08 05 06

Crathes, Drumoak & Durris Community Council (CDDCC)

Minutes of Meeting

 

Tuesday 6 May 2008 – Irvine Arms, Drumoak from 19.30 hours

 

1.         Sederunt

 

Community Councillors: Jean Downie (Acting Chairman), Jenny Watson, John Hopkins, David Morrish, Tony Butcher

Aberdeenshire Councillors (Ward 16):  Linda Clark

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

Apologies: Molly Atkinson, Ann Ross

 

 

2. Minutes of March 2008 and Notes of April 2008 meeting

 

It was noted that the reason that Banchory Library no longer displayed planning application plans was because of “lack of space”.

 

With the above-noted exception, the minutes of March 2008 and notes of April 2008 were both proposed by Jenny Watson and seconded by Jean Downie, and accepted as accurate records.

 

 

3. Matters Arising from Notes of April 2008 meeting

 

3.1 Drumoak Sewage Treatment Plant

 

Graeme Clark reported his understanding of the outcome of the meeting of 1 May 2008 at Viewmount (at which he was unable to be present).  Minutes of the meeting would be issued in due course.  Salient points of a preliminary note of the meeting were:-

 

·        “Contrary to popular belief, Stewart Milne is not obliged by way of planning conditions to upgrade the sewage treatment plant nor to provide a (sewerage) connection to Drumoak School”, although the popularly-believed ban on occupation of the houses in advance of the upgrade was not denied

·        Stewart Milne is prepared to contribute towards an upgrading based on the SEPA standards applying at the time of development, although whether this were a planning gain requirement or a selfless act of philanthropy was not recorded

·        Scottish Water have still not authorised funds for the upgrade and “there is little prospect” of this happening before April 2009

·        The 70 metre connection from Drumoak School to the mains sewerage system would be at the Council’s cost, but this “could be funded from planning gain” (not philanthropy, then)

·        The Council has other – unfunded - schemes for Drumoak School, but again these “could be funded from planning gain” (but from which development this planning gain might come is not revealed)

·        The Council questions whether the sewerage connection, etc. would be worth doing, given that “hopefully a new school will be coming soon”

 

CDDCC unanimously rejected the idea that the sewerage connection, etc. should be cancelled simply because an unfunded and, so far, distinctly hypothetical new school might provide a retrospective excuse for lengthy inaction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.2  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.

 

3.3 Durris and Crathes Schools - Proposed Car parks

 

At one stage, it had been understood that Bert McIntosh might be prepared to undertake gratis the necessary ground-works for the proposed car park opposite Durris School.  As yet, however, permission to utilise the required land had not been obtained.

 

Planning gain from the new Durris housing development was “unlikely to be available” for a school car park.  This was because children living in those houses would not use the bus and hence the perceived need for the car park was logically unrelated to that development.

 

To contact both Chris Charnley and Stewart Young and raise the necessary planning applications with plans etc., for both the Crathes School and Durris School car parks (Action: David Morrish)

 

It was noted that – apparently – Community Councils could obtain a 50% discount on the cost of planning applications.  To take this into account when submitting the above applications (Action: David Morrish)

 

Linda Clark suggested that part of the cost of the car parks might be reclaimable from the “Safer Routes to School” funding.

 

3.4 Myrebird Junction

 

John Hopkins had written to Mark Skilling re-drawing his attention to this issue, but not yet received any reply.  Jenny Watson said that she understood that a further meeting had been convened to attempt to progress the matter.

 

3.5 Park Bridge 3 tonne MGW Weight Limit

 

Graeme Clark reported that the K&M Area Committee had authorised the 3 tonne MGW limit, over-ruling objections from two local farmers.

 

There was much discussion of the inconvenience to the two objecting farmers and of the possible impact of farm vehicles on North/South Deeside Road traffic as a result of them being diverted via the Maryculter or Durris bridges.

 

It was also noted that emergency vehicles might not be able to use the bridge at the lower weight limit.  This did not seem to be an insuperable problem since (a) fire engines carrying water would be over the existing 4 tonne limit (b) ambulances and police vehicles would be below the new 3 tonne MGW limit (c) given the geographic locations of the fire and ambulance stations, little or no delay would be likely as a result of taking the South Deeside, rather than North Deeside, Road.

 

It was agreed that the structural and visual integrity of this A-listed bridge was paramount.  David Morrish suggested that an adjacent ford (perhaps at one of the historical ford locations) might overcome any heavyweight crossing problems at a modest cost.

 

Note:  The new signs were erected shortly after the meeting.

 

 

4.  Drumoak Youth Project

 

In the absence of Caroline Cruickshank and Debbie Cameron, discussion on this subject was deferred.

 

5. Planning and Other Issues

 

5.1  Crathes and Durris

 

Nothing new to report.

 

5.2 Drumoak

 

5.21 Outline Planning Application for house at land NE of Park Smithy

 

The application claims that this house is for an agricultural worker.  A 27 page 'supporting statement' has also been submitted.  The new house is proposed to be nearly 500 yards to the north of the A 93.  On the assumption that this was a valid agricultural worker application, CDDCC had no comment.

