FINDHORN & KINLOSS
COMMUNITY COUNCIL .
Minutes
of the meeting of the Community Council held in Kinloss Primary
School on Thursday 26th
February 2009
Present:
In Attendance:
Apologies were received from G Verner, J Willoner& H Morton.
2.1 The Chairman welcomed the two representatives from Grampian Police. PC Skivington indicated that he would be taking over from WPC Page as Police point of contact for Findhorn & Kinloss. He said that he had searched the database prior to the meeting and no significant crimes or incidents relating to Findhorn & Kinloss had shown up. R Shand asked whether the police visits to Findhorn & Kinloss would continue. PC Skivington assured the meeting that they would. A free standing noticeboard was being procured on which these ‘outreach’ police surgeries could be advertised. The Secretary undertook to send details of the Village Centre in Findhorn since WPC Paige had found this to be a satisfactory location for police /public liaison and it had also attracted favourable comment from local residents.
2.2 There was no other public business.
Council Session
ITEM 3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
3.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 29th January were considered. A Skene said that although she had not been at the meeting, she was concerned that item 11 relating to non-functioning wind turbines at Findhorn Foundation. contained wording that could be construed as a matter of opinion. The Chairman said that the item, whilst not necessarily reflecting the views of the Community Council, did represent an accurate and almost verbatim record of what had been said at the meeting. The minutes were ratified. Proposed R Shand, seconded S Macgregor
3.2 A Skene also expressed concerns that draft minutes were made public before they had been ratified. The Chairman said that this issue had been examined on previous occasions. The Secretary reminded the meeting that hard copies of Community Council minutes were not released until they had been ratified at a subsequent meeting in accordance with our constitution. However, Moray Council also require that draft minutes are forwarded to them as soon as they are available. Currently Moray Council chooses to place these draft minutes on their website as they are received and thus draft minutes are in the public domain prior to ratification albeit clearly annotated as ‘Draft’.
ITEM 4. MATTERS ARISING
4.1 Kinloss noticeboard. The Chairman
reported that he had purchased a suitable noticeboard for
£70.82. He proposed to install it outside the spar shop on his
return from holiday. Action R Walker.
4.2 Speeding Traffic in Kinloss. The Chairman reported that following his hastening letter to the Chief Executive of Moray Council he had received a reply from the Complaints Officer at the Council indicating that the issue was under active consideration. This was shortly followed by a letter from Mr A Duff, senior roads engineer in which he acknowledged that traffic speeds within the 30mph limit were higher than desirable. He proposed to introduce a ‘Village Gateway’ arrangement at the start of the 30mph zone on the B9011 at Kinloss. This would involve an additional village sign (already in place) plus a red panel and road markings on the road surface. He also proposed to investigate the possibility of installing a permanent interactive speed limit sign subject to available funding. Councillor Hamilton pointed out the need to continue to scrutinise traffic speeds on other roads in Kinloss which had also been the subject of complaints.
4.3 Road to West Beach Car Park and
Boatyard. Councillor Hamilton said that he was still awaiting a
response from Moray Council Parks department on this issue.Continues.
4. 4 ASCC Highland regional meeting. L Morgan said that he had notified the names of the 3 representatives from Findhorn & Kinloss Community Council who would be attending.
4.5 L Morgan reported that he had been re-elected as the Moray representative on the Association of Scottish Community Councils. The meeting congratulated him on his reappointment.
4.6 Seagull Nuisance. Cllr Hamilton reported that there are no dedicated Council funds at present for dealing with Seagull nuisance nor is there a defined policy. Environmental Services are happy to provide advice although subsequent action is the responsibility of individual householders. #
ITEM 5.CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
5.1 The Chairman said that he had spoken
with Mr Ritchie of the Criminal Justice service about possible
suitable projects for those carrying out Community Service.
Although the Chairman had suggested various projects these had
apparently not fallen into a relevant and suitable category. The
meeting suggested a litter clear up on the Viewing Platform car
park and its approach track and some form of remedial work to the
boatyard approach road. The Chairman agreed to contact Mr Ritchie
with these suggestions. Action R Walker.
5.2 Correspondence: Letter from roads
department for consultation on cyclepath extension and 20mph
speed limits in Findhorn. Passed to Secreatary.Action R Shand,
T Negus
5.3 Correspondence: Courtesy copy of letter from Broom Walk Residents to Moray Council regarding self funded landscaping of roundabout.
