Crathes, Drumoak & Durris Community Council (CDDCC)

 

Minutes of Meeting

 

Tuesday 3rd October, 2006 – The Irvine Arms, Drumoak from 19.30 hrs

 

1. Sederunt

 

Community councillors – Jean Downie, Jill Gow, David Morrish (Chairman, Minute Secretary), John Hopkins, Tony Butcher

Ward Councillors – Sandy Wallace

Members of the Public – Don Keith, Graeme Brown, Margaret Campbell, Iain Campbell

Apologies – Anne Ross, Keith Whitehead, Molly Atkinson,

Ward Councillor - Jenny Watson

 

2. Minutes of September 2006 meeting

 

Proposed: Tony Butcher                       Seconded: Jean Downie

 

3. Minute Secretary Appointments (for the remainder of 2006)

 

November : Molly Atlinson

December : Keith Whitehead

 

4. Mobile Library – Invited Guest

 

This item was held over and remains an open invite meantime.

(Action: Jean Downie)

 

5. Keithmuir and DYP03

 

Sandy Wallace and David Morrish to meeting with some Keithmuir residents to discuss local issues and handover of DYP03. Meeting to be arranged.

(Action: Sandy Wallace)

 

6. Procedures for CDDCC Donations

 

Each year the Community Council reviews its funds with a view to disbursing unspent operating budget within the community. A significant % of this has in the past gone to supporting the Drumoak and Durris Newsletter on the basis that it forms part of the CDDCC communications effort. Additionally, members thought that the Crossroads Toddler Group, Friends of Durris Forest were worthy of some support. The FDF were looking to fund sign posting the Elrick Mounth path and towards the restoration effort for the old Durris Bridge. The CC agreed the following distribution of the £400:

Newletter - £250; Toddler Group - £50; Elrick Mounth - £50; Old Durris Bridge £50.

Cheques to be made out and paid as above.

(Action: John Hopkins)

 

7. Correspondence

Of particular note this month:

  • Traffic Calming Review Aberdenshire: Local views requested on the success of Drumoaks 40mph limit. (Action: David Morrish)
  • Invite to Aberdeenshire Strategic Planning seminars. Community Councillor to attend 5th Oct session in Banchory  (Action: John Hopkins)
  • Invite to the Planning for People Workshop, Sat 28th October 0930-1600Oct Tarland Hall, Tarland. Volunteers from the CC required. (Action: All/Any?)
  • Invite to Consultation on Draft Planning Advice Note: Community Engagement. Seminar was held on 28th September in Aberdeen. This is one of those short notice opportunities that we tend to lose as the invite is sent and the event held between meetings. Post-meeting note: Secretary to scan incoming mail for short notice invites and advise CC by e-mail (Action: Jean Downie)
  • Interim Report on the Aberdeenshire Community Planning Board

 

8. Access Issues

8.1 Damaik Farm

Review of action held over to the next meeting as action party unavailable.

No other reported issues.

 

9. Park Quarry Liaison

Don Keith briefed the CC re the recent liaison meeting which centred around the issues of blown sand and weeds. These matters will be resolved by spraying with water and the purchase of grass cutting equipment. Chap to be requested to submit their environmental policy for the next newsletter.

(Action: Don Keith)

 

10. Major Developments

 

10.1 Drumoak

 

The ongoing shortage of space at the primary school was once again highlighted. An example of this was 12 staff having to queue for the single staff toilet during their breaks.

 

The dead tree, west of the Park Smiddy on the North side of the A93 was removed.

 

Sandy Wallace pointed out that the planning application for a new public house in Drumoak brings about a conflict with respect to access for the potential new School site proposed at Keithmuir Park. Planning services to be contacted.

(Action: Sandy Wallace)

 

10.2 Durris

 

Dr Graeme Brown addressed the meeting re local concerns around the Outline Planning application for a residential housing development at Woodlands of Durris:

  • Escalation of house numbers Local Plan 20, Outline planning 30, Developer ?
  • Impact on School roles, Woodlands Primary and Banchory Academy
  • Parking and safety at Woodlands School
  • Affordable housing
  • Lack of impact assessment, traffic and roads, environment, nature of village

Woodlands School Board plans to have an extraordinary meeting and invited a CC member to attend. David Morrish accepted. (Action: David Morrish)

CC initially recommended that the Woodlands community voice their concerns in writing to the Aberdeenshire Directors of Planning and Education. In the case of the latter to ask what input they themselves have had re this development.

The CC offered to produce a document entitled ‘How to Respond to Planning Applications – The Process’. (Action: John Hopkins)

 

10.3 Crathes

 

Following the Marr Area Committee Meeting approval of the Crathes Developoment brief and the subsequent write-up in the Deeside Piper, David Morrish had written a response (to the Piper) which was copied to the Director of Planning. A response and apologies were received from the planners which avoided addressing the thrust of the comments which pertain to the lack of community involvement, planning bureaucracy, missed opportunity and the absence of vision. Post-meeting note: apparently, the article is on top of the Piper’s list of stories for the week commencing 16th October.

The Community Council has yet to receive a copy of the brief. A Crathes sub-committee will now be formed to address the brief and the follow-up. (Action: Keith Whitehead)

 

11. Planning Applications

 

Nothing to report

 

12. Review Other Outstanding Actions

 

Access issues to be picked up next month when Molly Atkinsion returns. Other outstanding actions were postponed to Novembers meeting in view of the time.

 

13. Procedures for minutes & arrangements for AGM

It was agreed that minute writers will submit minutes to the CC by the Sunday following the meeting. Councillors then have 24 hours to submit any views, thoughts or changes. Following this the minutes will be updated and distributed forthwith.

 

The AGM will be held in the Drumoak Church Hall on 12th December at 1930.

 

14. AOB

 

14.1 Crathes Public Safety Issue

The private road that runs from the centre of Crathes to the Milton is now being used by the football traffic, including coaches, local traffic and the Deeside Way. This is a tiny gravel road with blind bends completely unsuitable for this kind of use. The situation is further exacerbated by the recent increase in apparent speed of some traffic.

Leys Estate & Craig Stewart to be contacted with a view to improving the situation. (Action: Tony Butcher)

 

Next Meeting, 7th November 2006

 

Distribution

 

        e-mail                              post                                   by  hand                                   other

 

CDDCC Councillors         Councillor Jenny Watson       Durris Hall Notice Board              Website www.durris.net

                                                                                         (via Sarah Hopkins)                  (also for previous minutes)

 

Councillor Sandy          Crathes Hall Notice             Drumoak Post Office (via        Neighbourhood Watch

Wallace                           Board (via David                 John Hopkins)                            Co-ordinator          

                                Humble)

 

Mr W Munro, Area       Banchory Public                 Park Shop

Manager, Kincardine    Library

& Mearns

 

Mr L Allen, Area           Community Police

Manager, Marr              Officier (Drumoak/

                                         Durris/Crathes), c/o

                                         Banchory Police

                                         Office

 

Rev. JimScott,                Drumoak Public Hall

Durris Manse                 (via Ian Pirie)