DONSIDE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTE OF MEETING, ALFORD COMMUNITY CAMPUS
TUES 9THMARCH 2016
Present– Yvonne Buckingham, Dorothy Anderson, Margaret Henderson, Bob Barr, Ian Law, George Marshall, John Alexander, Nicola Sedgwick, Paul Toohey and Ed Mathers.
Apologies – Clr Farquhar,Fiona Bain, Rick Hughes.
Attendance – ClrLatham, Bruce Scott, Andy Travis and Cat Houston.
Yvonne thanked everyone for attending the meeting.Welcome to our visitors.
Approval of Minutes –Nicola approved and Ed seconded approval of the February minute.
Parent Council draw – The numbers drawn were 61, 29 and 72 drawn by Dorothy, Cat Houston and Margaret.
Alford Academy – no rep present tonight.
Police Matters – no rep present tonight.
Dorothy mentioned that there had been some vandalism at the Heritage Centre – paint thrown over the new bull sign.
The speed sign at east end of village not working – Ed will phone Road line.
Speed checks down at Lumsden/Whitehouse – no update yet.
Speed campaign across the country.
Presentation –Cat Houston was present to give an update on the new Alford magazine. First edition going well “The Bulletin”. The adverts received so far are enough to cover the costs and some over. Area covered – Alford and surrounding. 1200 copies being printed for 1st issue – put in library, shops etc. It will be a quarterly magazine with 70% articles 30% advertising which helps fund photocopying and Cat’s time.
Nicola and Fiona met up earlier today. This magazine would be a great opportunity to help the Community Council advertise what we do, dates of meetings, support/funding/projects on going at present, where we need more reps. There will be no charge for CC to put in an article. Deadline for articles is in one week.
Yvonne asked members what they thought about the CC advertising in this magazine. All thought it was a good idea. Fiona, Nicola and Cat will meet to draw up an article for the first edition. Can the community website be linked – speak to Roddy first about this to see how he wants it to go. Put info re this into the noticeboard.
Matters Arising
Murray Park Audit –nothing happening with this as Bob being out of action. There used to be a map of walks within the Murray Park – this needs to be looked at. Bob will contact Alan Melrose.
Car Park Audit–been an emailed response from Lorna Hogg – problem in car park now fixed – dispute ongoing – Council fixed it and with recoup the money. Yvonne will contact Lorna re the re-design of the car park. Have a consultation for the public later to let them see what is planned – will be in the next financial year now.
Recycling Centre– they have started digging up Mart Road this week hopefully this means work will startsoon – maybe exploratory work. The Chief Executive was shown the site and was in agreement that something needs to be done. Clr Latham said that there is little change – discussions still on going. Kirkwood Homes want to progress this too. Scottish Water still the sticking point – foul water drainage – contaminated water can’t go into a normal drain. The CC appreciates Clr Latham’s work on this.
Donside DefibrillatorGroup –Nicola gave an update.
The Donside Defibrillator set up - a support group for other areas.
Training on Thurs 28th April in Tullynessle Hallor trainers – 26 spaces. Contact Edna Matthew or Nicola if interested.
Tullynessle have purchased a defibrillator. Monymusk Hall have 1 in operation and folk have been trained.Lonach Hall have funds to buy one. Central Garage, Glenkindie keen to have one. Alford Ambulance Depot - Rotary Club is supporting this one. Alford Campus – working on this one. Alford Church Hall?
5 trainers dummies/pack of defibrillators - £300-£400 each to buy. Funding required – It was suggested that this would be a good use for the money from the Oil Community Fund. All agreed this was a good way of spending this money.
The British Heart Foundation – a community group can apply for a training pack – free to schools.
Community Oil money – around £900 in the pot at present – another cheque due shortly. Write to Johnston Oils once these dummies etc have been purchased to let them know how the money was spent.
Lumsden LCA – George has approached the Chair but he wouldn’t commit. Scottish Sculpture Workshop – very interested. Nicola had spoken to Sue Cross rep on the LCA. George will attend the AGM and raised again. Nicola agreed to attend this too.
