FINDHORN & KINLOSS COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Community Council held in The James Milne Institute Findhorn on Thursday 28th August 2008
Present: R Walker (Chairman), R. Shand, H. Morton, L. Morgan, A. Skene, Cllr Hamilton, J. Willoner, S.MacGregor, G Verner, T. Negus (Sec).
In Attendance: Tanya McLaren (Forres Gazette), Eva Ward (Findhorn Foundation), plus six members of the public.
ITEM 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from M. Thompson, J. Innes, WPC Page.
Public Session
ITEM
2. WELCOME TO NEW COMMUNITY BEAT OFFICER.
2.1 The Chairman said that he had hoped to welcome WPC Page, the new Community Beat Officer for Findhorn & Kinloss, to the meeting but unfortunately she was unable to attend and had sent her apologies. He hoped that she would be able to attend the next meeting.
ITEM 3. ANY OTHER COMPETENT PUBLIC BUSINESS.
3.1 Mrs Jones & Mrs Kelly, residents of Findhorn, expressed their concerns about the prevalence of people cycling on the pavements in Findhorn. The Chairman said that people should inform the police at the time. He also suggested that the subject was brought up with the new Community Beat Officer at her next visit to Findhorn.
3.2 Mr D Willing asked for clarification regarding the planning application submitted by Findhorn Sands Caravan site. The Secretary summarised the details of the application which involved doing away with the 42 pitch seasonal touring site for tents and caravans, demolishing the ablutions block and using the whole area for 30 fixed caravans for 12 month occupation. The Secretary said that the application had been examined by the Findhorn Community Councillors who had a number of concerns. A letter of objection had been sent to Moray Council and this was read out to the meeting.
Council Session
ITEM 4. MINUTES OF LAST
MEETING
4.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 26th June were ratified. Proposed R Shand, seconded J Willoner.
ITEM 5. MATTERS ARISING
5.1 Closure of Redundant Website. Cllr Hamilton reported that the former Community Website now appears to have been closed..
5.2 Local Area Committees Consultation Questionnaire. This had been completed by the Secretary incorporating the conclusions arrived at during the last meeting.
5.3 Disposal of Southside
Married Quarters. The Chairman reported that he had attended a
meeting where the 4 short listed bidders had given presentations.
Since then a preferred bidder had been selected. This is the
Julian Hodge Bank trading in this instance as ‘Moray
Cambrian Homes’. The Chairman said that there were a
number of conditions of sale attached to the transaction in order
to ensure the creation of a viable and sustainable community. He
said it was important that the Community Council keep a close
watch to ensure that these conditions are adhered to. The next
stakeholder meeting will take place on 9 September and the
Chairman will attend. Action R Walker.
5.4 Consultation on Community Council Scheme. The Secretary and L Morgan had completed the consultation questionnaire. Most of the proposals are very similar to the existing scheme. There is an additional proposal for a code of conduct for Community Councillors which was thought to be entirely appropriate.
5.5 Airfield Drainage
Culvert. Item held over to next meeting in absence of J Innes. Action
J Innes
5.6 Osprey House Public
Footpath. MacGregor said that following the last meeting she had
tried to speak with Mr Munro who had declined to discuss the
matter and had closed the door in her face. The Chairman had
since spoken with Mr Munro who intimated that he would be happy
to contest his position in court. There was some discussion
regarding the precise legal status of the path in question and
Cllr Hamilton agreed to investigate this and to report back. S
MacGregor agreed to seek expert advice from the Scottish Rights
of Way Society of which the Community Council is a member.
Action Cllr Hamilton, S. MacGregor
5.7 Links View Road Surface. The Secretary reported that he had been informed by Moray Council Housing dept that they planned to resurface Links View Rdin the very near future. An agreement had also been reached with the water main replacement project contractors whereby they would pay for the resurfacing of the remaining section of the road owned by Novar Estates in lieu of surfacing their trenching work further up.
5.8 Speeding Traffic in Kinloss. The Chairman said that he had written to the Chief Executive of Moray Council as agreed at the last meeting. The CEO had ordered an investigation and a reply was awaited.
5.9 ASCC Constitution. L
Morgan advised the meeting that a formal vote of approval for the
proposed ASCC constitution was required. The final draft of the
constitution had been circulated with this meeting’s agenda.
This was approved unanimously. The secretary was instructed to
send off the ballot paper.
