FINDHORN & KINLOSS
COMMUNITY COUNCIL .
Minutes
of the meeting of the Community Council held in Kinloss Primary
School on Thursday 29th
November 2007
Present:
R Walker (Chairman), G. Verner, S. MacGregor, J. Willoner, R. Shand, M. Thompson, H. Morton, L. Morgan, T. Negus (Sec).
In Attendance:
Eva Ward (Findhorn Foundation), Tanya McLaren (Forres Gazette).
Also in Attendance: 3 Members of the public.
ITEM 1.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr Hamilton, J. Innes(RAFLO), A.
Skene.
Public Session
ITEM 2. UPDATE ON RECYCLING
2.1 The Secretary reported that the speaker Deborah Hockney,
was ill and unable to be present. This presentation will be made
at a future meeting.
ITEM 3. ANY OTHER COMPETENT PUBLIC BUSINESS
3.1 Mr B. Parsons presented concerns about low flying over
Council Session
ITEM 4. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
4.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 25th October
were ratified. Proposed L. Morgan, seconded M. Thompson.
ITEM 5. MATTERS ARISING
5.1 Roller Skiers. Item carried forward in absence of
representation from Grampian Police.
5.2 Road Surface in Links View. The Secretary reported that
he had been informed by Moray Council that the section of the
road that was owned by the housing department had been inspected
and an estimate for the cost of resurfacing had been sought.
5.3 Broken Bollards on Kinloss –
5.4 Disposal of South Side RAF married quarters. The Chairman
reported that he had received a letter from Wing Commander
McCracken confirming that the 302 houses comprising the Southside
estate are surplus to requirements and will be disposed of.
Discussions with Moray Council Housing and Planning departments
have commenced. The Chairman had spoken with Jill Stewart, head
of the Housing Department who had indicated that at present the
Council does not intend to take these houses on to their books.
L. Morgan stressed that it was important that the Community
Council should be fully consulted during the disposal process
rather than merely kept informed. Current protocols relating to
the disposal of MOD housing are not clear and the secretary
agreed to look into this. Action T Negus
5.5 Vandalism etc In Findhorn. The Secretary reported that
following the last meeting he had e-mailed Sgt Robertson (Sgt
Macdonald’s replacement as Community Council Liaison
Officer) reporting concerns about recent break-ins and vandalism
incidents in Findhorn and requesting a review of the frequency of
police patrols in Findhorn. He had received neither reply nor
acknowledgement. The meeting expressed concerns that the good
working relationship built up between the Community Council and
Sgt MacDonald had not been maintained following his detachment to
5.6 Fly-Tipping near former Stable Inn Kinloss. The
Secretary said that he had reported the matter to Moray Council
who had involved SEPA. SEPA have identified the person
responsible and are taking enforcement action to have the rubble
removed and the site restored.
ITEM 6. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
6.1 Represented the Community Council at Remembrance Day ceremony
at Kinloss Abbey.
6.2 Correspondence. Letter from RAF Kinloss about Southside AMQs.
Questionnaire on Post Office closures.(see secretary’s
report). Letter from Mr Shoult about roller skiers.
ITEM 7. SECRETARY’S REPORT
7.1 Meetings Attended. 5 Nov With R Shand & Mr Athol Newlands
representing Novar Estates. 16 Nov ENTRUST workshop at Aberdeen
Airport on recent changes to Landfill Tax grant regulations. 21
Nov Moray Local Plan hearings.
7.2 Correspondence not covered elsewhere. Subscription renewal
for Scottish Rights of Way Society (cheque sent). letter from
Moray Council confirming M. Thompson’s appointment. Quote
from Leith’s to patch Dunes Road. Quote accepted and work is
almost complete. Invoice received. Letter from Postwatch Scotland
seeking participants in a postal delivery survey leading up to
Christmas.(Passed to H. Morton). Letter from Grampian Fire &
Rescue inviting on-line consultation on their 08/09 draft Action
Plan. Consultation questionnaire from Moray Council regarding
local post-office closures. (copies distributed to all Community
Councillors for completion and return to Secretary by Christmas).