Review of Alford Action Plan –waiting for Bob to recover. Will see Roisin for a date. Alford, Tullynesle reps to be involved. Paul explained what an Action Plan was as Strathdon are currently getting one done. Drawing up balance sheet of pros and cons. Roisin has all the info. Kildrummy, LumsdenTowie in partnership with Windfarm – meetings held and Plan set up. Marr Area Partnership lead this – access to all points for available funding.
It is an important tool – communities need something like this – helps to get things done.
Strathdon Action Plan – moving slowly – next meeting 26th April.
Aberdeen Peripheral Meeting – update – email sent out – newsletter.
Christmas Lights Meeting –Keith Milne, Street Lighting Engineer – re extension of Christmas lights up to butchers. Dorothy, Yvonne and a couple of reps from the Light Committee met with Keith.
Correspondence
Planning – passed around to members.
Scheme of Establishment of Community Councils – up at the Committee meeting on 10th March. Document sent out for Code of Conduct.
Glenkindie Gun Club –letter requesting financial assistance to help with their annual members clay pigeon shoot – agreed £250.
AOCB
Ed- Buses to Campus – aren’t being used much. It arrives at Campus 10min after the 50+ Group starts. The next Bus Forum is coming up shortly on 23rd March in Aboyne – possibly raise there. Yvonne will email Roddy to see if he is attending.
Alford Men’s Shed – AGM held recently 40 turned up. Council meeting – looks promising – going up to the old campus tomorrow – nothing finalised yet.
Cull of Deer in Murray Park? –5 deer seen around the park just now.
Rangers Hut –the Scouts haveleased this Hut for 5 years initially – need to fund raise. Bill agreed to contact Ken Cumming for an update.
Old Stagecoach Garage – up for lease again.
Kirkwood Site – half of it left now being levelled out – industrial site?
Vale Hotel – planning in for 4 flats – down from the original 10.
Overhanging Trees on Balfour Road – complaints that the birch trees on Balfour Road beside the old Rosie’ store are overgrown and need cutting back. Ed will contact some Council workmen and ask them about this first.
Dorothy – Sarah Nicol was dropping off someone at Hamewith Court but couldn’t get parked due to parked cars. This is a continual problem – put parking restrictions signs up.
Can be raised at the Alford Action Plan review.
Bill – Flooding Issues – meeting with Paul Henby/Roddy and Bill and went around the affected areas. Well aware of the situation but can’t see a short-term solution. Malcolm Thomson, Snr Planning Enforcement Officer. Prevention Insurance for flooding if your property is affected. There is a National Insurance Policy Fund to cover flooding. He will continue to meet with Paul.
Clr Latham – has attended various meetings regarding flooding – flood defences need to be improved. Marr Committee have approved the Marr Flood Recovery Plan. Send us a copy.
New Powerline – they have begun to change the Monymusk/Tillyfourie extending the corridor. Meeting in Monymusk – Rick may attend this representing the CC.
Height limitations only 1 way not over 3000m – follow the old railway line trying to keep it with contour.
John – complaints about the drain at Towie Hall seeping – Clr Farquhar met with Nicola at the car park – not sure who owns it – was gifted to the Hall.
Manhole – water coming down from top house beside Donview – phoned nothing done about it yet.
Bob –damaged his car wheel badly after hitting a deep hole on the Kingswells Road A944. Aberdeen City – Zurich Insurance not paying out. There were monthly inspections being done – keep fighting. Holes on road at the end of Castle Road, Alford.
Ian –bad corners at Bridge of Alford – holes were mended in November – but this was a waste of time as holes appeared again – phone Roadline.
George– Farmer dumped manure – Clr Latham reported earlier – action taken – farmer has done the same again.
23rd March – Tap of North CC meeting – van parked in Lumden raised – police at meeting – take appropriate action.
Nicola – spoken with Clr Farquhar re recycling and carpark. Put forward case to change the bins.
Glenkindie/Towie Action Group set up – few local groups involved. Looking for funding – see what the CC funds are standing at.
Next Meeting – Tues 12th April – Yvonne and Margaret are both away. Agreed to have the meeting the following week on Wed 20th April.
May meeting is the AGM.Yvonne, Nicola, Bill and Ed were on for 2 years which is up this year.
Need 2 reps for Strathdon, 1 rep for Alford, 1 rep for Lumsden, 1 rep for Tullynessle and 2 rep for Kildrummy.