Draft Minutes for Fossoway & District Community Council (FDCC) Meeting

Tuesday 5^th December 2023 Carnbo Village Hall

Attending: Community Councillors (CCllrs) Sarah Bruce-Jones, Tony Lamb, Nicola Marchant and Graham Pye; Assoc CCllr Carol Farquhar; Perth & Kinross Councillor Dave Cuthbert; 12 members of the public (MoP).

1. Apologies: PKC Councillors Neil Freshwater, William Robertson and Richard Watters; CCllr Angus Cheape.

2. Declarations of interest: CCllr Cheape declared an interest in Planning Application 23/01961/FLL.

3. Community Police report: No officer was present – from their report: An assault took place in Crook of Devon on 13^th November, the assailant has been charged; A driver was charged for Drink/Driving on the A823 by Rumbling Bridge on 25^th; Speed checks were carried out on the M90 by Roads Officers and the local perform checks as part of their normal patrols. On 24^th November a driver was charged with careless driving in Powmiill; on 2^nd December while carrying out speed checks in Carnbo, Roads Officers stopped a vehicle the driver was found to have no insurance or licence.

4. Approval of minutes of the last meeting: The minutes were agreed and signed off.

5. Progress & matters arising

Windfarms

CCllr Bruce Jones reported that there were 110 responses to the survey (11.7%) and they are currently being collated. There will be a public meeting at Carnbo Village Hall in the last week of January to share the responses. There was a good representation from the various areas with 14% from Carnbo. 63% of respondents were aware of the wind farm proposal, although only 26% had attended any of the public events. A significant number of respondents (over 80%) gave detailed answers to the questions.

The Brunthill Section 36 application will be submitted shortly, the CC will receive a digital copy and a hard copy of the application will be made available to view at Carnbo Village Hall, Loch Leven Campus Library and Bell’s Library Perth. A MoP asked if it could be placed in the mobile library as well, but there isn’t sufficient space and it doesn’t visit all areas.

The Craighead developers had sent a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) about Community Ownership of the scheme. The MOU states that 10% of the company will be offered to the community – but it’s not clear what communities it would include. Getting an MOU signed is in Galileo’s interest as Community Ownership is a key goal of Scottish Government renewables policy. CCllr Bruce-Jones has consulted various community organisations and been advised not to sign it at this stage. Consequently the CC has replied to that effect.

CCllrs Bruce-Jones and Lamb attended a meeting with other CCs affected by windfarms in the Ochils – this is not a forum to oppose or support windfarms, each CC retains the right to make their own decisions. The aim is to collaborate on mitigation measures and get the best Community Benefit. The Chief Officer of 9CC, a group of nine CCs in Ayrshire, explained how they are handling Community Benefit from turbines in their area. Although the scope of Community Benefit is entirely in the gift of the developer, Scottish Government guidelines specify that the benefit continues in perpetuity regardless of change of ownership. The CC agreed to continue consulting with the local CC group (7CC.) A MoP asked if the CC could get money from developers to pay experts, however the CC members were very reluctant to follow this route.

Community Development Trust

CCllr Marchant provided a report from the 15^th Nov meeting of the Trust: A website for the CDT with local information is being developed; The Community Action Plan (CAP) and LPP will be prepared in conjunction with the CC; Funds are being raised to develop a proper feasibility study and Business Plan for Blairingone School; Glenfarg Transport Group are interested in joining with the CDT to take over the 202 service. PKC have agreed to fund the CAP/LPP and website along with an administrator.

Road Safety in FDCC area including A977 mitigation measures

The traffic lights at Drum crossroad are being worked on, the plan is to complete by end of December in spite of cold weather affecting tarmac.

A MoP had raised concerns about the new traffic lights beside Country Fabrics, they had assumed that the new lights would work in sync with the old lights, but they are currently independent. PKC are studying this to see if it needs to be changed.

