Draft Minutes Fossoway and District Community Council
8th May 2018, Fossoway Primary School

Attending: Community Cllrs Cameron Brown, Jennifer Donachie, Trudy Duffy, Carol Farquhar and Graham Pye; P&K Cllrs Mike Barnacle and Willie Robertson; 10 Members of the Public (MoP)
Apologies: CCllr Angus Cheape; P&K Cllrs Callum Purves and Richard Watters (Cllrs Purves and Watters were attending another CC)
Declarations of Interest: None.

Police report: Unfortunately no officer was able to be present at the meeting. There were no incidents to note in our area in the last month from the Commander’s Reports received via Perth and Kinross Community Watch.
There was a recent RTA in Blairingone - a car travelling at speed hit a parked car and demolished bollards, narrowly avoiding crashing into a house. The owner of the house informed the meeting that the driver claimed that his brakes had failed while he was travelling at 60mph in a 30mph area. When later contacted, the local Police officer was unaware of the incident, possibly because it was reported to an officer in a different area. Cllr Robertson took an action to contact PKC to get the scene of the accident tidied up.

Cllr Barnacle observed that he has had previous experience where there was a problem with contacting the local officer by the normal channels, and he will follow this up.

Minutes of the previous meeting: The minutes were signed off without amendment.

Matters Arising
A977 Mitigation: Lachlan MacLean from PKC presented the results of the Community Consultation. Overall, there was strong support for junction improvements, so the plan is to initially carry out the following works:
• A977 / School Road in Crook of Devon – Signalisation
• A977 / B9097 by Shell Garage – Realignment
• A977 / Saline Road in Blairingone – Signalisation
If there are sufficient funds available, then signalisation of the A977 / Drum Crossroads will also be done.

Some Vehicle Activated Speed signs (VAS) have already been upgraded to show current speed; Vehicle Activated Junction Warning Signs will be upgraded this financial year at Balado and Rumbling Bridge. In response to a question from CCllr Donachie, Mr MacLean confirmed that the signs will all include a three year maintenance contract with the supplier.

There were also a number of comments from the floor requesting further VAS, for example on the Kinross side of Blairingone, so this will be investigated.
Existing road signs will be upgraded with ones having better reflectivity.

If funds permit, village entrance/exit gateway features will be constructed, with the co-operation of the local bloom groups.
It is planned that school visits will be arranged to the works in progress, with the intention that this will be informative for both the children and the engineers!
Unfortunately there will be some temporary delays while the work is done, but this will be kept to a minimum.

A MoP asked if “solar studs” (flashing solar cell powered lighting devices used instead of cats-eyes) are planned to be installed – Mr MacLean answered that they may be used at major junctions if funds allow. John Anderson pointed out the contradiction between these measures to dissuade HGVs from using the A977, whilst PKC’s planners are simultaneously allowing a large number of additional HGVs to service the Lambhill site. Cllr Robertson answered that the roads are all theoretically not at capacity, since that would mean a continuous stream of traffic twenty four hours a day, but that doesn’t mean that it’s acceptable for HGVs to rumble through villages.
Conversely another MoP noted that everything that we consume is moved by HGVs and we shouldn’t be conducting a campaign against them. Cllr Barnacle replied that although it’s true that the A977 is an essential route for some journeys, other vehicles could be using the motorways instead.

A MoP asked if the A977 could be returned to trunk road status, but the Scottish Government has continued to refuse this.
Automatic traffic and pedestrian counters have been installed along the route, one between Powmill and Rumbling Bridge and the other between B918 and Turfhills, with a further vehicle counter on Balado straight. In response to comments from MoPs about the position of some of the counters, Mr MacLean said that they will be adjusted shortly.

Finally Mr MacLean concluded his presentation by offering to take further comments and questions via email to LMacLean@pkc.gov.uk. The CC thanked Mr MacLean for his efforts in this project.

