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FWCC Meetings

Present: Community Councillors:

Mr. A Stenhouse, Mr. F. Sheridan, Mr. I. Brockie , Mrs. D Hudson, Mrs. J. Davies, Mrs. J. Randalls, Mrs. L. Young and Mr. T. Clark.

Councillors:

0

Members of the Public:

2

Minute Secretary:

Mrs. S. Stutter

1. Apologies and absences

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. K. Clark and Mrs. N. Loosley,

2. Police Matters

There was no Police representation at the meeting and no report was received. The Chairman had sent an e mail to Inspector Todd but no response had been received at the time of the meeting.

3. Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 2nd July 2009 were confirmed as an accurate record.

4. Matters Arising

• 4.6.5.1 Footpath between Strachan School and the Village Hall/Traffic Signs

  Mrs. Hudson had been in contact with Mr. Ralph Singleton from Aberdeenshire Council and Police Inspector Todd. Mr. Singleton agreed to subject the village of Strachan to a Stage 2 safety audit and on site check to ensure that the scheme meets requirements. With regard to the pavement it was agreed that yellow chevron lines be painted in order to highlight the kerb. Mrs. Hudson to monitor the situation.
  Further discussion took place regarding the siting of the traffic calming signs. It was pointed out that there was no visible sign to drivers entering the village from the Cairn O’Mount road and the suggestion was made to move the sign leaving the village further east, closer to Strachan Cottages in accordance with the original planning application.
  Action:D.H.

• 4.6.5.2 Eslie Barn/Pond

  The report from Mr. Stuart Ranford, the Planning Enforcement Officer on his visit to the site had still not been received at the time of the meeting and contact to be made with him.
  Action:N.L.

• 4.67.2 Knockburn Loch:

  The planning application for a bunkhouse and gym together with a conference centre was considered by Aberdeenshire Planning Committee. It was unanimously agreed to a site visit to assess the application more clearly and for more information to be supplied with regard to the business case.

5. Treasurers Report:

Funds in hand remain at £1373.70 with no income or expenditure recorded since the last meeting. The cheques to Strachan Village Hall Committee and Inchmarlo Hall Committee for £250 each had been sent but the cheque to Tilquhillie WRI for £100 was still to be paid.
Advice to be sought at the Bank in order to set up new signatories to cheques as a result of changes to post holders and the absence of previous post holders.

6. Planning Issues:

War Memorial:

A member of the public spoke about the long debate and consideration given when the Memorial had previously been removed as a result of the sale of the church and the decision for it to be sited in the centre of the Village on land adjacent to the playing field. The meeting understood that it would be the wishes of the majority for the Memorial to remain in situ.

The original concern was the considered disrespect shown by parking of vehicles etc. in its immediate vicinity. However it was noted that informal agreement had previously been reached with the owner of the property that on completion of the current building work next to the Memorial, an appropriate boundary fence would be erected thereby eliminating the parking of cars immediately next to the site.

The Community Council will apply to the Village Enhancement Fund for a contribution to the work and to Aberdeenshire Council about the possibility of the construction of a lay-by for the parking of cars. All present at the meeting agreed that it should be made a priority to resolve the issue before Remembrance Sunday on the 8th November 2009. In the meantime, it was noted that the builder was maintaining a tidy site.

Castlewood Site: In view of the number of planning applications in the pipeline relating to the site, concerns increase regarding traffic and access on the single track road. The Community Council supports small businesses in the area but has concerns about safety factors. Further issues relating to the site are discussed under any other business.

Notice of Planning Applications Received is attached to the foot of these minutes.

7. Website: www.strachantoday.org

The newlook website is up and running and its webmaster is Philip Marno who lives in Strachan. Agreed Minutes for the year 2009 are posted on the site.

It was agreed that a photographer attend the next meeting at Strachan in October in order to take photographs of Committee members which, together with a pen picture would be posted on the website.

8/9. Current Consultations/Correspondence Received.

