Proceedings of the Virtual Meeting of
Fossoway and District Community Council
5th May 2020

As it is still not possible to hold physical meetings of the CC we are continuing to publish this description of what would have been discussed, 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 2nd June.

Contributing: Community Cllrs Sarah Bruce-Jones, Angus Cheape, Trudy Duffy, Carol Farquhar, Carole Haigh, Michael Haigh, Nicola Marchant (Associate), Graham Pye and Rob Young; P&K Councillors Mike Barnacle, Callum Purves and Willie Robertson.
Apologies: PKC Cllr Richard Watters.
Declarations of Interest: None.

Police report: There were two incidents to note in our area since the last CC Meeting from the Commander’s Reports received via Perth and Kinross Community Watch: Between Thursday 26th March and Tuesday 31st March a Takuechi mini digger with breaker and trailer were stolen from a farm at Fossoway and about 11.30 am on Monday 6th April a black BMW was scratched at the Fossoway Garage in Crook of Devon.
CCllr Duffy reported that twice in the past four weeks the milk delivery has been stolen from Fossoway Stores. Apparently other shops in the Kinross-shire area were also targeted.
Chief Inspector Ian Scott will be retiring from his position as Area Commander. From 27th April he will be replaced by Chief Inspector Graham Binnie.
CCllr Marchant has had complaints from MoPs about the increase of fly-tipping in her area. This was supported by other members. Cllr Purves noted that it would probably help if PKC was allowed to re-open rubbish tips, but the Scottish Government currently considers that attending a tip is not an essential journey. However PKC staff will respond promptly to any reports of fly-tipping and clear them if possible. Cllr Robertson has also had many reports, and has written to the Convenor about it. There should be a zero tolerance policy on fly-tipping, but unfortunately it’s not considered a serious crime by the authorities. Cllr Robertson thinks that CCTV cameras should be installed at known tipping hot-spots to catch the offenders.
CCllr Marchant is also concerned about the rubbish at the old Devonshaw Quarry. This is an issue that has been raised before and the problem is that it’s not been possible to identify the owner. CCllr Marchant undertook to try and discover the owner. CCllr Marchant added the Binn Group are still operating and will provide skips to private householders.
CCllr Bruce-Jones commends the Police force for continuing to perform speed checks in the area.

Minutes of the previous meeting: The minutes of the March meeting will be signed off once normal meetings resume. Any significant decisions made during these virtual meetings will be brought to the next physical meeting to be formally ratified.

Matters Arising
Rumbling Bridge Gorge Bridge: Hugh Wallace has written to the CC with some concerns about the proposed bridge. Mr Wallace suggested that the design of the bridge should be a single span with no supports actually in the river itself, to assure its structural integrity. He is also concerned that the proposed car park in Naemoor Road will increase traffic along what is a narrow road, resulting in a traffic hazard. Finally Mr Wallace wondered if this was actually a sensible use of the Hydro Scheme funds in view of the fact that there are already two bridges across the river, and perhaps there might be better projects to fund, for example re-roofing the Village Hall, a new heating system for the Church and repairs to the old mill lade.
The CC members have discussed Mr Wallace’s concerns by email and responded as follows. Firstly it became clear during the community engagement exercise that replacement of the bridge was top of the respondents’ wish list; secondly, car parking was an issue that would be addressed in the plans; thirdly that the design and foundations of the bridge would be designed and constructed by certified civil engineers and that SEPA was also happy with the plans; and finally that the windfall to the community should be spent in such a way that the whole community benefits.

Powmill in Bloom: CCllr Farquhar reported that the group’s efforts planting bulbs last autumn have produced a beautiful display. The CC congratulates the group on their efforts.

Crook & Drum Growing Together: CCllr Duffy reported that the group is sourcing baskets and tubs and hopes to be able to carry out the scheme to provide households on the Main Street with one of them once restrictions are lifted. CCllr Duffy reminded the meeting that no bloom group activities should be being carried out at the moment, as insurance cover is currently invalidated. However Cllr Purves has heard that litter picks have been authorised.

Bank of Scotland Kinross Branch Closure: We are not expecting to hear any news about this issue before July.