Action T Negus
5.10 Community Council Boundary. Despite the anomalies discussed at the last meeting, closer reading of the latest communication from Moray Council indicated that no boundary changes were envisaged at present. However, a review will take place prior to the 2009 Community Council elections. Nevertheless, in a letter to the planning dept withdrawing our objection to a planning application at Upper Hempriggs since it was outwith our boundary, the Secretary had pointed out the anomaly that the word Kinloss appeared both on the planning application address and on the relevant address in the telephone directory. It was agreed that the Community Council should keep the situation under review to ensure that anomalies were rectified before the next Community Council elections.
5.11 Cyclepath maintenance. The encroaching weeds had been cleared from the cyclepath. Both the Secretary and M Thompson had thanked Moray Council for their prompt response.
5.12 Public Seating in Findhorn. R Shand reported that he had repaired the damaged seat in main street Findhorn. The Secretary had reported the damaged council concrete seat opposite the war memorial. This had been removed by the Council and declared as beyond economical repair. The seat had been previously repaired at private expense and carried a commemorative plaque. The same donor had now paid for a replacement seat which is in place.
5.13 Traffic Priorities at Kinloss Traffic Lights. The Roads department had looked at this. Accident records showed that since 1999 there had been 3 accidents related to turning traffic before installation of traffic lights but only one since then. It was felt that a filter lane was not feasible due to insufficient road width and a separate right turn phase would be likely to cause congestion. They propose to keep the situation under review.
ITEM 6. CHAIRMAN’S
REPORT
6.1Correspondence. Response sent to Rural School consultation questionnaire. Letter of welcome sent to new Station Commander at RAF Kinloss. Received summer newsletter Highlands & Islands Crown Estates.
ITEM 7. SECRETARY’S
REPORT
7.1 Correspondence. Letter from Energy Saving Trust (aka SCARF) offering to give presentation locally. (It is understood that they are already negotiating a booking of the James Milne Institute for a presentation to the wider Community). Letter from Chair of Forres Neighbourhood Forum inviting us to a meeting on 27 Aug. Letter from Secretary of Forres Community Council about Common Good Funds. (These only exist in relation to former Burgh and town Councils). Letter from Moray Council Transportation Dept asking for Comments on the draft Road Safety Plan 2008-2010. (Passed to Chairman). Cheque for £35 from Moray Council in respect of our DATA protection Act registration fee.
7.2 E- Correspondence. From
Sgt MacDonald to inform us that he is working in Fochabers for
the next year. His replacement in Forres is Sgt M McKenzie.
Secretary to clarify who is the Community Council’s named
contact at Grampian Police – Sgt McKenzie or WPC Page.Action
T Negus
7.3 Telecon with Mr Bremner, Chairman Forres Community Council. He had been approached by the tenant of 1 Bay view regarding the external painting of some of the houses at Bayview. Secretary has spoken with tenant concerned and with planning dept. The external painting appears to fall within the category of permitted development.
7.4 Flyers & Newsletters. Right Track, Paths to Health, Community Councillor (ASCC newsletter).
ITEM 8. TREASURERS
REPORT
8.1 £35 received from Moray Council as refund of Data Protection Act registration.
ITEM 9. MORAY
COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Nothing to Report
ITEM 10. RAFLO REPORT
10.1 Hercules Aircraft
exercising from Airfield 1 –5 Sept and 29 Sept – 3 Oct.
This is vital training for low level role in mountainous regions
of Afghanistan
10.2 RAF Kinloss Family Day 6 Sept. Informal event with limited
Flying displays. Visiting aircraft associated with static display
will be arriving and departing over the weekend.
10.3 Group Captain Robbie Noel has taken over as Station Commander w.e.f. 13 August. He has had a number of previous tours at RAF Kinloss.
10.4 Exercise Neptune Warrior scheduled for 6 – 17 Oct.
10.5 A Tactical Leadership Course is scheduled for 17 – 28 Nov.
ITEM 11. FINDHORN
FOUNDATION REPORT.
11.1 E Ward said that she
would endeavour to spread the message about the illegality of
cycling on the pavement in Findhorn.
11.2 She drew the meeting’s attention to forthcoming events in the Universal Hall.
11.3 E Ward informed the meeting that the Findhorn Foundation proposed to provide public toilet facilities near the entrance in the near future.
