News & Minutes
Draft Minutes of Fossoway & District Community Council Meeting
Tuesday 4th June 2024 – 7.30pm, Carnbo Village Hall
Attending: Community Councillors (CCllrs) Sarah Bruce-Jones, Tony Lamb, and Nicola Marchant (Chair); Assoc CCllr Carol Farquhar; Perth & Kinross Councillor Neil Freshwater, and Richard Watters; 13 members of the public (MoP).
Apologies: CCllr Angus Cheape, Graham Pye; Cllr Dave Cuthbert, William Robertson
Declarations of Interest: CClr Cheape has declared an interest regarding planning application 24/00744/FLL; CCllr Bruce-Jones has declared an interest in the Seamab issue as the company for which she is a director is linked to some of the construction work.
1. Community Police Report:
From 7th May 2024 (last meeting) there have been approximately 28 calls to the Police from the Fossoway
area and no crimes recorded on Police systems. Community officers are aware of regular areas where there are complaints about speeding in and around Fossoway. These have all been added to our speeding matrix and we will continue to make efforts to carry out speed checks across the area during our patrols.
Over the last month roads policing officers have been carrying out speed checks on the M90 at Junctions 5 and 6 which has resulted in drivers being reported for speeding offences.
MoP raised concern regarding speeding on B9097 and noted that a Land Rover had recently gone through a hedge and landed in a field. CCllr Bruce-Jones responded that the road is on the priority list of works for PKC.
Some residents have raised a concern about the police driver training using the A977 and local roads and excessive speeding. MoP also asked if motorbikes could be monitored on A91 over weekends. CC will raise with PC Samson.
2. Approval of minutes of the last meeting: The Minutes were approved without change and signed off.
3. Progress & matters arising:
Windfarms
ECU00004654 Brunt Hill Windfarm https://www.energyconsents.scot/ApplicationDetails.aspx?cr=ECU00004654
The CC has confirmed that as a named consultee we can submit a response of greater than 8000 characters. The CC has sought and been granted an extension of the 28th June deadline by the ECU to 26th July. We have also requested a similar extension from PKC for the 14th June deadline but have had no response. This will enable us to consult with the community on our intended response at a proposed EGM in Tuesday 9th July, Crook of Devon, 7.30-9pm. Note that the only agenda item will be our response to wind farm application.
The CC is currently reviewing the 184 documents against an issues report that we have developed from the CC survey. Issues include: impact on landscape; cumulative impact; environmental impact; connection to the grid; flicker and noise; construction impact with a focus on Carnbo; archaeology and cultural impact; use of local materials in construction; operational impact on local airfields; walkers; recycling of materials at end of life. As part of our response to the ECU we can submit a list of residents who are in support of our response.
We are actively seeking more input from our community especially Carnbo in particular regarding compensation funds during the construction phase.
Joint CCs Sustainability Group - an article has been published in the Kinross Newsletter explaining how the group of CCs plan to work together specifically in relation to Community Benefit.
Community Development Trust
The Trust has now received the funding for the development of a Community Action Plan and Local Place Plan and is actively working with a consultant. A MoP has noted that we do not have maps of our local pathways, and this could form part of our CAP.
Funding is being requested for benches and tables in Waulkmill Park. The Fossoway Primary School children are producing possible designs for an upgraded playground at Waulkimill. As part of this the children have made us aware of the fact that the current playground is not wheelchair accessible. The CC has written to PKC regarding this.
Scottish Land Fund Stage 1 application form for funding for the feasibility study for community purchase of Blairingone School has been submitted. PKC have already provided £5,000 towards this from the vacant property fund.
At the Kinross-shire Committee meeting in May PKC gave an update on the Blairingone School regarding valuations. PKC have given a strongly worded letter to the District Valuer stating that if the valuation was not received by 24th May a formal complaint would be made. The Trust has received a structural survey. The future of the school will remain on the CDT agenda until the Trust makes a final decision. CCllr Carter asked if the Government funding for Perth city could be used for projects like this. Cllr Watters replied that the monies had to be used for Perth City.
Road Safety in FDCC area including A977 mitigation measures
Carnbo: No update. MoP reported that they had the duck race last weekend and residents had to walk on the A91 due to verges being overgrown and no footpath.
Drum Crossroads: Residents’ concerns have been submitted to PKC and we are awaiting a response.
Community Speed Watch: No update.
