Author: Fiona Bick

Echt & Skene Community Council

Minute of meeting held 20^th June 2018 in Echt Hall following AGM

Present: Fiona Bick (chair), Nick Pilbeam (vice-Chair), John Foulkes (Secretary), Brian Poppleton (Treasurer), Klaus Wahle, Mary Gray, Grant Duguid, Ian MacMaster, Cllr Iris Walker, PC Steve Middleton, 3 residents from Echt.

Apologies: Wendy Duncan, Cllr Ron McKail, Cllr Alistair McKelvie, Cllr David Aitchison

Minute of last meeting: Two amendments were noted to the minute of the last meeting – namely, Cllr Iris Walker was not present but sent apologies, and, under AOCB, the meeting in Kirkton of Skene to discuss flood mitigation measures was arranged by Iris rather than being attended by her.

Police Report: PC Steve Middleton informed the meeting there had been 4 speeding offences on the A944 and the theft of a motorbike in Echt. A speed camera had been set up at Dunecht to monitor traffic coming from Sauchen following a request from the school. The CC asked for the camera to be deployed in Garlogie and Echt as well. He warned residents to be wary of rogue traders cold-calling at houses – there have been a number of reports of these in the area.

Other Agenda items:

Watering of Echt Flower Barrels: George Glennie made a request for assistance with watering the flower barrels in Echt. A local Echt resident offered to loan an IBC tank which could be placed on a trailer and filled with water for easy transport around the village. Closed

Feedback on Aberdeenshire LDP 2021 Developer Bids Seminar: Fiona attended the seminar for ESCC. None of the developer bid sites in the ESCC area are to be taken forward as preferred in the next LDP except that two of the sites (GR093 at Echt and GR094 at Dunecht) will be placed on the reserve list and may be allocated if the new City & Shire Strategic Development Plan increases the housing supply target. Closed

Feedback on Kirkwood Homes Public Consultation for land west of Tillybrig, Dunecht: No-one from the CC attended the consultation.

Echt Public Convenience: The planning application for the replacement toilet was approved. Fiona is arranging a site meeting with Bert McIntosh and the Council.

Echt Developer Contributions (Sport & Recreation projects): The path was installed during the week commencing 11^th June with minimal disruption and is proving popular. Closed

Echt Footpath: The path request is one of a number for small settlements in Aberdeenshire but the Council doesn’t have sufficient monies to allocate funding for it. Closed.

Lyne of Skene bus shelter: Planning permission was granted. The Council is due to deliver the shelter in early July for a work team of local residents to install it.

Milne Hall Signs: Roads Department has agreed to put up the signs. Not actioned yet.

Garlogie Footpath: The footpath alongside the B9119 is crumbling onto the road due to the absence of kerbing to contain it. Iris advised there was no money available to provide kerbing but said she would speak to the Roads Department about levelling it off.

Kirkton of Skene Flood Mitigation Meeting: Iris said she had received a report of the meeting which occurred on 21^st May between Alan Edwards, Kenny Freeman, the Rogiehill farmer and Lee Watson, and would circulate it.

Consultations:

• SEPA Flood Risk Management – closes 31st July

 Treasurer’s Report:

Cash in bank: £2015.14 Cash in hand: £19.83

Correspondence/Upcoming Events:

• Garioch Partnership AGM is on 27^th June 7pm at Fly Cup, Inverurie
• AWPR Briefing 26^th June 6pm Woodhill House – Klaus will try to attend

AOCB:

• Iris Walker informed the meeting that planning permission in principle had been given by the GAC for a house at Newton Smiddy on the basis of agricultural need (APP/2018/0259).

Minute of meeting held 16^th May in Lyne of Skene Hall at 7:30pm

 

Present: Fiona Bick (Chair), John Foulkes (Secretary), Ian MacMaster, Nick Pilbeam, Klaus Wahle, Wendy Duncan, Councillor Alistair McKelvie, Alison Cumming (Aberdeenshire Council), 4 Echt residents and 1 Garlogie resident, PC Cockburn (MOD Police), PC Presland (MOD Police).

