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Kenny Thomson, Joan Thomson, Drew Cullinane, Sheila Gray, Ann Marston, Ava Rennie, Councillors Nan Cullinane, Martin Ford and Fergus Hood and Garioch Area Manager Ian Fowell. Chairman Kenny Thomson welcomed members and Local Councillors. Also present and welcomed were Mr Percival, Mr Sutherland and Mrs Monaghan from East Park, Mr McDonald from Sunnyside View and Mrs Stirling from Kingsfield Road.
Apologies
Ken White, Christine Stamper, Graham McDonald, John McCall and PC Darren Cochrane, Grampian Police.
Minutes of the Last Meeting
Minutes of the 21 March 2008 meeting were approved by Joan Thomson and seconded by Sheila Gray.
Matters Arising from the Minutes
A. Kintore Structure Plan Update - Local Councillors are waiting for this Draft Plan to be circulated to them. There will subsequently be a public consultation period, with six weeks being the usual time for comments. Any members of the public can comment. Following discussion, it was agreed that a Public Meeting should be arranged, where the Structure Plan could be brought to attention and discussed by Kintore residents. Kintore Open Space Initiative (KOSI) members, which has concerns regarding lack of ‘Green Spaces’ within the town, agreed to help with leafleting for the Meeting.
B School Lighting. - The level of lighting at Kintore School has been reduced, but a degree of lighting is required for the CCTV cameras to operate. Likewise with the Car Park. Agreed to wait until clocks change again and assess the situation then.
C Road Condition at 55, Northern Road. - The uneven road surface outside this address has still not been repaired. It is apparently the contractor’s job to repair the road, but within a certain timescale, which may have expired. Councillor Hood agreed to follow this up.
D The Knackery. - New owners have taken over this rendering plant, but they insist it is not to be used as such. More information as it becomes available.
E.East Park play-park. - The Chairman wrote to the Leisure and Recreation Department re the removal of the six metal posts and Spiders Web. Residents originally wanted much simpler equipment for the younger members of the community, like roundabouts, etc. Agreed reached with the Council to remove the six metal posts, but not the Spiders Web. Teenagers allegedly often use the Spiders Web equipment as a meeting place to consume alcohol. This has already involved the police. The height of the equipment is also a cause for concern allowing those on it to invade the privacy of nearby residents. The residents in the vicinity of the park have expressed their annoyance on many occasions, but to date nothing has been done. This anti-social behaviour of the teenagers must be addressed, with a greater Police involvement a possible part solution.
Bus Stop Update - A proposal to site a bus shelter on Northern Road had attracted some criticism. Discussion involving Cllr Cullinane and the Public Transport Unit has resulted in a compromise whereby a small shelter would be erected.
G. Senior Citizen’s Outing. - Ann Marston informed the meeting that £807 in total would be required for the Annual Outing. Approval was given to charge £10 per person with a maximum of 40 people to go on the trip. It is proposed the trip be to HQ Guide Dogs for the Blind in Forfar. High Tea will be at the Park Hotel, Montrose. Further Information at the next meeting. Perhaps some fund raising at the Summer Festival could be arranged to assist in funding. Joan Thomson, Christine Stamper and Sheila Gray are to assist Ann in this matter.
Inverurie and Kintore Capacity Study
The Chairman gave a brief presentation, on the content of the Study NOTE: Copies of this presentation were subsequently e-mailed to members.
Planning Matters
None causing concern.
However, on Planning matters generally, Councillor Ford reminded those present that if no comments are made on Planning Applications, it is assumed there are no objections to them. He also made the point that Developers and Applicants have rights regarding planning applications.
Reports
Mr Fowell, Garioch Area Manager, informed us that grant forms for funding towards new Christmas Lights were available. Applications are to be in by the end of May. The Chairman agreed to inform the ‘Christmas Lights Committee’.
A project grant would be available to buy a new Community Notice Board. A wall-mounting type would be cheaper but this may not suitable for Kintore. NOTE: Grant Application Form for Notice Board received and with the Treasurer.
Correspondence
A Scottish Community Council Newsletter (available from Chairman).
