MINUTES OF THE 286^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 9^th NOVEMBER, 2004

PRESENT:

Community Councillors: Pamela Dobbie, Douglas Dykes, Mary Jackson, Raymond Christie, Allan Cairnduff, Peter Bellarby, Margaret Ross, Isabel Parkes, David Bray, Ian Hunter, Sarah Dickinson.

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

Minute Secretary: Laura Dykes

Members of the Press, a member of the Aberdeenshire South Access Panel, Sergeant Grant Wallace from Grampian Police and Stuart Munn 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 Derek Stewart, Duncan Cursiter, Nigel Parkes, Sean Fraser and Jane Davidson.
2.	Minutes of meeting held on 12^th October, 2004 and Matters Arising The Minute was proposed by Margaret Ross and seconded by Allan Cairnduff.
3.	Receipt of Cheques for Christmas Tree Fund The Secretary informed Members of a number of organisations that have made donations towards the placement of Stonehaven Christmas Tree. These included cheques from the Lions, Rotary Club, Round Table, Probus Club, SNOW and the Health Centre. The tree is to be kindly donated by John Milne of FM Developments again this year and the Community Council will pay the balance of placement and disposal. The Secretary added that next year we may have to find one large sponsor as the Community Council would be unable to ask the same local organisations to fund the tree year on year. Local press took a photograph of SNOW handing over their cheque to the Community Council.
4.	East Newtonleys Development Mr. Bill Beattie, Group Managing Director of Bancon Developments attended the meeting along with Mr. Harry McNab of the William Cowie Partnership and Mr. Stuart Young of Dunect Estates. Mr. McNab gave an overview of the proposed development at East Newtonleys informing Members that the site is in fact 40 acres. A total of 13 acres are proposed to be landscaped thus screening the remainder of the site, which will be used to develop the estate, which will appeal to medium sized businesses. He added that access would be gained from A92 Montrose Road with the formation of a new roundabout. He also informed Members that discussions are still underway with the Roads Department with regards to lighting. The Water Reservoir that is close by will also be upgraded at a cost of £0.75Million. The Secretary asked whether or not there would be any permanent Security personnel, as he was concerned that individual companies may install large and obtrusive floodlighting as a security measure. Aberdeenshire Council had previously advised the Community Council that they had no real controls over what individual companies do with regards to such lighting. It was agreed that the Secretary would write to Aberdeenshire Council to ask them what level of Planning Control they may have to clarify this issue. The Secretary also queried how long the landscaping which will shield the proposed site will take to become established and Mr McNab replied that the developers plan to create earth bunding before building starts, which will also act as a screen. Further discussions took place and Mr. McNab described in detail what the roofs of the buildings would look like, plans for public transport and the type of trees to be planted. It was agreed that the plans be left for Members to look at further and that the Secretary would return them to Bancon Developments in due course.	Secretary 12/11/04
5.	Crime Prevention Sergeant Grant Wallace gave a brief breakdown of recent crimes in the area and informed Members that 88 crimes had been committed in the last month, 22 of which involved vandalism. He added that this is an ongoing problem that all communities have, but that Stonehaven had a very high proportion of damage to car wing mirrors. Between the period of 1 July and 14 October, it was reported that a total of 15 car wing mirrors were damaged, with most of this taking place on Evan Street, Arduthie Street and Rodney Street. Most of these incidents occurred between 11pm on Friday night and noon on a Saturday. Inspector Wallace added that, in a bid to reduce the Stonehaven problem, police patrols were going out on the streets at the times these incidents were taking place, paying particular attention to when licensed premises in the town close. He suggested that the public take basic precautions towards protecting their vehicles by encouraging people to fold in their mirrors at night and park cars in driveways or garages where possible. One of the causes the police were looking at was the lack of facilities for youths and suggested it would be a good idea to engage further with the youngsters themselves to discuss what they wanted with regards to facilities in the town. Sergeant Wallace informed members of plans to arrange ‘midnight football’ training sessions that have been successful in other towns and the idea behind this was that the persons most likely to be carrying out vehicle damage were young males. Raymond Christie informed Members that through the Youth Forum, a few discos had taken place where the youngsters did all the arranging themselves and this had been successful.
6.	Remembrance Day Parade It was agreed that Allan Cairnduff and Raymond Christie would attend the Remembrance Day Parade on behalf of the Community Council in the Chairman’s absence. Councillor George Swapp informed Allan and Raymond of the arrangements. Councillor George Swapp and Sarah Dickinson had also checked the War Memorial to ensure it was tidy enough for the ceremony.
7.	Christmas Window Display Awards The Secretary gave a brief rundown of this award scheme and read out the categories for the three awards. He also informed members of last years’ winners and asked the local press to publicise this event.
8.	Reports and Projects Update
(a)	Planning – Pam Dobbie gave a rundown of recent planning applications. She commented on the fact that the Royal Bank of Scotland had applied to erect a projecting ramp on to the pavement to enable disabled access, but it was agreed that this would become a hazard to all other pedestrians. This application had been passed but it was agreed that the Secretary would write to Planning Services with our comments on this.	Secretary 16/11/04
(b)	Town Sewage Treatment Works – Nothing to report as Mike Rumbles is still waiting on a reply from Scottish Water.
(c)	Newssheet and Communications Committee – Ian Hunter read out the Aims and Objectives of this new committee and all Members agreed this. Margaret Ross agreed to distribute this month’s Newsletter.	Margaret Ross 21/11/04
(d)	The Future of Stonehaven – Ian Hunter informed Members that this committee had their first meeting last week and discussed the Aims and Objectives on behalf of Sean Fraser, which included using the Newssheet & Communications Committee, the Internet and possibly any reformed Stonehaven Radio Station, for publicity purposes. The Secretary added that he envisaged this being a large project and considered it should at present remain under the auspices of our Community Council. Ian Hunter agreed with this comment and read out the key actions for discussion at this committees next meeting. He also introduced Stuart Munn who has kindly agreed to assist the Community Council with this as it may relate to any local radio station.	Sean Fraser / Ian Hunter 14/12/04
