FINDHORN & KINLOSS COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Community Council held in Kinloss Primary School on Thursday 24th April 2008
Present:
R Walker (Chairman), R. Shand, H. Morton, L. Morgan, M. Thompson, J Willoner, G Verner, S Macgregor, Cllr Hamilton, T Negus (Sec).
In Attendance:
J. Innes (RAFLO), Tanya McLaren (Forres Gazette), PC Darling (Grampian Police).
Also in Attendance:
1 member of the Public
Item 1. Appologies for Absence
Apologies were received from A Skene, Eva Ward and Sgt MacDonald.
PUBLIC SESSION
Item 2. Waste & Recycling Update.
2.1 The Chairman welcomed Deborah Hockney from Moray Council Environmental Services. Ms Hockney said that the kerbside recycling system in Moray had proved very successful in reducing material sent to Landfill and it was hoped to expand the scheme to include more rural Communities. Currently Moray lies second in the national league table for percentage of waste sent for recycling with a creditable figure of 40%. Recycling plastics is difficult due to the many different types which require to be sorted and separated and the large distances involved in transporting material to recycling plants. However, a start has been made with recycling points for plastic bottles at the main centres and the use of a recycling facility in Fife. There is a strong emphasis on public education particularly for the young, and regular visits are made to schools promoting the eco-school scheme. Other initiatives include co-operation with the Salvation Army for textile recycling, promoting food waste awareness, working with the mailing preference service to reduce junk mail and a new drive promote recycling in local businesses. Ms Hockney then answered a number of questions. The Chairman thanked her for such a comprehensive and up-beat presentation.
Item 3. Grampian Police Report
3.1 The Chairman welcomed PC Darling to the meeting. PC Darling said he had researched the database just before the meeting and that there did not appear to be any significant crime trends emerging for Findhorn & Kinloss. M Thompson asked about a couple of recent vandalism incidents in Kinloss. PC Darling said that detection of vandalism was a high priority at the moment and trends were watched closely. In areas where the problem appears prevalent a Moray support team can be deployed to augment routine local policing. PC Darling urged the public to dial 999 for ongoing incidents including vandalism. However, if vandal damage is not discovered until the following day, then contacting the Grampian police call centre would be more appropriate. Alternatively, a visit to Forres Police Station during normal working hours to report vandalism would ensure that the incident was logged. PC Darling reported that neighbourhood watch issues were being followed up by PC Skivington (Community Beat Officer). The Chairman thanked PC Darling for his valuable contribution to the meeting.
Item4. Any Other Competent Public Business
COUNCIL SESSION
Item5. Minutes of Last Meeting
5.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 27th March were ratified. Proposed L Morgan, Seconded, J Willoner.
Item 6. Matters Arising
6.1 Speeding Traffic in Kinloss. Following a site meeting and a report from Elaine Penny of Moray Council Roads Department, M Thompson had e-mailed a detailed response. No reply has been received and hastening action has been initiated via the Community Council Liaison Officer. Action M Thompson
6.2 Redundant Web Site. Despite repeated
requests to the webmaster, the redundant web page has not been
removed. Cllr Hamilton was urged to persevere. If this had not
produced a result by the next meeting then the Chairman would
write formally. Action Cllr Hamilton, R Walker.
6.3 Missing Kinloss Village Sign. L. Morgan has reported this to the Roads dept. A replacement will be provided in due course.
6.4 Unauthorised signs on Burghead Road. Cllr Hamilton has reported the matter to the relevant department at Moray Council.
6.5 Fencing near Viewing Platform Car Park. The Secretary said that materials for the construction of low barriers to prevent unauthorised vehicle access to the large dispersal area should cost less than £100. The meeting approved this expenditure. T Negus and R Shand would place the barriers during the course of the summer.
Item 7. Chairman’s Report
Nothing to Report
Item 8. Secretary’s Report
8.1 Correspondence. Letter & proforma from Moray Council in respect of annual grant. (Returned 9 April)
Licensing applications for Bakehouse Café & Captain’s Table. Letter from Shona Dryburgh about waste awareness promotional visits. Letter from ASCC inviting us to renew our membership. Consultation from ASCC about revised constitution (L Morgan to review). Papers for JSCC meeting 8th May. (Passed to L Morgan).
8.2 E-correspondence. From ASCC about calor awards. From Tracey Rae about new round of licensing applications. From ASCC via L Morgan about data protection issues.
8.3 Newsletters. Spring edition of SEPA view.
Item 9. Treasurer’s Report
9.1 Recent Bills settled. James Milne Institute hire charges, Secretarial expenses, ASCC subscription.
Item10. Moray Councillor’s Report
Nothing to report
Item 11. RAFLO’s Report
Nothing to report.
Item12. Findhorn Foundation Report
Nil in absence of Eva Ward.
Item13. Planning.
13.1 One application registered since last meeting:-16 April retrospective application for external boiler and fuel tank 109 Findhorn. No objections.
Item 14. Any Other Competent Business
14.1 L Morgan reported that he was shortly to attend a meeting of ASCC when the matter of Data protection act registration for Community Councils was likely to be discussed. The position of Findhorn & Kinloss Community Council remained the same as agreed at the last meeting i.e. the Secretary would register with the ICO when advised to do so by ASCC.
14.2 L Morgan reported that Alistair Kennedy, Chairman of JSCC, had been extremely supportive on the issue of the sale of Southside AMQs. He had enlisted the help of Alistair Keddie, CE Moray Council who had written to Defence Estates stressing the importance of full local consultation including with the Community Council.
14.3 H Morton noted that there were sometimes problems with traffic priorities at the Abbey Inn traffic lights especially with traffic from Burghead turning right for Findhorn. Other Council members had observed similar problems and it was decided to keep the mater under review.
14.4 S Macgregor reported that renovations were in progress at the James Milne Institute. The clock mechanism is being electrified and it is hoped to advertise for a caretaker in the near future.
14.5 J Willoner asked for confirmation that there would be no meeting in July. Confirmed.
14.6 The Chairman reported that together with M Thompson he had attended a most interesting lecture by The German Ambassador at Gordonstoun School The event had been arranged by Angus Robertson MP and he hoped to invite the Chief of the Air Staff to give a future lecture.
Item 15. Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 29th May at 7.30 pm in the James Milne Institute Findhorn.