Post Watch. Asking for Community Council support in a campaign against Post Office Closures. As an aside to this, it was also noted that many Public Phone Boxes have been removed, due to most people now possessing mobile phones.
AOCB
Bins at Langstane Housing: Most residents do remove their wheelie/recycling bins, but there are still a few that make the Town Centre untidy. Drew Cullinane agreed to contact Langstane Housing again re this matter. Councillor Hood also agreed to help.
Coping Stones. Some of these are still lying around the centre of the village (by the Town House) after the traffic calming measures were installed. This is potentially dangerous and these stones could also conceivably be used as missiles. Contactors are obliged to tidy up the area after work is completed and Councillor Nan Cullinane agreed to follow this up.
9. The Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and contributions, advising the next meeting would be at 7pm on Monday 19 May, at the same venue.
New School Crossing. A resident asked why a new crossing had never been considered where the school-crossing patrolman carries out his duties. Councillor Hood agreed to investigate.
Structure Plan. The Chairman agreed to call a Public meeting re this matter.
Date of Next Meeting:
7pm, Monday 19 May 2008 in Room 111, Kintore School.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting including several members of the public.
Members present: Drew Cullinane (attended first hour), Sheila Gray, Ann Marston, Graham McDonald, Ava Rennie, Christine Stamper, Kenny Thomson, Joan Thomson, Ken White, Cllrs Nan Cullinane, Fergus Hood.
There were no apologies.
2. Approval of minutes
The minutes of the last meeting held on 18 February 2008 were approved. Moved by Sheila Gray, seconded by Ann Marston.
3. Action Points arising from last meeting
Item 5 Structure Plan: Councillors confirmed that the main corridors for development remained Laurencekirk-Huntly, Aberdeen-Peterhead. Meeting to be held this week should provide further information.
Item 7 Letter to Director of Planning. Letter sent by Chairman had been circulated and discussed widely with responses particularly from other community councils who felt the same way about their communities.
Item 11 Bins at Flats: Head of Langstane Housing, Alan Grant, to get problem resolved.
Lighting at School: Reply from Robertson unsatisfactory. Chairman to get in touch with Robertson again.
Dog Fouling on Castle Road: Cllr Cullinane said Dog Warden will get cleared up but no bins are provided in unlit areas.
Road condition outside 55 Northern Road: Letter to Ian Rendal sent but no action so far.
4. Other Matters arising Inverurie and Kintore Capacity Study.
The Chairman reported that he, KW, AM and JT had attended the public meeting on behalf of KDCC. The Study postulated a 100% increase in the number of houses in both Inverurie and Kintore over a twenty year period. It was a planning tool which showed how the requisite facilities such as schools and open space could be fitted in to match the growth in houses in order to avoid the indiscriminate development seen in the past. It is intended to feed into the local development plan when it comes along.
A lengthy discussion took place on the prospect of a huge increase in housing in Kintore envisaged in the Study. Cllr Hood advised that any community faced with such a prospect should consider whether it was in favour of a large housing expansion. The Council will take notice of community’s feelings about this but each community would have to verify the true feelings of the community. It was agreed that KDCC should survey the Kintore community on the matter. Comments on the Capacity Study are to be returned by 4 April.
Cllr Hood said he was concerned that a further 150 houses were being proposed in addition to the GHA development with no account being taken of the further pressure on the School.
5. Planning Matters
Donald Russell development at Mid Mill had been approved by the Planning Committee. Discussion followed and it was concluded that there was little either Councillors or Community Councils could do to prevent such developments. Grampian Housing Association’s planning application for the adjacent site had also been approved.
It was reported that there were no other relevant planning applications from the weekly lists.
6. Reports Bus Forum:
Sheila Gray and Ann Marston had attended the meeting at Kingswells. It was an interesting meeting and there was a request that the No 10 bus goes more often through Kintore to the Hospital. The bus company would be considering this.