7.3 e-Correspondence. Community Council Handbook now available.
Copy ordered for each CC member. Information about 2 Scottish
parliamentary questions concerning SNP aspirations for reforming
Community councils.
7.4 Flyers and Newsletters. SEPA View. SCOTWAYS annual report.
Autumn newsletter from Postwatch Scotland. Flyer from MP&MSP.
ITEM 8. TREASURER,S REPORT
8.1 The Treasurer presented the Annual Accounts which had been
independently checked by Mrs Sue Horn. He highlighted the main
points and answered questions. The Accounts were accepted. The
constitution requires that a copy of the accounts be forwarded to
Moray Council. R.Shand will get Mrs Horn to annotate
appropriately and sign a copy and he will then pass it to the
Secretary for onward transmission to Moray Council. Recent
payments this month included Leiths invoice for road repairs @
£2,220.75 paid from No 2 account and Secretarial expenses of
£29.58 and Scotways subscription of £16 paid from No 1 account.
R.Shand then handed over his post of Treasurer to J. Willoner.
The Chairman thanked R.Shand for the excellent job he has done as
Treasurer.Action R Shand, T Negus
ITEM 9. MORAY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
No report in absence of Moray Councillor.
ITEM 10. RAFLO REPORT
No report in absence of RAFLO.
ITEM 11. FINDHORN FOUNDATION REPORT.
11.1 Eva Ward reported on plans to improve signage to the
foundation including the use of Brown Tourism signs. She extended
a warm welcome to the community Council to attend the Winter
Festival in the Universal Hall on 14th December.
ITEM 12. PLANNING
12. 1 The Secretary and R. Shand had had a helpful meeting with
Mr Newlands of Bowlts, agents for Novar Estates regarding the
Estate’s approach towards development in the Village.
12.2. The Secretary reported on the morning session on 21 Nov of
the local Planning Enquiry which he had attended with L. Morgan
at which possible developments at East Grange and Newton of
Struthers were discussed. In the afternoon Session which the
Secretary attended with H.Morton, issues under discussion were
R1, R2 and ‘LONG’ designations on
Dunelands’ owned land at the Northern end of the foundation
and the ENV8 designation of an area to the East of Findhorn
Village.
12.3 Correspondence. Letter informing us that outline permission
for a house next to ‘The Whins’ had been granted.
Letter acknowledging our comments about the proposed development
opposite
12.4 e-Correspondence. Response from Planning department
to query about planters outside Bakehouse Café. Since the height
of the basic support structure has been reduced to less than 1
metre, planning permission is no longer required under Class 7 of
the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted development)
(Scotland) order 1992.
12.5 Applications Notified Since last Meeting
KINLOSS
22 Nov. 1 ½ storey house in garden ground at 13 Whiteinch.
L.Morgan has ascertained that this is an application for a second
house at the site. However, it is a large area and there appears
to be ample space for another house.
No Objections.
FINDHORN FOUNDATION
No applications
FINDHORN
25 Oct. Further installation of 16 static caravans at
2 Nov. Application for Full and Conservation Area permissions to
part demolish Bunty and build a house. This is a revision of an
earlier application to include a reference to demolition. The
Community Council has already objected to the previous
application and our objection letter will be transferred to the
new file.
ITEM 13 ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS
13.1 The Chairman reported that G. Sutherland had tendered her
resignation from the Community Council for personal reasons.
The Chairman said that the Council was very sorry to lose her and
he had written to Mrs Sutherland thanking her for her
contribution. The Chairman said that he and his fellow Kinloss
Councillors had agreed to the co-option of Mrs Anne Skene who had
applied for a recent vacancy but had been unsuccessful at the
subsequent ballot. Mrs Skene has indicated her continuing
willingness to join the Community Council. The meeting
unanimously supported the co-option of Mrs Skene and the
Secretary was instructed to seek ratification of her appointment
by Moray Council.Action T Negus
13.2 L. Morgan reported on the recent AGM of the
Association of Scottish Community Councils in Edinburgh which he
had recently attended.
