FINDHORN & KINLOSS COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Community Council held in Kinloss Primary School on Thursday 27 September 2007
Present: R Walker (Chairman), G. Verner,
S.MacGregor, I. Brodie, G. Sutherland, J. Willoner, T Negus
(Sec).
In Attendance: Cllr Hamilton, Sgt Peat (Grampian
Police), J. Innes (RAFLO), Tanya McLaren (Forres Gazette).
Also in Attendance: 3 Members of the public.
Item 1. Apologies were received from L. Morgan, H. Morton, R. Shand.
PUBLIC SESSION
Item 2.Any Competant Public Business
None
COUNCIL SESSION
Item 3. Minutes of the Last Meeting
3.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 30 August were ratified. Proposed G.Verner, seconded S. MacGregor.
Item 4. Matters Arising
4.1 Planning Designations for Findhorn Dunes Area. The Secretary reported that he had checked the final draft of the new Moray Local Plan and noted that a number a number of additional designations such as AGLV and SSSI are referred to on page 142. He had reassured Mr Blackwood accordingly.
4.2 Noise from East Grange Loft. Following representations from residents at Newton of Struthers at the last meeting the Secretary had written to Moray Council. He had received a reply to the effect that the Loft was operating in accordance with the terms of its licence. However, following a complaint about noise levels, the Environmental Health section were proposing to install noise monitoring equipment in the complainant's houses to assess compliance with current regulations. Cllr Hamilton confirmed that this was the case and added that the relevant authority was awaiting further communication from the complainants regarding the arrangements for the placement of monitoring equipment.
4.3 Roller Skiers. The Chairman reported that he had recently received a call from a resident of Newton of Struthers informing him that the Roller Skiers were active in the area. He had gone immediately to the area with L. Morgan to assess the situation. They had found roller skiing in progress on the road but under surveillance by marshals who had been both polite and civil. The road had been passable albeit with care. He had subsequently spoken with Mr Gordon Seaton who organises the sessions who had provided background information and who had assured the Chairman that the complaints from local residents were taken very seriously. Indeed it was as a result of these complaints that the current marshalling arrangements had been instigated. The Chairman reported that on this occasion at no stage had he or Mr Morgan observed any bad language or aggressive behaviour. Mr Shoult said subsequently that this was not his experience. G. Verner reported a very worrying incident that had occurred that very morning . He had been contacted by Mrs Rhind to say that her husband, a local farmer, had been involved in a near miss with the Roller Skiers. He had been driving a tractor with fully laden trailer when he met 3 Roller Skiers approaching over the crest of a hill. These skiers appeared to be out of control on the downward slope and two of them veered off the road into a ditch to avoid the tractor whilst the third fell over in the road. Mr Rhind was considerably shaken by the event which he felt could have had tragic consequences. The Chairman asked Sgt Peat to speak with his superiors about the road safety issues associated with the Roller Skiers. Sgt Peat said that it would be preferable that such incidents were reported to the police immediately so that witness statements could be taken if necessary. Cllr Hamilton said that he had made the Road Safety Officer at Moray Council aware of concerns about this issue. Action Sgt Peat Grampian Police
4.4 Dunes Car Park Toilets. The Secretary said that as instructed by the last meeting, he had e-mailed Mr Williamson at Moray Council requesting that the proposed demolition of the toilet block should not take place at least until the next meeting of the Findhorn Bay Local Nature Reserve Committee. He had received a reassuring reply from Mr Williamson who had informed us that the toilet closure programme throughout Moray was under review. The Chairman reported that he had attended the Nature Reserve meeting along with G. Sutherland and J. Willoner. That meeting had unanimously deplored the closure of the Toilet Block and a strongly worded letter had been sent to Moray Council.
4.5 Viewing Platform Signs. The Secretary reported that the signs had been made. A small plaque commemorating the opening of the viewing platform had been placed inside the shelter. The No overnight parking sign would be erected shortly. The stolen Dunes Road signs had also been replaced.
4.6 Yellow Lines in Findhorn. Cllr Hamilton told the meeting that Moray Council intended to refresh the Yellow Line markings in Findhorn during the next week.
4.7 Community Council Vacancy. Following an article the Forres Gazette, the Secretary had received 4 expressions of interest. Following discussion with Mrs Patrick at Moray Council, the Secretary had sent out a simple questionnaire to the four people concerned. The returned questionnaires would be circulated to the remaining Kinloss Councillors who would select a candidate to fill the vacancy by ballot. The name of the person selected would then be forwarded to Moray Council for ratification.
