Kingswells Community Council

Minutes of Kingswells Community Council Meeting 

Date:

Monday 11^th January, 2010

Time:

8 pm

Venue:

Kingswells Community Centre

Chair:

Barrie Buchan (Chair) 

Participants

Alan Stott, Alex Carnie (Vice Chair), Ian Cox (Secretary), Meg Sands, John Gerrie, Stan McEwan, Ron Howie, Tom Straiton, Colleen Manson 

Apologies:

Sam Stafrace, Councillor Wendy Stuart 

Representatives
/ Observers:

Lord Provost Peter Stephen

1 member of the public.

Item

Action

1

Introduction by Chair

2

Police Report

The police report was distributed by email. 

3

Points from Member of the Public  

Member of the public took part in the discussion on the changes to the bus service – see below.

4

Attendees and Apologies

As Above

5

Matters Arising (not covered below)

No 14 Bus

Barrie summarised the current situation including the meeting held with First bus, 3 councillors, ACC officers and Barrie from KCC. First Bus was firm in their opinion that route was not viable and the 40 and the 23 would replace the 14 service.

It became clear during the meeting that First do not have an obligations to provide a service, and can remove any service if they so wish. First is a company and needs to make a profit. An action on the meeting was for First to review the data on passenger numbers and to advise ACC of their final decision regarding the future of the 14 service in Kingswells.

Stagecoach is interested in providing an alternative service for Kingswells. The 215 currently comes into the Park & Ride and then goes to town.

The public transport unit is in discussion with Stagecoach, but will wait until First have formally responded. Peter expects a response by 15^th Jan.

Plan of action: wait for the formal response from First, if the 14 will not service Kingswells then ACC and KCC will approach Stagecoach.  

Letter re speed limits on the old Lang Stracht

Peter and the 2 other councillors will suggest the speed limit is reduced from the 50 mph likely to be suggested by officers to 30mph. Peter will speak to the other 2 councillors before the council meeting.

(Note: since the KCC meeting it is known that the limit suggested by officers was 40mph)

Peter

Signs: Weather has hampered progress. Installation of the signs will not take place until weather permits, and a new ‘slot’ can be agreed with the contractor.

6

Wendy Stuart / Peter Stephen

Planning application at New Dobbies for a 156ft wind turbine

KCC have already objected to this proposal, and were seeking councillor’s support to refuse planning permission. The feeling was that ‘green technology’ has its place but in this setting would be totally out of place and inappropriate.

3 Councillors

Park and Ride Sites:

The press reports the Aberdeenshire Council recommends that the local Park and Ride sites be used to accommodate Gypsy Travellers. Consequently, the height restriction barriers are required ASAP.

Stan is to chase the status – planned before March.

Stan

Snow Clearing

KCC have been inundated with complaints re snow clearing. Kingswells was thought to be worse than other areas

7

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved after minor changes to wording.

8

Planning

Development of Craibstone Golf Course, and associated housing.

Tom is to respond with comments on the proposed plans.

Tom

Steading at Newpark: John is still awaiting a call from the planning officer dealing with this application.

John

John is to investigate the ownership of the football pitch at Fairley Road

John

City Square: There are several meetings and presentations on the City Square proposals. Ron, Barrie, Alex, Stan and Ian have expressed an interest in attending.

Ron, Barrie, Alex, Stan and Ian 

9

Accounts

Balance at end of the accounting period is about £315. The final figure to be confirmed later.

ACC have withdrawn their Small Project grant of £3,000. So all future projects will have to find alternative funding.  

10

AOCB

Thanks to members of the public who responded to the request for a copy of the book on the History of Kingswells.

Barrie is to investigate the possibilities of republishing this excellent booklet.

Barrie 

As yet the Coop have not made its contribution to the cleaning of the village centre. This could endanger the future of this project. Stan expects payment to be made by the end of January.

KCC can no longer contribute to the hanging baskets and floral displays in Kingswells as it no longer gets additional funding from ACC. Meg to look at providing a donation box for members of the public. Many appear to be keen to contribute, but cannot sponsor a whole basket.

Meg

Burns Supper: Stan and Alex are to look at feasibility of holding a Burns Supper in 2011.

Stan
Alex

11

Date of Next meeting:

Next meeting will be on 8th February, 2010 in coffee shop of Kingswells Community Centre.