(e)	Fossil Group – The Secretary read out this item on behalf of Derek Stewart who had a recent meeting to discuss whether a permanent display at the Tolbooth Museum was possible during the summer months, but which was also able to be portable during the winter months when the museum is closed. Project costs may be in the order of £3000 to complete and will be planned in three phases. It is hoped that the Community Council may apply for funding from Scottish National Heritage and that grants from Aberdeenshire Council or Nortrail may also be available to assist with the costs. A Project Plan is currently being drawn up in conjunction with Ann Bowes of Aberdeenshire Council.	Derek Stewart 14/12/04
(f)	Helen Rzechorzek’s Remembrance Seat – The Secretary had looked into putting in an Insurance Claim for the damage to the seat, but on investigation found the Community Council does not have cover for assets therefore no claim can be made. It was agreed by all Members that the seat be replaced using parts of the original if possible. The Secretary added that the damage was more likely to have been caused accidentally by a vehicle rather than being malicious. The Secretary has commissioned a replacement from the original craftsman Ian Hutchison.	Secretary 16/11/04
(g)	Hogmanay Festival – Raymond Christie gave details of how the preparations for this festival are shaping up and also the various events that are planned to take place, including a Video link from the Fireballs to the Square. He added that a test of Fireworks would take place on Bervie Braes on Tuesday 16 November at 1800 hours as a trial. Raymond also requested volunteers to be Stewards at this event and informed those present that 4 or 5 professional stewards had also been hired. He concluded this item by mentioning that a calendar for 2005 is now on sale at a cost of £5 to raise funds.
(h)	Mineral Well Area Litter Clean Up – Pam Dobbie informed Members that the next Clean Up will take place on Saturday 20^th November, from 1000-12noon with volunteers meeting at the Pavilion. A poster advertising this had been drafted by Margaret Ross and will be distributed around the Town. Pamela Dobbie added that it would be helpful if someone wearing waders from the Angling Association came to help and the Secretary added that he would advise the Secretary of S&DAA. The Eco-group from Mackie Academy had also been invited to take part, but unfortunately the date coincides with the Mackie Fayre. It was suggested that groups of 3 people work together so that we can segregate bottles, cans and general rubbish so that some can be recycled. Pamela Dobbie agreed to e-mail all members with details of this event.	Secretary 11/11/04 Pamela Dobbie 20/11/04
9 (a)	Correspondence in requiring action 8/10 – Maxiburn Appeal – CC Continued Support The Secretary had received a letter from Dr. Keith Stewart asking if the Community Council still objected to the proposed development at Maxiburn. This being affirmative, the Secretary agreed to reply to Dr Stewart.	Secretary 11/11/04
(b)	8/10 – Ann Budd re: Tesco proposals A letter had been received from Ann Budd requesting that the Community Council act responsibly to the proposals that Tesco had made. The Secretary agreed to reply to Mrs. Budd stating that as no firm plans were in place yet, no formal objections could be made. A discussion between Members took place regarding what the Community Council felt the public wanted and Margaret Ross read out the results of last year’s survey carried out by the Community Council. Due to Conflict of Interest, Councillor Wendy Agnew left the meeting at 8.58 pm. Raymond Christie raised concerns that if we wait until Tesco’s plans are submitted it may be too late to ask for public opinion. It was finally agreed that the Community Council would not make any statement until they had collated views of the Stonehaven people. It was agreed that this topic would be added to the Agenda for discussion at the next meeting and the Secretary asked all Members to put some thought into ideas for taking this item further. Councillor Wendy Agnew returned to the meeting at 9.09 pm.
(c)	15/10 – CC Forum 25/11 – Members Attending? Derek Stewart, Douglas Dykes, Ian Hunter and Mary Jackson agreed to attend this meeting that will take place at 7pm at Viewmount.
(d)	20/10 – S&DAA re: Youth Football Floodlights at Mineral Well The Secretary read out a letter received from the Angling Association with regards to Light Pollution. He added that this matter had been ongoing for some time and the Angling Association wanted to ensure that the Community Council still supported them. The Secretary would reply that Community Council had earlier arranged for the planting of beech hedging to act as a screen, as an attempt to mitigate the problem and that there was nothing further the Community Council could do as the issue lay with Planning Services. Since the original hedging had been vandalised, the Secretary informed Members that it is to be replaced by Landscape Services before the year-end. The Secretary would also write to Planning Services requesting they resolve this long standing issue before there is major conflict between two local organisations within our community of Stonehaven.	Secretary 11/11/04
(e)	25/10 – Street Name Proposals for new development at rear of Mill Inn It was suggested that this new development be named ‘1 to 9 The Stables, Bridgefield Terrace’ and this was agreed by all present. Councillor Wendy Agnew will also look into the permanent naming of the lane adjacent to this area.	Councillor Wendy Agnew 14/12/04
(f)	29/10 – P&DCC re: Meeting on 2/11 on Western Peripheral Route Junctions The Secretary will reply to this letter requesting to be kept up to date with developments although no Members were able to attend this meeting.	Secretary 11/11/04
10.	AOCB NHS Report – Raymond Christie read out the results on the recent Consultation Paper and handed out a leaflet to all Members, which he added, was concession to public comment. He added that the new NHS Service started on Monday. The next meeting of the NHS Forum will take place on 20^th November at 1.30 pm in the Palm Court Hotel, Aberdeen and Raymond will attend. Cowie Caravan Site – Councillor Mike Sullivan told Members that the proposal to open the Cowie Caravan site all year had been dropped. Isabel Parkes commented that although the site is due to close for the winter in October, there is still a number of Caravans remaining there at present. A947 Road to Braehead – Allan Cairnduff raised concerns as to why the remedial works to the road, pavement and installation of lighting has still not been started. Councillor George Swapp assured Allan that the work might soon be underway as an application for Capital Funding had been submitted. Councillor George Swapp agreed to continue to press Mark Skilling, local Head of Roads, to get the works started. The Secretary added that he hoped to meet with Mark Skilling in December and will ensure this item is on the Agenda.	Raymond Christie 1412/04 Councillor George Swapp 15/11/04 Secretary 14/12/04
9.	Next Meeting The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 14^th December where this Minute will be formally approved. The meeting closed at 9:35 pm.

