Advertising, Hire of Halls and Postage & Photocopying were all slightly lower than last year.

CDDCC became a supporter (£10 for "Friend" grade membership) of Planning Aid for Scotland, a worthwhile charity which exists to "help people to have their say in planning matters".

Financial support was provided for the erection of the three wooden "perches" at the southern end of the Drumoak Path (the Path itself having been constructed by CDDCC in 2000/01).

Legal and planning consultancy fees - amounting to £1,557 - were incurred. These were fully covered by a number of anonymous donations, resulting in zero net cost to the Community Council.

Miscellaneous expenditure included the cost of two small notice-boards.

CDDCC also continued its support of local charities, making donations totalling £675 during the year. This has been possible as a result of the voluntary efforts and economical approach of CDDCC members, which are deserving of much praise.

Finally, CDDCC has acted this year as fundholder for the Drumoak Youth Project. At year-end, the value of this fund amounted to £1,799.

In connection with the Drumoak Youth Project, Don Keith stated his understanding that there remained moneys from earlier fund-raising, totalling perhaps £500, which were yet to be conveyed to the Treasurer. This meant that the DYP funds totalled circa £2,300 which – with direct labour input and matching funds – meant that erection of the first Youth Shelter was already feasible.

The Treasurer’s report and Accounts were proposed for adoption by Ron Stark and seconded by David Hirst. There was no demur. Both Acting Chairman and Treasurer accordingly signed the Accounts.

 

4. Election of Officers

Don Keith proposed that election of officers be deferred by two to three months, whilst the new co-opted members became familiar with the workings of CDDCC. This was accepted without demur.

David Hirst noted that there was a pressing need for more members, in particular from Crathes, in order to sustain a high level and quality of activity.

 

5. Any Other Competent Business

Website www.durris.net (also for past minutes)