FINDHORN & KINLOSS COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Community Council held in The James Milne Institute Findhorn on Thursday 25th October 2007
Present:
R Walker (Chairman), G. Verner, R. Shand, H. Morton, L. Morgan, M. Thompson, T Negus (Sec).
In Attendance:
J. Innes (RAFLO), Eva Ward (Findhorn Foundation), Ken Smith (Forres Gazette).
ITEM 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from J.Willoner, S MacGregor, G.Sutherland..
ITEM2.ANY COMPETENT PUBLIC BUSINESS
None
Council Session
ITEM 3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
3.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 27th September were ratified. Proposed G.Verner, seconded L. Morgan.
ITEM 4. MATTERS ARISING
4.1 Roller Skiers. Item held over in absence of Grampian Police representative.
4.2 Community Council Vacancy. The Secretary reported that following four initial expressions of interest in the Kinloss vacancy, three applications had been received. A simple questionnaire had been sent to the 3 applicants and the returned forms had been circulated to the four Kinloss councillors. Mr M. Thompson of 7 Manse Road had been elected by ballot of the Kinloss councillors. Formal written ratification of this appointment was awaited from Moray Council. The Chairman welcomed Mr Thompson to his first meeting.
4.3 Obstruction to Cyclepath. J. Willoner has spoken to the householder concerned and the offending hedge has since been trimmed to good effect.
4.4 Road Surface in Links View. The Secretary said that he had been notified by Moray Council that the matter has been referred to the Housing Department. As it is understood that the road was originally constructed to service a Council House development it is just possible that the housing department retains some degree of responsibility for maintenance.
4.5 Area Representative on ASCC. The Secretary reported that Mr L Morgan had been appointed Moray area representative for the Highland region of the Association of Scottish Community Councils. The meeting congratulated L. Morgan on this worthwhile appointment.
4.6 Broken Bollards on Findhorn Road near former Stable Inn. Item held over in absence of G. Sutherland.
ITEM 5 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
5.1. The Chairman reported that he had amended his questionnaire return to Planning Aid Scotland following comment at the last meeting.
5.2 Publicity material has been received from SCARF. The Secretary was instructed to place posters on the noticeboards and to place flyers in both post Offices.Action T Negus
ITEM 6. SECRETARY’S REPORT
6.1 Correspondence. Letter from Peter Peacock MSP seeking views on Flooding Issues for Scottish Parliament Review into Flooding. (L. Morgan to reply). Letter from Entrust about regulatory change for registration of projects plus notification of training event in Aberdeen. (Sec to attend). Letter and booklet from Scottish Landscape Forum. Papers for JCCM meeting on 8 Nov. (passed to L Morgan). Letter about road surface in Links View, Papers for ASSC AGM. (passed to L Morgan), Final Version of Culbin Sands/Findhorn Bay Nature Conservation Order.
6.2 E-Correspondence.With Moray Council about filling CC Vacancy , Community Planning e-bulletin (forwarded to all members).
ITEM 7. TREASURERS REPORT
The Treasurer reported that the annual accounts are being finalised and would be presented at the next meeting.
ITEM 8. MORAY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
None.
ITEM 9. RAFLO REPORT
9.1 J. Innes reported that a Sector Level Training exercise would take place between 5th & 9th November. A CQWI course will take place 11 – 23 November. The Current Harrier deployment ends tomorrow.
9.2 The Chairman said that he understood
that a decision had been taken to dispose of the South Side
married quarters. He asked the RAFLO to speak with OC Base
Support and report back to the next meeting. The Chairman
stressed that if confirmed, the disposal of this large housing
estate could have a marked effect on the Local Community and it
is vitally important that the Community Council is kept fully
informed. J. Innes agreed to speak with OC Base Support.
Action J. Innes
ITEM 10. FINDHORN FOUNDATION REPORT
10.1 Eva Ward informed the meeting that the Findhorn Foundation had put Station House up for Sale. There had been considerable interest and firm offers were expected with the next few weeks. Attention was drawn to forthcoming ‘Middle East’ events at the Universal Hall.
