08 03 04

Crathes, Drumoak & Durris Community Council (CDDCC)

Minutes of Meeting

 

Tuesday 4 March 2008 – Irvine Arms, Drumoak from 19.30 hours

 

1.         Sederunt

 

Community Councillors: Molly Atkinson (Chairman), Jean Downie, Jenny Watson, John Hopkins, Caroline Cruickshank, Debbie Cameron, Ann Ross

Aberdeenshire Councillors (Ward 16):  Linda Clark

Aberdeenshire Councillors (Ward 18):  Wendy Agnew, Graeme Clark

Apologies: Sandy Wallace, David Morrish, Peter Bellarby, Karen Clark, Jill Webster

 

 

2. Minutes of February 2008 meeting

 

It was noted that the “date of next meeting” quoted in the February 2008 minutes was incorrect.

 

Caroline Cruickshank also noted that PC Jenny McHattie had, in fact, completed her report, although this had probably been sent to Don Keith, rather than direct to CDDCC.  To ask Jenny McHattie to send a further copy (this time to Molly Atkinson) (Action: Caroline Cruickshank)

 

With these noted exceptions, the minutes were proposed by Jenny Watson and seconded by Linda Clark, and accepted as an accurate record.

 

 

3. Matters Arising from February Minutes

 

3.1 Speed of Cars past Drumoak School

 

Caroline Cruickshank noted that she had coincidentally had the opportunity to report to PC Jenny McHattie the fact that the 20 mph limit adjacent to Drumoak School was not being observed.  She had also mentioned the vandalism.

 

3.2 House Flooding in Keithmuir Gardens

 

There had so far been no repeat of the flooding problem.

 

Graeme Clark had raised the question of responsibility in such instances with Aberdeenshire Council (Ian Thompson) and awaited a reply.

 

3.3  Illuminated Speed Warning signs at Drumoak

 

The eastern sign was currently functional.

 

3.4 Drumoak Youth Project

 

Caroline Cruickshank reported that she had received quotations from Derek Anderson for steelwork and fencing (a) at each end of the pitch and (b) all round the pitch.

 

Caroline Cruickshank reported that she had been unsuccessful with the application to the Shell Small Grants Scheme.  Wendy Agnew noted that the “Top-Up budget” might currently contain unallocated funds.  To telephone Willie Munro to progress this possibility (Action: Caroline Cruickshank).  Linda Clark said that the “Cash for Kids” (Northsound) fund might also be a source of grants.  To contact Ruth Morrison of “Cash for Kids” (Action: Caroline Cruickshank).  To check with Ian Thompson the position on Council money for goalposts etc.  (Action: Caroline Cruickshank).

 

3.5 Drumoak Sewage Treatment Plant

 

It was noted that this matter would again be featured in the spring issue of the Parish Newsletter (publication date 9 March).  To raise the matter at his meeting with Scottish Water on 17 March (Action: Graeme Clark)

 

3.6 Garden Centre at Mains of Drum

 

Graeme Clark noted that this planning application had yet to go to the Infrastructure Services Committee. 

 

3.7 Proposed Used Car Sales business adjacent to Drumoak Farm Shop site

 

The planning application had not yet been scheduled for consideration by the K&M Area Committee, although there had been a policy review by James Wheater of Aberdeenshire Council, drawing attention to the policies that this application contravened.

 

 

4. Planning and Other Issues

 

4.1 Midhill Windfarm

 

Jean Downie had received a reply from Natural Power (consultants for the Midhill Windfarm), To circulate this reply (Action: Jean Downie)

 

In discussion, it became apparent that there was disagreement within CDDCC about both the general principle of subsidised windfarms and the merits of this particular application.

 

To seek further clarification of the access issues during proposed construction (Action: Molly Atkinson)

 

4.2  Crathes Housing Development

 

No news.

 

4.3 Woodlands Housing Development

 

No news.

 

4.4  Publication of Planning Applications

 

Jenny Watson said that – as someone who had visual difficulties with emails etc. – she was one of a number of people who depended on physical publication of planning applications and associated plans in Libraries.  She found it unacceptable for the Council to state that plans were available at a specified library, when they were not actually there.  This had happened to her on more than one occasion recently.