Apologies: Cllr Iris Walker & David Aitchison, Mary Gray, Brian Poppleton

Minute of last meeting: Accepted

Approval of new Echt & Skene Community Council Constitution: The revised constitution was proposed by Fiona Bick and seconded by Nick Pilbeam. It was unanimously approved with immediate effect.

Review of Aberdeenshire LDP 2021 Developer Bids: A discussion took place of some 18 bid sites in the ESCC area put forward for development. A Council seminar is scheduled to take place on 12^th June to discuss all of the Garioch Area bids which Fiona and Nick will attend to represent the consensus views of the ESCC.

Community Councillor Election Nominations: The ESCC has 3 vacancies arising as a result of resignations and 3 arising as a result of community councillors having completed 3 years in post. Under the new elections procedures nomination forms have to be returned to the Garioch Area Committee Officer by 31^st May.

Police Report: No Police report received.

Other Agenda items:

Echt Public Convenience: The planning application for the replacement toilet was submitted in April. Discussions are ongoing with the planning officer concerning the final design of the building.

Echt Developer Contributions (Sport & Recreation projects): The Council has identified a further £10,000 of developer contributions which are available to fund the project, which will enable the whole perimeter path to be completed. Fiona will attend a site meeting on 21^st May with the Council landscaping department and the contractor with a view to work commencing within the next few months.

Echt Footpath: The Council advised against trying to combine this project with the Pleasure Park path given that the full funding is now available for the latter. No progress otherwise.

Lyne of Skene bus shelter: Planning decision awaited.

Milne Hall Signs: No signs yet. Action – Alistair McKelvie to chase Roads Department.

Consultations:

• Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan MIR – closes 21st May. Action – Fiona will draft an ESCC response largely supporting the status quo
• Scottish Govt Licensing Procedure Consultation – closes 6th June. Individual responses to be made.
• SEPA Flood Risk Management – closes 31st July

 

New Planning Applications:

• APP/2018/0860 Formation of Decking (retrospective) – 1 Glebe Terrace, Kirkton of Skene – No comment
• APP/2018/0792 Erection of Public Convenience – Echt Pleasure Park – no comment

 

Prior Planning Applications:

• APP/2017/ 1802 Continued use of Buildings for Class 5 (General Industrial): Non-compliance with Condition 1 (Time) of Full Planning Permission Ref. APP/2015/0663 Units 4 and 5 South Fornet, Skene – APPEAL ALLOWED

The ESCC noted that this planning decision exposes a loophole in the planning system that allows breaches of carefully considered and agreed policies. Rogue businesses will be encouraged to start up in inappropriate locations knowing that there is an opportunity to break the planning regulations with impunity.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

Cash in bank: £2071.14 Cash in hand: £34.93

 

Council grant of £1360 ringfenced for Echt PC. Cheque for £68.83 pending for planning application advertisement. The Treasurer requested any outstanding claims for expenses be made by 25^th May for the accounts to be ready for the AGM.

 

Correspondence/Upcoming Events:

• Notice received from Kirkwood Homes regarding further public consultation on the housing development west of Tillybrig, Dunecht – 31^st May 3.30-7.30pm Dunecht Hall.
• Aberdeenshire LDP Bids Seminar 12^th June 11am Gordon House, Inverurie
• GACCF 6^th June 7pm Inverurie Townhall – main topic will be community engagement and community planning.

AOCB:

• Iris Walker has arranged a meeting in Kirkton of Skene between the Council and local residents to discuss measures which will be implemented by the Council to alleviate flood risk in the village
• GDPR –check with those on the ESCC Info distribution list that they are happy to continue receiving ESCC emails. Action – Fiona
• Garlogie footpath – no reply from Roads department yet. Action – John to follow up
• Garlogie Broadband – it was noted that Andrew Bowie MP will attend a meeting in the village on 15^th August on this topic
• 2 untaxed cars have been abandoned in Barmekin Park – these can be reported on the Council’s Road Faults web page
• Council Service Point – it was noted that people are enduring long waits when calling the new telephone number with no indication being given of their place in the queue – Action – Alistair McKelvie to follow up
• Kingsford Stadium – the Westhill councillors had a meeting with the NKS campaign group and were informed that the group are proceeding with an application for a judicial review.

