FINDHORN & KINLOSS COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes
of the meeting of the Community Council held in The James Milne
Institute Findhorn on Thursday 30th
October 2008
Present:
R Walker (Chairman), R. Shand, A. Skene, M. Thompson, J. Willoner, S.MacGregor, G Verner,
T. Negus (Sec).
In Attendance:
J Innes (RAFLO),WPC Page (Grampian Police),
Tanya McLaren (Forres Gazette), plus two members of the
public.
ITEM 1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from H. Morton, L. Morgan, Cllr Hamilton, Eva Ward.
ITEM 2.ANY
COMPETENT PUBLIC BUSINESS.
2.1 WPC Page said that there was little to
report in terms of crime in the Findhorn & Kinloss area since
the last meeting. Arrangements were progressing for police
‘surgeries’. In Findhorn these would be held on
Wednesday mornings 5 Nov, 26 Nov and 10 Dec at 10.30 am in the
Village Centre. Kinloss surgeries would take place using the
mobile police office located in the
2.2 M Thompson asked WPC Page if she was aware of an accident which had recently occurred in the early hours of the morning when a vehicle left the road near ‘3 Greens’ Whiteinch. A local resident had informed the police via the call centre about the accident and had reported that the driver appeared to be drunk. This resident was reportedly told by the call centre that the police did not respond to calls regarding single vehicle accidents where there were no apparent injuries. WPC Page said that she was unaware of the incident but would investigate. Action WPC Page
2.3 Mr A MacGregor asked that item 4b – Osprey House footpath, be brought forward into the public session to which the Chairman agreed. The Secretary reported that Cllr Hamilton has asked Moray Council legal team to review the case. Cllr Hamilton has agreed to report back to the Community Council once this has been done. Action Cllr Hamilton.
Council Session
ITEM 3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
3.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 25th September were ratified. Proposed R Shand, seconded S MacGregor.
ITEM 4. MATTERS ARISING
4.1 Arrangements for Community Police Officer’s surgeries. See item 2.1 above.
4.2 Osprey House Footpath. See item 2.3 above.
4.3 Cyclepath & 20’s Plenty Zone.
The Secretary reported that the files confirmed that a
comprehensive letter had been sent to Mr Holland in April 2007
(copied to Cllr Hamilton) regarding a suggested location for the
Findhorn end of the cyclepath. This refuted Mr Hollands assertion
that there had been no correspondence from Findhorn & Kinloss
Community Council since 2004. The Secretary said that he had
spoken with Mr James Smith from the roads department who was
happy to come to Findhorn to discuss these issues. A meeting
would be arranged in the near future between Mr Smith, the
Secretary, the Vice-Chairman and H Morton. Action T Negus
4.4 War Memorial. The Secretary reported that along with R Shand and H Morton he had met with Gary Morrison of Moray Council. Moray Council has allocated funds during this financial year to refurbish the surrounds of the War Memorial in Findhorn. The existing delapidated iron railings which are considered dangerous, will be removed and replaced by a low sandstone wall around 3 sides of the memorial. Current regulations on structures close to the public highway mean that there is insufficient space to continue the wall along the side of the memorial facing the bay. Work would not start until after the 2008 Remembrance ceremony.
4.5 Signage at Broom Walk. The Secretary
reported that Cllr Hamilton had investigated the various issues
about Broom Walk which the Chairman had raised at the last
meeting. He had sent an informative e-mail which the Secretary
would forward so that the Chairman could respond to the residents
concerned.
4.6 Road width at new traffic junction near Findhorn Church. The Chairman has spoken with a boat transport company and it would appear that the 3m20 (10ft 6in) inter-kerb width is sufficient for boat trailers.
4.7 Viewing Platform Signs. New signs have been ordered to replace those that have been stolen or vandalised.
4.8 Kinloss Community Council Noticeboard. The Chairman has been in touch with the franchise owners of the Kinloss Spar shop and formally requested that a Community Council noticeboard be incorporated within the shop’s renovation process. The outcome is awaited. In the meantime the Chairman undertook to remove the old vandalised noticeboard. Action R Walker
4.9 Road Safety Issues near Burnside OMQs Kinloss. The Chairman reported that he had visited residents near Burnside and had listened to their road safety concerns which he shared. He had written to Defence Estates and had received a modestly favourable reply. In the short term the lower branches of the line of trees would be trimmed in order to improve visibility. In the longer term the status of the earth embankment which was originally placed for flood prevention purposes would be reviewed.
4.10
One Way traffic sign near Kimberly Inn. Carried over to next
meeting in absence of Cllr Hamilton. Action Cllr Hamilton
ITEM 5. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Nothing further to report.
