Tarves Community Council
Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 17th May 2016
In Barthol Chapel School at 7.30 pm.

Councillors Present: Allan, Davidson, Hekelaar, Massie, McWilliam, Middleton, Smith, Taylor & Webster.

Also Present: - P. Johnston, C Shand (arrived later) and 3 members of the public.

Apologies; - Cllrs Cameron, Thomson, also A. Hendry

Minutes of Previous Meeting on 19th April 2016,

Minutes of previous meeting were amended slightly, proposed for approval by FS and seconded by DH, with all members in agreement.

Police matters – No officer was present.

Declarations of Interest – Cllr McWilliam expressed an interest in planning application quarry development at Haddo Quarry, as they have a shared access. Cllr Webster also expressed an interest as his property borders the quarry. As neither Cllr were deemed notifiable neighbours they would take part in the debate

Haddo Quarry – Proposal for extraction of sand and gravel. Quarry is not currently being used – application is to extract and re-fill. Concerns were expressed by JM and members of the public. JM gave details of previous planning applications – which have all expired. They were advised that their comments re this application need to pertain solely to this application. Concerns are - Environmental Impact Assessment not available; Potential noise problems for neighbours; Control of dust; access road and inconvenience for those who share access; badgers on site; contaminants on site might be dispersed; sand martins nesting on site. People who share the access road have spent time and money on keeping it up to an acceptable standard. TCC have previously been advised that private access roads are not covered under planning. TCC previously asked that the Craigie Brae was not used by quarry traffic. It was hoped that backfill could be done stage by stage – but enforcement is an issue although there are examples of keyhole quarrying are available. The members of the public were advised to seek independent expert opinion and perhaps use the Planning Aid service as a tool for advice. Planning conditions need to be reasonable and necessary. After discussions a vote was taken and members voted unanimously to voice the objections to the planning service.

Matters arising from Minutes

Defibrillators – 4 of the 5 boxes are installed. Pitmedden one not in place yet. Hattoncrook one is in place. Training for Tarves and Pitmedden to be arranged along with perhaps a training session for the HUT members.

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Barthol Chapel matters

Defibrillator – box now in place Broadband – reports that coverage is getting worse. DH has spoken to Digital Scotland and has reminded then 3 times that a date is to be set for a meeting to discuss the issue PJ had info re takeover of EE by BT. 4G upgrades are to happen – this will help

mobiles and texts. Passing places residents are concerned that people do not use passing places – impossible to make people use them if they do not wish to. Barthol Chapel School – HT has been appointed as Acting HT at Inverurie Market Place School, Mrs Elaine Rodgers to be acting HT at Barthol Chapel until end of term,.

Matters Remaining Unresolved

Gullies at Craigies – a works order has been issued for ditches and pipes on that road. No further info. Chair asked Philip Leiper for an update, no reply as yet. . Sewage smell in Duthie Road – Investigations are ongoing, Smell has been noticed again recently. Dog Signs for playparks –no up yet. Chair will ask dog warden to speak to person who takes their dog to the playpark. Trees on Boolroad/Craigies road – AC will do the work and then invoice the owner. Chair has let AC know who the landowner is (no update). Alarm & signage at Shop – Shaun Norman has written to the shop and Mr Glen – he will also write to owners of the Schoolhouse. No further info. Drainage works at Nether Kirkton – Ian Daniels is dealing with this. Core Path/Cairdseat Cott. right of way – It has been agreed with the resident to erect fencing and lay hardcore along the route for a path and leave both paths open. Resident will also approach Farmer to ask to take down dyke to make core path 2m wide. Access Officer has moved to another part of the council. Tarves School repairs / All Weather Court – Chair e-mailed Allan Whyte, Head of Property, who passed it on to David Kemp – who has not replied yet. Old Tennis Court – plans to indicate Nursery size. Flooding – Area Committee this morning – B999 not on the list – consideration should be given to disruption to business, people & infrastructure. – last road to open in the area. Consultation on LDP – Special Landscape Areas. view of Tarves from Raxton was suggested Green dog Walkers Survey – Formartine Community Planning Group have approved the costs of the survey – info will be shared with AC – to find out what dog walkers in the area really think/feel – ongoing. Backpacks have been received by DH, poobags, collars for dogs, headscarves and dog bandanas available to applicants. Community Action Plans – decided that this is something we should prepare. It would be used to feed into Formartine Plan. FS & DH need to meet with Formartine Partnership. . Prop of Ythsie Lease – CC to write to Stephen Archer, Head of Infrastructure to ask about the lease renewal to retain public access and maintenance.

Roads, Paths & Signs – Tillygonnie/Duthie Webster Road – white lines at junction need to be re-done. Mackie Crescent – car parking on pavement – Still a problem. Craigdam Road – potholes – chair will report. Ythsie Road at Douglashead junction – drain has dropped. Tolquhon Castle road – a mess again.

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Local members Report – PJ- Haddo Country Park – Costings in for Cycle scheme. Public could get bus to Tarves & pick up cycle and cycle to Haddo. Electric cycle will also be available. Bike storage still to be confirmed. Transport Corridor Consultation - ongoing – A90 corridor. 2 projects up for STAG (Strategic Transport Action Group) Newmachar Station – positive to Ellon but not really beyond – much more work needed. Road improvement to Toll of Birness and Rail Dyce to Ellon. – Standard Gauge Track – freight capable for the future. CS – Area Committee – no planning – police were told that policing plans are finer but need to be resourced. CS would like to see the A947 upgraded.

Committee Reports – Sandpiper Trust Wildcat – DH gave details – Scheme to give Medical professionals Emergency Bags - £850,000 needed over the next 2 years to develop 50 local teams. They would be supplementary to Ambulance Service and will only deal with cardiac emergencies. It is backed by the Ambulance Service. 3 people have been assigned to the scheme for the next two years. Ellon is being considered.

Planning Matters. Revised plans for Tolquhon Cottage – acceptable. Haddo Quarry – already discussed.

Correspondence – E-mail re proposed Nursery – copy of PDF will be circulated. Chair is of the opinion that the building should be nearest to the garage. Formartine Community Safety Partnership – volunteer required – no takers. TCC Dates for next year – have been applied for – not always 3rd Tuesday of month – depends on school availability. Date for July in Heritage Centre. Site for affordable housing in Tarves – Area manager has been asked for update. Formartine Partnership – info distributed. Ellon CC – have problems with ex officio members – wording included in revised scheme detailing how AC & CCs work together. Police Scotland – update received from Jamie Harrison. Formartine Flowerpot Family – like the Aberdeen City Dolphin scheme. Tarves School & All Weather Court – Allan Whyte – suggest extending it 3G/4G surface – Hall roof and windows will be fixed. Work on Public Conveniences – will be extensive – further details to follow. NHS Grampian News –info re Crowd Funding.

AOCB – Melvin Hall Committee – quotes for repointing one in excess of funding and one within. They are reminded that SN will be expecting it to be done within the timescale.

Schivas Exchange – broadband is awful – discuss re infill transmitters in valleys. Community Broadband Scotland might be an issue.

The above minutes were approved at TCC meeting on Tuesday 14th June 16 in Tarves School.

Robert P. Davidson

Chairman.

Community Council Meetings are always open to the Public