Graham McDonald reported that the Community Flat was to be renamed ‘the Local Hub’ and funding has now been secured for the removal of the partitions beginning in April. He had secured the use of a house in the GHA development. He had spoken to Ian Fowell who had said that the cost of hire of the all weather pitch should be no greater than Council prices.
7. Correspondence
Aberdeenshire Community Safety Groups Annual Seminar 12 April, Kemnay Church Centre 9am -12.45pm.
Aberdeenshire Transportation and Infrastructure Sustainable Community Halls Initiative. Information passed on to Kintore Hall Committee by the secretary.
Forestry Commission Scotland. Consultation on Draft Climate Change Action Plan 2008-2010.
RAF Community Relations Officer(Scotland) re presentation about low flying training.
Scottish Water invitation to meeting with Chairman providing update on capital investment programme.
8. AOCB
The Knackery: Kenny Thomson reported that ORAN had been bought by a larger firm who were not interested in animal rendering. He did not know what was to happen to the multi-million pound installation recently completed for this purpose at Cottown.
East Park Playpark: Eight East Park residents were present to express their views about the proposed football pitch for which metal posts for fencing had already been installed. A lengthy discussion took place around the question of flooding, attracting the wrong age of child, general suitability for that area. The conclusion was that this installation was not suitable or needed. The Chairman agreed to write to ‘Landcape Services’ to this effect. The residents also raised objections to the ‘spiders web’ climbing frame installed 3 years ago and the issues surrounding older young people misusing it. The Chairman agreed to mention this too.
A question was asked about the effect of the GHA development of flooding on this area. On the general question of Tuach Burn flooding Colin Sterling mentioned that Gillespies had not used the right maps showing how the Burn floods.
Shift of Bus Stop Northern Road: Mrs Reid to be advised to petition Public Transport Unit Aberdeenshire Council. Cllr Cullinane is trying to stop this proposal with a letter to John Shinnie.
Dog show: Graham McDonald asked if there was any objection to a Dog Show being held. No objections, with the suggestion that the Summer Festival (13-15 June) might be a good time.
Senior Citizens Outing: Ann Marston said that a £1000 subsidy would be required this year for the outing on Thursday 3rd August. She would like to know at the next meeting what CC funds would be available for this. It was suggested that money from the Council’s Top Up Budget may be available. Apply to Ian Fowell. A CC stall at the Summer Festival was also suggested.
9. Date of Next Meeting Monday 21 April 2008 in Room 111 School at 7pm.
Present
Kenny Thomson, Joan Thomson, Drew Cullinane, Sheila Gray, Christine Stamper, Ann Marston, Graham McDonald, John McCall, Ava Rennie, Councillor Nan Cullinane and Sgt Karen McDonald, Grampian Police .
Chairman Kenny Thomson welcome all in attendance.
Apologies
Ken White
Minutes of the Last Meeting
Acceptance of the minutes of the 20 January 2008 meeting were approved by Sheila Gray and seconded by Joan Thomson. Accordingly the minutes were accepted.
Induction Training Session
This was held at Gordon House on 11 February. The general opinion was that it was not quite what had been expected. Attendees mostly heard about the work of Council Departments associated with Planning matters. It was felt that not much was gained from the evening.
Inverurie and Kintore Capacity Study
A presentation has been arranged by Aberdeenshire Council for Monday 25th February 2008 at the Barn and Bushel, Thainstone. Members are welcome to attend.
Structure Plan
Councillor Ford is to be contacted by Councillor Nan Cullinane reference this and to give us an update on the planned further housing for the Kintore area at the next meeting.
Current Planning Applications
Donald Russell AP/2007/4265 : this application goes before the planning meeting on the 15th April, so we await the outcome.
Grampian Housing Association Midmill : this Application also goes before the planning meeting on the above date. 86 affordable houses and flats.
Scotia / J.R. Craig Enabling Development / New Town Park, ref: APP/2007/3937: Legal issues are involved with this Application. Awaiting further information.
Safe Lift Offshore Ltd Fortes Business Centre APP/2007/31/23 : amended plans are expected for this Application.
32, Forest Road, Kintore : after a site visit, this application was refused.