 

5.22 Application to turn a bothy into a small cottage at Newhall Drumoak (near Broomfield)

 

As the bothy building is already in place, CDDCC had no comment.

 

5.23    Large Implement Shed to W of Sewage Treatment Works

 

CDDCC had no comment.

 

 

6. Correspondence

 

6.1 Draft Structure Plan

 

An email had been received relating to the availability of the draft Structure Plan (due late May 2008).  To write asking that CDDCC be included in the consultation process (Action: John Hopkins) (DONE)

 

6.2 Draft Housing Land Audit

 

To respond on behalf of CDDCC (Action: David Morrish)

 

6.3 Data Protection Registration

 

John Hopkins noted that the Information Commissioner for Scotland’s office had now written to state that a statutory body (of which Community Councils are one example) cannot be regarded as a voluntary or not-for-profit organization and hence cannot thereby claim exemption from the Data Protection Act.  This allegedly applied notwithstanding the fact that the members of the Community Council are themselves volunteers.  No basis for these assertions was given.

 

John Hopkins went on to observe, however, that since CDDCC itself possessed neither a computer nor a structured manual filing system, it could not be required to register as a data controller under the DP legislation.

 

Individuals (including members) sympathetic to the aims of CDDCC could – as volunteers and not as agents of a statutory body – send emails, produce minutes, run a website etc. without being required to register, since they personally would benefit from the domestic (including recreational) and/or journalistic exemptions from the DP Act.

 

To write to the Area Managers for K&M and Marr, the local MSP and MP and to ASCC, drawing attention to CDDCC’s interpretation of the DP Act in relation to Community Councils  (Action: John Hopkins) (DONE)

 

6.4 Core Path Scheme (Barrowsgate)

 

To send a “holding” reply to Jim Brunton (Action: John Hopkins) (DONE)

 

To send a detailed reply to Jim Brunton (Action: Molly Atkinson)

 

6.5 Community Empowerment Update

 

CDDCC expressed itself baffled by this latest piece of “initiative-itis”, which seemed to duplicate several previous officially-sponsored projects.

 

6.6 Consultation on Draft Model Scheme for Establishment of Community Councils and Draft Code of Conduct for Community Councillors

 

To reply on behalf of CDDCC (Action: John Hopkins) (DONE)

 

6.7 ASCC Constitution Consultation

 

Since CDDCC has chosen not to be a member of ASCC, it was thought inappropriate to comment on its proposed constitution.

 

6.8 Complaint about litter near bus shelter

 

A complaint had been received from Iain Campbell of Reidford Gardens, complaining about litter caused at the nearby bus shelter by the distribution of Aberdeen Journals newspapers.  To write to Aberdeen Journals, drawing their attention to the litter problem (Action: John Hopkins) (DONE)

 

6.9 Consultation on Changes to BT Phonebox Network

 

Given that no payphones are proposed for removal in the CDDCC area in the present review, no comment would be made.

 

 

7. AOCB

 

7.1 Bicycle Ride

 

To decide upon a date (probably 22 June) and route (probably simple and on the local part of the Deeside Way) and to forward details for the Newsletter and the website (Action: David Morrish)

 

7.2 Attendance of Police at CDDCC meetings

 

Jenny Watson queried why representatives of the police had ceased attending CDDCC meetings.

 

If they had been present, it would have provided the opportunity to draw to their attention the serious seasonal problem of speeding motorcycles.

 

7.3 Chairmanship Arrangements for June meeting

 

It was agreed that, in the potential absence of Molly Atkinson and Jean Downie, David Morrish would – if required - chair the June meeting.

 

7.4 Royal Bank of Scotland

 

John Hopkins reported that he had received a letter from RBS, stating that CDDCC’s account would be chargeable “at (their) standard tariff rates” as from 2 June 2008.  This would entail costs of at least £60 per annum (well over 10% of CDDCC’s income).

 

To ask the Branch Manager for continued exemption from charges, on charitable grounds (Action: John Hopkins) (DONE)

 

 

8. Next Meeting

 

1930 hours, 3 June 2008, Irvine Arms, Drumoak

 

JFH 08/05/08

 

Distribution

Email

Email

Post

Other

CDDCC Councillors (excl. Jenny Watson)

Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator – Alister Bisset

Jenny Watson

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

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

Leanna MacLarty (Press and Journal)

Crathes Hall Notice Board (via David Humble)

 

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

Durris Hall Notice Board (via Sheila Watt)

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

 

Mr W Munro, Area Manager, Kincardine & Mearns

Rev. Jim Scott, Durris Manse, Durris

Drumoak Public Hall Notice Board (via Ian Pirie)

By Hand

Mr L Allen, Area Manager, Marr

 

Banchory Public Library

Park Shop (via John Hopkins)

 

 

Drumoak Church Hall Notice Board (via Morag Keith)

Drumoak Post Office (via John Hopkins)