MINUTE OF THE 285^TH BUSINESS MEETING

OF THE

STONEHAVEN AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

HELD IN THE COWIE LOUNGE OF THE INVERCARRON RESOURCE CENTRE

At 7.30pm ON TUESDAY 12^th OCTOBER, 2004

PRESENT:

Community Councillors: Derek Stewart, Duncan Cursiter, Mary Jackson, Pam Dobbie, Raymond Christie, Allan Cairnduff, Peter Bellarby, Margaret Ross, Isabel Parkes, Nigel Parkes, David Bray, Sean Fraser.

Kincardine & Mearns Councillors: Wendy Agnew – Stonehaven South; George Swapp – Mearns North; Jack Morrison – Stonehaven Central, Mike Sullivan – Stonehaven North & Fetteresso.

Minute Secretary: Laura Dykes

A member of the Press, a member of the Aberdeenshire South Access Panel and Acting Inspector Grant Wallace from Grampian Police attended.

Chairman opened the meeting and asked if there were there any items of business that might be considered as conflict of interest. None were reported.

Item	Description	Action/Date
1.	Apologies Apologies were received from Ian Hunter, Sarah Dickinson, Douglas Dykes and Jane Davidson.
2.	Minutes of meeting held on 14^th September, 2004 and Matters Arising David Bray noted that the following had been omitted from the previous minute in Item 8c. A sum of £10 was agreed for the provision of 10 e-mail addresses for website responses. The Minute was proposed by Derek Stewart and seconded by Pam Dobbie.
3.	Crime Prevention Acting Inspector Wallace gave a detailed report on the results of a recent speed check in the Town, namely on Kings Road and Arduthie Road. Sensors had been placed across the roads on 5^th October to determine the speed of vehicles without being publicised. In both cases there was no significant speeding problem found and the results were what Acting Inspector Wallace had anticipated. In Kings Road most of the vehicles were found to be travelling between 25 and 30 mph with some travelling at 30-35mph. Only one vehicle was in excess of this, travelling between 50-55mph in a 30 mph zone. A higher proportion of speeding was found in Arduthie Road with most vehicles measured between 30-35 mph, some between 35-40 mph and a very small number at over 40 mph. Acting Inspector Wallace informed Members that between 4pm and 5pm on Arduthie Road a total of 356 cars travelled across the sensor, and 328 were measured from 12noon to 1pm. He added that a radar gun is to be given to other police officers in the future as well as the traffic police, to help combat speeding and that Grampian Police have a number of roads they hope to concentrate on. A.Insp. Wallace stated that during the 3^rd Quarter, 7 fatalities have occurred on A class Roads throughout Aberdeenshire and gave details of various statistics regarding recent accidents. The drink-driving figure for the 3^rd quarter of 2003 was 61, whereas this year it dropped to 55. Members considered that this figure was still disturbingly high. Councillor Mike Sullivan queried A.Insp. Wallace on the fatal accident that took place on the A90 a few days ago and asked whether the Police felt that poor lighting could have been a factor. A.Insp. Wallace replied that he could not comment on this particular case at present until a report is filed with the Procurator Fiscal.
4.	The Future of Stonehaven The Chairman began by saying that the best way to get the ideas of how people would like Stonehaven to develop is to go direct to the people and get their detailed views. He added that this was the duty of the Community Council and that Aberdeenshire Council may be willing to assist us with the format of survey questions, costs of paperwork, collation, distribution and final analysis. At the same time he felt that it would be beneficial to network with all other groups and associations to obtain the best possible information, and added that a local radio station would be an excellent way of reaching the people. The most important aim of this is to find out what people want for the future of Stonehaven and that a master plan is required for housing, schools, health, shops, leisure and recreation. Details of which can be done at a later stage. The Chairman continued that this was all the more urgent following Tesco‘s comment last week and that we also must improve tourist facilities within the Town, as this is the life-blood of Stonehaven. He added that being close to Aberdeen should be looked on as a positive benefit and that we should promote Stonehaven to bring in tourists, not only from abroad but also from Aberdeen and the North East, as a place people would want to visit. He concluded by stating that a positive approach with many specialised attractions will create the prosperity of Stonehaven and added that we will have to act now to secure our future. Members Derek Stewart, Ian Hunter, Sean Fraser, Raymond Christie, Douglas Dykes and Jane Davidson formed a committee and it was agreed that they would meet before the next meeting. Sean Fraser agreed to arrange this.	Sean Fraser 31/10/04
5.	Cowie Caravan Park – Management and Controls In the absence of Jane Davidson, Nigel Parkes informed members of the proposal to ‘Winter’ caravans at Cowie Caravan Park. Concerns have been raised from local residents who think that a site that is open for 12 months of the year has various problems attached. These include the safety of gas canisters at unoccupied caravans, the lack of a full time Caravan Site Warden and lack of facilities during the winter months. The issue of flooding of the site also gives cause for concern. Andy Hinkling from Aberdeenshire Council is to be invited to meet with us to discuss any issues. Councillor Mike Sullivan thought that perhaps this proposal had already been dropped but offered to find out for sure. Nigel added that lately the Cowie Caravan Site has been used as a ‘cheap digs’ option, due to the amount of Pipeline Workers using it, and has an impact on local businesses.	Secretary 31/10/05
6.	Reports and Project Updates