Other Planning related issues
Councillor Nan Cullinane informed us that the new school is already full to capacity and two more locatable cabins are to be erected at the school for the new session in August 2008.
Graham McDonald was of the view that more houses would have to be built to get Planning Gain for a further ‘new school’, so it wouldn’t be in our (KDCC) interests to object to houses being built. He suggested co-operation with Aberdeenshire Council Planning Department, rather than opposition. Sheila Gray however took the view that it would make common sense to call a halt to further house building until more facilities are in place.
Graham McDonald is to seek more information on Planning Gain, from the Council.
A detailed draft letter, written by the Chairman, was discussed. The letter concerned the apparent lack of planning of Community facilities in Kintore dating back to 1997. The Chairman is to make agreed amendments to the letter and forward it to the Director of Planning, with copies to Council Officials and Councillors and a copy is attached to these Minutes for perusal and public information.
Langstane Community Café: Graham McDonald reported that June is the latest proposed opening month for this Café. Funding has almost reached its peak. Community (Scotland) Funding, is another possibility for acquiring further funds. Ava Rennie is to apply for a Business Gateway Grant and submit a business plan. More information on this later.
Action Kintore
Several Members of the Action Kintore Committee visited an ‘Eco Friendly’ building near Alford, which was being constructed with compressed straw bales. The Committee was interested in this type of building, as it could be a possibility for the old Library site for the youth of Kintore. Our members were impressed how this building retained the heat. More information on this at the next meeting.
Police Matters
Sgt McDonald reported that three youths have been charged with breaking a window at Provost Lawrence Court. Youths who have been congregating on a regular basis in the Henderson Park area have been warned re their conduct
The under-age drinking and youth disorder around the Somerfield Store, Kintore, has hopefully been resolved for the time being.
Sgt McDonald also stated that a Police sponsored mobile sports van would be available during the summer months, which may prove popular with the local youths. This can be booked in advance on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, and is run by Aberdeenshire Council. This has been quite a success in other areas of Aberdeenshire. More on this information as it comes available.
Correspondence
Aberdeenshire Council (1). Results of the Community Well-Being survey on Crime and Anti-Social; Behaviour. The eight most commonly mentioned instances on Community Safety were:
Dog fouling (64%), Litter, anti-social driving, drunkenness, graffiti & vandalism, teenage nuisance, fly tipping and youth hooliganism.
Aberdeenshire Council (2). Bus Forum Meeting at Westhill Academy on 5 March 2008 at 7.30pm. Sheila Gray and Ann Marston to attend.
AOCB
Bins at Langstane Housing: It appears that Aberdeenshire Council may have no authority in this matter, as the access road may not have been adopted by the Council. Councillor Nan Cullinane will look into the matter, and his may involve contact with the Waste Management Department.
John McCall: stated the lighting in the school car park is excessive. Robertson, who own the school and car park were contacted last year and after numerous calls to get it sorted, all went well for a period. However, for some reason it’s now back to status quo. The Chairman agreed to look into this.
Chairman: spoke of the excessive charges that Kintore Boys club were experiencing for the use of the Astro-turf pitch. Grants are in fact available for this and he is to make further enquiries. Christine Stamper suggested that sponsorship for the ‘Kintore Boys Club’ could be acquired through the possible Donald Russell Planning Gain.
Graham McDonald: informed us the Western Peripheral route, at the point where it crosses the A96 road at Marshall Trailers, was much clearer than originally thought.
Joan Thomson: Informed us of the disgraceful and disgusting state of Castle Road, through litter and dog fouling. It appears that persons unknown are possibly emptying the bins, thus creating the mess. Councillor Nan Cullinane agreed to contact the Aberdeenshire Council Dog Warden and discuss possible solutions with her.
Sheila Gray: Requested help in getting the road repaired in front of the house on Northern Road. When sewage pipe were laid some years ago for the Dinnie Place development, deep trenches were dug in the carriageway. Some subsidence has resulted in an uneven road surface and this has caused excessive noise and vibration within her house when vehicles pass her house. Having tried on numerous occasions to resolve the matter through calls and correspondence, she has had no response whatsoever. The Chairman undertook to write to Ian Rendall, Aberdeenshire Council re the matter.