A list of the current consultations and correspondence received was emailed to all Council Members prior to the meeting and a copy is filed with these minutes. Information relating to Aberdeenshire Core Paths Plan Final Consultation was passed to Mrs. J. Randalls.

10. Any Other Business.

Castlewood Development: The meeting were informed about a serious road issue – the transportation of wide loads i.e. one half of a chalet on the back of an unescorted lorry to the site at Castlewood. It was noted that for loads over a certain width, the law requires that a warning vehicle with a flashing light precedes the vehicle. No warning vehicle preceded the two lorries needed to transport the one log cabin. It was further noted that planning permission permits an additional 23 chalets on site which means a further 46 lorries + loads. The matter to be referred to Inspector Todd in order to ensure compliance with legal requirements and to Aberdeenshire Council Roads Department as there is damage being caused to the surface dressing on the main, South Deeside Road at the junction with the single track road to Castlewood.

Community Council Presentation at Planning Meetings:

Councillors noted their various concerns relating to community representation at Planning Meetings:

• Process by which objections can be voiced at Committee Meetings

• Letters of objection – why can one letter be included and another not and why can the same points not be raised more than once?

• Intimidation resulting from objections being made

• Obligation to consult but no requirement to listen

• Amendments to plans not notified to community councils

• Enforcement of planning permission

• Lack of penalty

• Access to ombudsman

The meeting in order to discuss the above still to be set up with the Planning Department at Aberdeenshire Council.

Co-Option of Councillor:

In order to comply with the Constitution for Community Councils, it was necessary to Co-Opt Mrs.Julia Davies onto the Committee. Her election in April 2009 was deemed to be void as she was not a resident in the area of FWCC at the time of her election. Mrs. Davies co option was proposed by Mr. Frank Sheridan and Seconded by Mrs. J. Randalls.

Mrs. Davies volunteered to represent FWCC on the Marr Local Community Planning Group.

Road at Bridge of Feugh:

Mrs. Hudson informed the meeting that as a result of Road Safety concerns, raised by Mrs. Ann Taylor, owner of the Bridge of Feugh Restaurant, Aberdeenshire Roads Department are to apply a thermal plastic “pedestrians ahead” sign to the surface of the road between the upright version of the sign and the public car park opposite the restaurant as a first measure to slow down traffic speed.

Emma Binns - Aberdeenshire Rural Housing Enabler:

Emma Binns who represents the Aberdeenshire Rural Housing Enabler has agreed to undertake a housing needs research project in Strachan towards the end of 2009. A similar exercise is currently being carried out at Logie Coldstone. Discussion took place regarding the value of such a project and it was agreed that an invitation be extended to Ms. Binns for the October meeting at Strachan in order to explain what is involved. It was also suggested that an article be included in the October Strachan Today newsletter in order that local interest could be gained.

Banchory Community Learning and Development

Alison Ritchie and Linda Gray have asked to present their project at the next FWCC meeting in Strachan. Contact List – list of contact details to be made and distributed to all FWCC councillors and members –

Contact List

A list of contact details to be made and distributed to all FWCC councillors and members –

Planning Applications:

10. Date of next meeting:

Strachan Hall on Thursday 29th October 2009 at 7.00pm.

7pm. Photographs / Refreshments

7.30pm. Presentation on Rural Housing Enabler Research Project in Strachan – Ms. Emma Binns

7.45pm Presentation on Banchory Communuity Learning and Development – Alison Ritchie/Linda Gray

8pm FWCC Meeting

News Box

• FWCC Community
• FWCC Community Update

Meetings for 2009/ 2010

• 9th February, Knappach Hall
• 23rd April, Strachan Hall
• 25th June, Inchmarlo
• 20th August, Knappach
• 29th October 2009, Strachan
• 3rd December 2009, Inchmarlo
• 18th February 2010, Knappach
• 22nd April 2010, Strachan (includes AGM)

Local Planning Meetings

• Thursday 28th May at 7.30pm New House, Cammie Farm, Strachan
• PUBLIC MEETING 18th June at 7.30pm, Strachan Hall
• PUBLIC MEETING Inchmarlo Hall T.B.A