Blairingone School Estate Transformation: The updated options appraisal will be presented to the Lifelong Learning Committee meeting on 16th May. The appraisal recommends that the school be closed – the current pupil numbers (four) are not sustainable and if the development for Blairingone proposed to be included in LDP2 happened it would still only produce two to three more pupils. Cllr Barnacle challenges this conclusion and intends to make that point to the Convenor of the meeting. Even if the Committee decides on closure there must then be further public consultation over a long period.

Lambhill: Application 17/02015/FLL for the static caravan having been refused by the planners has now been appealed by the applicant and sent to the LRB for review. The CC wrote to the LRB on 25th April confirming our previous objections.

Hydro Scheme Fund: CCllr Duffy notes that the first grant will shortly be made. Cllr Robertson reported that the TRACKS Committee agreed on 28th March that they were prepared to be involved in the replacement of the Rumbling Bridge Gorge Bridge. Consequently a site visit was held on the 28th April attended by five TRACKS Committee members, a TRACKS Project Officer and TRACKS “bridge expert” Alastair Smith. It was suggested that a similar design to the existing bridge west of the Scout Field would be appropriate, and a site about 75 metres west of the old bridge location was proposed as a possible location, requiring a span of approximately 18 metres. Full details and costings will be produced in time for the next meeting of this CC to review. A representative of the CC will temporarily join the TRACKS committee for the duration of the project to share the decision making. CCllr Brown asked if it would save money to use the base of the old bridge, but Cllr Robertson said that funders will want to be sure that it’s not going to be washed away again from the old location.
MoP added that there are still some outstanding issues from the hydro scheme construction that need to be addressed.

Crook and Drum Growing Together: CCllr Duffy told the meeting that their Spring Fair held on 28th April made £300; The group are also acquiring two very large planters from Edinburgh that were surplus to their requirements.

Powmill in Bloom: CCllr Farquhar reported on the group’s activities: They anticipate a problem with the large amount of verges to be maintained in their area, so they have decided to buy a mower to do interim cuts themselves between the ones that are done by PKC twice a year.

LDP2: Cllr Barnacle has received a briefing on responses to LDP2; the proposed plans for our villages will go ahead as they are. There will be a full council meeting on 29th August to review whether LDP2 goes to the Reporter as it is or with changes. The plan will likely not be completed until early 2019.

Crook Moss Travellers Site: Cllr Barnacle notes that the latest Enforcement Report will be delivered to the Planning and Development Committee meeting on the 9th May. Cllr Barnacle will be presenting photographs to show what enforcement action is needed. A MoP asked what’s happening about the site’s proposed sewage connection; Cllr Barnacle replied that the residents have applied to Scottish Water, but works must be done at the site before a connection can be made, but the residents can’t afford to pay for them. Cllr Robertson said that PKC’s Housing department has a budget to help with this sort of issue; however Cllr Barnacle remarked that it seems unfair that a private site should be helped with public money.

Matters Arising With No Update Since Last Meeting
Ivy Cottage Powmill, Blairingone War Memorial and Fossoway Area Transport.

New Business:
Fossoway Gathering: CCllr Duffy announced that there will be a meeting on 10th May to try and get this going for 2019. A lot of people are needed both on the day and to do the planning in advance. The first question to be answered is where to hold the Gathering.

Community Council Business
Meetings Attended: None this month.

P&K Councillors’ Reports
Willie Robertson: Local Councillors will be meeting with PKC’s Roads Department on 11th May to look at spending plans for Kinross-shire over the next 12 months and give their input. There appear to be some promising plans for our area. Cllr Barnacle adds that there are 2,000 potholes in Perth and Kinross costing £100 each to fix, and there is a programme in place to fix them using some money from the Scottish Government.
Mike Barnacle: Two more road adoptions are being considered: Drummond Park and The Old Station in Rumbling Bridge.
Cllr Barnacle has always been in favour of devolving power to the community, but he does not believe that Action Partnerships are the way forward.
Three Independent and one Labour Councillor have left the administration, although they have not joined the opposition, as a protest against changes to committees, which they found undemocratic.
November 2018 is (of course) the anniversary of the end of WW1. A local resident has carried out extensive research into the history of some of the names on the Crook of Devon War memorial. There will be a meeting on 9th May to discuss the details of November’s commemoration.