Another MoP was concerned about the lack of a footpath connecting Carnbo to the Gelvan Road, especially in the winter months when the verge can be very slippery, although the new 30mph limit is helping to reassure pedestrians. There are no countdown signs at west end of Carnbo. The CC proposes to re-examine the priority of traffic measures once Drum signalisation has been completed.

Fossoway area transport – 202 bus service

CCllr Lamb reported that the 202 service has been more reliable this month with only one breakdown. There are still problems with the tracking system. The major issue is restoring public confidence in order to improve take-up.

Crook Moss Travellers site

Cllr Watters had confirmed that the PKC engagement contact is Zoe Garvie. CCllr Farquhar said that things are currently very difficult at the site due to recent bereavement. The CC’s aim is to get the Travellers to feel part of the local community and hence co-operate with them. CCllr Farquhar has obtained two contacts at the site and in conjunction with Zoe will try to move things forward in the New Year.

FDCC By-election results

CCllr Marchant reported that the CC had three newly elected members who will formally join the CC on 7^th December 2023. They are Adrian Carter, Angus Cheape and Tony Lamb. This means we still have the option to co-opt two additional members.

6. Matters arising with no update since last meeting - Power capacity in Fossoway District

7. New Business

Cllr Freshwater reported that new grit bins had been requested at Aldie Hall; A MoP suggested Craigend Road as an additional site.

8. Consultations

Scottish Woodlands sent a consultation for the creation of Foswell Woodland on the northern facing slopes of Steele's Knowe and Carlownie Hill in the Ochil. The CC will comment, even though it is outside our district

Scottish Water has sent a survey regarding the service they provide. The CC will respond.

Scottish Government

Democracy Matters Phase 2

Conversations have already started to explore whether far more decisions could be made by communities themselves. https://consult.gov.scot/local-government-and-communities/democracy-matters/ Closes 28th Feb 2024.

Tackling the Nature Emergency: Consultation on Scotland’s Strategic Framework for Biodiversity

This consultation is seeking views on a range of proposals related to biodiversity and tackling the nature emergency in Scotland. https://consult.gov.scot/environment-forestry/tackling-the-nature-emergency/

A draft response was prepared by Adrian Carter at the request of CCllr Marchant, which will be submitted shortly. Disappointingly it’s essentially a process document with many aspirations but no concrete proposals other than in the National Parks. There is little coverage of the Lowlands at all and nothing about rivers and lochs which would apply to our area.

Proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill

Like many other countries, Scotland has a legal target to reach ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions. There is no way to meet ‘net zero’ without changing the heating systems in the vast majority of our buildings. This consultation describes proposed new laws about heating systems in homes and places of work, and to invite your views on those proposals. https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781835216118 Closes 8th March 2024.

The CC will respond to this in due course, meanwhile the CC urges individuals to make their own comments. CCllr Pye noted that his initial study of the proposals indicated that they may be unrealistic for the majority of rural properties.

9. Community Council Business

CCllrs Bruce-Jones, Cheape, Farquhar and Marchant attended the CDT on 15th November.

CCllr Bruce-Jones attended the Kinross-shire Committee on 16^th Nov ember. Items covered included active travel; Blairingone School purchase is still in progress; Cllr Watters is trying to get a banking hub in Kinross or Milnathort.

CCllrs Bruce-Jones and Lamb attended the Sustainability Group of 7CCs Regarding Windfarms on 21^st November.

CCllr Marchant attended the Planning Aid Scotland Webinar on Development of Local Place Plans on 21^st November.

CClr Cheape attended the Kinross Fund on 4^th December - £2000 was granted to Light up Kinross.

10. PKC Business – Councillors reports

Cllr Cuthbert said that there was due to be a Full Council Meeting on 6^th, amongst agenda items is whether second homes would be charged twice the council tax, now allowed by Scottish Government, this could raise £2M in PKC alone. Cllr Cuthbert will propose that £1M be ring-fenced for affordable housing. There could also be a moratorium on short-term rentals.