Future meetings:

20th June (AGM)                          Echt Hall

 

Echt & Skene Community Council

Minute of meeting held 4^th April in Garlogie Hall at 7:30pm

Present: Fiona Bick (Chair), John Foulkes (Secretary), Ian MacMaster, Nick Pilbeam, Brian Poppleton (Treasurer), Edith Duchie, Raymond Alexander, Councillors Iris Walker, Ron McKail and Alistair McKelvie

Apologies: Alan Edwards, Cllr David Aitchison, Mary Gray, Klaus Wahle, Wendy Duncan

Minute of last meeting: Accepted

Police Report: 1 speeding offence and 2 offences of failing to stop after an accident. Operation Cedar is ongoing in the Garioch area aimed at tackling road traffic offences.

GACCF Meeting Feedback: John attended. Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Plan Main Issues report consultation is open for comment until 21 May.

Other Agenda items:

ESCC Website: New links have been added. Photos of local scenes are still needed to enhance the look and feel, and contributions should be sent to Nick. Meeting minutes are added as they are approved. Item closed.

ESCC Constitution: Working group met and agreed some further amendments. The final draft was sent to Alison Cumming for comment but no response received as yet. The new constitution will be issued for approval at the next meeting. Action – John to chase Alison Cumming for response

Echt War Memorial: Dunecht Estates commented that given the lack of interest from Echt residents in being part of a working group to progress a WW2 memorial they didn’t think the residents of Dunecht were likely to have a different response .Neither Dunecht Estates nor the ESCC intended to take the idea further but expressed their appreciation of the work done by Wendy Duncan on it.

Echt Public Convenience: Meeting between Council property department, Bert Mackintosh and Fiona took place on Monday 26^th Feb. Aberdeenshire Council will be responsible for demolition of the existing building and associated consents but as yet haven’t appointed a contractor to do the work. Fiona has prepared a planning application on behalf of ESCC for the replacement disabled access toilet and is ready to submit it. Toilets remain open in the meantime. Action – Fiona to contact Bert Mackintosh to clarify scope of work included in his installation offer.

Echt Developer Contributions (Sport & Recreation projects): Fiona obtained agreement from developer contributions team that new paths in the Pleasure Park will qualify for funds and has received confirmation that £17, 598.96 of available monies have been allocated to the project. However, the funds appear to be insufficient for the whole project. Action – Fiona to contact Council to clarify responsibilities for obtaining additional quotes and commissioning the work.

Carpenters Croft/Kirkton of Skene Flooding Issues: Alan Edwards has notified that the residents have now decided to take self-help measures to resolve the issues. Item closed.

Echt Footpath: Iris suggested the Council could look to do the Pleasure Park path and the B977 footpath as one project and that there may be monies available from the Active Travel budget to go towards it. Action – Fiona to contact Margaret-Jane Cardno

Community Resilience: Fiona submitted an application to the A96 Dualling Project Community Development Fund for money to pay for gas heaters/coal. There are no plans to make further funding applications. Item closed.

Lyne of Skene bus shelter: Planning application has been submitted and is open for public comment.

Heartstart Course: No progress. Item closed.

Milne Hall Signs: No signs yet. Action – Ron to chase Roads Department.

New Planning Applications:

• APP/2018/0399 Alterations and extension to dwellinghouse – Cosyneuk, Echt AB32 6XL. No comment
• APP/2018/0665 Part use of dwellinghouse for childminding business (Class 10) – Hillbrae, Echt, AB32 6XJ. No comment.
• APP/2018/0584 Installation of 15 lead slate roof vents – Echt Parish Church. No comment.
• APP/2018/0559 Erection of bus shelter – Lyne of Skene Village Hall. No comment.

Prior Planning Applications:

• APP/2017/ 1802 Continued use of Buildings for Class 5 (General Industrial): Non-compliance with Condition 1 (Time) of Full Planning Permission Ref. APP/2015/0663 Units 4 and 5 South Fornet, Skene – APPEALED Reporter made unaccompanied site visit. Decision still awaited.

Treasurer’s Report:

Council grant of £1360 received for Echt PC. £202 spent on 2 planning applications, £7.19 on printing paper and £81.98 on flower barrels and compost for Lyne of Skene.