Planning Matters – New Applications:
18/00524/FLL Erection of ancillary accommodation at The Meadows, Vicars Bridge Road, Blairingone.
Comments were due by 26th April – The CC did not comment.

18/00473/FLL Erection of a wind turbine and associated works at land south east of Wharlawhill Farm, Carnbo.
Comments were due by 27th April - the CC Objected on the grounds of visual impact. The application was refused by the planners on the 4th May.

18/00568/FLL Erection of a dwelling house and garage with ancillary accommodation (revised design) at land 40 metres north west of Dunollie, Fossoway.
No CC Comment.

18/00478/FLL Change of use, alterations and extensions to dwelling house to form four holiday accommodation units. Gardeners Cottage and Outbuildings at Fossoway Estate.
No CC Comment.

18/00649/FLL Erection of a biomass boiler and fuel store and installation of a flue at Balhousie, Rumbling Bridge Care Home, Rumbling Bridge, KY13 0PX.
No CC Comment.

18/00702/FLL Erection of 2no. dwelling houses at land 40 metres north east of Ochil Cottage, Carnbo.
Comments by 25th May – will be discussed by email after meeting.

18/00704/FLL Realignment of vehicular access at Blairingone Church, Main Street, Blairingone, Dollar, FK14 7NY.
Comments by 25th May – will be discussed by email after meeting.

Decided Applications:
18/00364/FLL Erection of a dwellinghouse at land 50 metres north of Mellock House, Fossoway.
Approved – CC did not comment.

18/00343/FLL Erection of a dwelling house and alterations to existing dwelling house to form a workshop/store and ancillary accommodation unit. Craigton Bungalow, Rumbling Bridge.
Refused – CC did not comment.

18/00589/PNA Erection of an agricultural building on land 400 metres north of Rivendell, Blairingone.
Withdrawn.

Correspondence: All the correspondence was available for viewing: PKC have asked for comments on the performance of Winter Services (gritting and snow clearance.) MoPs observed that Arndean Road (and other minor roads) were not cleared until after the latest snowfall had melted. Cllrs Robertson and Barnacle encouraged local farmers to apply for the Farmer’s Assistance Scheme whereby PKC supplies snow ploughs to be used with their own vehicles to clear their own roads and specified public roads. Stuart D’All would be the contact point. Cllr Barnacle noted that there was a lack of clearing and gritting on village footpaths, but Cllr Robertson said that routes to school should be cleared.

AOCB: Muckhart CC have kindly passed on the information that Scottish Water were planning works on A823 that would have resulted in the road being closed for a week. However this work has now been postponed pending consultation with local residents to reduce the impact of the closure. CCllr Duffy has contacted Gavin Steel of Scottish Water to be added to the information list.
SEPA have opened a consultation on Potentially Vulnerable Areas for flooding. Comments are welcome until 31st July, via the website: https://consultation.sepa.org.uk/evidence-and-flooding/pvas2018/
A MoP asked for the road between Crook of Devon and Powmill to be litter picked. Cllr Robertson undertook to arrange this. Another MoP noted that litter caught on fences does not seem to be included when other litter is cleared.

Draft Agenda for Next CC Meeting
Welcome and Apologies, Declarations of Interest, Community Policing, Minutes of last meeting.
Matters arising: A977 Mitigation, Blairingone School Estate Transformation, Hydro Scheme Fund, Crook & Drum Growing Together, Powmill in Bloom, Fossoway Gathering.
Community Councillors: Meetings Attended, PKC Councillors’ Reports, Planning, Correspondence, AOCB

Next Meeting: Tuesday 5th June 2018 7:30 pm
Fossoway Primary School
All Welcome