Date of Next Meeting:
7pm, Monday 21 March 2008 in room 111, Kintore School.
Dear Dr Gore
Kintore – Planning of Community Facilities
In November 1997, Aberdeenshire Council published a ‘Brief for the Development of 300 Houses to the West of Kintore’. In the introduction to the document, the Brief recorded “existing community facilities are under pressure and it (Kintore) could benefit from a series of environment improvements. The towns future however looks bright”. The Brief anticipated the building of 700 houses by 2006 and went on to record “The benefits of such large scale growth include the opportunity to provide new community facilities and more public open space”.
The Finalised Aberdeenshire Local Plan (Extract for Garioch), published in August 2002, provided for a total of 829 houses (page 206). In this context “Lack of community facilities” was identified as one of the main planning issues in Kintore. Since then however, planning permission has been granted or is pending for residential development in areas that include some earmarked for employment use, environmental improvement and designated conservation areas. The Community Council’s understanding is that further, substantial housing developments are planned for Kintore over the next 25 years.
Whilst house building has taken place at a bewildering rate, the availability of community facilities and public open space is currently less than that which prevailed in 1997 and the issue of community facilities and public open space has largely been ignored.
To accommodate the new Kintore Primary School, an independent full size football pitch and two tennis court were destroyed. Prior to its destruction, the football pitch was also used as recreation space by the School during term time. A large open space used, inter alia, for general recreation and annual Kintore Gala events, was also built over.
Aberdeenshire Council may take the view that the new school has provided additional and new facilities, but all of the activities now being undertaken in the new school, which include Library provision, indoor football, badminton, pipe band practice, bowling, computer classes, and those run by the Council’s Community Learning Department, all previously took place in the old school or other buildings within the town.
The new outdoor, all weather facility is impressive but is designed for either seven a side football or tennis and given that these two activities are mutually exclusive, this arrangement represents a downgrading of outdoor sports and recreation acilities. In addition, there is a charge for these facilities and this is a contentious issue which is sure to end in Community Council led confrontation with Aberdeenshire Council, following the November release of draft proposals from the Council, for a three fold increase in charges for using the facility.
Destroying free outdoor sports and recreation facilities and then having the audacity to charge exorbitant rates for their replacement is simply unacceptable and also flies in the face of Policy 16, on page 39 of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Structure Plan 2001-2016 which states “Local Plans shall set out policies to protect open space and playing fields and to encourage the provision of new sports and recreational facilities”. Whilst new sports facilities have been provided, they are cost prohibitive for widespread and frequent use by Kintore’s young people.
The beneficiaries of the housing explosion in Kintore have been the developers in terms of business, Aberdeenshire Council in terms of increasing local tax revenue and landowners who have sold land for housing development. The losers are the Kintore residents, especially those indigenous to the town, who are suffering progressive deprivation, as the ratio of outdoor amenity areas to population declines. A further consideration has been the growth in instances of anti-social behaviour, including vandalism.
There are Kintore residents prepared to invest their time to organise sport and recreation, particularly for the youth, but lack the facilities. A Community Centre is an obvious solution.
To date, it has proved difficult to extract information from Aberdeenshire Council relative to the spending of the substantial Developer Contributions which have accrued from the house building in the Kintore area. What seems clear is that it has not been spent on mitigating the effects of these developments, which is the layman’s expectation of the use of those Contributions and Policy 13, on page 37 of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Structure Plan 2001-2016, which states “Local Plans will identify criteria and circumstances where contributions will be required towards the cost of infrastructure, community facilities and any other elements”.
The new school has been shown to be inadequate, in terms of capacity, necessitating a much publicised and embarrassing recent announcement by the Council to source additional, temporary classroom accommodation alongside the new building, at considerable cost to the community. With house building in Kintore set to continue for many years, planning for the urgent provision of another Primary School is required short term, with serious consideration required to the provision of a Secondary School longer term.
