FINDHORN & KINLOSS COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the Community Council held in Kinloss Primary School on Thursday 25th September 2008

Present:

R Walker (Chairman), R. Shand, S.Macgregor, L. Morgan, Cllr Hamilton,J. Willoner, H Morton, T. Negus (Sec).

In Attendance:

WPC Page (Grampian Police), Tanya McLaren (Forres Gazette), plus 2 members of the public.

ITEM 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from G Verner, A Skene, M Thompson, Eva Ward, J Innes.

Public Session

ITEM 2. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICER

2.1 The Chairman welcomed WPC Mairi Page who has recently been appointed Community Police Officer for Findhorn & Kinloss. WPC Page gave a brief summary of her recent previous postings and stressed her strong commitment to a Community Police role. She said that she had actively requested this type of appointment and added that Community style Policing is considered a high priority by the Inspector at Forres Police Office. WPC Page intends to maintain a regular high visibility presence in Findhorn and Kinloss with both cycle and foot patrols including some evening visits. Possible locations for regular Police ‘surgeries’ were discussed, alternating between the two villages. In Findhorn these include the Osprey Room of the James Milne Institute and the Findhorn Village Centre. The Chairman suggested that WPC Page should look at both these options and then let him know which one she would prefer. It was thought that the Church Room would be a suitable venue in Kinloss and the Chairman agreed to investigate the necessary arrangements. WPC Page then reported on recent police activity which included the arrest of 4 males in connection with illegal Cockle gathering in Findhorn Bay. She then answered a number of questions before leaving the meeting. Action WPC Page, R Walker.

ITEM 3. ANY OTHER COMPETENT PUBLIC BUSINESS.

3.1 Mr A MacGregor asked that agenda item 4.c (Osprey House Footpath) be brought forward into the public session to which the Chairman agreed. S. MacGregor reported she had written to Scotways seeking advice on the situation and had received a constructive reply. This confirmed that the path in question was included in the national catalogue of rights of way as a claimed right of way No GM91. Whilst it is an offence to obstruct a right of way this would not necessarily cover access being difficult rather than impossible. One possible suggestion was that members of the community might move the offending grass mowings and oil the gate hinges themselves in order to make public access easier. Cllr Hamilton said that he had spoken with the planning department who had sent an enforcement officer to look at the path. The officer had reported back that the gate appeared easy to open. S. MacGregor disagreed strongly and stressed that her informant who is elderly had been unable to open the gate. Cllr Hamilton agreed to ask the enforcement officer to take another look. Action Cllr Hamilton

Council Session

ITEM 4. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

4.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 28th August were ratified subject to minor amendments Proposed R Shand, seconded L Morgan.

ITEM 5. MATTERS ARISING

5.1 Disposal of Southside Married Quarters. The Chairman said that he had attended an extremely constructive meeting of stakeholders recently. The new owners of the site will be happy to give a presentation to the Community Council in due course.

5.2 Airfield Drainage Culvert. Item again held over to next meeting in absence of RAFLO. (see item 4.9 of June minutes).

5.3 Osprey House footpath. See item 3.1 above.

5.4 Links View resurfacing. This has now been completed much to the satisfaction of local residents. The Chairman congratulated R Shand on his successful negotiations. The Secretary agreed to write appropriate letters of appreciation. Action T Negus                                                       

5.5 ASCC Constitution. Following ratification at last meeting, Secretary has sent off ballot paper.

5.6 Venues for Community Police Officer surgeries. See item 2.1 above.

5.7 Signage at end of Beach Road. The Secretary reported that he had looked at the area. None of the land at the seaward end of the Beach Road is owned or leased by Moray Council and therefore it is unlikely that they would erect a sign on land over which they have no control. The area leased by Moray Council starts inside the Beach Car Park where there is already a no overnight parking/no camping sign. In view of the approach of autumn when unauthorised camping was not expected to be a major problem, it was decided to leave this issue in abeyance until next summer. 

5.8 Area Rail Services. L Morgan had written to JSCC indicating our concerns about the format and content of the proposed JSCC letter. A considerably modified draft has now been produced which is much more acceptable. L Morgan to inform JSCC Chairman accordingly. Action L Morgan

5.9. ‘20’s Plenty’ implementation. Cllr Hamilton has spoken with Mr Holland. The original implementation was delayed due to objections by a few local residents. These issues require to be resolved before matters can proceed further and progress has been very slow due to staffing problems. Mr James Smith from the Roads department will be happy to come to a future Community Council meeting to discuss the subject. Secretary to arrange. Cllr Hamilton said that delays on finalising the Findhorn end of the Cyclepath had occurred for the same reasons and he also reported that Mr Holland said that there had been no communication from the Community Council since 2004. The Secretary disputed this and said that a detailed letter (copied to Cllr Hamilton) had been sent in 2007. The Secretary agreed to send a further copy to Cllr Hamilton. Action T Negus

5.10 War Memorial. The Secretary said that he had arranged a site meeting with Mr Garry Morrison for next Monday at 3 pm to discuss refurbishment of the War Memorial surrounds in Findhorn. Secretary, R Shand, H Morton to attend. Action T Negus, R Shand, H Morton.                                   