Cash in bank: £2195.83 Cash in hand: £44.97

Correspondence/Upcoming Events:

• None

AOCB:

• Alan Edwards has resigned from ESCC
• Garlogie footpath is in poor state and is crumbling at edge to extent that it is no longer wide enough in placesy. Pedestrians are therefore having to walk on the road instead. Action – John to write to Scott Walker requesting kerbing
• Clr Alistair McKelvie circulated the list of road maintenance, pathway and lighting projects to be executed by the Council in Westhill area in 2018-19.

Future meetings:

16th May                                          Lyne of Skene

20th June (AGM)                             Echt Hall

 

 

Echt & Skene Community Council

Minute of meeting held 21^st February in Garlogie Hall at 7:30pm

Present: Fiona Bick (Chair), John Foulkes (Secretary), Wendy Duncan, Ian MacMaster, Nick Pilbeam, Brian Poppleton (Treasurer), Edith Duchie, Councillors Ron McKail and Alistair McKelvie

Apologies: Alan Edwards, Cllr David Aitchison, Cllr Iris Walker, Mary Gray

Minute of last meeting: Accepted

Police Report: None received

Other Agenda items:

ESCC Website: Website text content has been updated. Photos of local scenes are needed to enhance the look and feel, and contributions should be sent to Nick. Nick to add links to Aberdeenshire Safety Partnership and Skene Heritage Society.

ESCC Constitution: First draft prepared. Further working group meeting needed to discuss and finalise for ESCC approval. Following that the new constitution will be sent to Aberdeenshire Council for approval so that it can be in place for next AGM.

Echt War Memorial: Survey was sent out by email to 125 local Echt residents and also made available in village shop and hall for pick up. Only 5 responses received with none willing to assist with fund-raising, etc. Wendy will send survey and results to Dunecht Estates for comment.

Echt Public Convenience: Meeting between Council property department and Bert Mackintosh is to take place on Monday 26^th Feb. Fiona will attend for ESCC. Toilets remain open in the meantime.

Echt Developer Contributions (Sport & Recreation projects): No progress with the new Pleasure Park path. It is rumoured that some of the Echt developer contributions have been siphoned off to other Council projects. Fiona to follow up with Garioch Area Manager.

Carpenters Croft/Kirkton of Skene Flooding Issues: Bancon Homes has offered a disappointingly small donation towards the cost of enlarging the Manse Road culvert. Fiona to contact them again.

Echt Footpath: No progress.

Community Resilience: Residents’ information leaflet has been printed and is ready to go out as an insert in February’s Westhill bulletin. Nick has leaflets for anyone wanting to distribute door-to-door. They will also be left in village shops for pick-up.

Lyne of Skene bus shelter: Planning application imminent (Nick).

Heartstart Course: No progress.

New Planning Applications:

• APP/2018/0067 Alterations and extension to existing garage – Leddach House, Skene. No comment.
• APP/2018/0259 Planning Permission in principle for erection of dwellinghouse – site east of Newton Smiddy, Dunecht. ESCC to submit comment regarding undesirability of breaking skyline with new house (John).

Prior Planning Applications:

• APP/2017/ 1802 Continued use of Buildings for Class 5 (General Industrial): Non-compliance with Condition 1 (Time) of Full Planning Permission Ref. APP/2015/0663 Units 4 and 5 South Fornet, Skene – APPEALED. Community Councillors will attend if Reporter makes accompanied site visit.

Treasurer’s Report:

Cash in bank: £1157.73 Cash in hand: £14.14

Correspondence/Upcoming Events:

• GACCF meeting 7^th March 7pm at Meldrum Academy – John to attend.

AOCB:

• Kingsford stadium – It’s understood Aberdeenshire Council is writing to Scottish Government asking them to call in the approval of the application by Aberdeen City Council contrary to the Local Development Plan. The discharge of a number of the planning conditions would require the cooperation of Aberdeenshire Council i.e. pedestrian bridge and Controlled Parking Zone.
• The telephone box and post box at Garlogie Hall have now been removed. A post box remains at the other end of Garlogie.
• The Milne Hall Committee would like signs in the village at the car park entrances for “Village Hall” as some visitors have difficulty spotting it – Ron to write to Roads Department.
• Aberdeenshire Licensing Forum – John attended. Issues discussed included high price of low/no alcohol beers, difficulties in competing with supermarkets faced by small retailers and burdensome application process for occasional licences leading to increase in BYOB events. Forum will meet 2/3 times per year.