Road Improvement Projects in Ward & Kinross-shire:
At the Kinross-shire Committee meeting on 16th May a verbal update was given by PKC Traffic and Network Services (which is split between two divisions: one dealing with road safety and the other with active travel.) A presentation was given by Brian Cargill who explained that due to a lack of human resources they have fallen behind in rolling out TROs on the priority list. The reasons are threefold: firstly the roll out of national 20mph strategy for Scotland which has to cover the whole of PKC and will result in 23 new 20mph limits by the end of 2025 just in Kinross-shire. This national campaign involves a consultative exercise for the council to assess where the new 20mph limits need to be implemented. Secondly is the implementation of the National Pavement Parking Ban. The council are having to assess all roads in PKC to determine where the hotspots are for parking and whether or not they can safely allow on street parking. Lastly, they are concentrating on the mitigation measures required for the A93 & A94 following the construction of the new Tay River Crossing. They have consulted with A93 and A94 residents on mitigation methods to make the route unattractive for HGVs and this includes cushions. CCllr Buce-Jones questioned the ongoing mitigation measures for the A977 which are still not fully completed and their priority. CCllr Bruce-Jones has asked for a full report on traffic movements on A91 and A977 to assess if the mitigation is achieving what it was set out to do. At the next meeting of the Kinross-shire Committee in August Daryl Mckeown, head of road safety, will be giving a detailed presentation on progress. The three new issues will not replace current priorities, but they are resource constrained.
Cllr Freshwater agreed to bring a briefing on the new 20mph Scotland policy to the August CC meeting.
Fossoway area transport – 202 bus service & Community Bus
The 202 continues to be late and sometimes doesn’t run. CCllr Carter noted that currently our district has no bus service on Sundays. There will be a public meeting (hybrid) of the Community Transport Group, chaired by Cllr Cuthbert, on the 27th June at7.30pm in Loch Leven Campus, where progress on the 202 bus service will be shared.
Crook Moss Travellers Site
Associate CCllr Farquhar met with Tracey Ramsey from PKC in May to discuss and agree a way to improve engagement with the Crook Moss traveller’s community. Associate CCllr Farquhar reported that Tracey was very keen to improve relationships with the community and will be joining her in hosting an event on 19th June for the traveller community. CCllr Cheape, Associate CCllr Farquhar and Tracey intend to visit the site next week. Three main issues are that the fence needs to be repaired, rubbish needs to be collected and to stop burning of caravans.
Seamab School Construction Work
CCllr Lamb and Marchant met with MoP and separately with Seamab School to discuss issues raised at our last meeting.
We were provided with assurances that the safety of the children during construction had been carefully considered. There has been a structural survey of the bridge and Network Rail is aware of the construction work. Mr Provan, Chief Executive, has fed back to the education staff to be vigilant about keeping children away from the side of the bridge that overlooks a resident’s garden. The contractor has confirmed that there have been no issues to date with asbestos or lead piping and that there has been no breach of any sewage pipes.
Algo have volunteered to have regular sessions with a neighbour group. There will also be a construction office and a mutually agreed time slot to keep neighbours up to date on issues that arise. Algo will also inform neighbours in advance of any heavy equipment coming to the site.
PC Samson has confirmed that the Police have been called to the school on eight occasions since May 2023. They were last called to the school on Friday 24th May although a MoP advised that there had been two more instances since then. The MoP understands that Police Scotland have instructed him that if children abscond, they should stop all machinery and secure everything for the safety of the children.
MoP has notified PKC enforcement that builders were working on bank holiday Monday which breached condition 13 of the approved planning application. PKC have raised an enforcement enquiry.
King’s portrait
We are still waiting for a response from Crook of Devon and Carnbo Village Halls.
4. Matters arising with no update since last meeting: Power capacity in Fossoway District, new website for CC.
5. New Business:
PKC Draft Active Travel Masterplan for Kinross-shire
The draft plan was presented to the Kinross-shire Committee on 16th May. There were comments that there was not enough emphasis on public transport and the west of Kinross-shire was not covered sufficiently. It was raised that there was a need for a high level strategic east-west and north-south corridor through Kinross-shire. Ward Cllrs are providing feedback and hope to have final plan in place shortly. It was noted that NPF4 Policy 13 requires an Active Travel Plan and that this should inform LDP3.
Hydro Fund
The new Fund is now live and applications can be made via this link https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding/funding-available/rumbling-bridge-hydro-community-fund
Replacement Footbridge over River Devon
The Fossoway Community Development Trust has now taken over the replacement bridge project and has an active working group looking at the possible purchase and use of an old Rennie MacKintosh bridge.
Crook of Devon War Memorial
Mike Barnacle, Chair of the Fossoway Community Development Trust has advised that PKC Bereavement services are going to carry out repairs and cleaning.
Japanese Knotweed
A MoP has informed the CC that there are several patches of Japanese Knotweed growing along the banks of the Devon between Crook and Rumbling Bridge. Last year, they flagged the issue with SEPA, PKC and several others but got nowhere. They have asked if the CC can help raise it with the correct organisation. Cllr Watters will look into this and report back to the CC.