(a)	Planning – Derek Stewart reported on two issues. The first being that Tesco are hoping to try and use the Recreation Ground as a supermarket site, which is why a survey needs to be carried out very soon. It is also apparent that Tesco are not willing to have an ‘out of town’ site. Councillor Mike Sullivan told Members about how Tesco had bid for a site in Banff for which they paid £3million. Tesco then put a further £1million into the Canal Park project in Banff. Derek Stewart agreed that we would have to wait and see what Tesco propose for Stonehaven. Peter Bellarby said he had felt insulted by the comments a recent Tesco representative had made stating that far too many old people were on Stonehaven’s various committees. Councillor Wendy Agnew added that the Recreation Grounds in Stonehaven are ‘owned by the ‘townspeople’ as it is a public trust, and if 76% of people say ‘no’ to Tesco then this is conclusive. Raymond Christie commented that ‘recreation’ isn’t just bowling greens and tennis courts – but that youngsters require bowling alleys, cinemas etc. Secondly Derek informed members that an appeal had been put forward regarding the building of a house at Maxiburn. The Community Council has previously objected to this and Planning Services will reiterate this to the Scottish Executive Reporter.
(b)	Town sewage treatment works – Nothing to report as Mike Rumbles is still waiting on a reply from Scottish Water.
(c)	Community Council Website – David Bray advised that this committee had merged with the Newssheet Committee and it was now renamed the Communications Committee. Ian Hunter is to chair this committee and will prepare the new Objects and Functions for the next Members meeting.	Ian Hunter 9/11/04
(d)	Newssheet – This Committee had now been disbanded following agreement at the meeting
(e)	Kincardine and Mearns Safety Committee – Duncan Cursiter advised that he attended the AGM that was held on 22^nd September and added that there were no formal minutes as yet. Duncan read out the names of the re-elected members and advised Members of the topics this committee hope to cover over the next 12 months. The next Kincardine and Mearns Safety Committee meeting will take place on 17^th November. Duncan also noted that included in the minutes from the last Forum meeting, with regards to anti-social behavior, it was said that Community Councils would be encouraged to get involved with this issue.
(f)	Disability Discrimination Act – There was nothing to report but Derek Stewart congratulated the Access Panel on the good work they are doing at present.
(g)	Constitution and Standing Orders – Peter Bellarby had met with the Secretary and more changes are to be proposed to the Constitution and Standing Orders. Peter will have a further meeting with Duncan Cursiter regarding the Finance element. The proposals will then go to Stephen Marshall at Aberdeenshire Council for him to review before the proposed amendments are put forward at an Extraordinary General Meeting of our Community Council. This meeting will take place directly before an Ordinary Business meeting.	Peter Bellarby 9/11/04
(h)	Helen Rzechorzek Remembrance Project – Pam Dobbie informed members that the bench and planters were now in place and it was looking really good. She encouraged all Members to go and visit the area.
(i)	Fossil Group – The Chairman reported that it is hoped that an exhibition will be set up as a tourist attraction along with information regarding the Highland Fault Line in the Tollbooth Museum. It is hoped that the exhibition will be dismountable so that it can be taken around local schools while the museum is closed during the winter months. A meeting is to be held with Anne Bowe of Aberdeenshire Council to discuss the design and available space for the exhibition.	Derek Stewart 4/11/04
(j)	K & M Bus Forum – Peter Bellarby reported back to Members on the last Bus Forum and mentioned that a statement had been made that work on the bus stops had not yet been completed with more shelters still to be erected. He added that continual discussion had taken place regarding the lack of bus routes direct from Aberdeen to Montrose and that the Bluebird representative replied that he no longer wanted to assist with this issue. There are also plans to have more integration between bus and rail services.
(k)	Dunnottar Woodland Trust – Pam Dobbie informed Members that repairs were still ongoing to the Shell House and the Ice House, as well as footpaths being restored. It is planned to produce a booklet about the Woods and have a public launch of this in November. Pam also told Members of a recent Nest Box Survey run by Sharon Hall where there was found to be 49 possible fledglings. Long-eared bats were also found in some of the nest boxes. The next meeting will take place on 28^th October and the AGM will take place on 25^th November. Councillor George Swapp added that he had seen the plans for Durris woods and would pass them on to the Secretary for information.	Councillor George Swapp 31/10/04
7 (a)	Correspondence in requiring action 24/9 – Northern Lights Tourism Awards – Nomination by 29/10 An invitation was received for nominations but it was felt that it is more relevant for groups trying to encourage tourists to the area. It was agreed that this letter would be filed.
8.	AOCB Environmental Issue – Sean Fraser commented that during the recent beach clean up it became apparent that everything that was picked off the beach was put into Landfill and not recycled. He felt that it would not be too difficult if we could collect using 2 bags, - one for rubbish, the other for recycling and that it would be good if the Community Council could encourage this. He added that when discussing this with the Ranger, he received a very negative response, as the Ranger felt that no one would come and assist in the clean up operation if it was to be done in this way. The Chairman agreed that this was an excellent idea and that it should be done for all clean up operations in the future. Pam Dobbie suggested we try this new approach at the next Beach clean up in the Spring and also at Minerallwell Park in November.
9.	Next Meeting The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 9^th November where this Minute will be formally approved. The meeting closed at 8:45 pm.

