09 08 04

Crathes, Drumoak & Durris Community Council (CDDCC)

Minutes of Meeting

Tuesday 4 August 2009 – Irvine Arms, Drumoak from 19.30 hours

1. Sederunt

Community Councillors: Jean Downie, Jenny Watson, David Morrish (Acting Chair), Doug Allstaff, Diana Robertson, Nicola Chambury, Geoffrey Atkinson, John Baillie, Ann Ross

Aberdeenshire Councillors (Ward 18): Graeme Clark

Aberdeenshire Councillors (Ward 16): Linda Clark, Jill Webster

Apologies: PC Wayne Smart

Members of the Public: Neil McHattie, Brian Smith

Minute Secretary: John Hopkins

2. Tony Butcher 

David Morrish said that he was sure that everyone had heard of the recent death of Tony Butcher. He said that Tony was a brave soul, who was already unwell when he had volunteered to act as Chairman of CDDCC. He had borne his long illness with courage and humour and would be much missed.

Linda Clark added that she had known Tony and his family from her time with the Dental Practice and that they had been a fine group of people.

David Morrish suggested that CDDCC discuss after the present meeting in what way to mark Tony’s passing.

3. Previous Minutes

The minutes of June 2009 were proposed by Jenny Watson and seconded by John Baillie and accepted as an accurate record. 

4. Police Matters

No representative of the Police was present. A local crime report had been received from PC Wayne Smart. To be published – along with the previous such report - on www.durris.net (Action: John Hopkins) (DONE)

4.1 The Glebe

Jean Downie drew the attention of CDDCC to the fact that unauthorised overnight parties and camping kept recurring at the Glebe. Recent incidents had left broken glass, human faeces, the remains of fires and other mess strewn around.

The padlock on the gate has been broken over and over again and, although the Council had been prompt to replace it, little more had been done to prevent recurrence.

It was noted that – although the land was owned by the Church – it had long been leased by Aberdeenshire Council as a public park, incorporating a soccer field and picnic benches. Aberdeenshire Council was therefore responsible for its upkeep.

The latest incidents involved threats to safety and public health.

To email both the police and the Outdoor Services of Aberdeenshire Council, reporting the continual problems at the Glebe (Action: Graeme Clark)

5. Community Learning Presentation

As Linda Grey, who was due to give this presentation, was not present, the item was passed over

6. Myrebird Junction

Jenny Watson said that the cutting-back of trees and vegetation and the alteration of the wall of the garden at the corner of Myrebird Road was still pending, as the written agreement required by the council was with the house owner’s solicitor for action.

Ann Ross said that, in the meantime, a most regrettable incident had occurred, with person or persons unknown cutting some of the owner’s trees, leaving the branches on the ground.

John Baillie suggested that an illuminating sign, similar to the one at Crathes, would be an alternative – or additional – approach. It was also noted that – with the abandonment of SkyTrek by NTS (the reason for the erection of the sign) - the Crathes sign might simply be relocated to the Myrebird junction.

To maximise the understanding of the need for urgency, it was agreed to:-

· write, as a member of the public, to Mark Skilling of the Roads Department (Action: Neil McHattie)

· emphasise orally the urgency to Mark Skilling (Action: Linda Clark)

· write on behalf of CDDCC – to Ian Gabriel or Mark Skilling, as appropriate - saying that it was understood that solicitors were involved in the process, asking what was the delay and offering any help that CDDCC could provide to resolve the matter (Action: Doug Allstaff)

· Contact the owner and offer CDDCC’s further help and support (Action: Nicola Chambury)

7. Planning (Strategic & Local) 

7.1 Strategic

7.1.1 Main Issues Report

David Morrish noted that CDDCC’s submission to the MIR had been sent to the Council Planning Team by the 20 July (Community Councils) deadline. Ann Ross confirmed that an acknowledgement of this had been received.

Geoffrey Atkinson congratulated David Morrish and others involved in drawing together the submission on a “superb job”.

7.2 Local Applications

7.2.1 Crathes

It was noted that, despite a comment having been sent by CDDCC in respect of the Strathdoune planning application (and acknowledged in writing by the Planners), the paper submitted to the Marr Area Committee stated that “no representations had been received”

It was felt that too many instances of this sort of poor staff work had occurred.

To write to the Planners, expressing regret that they should have ignored or overlooked this representation by CDDCC (Action: David Morrish).

7.2.2 Durris

Nothing of special note.

