Crathes Drumoak & Durris Community Council (CDDCC)

 

Meeting at Drumoak Church Hall

 

Wednesday 8th December at 7.30 p.m.

 

1. Present - Community Councillors; David Morrish (Chairman), David Hirst, Donald Keith, John Hopkings, Jean Downie, Jill Gow, Hanni Willan, Didier Terroir, Tony Butcher.

Mr. William Munro, Area Manager, Kincardine & Mearns.

Members of the public.

Apologies; Julia MacKay, Rev. Jim Scott, Cllr. Sandy Wallace, Cllr. Jenny Watson, Douglas Allstaff, Molly Atkinson.

 

2. Approval of previous month’s Minutes.

 

Approval of the Minutes was proposed by Donald Keith and seconded by John Hopkins.

 

3. Constable Tennant Report.

 

Constable Tennant apologised for poor attendance at previous CDDCC meetings.  If he is unable to attend meetings in the future  either Arlene Stewart or George Bennet, Community Officers, will attend in his place.  The new Inspector at Banchory is Kevin Coyle and Gordon Nichol is the Sgt. Allocated to our area.

On police matters he said that apart from one incidence of vandalism to the Primary School there had been no other problems. The Drumoak Youth Shelter was ideal from the Police point of view and better when sited in a park area.  The shelters in Banchory and been very worthwhile .He agreed that a police patrol would give the Drumoak shelter passing attention from time to time to ensure that their presence was noted but not intrusive.

He said the Neighbourhood Watch schemes were progressing well and that recent months had been quiet but that Christmas time and long dark nights were ideal for crime.  A list of neighbourhood watch co-ordinators is available from the police.

The Banchory Police call centre is now answered in Bucksburn – 0845 600 5700.  If the police are needed they will be sent from this area. They want to know when something is happening at the time, not later. The 999 number may still be used in emergencies. For anonymous calls (e.g. drunk drivers) the 0845 600 5700 should be used.

Constable Tennant said he would check to see if e-mail contact could be made and let CDDCC know.

Ron Stark asked what was being done to prevent road deaths of young drivers which seem to be on the increase. Constable Tennant said that the Traffic Department had been moved from Banchory to Inverurie and Stonehaven. He said that they tried to educate drivers but it was very difficult.  Mr. William Munro said Aberdeenshire Council in conjunction with Aberdeen Council were initiating a Safety Campaign aimed at young drivers. It was based on a video made by Fife Police and all 5th year school children would be shown the film. It is hoped it will have impact and a long lasting  message.  The target for Aberdeenshire is November 05 when a new video incorporating local scenes should be ready.

 

David Morrish thanked Constable Tennant for his report.

 

4.  Appointment of January/February Minute Secretary.

 

January – Julia MacKay

February – Didier Terrior

 

5. Review Actions.

 

David Hirst was unable to attend the last Community Council Forum on 25th November. The next three meetings will be held on the last Thursdays of February, May and September 2005. CDDCC need to find someone to attend February meeting.

 

Mineral extraction in Drumoak. Sandy Wallace was not in attendance so this matter deferred until the next CDDCC meeting.

 

Old Bridge at Kirkton of Durris.  Don Keith had not managed to contact Andrew Lewis to arrange a site visit. This is still to be arranged.

 

Closure of Park Bridge Road.  The first meeting of the sub-committee for quarry liaison took place today at 3.00 pm. At the Irvine Arms.  Both the Community Council and Aberdeenshire Council were represented but unfortunate CHAP could not attend.

Mr. William Munro  said that liaison committees were recommended Best Practice but it would need to be a fairly major project as they were quite time consuming.

 

Drumoak School.  Hanni Willan had met with Hamish Vernal but there would be more meetings as Drumoak was a contentious school.  There would be a press release in early January and a Public Meeting in late January.

 

Henni had been invited by the Scottish Executive and Press & Journal to a Question and Answer session with Jack McConnel on contentious issues.  This will be on Monday, 13th December at the University.

 

VAT Issues.  The vat issue on the youth shelter has been resolved. Future projected will be dealt with on a case to case basis.

 

Drumoak School Action Plan.  John Hopkins will accept and publish material on the CDDCC web site.  Hanni to check what she would like to publish.

 

6. Correspondence.

 

The correspondence was circulated to the council. A method of handling correspondence to be developed between the Secretary and Chairman.

 

7. Drumoak School.  Hanni to keep us informed.

 

8. Drumoak Houses. The application  received final approval this week.  It is though that work will commence within the next month or two.

Donald Keith said that three of the houses would  be sited on top of his water line. Mr. Monro said he should contact Stewart Milne direct.

 

9. DYP03. The youth shelter is now finished and discussions are underway for a Grand Opening and to find someone to open it.  Donald Keith to discuss with Sarah Hopkins.  A Plaque is to be put up acknowledging contributions made.  Donald Keith had thanked Eric Clark, Duncan White and Calum Taylor for their efforts in building the youth shelter on behalf of the CDDCC.

 

10. Planning Applications.  These are available on the Aberdeenshire Council website and updated weekly.  Letters of objection are not yet available for our area but will be coming shortly.

 

The Aberdeen Local Plan Enquiry is continuing. Our area will be heard in January.

 

11. AOB.

 

a. State of field by Deeside Garden Centre.

b. Meeting with Mrs Gore.

c. Code of Conduct for Community Councils

d .Rural Community Transport Funds Initiative.

e. Planning Gain Meeting.

 

a.  Noted.

 

b. A meeting is to be held on 15th December between Mrs Gore and Mr. William Munro and David Morrish, Donald Keith and David Hirst.

 

c. Donald Keith to send a copy of the Code of Conduct to all Community Council members for comment by 18th December.

 

d.  Action Jean Downie.

 

e. David Morrish had attended the Planning Gain Seminar which had been very good. It educated us in the way the system works but there is no feedback to the community which is left out.  Mr. Munro said that in the future it was hoped to make it a more open process.

 

Ron Stark asked how Aberdeenshire compared with other areas, were we tougher or not so tough. Mr. Munro said the figures were not available for Scotland.

 

Next Meeting

 

4th January 2005 . Irvine Arms starting at 7.30 p.m.

 

 

CDDCC Councillors

Councillor Jenny Watson

Councillor Sandy Wallace

Mr. W. Munro, Area Manager, Kincardine & Mearns

Mr.L. Allen, Area Manager, Marr

Crathes Hall Notice Board

Banchory Public Library

Durris Hall Notice Board

Drumoak PO

Park Shop

Rev. Jim Scott

Community Police Officer

Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator

Website