Kingswells Community Council

Minutes of Kingswells Community Council Meeting

Date:

Monday 10^th March, 2008

Time:

8 pm

Venue:

Kingswells Community Centre

Chair:

Barrie Buchan (Chair)

Participants

David Meiklejohn (Treasurer), Ian Cox (Secretary), John Gerrie

Apologies:

David Lawson, Tom Straiton, , Meg Sands, Alex Carnie, Alan Stott, Stan McEwan, Elaine Sinclair, Lord Provost Peter Stephen

Representatives
/ Observers:

Councillor Wendy Stuart,

Reg Geddes of the Police

Inspector Munro of the Police

Sally Hind from Evening Express

Graeme Paton of Trading Standards

2 Members of the Public

Item

Action

1

Introduction by Chair

The meeting does not have a quorum and will be informal.

1a

Sederunt

2

Police Report

The police report was distributed by email and is available online at http://kwells.org

Inspector Munro advised that the report was in the same format as previous months.

Some discussion took place and it was agreed that Reg would prepare a more ‘user friendly' informal report for KCC and the general public. This is a part of Reg's existing work load and will not detract from his duties on the streets. If this became an issue at a later date then the detail of the report would be adjusted accordingly.

Reg

Reg reported that it had been a quiet month and the main issue was with parking near the school. Someone has been booked, and many others had been warned about dangerous and inconsiderate parking.

The school is organising a ‘walking train' in the coming months, and Reg will report back on this initiative.

Reg

Reg has still to be added to the mailing list.

Ian

Further to last month's discussion on Cold Calling Reg introduced Graeme Paton from Trading Standards.

Graeme explained that there were hundreds of cold calling zones inexistence and they can cover a single street or whole towns. The actions can only be proportional to the problems caused by cold calling.

There are issues about who these zones should apply to, and it was generally thought that charities and certain established traders like Avon and Betterware are acceptable, but rogue traders were not.

Examples of cleaning gutters where little more than a handful of dirt was removed and workers present a bucket full of soil that was supposedly removed, but which was actually taken up the ladder by the workmen.

Other examples included estimates for say £100 - 200 which were accepted, but by the time the work was complete the bill had grown to £1,500.

Often people are encouraged to use the services of a trader because one of their neighbours has used them - the result ‘two poor driveways' in the one street.

People who accept this type of work are often targeted subsequently, as the ‘mug list' is sold on to other traders.

Older people are also seen as ‘easy targets'.

Graeme agreed to write an article for the Kingswells News - submission date 21^st March

The aim would be to target a few streets in Kingswells - if enough support can be shown. A sign similar to the Neighbourhood Watch sign would be displayed on lamp posts, and householders would be provided with a sign to be placed on the door / window and an information pack explaining what to do. The scheme is voluntary.

Graeme

3

Attendees and Apologies

As Above

4

Approval of Minutes

The approval of the minutes was held over to the next meeting.

5

Questions to the Chair from Public Attendees

There are some Scottish Pine trees that are causing a nuisance due to their size, and advise was sought.

It was thought that ‘lopping' the top off a Scottish Pine would kill the tree.

The contact details for the ACC Tree Man are:

There are issues with people parking in Fairley Road area rather than at the Park and Ride. Some cars can be left for two or three days, and this is causing local residents some concern and inconvenience.

It was generally felt that this problem could only become worse after the changes to the bus service.

Wendy agreed to take this forward to ACC to see if residents parking areas could be setup.

Wendy

6

Matters Arising (not covered below)

The KCC should be advertised in the Evening Express. Sally to investigate.

Sally

7

Elaine's Update

N/A

8

Councillors

The issue of lack of footpaths leading to the bus shelter in Fairley road was raised again. Nothing was reported to ACC last month as the space for a footpath is limited.

The question of the lack of footpath on both sides of Fairley Road was raised as a safety concern. Currently it is necessary to cross Fairley Road twice to access the bus shelter from the north of the village.

Ian to write to Peter

Ian

The question of the fence on the cycle path restricting the view of the surrounding countryside was resolved by email. The fence will be 1.4m high and will not have vertical planks attached, so it should not be too imposing on the view.

Wendy advised she was currently busy resolving issues resulting from the withdrawal of services.

Wendy agreed to fund part of the proposed CCTV system and other suitable projects with £1,000 from her ward budget.

A secondary project could be a replacement gate into the park behind Cromar Gardens. The lack of a gate has allowed motor bikes and quads access to the park area.

Wendy to contact John Thomlinson to arrange transfer of funds.

Wendy

The problem of congestion at Kingswells Roundabout was raised, with some proposals for improving the flow of traffic.

Details are shown on the attached images (2 No)

Wendy to take to ACC to see if this can be implemented.

Wendy

9

Treasurers Report

The reported accounts were discussed. David to re-present the accounts.

There is an issue with how to claim small amounts that do not have receipts - for example ink cartridges and petrol used on KCC business. David to seek advise from Charles Lowe.

It was agreed to donate £1,000 to Kingswells Community Project.

10

AOCB

KCC can nominate members to represent them on the Civic Forum. The representatives need not be KCC members, but should be part of the Kingswells Community.

Ian volunteered to be one representative. This was accepted by those present, and would be confirmed to be acceptable to others by email on their return.

Ian to check with missing members to see if there is any other interest.

Ian

Tom's letter re cycle paths and Barries' letter re consultation require to be revisited, agreed and issued ASAP.

KCC

11

Date of Next meeting:

Next meeting will be on 14th April, 2008 in coffee shop of Kingswells