Fossoway Area Transport/DRT: Hopefully the local transport group will be able to resume once restrictions on physical meetings have been lifted.
CCllr Farquhar reported that Peter Leach intends to resume the DRT service once lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Crook Moss Travellers Site: Cllr Barnacle has made several attempts to contact the drainage contractor, but has had no response; meanwhile no work has been done on site. Cllr Barnacle is still attempting to arrange a meeting with the PKC Chief Executive in order to progress issues with this site.

Blairingone War Memorial: Cllr Barnacle has been in touch with Tam Carroll; however Mr Carroll has not been in contact with the stone mason for some time, but undertook to try and speak to him.

Ivy Cottage Powmill: Cllr Barnacle emailed Isobel Butt last month to find out whether there has been any progress on issuing the CPO, but has not received any reply.

Fossoway Tennis Club: The planning application sponsored by the CC has been uploaded to the Planning Portal but is not yet submitted, pending resolution of a way to make the payment without physical transfer of cheques. There is also a problem in that the Portal doesn’t provide an obvious way for the CC to submit the application on behalf of the Club.

Community Development Trust: Cllr Barnacle suggested that this should include one member from each village, who doesn’t necessarily need to be a member of this CC – he has some people in mind. The CC approved this idea and agreed that Cllr Barnacle could approach his possible candidates so that the Trust could get off the ground as soon as meeting restrictions are lifted.

Corona Virus – Information and Links:
Community Support
Kinross Kindness is a new volunteer group covering Kinross-shire set up to support during Coronavirus Support with shopping, prescription collection etc. For prescriptions, shopping and other support requests call 01577 212036 (Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm) or see their website www.kinrosskindness.com If you just fancy a blether, call their chat line number 01577 212037.
The Crook of Devon Resilience Group is another new volunteer group covering Powmill, Blairingone and Carnbo; they have leafleted all doors in their area. They offer support with shopping, prescription collection etc. Fossoway Church is linked with the group. See the Group’s Facebook page - Crook of Devon Resilience or the Church website http://www.fossowaychurch.org.uk/

Practical Support
Broke not Broken provides a Foodbank and other support - admin@brokenotbroken.org or 07518 913107.
Scottish Welfare Fund Crisis Grants - At this time, there may be people who have reduced income or no income due to the current crisis. People on low incomes may be able to access a crisis grant to tide them over until their next wage/payment. Applications can be made online at www.pkc.gov.uk/scottishwelfarefund or by phone on 01738 476900.
The Home Energy Scotland Comfort Fund is for vulnerable people who are on low income or who have perhaps experienced a loss of or decrease in their income, due to the current situation, and require some additional help towards their energy bills or heating their property - call 0808 808 2282.
The Energy Saving Trust is providing free heaters to anyone who does not currently have heating in their property Call 0808 808 2282 or see https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/grants-loans

General Advice
The Consumer’s Association (Which?) has a useful compilation of financial and general advice at https://www.which.co.uk/news/coronavirus/

HMRC will open the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme on 13th May, with payments to eligible workers by 25th May, or within six working days of completing an application. CCllr Duffy recommends business owners to view HMRC’s useful videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8EcnheDt1zhTsyhT9ak3xiXnmlvbHJJV

Crook of Devon Resilience Group:
This CC is helping the Group by processing its financial transactions through the CC’s bank account. CCllrs Marchant and Pye prepared an agreement between the Group and this CC, a volunteer agreement form and expense forms for mileage and other purchases. The CC Members have approved these documents by email. The Group’s leaders have signed the agreement, and the grant from PKC was finally transferred into the CC’s bank account on the 28th April and expense claims are now being processed.

There was some discussion about the operation of the various volunteer registration programmes. Cllr Purves explained that had been some issues transferring volunteer names to other groups due to concerns about privacy issues.

Matters Arising with no update since last meeting:
Hydro Scheme Fund, A977 Mitigation, Fossoway Gathering, Coulshill Forestry Development, Cemetery Car Park Extension, Powmill Play Park, Vegetation on Aldie Road: No information at present.

New Business:
Winter Service: Stuart D’All has written to the CC asking for any comments from us or the MoP about snow clearing and gritting during the last winter season. The CC members have nothing to report, so we have replied explaining our current position and asked for this request to be repeated later in the year.

The Community Council would like to express thanks to the proprietors and staff of the Powmill and Crook of Devon shops, the Fossoway Garage and the Farm Shop for their continued operation during these difficult times. The CC reminds the public to take care with social distancing precautions when using these services.

