09 09 01
Crathes,
Drumoak & Durris Community Council (CDDCC)
Minutes
of Meeting
Tuesday 1st
September 2009 – Irvine Arms, Drumoak from 19.30 hours
Community
Councillors: Jean Downie, Jenny Watson, David Morrish (Acting Chair),
Nicola Chambury, Geoffrey Atkinson,
Aberdeenshire
Councillors (Ward 18): Graeme Clark
Aberdeenshire
Councillors (Ward 16): Linda Clark
Aberdeenshire
Council Officer: Mark Skilling
Members
of the Public: Brian Smith
Minute
Secretary: Heather
Apologies:
Doug
Allstaff,
All those present were
welcomed to the meeting, particularly Mark Skilling from the Council Roads
department, who came in lieu of Ritchie Fraser, who was unable to attend this
meeting.
The minutes of August 2009
were proposed by Jenny Watson and seconded by Jean Downie, and accepted
as an accurate record.
There was no police attendance
at this meeting, and the Community Council has received no bulletins. When they
arrive, these will be posted on the Community Council website.
Jenny Watson mentioned that an
elderly man from the Tilquihillie home has begun to wander into this area. The
police know about this, and anyone who encounters him is asked to look after
him and phone the home to collect him. He is very polite, and may knock to ask
where he is. Everyone present was asked to notify his or her neighbours of him.
(Action: Everyone)
Ritchie Fraser was
unfortunately unable to attend this meeting, so Mark Skilling presented this
item instead. He said that the signs had been put up temporarily, and he found
them not quite as eye-catching as others he had seen previously were. There are
three or four other locations where they are being tested at or near bus stops
in Aberdeenshire. These signs were on a three month loan, which was
unfortunately over the summer months when there were no schools open. Because
of this, the loan has been extended for a further six months, to try them out
during the dark winter nights. They will be returned in November, and the posts
will need to be put back up before this. All the feedback gathered from
schoolchildren, their parents and drivers stopped on the road has been very
positive. However, bus drivers felt that they did not change the attitude of
drivers to school buses. Overall, the response was promising.
David Morrish asked if numbers
from the surveys carried out would follow. Mark Skilling said that these would
be collated, and then sent to the Community Council. These surveys are able to
show the difference in speeds when the lights were on and flashing, and when
they were turned off.
David Morrish also mentioned
that the only piece of feedback that the Community Council had received
directly was a negative report that said the signs were ‘a waste of time’ but
gave no reason why.
John Baillie commented that
they were useful for reminding drivers that there was a junction coming up.
Brian Smith commented that
they did not always flash when a car was approaching, but agreed that they
slowed the traffic despite this. They were useful for alerting buses to the
presence of children. He commented that they stopped flashing after a while if
the children stopped moving around. Mark Skilling replied that it was necessary
that the signs were motion – operated, otherwise left bags would make them
flash continually, which would waste energy.
Brian Smith said that the signs
did not mean that cars behind a bus would stop overtaking dangerously as the
bus let children off. They also encouraged children to run straight across the
road, thinking that cars would stop for them. John Baillie commented that this
could be because cars cannot see the signs if they are very close behind the
bus.
The Community Council
supported the proposition to repeat the trial in the darker nights.
Brian Smith mentioned that out
of three speeders recorded one day by the traffic police, one was a bus!
Jean Downie suggested that the
signs could be made to only flash at certain times of day, when schoolchildren
are likely to be using the buses Mark Skilling replied that the cost for this
would be much higher, and that there are too many places where children are
picked up for this system to be practical. In addition, he said that the places
where children are picked up changes annually. This system could only be set up
in extremely dangerous places like the Myrebird junction. John Baillie suggested
that a similar lighting system could be affixed to the buses, such as the one
used by agricultural vehicles. However, Mark Skilling replied that there are
still over 700 school buses in the
Graeme Clark commented that
the Council are reviewing the idea that overtaking of buses would be prohibited
when these lights are flashing, because of the number of accidents that there
have been in recent years. Along with Brian Smith, he commented that the
education of the schoolchildren is the solution to poor road safety.
Jenny Watson commented that
the road awareness of the children was poor at this time of day because they
become so excited on the school buses, which causes a lack of concentration.
She has previously spoken to the school about this issue. Graeme Clark said
that it is part of the bus drivers’ training to control the children on the
bus. Linda Clark commented that this did not however include their crossing the
road after leaving the bus.
John Baillie said that the
children still know how to cross roads, despite being excited. He mentioned
that ipods and mobile phones could prove a distraction in this situation.
This meeting’s discussion will
be fed back to Ritchie Fraser (Action:
Mark Skilling) and he will be invited to attend a future meeting of the
Community Council (Action: Jean Downie).
Myrebird
Junction
Mark Skilling was also asked
to talk on the subject of the Myrebird junction whilst he was at the meeting.
He said that the existing visibility is 80m, whilst it should be 250m. However,
it would be impossible to achieve such a level in this position. The landowner
did not agree to measures which would increase the visibility to 160m, but has
agreed on principle to measure increasing the visibility to 120m, which will
make a huge difference to the safety of the junction. She has already been
visited by a surveyor, and a legal agreement regarding access is currently
being prepared. Finance is available for this project this year. The legal
arrangements will take several months to complete, so it is hoped that work
will start early in the New Year. It was commented that this would also provide
a huge benefit for those turning into the junction from the east.
He also mentioned the rise in
the road to the east of this junction. The visibility here is just 140m, but
nothing can be done without altering the whole road structure and rebuilding.
Brian Smith suggested that the
sign could be moved to an earlier position, giving more warning of this hazard.
The new 30m.p.h. signs will be
in Drumoak by the end of the year.