13.3 L. Morgan reported on the November meeting of the
Joint Community Councils of Moray. At the meeting the subject of
the new ward boundaries had been discussed. Following
consultation with F&KCC members he was of the opinion that
our Community Council had derived no benefit from the changes.
Moray Councillor attendance at our meetings had both diminished
and been diluted. Of the six Community Council meetings held
since the changes only three had been attended by a Moray
Councillor and these attendances had not all been by the same
Councillor. This appeared to be a lower rate of attendance than
previously and L.Morgan had concerns about continuity in dealing
with issues. However, this was by no means the view of the
majority of the JCCM. Most had managed to identify a specific
Moray Councillor who regularly attended their meetings. The
Chairman agreed to take up this issue with Moray Councillors
Hamilton and Young both of whom lived within the Community
Council’s area. Action R Walker
13.4 Crown Estates Review Update. L. Morgan informed the
meeting that a Scottish Parliament Rural and Environmental
Affairs Committee has been collecting evidence from interested
parties on whether to adopt the report of the Crown Estate
working Group. This group favoured the position that the Scottish
Crown Estate assets and any revenues therefrom should come under
Scottish Government control. This position is strongly supported
by the Scottish National Party. A decision was expected on 7th
November but any change in the existing arrangements would have
to be sanctioned by
13.5 L. Morgan said that in response to consultation by Mr
Peacock MSP about Flooding issues, he had written to stress the
importance of regular clearing of minor watercourses. Whilst this
is not a popular or favoured course of action by either
landowners or Moray Council he was sure that this relatively
simple measure does help prevent flooding events at least in the
short term. He had received acknowledgement from Mr Peacock.
13.6 M. Thompson congratulated the Chairman on the new
Community Council website. He suggested that it could be expanded
to promote the area more actively. The Chairman said that he was
very open to any suggestions but was conscious of the fact that
it is a Community Council site rather than a general site
for the local area. He felt that perhaps a better way to expand
the site was by way of links to other relevant sites.
13.7 M. Thompson said that he was concerned at the amount
of rubbish deposited on the minor road between Kinloss and
Waterford. He and his wife had recently collected 8 bags of
rubbish from the roadside. This detracted from the amenity of the
waymarked tourist route and he felt that the provision of
appropriate signage might help matters. He agreed to write to
Moray Council. Action M Thompson
13.8 Speeding at entrance to Kinloss from Findhorn. M. Thompson
asked for an update on this issue. He said that he had noted that
physical traffic calming measures had been instituted in Auldearn
and felt that a similar arrangement would be appropriate for
Kinloss. The Chairman said that he had visited Ardesier where
there were also traffic calming measures in place and he had
spoken with the local Highland Councillor who had supported the
case. He had reported that the measures had completely solved
speeding traffic problems in that village. The Chairman had also
spoken at some length with Mr Holland, Senior Road Traffic
Engineer at Moray Council. Mr Holland said that there were two
options for traffic control on Findhorn Road Kinloss –
firstly a greatly enhanced Police enforcement of the existing
speed restriction (which was unlikely to occur) or secondly some
form of physical traffic calming measure.
The Chairman said that it would be crucial
to consult widely and to obtain widespread support from residents
for traffic calming measures since later objections could
prejudice effective action. It was agreed that the Kinloss
Councillors would consult locally and come up with a preferred
course of action. This would then be submitted to the full
Community Council for endorsement. The Secretary agreed to
identify and copy relevant background correspondence. Action
All Kinloss Councillors, T Negus.
13.9 It was confirmed that R Shand in his capacity as
Vice-Chairman would remain a signatory on the Community Council
Accounts.
13.10 The Secretary reported that the vandalised Dog Fouling Bin
near the west Beach Car Park had been replaced by Moray Council
and he had written to Environmental Direct services to thank them
for their prompt action.
ITEM 14. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 31st January 2008 at 7.30pm in
the James Milne Institute Findhorn.
(Note Volunteer will be required to act as secretary for February
meeting).