ITEM 6. SECRETARY’S REPORT
6.1 Meetings. 29 Oct with Gary Morrison about War memorial.
6.2 Correspondence. Letter from Gp Capt Noel about forthcoming exercises at RAF Kinloss. Letter from Planning about colour of paper used. Consultation paper on NE Scotland Road Casualty reduction strategy (passed to M Thompson for action). Ballot paper for ASCC AGM. (Motions submitted by Community Councils discussed in some detail and Secretary instructed to complete ballot paper to reflect consensus of meeting).
6.3 E-Correspondence. ‘Engagement Questionnaire from Grampian Police. (Discussed and Secretary instructed to complete questionnaire accordingly).
6.4 Flyers & Newsletters. Scotways Annual Report. SEPA View autumn issue.
ITEM 7. TREASURERS REPORT
7.1 Cheques Issued for Secretary’s expenses and for Remembrance day wreaths.
ITEM 8. MORAY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Nil in absence of Cllr Hamilton.
ITEM 9. RAFLO REPORT
9.1 J Innes informed the meeting about a forthcoming Tactical Leadership course to be held from 17th to 27th November. This will involve a number of fast jet aircraft together with supporting tankers and AWACs. There is no night or weekend flying anticipated other than arrivals and departures.
9.2 The RAFLO reported that he had investigated the queries from a previous meeting about the outfall culvert opposite Langcot House. He confirmed that the outfall is no longer in use and is regularly checked. A recent check by DE FM and SEPA had confirmed that there was no oil or fuel present. They confirmed that the sheen on the water is caused by peat in the water. There appeared to be an odour coming from a nearby BT inspection cover. BT have been asked to investigate.
9.3 J Innes gave details of local Remembrance Day ceremonies and parades.
ITEM 10. FINDHORN FOUNDATION REPORT.
Nothing to report.
ITEM 11. PLANNING
11.1 Correspondence. Letter of objection sent regarding application for outline permission for site next to 110A Findhorn.
11.2 Applications registered since last meeting.
KINLOSS
29 Sept. Certificate to change amenity ground to garden ground at Greenmantle Kinloss. No objection.
FINDHORN FOUNDATION - None
FINDHORN VILLAGE
03 Oct Application to demolish & replace shed at 167 Findhorn. No objection.
22 Oct Replace roof and restore timber windows at 34 Findhorn. No objection.
12 ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS
12.1
Provision of winter salt/grit bins at Glebe Rd Kinloss. M
Thompson said that he had been approached by some of the
residents of Glebe Road requesting that a salt/grit bin be
provided. Many of the residents are elderly and/or infirm and are
very concerned about slipping and falling on icy pavements and
roads. M Thompson to identify relevant department at Moray
Council and request a bin. Action M Thompson.
12.2 Repairs to Dunes Rd. J Willoner reported that he had carried out an inspection of The Dunes road surface and had counted over 60 potholes. Clearly further repairs were required. The Secretary said that just under £4000 remained of the original Landfill Tax grant which was ring-fenced for repairs to the Dunes Road. The meeting agreed that Leiths should be commissioned to carry out further repairs to the road to the approximate value of £4,000. The Secretary would speak to Mr Lamb, Leiths local area representative. Action T Negus
12.3 The Secretary gave details of the Remembrance Day arrangements in Findhorn. A wreath will be laid on behalf of the Community Council by H Morton.
12.4 M Thompson said that The Minister for Findhorn & Kinloss Churches, Rev Duncan Shaw, proposed to write to the relevant authorities seeking a change in the Sunday bus timetable to allow parishioners from Findhorn to worship at Kinloss and vice versa. He requested the support of the Community Council. The meeting unanimously endorsed Rev Shaw’s proposal.
12,5 S MacGregor drew the meeting’s attention to the consultation about the finalised core paths plan details of which can be found on the Moray Council website.
12.6 R Shand expressed concerns about the revised traffic priorities at the junction near Findhorn church. Despite the apparently adequate signage there had been several near accidents at this location. It was suggested that this be discussed during the forthcoming meeting with Mr Smith. (see item 4.3).
12.7 R Shand expressed concerns about plane spotters congregating near the fence on the airfield side of the road close to the end of the runway. particularly in view of the forthcoming tactical leadership course. The meeting felt that additional signage would probably not improve the situation.
12.8 R Shand reported that the Findhorn Residents Association is desperately short of members. If the situation did not improve then it was likely that this long-standing Findhorn institution would fold. He urged people to pass the word about the imminent AGM. It was hoped that the Forres Gazette might carry an article highlighting the situation.
12.9 The Chairman said that he had been approached by some Kinloss residents about the footpath on the north side of the Kinloss-Burghead road between the Abbey Inn and Woodside Farm. Whilst some of the junctions had dropped kerbs others did not and this was causing problems for parents with pushchairs. M Thompson agreed to investigate and to pass details to the Secretary who would write to Moray Council seeking appropriate remedial action.
ITEM 13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 27th
November 2008 at 7.30pm in Kinloss Primary School.