Huntly Community Council

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Minutes of the February Meeting of Huntly Community Council held in The Council Chambers, The Stewarts Hall, Huntly on Thursday 21st February 2008 at 7.30 p.m.

PRESENT

H Lumsden-Gill (Chairwoman)
A Gill (Vice Chair)
R Ness (Treasurer)
F McRae
K Henderson
F Forbes
G Petrie
H McIntosh
Cllr J Strathdee
D Boyd
A Alexander (Secretary)

1.   WELCOME & APOLOGIES

Hilda welcomed Members to the February Meeting and extended a special welcome to Donald Boyd, ATP Co-ordinator whose ATP updates are greatly appreciated.  A special welcome was given to Kathryn Henderson who has joined HCC as a Co-opted Member.  Hilda advised Members that Anthea Alexander, Secretary had tendered her resignation and expressed regret that she has decided to leave.  During her four years with HCC she had been an asset to the Council.  Plans to find a replacement will be discussed further under AOCB.   Apologies were received from Mark Duggan and PCNeil McAdam who may join the Meeting later due to other commitments.

2.  MINUTES

Minutes of the Meeting held on 17th January 2008 were proposed by Fiona Forbes and seconded by Freda McRae.

3.  MATTERS ARISING

• Police Issues  As PC McAdam was not in attendance no update available.

• ATP Update  Donald distributed his monthly bulletin to Members.  Items highlighted included:
• Strathbogie & Cabrach Trail Network
• Huntly Branding -  introducing artist Jacques Coutzer from South Africa.  Hilda had already met with him when it was discussed that perhaps he could attend an HCC Meeting.  Hilda will contact him to arrange a suitable date.
• Visit Huntly Stand at Visit Scotland Expo in Aberdeen, April 2008
• Post ATP Huntly situation

        Freda asked if a good response had been received to the Shop
        Enhancement Scheme.  Donald confirmed that 26 applications had been
        received and the budget fully allocated.    The response had been
        excellent in comparison with other towns and it was encouraging to see
        local businesses taking the opportunity to upgrade their buildings.
        Cllr Strathdee enquired if any further progress had been made following
        the RB Farquhar discussion group held in December 2007.   Donald
        confirmed that discussions were still ongoing with a view to finding a
        suitable solution to utilize the land.  Donald left Meeting at 7.55pm.

• Market Muir Update  Tony advised a Meeting was held on 28th January 2008.  Members discussed the year ahead including future fundraising, further improvements to the playing surfaces and further improvements to the pavilion.  He expressed concerns by user groups at Aberdeenshire Council’s intention of increasing the rates for using the facility.  Hilda advised that this would be discussed as a separate Agenda item.

• EIS Update  Although productive the Meeting held on 21st January had a

limited turnout.  A Family Ceilidh will be held in the Ex-Servicemen’s Club on 31st May with the Sunday event following the same format although the group are looking for new performers.  Hilda will contact Aberdeenshire Council Law & Admin Department to check on new legislation which may affect the event.  A renewal application for the Raffle Licence is to be submitted to the Council.  More street decorations are proposed and advertising of the event will begin April/June in “The Source” which is an events guide for City & Shire.  The next Meeting will be on Monday 25th February 2008.

• Updates from Marr Area Office/Aberdeenshire Council 

• Letter re Proposed Huntly A2B Dial-a-Bus advising of meeting on 28thJanuary to discuss proposals.  Hilda confirmed that the service had been given the green light by the Marr Area Committee and should start in March/April 2008.
• Notification of Aberdeenshire Design Awards 2008
• Letter re Review of Polling Districts & Polling Places asking HCC to confirm support for one polling station.  Members agreed and a letter is to be sent confirming The Stewarts Hall as the preferred venue.
• Letters re refurbishment of Bogie Bridge outlining the extent of the work involved.  Aberdeenshire Council is looking seriously at trying to have the work done prior to April 2008.  A letter confirming the date will be sent to Les Allan.
• Budget Briefing Papers 5-10.  Hilda highlighted details from Paper No 9 with regard to the increase in water and sewerage charges by Scottish Water which will have an effect on householders expecting no change in their Community Charge with the announcement that the charge is to be frozen for the year 2008/9.
• Community Council Websites – HCC Minutes should appear on the Huntly.Net website.  Hilda asked Members to advise Tony what individual details they wished to be placed on the site.
• Marr Community Forum Meeting Feedback – Hilda and Tony attended the meeting at Lumsden on 13th February.  Speakers included Ralph Singleton on Winter Road Maintenance and Dr Melanie Jones on Stop Litter Campaign and Waste Awareness Issues.  A workshop session was led by Andrea Hauxwell of K & D Voice re Community Engagements, Community Planning & Representation and the Challenges ahead.  Hilda provided copies of “The Mag” produced by Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership for Members.  Subjects highlighted included Post Office Closures,  Aberdeenshire Litter Initiative and details on the structure of ACPP.

• Litter Initiative – The litter problem was raised at the January Meeting. 

Hilda has attended Meetings both in January and February to discuss the problems.  The recent meeting on 20th February was also attended by PC McAdam, Cllr Strathdee, Leigh Menzies, Deputy Rector and Neil Connell, Tesco Store Manager.  The problem is not specific to one area but indeed affects the whole town.  The purpose of the meetings is to identify solutions to the problems and how to involve all of the community in reducing if not illiminating the problem and encouraging civic pride in their town.  Hilda asked Members for their thoughts on how HCC could promote the initiative.  Following discussions it was proposed that HCC could participate in the national Spring Clean Campaign in April.  It was suggested that a donation could be made to a particular group i.e. Guides/Scouts etc who collected the most litter.  HCC could ask Aberdeenshire Council for a review of their litter and street cleansing plan for Huntly as the existing plan is out of date and does not take into account the recent commercial and housing developments in the town.  The provision of additional litter and dog fouling bins was raised.   A litter initiative poster competition could help promote the project and sponsorship for the printing of the winning poster could be found perhaps in the business community.   Hilda will take the suggestions to the next meeting of the group and report back to members.