ITEM 6.CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

6.1 Correspondence: Letter received from Mr & Mrs Munro 4 Broom Walk requesting that road signage be improved. Also requested that Moray Council consider landscaping the roundabout. The meeting was unsure that the road had in fact been adopted by the Council. Cllr Hamilton kindly agreed to look into the matter. Action Cllr Hamilton

6.2 Speeding Traffic in Kinloss. The Chairman said that he had had a long discussion with Mr Gordon Holland regarding this long standing problem. Traffic survey apparatus had been placed at a number of locations on the main approach roads to Kinloss and the results were awaited. Further correspondence is awaited.

6.3 The Chairman queried whether there was sufficient road width on the back road near the Findhorn Church to accommodate large vehicles and trailers transporting boats to the boatyard now that the new road layout was in place. The meeting felt that there was adequate clearance. However, in order to confirm this, the Chairman would contact a boat transporting firm to ascertain the axle width of a typical large vessel trailer. Once this was known the Secretary would measure the road width as required.

Action R Walker, T Negus

ITEM 7. SECRETARY’S REPORT

7.1 Correspondence: Letter about switchover to digital TV including invitation to specialist presentations. Letter from Community First Moray highlighting their Handy Person Service. (Secretary to obtain more leaflets). Letter about adopt a kiosk scheme for redundant red phone boxes. Invitation to AGM of Moray Citizens Advice Bureau. Letter from Burghead & Cummingston CC regarding their proposal that Senior Council officials should be employed on fixed term contracts instead of the present longer term arrangements. ( FKCC unable to support this – L Morgan to notify JSCC). Letter providing update on schools PPP projects at Elgin & Keith. Interim report from ASCC on survey of local authority support for Community Councils. Training CD from ICO on Data protection act.

7.2 Newsletters & Flyers: Newsletter from MP/MSP. Postwatch Scotland newsletter. (Final Issue as the organisation is merging with National Consumer Council.

ITEM 8. TREASURERS REPORT

Nothing to Report. 

ITEM 9. MORAY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

9.1  Cllr Hamilton reported that following extensive consultation it had been decided that the idea of Local Area Committees had been abandoned.

ITEM 10. RAFLO REPORT.

No report in absence of J Innes.

ITEM 11. FINDHORN FOUNDATION REPORT

Eva Ward had submitted a written report highlighting forthcoming events at the Universal Hall.

ITEM12. PLANNING

12.1 Correspondence. Letter of no objection sent re development at Mains of Struthers.

12.2 Applications Notified since last meeting>

 

KINLOSS - None

FINDHORN FOUNDATION - None

FINDHORN VILLAGE

O4 Sept. Outline planning application for 2 dwellings next to 110a Findhorn. Consultation interest has been notified to Moray Council and Plans received. Application discussed at some length. Concerns that some of the proposed development lies outwith the settlement boundary in contravention of LENV10. Developer justifies this by saying that natural boundary is formed by existing footpath shown on plan. However, the depiction of this path on the plan is grossly inaccurate. CC might be prepared to consider single dwelling on this site. Secretary to write letter of objection.

16 Sept Outline permission for dwelling on site at Heathneuk. ( Secretary declared neighbour interest) This is reactivation of previous outline permission which expired in 2004.  No objections.

12.3 Update on previous application. It is understood that the application for 30 static caravans (12 month use) is to be considered at an Environmental Services Committee meeting next week. The Community Council was very concerned to note that the planning department had recommended approval. Objections by both local residents and the Community Council appear to have been  dismissed as irrelevant.  There were also some concerns at the way the comments of the Community Council had been selectively quoted in the planning officer’s report. The Community Council noted the various occupancy conditions but queried how these would be enforced and by whom.

13. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS

13.1 The Secretary reported that some of the Viewing Platform signs on the Findhorn road had been vandalised and were beyond economic repair. He was authorised to commission replacement signs as necessary. Action T Negus

13.2 L Morgan asked about progress on the vandalised Kinloss Community Council noticeboard. He felt that it was very important for the Community Council to have the means to communicate with the public. The Chairman said that he had spoken with the manager of the shop about alternative arrangements. He was also considering the purchase of a more vandal resistant commercial noticeboard. Cllr Hamilton suggested that the franchise owners be contacted with a view to incorporating a Community Council noticeboard as part of the forthcoming shop refurbishment. Action R Walker

13.3 The meeting noted the road safety concerns of residents opposite Burnside about restricted visibility due to the earth bund placed by MOD which were recently highlighted in the Forres Gazette. The Chairman undertook to speak with residents to see if the Community Council could help resolve the issue.
Action R Walker

13.4 L Morgan reported that following prolonged representations to Moray Council signage for Eastbound traffic had been placed on the A96/ Kinloss road junction.

13.5 R Shand reported that occasionally vehicles leaving the pier area via the Kimberly slip road continue the wrong way up the front shore road. This has been a long standing issue which would be helped by appropriate signage. Cllr Hamilton agreed to look into the matter. Action Cllr Hamilton

13.6 R Shand informed the meeting that the Remembrance day wreaths for the Community council have been ordered.

ITEM 14. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Thursday 30th October 2008 at 7.30pm in the James Milne Institute Findhorn.

 

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