Addendum:

A. Correspondence/Brochures IN for information only & available on file:

a) Various letters relating to Planning Applications

b) Minute of Invercarron resource Centre meeting 1/9

c) 10/9 – Review of Electoral Arrangements for Proportional Representation

d) 10/9 – Seed Gathering Project at Seaton Park on 10^th October

e) 15/9 - Probus Club donation of £100 towards Christmas Tree in Square Appeal

f) 15/9 – Local Public Holiday dates ratification

g) 16/9 – Scottish Executive decision re appeal by BOS for street signage

h) 16/ - Stonehaven Arts & Leisure Trust re our Christmas Tree appeal

i) 24/9 – Scottish Water notification of works in Queens Road and Evan Street

j) 27/9 – Aberdeenshire Sports Council Newsletter Issue 16

k) 28/9 – Aberdeenshire Housing Land Audit website on: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk

l) 29/9 – Brickfield Road closure 11^th Oct for 5 days

m) 29/9 – BT phone box removals – Letter from Sir Robert Smith MP

B. Correspondence ‘signed’ OUT:

As per those agreed at meeting of 14/9 plus

a) 27/9 – Planning Services re Shell Hoosie application

b) 27/9 – John Shearer Ab. Council re East Newtonleys Development lighting pollution

c) 2/10 – Project Liaison Office for BT Payphones

d) 27/9 – Planning Services re Shell Hoosie application

e) 27/9 – John Shearer Ab. Council re East Newtonleys Development lighting pollution

f) 2/10 – Project Liaison Office for BT Payphones