Future meetings:

4th April                                               Garlogie

16th May                                            Lyne of Skene

20th June (AGM)                             Echt Hall

 

 

Present: Fiona Bick (chair), John Foulkes (Secretary), Brian Poppleton (Treasurer), Wendy Duncan (minute taker), George Glennie, Ian MacMaster, Cllr Iris Walker, 4 residents from Echt and 1 resident from Kirkton of Skene.

Apologies:, Nick Pilbeam (vice chair), Klaus Wahle, Cllr Ron McKail, Cllr David Aitchison, Mary Gray

 

Minute of last A.G.M. – No matters arising therefore minute approved by Ian MacMaster, seconded by John Foulkes

Election of Members:  

Block vote of existing elected members who all expressed a wish to remain on the committee except for Kevin Strachan. Alan Edwards agreed to join as community councillor representative for Kirkton of Skene. Fiona Bick will be a representative for Dunecht in place of Kevin Strachan.

 

 

Election of Office Bearers:

 

Fiona Bick as chairperson, Nick Pilmbeam as vice chairperson, John Foulkes as secretary, Brian Poppleton as treasurer. Ian MacMaster proposed office bearer’s elections and Wendy Duncan seconded.

 

Wendy Duncan to resign from post of minute taker. With no nominations or expressions of interest received, it was agreed a) to approach Klaus Wahle to be minute taker or b) for minutes to be taken on a rota basis. This will be finalised at next Echt & Skene Community Council meeting in June.

 

 

Treasurer’s Report:
CIH £60.42 Bank balance £830.98

Resilience expenditure £2199.16 – expenditure approved and paid by Aberdeenshire Council of £2198.96 [20p shortfall].

 

The books have been audited and Brian awaits the AGM minute so that they can be sent to Alison Cumming of Aberdeenshire Council for verification.

 

Acceptance of Accounts:

Ian MacMaster proposed records to be accepted as correct and seconded by George Glennie.

Chairman’s Report:

 

The Echt & Skene Community Council has been pro-active over the course of the year putting together and implementing Community Resilience Plans for each of the five villages of Lyne of Skene, Kirkton of Skene, Garlogie, Echt and Dunecht. These plans will enable each village hall to be used as a refuge or safe haven in the event of an incident in the community. A grant of £2240 was secured from Aberdeenshire Council’s top-up fund, which has enabled the purchase of some basic equipment, which is now held in cabinets at each village hall. Unfortunately our application for a grant to SSE to buy heating appliances and fuel was not successful in 2016 so we will still be looking for an alternative source of funding for this element over the course of 2017. Particular thanks go to Nick Pilbeam and Brian Poppleton for their efforts.

 

The Echt Community Councillors, George Glennie and Wendy Duncan, have also been very active in the past year in responding to Aberdeenshire Council’s decision to close the Echt public conveniences as part of cost cutting measures. Thanks to the generosity of a local business, McIntosh Plant Hire, and an award of funds from the Garioch Area Committee, a lower cost and more accessible alternative to be run by the local community has been developed. The existing facility will remain open over the summer of 2017 with the intention of replacing it with a disabled portaloo thereafter.

 

The Scottish Government review of the planning system, which commenced in 2015 has continued through to 2017 with further consultation. The Community Council submitted a response to their proposals for change in April this year and we await further developments on this.

 

Consultation has also been ongoing since 2015 with respect to a revised Scheme of Establishment for Community Councils in Aberdeenshire. It’s now expected the new scheme will come into effect on 1st July 2017 if approved by Aberdeenshire Council this month.

 

Unfortunately our area has seen an increase in crime over the past year with a number of incidents including thefts, assaults, threatening behaviour and road traffic offences occurring. I shall close my report for 2016 in urging local residents to do all they can to protect themselves from opportunistic criminals by securing their vehicles, outbuildings and homes at all times.

John thanked Fiona for all of her hard work this year which was concurred by other committee members.

 

Correspondence:          None

A.O.C.B                           None