FINDHORN AND KINLOSS COMMUNITY
COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Community Council held in the James Milne Institute on 26th March 2009
Present:
R Walker (Chairman), H R Morton, L Morgan, J Willoner, G Verner, A Skene, S Macgregor, M Thompson
In Attendance:
T McLaren (Forres Gazette), J Innes RAFLO, ,plus 1 member of the public.
ITEM 1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from T Negus and R Shand
Public Session
ITEM 2 ANY COMPETENT PUBLIC BUSINESS
2.1 There was no Public Business
2.2 Police Report. None in absence of representative.
Council Session
ITEM 3.MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
3.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 26th March were considered . The minutes were ratified. Proposed L Morgan, seconded M Thompson.
ITEM 4 MATTERS ARISING
4.1 Kinloss Notice board.Not yet erected, Chairman awaiting meeting with shop owner. Action R Walker
4.2 Road to West Beach Car Park. Carried forward, no Moray Councillor present. Continued.
4.3 Possible Community Service Projects. The Chairman had contacted the Criminal Justice Service with regard to projects involving tidying up the area which comprises the ‘Bird Hide’ and Aircraft Viewing Area’ and the associated Car Parks. This was a possibility and further information will be forthcoming. Due to there being no equipment available, the project to improve the road to the boatyard could not be taken on. Action R Walker.
4.4 The temporary Secretary reported that the Secretary had responded to the letter from the roads department regarding the cycle path and the 20mph speed limits. The need to address the access to the War Memorial and the Public slipway was included in this response.
ITEM 5 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
5.1 Correspondence: Letter from Tracey Rae Community Council Liaison Officer, suggesting that we check the Moray Council Website re Policy and Resources Committee Meeting of 10th March, particularly point 10- Community and Voluntary Sector Financial Support. Passed to Secretary
5.2 Correspondence: Letter from Scottish Gas regarding free installation of central heating. Passed to Secretary for copying and placing in box at Findhorn PO and Kinloss PO. Action H Morton
ITEM 6 SECRETARY’S REPORT
6.1 The Secretary attended the ASCC Regional Meeting 21st March along with the Chairman and Les Morgan.
6.2 Correspondence
Letter requesting update for Moray Council Community Information database. Reply sent.
Change of address for Entrust.
Belated invitations to seminars on Lottery Fund and European Fisheries Fund.
Notification of Licensing application submitted by Royal Findhorn Yacht Club.
E Mail from Mr Duncan Easter of Findhorn Windpark Ltd with further information about serviceability issues with the Foundation Wind Turbines.
Request for information from people operating a private water supply. Letter passed to G Verner.
Newspaper cutting showing that the plan to lease 25% of Scottish Forestry Commission land to private companies has been shelved.
6.3 Scottish Bathing Waters Report.
Although Findhorn beach has been regularly sampled unofficially by SEPA in recent years ,2008 was the first year that it appeared on the official list of Scottish Bathing Waters. Results for 2008 gave a bathing water quality of ‘Excellent’ in respect of low bacterial contamination levels. This will be more difficult to achieve in the future as EU regulations stipulate increasingly higher standards.
ITEM 7 TREASURER’S REPORT
7.1 The Treasurer reported issuing 2 cheques, one to James Milne Institute for Hire of Committee room and the other to The Chairman for the new Kinloss Notice Board.
ITEM 8 ASCC REPORT
8.1 L Morgan reported on the Regional ASCC Meeting 21st March. The morning session was a ‘Question Time’ format chaired by ASCC with panellists Richard Lockhead MSP, Peter Peacock MSP and Douglas Ross, Moray Councillor, who stood in at short notice for Jamie McGregor MSP who was unable to attend. The following topics were covered.
The new planning framework to be in place 3 August 2009.
Consultation by ‘Web Sites’. Feedback is being requested by various Government Departments by way of web sites using unclear English language and often having too many pages. A request for clarity and simplicity was made to our Holyrood representatives.
The Scottish Government, COSLA and ASCC are hoping to standardise the basic ‘Constitution’, Standing Orders’ and ‘Code of Conduct’ for all Scottish Community Councils.
Finance, Pilot scheme. The plan is to introduce 6 pilot schemes whereby Community Councils are to be given a much larger responsibility in controlling local finances, with budgets being allocated at CC level. There was a degree of optimism that Moray may well provide one of the 6 Pilot Schemes. Details to be announced in April.
With the new responsibilities falling to CC’s with regard to planning matters, the possibility of training for CC planning representatives will be pursued by our representative.
ITEM 9 MORAY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
None in absence of representative.
ITEM 10 RAFLO REPORT
10.1 Glasgow University Air Squadron 26/3 to 9/4
10.2 Harriers on exercise 30/3 to 3/4
10.3 Hercules on exercise 27/4 to 1/5
10.4 Joint Warrior 11/5 to 22/5
No late night flying is anticipated.
ITEM 11 FINDHORN FOUNDATION REPORT
None in absence of representative.
ITEM 12 PLANNING
12.1 The letter regarding this Community Council’s concerns about the development of the ‘Piers Workshop was read out. MCC have acknowledged receipt of this letter. Copies of the letter plus covering letter and photographs were sent to all 4 Forres Ward Moray Councillors
12.2 The meeting was briefed on the main points of the changes to the planning system. These include the requirement for ‘pre application consultation’, more informative weekly lists, neighbour notification extended from 14 to 21 days, Community Council at pre-determination hearings and if the Council has made representation on an application , the planning authority must provide details of it’s decision.
Applications received since last meeting.
Kinloss –None
Findhorn Foundation-None
Findhorn-Application to site 2 residential caravans in boatyard for seasonal instructors at The Boatyard and Marina Findhorn.No objection.
ITEM 13 ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS
13.1 Pot Hole in road at Findhorn Church. J Willoner to report to MCC Roads Dept.
13.2 Southside developers presentation at next CC meeting. The chairman was asked to liaise with the press to ensure maximum publicity for the event in order that all interested parties are aware of the presentation.
13.3 M Thompson noted that April was ‘Spring clean Month’ and had accessed the Country Alliance website only to find that there was no activities shown for the Moray area. Members were able to report on activities in this area including Roseisle.
13.4 M Thompson noted that fly tipping was still a problem on the back road into Forres and that representations to MCC usually had the desired effect of the offending items being cleared within a couple of days. The possible impact of this rubbish being dumped next to water courses feeding into Findhorn Bay being deleterious to the SEPA Clean Water rating was concerning.
ITEM 14 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 30thApril 2009 at 7.30pm in the Kinloss Primary School