Proceedings of the Virtual Meeting of
Fossoway and District Community Council
6th April 2021

As it is still not possible to hold physical meetings of the CC we are continuing to publish this description of what was discussed in our Virtual meeting, including any updates that we are aware of. Members of the Public are encouraged to comment on and question the items below, by email to fossoway.cc@gmail.com or via the CC’s Facebook page, which we will answer in our next meeting, be it virtual or physical, on Tuesday 4th May 2021.

Contributing: Community Councillors Sarah Bruce-Jones, Angus Cheape, Trudy Duffy, Carol Farquhar, Carole Haigh, Michael Haigh, Nicola Marchant and Graham Pye; P&K Councillors Michael Barnacle, Callum Purves and Willie Robertson.
Apologies: P&K Councillor Richard Watters.
Declarations of Interest: None.
Police report: There were no incidents to note in our area since the last CC Meeting from the Commander’s Reports received via Perth and Kinross Community Watch. PC Ashley Mitchinson attended the meeting and gave this update: during the last month, there were no reported crimes in our area, however there were several road traffic incidents; Wild Campers in Dunning Glen were moved on; an abandoned car has been removed.
Cllr Robertson thanked the officers for joining us, and asked about the Police involvement in fly-tipping? PC Mitchinson answered that it was difficult to detect culprits, and hard for Police to get adequate evidence to bring a prosecution. They would report rubbish on public land to PKC for removal, but anything on private land is the responsibility of the landowner. PKC have their own investigation teams, who will also investigate deposits on private land – Cllr Robertson thought that the latter was not the case and pointed out that it can cost landowners a lot of money to dispose of rubbish if any of it is dangerous. PC Mitchinson advised that if anyone sees tipping taking place they should call 999, otherwise report it via the “Dumb Dumpers” website: https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/DumbDumpers
Cllr Barnacle asked whether parking on pavement/kerbs is illegal. PC Mitchinson thinks there is new legislation about parking on kerbs but will send details. And can the Police recommend the creation of waiting restrictions if they see a problem? No it’s PKC’s Roads Department’s responsibility to decide.
CCllr Bruce-Jones said that the CC has received an email from the Devon Angling Association who has cleaned up litter in Dunning Glen again. PC Mitchinson said that it is in their area and that if anyone sees campers they should phone the Police and they will go and make sure the Campers are behaving correctly.
CCllr Marchant asked about Devonshaw Quarry where there’s been litter in the past. Do the Police patrol rural areas like that? PC Mitchinson said that they try to get around the area, although it’s a very big area to cover with limited resources. They use the alert system to notify local issues they discover – users can set radius of interest. The Police welcome suggested additions to their Patrol Matrix.
CCllr Bruce-Jones asked which number should be used to call the Police. If it’s a life threatening event or considered to be an emergency then call 999, otherwise 101. Note that there can be a delay before 101 is answered so other members of the public have found that using the online contact form works very well and doesn’t require waiting for a response: https://www.scotland.police.uk/secureforms/contact/

Minutes of the previous meeting: The minutes of the March 2020 meeting (the last face to face meeting) will be signed off once normal meetings resume. Any significant decisions made during the virtual meetings held since then will be brought to the next physical meeting to be formally recorded and ratified.

Matters Arising
Bank of Scotland Kinross Branch Closure: CCllr Marchant says she has not been able to visit the mobile bank yet, but that Patrick Leavey has invited up to two CC Members to visit when it next comes to Kinross on 20th April.

A977 Mitigation: Cllr Purves had received a reply from Daryl McKeown, PKC Traffic Department: “Lower speed limits were introduced as part of the Spaces for People project at two sets of locations - main urban centres with a concentration of pedestrian activity and rural villages without footways where pedestrians have to share the road with vehicular traffic. Lower limits in villages which already have footways are a general road safety matter and in the case of the villages along the A977, this would be part of the ongoing A977 Route Action Plan.”
Cllr Purves suggested that we need to do some more detailed local consultation to add weight to our arguments.
Cllr Barnacle reported that the work on the School Road junction has been suspended as the Engineer is not allowed to travel for non-essential work. The CC strongly disagreed with this interpretation! Also that the temporary 20mph limits around Drum are due to be installed by end of April along with village name signs.

