Auldearn Community Council
Minutes of meeting held on 22ndJune 2016 , Lethen Road Hall
Present – Roger Milton, David Brownless, Kyle Mackintosh,Diana Mitchell,Peter McGillivray, Dot Wright
Cllr Liz MacDonald
Cllr Laurie Fraser
Iain Bain - Nairnshire Telegraph
and 9members of the public
1.Apologies– Gill and Philip Pullan, Cllr Tom Heggie.
2.Correspondence - From Nairn and Nairnshire Community Planning Partnership, with details of a questionnaire being promoted to ensure good feedback is gained on what people see as important in the area: Transport, recreation, facilities and amenities housing and community, etc.
A letter from Will Downie, requesting that the Community Council consider support for his application for kennels at Ellands Farm.
3. Minutes of the previous meeting-
Approved by Roger Milton, seconded by David Brownless.
4. Matters Arising -
The next phase of the A96 dualling programme, with broad route options covering the section between Hardmuir and Fochabers, has just been made public at a series of exhibitions in Moray. The Chair attended the exhibition in Forres and explained to the meeting how the possible positions of the junctions, between Hardmuir and Brodie would appear to offer the prospect of good access off the dual carriageway, to guarantee access into Auldearn from the east, which would make it easy for buses to continue travelling through the village, without having to turn around.
It was also noted that some of the route options would see the road pass close to dwellings within the Community Council boundaries to the east , and that the possible impact of those routes be considered in any responses made to Transport Scotland.
5.AGM
The Chair gave an end of year report, reflecting on a year where the plans for the A96 dualling had been the most important issue affecting the village, and those living in the area. The line is now adopted, and the draft road orders issued, and the next stage is likely to be a public enquiry, if objections from statutory consultees are received.
Any public enquiry will deal with the full length of the first stage, as a whole, ie. Inverness to Hardmuir, and not any specific section of it.
The 20mph speed restrictions appeared in the village in the past year but it would have been more effective if the areas extended further out of the village, and the limits were seen to be more strictly enforced.
The Christmas light switch on was once again a great success, and thanks were offered to all those involved with what has become a very popular event.
Thanks were given for the work undertaken by all those involved with the community council over the last year.
Kyle Mackintosh gave the details of the Auldearn Community Council accounts:
Balance brought forward:£4978.20
Income:
Highland Council grant£ 948.99
Expenditure:
Meeting expenses£ 57.00
Administration£ 92.60
Donations:
Dunbar Memorial Hall£575.00
Boiler replacement contribution
Community events:
Christmas tree light switch on£272.60
Total expenditure:£ 997.20
Surplus/deficit for year(£ 48.21)
Balance carried forward£4929.99
Election of Office bearers.
Nominations for the position of Chairman weresought. Roger Milton was the only nominee.
Proposed by: Di Mitchell
Seconded by:Dot Wright
Nominations for the position of secretary were sought. David Brownless was the only nominee.
Proposed by: Kyle Mackintosh
Seconded by: Roger Milton
Nominations for the positon of Treasurer were sought. Kyle Mackintosh was the only nominee.
Proposed by:Peter McGillivray
Seconded by:Dot Wright
Dot Wright, Di Mitchell and Peter McGillivray are the other members of Auldearn Community Council.
Suzanne Brander was co-opted onto the Community Council unanimously
6. Local democracy and the role of community councils
Alistair Noble gave a presentation about the role of community councils and local government, and how Scottish government policy is to introduce more local decision making.The concept of the more traditional hub, or parish, is key to a more effective way forward, when it comes to making decisions that affect
the area, rather than those decisions being made on a centralised basis, with little or no local knowledge of those likely to be impacted by those decisions.
The reformed Nairnshire Committee is part of this programme, and it is hoped thatthis group made up of the four elected councillors will see change in the way decisions are made, on matters that affect the Nairn area but concerns were voiced that this will inevitably lead to an increased workload on the Councillors and it was questioned what leverage they would have at the Highland Council headquarters, when it comes to fighting for Nairn.
It was emphasised how important support for the four Highland Councillors will be, as these changes are implemented and how we need to make sure that Auldearn is involved in the process.
The BID process is now underway, and it was thought that there is the potential for this to be of great benefit the businesses in the town. The process of moving towards the decision being taken about BID status will see a vote on the matter taken by early summer 2018.
7. Village projects
Concerns were voiced about the grass cutting around the village, which has recently gone back to being carried out by the Highland Council. The footpath by the side of the road to Nairn is overgrown again too.
Cllr MacDonald agreed to get the details of the cutting schedule and the Community Council will investigate what can be done to bring the works up to an acceptable standard.
Kyle Mackintosh put a request to the meeting for assistance with providing storage for the football equipment for the junior football teams that has so completely taken over the existing storage at the school that it is becoming hazardous. There have been incidents where equipment in the store has fallen, and could have resulted in injury. It was proposed to site a container in the bottom corner of the community field, screened to blend in.
Some concerns were raised about it being an eyesore and it was suggested that other forms of storage may be worth considering but, with four football teams creating a great deal of interest for primary age children, it was a project felt worthy of support by the Community Council, and further investigations will be made.
A question was asked about paths around the latest part of the Montrose Woods development. A comment was made that they were includedon the original planning application, and it was thoughtthat asking the developer’s agent to come to a future meeting, to explain what was intended, would be worthwhile.
The condition of the information boards around the village was raised but it would seem there are no plans to overhaul any damaged, or reinstate any missing boards, at present
There being no AOCB, the meeting closed at 20.55