Jenny Watson commented that
the signs at Crathes are very effective, but could perhaps be positioned in
order to give more warning. Nicola Chambury asked about the possibility of
introducing a speed limit here, as many people use these junctions. However,
Mark Skilling said that this is not possible because the lack of housing would
mean that it would not be taken seriously, and would reduce the effect of other
limits in the area.
David Morrish commented that
Crathes might become a village in the future – speed limits should be put in
before this happens, or it should not happen at all. He thanked Mark Skilling
for attending our meeting.
5.1 Recent
Planning Applications
There were no applications in
Drumoak, Durris or Crathes. The Community Council were not appearing under
‘representation’ on the website because we are considered a ‘consultative body’
so have been appearing under the section with SEPA, the Roads Dept. etc.
5.2 ECO
village
Not all of the Community
Councillors had received the documentation regarding this. Geoffrey Atkinson
commented that it was offensive of the Chap planners to assume with such
sincerity that the project would go ahead. It was suggested that all commercial
planners act in this way.
No EIA will take place until
there are positive signs that the development will go ahead, as it is
expensive. David Morrish has not had replies from the letter he sent previously
regarding this item, but commented that ECO-villages are part of the Scottish
Government report, and are involved with all their initiatives. Jenny Watson
commented that this village would not be sustainable be cause it is too small
to provide for itself.
(Action:
David Morrish) Feedback regarding the developer’s involvement with the
Scottish Government will be requested. David Morrish will draft a letter to
Nicola Sturgeon, with whom he has previously been in contact.
The current advert for the
ECO-village is illegal, despite being on wheels, so is due to be removed.
5.3 Deeside
Railway
A reply has been received, and
a representative will be coming to the next meeting. Linda Clark commented that
the planning application was not perfect, and needs some adjustment. There have
been several miscommunications from both sides. They are now in a better
position to negotiate, but they must submit a masterplan for the project. Dr.
John Tyler is no longer their spokesperson.
5.4 Tesco
The majority of people were
originally in favour of this development. The ECO-friendliness of the store was
challenged, as many aspects had not been addressed. There is no policy in place
to enforce the ECO-friendliness of the development, but they do have to meet
certain conditions. Jenny Watson asked when the development was planned to
start, but no one was sure.
Nicola Chambury asked about
the damage this would do to the view at the entrance to Banchory. However, it
is too late to comment on this, as consultation has passed. They will have to
meet basic standards of appearance at the entrance.
A booklet was received,
entitled ‘Serving Aberdeenshire; a Guide to Council Performance 2008/09’. This
was passed around the Community Councillors.
There is a road closure on the
A957, at the junction south of Kitty Head.
This item was covered under
the Bus Stop Trial
Graeme Clark said that he had
been to the Glebe since the previous meeting. There was no broken glass there
at this time, and he spoke to children and dog walkers using the Glebe, who had
not seen any either. He suggested that camping would probably become less of an
issue now that the summer holidays are over. It was suggested that a new gate
system could be introduced to keep vehicles out. One such system with gate
posts that can fold down was suggested.
` There are no outstanding actions under schools
Community Councillors have
been invited to a meeting regarding the new Banchory Health Centre. No one was
sure of the proposed location.
Geoffrey Atkinson raised the
fact that Banchory does not provide repeat prescriptions by phone, whilst
Culter does. It was agreed that this would be a valuable service for the
community. Cllr Clark will follow this up by asking the Health Centre about it.
(Action: Linda Clark)
Linda Clark spoke to Ian
Gabriel. The facility on Raemoir road will be open to any new charitable
organisation, such as the community composting scheme from the end of October.
Graeme Clark mentioned that
although Doug Allstaff was not present, he had received the contract for the
maintenance of the
Graeme Clark raised the matter
of the safety barrier between the
13.1
Tony Butcher
David Morrish raised that a
piece regarding the death of Tony Butcher had been put into the Piper, and the
money has been sent to charity. The family was appreciative of this.
13.2
Summer Surgery Tour
Linda Clark raised that this
will be taking place in our area, but the Community Council are unable to
promote it, being a non-political body.
13.3
Tony Brown
Tony Brown is the organiser of
the Banchory Forum, and has asked for better communication to happen between
them and our Community Council. Their next meeting will be on the 16th
September, and representatives were asked to attend to discuss community links
between the Councils. The meeting will begin at 19.30pm in the East Church
Hall. David Morrish will attend on behalf of the Community Council.
13.4
Riverside Walk
The walk between the Crathes
and Drumoak bridges encompasses a wooden bridge which is in very poor repair.
Graeme Clark will email the Council to ask them to repair it. (Action Graeme Clark)
13.5
Padlock
14. Forthcoming Meetings and
details of Presentations
·
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
HR 11/9/09
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Distribution |
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Email |
Email |
Email |
Post |
Other |
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CDDCC Councillors (excl. Jenny Watson) |
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Insp. |
Jenny Watson |
Website http://www.durris.net/ (also for previous
minutes) |
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Cllrs. Linda Clark, Karen Clark, Jill Webster (Ward
16) |
Leanna MacLarty (Press and Journal) |
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Drumoak Public Hall Notice Board (via Ian Pirie) |
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Cllrs. Peter Bellarby, Graeme Clark, Mike Sullivan,
Wendy Agnew (Ward 18) |
Kirkton of Durris Hall Notice Board
(via |
PC |
Banchory Public Library |
By Hand |
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Mr W Munro, Area Manager, Kincardine & Mearns |
Rev. |
Crathes Hall Notice Board (via Doug Allstaff) |
Drumoak Church Hall Notice Board (via Morag Keith) |
Park Shop (via |
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Mr L Allen, Area Manager, Marr |
Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator – |
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Drumoak Post Office (via |