7.2.3 Drumoak 

Geoffrey Atkinson noted that a proposed “industrial unit” opposite Woodside Farm, for which permission had been granted in 2004, but which had not been commenced, seemed to be the subject of some further application, designed to prolong the permission (which would in the normal course of events fall at the end of 5 years).

To phone the Planners at Stonehaven to find out the current status of the planning permission and to recommend any appropriate action to CDDCC (Action: Geoffrey Atkinson)

8. Deeside Railway

John Hopkins said that although - as a member of the public - he was not required to declare any interests, he thought it would be helpful to CDDCC to mention that he was currently Treasurer of the Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society (RDRPS).

Doug Allstaff observed that growing amounts of hardware and equipment kept appearing at the Milton of Crathes. He was concerned at what might happen if the voluntary railway organisation became insolvent and ceased operations. John Hopkins stated that there was a condition in the railway’s 2006 planning permission, which required equipment to be removed and the trackbed reinstated. He accepted that there was not a performance bond in place for such an event (such a bond being actually an unusual requirement), but noted that the value of scrap metal would make such removal self-financing.

In response to a question about the June application for planning permission for an Engine Shed, Jill Webster stated that the matter had been deferred because more information was required on the revised siting, a master plan was requested and enforcement matters had not yet been resolved. Linda Clark stated that she had dissented on all three issues.

John Hopkins stated that RDRPS had been requesting opportunities for meetings with the Planners for some months now, in order to resolve the enforcement issues. No meetings had taken place, which it was understood to have been attributed to the long-term sickness unavailability of an Enforcement Officer. Linda Clark said that, if that were the case, then the Planners should have made alternative arrangements.

David Morrish asked whether there were any issues for the railway about which CDDCC should be concerned.

John Hopkins explained that the lack of permission for the Engine Shed meant that the steam locomotive Bon Accord – which had been painstakingly restored – could not be brought to site and that hence the whole of its summer operating season, including large events such as the Deeside Steam & Vintage Fair, would be missed.

Ann Ross suggested that representatives of RDRPS be invited to come to the October meeting of CDDCC to talk about the railway. It was agreed that no presentation were required. John Hopkins suggested that, as background to this, it would be helpful to circulate to CDDCC a copy of the letter from RDRPS to the Planners, which tabulated their view of the position on the 25 planning conditions, including the path. To circulate the RDRPS letter and to arrange for representatives of RDRPS to attend the October meeting, if possible (Action: John Hopkins).

To write to the Planners, on behalf of CDDCC, noting that resolution of this issue was seemingly being unduly delayed by sickness absence and asking that alternative arrangements, if possible, be made (Action: David Morrish)

9. Deeside Way

Doug Allstaff drew attention to the state of the path which formed part of the Deeside Way, particularly the amount of undergrowth. Comments were also made about the surface of the path.

John Baillie noted that it was the section of the Deeside Way beyond the railway, towards Banchory, that was the worst part. Responsibility for this part was with Aberdeenshire Council.

Graeme Clark stated that Craig Stewart was responsible, within Aberdeenshire Council, for the Deeside Way. In his temporary absence, by reason of secondment, Alistair Fullwood was the relevant contact - whose details he could provide. He noted that a maintenance contract was currently underway for the length of the Deeside Way. To contact Alistair Fulwood to determine the schedule for this maintenance (Action: Doug Allstaff).

10. Correspondence

10.1 Aberdeenshire Core Paths Plan

It was noted that this had reached its final stage of consultation.

10.2 Environmental Statement by CHAP

Jean Downie noted that she had still received nothing on this matter from CHAP’s agents. To follow this up (Action: Jean Downie).

It was noted that a recent report in the local paper suggested that CHAP proposed to bypass the Strategic Plan process and go straight to the Scottish Government to get permission for their “Park Eco-Village”. This was felt to be a somewhat surprising development, although it was not known if this were true or simply a rumour. To contact Bill Burr of CHAP to ask him the situation (Action: David Morrish)

11. Road Safety

Ann Ross reported that she had written to Mark Skilling about speed limits in Crathes, particularly where the A957 was crossed by the Deeside Way.

Jill Webster stated that there was a draft paper to the next Marr Area Committee, proposing lower speed limits on A and B roads within villages. As part of this, there would be a speed limit of 40 mph along the A957 and that part of the North Deeside Road within Crathes village.

To contact Mark Skilling and ask for a copy of the draft paper (Action: Ann Ross)

12. Youth Amenity (standing item)

There were no comments.

13. Schools

John Baillie stated that notwithstanding the fact that electro-magnetic radiation levels had been found to be very low at the proposed site, the School Council felt that the School should not be located there but instead closer to the centre of the village.

