Fossoway & District Community Council Minute of Special Meeting

Minute of Special Meeting
Held at 7.03pm on Thursday 12 April 2012
in Crook of Devon Institute

Attending: S Morrison, A Lavery, K Borthwick, A Cheape, R Patterson, Cllr M Barnacle, 38 members of the public

Apologies: T Duffy-Wigman, S Anderson, Cllr W Robertson, Cllr K Baird, G Brown, H Brown

The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed everyone to the Special Meeting which had been convened to consider one topic – Planning Application Number 12/00546/FUL.

The format of the meeting was as follows:

1. Report by Chair on action to date
2. Alistair Lavery to deal with technical planning matters and how to object or support the application
3. Cllr Barnacle to add his views and comment on the CC’s approach
4. Questions from the floor

1. Report by the Chair - Action to Date

The CC had sent an initial letter pointing out the site was outwith the Village Plan. The CC had now submitted a formal objection which Alistair would go over.

The CC had requested a member of Planning be present at the meeting but they had declined as it was not policy …. to enter into public discussions on a live application. The CC had accepted this position. However, Nick Brian had been helpful in finding out answers to some local questions:-

• The Council had not provided portaloos for the site.
• In the event that planning was given and children resided on the site, they would be treated the same as any other resident in terms of schooling, no priority being given.
• If permission was given the Council gives no guarantee on connection to mains drainage. This was a matter for Scottish Water. There was currently a queue to get onto the new Drum system. If they were not connected they would use Klargester Bio Disc Treatment Plant which would have to show a 125% net improvement.
The Council’s approach was to deal with this under the Planning process because if it was refused the appeal would be within the Council. Using other means would have meant involving external agencies.

The Council had reacted very promptly and had visited the site on the Monday after the people moved in at the weekend. The Chair thanked Cllr Robertson for his prompt assistance in the matter.

2. Planning Matters

Alistair explained that the CC had objected on a number of grounds. It was contrary to Policy 81 of the Kinross Area Plan and policies RD5 a,d,f of the proposed PKC Local Development Plan.

He went on to explain that the main grounds for objection were:-

1. It was outwith the settlement boundary both existing and proposed for Crook of Devon.
2. The site had previously been a village tip and was therefore liable to have contamination of various sorts.
3. Foul water – the Drum Treatment Plant currently has a waiting list. If a bio disc system is used it would have to show net gain which means other houses have to give up using plant or not proceed with applications. The fields on both sides flood and a cottage currently has to be sandbagged in periods of heavy rain because of water from this area. Even if foul water were connected there is still the question of surface water and extra flooding. The area is in Loch Leven catchment and this development would have an effect on water quality.
4. There are already sites at Greenacres and Gairneybridge and a Council one at Abernethy therefore any further provision would be excessive within such a short radius.
5. There is considerable visual impact on approaches from the north and east which comes under the policy on amenity and visibility.
6. Crook of Devon Moss is listed as a wildlife site by SNH.

There was considerable discussion on these items and a member of the public felt that if the water was treated there would be no real issue but this ignored the flood risk point.

3. Cllr Barnacle

Cllr Barnacle agreed with the summary of what had happened and the Planning points. He pointed out that it was a very professional application and would be difficult to deal with particularly as one of the people owned the site. He had taken up issues with the Council regarding Greenacres, in particular the way the site had grown. He was very concerned that these things started small but grew totally out of proportion and in some cases developed into actual houses.

There was further extensive discussion on all aspects and some other general points arose:-

1. There was considerable feeling that no-one whoever they were should be able to flout the Planning laws and commence development outwith permission
2. How had common land been transferred to private ownership? Did the Council who apparently sold it into private ownership have a title to the land? Did the Council consult all the local householders who had rights over the land before selling the land?
3. Why was there a policy of only counting one objection if there were two from the same household? The subsequent answer was that this only applied in the six objection rule for going to Committee – i.e. there are only 6 objections but if two were from the same household then only one would count. In all other cases the two objections would count.
4. Objections should not be made on the basis that the applicants were travellers. They should only be on valid planning matters.
5. The CC was asked why they did not supply a draft letter for people to use to object. The reply was that it was not the CC’s role to influence whether local people objected or no. It was up to individuals to decide themselves. The CC would of course represent the Community’s views in an appropriate manner.