4.8 Proposed Traffic Calming Scheme for Findhorn. Cllr Hamilton reported that this was one of a number of similar schemes proposed throughout Moray. Staff shortages within the relevant department had caused delays in the roll-out of the programme. This had also meant that prioritisation was necessary with known accident black spots taking precedence. Findhorn did not fall in to this category and was therefore some way down the list. However, it was hoped that the necessary legal and administrative \f0 processes resulting in a traffic order would be completed during this financial year.
4.9 Obstruction to the Cyclepath. J. Willoner agreed to speak with the householder whose hedge is obstructing the cyclepath. Action J. Willoner
Item 5. Chairman's Report
5.1. The Chairman reported on his meeting with Mr Shoult (see 4.3 above).
5.2 Correspondence. Letter from Mr Gardner clarifying access arrangements to Northshore chalet site during building work. Copy of letter from Findhorn Bay LNR to Motray Council about Dunes Car Park Toilet closure. Letter and questionnaire from Planning\f0 Aid Scotland about representation of ethnic minorities including travellers.
Item 6. Secretary's Report
6.1 Letter sent to Moray Council about poor road surface in Links View. Correspondence about East Grange Loft ( see 4.2 above). notification from HQ 51 Scottish Brigade about exercise SKYLANCE. Courtesy copy of letter from mr Findlay (public transport manager) at Moray Council in reply to complaint from Findhorn resident in respect of changes to school bus arrangements. letter from Mr Baxter, resident of Newton of Struthers thanking us for our interest and support regarding the proposed rural development in the Moray Local Plan. Application for L. Morgan to be considered for the post of area representative for Moray on the ASCC.Application unanimously endorsed by meeting
6.2 E-Correspondence. Community Planning e-bulletin (forwarded to all members). Confirmation for booking dates for CC meetings at Kinloss School up to November 2008. E-mail from JSCC to gauge support for a possible presentation to JSCC about the workings of the Scottish Parliament. 3 expressions of interest received and JSCC informed. Report on ASCC regional meeting by sec of Forres CC. e-mail from Sgt MacDonald who is detached to Aberdeen for the next 6 months.His replacement is Sgt David Robertson\f0 who starts in Forres on 01 October. Updated list of Community Council Contact details for Moray. e. mail about ASCC AGM in Edinburgh. Les Morgan willing to attend as representative of Findhorn & Kinloss CC. (L Morgan's attendance unanimously approved).
6.3 Flyers and Newsletters. Grampian Health Plan 2007/2008. Moray Matters from MP & MSP.
Item 7. Treasurer's Report
No report in absence of Treasurer.
Item 8. Moray Councillor's Report
Nothing to report.
Item 9. RAFLO Report
9.1 RAF Kinloss convey their thanks to the public for their forbearance during increased aircraft activity caused by the recent Tornado detachment and exercise Neptune Warrior. A CQWI course will take place 23 November.
ITEM 10. Findhorn Foundation Report
10.1 No report in absence of Eva Ward.
Item 11. LNF Report
11.1 I Brodie reported on recent issues considered by the Forres Local Neighbourhood Forum. (report attached).
Item 12. Planning
12. 1 Correspondence:
Following consideration by Findhorn members, letter of objection sent regarding application for change of use at Bunty.
Following consideration by Findhorn members, letter sent regarding outline application for house next to ". No objection but attention drawn to nearby footpaths, green space designated ENV 8 in new draft plan and access arrangements for central heating fuel lorry.
Correspondence from Moray Council about proposed rural settlement at Newton of Struthers. Following objections, the Environmental services Committee has reversed its original decision to support this development as a modification to the daft local plan. However, original proposal remains and will be considered by the Local Plan Public Enquiry on the Morning of Wed 21 Nov at lesser town hall Forres.
Enquiry timetable also shows that on the afternoon of 21 Nov, objections to R1,R2 and 'Long' designations are being considered together with an objection by Novar Estates to the proposed protective ENV8 designation to the east of Findhorn Village. The Secretary suggested that it was important that the Community Council be represented at this session.
12.2 Applications Registered since last meeting.
Kinloss
28 August. Upgrade and Extend Sewage Works at Kinloss.
Findhorn Foundation
No applications
Findhorn Village
29 August. Convert Attic at 7 Links View. No objection.
7 September. Replace Windows at 119 Findhorn. No objection.
2September. Instal French window at 40 Findhorn. No objection.
Item 13. AOCB
13.1 G. Sutherland reported that a number of the roadside bollards on the west side of the Findhorn road between Kinloss and the Stable Inn were damaged or missing. She agreed to notify the Roads department at Moray Counc
Item 14. Date of the Next Meeting
Thursday 25 October at 7.30pm in the James Milne Institute Findhorn.