Kingswells Community Council

Minutes of Kingswells Community Council Meeting 

Date:

Monday 14^th June, 2010

Time:

8 pm

Venue:

Kingswells Community Centre

Chair:

Barrie Buchan (Chair)

Participants

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

Apologies:

Tom Straiton Sam Stafrace, Stan McEwan

Representatives
/ Observers:

Inspector Munro from the police.

Lord Provost Peter Stephen & Councillor Wendy Stuart

Item

Action

1

Introduction by Chair

2

Police Report

The police report was distributed by email.

Regarding the concern that not all calls to the police appear in the report it should be noted that all calls are recorded. It is easy to check on a call if the date and time are known. The best way to trace a call is using the reference number. This can be obtained on request during a call. The reference number can be used to track the progress and conclusion of a call.

Police reports are generated by the software that filters all entries in the Storm database. Assuming the correct filters have been setup then the system should be relatively foolproof.

It should be noted that not all calls require a police response.

It is too early in the process to assess the effectiveness of the new system of policing. There is a 90 day review process that is used to identify any issues and is used to improve the service.

Inspector Munro is using Special Constables to supplement community policing. The training of Special Constables is now to a high standard and allows resources to be used effectively.

It was suggested that the public events that were held locally in the past few years were very successful and were an effective way for the police and the public to communicate. Future events should be encouraged. Inspector Munro said that future events are possible.

 Inspector

Munro

There was a request for further details of the vandalism at Wellside Wynd.

Police

The responses from Trevor Marshall provided by email are:

MAP OF NEW BEATS- The beats have not changed, only the beat codes. The reason two sets of figures were given in the Police Report was that the periods covered included the changeover so had to show both the old and the new beat codes.

FIRE CONCRAIG AREA - The youths involved were not local.

INCIDENT APRIL 10TH - The names of the youths involved were recorded and the matter reported to our Anti Social Behaviour Unit.

3

Points from Member of the Public  

N/A

4

Attendees and Apologies

As Above

5

Matters Arising (not covered below)

N/A

6

Wendy Stuart / Peter Stephen

The issues with sewage will be fully addressed when the new chemist development is progressed. In the meantime the situation will be monitored.

KCC

Civic Square

Wendy welcomes change, but is not sure to what extent she agrees with Ian Wood’s proposal.

Peter advised things may not change, but it was the duty of the Council to explore any offers of funding like that offered by Ian Wood.

Ian asked what the procedure would be if Kingswells wanted additional parking created in the village centre. Peter advised that KCC would have to build a case and write to councillors. This would have to be done before September, if the matter was to be considered for the 2011 budget. KCC has still to consider their stance on whether additional parking would solve the current problems.

KCC

KCC asked for councillor support regarding the opposition of planning permission for a temporary communication mast. Under normal conditions, a temporary mast can be erected for a period of 6 months whilst a permanent site is located. The temporary mast has been in place for 9 months and the planning application is for a further 12 months. KCC view this as an abuse of the planning system.

Wendy and Peter agreed to provide support. Barrie will contact Len

Peter
Wendy

Barrie
Len

Barrie advised that the Broaddykes residents’ association have stopped the contract to maintain common ground and will not renew the insurance for the playpark. This situation has come about because 16 or the 81 households have consistently refused to pay for maintenance. The non-payment has encouraged a further 15 to withhold payment.  The problem stems from the difficulty in identifying the owner of the land.

The matter was discussed. The issues are that there are no clauses written into title deeds, so there is nothing compelling in law. ACC have maintained the area for approx. 15 years without issue, but this changed when ACC discovered they did not own the ground.

KCC considered the issues to be complex which could require a significant effort to resolve. KCC could not get involved directly, but had a wealth of knowledge that could be tapped. Councillors offered support.

Barrie is to write to the residents’ committee.

Barrie

7

Approval of Minutes

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

8

Planning

Ian to collate a list of concerns over the planning process, and any concerns KCC have had over recent planning issues.

The Greenspace Audit has been published and will be going to public consultation in the near future.  A copy has been distributed by email. It was considered a good consultation to be involved with. Ian to pass on details of how to obtain the database of the green spaces around Kingswells to Meg. After some research it may be good to invite someone from Planning to KCC meeting.

Ian

Meg

KCC

KCC needs to become involved with the Master Planning of Countesswells. The main issue report now recommends 3,000 home be built before 2023 and 2150 of these would be built before 2016. It was pointed out that this was equivalent to building another Kingswells in a 4 year period. There was a view that this would not be physically possible.

Ian to contact Cults CC to ask to be involved in the Master Planning

Ian

9

Accounts

The expenditure for last month included:

Residents’ Association meeting                                                     £9.00

KCC meetings – soft drinks & water                                             £26.73

Honorarium for auditor                                                                 £20.00

Data Protection                                                                             £35.00

                                                                                                                                      ----------

Total for this month                                                                          £90.73 

The Community Centre Committee have requested details of costs to complete the stone work for the signs. John to obtain 2 quotes. KCC appreciated the offer, which could allow the project to be completed.

John

Receipts required for hanging basket payments by Bill’s Wok Inn and the Community Centre

Ian

10

AOCB

Ron passed on letter from ACC re Flooding at Kingswood Mews. Ian to circulate to KCC members.

Ian

Future Residents Association meetings would be on an annual basis.

Colleen

12

Date of Next meeting:

Next meeting will be on 12th July 2010 in coffee shop of Kingswells Community Centre.