Addendum:

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

a) Various letters relating to Planning Applications

b) 5/10 – Low wood road Footbridge planned works

c) 6/10 – NHS24 feedback re consultation on Out of Hours Service (copies for Members)

d) 8/10 – Street lighting for new site at East Newtonleys

e) 12/10 – Volunteer Centre South Aberdeenshire Annual Report

f) 13/10 – Sir Robert Smith MP re BT Payphone removals

g) 18/10 – Calor Gas Community awards (Kemnay)

h) 19/10 – Chief Executive letters to BT re removal of payphones

i) 21/10 – CC Forum follow up note from Area Committee Officer

j) 22/10 – BT re our letter objecting to removal of rural payphones

k) 26/10 – Aberdeenshire Design Awards presentations

l) 26/10 – Grampian Police Quarterly Update

m) 27/10 – Volunteer Centre Newsletter

n) 27/10 – Netherley Road closure30/10 for two weeks

o) 28/10 – Stonehaven Rotary - cheque for £100 for Christmas Tree Fund (replied)

p) 28/10 – Notification of Invercarron Resource Centre AGM on 3/11

q) 2/11 – Note from the ‘Increase’ Programme (Wealth from Waste)

B. Correspondence ‘signed’ OUT:

As per those agreed at meeting of 12/10