CRATHES DRUMOAK & DURRIS COMMUNITY COUNCIL

12 01 04

Crathes, Drumoak & Durris Community Council (CDDCC)

Minutes of Meeting

4 January 2012 at Crathes Hall from 19.30 hours

1. Sederunt

Community Councillors: David Morrish, Gill Bruce, Howard Scholey, Geoffrey Atkinson, Ann Ross

Aberdeenshire Councillors: Linda Clark, Graeme Clark

Members of Public: Ruth Wardle, Brian Smith

Members of Grampian Police: PC Wayne Smart, PC Elizabeth Gibson

Apologies: Wendy Agnew, Jim Williamson

Minute Secretary: John Hopkins

2. Approval of Previous Minutes

It was agreed that the penultimate paragraph of the minutes of section 6.33 of the November 2011 meeting be deleted and replaced by:-

‘It was noted by Gill Bruce that there were discrepancies between the original drawings submitted by Barr on behalf of SSPCA and what they actually caused to be built. Once planning was granted with conditions for the centre, these conditions were rarely met. For example, Planning officers reassured residents that the lighting scheme would be low height and thereby less obtrusive. In the event, tall lamp-posts were substituted, and left unchanged after they were reported.’

Subject to this change, the minutes of Novermber 2011 were proposed by David Morrish and seconded by Ann Ross and accepted as an accurate record.

3. Police Matters

Wayne Smart noted that there had been two recent reports of rifle fire at night in the east of Drumoak - towards Peterculter. Deer carcasses had been found and poaching (which had been occurring south of the Dee) was suspected. There had also been reports of vehicles and torchlight near to the riverbank.

This would be the last CDDCC meeting attended by Wayne Smart, as he would shortly be moving to a post in the Force Control Room in Aberdeen. His replacement for the CDDCC area will be PC Gavin Clunie, G9703.

Wayne Smart thanked CDDCC and the local public for their help over the last few years. In turn, David Morrish thanked Wayne for his good works.

Graeme Clark asked if there had been local reports of red diesel theft. Wayne Smart said that there had been such, over towards Banchory-Devenick, although none in the CDDCC area. Concern was also expressed about the theft of domestic heating oil. It was noted that padlocking of plastic tanks was no great protection. PC Elizabeth Gibson said that an effective, yet moderate-cost, deterrent to such thefts is a motion-activated lighting of the tank area.

Graeme Clark also noted, with regret, the rise in drink driving offences this winter in Aberdeenshire. Wayne Smart said that this had not been reflected in the CDDCC area.

4. Election of Office-Bearers

David Morrish noted that, at the recent AGM, there had been just sufficient nominations to meet the minimum number (7) of Community Councillors for the CDDCC area. It was now a matter for the new Community Council to elect new Office-Bearers. He, himself, was definitely resolved to step down as Chairman.

The post of Chairman was discussed. David Morrish proposed and Ann Ross seconded Howard Scholey, who expressed some reluctance on the grounds of his relative inexperience in detailed CDDCC matters. David Morrish said that he would be happy to provide necessary support and, after some debate, was proposed as Vice-Chairman by Geoffrey Atkinson and seconded by Ann Ross.

The proposed candidates for Chairman and Vice-Chairman were supported by acclamation: Howard Scholey and David Morrish accepted their respective nominations.

David Morrish (continuing to chair the present meeting) noted that the post of Secretary had been impossible to fill, which was why a common email inbox for CDDCC had been instituted. He sought the opinions of members as to how this was working. The consensus was that it was working adequately. It was therefore decided to continue with the present arrangements. To ask Jim Williamson if he would be content to continue to act as the chief monitor for the common mailbox (Action: Howard Scholey)

The existing Local Planning Monitors – for Crathes, David Morrish and, for Drumoak, Geoffrey Atkinson – were reappointed. To ask Jim Williamson if he would accept re-appointment in respect of Durris (Action: Howard Scholey)

It was noted by Linda Clark that there was no longer a local reporter for the Press and Journal and that the local reporter for the Deeside Piper was now Richard Creighton. After discussion, Ann Ross accepted the responsibility of acting as Press Liaison (proposed David Morrish, seconded Geoffrey Atkinson).

Geoffrey Atkinson said that Molly Atkinson would be prepared to continue as Access Monitor.

John Hopkins said that he would be prepared, if required, to continue to act as Minute Secretary and Treasurer.