5.4 The Chairman reported that sale of Kinl;oss Park and the Southside married quarters is expected to be completed next month. Representatives from the new owners/developers would give a presentation on their plans for development at the Community Council meeting on 30th April.
ITEM 6. SECRETARY’S REPORT
6.1 . Correspondence: Update on PPP project. Consultation questionnaire on new NHS Grampian Tobacco policy. (passed to S Macgregor). Moray Council planning guidance note on provision of affordable housing. M Letter about Moray Council Spring Clean event. Letter from Leiths thanking us for prompt payment and for our letter of appreciation.
6.2 Flyers & Newsletters. Booklet on Community Planning and the Single Outcome agreement. SETA View(winter edition). Spring update from Scottish Rights of Way Society.
ITEM 7. TREASURERS REPORT
None in absence of Treasurer.
ITEM 8 ASCC REPORT
8.1 L Morgan said that he was honoured to have been chosen as Moray representative on ASCC. He told the meeting that the ASCC Highland regional meeting on 21st March appeared to be undersubscribed. Additional places are therefore available for FKCC councillors who wished to take this opportunity to question local MSPs.
ITEM 9. MORAY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
9.1 Cllr Hamilton reported that consolidation work and site interpretation were now complete. The next project for consideration was the conservation of the Abbot’s house. Moray Burial Research Group is about to start clearing and recording the older graves.
ITEM 10. RAFLO REPORT.
10.1 RAF Kinloss celebrates the 70th anniversary of the station this year. Celebrations include 2 lunches for veterans on 8th April and 23rd July.
10.2 The RAF Regiment are holding a ground defence exercise from 9th to 12th March when gunfire and explosions can be expected.
10.3 Plans are underway to place an MR2 Nimrod as a ‘gate guardian’ once the new Nimrod enters service. Due to space limitations near the main entrance it is proposed to locate the airframe near the crash gate opposite Woodside Farm. Considerable fund-raising will be required.
10.4 Glasgow University Air Squadron will be carrying out flying training during the Easter vacation.
10.5 The next ‘Joint Warrior’ exercise will be held from 11th to 22nd May.
ITEM 11. FINDHORN FOUNDATION REPORT
11.1 Eva Ward reported that the Findhorn Foundation had appointed a new managing director, Anna Rhodes.
11.2 Eva Ward said that she would seek further information about unserviceability issues in relation the Wind Turbines.
ITEM 12. PLANNING
12.1 Proposed development of the piers
workshop. This application held over from the last meeting was
discussed at some length. The Community Council had received a
letter from the Resident’s Association pointing out that the
piers access road and adjacent land was now leased by the
FRA who intended to control parking and access at certain times.
Findhorn Councillors noted the improved building design which
offered the possibility of off-.road parking within the property.
However, the main concern about the application related to public
amenity space in front of the building which was used for the
village fete, songs of praise service etc as well as pedestrian
access to the piers and beyond. The Secretary showed photos
which illustrated the extent of public use of the area on such
occasions. It was decided that whilst not objecting to the
building design, the Secretary would write to Moray Council
pointing out the importance of not allowing the development to
erode public amenity. Secretary to draft letter.
12.2 The application advertised
in the Forres Gazette for 18 houses, 5 chalets and a new
clubhouse on
ITEM 13. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS
13.1 R Shand noted that work has started
on refurbishing the War Memorial surrounds.
13.2 L Morgan reported on issues raised at the recent JCCM meeting. Some members had reported dissatisfaction with responses from Moray Council Officers. This had not been the general experience of FKCC. JCC were pleased to note the robust response from Moray Council to the Scottish Government omitting the Elgin by-pass from its list of long term costings. There appeared to be some doubt as to whether the remarks recorded by Forres representatives at the last JCC meeting accurately reflected the opinions of Forres Community Council as a whole. They had been asked to clarify the situation. Concerns were expressed about the use of 0845 numbers by medical centres.
13.3 M Thompson noted that lowered kerbs were being installed on the Kinloss - Burghead Road..
13.4 M Thompson reported that he had been in communication with Moray Council Roads department
about poor drainage on the B9011 outside Kinloss Church. Passing traffic was splashing water on to the wall of the church which was deteriorating as a result. The Roads department had acknowledged the problem and solutions were being sought starting with local measures.
ITEM 14. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 26th
March 2009 at 7.30pm in the James Milne Institute Findhorn.
Note. Secretary will be away for this meeting. He will put out agenda the week before but minute taker required.