Huntly Community Council

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Minutes of the January Meeting of Huntly Community Council held in The Council Chambers, The Stewarts Hall, Huntly on Thursday 17th January 2008.

PRESENT

H Lumsden-Gill (Chairwoman)
A Gill (Vice Chair)
R Ness
F McRae
H McIntosh
G Petrie
F Forbes
Cllr M Ingleby
D Boyd
A Alexander (Secretary)

1.  WELCOME & APOLOGIES

Hilda welcomed Members to the January Meeting.  Apologies were received from Cllr Strathdee and Cllr Ross.

2.  MINUTES

The Minutes of the November Meeting were proposed by Bob Ness and seconded by Gillian Petrie.  HCC Minutes would now appear on the Community Planning Website and Hilda asked Members to confirm with Tony what personal details they wished to appear on the site.

3.  MATTERS ARISING

• Police Issues  Hilda welcomed PC McAdam to the Meeting.  Hilda

advised that she had received copies of the South Aberdeenshire Neighbourhood Watch Crime Bulletins for the months of October and November 2007.  The only item applicable to the Huntly area was the theft of quad bikes, off-road motorcycles and a speed boat to the value of £30000.  Hilda confirmed to PC McAdam that she would like to continue receiving these bulletins on a monthly basis and he confirmed that he would contact the Crime Reduction Officer on her behalf.   PC McAdam confirmed that he would prepare a monthly bulletin detailing crime figures relative to Huntly and asked Members what issues they wished to be informed of.  Vandalism, Public Disorder, Pub Disturbances were mentioned.  PC McAdam outlined that the Pubwatch scheme was certainly paying dividends.  He confirmed that there were 4/5 minor assaults over the festive season and windows were broken in two premises (the guilty party in one incident having been apprehended).  The number of complaints re “boy/girl racers” had dropped significantly.  Bob asked if there were incidents at the recent HFC/Dundee football match.  PC McAdam that no problems had been reported.  Freda raised the point re problems being experienced by Lollipop staff and as no incidents had been reported to the police, PC McAdam stressed that any concerns should be reported whereby the police can then act.

• ATP Update  Donald issued the monthly information sheets to Members.  Points covered included:
• HBA – Members of the Association have increased to approx 50.
• Shop Enhancement Scheme – several shops have taken advantage of the scheme for external and internal improvements.
• HADTAG – nominated in the Northern Lights Tourism Awards and had received a high commendation.
• Town Centre Seminar – meeting held on 5th December had been well attended.
• Xmas Lights – congratulations to Margaret Wilds for her hard work.
• Strathbogie & Cabrach Trail Network -  feasibility study to be carried out and result to be available March/April.
• Homecoming 2009 -  An open Tourism group meeting to be held on Monday 21st January at The Gordon Arms.
• Huntly Branding – project to begin in February with the assistance of an artist from South Africa.
• Dial-A-Bus – meeting at Huntly Learning Centre on 28th January outlining the objectives of the project.
• Litter Initiative Meeting held 16th January.  An opportunity to look at litter issues in the town.  Objective to find ways to improve problems.  This would need to be a joint venture by various groups within the town.  A National Spring Clean Campaign is planned for April and it is hoped that this will help to heighten awareness of the local campaign.  Hilda asked members for suggestions as to how HCC could help.  Fiona advised that The Gordon Primary School is involved in a Clean & Green project.  A further meeting will be held in February.  Hilda had received a letter from a resident of Deveron Road expressing concerns about the increase in litter in the area and making suggestions how the problems could be resolved,  Hilda gave a brief summary of the letter and it had been agreed that PC McAdam would send an acknowledgement on behalf of all parties concerned to the resident.

• Market Muir Update  The next Meeting of the Group will be held on

28th January 2008.  An extension to the existing pavilion will be discussed as will further improvements to the playing surfaces.

d)  EIS 2008  The November meeting had a limited turnout of volunteers.  The
                  event will take place on 1st June 2008.  Hilda had met with Grampian
Police Events Co-ordinator Doug Mackie re criteria for the event.   Hilda advised that a donation to a local charity would be made following the event. Next Meeting will be held on 21st January 2008.                       
      Donald left Meeting at 8.20pm.

• Updates from  Marr Area Office/Aberdeenshire Council

• Refurbishment of Bogie Bridge – reply to our letter from Les Allan.  Estimated cost set at £65000-£70000.  It was agreed to ask for breakdown of cost.
• 4 acknowledgements from Planning re representations made on local planning issues.
• Harmonising of Charges for the use of Facilities -  Hilda read letter outlining AC plans to harmonise letting charges.  She added that this could affect many groups and asked Members that if they were in a position to gather feedback from any groups affected by the change in charges that they should report back at the next Meeting as the Council want to gather comments. 
• Report – Opportunity Knocks Open Day at the Linden Centre – placed on table
• Revenue Budgets Papers 1-4 – placed on table
• E-Mail from Les Allan re HCC comments on polling stations.  HCC had suggested one polling station (The Stewart’s Hall) but Allan Bell, Law & Administration had raised concerns about the availability of parking and disabled access.  Cllr Ingleby confirmed that Councillors had discussed the issue and that no changes would be made at present but may be reviewed  with HCC at a later date.
• Proposed Off-Street Parking Changes in Aberdeenshire – Schedule re proposed measures for “Pay & Display” parking for the car park currently being built on the form Huntly Cinema site.  Provision is made for residential exemption permits at the appropriate fee.
• Aberdeenshire Council Annual Public Performance Report 2006/7.

