Crathes,
Drumoak and Durris Community Council (CDDCC)
Minutes of
Meeting
5 October 2004
at the Irvine Arms from 7:30pm
1)
Present
a) Community Councillors: Julia Mackay, John Hopkins, Jean Downie, Didier
Terroir, Molly Atkinson, David Morrish, Donald Keith (acting chairman), David
Hirst and co-opted member Hanni Willan.
b) Ward Councillors: Councillor Sandy Wallace.
c) Members of the Public: Reverend James Scott.
d) Apologies: Ron Stark and Jill Gow.
2) Co-option of new member: Hanni Willan of Drumoak was welcomed as a new member
of the Community Council.
3) Approval of previous month's minutes: These were approved.
4) Matters arising from previous month: These are dealt with under normal business
below.
5)
Minute Taker Rotation: Volunteers are: Julia
Mackay for November and Jean Downie for December (one of which will be the
AGM). John Hopkins kindly offers to continue organising the distribution.
6) Other Correspondence: Correspondence
unrelated to the subjects below was circulated for information, no
particular actions. Donald Keith noted that the Aberdeenshire Councils Land
Bank Audit results were now on the council's web site.
7)
Community Council Forum: David Hirst and Ron Stark
both attended the Community Council Forum, which they found worthwhile. Besides
the Community Councillors, Aberdeenshire Council officials attended including
W. Munro. Listening to the problems and
solutions of others was a welcome change of scene and the presentation by the
Planning Gain officer and the Aberdeenshire Council Landscaping quite
informative. We await minutes. Next will be 25 November 04. (Action: all, who will attend?)
8) Mineral Extraction in Drumoak: Sandy Wallace is compiling a dossier of concerns
within his Ward and this will include the mineral extraction in Drumoak. (Action: Sandy Wallace).
9)
The Scottish Rural
Partnership Fund: This closes for applications shortly, and without identified
projects, no further action is foreseen.
10)
Public Payphone: A cddcc letter of objection
has been sent and Aberdeenshire Council has objected to BT concerning these
closures. Deadline for objections has been extended to 21 October 2004. Further
letter to be sent (Action: John
Hopkins). Cddcc stated they were
willing to support objections by Kirkton Hall committee to the closure of the
Kirkton payphone. (Action: Julia Mackay)
11)
Invercannie Water Works: Ron Stark has set up the
tour on 23 October 2004 for those who expressed interest.(Action: water works tourists)
12) The old bridge at Kirkton: Donald Keith will speak to Andrew Lewis about the
way forward for renovation of the old bridge. (Action: Donald Keith.)
13)
Closure of Park Bridge Road:
Various
members of the meeting had raised (by mail and verbal) the 5 week closure with
Aberdeenshire Council officials and Chap Quarries without tangible result.
Sandy Wallace has a planned discussion with Chap when, amongst other matters,
lack of liaison by Chap and Aberdeenshire Council with the local community will
be pointed out, as will the closures duration. Planning permission conditions
had stipulated liaison and this was simply not happening. Cddcc will write and
request a liaison meeting during the final week of October 04. (Action: John Hopkins)
14)
Drumoak School:
a)
The Department of Education have been advised of a potential offer of
land to allow improvements (or better) to Drumoak School. The Department has
had no offer yet from the owner. (Action:
Donald Keith, Hanni Willan and Sandy Wallace will pursue)
b)
Hanni Willan noted that the Drumoak School Board had objected several
times to the additional housing because of the Schools lack of capacity…
without result. The Reverend James Scott pointed out that objections had been
made because of lack of communal infrastructure.
15)
Drumoak Housing:
a)
A letter has been received from Neil McDowell, Aberdeenshire Council's
Director of Law and Administration which illustrates that relationships between
the Council and cddcc have reached a new low. To stop this downward spiral it
was agreed that:
i)
Cddcc reject the contents but would not reply to the letter.
ii)
The requested personal addresses would not be sent to the Council since
individuals may feel obliged to respond.
iii)
Sandy Wallace would convey our disappointment.
b)
SMH have put in a new Planning Application for the same 69 houses. We
should send a new letter to Aberdeenshire Council requesting that the objections
to the current application be carried over to the new application.(Action: Hanni Willan)
c)
The 69 houses Planning Application is now being heard on 25 October
2004.
d)
As already noted, Hanni Willan noted that the Drumoak School Board had
objected several times to the additional housing because of the Schools lack of
capacity… without result. The Reverend James Scott pointed out that objections
had been made because of lack of communal infrastructure.
16)
DYP03
a) John Hopkins handed over a
copy of the accounts
b)
Sarah Hopkins has prepared a letter to Aberdeenshire Council setting
out the agreed insurance provisions, David Hirst can sign this on behalf of
cddcc (Action: John Hopkins & David
Hirst)
c)
Lease has been agreed, David Hirst will sign this on behalf of cddcc.
but he needs the document (Action:
Donald Keith and David Hirst)
d)
The financing structure and direction of grants and invoices to ensure
tax efficiency is not yet finalised (Action
: John Hopkins)
e)
All weather games area, to be progressed once we have a shelter unless
anyone can arrange earlier cash advance or physical action (Action: Sandy Wallace).
17)
Kincardine and Mearns Area
Partnership: The
inaugural meeting is being held in Stonehaven on 14 October evening, and we
have the opportunity to send two delegates. David Morrish will attend, who will
accompany him? (Action: David Morrish
and All)
18) New Planning Applications: No new ones other than that mentioned above.
19)
Any other Business?
a)
It was agreed that donations to deserving bodies would, this year, be
to the DYP project, in the sum of £250. (Action:
John Hopkins)
b)
Sandy Wallace wishes to talk of Traffic Islands at next months meeting.
c)
It was noted that the AGM is due for November or December and a hall
would be needed. (Action: Donald Keith.)
20)
Next Meeting, 2nd
November 2004, 7:30pm at the
Distribution
CDDCC Councillors (by email)
Councillor Jenny Watson (by post)
Councillor Sandy Wallace (by email)
Mr W Munro, Area Manager, Kincardine & Mearns (by email)
Mr L Allen, Area Manager, Marr (by email)
Crathes Hall Notice board (by post) *
Banchory Public Library (by post) *
Durris Hall Notice board (delivered by Sarah Hopkins) *
Drumoak PO (delivered by Don Keith) *
Park Shop (delivered by Don Keith) *
Rev Jim Scott, Durris Manse, Durris, Banchory AB31 6BU (by email)
Community Police Officer (Drumoak) - PC Allan Tennant c/o Banchory Police Office (by post)
Community Police Officer (Durris) - PC Kevin Skivington c/o Banchory Police Office (by post)
Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator – new appointee not known
Website www.durris.net (also for past minutes)
* printed on coloured paper