• Harmonising of Charges for the Use of Council Facilities  -  Members were advised at the last Meeting of proposed changes.  Hilda asked if they could report any feedback they had received from groups affected by the changes.  Tony advised that concern had been raised by The Boys League Group as the potential increase would be from the present £280 to £2500 per annum.  Although various discounts are available the increase would be substantial and they may well have to consider reducing the number of nights they use the facility at The Market Muir.  This is seen as a negative impact given that it should be a priority to have youngsters participate in as much outdoor activity as possible.  Groups who feel under pressure from the new charges are encouraged to contact Aberdeenshire Council for a re-evaluation.

• Huntly Branding  - As previously discussed it was agreed to invite Jacques

Coutzer to an HCC Meeting.

4.   TREASURERS REPORT

Bob confirmed the account balances as:

General Fund:  £819
The Gordon Highlanders Memorial Fund:  £1357
EIS Fund:  £2574

Hilda suggested that as it was the Pipe Band’s Diamond Anniversary Year that perhaps HCC could make a donation to the band and asked Bob to consider a suitable figure to be discussed at the next Meeting.  Bob suggested that the donation could be made from EIS but Hilda advised that this would have to be discussed and agreed by the EIS committee.

A.O.C.B. Item

Since Cllr Strathdee was leaving the Meeting early, it was agreed to raise and discuss the following item.
Cllr Strathdee raised the subject of a review of Scottish Parliamentary Constituencies by The Boundary Commission for Scotland.  Hilda advised that an article had appeared in The Press & Journal outlining the plans and had found it necessary to obtain more detailed information on the internet given that HCC had not received any information concerning these proposed changes.  A map showing the boundary changes was shown to Members and Hilda also advised that several changes of constituency names were proposed including Gordon becoming part of West Aberdeenshire and Banff & Buchan becoming The Buchan Coast, the size of the constituencies being based on population.  Representations concerning the proposals must be made by 21st March 2008.  Plans, etc can be viewed at certain Council Offices but not the Huntly Office and on the website.  It was agreed to write to Les Allan requesting copies be sent to the Huntly Office.  Bob suggested that perhaps a HCC Special Meeting might apply.  Hilda advised that individual representations can be made,  However, Cllr Strathdee confirmed that any objections to the proposals must be supported by 100 signatures of consituents eligible to vote in the constituency. 

5.   CORRESPONDENCE

Items for the table:

• Newsletter from Aberdeenshire Sports Council
• Viewpoint- Newsletter from The Aberdeenshire Citizens Panel
• Aberdeenshire Joint Health Improvement Plan 2007-2010

Out of Date:  Notification of Military Flying Exercise

Planning Applications for the Huntly area:

• Building Warrant to demolish existing garage and erect 2 storey extension with integral garage at 5 Castle Park Road
• Building Warrant to replace existing rooflights install new rooflight and new bathroom at Old Manse, Princes Street
• Full Planning Permission for alterations and extension to dwellinghouse and erection of detached garage at 26 West Park Street
• Listed Building Consent for alteration to listed building at Strathbogie Manse, Deveron Road
• Listed building Consent for replacement front doors at 19 Gordon Street
• Building Warrant to convert dwelling to office, alter sanitary kitchen provision, upgrade fire exit at Strathbogie Manse, 7 Deveron Road
• Listed Building Consent for replacement of existing signage, lights and canopies and installation of 2 cigarette bins at The Gordon Arms, 32 The Square
• Full Planning Permission for alterations and extension to dwelling house at Grampian Community Care Charitable Trust, 7 Rowan Avenue
• Building Warrant for internal alterations at 1 Gordon Street

• Friends of The Stewart’s Hall Coffee Morning – 23rd February 2008
• Christmas Lights Appeal  Coffee Morning 8th March 2008
• Aberdeenshire Sports Awards Evening 28th March – nominations requested
• CSV – Information on campaign to end child poverty
• Aberdeenshire Alcohol and Drug Action Team

6.   A.O.C.B

• Hilda asked if any Member wished to take up the Secretary’s post.  She confirmed that an advert would be appear in The Huntly Express on Friday for a suitable candidate.
• Due to bad weather Hilda advised that the proposed restoration of The Gordon Highlander Memorial had not been completed in January.  However, The Scottish Sculpture Workshop will contact Hilda once the work is completed.
• Huntly Food & Health Project Final Report – Hilda read excerpts from the report outlining projects undertaken and projects which will be focused on in the forthcoming year.
• Bob raised concerns about the lack of progress in the resurfacing of the A96 at Glens of Foudland.
• Kathryn had been approached by members of a new group asking how to progress with the initiative of creating new recreational facilities for the town i.e. Mobile Cinema.  Hilda suggested that they should approach Donald Boyd as ATP Co-ordinator or indeed Deveron Arts.
• Fiona raised concerns about the accident blackspot at the “Banff Pole” junction/BP Filling Station.  Pat Scott of Strathbogie Community Council, who had met with BEAR Scotland, advised that several changes had been implemented which had improved conditions slightly.  Unfortunately, it still proved to be a dangerous area.
• Freda raised the subject of the poor condition of the riverside walk.

The Meeting closed at 9.40pm.  The next Meeting arranged for 20th March 2008, in The Council Chambers, The Stewart’s Hall at 7.30pm.

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