It was noted that, on the basis of an earlier public consultation exercise (long before the Strategic Plan), CDDCC had proposed that Keithmuir Park be used for the new school site, with a replacement park created on land to its west - which was believed unsuitable for building, by reason of pipelines beneath it. An access road for the school could be formed to the immediate west of the present Drumoak houses (which is why the site for the replacement Irvine Arms was then shifted further westwards by agreement between the applicant and the Planners).

To write to the Planners, supporting the idea that a more central site for the school would be preferable and citing the earlier CDDCC study (Action: John Baillie)

14. Health Services (standing item)

There were no comments.

15. Engagement of CDDCC with its Constituents (standing item)

There were no comments.

16. Review of Other Outstanding Items

16.1 Composting

To find out if the Crow’s Nest site might provide a composting facility in the longer term (Action: Linda Clark)

16.2 Neighbourhood Watch

(Note added subsequent to meeting: The Police had been contacted, asking for details of Neighbourhood Watch contacts. Their replies had been that they were prevented, by Data Protection considerations, from divulging this information, but that they would pass on the details of CDDCC to the Neighbourhood Watch, who would – if they saw fit – contact CDDCC. How is it that they can pass on details of CDDCC, but cannot pass on details of Neighbourhood Watch?)

17. AOCB

17.1 Crathes Hall

Doug Allstaff stated that Crathes Hall had been seeking funding for their car park. They had only had limited success with this, but had received an offer of funding for bicycle sheds from NESTRANS. They were pleased with this, as it would facilitate an informal variant on “Park and Ride”, with commuters cycling to Crathes Hall for onward journeys by bus.

CDDCC supported this development.

Jenny Watson suggested that – as Crathes Hall received so little funding from Aberdeenshire Council (in contrast to some other Public Halls) – they should apply for Marr Area top-up grants.

17.2 Safety Barrier adjacent to Park Bridge

John Hopkins referred to an email from Aberdeenshire Council in 2004, accepting that a safety barrier along the road to the north-east side of Park Bridge was desirable (because the bank fell away steeply from it), but stating that a date for its installation could not be predicted. He asked if this might now be actioned. To write to the Roads Department to follow this up (Action: Graeme Clark)

17.3 KMAP

Graeme Clark asked why CDDCC had not joined the Kincardine and Mearns Area Partnership (KMAP). He noted that the latter were keen to encourage Planning for Real exercises and he felt that such an exercise would be useful for Crathes, Drumoak and Durris.

John Hopkins noted that this issue had been discussed at the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee (which he had attended on behalf of CDDCC) and several Community Councils from the southern part of K&M were keen on the principle of Planning for Real, but wished someone to run it for them as a once-off trial, rather than simply to offer them training so that they could learn to run their own. This KMAP were not prepared to do.

Graeme Clark said that there was now a new approach by KMAP. To invite KMAP to come to the November CDDCC meeting to talk about Planning for Real (Action: Graeme Clark)

18. Forthcoming Meetings and details of Presentations

· 1 September, Irvine Arms, Drumoak – Richie Fraser to give result of Myrebird Junction See Me School Bus equipment trial

· 6 October, Irvine Arms, Drumoak – possible discussion with Royal Deeside railway Preservation Society

· 3 November, Irvine Arms, Drumoak – possible discussion with KMAP full-time worker about Planning for Real and/or Making it Real

All meetings to commence at 1930 hours

JFH 5/8/09 

Distribution
Email	Email	Email	Post	Other
CDDCC Councillors (excl. Jenny Watson)	Danny Law (Deeside Piper)	Insp. Andrew Todd	Jenny Watson	Website http://www.durris.net/ (also for previous minutes)
Cllrs. Linda Clark, Karen Clark, Jill Webster (Ward 16)	Leanna MacLarty (Press and Journal)	Insp. Jim Gordon	Drumoak Public Hall Notice Board (via Ian Pirie)
Cllrs. Peter Bellarby, Graeme Clark, Mike Sullivan, Wendy Agnew (Ward 18)	Kirkton of Durris Hall Notice Board (via Sheila Watt)	PC Wayne Smart	Banchory Public Library	By Hand
Mr W Munro, Area Manager, Kincardine & Mearns	Rev. Jim Scott, Durris Manse, Durris	Crathes Hall Notice Board (via Doug Allstaff)	Drumoak Church Hall Notice Board (via Morag Keith)	Park Shop (via John Hopkins)
Mr L Allen, Area Manager, Marr	Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator – Alister Bisset			Drumoak Post Office (via John Hopkins)