• Community Planning – Ward Priorities  At the last Meeting Hilda issued

Members with relative information and asked for their comments.  Although no feedback was received Hilda felt that it was important to add to the list of priorities the need for Rural Business Development in particular the provision of small business units.

Briefing Note of Meeting – Aberdeenshire Community Planning Executive- 12th December 2007

Report on Meeting of Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership – Community Planning Board 28th November 2007

• Co-option of Additional Members  -  An application for a Co-opted

Membership has been received from Mrs Kathryn Henderson.  The application has been proposed by Fiona Forbes and seconded by Hilda Lumsden-Gill.  As per the Constitution all Co-opted Memberships must be supported by existing HCC Members and appear on a Meeting Agenda.  It is proposed to amend the Constitution to allow the co-option of members under 18 years of age and this amendment will be presented to HCC and then to the Marr Area Office for approval.  This will be discussed at the AGM in May 2008.  Members agreed to the co-option and a letter would be sent inviting Kathryn to the February Meeting.

• Restoration of Stags Head  Hilda had received confirmation from the

Scottish Sculpture Workshop that work should start Mid January, weather permitting.  Members felt that it would not be necessary to publicize the completion of the works.

• RB Farquhar Meeting – Report Back  -  Hilda had attended the meeting in

November.  Kevin Shand of RB Farquhar asked those attending for possible options in redeveloping the Steven Road/Land adjacent to Huntly Mart sites, a total of 23 acres.  Interested in contributing to the local economy and community needs it was agreed that market research was needed.  A range of options were put forward which included:  Business park, food park, visitor centre, craft centre

4.   TREASURERS REPORT

Bob confirmed the balances on the accounts as follows:

General Fund:  £917
EIS:  £2572
Gordon Highlanders Memorial Fund:  £1356

5.   CORRESPONDENCE

Items placed on the table:

• Woodlands In and Around Huntly – Meeting held on 16th January 2008
• Richard Baker MSP – Parliamentary Report
• Postwatch Scotland Issue 17
• Flier re Youth Shelters

Items out of date:

• Xmas Card from Malcolm Bruce MP
• Invite from Scottish Natural Heritage

Planning Applications for Huntly Area:

• Building Warrant for acoustic insulation to separating floors by installing false ceiling at 39a Church Street
• Building Warrant to demolish existing extension, construct new extension at 42 Bogie Street
• Full Planning Permission for alterations and extension to dwellinghouse at 42 Bogie Street
• Building Warrant for alteration and extension to dwellinghouse at 24/26 King Street
• Amendment to Building Warrant ref BW/2007/3700 for revised perimeter detail at Tesco, Deveron Road
• Amendment to Building Warrant ref BW/2006/1190 for change of house type Plot 18 at Deveron Park, Deveron Road
• Building Warrant to remove existing window and replace with toughened glass sliding doors at 28 Castle Park Road
• Full Planning Permission for wooden storage shed at 82 Scott Drive,
• Full Planning Permission for alterations and extension to dwellinghouse at Ardgour, 24 King Street
• Full Planning Permission for change of use from Class 1(General Store) to Class 2 (Betting Shop) at 1 Gordon Street
• Listed Building Consent for change of use from Class 1(General Store) to Class 2 (Betting Shop) at 1 Gordon Street
• Full Planning Permission for alterations and extension to dwellinghouse at Edinville, 26 King Street
• Building Warrant for refurbishment of bar and lounge and formation of new opening between bar and lounge Huntly Hotel, The Square
• Building Warrant for fireproof GF retail shop, form a partition between shop and flat to separate two areas at 36 Duke Street
• Full Planning Permission for installation of window shutters (retrospective) at 11 Deveron Street

Additional correspondence:

• Draft Action Plan 2008-09 – new action areas from Grampian Fire and Rescue Service
• Gordon Schools Newletter – December 2007
• Hilda read the excerpts from the letter received from the resident of Deveron Road concerning litter problems.  As previously advised PC McAdam would be compiling a reply.
• E-Mail from Mr Eppel concerning the condition of benches on the River Deveron walk.  Hilda had replied confirming that HCC has already flagged up concerns re the general state of the paths and confirming that we would advise the Local Authority accordingly.

6.   A.O.C.B.

• Hilda advised that no feedback had been received from Mark Skilling on works to be carried out under the RTM.  Hilda raised concerns about the number of streets with potholes and also unstable slabs in The Square.
• Hilda raised the issue of the lack of yellow lines at the junction of Scott Drive and King Street and Bob confirmed that there was a problem with parked cars there.
• Hilda had been contacted by Huntly Football Club Secretary asking for barriers to be made available for the Club’s Scottish Cup football tie.  Hilda again contacted Aberdeenshire Council for a protocol to be set for HCC taking responsibility for the barriers.
• Congratulations to Barrons (Florist) for winning the Xmas Window Competition and thanks to Barrie Farmer for once again preparing a Certificate for the winners.
• Bob suggested a letter of congratulations be sent to HFC for their performance in the recent Cup tie.
• Gillian asked if any response had been received from Mr Mutch, Housing Officer, Aberdeenshire Council re our invitation to come along to a Meeting to discuss Housing Policy.  It was agreed to send a follow up.

The Meeting closed at 9.30pm with the next Meeting arranged for Thursday 21st February in The Council Chambers, The Stewarts Hall at 7.30pm.

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