The time has surely come to call a halt to house building in Kintore, until some action is taken in support of the comments made in the Planning documents, regarding the adequate provision of community facilities.
The purpose of writing is to recommend that a Conference be arranged involving all parties who have a role in this matter, including developers, house builders, Senior Council staff from Education, Planning and Social Work, local Councillors and representatives from the Community, with a view to putting in place an integrated strategy, which will ensure proper future planning and financing of community facilities, prior to Planning Permissions being granted and the commencement of any building works.
Such is the scale of the challenge facing us, a piecemeal approach whereby discussion takes place with individual Developers and House builders, will not be successful, as has been demonstrated over the past decade. Given the breathtaking rate of house building during that time, it is not unreasonable to expect provision of quality facilities to be given a matching priority, by the main decision makers in the process.
Previous Community Council Chairmen can testify to the many meetings they attended over the years, where promises of community facilities in Kintore were made by officials, but failed to materialise. An acrimonious struggle between Kintore residents and Aberdeenshire Council may not be palatable, but since previous encouraging words and promises, written and verbal, have led to nothing, action may now be required by members of the community to protect the future interests of their families and to ensure their concerns are taken into account.
Support for the Kintore cause may also be forthcoming from other Community organisations throughout Aberdeenshire, many of whom have experienced and can relate to the problems identified in this letter.
I look forward to an early response to this communication.
Yours faithfully
Kenny Thomson
Chairman
Copies to:-
Alan Campbell CBE, Chief Executive
Bruce Robertson OBE, Director of Education, Leisure and Learning
Local Councillors Cullinane, Ford and Hood
Ian Fowell, Garioch Area Manager
Garioch Area Committee members
Leslie Aitken, Garioch Area Planning Manager
Cdr C Hunneyball, Chair, Garioch Area Community Council Forum
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
The following members were present -
Drew Cullinane(Treasurer), Sheila Gray, Ann Marston, John McCall, Ava Rennie, Kenny Thomson(Chair), Joan Thomson, Ken White (Secretary), Cllrs Nan Cullinane, Fergus Hood.
Apologies received from Graham McDonald and Cllr Ford
2. Approval of minutes
The minutes of the last meeting held on 19 November 2007 were approved. Moved by Sheila Gray, seconded by Ann Marston.
3. Action Points 1 to 6 from last meeting
AP1 KT to contact Aberdeenshire officers about meeting to discuss planning procedures. KT and GMcD met Ian Fowell, Bruce Robertson and Bruce Stewart in December and a number of planning matters were discussed and clarified. Action Point discharged.
AP2 Town clock continuity. Enquiries ongoing. Action Point continues as
**Action Point 1: DC offered (post meeting) to take over this action point.**
AP3 KT to advise Eddie Reid (Kintore Boys Club) about revised charges for ‘All-weather pitch’. Action Point was discharged.
KT further reported that Mr Reid had indicated that if charges went up from the current £165 pa to approx £670 pa it would spell the end for the Kintore Boys Club in Kintore. This would be a great pity because the Public Meeting on 9 March 2007 had resulted in a lot more boys and leaders joining the Club.
It was agreed that KDCC would continue to support the Club in their appeals relating to the new charges. KDCC would if necessary write to Bruce Robertson, Head of Learning Leasure and Recreation.
AP4 KW to book School Hall for Public Meeting re Donald Russell proposed development Midmill. Public Meeting held in Church Hall 10/12/07 (see Planning Matters below). Action Point discharged.
AP5 Outline Planning Permission for Enabling Development relating to Town Park, Midmill/Gauchhill. More details of proposed housing to be requested before meaningful comments could be made by CC. KT wrote to Planning Service last week asking for more detail. Action Point discharged.
AP6 A96/AWPR junction query. KT and DC to meet to discuss.
Ran out of time to meet planning deadline for comments. Action Point discharged.
4. Matters arising
Structure Plan Outlined by Cllr Ford at November meeting the Structure Plan is not yet to hand.
Cllr Hood asked if the CC had seen the Development Brief for Inverurie/Kintore. He said he would obtain a copy for the CC from Ian Fowell. The CC awaits both these plans with interest.
