06 06 06

Crathes, Drumoak & Durris Community Council (CDDCC)

Minutes of Meeting

6th June 2006 at Irvine Arms, Drumoak from 19.30 hours

1. Sederunt

Community Councillors – Keith Whitehead, Jean Downie, Ann Ross, Molly Atkinson, David Morrish (Chairman), Jill Gow, John Hopkins

Ward Councillors – Jenny Watson – Sandy Wallace

Community Police Officer – Lorna Heppolette (Part of meeting)

Member of the Public – Don Keith

Apologies - Tony Butcher

 

2. Minutes of May 2006 meeting

 

Approved (proposed Jenny Watson, seconded Jean Downie)

 

 

3. Minute Secretary Appointment

 

August –

 

4. Drumoak School

 

Don Keith raised the idea for a ‘Friends of Drumoak School’ who would be unencumbered by bodies such as the school board or head teachers. Sandy Wallace was of the opinion that Drumoak will eventually be in line for a new primary school.

 

5. DYP03

 

John Hopkins, following correspondence with an Aberdeenshire Council trainee lawyer about the Lease for the Teen Shelter, proposed that the lease should now be signed. It was agreed at the meeting that John should request Aberdeenshire Council to prepare the lease for signing by the CDDCC (Action already completed by John 7th June).

 

As yet, we have been unable to find a champion to provide the necessary drive to carry the multi-games pitch project forward. Sandy Wallace suggested that we approach the School Board regarding this. (Action - Don Keith to e-mail School Board).

 

6. The Auld Deeside Line Way

 

Jenny Watson informed us that the officially accepted title of the Way is ‘The Auld Deeside Line Way’.

 

Members and friends etc. of the CDDCC are cycling from Drumoak to Banchory and back on 24th June starting at 1000 hrs at Drumoak. On the return journey they plan to take refreshments at the Crathes Castle Cafeteria.

 

There has been no progress as regards creating a gap by the gate near Park Smiddy (Action: Molly Atkinson)

 

 

7. Planning Developments

 

7.1 Drumoak

 

The fencing along the new Stewart Milne Drumoak development is now accepted as being a ‘live’ Willow hedge and considered to be environmentally sound. The only concern is that of long term maintenance.

 

Concerns regarding traffic sightlines for those exiting Manse Avenue were raised.

 

Deeside Nurseries request to Aberdeenshire Planners to remove the conditions placed on the planning permission earlier granted (ref. KM/APP/2004/1366) for the redevelopment of the nursery at Mills of Drum.

 

The conditions related to:-

 

·         a requirement that 75% of the goods retailed should be raised onsite

·         a limitation on sales space in the new building

 

David Morrish sent a letter on CDDCC’s behalf, stating the case for upholding the original planning conditions and has received an acknowledgement from the head of planning and building control. Will have to wait and see how this develops.

 

7.2 Durris

 

Jean Downie had sent a letter to Aberdeenshire Planners about the proposed 3 houses at Durris Cottage.

 

Jean Downie showed plans for further development of ‘The Paddock Stables Durris’ which are to erect a large ‘Barn’ containing 18 stables and 2 wash bays (Action – Molly Atkinson to draft a letter to Planning & Building Control and circulate for review).

 

7.3 Crathes

 

On behalf of the CDDCC, David Morrish sent a response to the ‘Draft Planning Brief for Crathes Housing’ in time to meet the 24th May deadline.

 

Jenny Watson confirmed the agreement with the Marr Area Planners that David Morrish - plus one other - could come into their offices to discuss the draft.  To provide Jenny Watson with suitable dates in the near future (Action: David Morrish).

 

David Morrish proposes to draft a further (follow-up) letter to Robert Gray detailing what involvement the CDDCC consider they should have (Action – David Morrish).

 

8. AOB

 

8.1 Fly-tipping

 

Jean Downie noted that there had been a spate of bags of congealed fat (presumably commercial kitchen waste) being dumped at speed on roads in the area.

 

Jean said that she had tried in vain to get the councils refuse department to offer a resolution to this problem. All that can be done is to keep on reporting fly-tipping incidents, otherwise little or nothing would be done about them.

 

8.2 Public Disorder at the Glebe

 

The problems with parties being held at the Glebe were discussed with the community police officer Lorna Heppolette. Lorna advised that recording and reporting registration numbers of those involved to the police was the best way of dealing with this at the time. Sandy Wallace also agreed to take action by raising this issue with the area manager Willie Munro.

 

8.3 House Break-ins (Robbery’s)

 

Lorna Heppolette warned of a number of break-ins of remote homes around Drumoak and Durris. These seem to be carried out by travelling ‘out of town’ criminals. They appear to target remote country properties in the afternoons. They have also been reported calling at homes making enquires for directions etc. which seems to be a way of ascertaining the status of the property at that time. Lorna advised that the only, and immediate action that should be taken is to inform the Police of suspicious behaviour and if possible give descriptions and vehicle registration numbers. The general telephone number for this sort of incident is 0845 6005700 but if this seems to be ineffective or too slow then calling 999 may be the better way to promote action.

 

8.4 Speeding through Crathes & Durris

 

The problem with speeding (especially excessively fast motor cyclists) through Crathes and on the Durris straight was discussed with Lorna Heppolette. Lorna advised that two Police motor cycle patrol officers were being assigned to the general area specifically to keep an eye on this problem. In the meantime Lorna suggested that most motor cars seen speeding are probably local youngsters and their registration numbers should be reported to the police so that they can take action.

 

9. Next Meeting

 

1st August, 19.30, Irvine Arms

 

KRW/7th June 06

 

 

Distribution

email

post

by hand

Other

CDDCC Councillors

 

Councillor Jenny Watson

Durris Hall Notice Board (via Sarah Hopkins)

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

Councillor Sandy Wallace

Crathes Hall Notice Board (via David Humble)

Drumoak Post Office (via John Hopkins)

Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator – new appointee not known

Mr W Munro, Area Manager, Kincardine & Mearns

Banchory Public Library

 

Park Shop (via John Hopkins)

 

Mr L Allen, Area Manager, Marr

Community Police Officer (Drumoak/Durris/Crathes), c/o Banchory Police Office

 

 

Rev. Jim Scott, Durris Manse, Durris

Drumoak Public Hall (via Ian Pirie)

 

 

 

Drumoak Church Hall (via Morag Keith)