Fossoway Area Transport/DRT: CCllr M Haigh attended Cllr Barnacle’s Kinross-shire Community Transport Group meeting on 1st April at which concern was expressed about low usage of the X53, especially after Dollar. Cllr Barnacle noted that the pandemic is distorting the use of public transport at the moment. Margaret Roy (PKC) will liaise with adjacent counties about transport provision. There has been no success in adding anyone to DRT roster, which is the only transport option for Blairingone and Powmill.
The Kinross Move Greener Organisation (KMGO) has been created - Cllr Purves is planning to get a representative from the KMGO onto the Community Transport Group.

Community Development Trust: CCllr Duffy reported that work is going on by groups of members to establish the formal structure of the Trust. Cllr Barnacle has approached the Kinross-shire fund to see if it could be the source of some initial funding. CCllr Cheape thought that it was certainly worth applying.

Fossoway and District Community Council Benefit Fund (a.k.a. Hydro Scheme Fund): CCllr Duffy reminded all that the fund is still open for applications.

Rumbling Bridge Gorge Bridge: The £55k lump sum is in the bank account. It’s now emerged that the fee for the flood survey was supposed to have been in paid in advance, hence why nothing has happened for some time.

Crook Moss Travellers Site: CCllr Farquhar has been in touch with Ian MacGregor who informed her that sewage and water are connected and should all be signed off in May, and the site is a bit tidier. She proposes to try and form a relationship with the people on site. Cllr Barnacle says there are two partly dismantled caravans at the “scrap yard” and no landscaping on the north east side.
CCllr Bruce-Jones has had complaints from Drum residents about noxious black smoke coming from waste being burnt on the site. CCllr Duffy suggested CCllr Bruce-Jones should ask PKC’s enquiry number about the regulations.

Planning Officer Site Visits: Cllr Barnacle is going to write to David Rennie about various enforcement issues and stress that he doesn’t understand why solo site visits are not allowed due to Covid restrictions. Cllr Robertson added that Cllrs not being allowed to make visit sites before planning is also unacceptable.

Crook & Drum Growing Together: CCllr Duffy reported that a bench has been installed.

Aldie Road Vegetation: CCllr Marchant said that there have been more complaints, but nothing has changed. Local residents are worried about the old chicken farm buildings which are falling down. Cllr Robertson said if anyone was concerned about materials in their construction they should contact Environmental Health.

Fossoway Gathering: CCllr Duffy said that there is a provisional plan for an event on 4th September.

Matters Arising with no update since last meeting:
Powmill in Bloom, Blairingone War Memorial, Crook of Devon Skate Park, Devonshaw Whinstone Quarry, Ivy Cottage Powmill and Cemetery Car Park Extension: No information at present.

New Business
Drummond Park Fire Hydrant: CCllr C Haigh said that a lot of people didn’t know there was a hydrant there at all. A recent fire showed that access for Fire Engines could be impeded by parked cars. CCllr C Haigh will contact the Fire Service and ask them for their views - is the hydrant visible enough, what area does it serve.

Community Council Business:
CCllr Duffy attended the Scottish Rural Parliament on 8th March which provided much useful information.

Minutes Secretary: A volunteer had kindly answered the advert on FB and offered to take on this role.

CCllrs Bruce Jones and Cheape attended a meeting of the Kinross-shire Forum on 24th March: The main issue that was discussed was the Kinross shire Local Committee which has been accepted by P&KC Legal and Governance for consideration as a pilot scheme for local governance in the PKC area. The CC agreed to support the draft terms of Administration. Cllr Robertson says that time is of the essence in order to get it into the budget, for which £40k has been allocated. Cllt Purves added that the draft has been in existence for 18 months. Planning and Licensing would not be devolved at the moment. Budget for devolved activities would come from existing budgets for those activities. CCllr M Haigh asked about lines of communication and duplication of efforts – Cllt Purves replied that the six CCs in Kinross-shire would have non-voting reps on the Committee; some duplication may inevitably happen but not thought to be a big issue. Cllr Robertson said that one of the aims is to enhance the roles of CCllrs.