ITEM 12. PLANNING
12.1 Moray Local Plan. The latest revisions to the emerging Local Plan subsequent to the reporters public enquiry are now published and the consultation period ends on 3 Oct. There are minimal changes at Kinloss which include Airfield noise contour issues and the removal of a development designation near the Southside former married quarters. The challenge by the developer to the Council’s decision to remove the Newton of Struthers rural settlement from the Plan was unsuccessful. In Findhorn there are changes to the settlement boundary to the north of the Foundation and removal of the ‘long’ designation in this area. Full environmental assessment will be required in this area in the future. There is a new R1 development designation to the northwest of Heathneuk with a recommendation for 5 houses and an amendment to the settlement boundary.
12.2 Moray Council placed an advert in the Forres Gazette recently regarding the application for 6 houses opposite Manse Rd. The reason for the advertisement was an apparent departure from to 2000 structure plan regarding flood risk. The Community Council has already commented on this application including recommending a competent flood risk assessment.
12.3 E-mail received from Mr Malcom Leiper thanking us for allowing his presentation on the pier workshops. The sentiments of the meeting had been passed on to his client.
12.4 Letter sent withdrawing our objection to application for planned development at Upper Hempriggs ass it lies outside the Community Council boundary. Anomaly of inclusion of the word Kinloss on the planning application pointed out to planning dept.
12.5 Applications registered since last meeting.
KINLOSS
7 July General Purpose Agricultural building at Newton of Struthers Farmhouse – no objection.
11 July Conversion of steading and New Houses at Mains of Struthers. Plans obtained and examined by L Morgan. Development thought to be tasteful and sympathetic. No objection
14 July Conservatory 23 Glebe Rd.No objection.
8 Aug Erection of small 60kw turbine at Woodside Farm. (no objection).
FINDHORN FOUNDATION - None
FINDHORN VILLAGE
Findhorn Sands Caravan site application.(See item 3.2).
13. ANY OTHER COMPETENT
BUSINESS
13.1 The Chairman reported
that the Community Council noticeboard at Kinloss had been
vandalised yet again. The meeting discussed possible alternative
options including utilising space in the shop front window or the
purchase of a more vandal resistant commercial board. The
Chairman agreed to sound out the shop staff in the first
instance. Action R Walker.
13.2 The Chairman said that WPC Page may wish to conduct regular ‘surgeries’ in the area and possible venues were discussed. These included the Osprey Room or the Village Centre in Findhorn. H Morton and L Morgan would investigate these possibilities respectively. The Chairman undertook to identify a suitable location in Kinloss. Action H Morton, L Morgan, R Walker.
13.3 Councillor Hamilton
drew the meeting’s attention to the forthcoming roadworks in
Findhorn near the church where the kerb will be built out to
reinforce the no entry signs for northbound traffic.
13.4 J Willoner reported that there are frequently Campervans camping at the seaward end of the dunes road. He queried the legality of this and suggested the provision a no camping sign. Secretary to seek advice from the relevant Council department. Action T Negus
13.5 L Morgan reported on the recent JCCM meeting which had been attended by Mr Richard Lochead MSP .
13.6 During this meeting the subject of Rail Services in the area had been aired. The meeting had been asked to endorse unseen a collective letter on the subject to the First Minister. There was reluctance to do this and the proposed letter had since been circulated. Findhorn & Kinloss Community Council, whilst in favour of any initiative to improve rail services, consider the letter inappropriately overdetailed and possible duplicating changes already in hand. L Morgan was asked to send a suitable reply on behalf of the Community Council. Action L Morgan
13.7 R Shand asked Cllr
Hamilton whether the long awaited ‘20’s Plenty’
traffic calming measure was still proposed for Findhorn. Cllr
Hamilton reassured the meeting that this was indeed the case and
that he hoped to be able to give some idea of timescale to the
next meeting. Action Cllr Hamilton
13.8 R Shand asked Cllr Hamilton whether there were any plans to resolve the long standing issues relating to the end point of the Cyclepath in FindhornVillage. Cllr Hamilton said he was not aware of any moves. R Shand said that this protracted delay was deplorable and perpetuated an unsatisfactory and potentially dangerous state of affairs.
13.9 R Shand reminded the meeting that Moray Council had previously intimated that funds would be made available to refurbish the surrounds of the war memorial in Findhorn during this financial year. The secretary agreed to follow this up although it was anticipated that any work would have to wait until after this year’s Remembrance ceremony.Action T Negus
ITEM 15. DATE OF NEXT
MEETING
Thursday 25th
September 2008 at 7.30pm in KinlossPrimary School.