This provoked a discussion about the perceived mis-match between the number of houses currently being proposed in planning applications and community facilities including school places, the existing primary school already being too small with temporary classrooms scheduled for this year. Cllr Cullinane stated that at least one new school would be needed to match Kintore expansion but KDCC had no knowledge of the Council's plans. The CC should ask the Council about this and it was suggested that if necessary KDCC should ask for the records of discussions and correspondence on the matter.
**Action Point 2: KT to write to Council.**
Training for Community Councillors. This session is to take place on Monday 11 February 7-9pm Gordon House. List of topics to be covered were supplied by KW along with relevant extracts from CC Handbook. A full paper copy of the Handbook is available from KW or from the Council website. All community councillors present confirmed their readiness to attend. Car sharing for the trip was suggested.
5. Planning Matters
General It was reported that due to pressure of other work, GMcD was understandably not able to completely fulfil the role of CC ‘planning officer’. Drew Cullinane agreed to assist GMcD with planning matters by, for instance, keeping abreast of the ‘weekly lists’. DC to liaise with GMcD. It was suggested that others members could help at certain times.
Donald Russell proposed development Midmill APP/2007/4265 (Full Planning Permission stage) KT had submitted the KDCC response letter on 18/1/08 which included a report of the results of the consultation process within Kintore and the public meeting which had been held on 10 December. Cllr Hood commended the professional looking report. The Chairman acknowledged the work of Neil Stewart in the production of the report.
Grampian Housing Association Midmill APP/2007/2079 (Full Planning Permission stage) AR reported that GMcD had visited the GH office to discuss the plans including provision of community facilities. GHA were willing to co-operate with KDCC on the provision of a ‘community house’ but this would involve a rental charge. Negotiations will be ongoing.
**Action Point 3:GMcD to continue to negotiate with Grampian Housing Association on behalf of KDCC.**
KT wondered if a response to the Plans might now be urgent. (Secretary’s note: Earliest decision date xx March 2008. Alan Davidson is now the Planning Officer). It was agreed that KDCC should be apply to be ‘consultees.
**Action Point 4: KW to contact Council to ensure KDCC were consultees for this scheme.**
Scotia/JR Craig Enabling Development for Town Park Midmill/Gauchhill APP/2007/3937 Outline Planning stage A letter has been sent to Planners requesting more detail of proposed housing. Without such detail the CC cannot make considered comments.
Safelift Offshore Ltd Forties Business Centre APP/2007/3123 Mixed development –Retail convenience store on corner at School Road – flatted development to rear at first floor level. Planning says Developer’s amended plans expected. School Road on-street parking probably satisfactory. Planning Committee adjudication not imminent.
32 Forest Road - new house at rear garden. Area Committee site visit has been arranged for 29/1/08 at 9.15pm prior to decision later that day. No representations can be made at this site visit. KDCC had already submitted its written objections.
6. Reports
Action Kintore: Youth Drop-in. AK chair, Neil Stewart, said the next meeting of AK would take place this Wednesday 22 January Room 111 New School. The usual portakabin-type building for this project had been discussed but alternatives to this are currently being considered. At the meeting AK will be looking at an eco-based building for which grants may be available. The Kintore Youth Forum had shown an interest in the eco-building approach. A specialist firm of straw-bail buildings will be giving a presentation. All present are welcome to attend this meeting.
Finance. KT has made application for £5000 from Shell Community Funding adding to the £1000 grant already obtained from this source last year. AR mentioned Business Gateway funding and would investigate.
Business Plan. AK Business Plan and Constitution had still to be finalised. It was suggested that the Aberdeenshire Council could assist. It was also suggested that the Royal Bank may also be able to help. GMcD was dealing with the constitution but was experiencing difficulty getting the necessary information.
Old Library Site. AK Secretary, Kenny Thomson, said that contacting the local residents again was now a priority.
Personnel requirements. Making reference to Community Learning’s experience at Kemnay NS warned that all the good work of providing a Youth Drop-in could be jeopardised by insufficient responsible persons to run and supervise of the project from the start.
