FINDHORN & KINLOSS
COMMUNITY COUNCIL .
Minutes
of the meeting of the Community Council held in The James Milne
Institute, Findhorn on Thursday 27th
August 2009
Present: R Walker (Chairman), R. Shand, Cllr Hamilton, G. Verner, J. Willoner, H Morton, L. Morgan, M. Thompson, S. MacGregor, T. Negus (Sec).
In Attendance: Sgt A. McCarthy (Grampian Police), Tanya McLaren (Forres Gazette), J. Innes (RAFLO) and 2 members of the public.
ITEM 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from A Skene.
ITEM 2. ANY COMPETENT PUBLIC BUSINESS& GRAMPIAN POLICE REPORT
2.1 There was no competent public business.
2.2 The Chairman welcomed Sgt McCarthy to the meeting. She informed members that Sgt Sean Jones has been nominated as the Grampian Police contact officer for Findhorn and Kinloss. He had hoped to attend this meeting but a shift change had prevented it. He hoped to be able to attend future meetings if shifts and other duties permitted. Sgt McCarthy said that a review of recent local crime incidents had shown up a number of sneak-in thefts at the Universal Hall although these now appear to have tailed off. A damage-only accident on the bay front road in Findhorn where a road sign had been demolished had resulted in a driver being identified and reported to Moray Council. The Chairman thanked Sgt McCarthy for her report.
Council
Session
ITEM 3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
3.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 25th
June 2009 were ratified. Proposed M. Thompson, seconded R Shand.
ITEM 4. MATTERS ARISING
4.1 Social Housing element at Southside. M. Thonpson had contacted Grampian Housing for clarification as to why the proposed social housing element at Southside was to be located in a block rather than randomly dispersed. He had received a cordial and informative reply saying that having properties together was a preferred option since it facilitates maintenance and repairs. It also makes it easier to deal with neighbour disputes. Grampian Housing Association apologised that the Community Council had not been consulted. M. Thompson had also taken up the issue of tree branches obstructing the pavement near Kinloss House. This was being addressed between, Moray Council, MOD and the developers.
4.2 Access to West Beach Car Park. Cllr Hamilton reported that Moray Council was currently investigating ownership and responsibility implications and the current terms of the lease from Novar Estates.
4.3 Community Council Funding Consultation. L. Morgan has submitted our response. Outcome awaited.
4.4 Community Council Scheme. Following
extensive consultation the 2009 Scheme has now been formally
adopted by Moray Council.
4.5
Road Issues in Kinloss. M. Thompson reported that the road had
been repaired outside the church to good effect although some
further attention is still needed. The gateway road surface
markings seem to have had some effect particularly in respect of
visiting motorists. However, local drivers appear to take little
notice of the markings. It is understood that interactive speed
signs are to be placed soon which will hopefully reinforce the
road markings. The situation will be kept under review. Action
M Thompson
4.6. Cyclepath obstruction near Clarepoint. Offending branches have been trimmed by householder.
4.7
Road Markings in Findhorn. Simple directional road markings had
been requested to prevent vehicles leaving the pier slip road in
front of the Kimberly and driving the wrong way up shore road.
Moray Council had produced a one-way system along the piers
access road and in front of the village hall. The arrows on the
road surface had had the unwanted effect of confusing some
visiting motorists who mistakenly thought that the piers slip
road was the main highway. It was suggested that a dotted white
line along the side of the main road across the entrance to the
slip road should prevent this confusion. Cllr Hamilton agreed to
pass this to the roads department. Although Road Officers had not
received any formal individual complaints about the new junction
layout at Findhorn Church, they were aware of concerns in the
village and a site meeting had been offered. Cllr Hamilton said
that he would arrange for a Roads Officer to contact R Shand
direct to set up a meeting. Action Cllr Hamilton, R
Shand.
ITEM 5.CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Nothing to Report.
ITEM 6. SECRETARY’S REPORT
6.1 Meetings Attended. 28th July – Training Seminar on changes to Planning Regulations.
6.2 Correspondence. Update letter from REDCO Milne about proposed Bogton development. Invitation
to a Paths for All networking event in Glasgow 17 Sept.
6.3 Consultations. (All electronic)
Grampian Fire & Rescue emergency
response standards. (Deadline 4 Sept
Scottish Ambulance Future Strategy (Deadline 11 Sept)
Scottish Government possible legislation on high hedges and other
nuisance vegetation. (Deadline 13 November)
6.4 E-correspondence. Details of Children’s play fund. Details of National Planning Framework 2 (Strategic Planning ant national level up to 2030).
6.5 Newsletters & Flyers. Tenants voice, Scottish Rights of Way & Access Society summer newsletter, Community Councillor.
ITEM 7. TREASURERS REPORT
7.1 £500 received from Scottish government for costs of elections pilot. £368 spent so far.
ITEM 8 ASCC REPORT
8.1 Items covered elsewhere. Recent JCCM meeting attended by MSP Richard Lochead.
ITEM 9. MORAY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
9.1 All business items covered elsewhere. Cllr Hamilton said that this would be the last meeting that he would attend with the present Community Council. He had enjoyed working with the Council over the past 4 years and in his opinion FKCC is a fine example of what a Community Council should be. He congratulated the outgoing Council on its many achievements which he felt should be a source of pride and he particularly commended the constructive way in which the Community Council worked in partnership with the Local Authority. He thanked members for freely giving their time to benefit the Community. The Chairman thanked Cllr Hamilton for his kind remarks.
ITEM 10. RAFLO REPORT.
10.1 The RAFLO said that a number of C130 Hercules aircraft would be based at Kinloss from 21 – 25 September for flying training over mountainous terrain. The detachment would involve a limited amount of night flying.
ITEM 11. FINDHORN FOUNDATION REPORT
None in absence of E.Ward.
ITEM 12. PLANNING
12.1 Secretary & H. Morton had attended the Planning hearing about the piers workshop application. We had restated our position, in particular our concerns about public amenity space in front of the building. On balance we felt that the assurances from the site owners were the best outcome we could hope for. The application was unanimously approved by Councillors.
12.3 Applications registered since last meeting:
Kinloss
15 July Erection of pumping station and other works at Kinloss Sewage plant. – no objection.
Findhorn Foundation – No applications.
Findhorn Village
8 July – Extension at 172 Findhorn – no objection.
17 July – Erect garden shed at 156 Findhorn – no objection.
29 July – Alterations at 46 Findhorn – no objection.
31 July – Extension at 33 Findhorn – no objection.
ITEM 13. COMMUNITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS
PILOT SCHEME.
13.1 The Secretary informed the meeting of action taken so far in relation to the Community Council elections pilot scheme. A grant of £500 had been received. Initiatives to publicise the forthcoming elections have included, a letter drop to all households on the electoral register, an advertising feature in the Forres Gazette and the placing of a number of posters in both villages. An advert has been commissioned in the October edition of ‘Spotlight on Forres’ to encourage people to use their vote.
ITEM14. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS
14.1. L Morgan reported that the Findhorn Village Centre had been unsuccessful in a recent bid for lottery funding and alternative sources were being sought as a matter of urgency to help fund the hostel upgrade. The meeting expressed its unanimous support for the project.
ITEM 15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 24th September 2009 at 7.30pm in Kinloss Primary School.