Fossoway and District Community Council Minutes of AGM May 1st 2012

Fossoway and District Community Council
Minutes of AGM
May 1st 2012 7.30pm
To be approved.

1. Attending: S Morrison, T Duffy-Wigman, S Anderson, K Borthwick, A Lavery, R Paterson. Cllr. K Baird, &
8 Members of the public
Apologies: A Cheape, Cllrs. M Barnacle, W Robertson

2. Minutes: Minutes of the 2011 AGM meeting were read, approved, and signed off.

3. Chair’s Report:
Perth and Kinross Council produced a Scheme of Establishment of Community Councils in the Perth and Kinross Council Area to implement the Scottish Government’s proposals regarding Community Councils. The Scheme included a Constitution for Community Councils, Standing Orders and a Code of Conduct for Community Councillors.

This meant elections had to be held in November and a new Community Council was formed in December. There were five nominations for eight places but two existing Councillors were co-opted. They had been unable to be nominated because they were on holiday when nomination forms were issued. These had to be signed by the person being nominated and this was not possible in their case.

The elected members of the Community Council are as follows:-
• Trudy Duffy-Wigman
• Rod Paterson
• Kevin Borthwick
• Alistair Lavery
• Sandy Morrison

The co-opted members are:-
• Sheila Anderson
• Angus Cheape

The main changes in the new constitution are:-
• Councillors are elected for a four year term
• All Community Councils have their AGM in May
• The financial year is 1 April to 31 March
• Elections for all Community Council’s take place in November and are organised by Perth & Kinross Council

The Community Council has had a very busy period and has been involved in a number of issues:-

• Blairingone War Memorial now progressing with some assistance from PKC staff

• Fossoway Church Car Park progressing slowly through Church procedures. Good assistance has been provided by PKC Planning Department

• Dunning Glen clean up achieved and sign erected. Thanks to Kevin for all of his efforts.

• Local Development Plan – The CC has been involved in the Strategy Group and has assisted Councillor Barnacle with his meetings. Many thanks to him for his considerable efforts to provide information on these matters and engage with the community. The CC also organised forms for residents to sign if they agreed with the village plan for Crook of Devon.

• Community Speed Watch Programme has been introduced and is strongly supported by the CC, because there have been a number of serious accidents recently in Crook of Devon and Drum.

• Crook Moss Planning Application for a travellers’ site. The CC has been very active on this issue and has responded to community concerns by holding a special meeting of the CC. The issues were explained along with how and on what grounds individuals can object to the application if they so wish. A detailed objection has been lodged by the CC.

Apart from these specific issues, there have been numerous planning applications to consider, presentations by developers and a significant number of meetings to attend. These have included the T in the Park Forum, the Kinross-shire Forum, Kinross-shire CC Network, Outdoor Access Forum etc.

I wish to record my thanks to my fellow councillors for their support and the considerable efforts they have made in attending external meetings and dealing with the areas they have accepted responsibility for. Thanks also to Councillors Barnacle, Baird and Robertson for their support in taking up issues raised by the CC.

4. Secretary’s Report:
Trudy gave a short verbal report on the paperwork involved in running the CC. She announced her resignation from the post of secretary due to work pressures, thanking the committee for all the support she had received.
Sandy thanked Trudy for all her hard work.

5. Treasurer’s Report:
Accounts were approved and signed off. The surplus for the year was £219.84 mainly due to reductions in the cost of hall lettings. The closing balance for the year after all payments had been made was £547.96.

6. Confirmation of Office Bearers:
The Office Bearers all resigned from their current posts, and all were happy to continue on the committee.
Sandy Morrison, Chairperson : Proposed, T Duffy-Wigman : Seconded, A Lavery.
Kevin Borthwick, Secretary : Proposed, S Morrison : Seconded, T Duffy-Wigman.
Angus Cheape, Treasurer : Proposed, S Morrison : Seconded, K Borthwick.
Alastair Lavery, Planning : Proposed, S Morrison : Seconded, R Paterson.
Rod Paterson, IT : Proposed, T Duffy-Wigman : Seconded, S Anderson.
Sheila Anderson, Minute Secretary : Proposed, T Duffy-Wigman : Seconded, K Borthwick.
Trudy Wigman-Duffy, Deputy Secretary : Proposed, S Morrison : Seconded, S Anderson.