 

CDDCC agreed that this was a matter for general concern.  To draft a letter to Aberdeenshire Council on behalf of CDDCC, deploring this practice (Action: Jenny Watson)

 

4.5  Park Bridge Tollhouse

 

The planning application for extension/improvement as a private dwelling was welcomed in principle, although some concern was expressed about the extent of the alteration to a Listed Building (grade B).

 

5. Correspondence

 

5.1 Data Protection Registration

 

CDDCC had received a letter from Leslie Allan stating that the Information Commissioner had unilaterally decided that all Scottish Community Councils were “data processors” and therefore must register as such (at an annual cost of £35 plus paperwork) in due course

 

CDDCC expressed disdain for this latest piece of bureaucratic overkill.

 

To take on responsibility for drafting CDDCC’s response to this matter (Action: John Hopkins)

 

5.2 RAF Presentation on Low Flying

 

To decline the RAF’s kind offer of a presentation on Low Flying (Action: Jean Downie)

 

5.3  Loch of Park SSSI

 

An updated review by SNH of the Loch of Park SSSI had been received for information.

 

5.4 Working of Multi-Member Ward Representation

 

A request had been received from Willie Munro for comments on the working of multi-member ward representation.  To circulate the letter asking CDDCC members for comment (Action: Molly Atkinson)

 

5.5 Parliamentary Area Boundary Changes

 

Parliamentary Area Boundaries were proposed to change for Scottish Parliamentary constituencies, although not UK Parliamentary constituencies.  (The status of European constituencies was not at this point clear to CDDCC).

 

This was felt likely to lead to another psephological triumph, akin to the decision to hold Scottish Parliamentary elections and council elections on the same day with incompatible voting systems.

 

It was apparently proposed to include Stonehaven with Angus.  To draft a letter drawing to the attention of Aberdeenshire Council, the Boundary Commissioners and local MPs, MEPs and MSPs the fact that this would further exacerbate the anomaly created by the unwarranted grouping of Drumoak and Durris community with Stonehaven at the time of the creation of multi-member wards and to seek a more logical resolution thereof (Action: John Hopkins)

 

 

6. Access Issues

 

6.1 Core Path Network

 

Molly Atkinson distributed copies of the proposed Core Paths map for Drumoak.  This included:-

 

a)      Deeside Way

b)      the path (originally created by CDDCC) from the just north of the Park Bridge Tollhouse to central Drumoak

c)      the path along the North Deeside Road from Drumoak to Mains of Drum

d)      the path (“Barrowsgate”, an old right of way) connecting Sunnyside Drive to Couper’s Road east of Collonach

e)      a “circular” path created by connecting (a) and (b) via the existing path south of the caravan sales site

 

No Core Paths are proposed for Crathes (other than the existing Deeside Way) or for Durris.  This is more to do with funds availability than anything else.

 

6.2 Seven-Strand Barbed Wire Fence

 

Molly Atkinson reported that there was now a cleared route bypassing this fence.  This long-standing issue now seemed to be resolved.

 

 

7.      Drumoak Churchyard

 

Jenny Watson noted that Aberdeenshire Council will be tidying the Church Yard.

 

 

8. AOCB

 

8.1 Future Meetings

 

It was agreed that, in the expected absence on holiday of Molly Atkinson, Jean Downie would chair the May meeting.

 

There were potential problems with chairing the June meeting.  These would be addressed before that time.

 

 

9. Next Meeting

 

1930 hours, 1 April 2008, Irvine Arms, Drumoak

 

 

 

 

 

JFH 06/03/08

 

Distribution

Email

Post

by hand

Other

CDDCC Councillors (excl. Jenny Watson)

Jenny Watson

Park Shop (via John Hopkins)

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

Cllrs. Linda Clark, Karen Clark, Jill Webster (Ward 16)

Crathes Hall Notice Board (via David Humble)

Drumoak Post Office (via John Hopkins)

 

Cllrs. Peter Bellarby, Graeme Clark, Mike Sullivan, Wendy Agnew (Ward 18)

Banchory Public Library

 

 

 

Mr W Munro, Area Manager, Kincardine & Mearns

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

 

 

Mr L Allen, Area Manager, Marr

Drumoak Public Hall Notice Board (via Ian Pirie)

 

 

Rev. Jim Scott, Durris Manse, Durris

Drumoak Church Hall Notice Board (via Morag Keith)

 

 

Durris Hall Notice Board (via Sheila Watt)

 

 

 

Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator – Alister Bisset

 

 

 

Leanna MacLarty (Press and Journal)