David Morrish noted that Willie Munro had proposed the discontinuation of the Park Quarry Liaison group, through lack of relevant business. This was agreed.

Attendance at Community Council (Area level) Forums would be arranged on an as-required basis, where there were topics of specific interest. Graeme Clark noted that K&M Area were commencing Ward-level Forums. There would be one such for Drumoak on 23 February, in the Drumoak Church Hall.

5. Priorities for 2012

It was agreed that CDDCC priorities for 2012 would be:-

Roads/road safety
Schools
Development & Planning
Community Engagement

Ann Ross proposed that CDDCC should organise a public meeting addressing Community Engagement, the care of the Elderly and Youth Issues, etc., by inviting all of the relevant local voluntary organisations along to inform the public of their services. John Hopkins suggested that this might usefully be organised in conjunction with a forthcoming Crathes Fly. This was generally considered to be worthwhile.

6. Planning (Strategic)

David Morrish noted that there were a substantial number of pending planning issues, both within and outwith the Local Development Plan, which potentially affected the CDDCC area. Amongst the more immediate were the proposed Crathes Area Crematorium, the revived Brodie Countryfare proposal and the CHAP Eco-Village.

6.1 Crathes Area Crematorium

David Morrish introduced Brian Smith to the meeting. Brian had written to CDDCC some while ago, raising the issue of a potential Crematorium for the area. Jamie Burnett of Leys Estate had, separately, been asked by Brian Smith to consider possible sites and had identified a site to the north-west of the Crathes crossroads.

Brian Smith mentioned that the plans were to include a Graveyard, as well as a Crematorium. He stated that Jamie Burnett had suggested that a Graveyard could be sited in the field next to the Crathes Hall, but had subsequently decided against this and proposed the alternative site (as above).

David Morrish said that he had written to Jamie Burnett to the effect that CDDCC did not see how such a proposal might fit in with Aberdeenshire Council’s existing strategy specific to Crematoria, the underlying assumption for which indicated that a Crematorium could serve a radius of 60 miles (with Hazlehead Crematorium being just 15 miles away). This suggested that any additional Crematorium for Aberdeenshire should perhaps be located at Huntly or well up the Dee Valley. There were also considerable local concerns about road capacity for the particular site indicated.

David Morrish suggested that new Crematoria should in the first instance be proposed for the Strategic Growth Areas identified in the Structure Plan which would ensure adequate access. He also asked whether any local or other alternative sites had been considered, including perhaps Hill of Banchory.

Brian Smith said that the reason he had considered Crathes was that it would be easier of access for people from Stonehaven and Alford than is Hazlehead. He also noted that the current charge for cremation at Hazlehead is £819. The charge at a new Crematorium could be substantially cheaper.

David Morrish asked what was the envisaged next step. Brain Smith said that he would await Jamie Burnett’s response and – if favourable – apply for Planning Permission.

Ann Ross suggested that perhaps the Hill of Banchory would be a more suitable location for the Crematorium and graveyard and it was already zoned for industrial and social development which had recently included a new church. It was also on a bus route and had excellent access roads. It was agreed that this would be discussed at the planned forthcoming public meeting at Crathes.

To write further on the subject to Jamie Burnett (Action: David Morrish)

6.2 Brodie Countryfare

An indication had been received that the Brodie Countryfare proposal (rejected some years ago at Appeal) would be resubmitted for Planning Permission. This proposal was understood to be substantially as before, occupying a field north-east of the Park Smithy.

Representatives of the developer would be attending the February CDDCC meeting, making a presentation strictly limited to 10 minutes, with up to 20 minutes subsequently scheduled for discussion by CDDCC.

6.3 CHAP Eco-Village

David Morrish noted that, notwithstanding the Eco-Village having been rejected in the Local Development Plan, CHAP’s agents were continuing to represent the development as proceeding (most recently in the form of a “consultation” in Drumoak). People were extremely confused as to what on earth was happening with the Local Development Plan and the extent to which it would be followed.

It was agreed that a public meeting would be organised by CDDCC, inviting Piers Blaxter and local Ward Councillors, with the objective of clarifying the Strategic Planning situation and how it affected ongoing planning applications.

The idea of combining this with the Drumoak Ward Forum meeting on 23 February was considered, with Linda Clark advising that Willie Munro should be consulted on the feasibility of this, but it was felt that 23 February was too far in the future and that an earlier date was required.