Safety of Lithium Batteries Ion Batteries, E-bikes and Scooters
The CC had received an email from Ron Bailey, researcher for Lord Don Foster, who is seeking our support for his campaign to improve the safety of lithium batteries (used in e-bikes and e-scooters) and their disposal. Lithium battery fires are on the increase – there have been over 1000 in the past few years, nearly 200 injuries and a dozen fatalities. Homes have been destroyed. The cost to the UK runs into £billions. The Bill if passed would require:
The CC agreed to provide an email supporting the draft bill.
Agree dates for next years CC meeting
It was agreed that the CC will continue to hold meetings on the first Tuesday of every month rotating across the village halls. A schedule of dates and locations will be circulated to Halls and published on Fossoway Website and the CC’s Facebook page.
6. Consultations
The significant workload associated with the wind farm applications means that the CC will not be responding to any further consultations until September 2024.
PKC
PKC would like you to share your thoughts on the Consultation Draft Mobility Strategy and Action Plan to help finalise the work prior to adoption. PKC Officers will be attending the Kinross Farmers market on 22nd June to engage with residents. Draft Mobility Strategy - Perth & Kinross Council Citizen Space - Citizen Space (pkc.gov.uk)
Consultation closes on 28th July 2024 CCllr Lamb will respond on behalf of the CC.
Scottish Government
Meeting our 30 by 30 biodiversity commitment on terrestrial and freshwater sites:seeks views on the legislative proposals to support the implementation of 30 by 30 (protect 30% of our land for nature by 2030.) The aim is to create flexibility around designated sites and increase proactive management of important areas for biodiversity. Closed on 24th May 2024. CCllr Carter has responded.
7. Community Council Business – meetings attended
CCllr Bruce-Jones – Kinross-shire Committee 16th May – noted that the Committee has funds and is seeking CC proposals on how this money could be spent for their August meeting.
CCllr Cheape: 15th May attended meeting regarding replacement footbridge over River Devon; 3rd June Kinross Fund
CCllr Lamb: 13th April with MoP regarding Seamab School, 20th April Seamab School, 13th May with Glenfarg CT and Muckhart CC secretary; 15th May online meeting with PKC and Glenfarg.
CCllr Marchant: 13th April with MoP regarding Seamab School; 20th April Seamab School.
Associate CCllr Farquar: 23rd May with Tracey Ramsey to discuss engagement with Crook Moss traveller community.
8. PKC Business – Councillors reports
Cllr Freshwater noted that the Scottish Fire and Rescue service are consulting on the role of the firefighter and asked if we could look at it: https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/get-involved/consultations/shaping-our-future-service-your-say/ deadline is 30th June.
Cllr Watters requested that all residents respond to the consultation on PKC draft Mobility Strategy (link above.)
9. Planning Matters
Planning Appeals
23/02142/FLL Siting of 2 holiday accommodation units and associated works, Chapter House, Fossoway, Kinross, KY13 9UP The CC had previously objected, and no further comments are being made.
Planning Applications
24/00597/FLL Change of use of agricultural land to storage yard (Class 6), siting of storage building and containers, formation of vehicular access, erection of fencing and associated works at Land 60 Metres north-west of Woodbine Cottage, Drum, Kinross KY13 0UW. The CC submitted a neutral comment.
23/01224/FLL Erection of 29 dwellinghouses and associated works (phase 1 - allocated site H53) at Land 80 Metres north-west of Huize Baahock, Powmill, Dollar FK14 7NW. The CC was notified by PKC of revised drawings, but has not made any further comments.
We were also made aware of a Powmill Residents group objection letter that was sent to PKC concerning the siting of the substation.
24/00744/FLL Erection of a dwellinghouse and associated works at Land 250 metres south-west of Broomhill House, Station Road, Crook of Devon, Kinross KY13 0PG. This is an update of planning application 23/01961/FLL which the CC objected to and was refused by PKC. The CC agreed to object to this new application on the same grounds.
24/00752/FLL Erection of a dwelling house and associated works at Land 50 metres south of Craigton Farm, Rumbling Bridge, Kinross KY13 0QF. PKC approved an application for a temporary home on the 5th December 2023 under application 23/01213/FLL. This is now an application for a permanent house on the land as the applicant states that the business is successful and sustainable. The CC will make a neutral comment - seeking the removal of the temporary accommodation, and a business case that clearly demonstrates the long term financial sustainability of the farm supporting the requirement for a permanent residence.
Planning Decisions
24/00366/FLL Erection of replacement garage with studio/gym, office and storage space at Acer House, Drum, Kinross KY13 0PR. The Application was approved; the CC had made no comment.
24/00566/FLL Extension to dwelling house at 18 Mill Gardens, Powmill, Dollar FK14 7LQ. The Application was approved; the CC had made no comment
10. AOCB - None this month
Next CC Meeting Tuesday 6th August 7.30pm
Crook of Devon Village Hall
NOTE: No Meeting in July
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