With no other business, the date of the next AGM was set for May 7th, 2013. The meeting ended at 7.50pm.

Fossoway Community Council - Minutes May 2012

Fossoway and District Community Council
Minutes of Meeting Mowbray Hall, Powmill.
Tuesday 1st May 2012
To be approved.

1. Attending: S Morrison, T Duffy-Wigman, A Lavery, S Anderson, K Borthwick, R Paterson, Cllr. K Baird &
8 members of the public.
Apologies: A Cheape, Cllrs. M Barnacle and W Robertson
2. Declarations of interest:
There were no declarations of interest.

3. Community Policing-
The police are continuing their speed checks and it was hoped that a safety camera might be able to be used in Drum, but this is not possible due to poor sight lines. A bus stop is not considered a suitable site.
If the public have any information about any potential protest during the Olympic flame run through Crook of Devon, could they please contact the police.

4. Minutes of the last meeting –
There were no amendments so the minutes were signed off. A member of the public was concerned about the number of pupils at Seamab School. Stating that according to planning consent there should only be a maximum of 15 children in the school at any given time. Cllr. K Baird said she would investigate the situation.

5. Matters Arising:

- War Memorial, Blairingone
There has been helpful correspondence from the council and OS maps of the site have been obtained. A Lavery will make the planning application to obtain planning permission to move the war memorial.

-Community Speed Watch
This is proving very useful and there has been a noticeable slowing down of vehicles through Crook of Devon. The project will be monitored by the police and if it is a success, equipment may be purchased by the community, and checks could be carried out throughout the Fossoway area. The aim of the project is not catch people speeding, but to change their behaviour, and to observe the speed limits.

-Olympic Flame
The Flame will pass through Crook of Devon at 8.15 am. 13th June. The runner will start in Drum.

-Crook of Devon Church Car Park
Plans are progressing, and the church has provided a cheque for the planning application. The CC will submit the application. People are invited to register their support, once the planning application has been lodged.

-Tayside and Local Development Plans
The date for comment has passed. Local meetings run by Mike Barnacle were by and large well attended and appreciated. Thanks to Mike Barnacle. The results of the consultation are due in Sept.-Oct.

-Core Path signposting
There was concern that landowners should be consulted about signage and it is hoped that David Stubbs would contact them. Requests may be made for new gates. The council will try to maintain the signs, but this will be subject to budget constraints.
-Travellers’ Site
There were 44 objections to the site and the application is due to be heard by 27th May.

6. Community Council Business-
Kevin attended the Outdoor Access Forum in Crieff. The main topic of the meeting was the core path network. Areas of success were discussed, such as the Loch Leven path. Types, and styles of gates were also mentioned, one example being a large field gates, with a smaller public access gate contained within it.

7. PKC Business, Councillor’s Report –
K Baird reported that the councillors had all been very busy owing to the local elections.
She also stated that in general the Local Plan was favourably received by the public.

8. Planning Applications
12/00564/FLL.
Alterations and sub-division of existing house to form 2 dwellings.
Schiehallion, Crook Of Devon, Kinross, KY13 0UL.
Recommendation. No Community Council comment.

12/00655/IPL. Residential development (in principle). Former Church, Main Street, Blairingone.
12/00654/FLL. Erection of triple garage with ancillary accommodation above.
Recommendation. Refusal as contrary to the Kinross Area Local Plan and the proposed Local Development Plan as outwith a settlement boundary and not fitting with any of the Houses in the Countryside policy categories.

9. General Correspondence –All outgoing and incoming correspondence was available for viewing.

10. A.O.C.B –
As the next meeting is to be held in Blairingone, it is hoped that someone from the Forestry can attend to update the residents on the Lambhill Forest development.
Rod Paterson brought to the meetings attention that the length of time between uplifts of brown bins over the Christmas period was too long because of excessive food waste at that time of the year. Clarification was sough as to whether food waste could be put in the green bin.

PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGED DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING!

Next Meeting- Blairingone Primary School
Tuesday 12th June 2012
7.30pm

All Welcome!
Draft Agenda

• Welcome and apologies
• Declarations of interest
• Minute of last meeting
• Matters arising
• Community Council Business
• Councillors’ reports
• Planning applications
• Correspondence
• AOCB