Police Matters No one from Grampian Police was in attendance. KT reported that he had been in touch with Sgt.AndyTodd who was the new acting Inspector in place of Dave Allan. In lieu of regular attendance at KDCC, he had suggested that a written report could be produced as had been done in Deeside. This was accepted as an interim measure providing some information on crime statistics for the area.
Police are keen to encourage Neighbourhood Watch schemes but this would require local residents’ participation. Following the success of the Mobile Office in Kintore Square in recent months the Superintendent proposes to repeat the experiment again.
Community Café AR reported that the signed papers had now been submitted to Companies House. Langstane Housing, however, had indicated that additional money will be required (£8000 out of the total of £16000 for the adaptations from a flat to a café.) No confirmation about opening date was given but the project is still progressing.
A resolution to the issue of the bins lined up on the Langstane Flats access road is outstanding. It was thought that the road had not been adopted by the Council.
7. Correspondence from Aberdeenshire/ Aberdeen City Councils
7/11/07 Community Planning Executive 7 Nov 2007 – Briefing Note.
20/11/07 Education, Learning and Leasure (E,L&L). Harmonising of Charges for the use of Facilities.
28/11/07 Consultation on the Aberdeenshire Council (Inverurie and Port Elphinstone Traffic Mangement) Orders 2007.
Dec 07 Aberdeenshire Local Outdoor Access Forum (ALOAF) Advertisement of Vacancies.
12/12/07 Community Planning:Strenthening Scotland’s Communities(Community Capacity building) Briefing workshops. In Aberdeen: 19 March.( Neil Stewart to attend)
18/12/07 Garioch Area Committee Planning Application (2007/1460) House on land at 32 Forest Rd) Site Visit - 29/1/08.
21/12/07 Aberdeen City Archives:Archiving of Kintore Town House records: receipt for same.
This letter was read out and the actions recorded in this letter was ratified by the CC. KW to respond to letter.
15/1/07 Aberdeenshire Design Awards 2008 The Local Authority seeks nominations from the local Community. Completed nominations forms should be returned to Planning Policy and Environment, Gordon House, by 22 Feb 2008. Categories covered are Housing, Rural Landscape Development, Conservation, Business, Sustainability, Craftsmanship and Public Art.
16/1/08 Aberdeenshire Sports Award Evening Friday 28 March 2008 The Exchange Thainstone Mart. Nominations for local sportsmen and women to be submitted to Aberdeenshire Sports Council 1 Church Street Macduff AB44 1UR by Friday 22 Feb 2008.
Annual Public Performance Report 2006/2007.
Other
30/11/07 From Scottish Water Warm Pipes Campaign 2007-2008 plus leaflet.
14/1/08 From Gordon Philip to Chairman KDCC re Developer Contribution and copy of ongoing correspondence with Alan Campbell Chief Executive Aberdeenshire Council.
Nov/Dec 2007 Postwatch Scotland Issue17: News from the independent watchdog for postal services.
Winter 2007 Richard Baker MSP Parliamentary Report (newsletter)
8. AOB
Tavelty Junction Lighting AM made the point that the A96 Tavelty Junction, especially coming from Inverurie, was without lighting and very dark. When at all misty it was even worse and accidents were feared. It was thought that Bear Scotland was responsible for this road.
**Action Point 5:Cllr Cullinane to speak to Ian Rendall about the poor visibility and lack of lighting and advise on action.**
Road Signage on A96 before Broomhill (northbound) and before Tavelty (southbound).
SG said the signs show petrol available in Kintore. This has not been the case for some time misleading the public who are looking for fuel. This sign should be corrected. Also the Tavelty sign is misleading as the next road off is Kintore Industrial Estate not Kintore town.
**Action Point 6:Cllr Cullinane to speak to Ian Rendall in the first instance and advise on action.**
(Secretary’s note: Ref AP5 and AP6 above, Cllr Cullinane has spoken to Ian Rendall who will contact Bear Scotland.)
9. Date of Next Meeting Monday 18 February 2008 in Room 111 School at 7pm.
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