11. Planning Matters

Presentations from Developers - Position Statement

The CC has been approached by a developer who wishes to present their proposals regarding land in our district at a CC meeting. As we expect to have more requests in the future we wanted to agree how to respond. We have already said that the CC intends to prepare a LPP in partnership with the CDT which will provide spatial maps indicating areas that the Community believe could be developed and their possible intended use.

Therefore, whilst the CC is happy for developers to make a presentation to us, they would be before the start of our formal meeting, and occupy a maximum time of 15 minutes. The CC will not make any official comment or provide feedback ahead of the completion of our LPP, although MoPs can ask questions and make comments if they wish.

Planning Applications

23/01794/FLL Change of use, alterations and extension to sawmill to form dwellinghouse and formation of vehicular access at Land 40 metres south-east of 1 Nursery Cottages, Solsgirth, Dollar FK14 7NB. No CC Comment.

23/01619/FLL Formation of access track, erection of stables, siting of a caravan, and associated works (for temporary period)(in part retrospect) at Land 250 metres north of The Farmhouse, Easter Muirhead Farm, Blairingone, Dollar Fk14 7ND.

The CC objected - Access via a narrow single-track road does not comply with NPF Policy 29

23/01813/FLL Extension to dwelling house at Suilven, Drum, Kinross KY13 0PR. No CC Comment.

23/01961/FLL Erection of a dwelling house and associated works at land 250 metres south-west of Broomhill House, Station Road, Crook of Devon, Kinross KY13 0PG. The CC objected – No information to suggest the application is not contrary to NPF4 Policies 1, 9 and 17.

23/01865/FLL Extension to dwellinghouse at Craighead House, Drum, Kinross, KY13 0PP. No CC Comment.

23/00491/FLM Formation of leisure development comprising erection of 124 holiday accommodation units, community hub with reception/leisure/retail areas with other associated uses, formation of vehicular access, motorhome stances, SUDS ponds, treatment plant, parking, landscaping and associated works at Whinstone Quarry, Devonshaw, Powmill.

The CC had obtained an extension in order to further discuss this application at this meeting.

The Fossoway and District Community Council in principle have supported the development of the Devonshaw Quarry site as it has long been a concern for the safety of visitors who predominantly use the area in the summer months. We recognise that this is unauthorised use and leads to litter and unsafe parking on the A977.

Initially the CC had made a series of neutral comments on the application expecting that the developer could accommodate them, enhancing the biodiversity of the site and contributing towards active travel for visitors and local residents. However, we are disappointed with their response to PKC.

The CC now Objects - Unacceptable impact on the natural environment, contravening NPF4 policies 3 and 4; No provision for sustainable travel (NPF4 policies 13 and 30.) The CC seeks an assurance that all owners of the lodges will be made fully aware of the occupancy restrictions of the site.

Planning Decisions

21/02133/AML Planning permission appeal: Erection of 10 dwelling houses at land 70 metres west of Innerdownie, Crook of Devon.

The DPEA have agreed to the appeal. In summary they believe the site can accommodate the ten houses and that their character is consistent with the village and will not generate a significant increase in traffic. Also believe that biodiversity will not be adversely impacted.

23/01265/FLL Siting of a container for storage use (in retrospect) at Waulkmill Park, Waulkmill, Crook of Devon. Application was approved – The CC had not commented.

12. Correspondence – All correspondence covered above.

13. AOCB – None this month.

14. Draft Agenda for Next CC Meeting: Declarations of Interest, Community Policing, Minutes of last meeting. Matters arising: Community Development Trust, Fossoway Area Transport, A977 Mitigation, Crook Moss, Community Council Business, PKC Councillors’ Reports, Planning, Correspondence, AOCB

Next Meeting: Tuesday 2^nd January 2024 7:30pm

Powmill Moubray Hall

All are welcome!

Correspondence Received November 2023