ITEM 11. PLANNING
11.1 The Secretary reminded the meeting about the imminent Public Inquiry into the new Moray Local Plan. The crucial date for the Community Council is Wednesday 21st November when the East Grange and the Newton of Struthers issues would be considered in the morning session and the ‘Magic Triangle’ and ENV8 Findhorn issues would be dealt with in the afternoon. The Secretary would attend both sessions. L Morgan would attend the morning session and H. Morton would attend the afternoon session if available. The meeting spent some time discussing the potential threat to ENV 8 designation for the land to the east of the village posed by the objections made by Novar Estates. The Secretary reminded the meeting that the Community Council had originally supported the proposed ENV 8 designation following assurance from Moray Council that it would afford greater protection against expansion of the existing settlement boundary with the inevitable associated development. The meeting agreed that the Community Council should continue to support the ENV 8 designation as shown in the draft plan and to resist eastwards creep of the existing settlement boundary. The Community Council supports proposed developments at the R1 & R2 sites at Findhorn Foundation; it is felt that these are ‘brownfield’ sites following wartime use and therefore do not have the same amenity value as virgin dune land. The Community Council also supports the ‘long’ area of proposed future development which although less affected by wartime use than R2, offers a natural high ridge as a final physical boundary for residential development northwards. The Community Council is resolutely opposed to any development beyond this proposed boundary. The Community Council does have some concerns about the significant increase in the local population. 44 units have been built at the Field of Dreams during the current plan whilst a further 40 are proposed at R2 in the new plan with a further 6 at R1. At the same time the Broom Walk development of 11 houses has been completed and planning consent has been sought for a number of infill sites within the village. Collectively this represents a considerable proportional increase in the number of households (434) as recorded in the 2001 census.
11.2 Applications registered since last meeting.
KINLOSS
1st Oct. Application to build 6 houses on plot opposite Manse Road. Following lengthy discussion it was agreed that there was no objection in principle to the proposed development but there were a number of observations about the proposal that should be brought to the attention of Moray Council. These included, the apparent location of a service lay-by straddling the new cyclepath, the number of houses proposed at variance with the local plan, the proximity of the Findhorn Bay Local Nature Reserve, traffic safety concerns and flooding risks. The Secretary was instructed to write to Moray Council. Action T Negus
11 Oct House at plot 2A Damhead. - No objection.
11 Oct House at Upper Hempriggs on site of former mushroom farm. - No objection
FINDHORN FOUNDATION
15 Oct. change of use from Woodland to Green Burial Site. (plans circulated at start of meeting) – No objection.
FINDHORN VILLAGE
No applications registered since last meeting.
12 ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS
12.1 L. Morgan reported that there had been 2 break-ins in Findhorn the previous night. One at the hairdressing Salon and one at the Village Centre. It was felt that this was of considerable concern particularly in a normally crime-free area. The Secretary reported that the recently replaced Dunes Road safety signs had been removed in the last few days and had been found on the beach in the remains of a fire along with a large Council Road sign. The Secretary agreed to inform Sgt Robertson, the Community Council’s new Grampian Police Liaison Officer of the meeting’s concerns. In view of this recurrent vandalism it was not thought worthwhile to replace the Dunes Road signs at present. Action T Negus
12.2 L. Morgan informed the meeting that he was shortly to attend the AGM of the Association Scottish Community Councils. He outlined the proposals to be voted on and the meeting endorsed his representation and voting intentions.
12.3 R.Shand said that he had noted that building rubble, presumed to be from the Stables Inn Caravan Park, has been dumped on Carse ground near the wildfowlers Car Park. It was unclear whether this land belonged to the Stables Inn or was part of the Nature Reserve. The Secretary said that he had received complaints on the same topic. The Secretary was instructed to seek further information from G. Sutherland in the first instance. If this did not clarify matters the incident should be reported to Moray Council. Action T Negus
12.4 The Treasurer noted the two Council members were about to attend out of area events on behalf of the Community Council. He reminded them that funds are available for travel expenses if required.
12.5 The Secretary reminded the meeting that the traditional Remembrance Day ceremony would take place at Findhorn War Memorial on Sunday 11th November at 0945hrs. Two wreaths had been ordered for the Community Council. Susan McGregor had been asked to lay the wreath at Findhorn and the Chairman would lay the wreath at Kinloss Abbey war cemetery. (M. Thompson to do this if Chairman not available). The Secretary had briefed the various people involved including a piper and a draft order of service had been submitted to the minister. Since the Secretary is away on the day, R.Shand will supervise last minute arrangements. Action S. MacGregor, R. Walker, M. Thompson, R. Shand.
12.6 The Chairman informed the meeting that he had recently created a draft Community Council Website. Some of those present had already accessed it and first impressions were very favourable. The Chairman has volunteered to manage the site as webmaster and to keep it current at all times. The meeting supported the Chairman’s initiative and approved the setting up of the site which would be reviewed in 6 month’s time. The Secretary pointed out the requirement to clearly annotate unapproved minutes as ‘draft’ in accordance with Moray Council Guidelines. Action R. Walker.
ITEM 13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 29th November at 7.30pm in Kinloss Primary School.