To contact Piers Blaxter to check his availability for an early meeting (the sooner the better), specifically also asking what were the implications for Drumoak referred to in his (PB’s) email about “Housing Land Drawdown” (Action: David Morrish)

To convene the above meeting, advertising it in the Deeside Piper and via the Crathes Fly (Action: Howard Scholey and David Morrish)

Ann Ross felt that an early public meeting for Crathes, to consider planning issues there, was necessary.

7. Planning (Local)

7.1 SSPCA

Geoffrey Atkinson had earlier reported that Arthur Ingram (Environmental Health) agreed that there was a noise problem. The latter had written to SSPCA and received a moderately constructive response. The original noise consultants are to measure the actual noise and, if Arthur Ingram were not content with this (perhaps because of it being done in atypical circumstances), he would conduct his own noise survey. Unfortnately, it would appear that there has been no subsequent progress on this matter.

To write:-

To SSPCA, saying that the issue has been referred to Environmental Health (Action: David Morrish)
To Arthur Ingram, saying that CDDCC wishes him to follow up this issue (Action: David Morrish)

Geoffrey Atkinson asked for CDDCC support in submitting a letter to the Local Newsletter, to correct two incorrect assertions made in the correspondence about SSPCA, which the Editor thereof had subsequently declared closed. After some discussion, it was concluded that CDDCC should not become involved at this level of detail. However, it would be appropriate to seek to have a regularly-contributed column in the Newsletter from CDDCC, so that its views would not go unheard. To consider the feasibility of proposing this (Action: Ann Ross)

7.2 Other Drumoak

It was noted that George Wight had resubmitted his planning application for a new Public House in Drumoak. CDDCC deplored the fact that the lack of any concrete action in respect of sewerage capacity had led to a years-long delay in the original application.

7.3 Durris

No contentious applications.

7.4 Crathes

No contentious applications.

8. Any Other Business

8.1 Donations to local charities, etc.

John Hopkins stated that he had applied to Aberdeenshire Council on behalf of CDDCC for an Administration Grant for 2011/12. He said that there had been a rule in the past that, if the balance in the accounts of a Community Council exceeded the level of the Administration Grant, then that Grant could optionally be withheld for the coming Year. CDDCC was at risk in that respect, although whether or not the rule was applied would not be known until a response was received from the Council’s Finance Department. On past performance, this reply could be expected in February.

Hence, CDDCC’s prospective financial situation was not known. In the light of the possible cost of forthcoming public meetings, it was agreed that consideration of donations to local charities should be held over until the position was clear.

It was also understood that Crathes Hall Committee might wish to review the kind arrangement to provide meeting facilities gratis to CDDCC, if it transpired that CDDCC had funds. It was clear that paying anything approaching the commercial rate would be unaffordable in the longer term, but it was thought appropriate to consider the possibility of making a charitable donation to the Crathes Hall.

To inform CDDCC as soon as possible of any resolution of the funds issue (Action: John Hopkins)

To consider potential donations to local charities at the February meeting (Action: All)

9. Next Meeting

7.30 p.m. on Wednesday 1 February 2012 at Crathes Hall.

JFH 5/1/12

DISTRIBUTION
EMAIL	EMAIL	EMAIL	EMAIL	WEBSITE
CDDCC Councillors (excl. Jenny Watson)		Insp. Andrew Todd	Diane Collinson (KMAP)	http://www.durris.net/ (also for previous minutes)
Cllrs. Linda Clark, Karen Clark, Jill Webster (Ward 16)	Gary Cruden (STV)	Insp. Steve Golightly	Alison Ritchie, Community Learning
Cllrs. Peter Bellarby, Graeme Clark, Mike Sullivan, Wendy Agnew (Ward 18)	Graeme Scott (Press and Journal)	PC Gavin Clunie	BY POST Jenny Watson Banchory Public Library Drumoak Church Hall Notice Board	BY HAND Park Shop Drumoak Post Office Irvine Arms
Mr W Munro, Area Manager, Kincardine & Mearns	Kirkton of Durris Hall Notice Board (via Sheila Watt)	Crathes Hall Notice Board (via Nicola Chambury)
Mr L Allen, Area Manager, Marr	Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator – Alister Bisset	Local Newsletter Editor (Marion Nixon)