CCllr Marchant attended a meeting of Kinross-shire and Glenfarg Stronger Communities on 10th March: Carole Anderson (Age Scotland) reported that the Age Scotland Policy team will shortly be meeting with the FCA in Scotland regarding the loss of Banks especially in Kinross-shire.
Whilst libraries are still closed there are e-books and e-newspapers are available via the website https://www.culturepk.org.uk/libraries/e-library/e-news/

If the next meeting of this CC is virtual, as currently expected, we will be offering online attendance by members of the public. Anyone interested in “attending” should email the CC at fossoway.cc@gmail.com for details

P&K Councillors’ Reports:
Michael Barnacle: Nothing not already covered above.

Callum Purves: The budget includes an extra £4M for road maintenance creating the biggest road budget ever.

Willie Robertson: Had obtained £160k to improve the Kinross Heritage Trail – there will be a meeting on the 9th to discuss how it could be done.
Cllr Robertson has been asked if seats could be provided along the Aldie Road to Drum multi-use track, there would be finance from the Kinross shire Fund. Cllr Bruce-Jones said her company might be able to provide help.
Cllr Robertson noted that Perth Heritage Trust has a list of stone masons who might move the War memorial.

Planning:
New Applications:
21/00211/FLL Change of use of stable building to form a cattery at Powmill Cottage, Rumbling Bridge, Kinross, KY13 0QG. No CC Comment.

21/00189/FLL Siting of four caravans for holiday accommodation use, formation of parking area, landscaping and associated works at land 70 metres south east of Coup Steps, Powmill. Neutral, but make comments about Bus stop and assure SEPA is OK with waste and SUDS, note that more than four pods could create road problem.

21/00243/FLL Erection of a dwelling house and garage at land 10 metres north of Lambhill, Blairingone. The CC will object – no business case, contrary to Policy 19.

21/00400/FLL Erection of a dwelling house and garage (Plot 2) (revised design) at land 70 metres south east of Merryhills, Rumbling Bridge. No CC Comment.

Decided Applications:
20/01804/FLL Erection of a dwelling house at Land 30 metres east of Vine House Solsgirth. The application was approved, the CC had not commented.

21/00122/FLL Erection of two dwelling houses and garages with ancillary accommodation at land 70m south east of Merryhills, Rumbling Bridge. The application was approved, the CC had not commented.

21/00125/FLL Erection of workshop/garage at Craigend House, Powmill, Kinross, FK14 7NS. The application was rejected because it was an inappropriate siting, the CC had not commented.

Withdrawn Applications:
20/01660/FLL Erection of a dwelling house land east of Lynwood, Main Street, Crook of Devon. The CC had made a neutral comment.

Correspondence: The annual request from PKC for comments on the Winter Service – a reply will be assembled between us. Cllr Barnacle was particularly worried about the lack of footpath clearance.

The Improvement Service and Open University are offering free training opportunities for Community Councillors.

If the correspondence list is not attached to this document, it can be found on the CC’s FB Page.
Should anyone wish to see any items please contact the CC by email and a copy can be provided.

AOCB: CCllr M Haigh asked about the development north ¬west of Schiehallion. Cllr Barnacle replied that enforcement action is in process and the state of the site may enable other action to be taken.

Draft Agenda for Next CC Meeting:
Declarations of Interest, Community Policing, Minutes of last meeting. Matters arising: Bank of Scotland Branch Closure, A977 Mitigation, Fossoway Area Transport, Community Development Trust, Crook Moss Site, Gorge Bridge, Crook & Drum Growing Together. PKC Councillors’ Reports, Planning, Correspondence, AOCB

Next Meeting: Tuesday 4th May 2021 (Virtual)
Members of public wishing to join please email the CC at fossoway.cc@gmail.com