Community Council Business:
The CC has no forward bookings for physical meetings. There have been previous suggestions from MoPs that we should hold meetings at a wider range of locations, additionally it appears that there will no longer be a janitor service at Fossoway School so that is unlikely to be usable in future. CCllr Duffy will check forward availability and propose a rota using the three halls at Carnbo, Powmill and Crook of Devon.

CCllr Cheape reported that the Kinross-shire fund has made a grant to the Kinross-shire Partnership to update their website. In the absence of a physical meeting the grant was approved by email.

P&K Councillors’ Reports:
Mike Barnacle: Cllr Barnacle has sent reminder letters to the remaining Drummond Park residents about the road adoption – 17 of the 18 residents have replied positively, however one has replied in the negative, which would leave the project £750 short of funds. Since the current price for the work is an estimate rather than an absolute figure, Cllr Barnacle has contacted Andy Brown of PKC’s Roads Department to see if the work can be carried out within the available budget from the 17 residents who have agreed to the scheme.

Perth & Kinross Council is administering the Scottish Government's Coronavirus Business Support Fund locally; since the Fund opened, 2,673 applications have been submitted to the Council's Business Rates team and financial assistance payments totalling £20.05 million have been made to local companies. Grants of £10,000 are available to businesses with a rateable value up to £18,000 and are in receipt of the Small Business Bonus Scheme or Rural Relief. Firms can also get this grant if they applied for Nursery Relief or Disabled Relief. Retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with a rateable value between £18,001 and £50,999 can apply for one-off grants of £25,000.
Further information can be found online at https://www.pkc.gov.uk/coronavirus/business.

At the request of nearby residents, Cllr Barnacle has visited a development of three houses at the end of Vicar’s Bridge Road. The builders have created a footpath which has had the effect of making the road very narrow. This work has not been requested by the Roads Department, and it’s not clear that it is a Planning Requirement either. Cllr Barnacle has contacted Andy Brown to determine the way forward.

Callum Purves: PKC have used emergency powers from the Government to enable them to make decisions. Planning meetings have been successfully held online, leading the way towards holding other committee and eventually full council meetings in the same manner. Councillors have been busy liaising with and helping various groups. The COVID-19 legislation from the Scottish Government has allowed councils to extend statutory timescales on planning applications - although those present commented that they hoped that this would not allow applications to pass unchallenged by the public.

Willie Robertson: Cllr Robertson noted that all the local councillors were still receiving and answering questions from the public, however it’s sometimes harder and slower to get answers as PKC Staff are working from home and some have been redeployed to other activities.
Cllr Robertson reported that George Lawrie is leaving the TRACKS group. The group is trying to find a replacement, but this is obviously difficult at the moment. There was general agreement that Mr Lawrie’s departure would be a significant loss to the group.

Planning Matters:

20/00417/IPL Erection of a holiday accommodation unit (in principle) at Land 90 metres south of Craiglaw Poultry Farm Cottage, Rumbling Bridge. The CC will object on the grounds that there is no sound business case.

20/00520/FLL Alterations and extension to dwelling house (revised design) at Fossoway Schoolhouse, Crook of Devon. No CC comment.

Decided Applications
20/00166/FLL Erection of a dwelling house, formation of retaining wall with railings, hardstanding, parking area and associated works Land 40 metres south of Craighead Bungalow, Drum. Approved - the CC did not comment.

Appeals
19/01881/IPL Residential development (in principle), land 80 metres north east of Powmill Milk Bar, Powmill.
The applicant submitted an appeal to the LRB on 17th March. Although PKC held a virtual meeting of the Planning and Development Management Committee on the 29th April, there is still no news of when the LRB will next meet.

Pending Applications
19/01539/FLL Erection of four dwelling houses at Land 30 metres south of Easter Muirhead Bothy, Blairingone. No decision has been made as of 4th May and the application was not included in the Virtual Planning Meeting on the 29th April.

Correspondence: The correspondence list is attached at the end of this document. Should anyone wish to see any items other than those described here, please contact the CC by email and a copy can be provided.

Stagecoach have replied to the CC’s email explaining that the Number 23 service is currently suspended and will be reinstated when they are advised that it is safe to do so.

AOCB:
In the middle of last year there was concern about the difficulty of horse riders and cyclists passing through the gate on the Aldie Road to Drum path. George Lawrie of the TRACKS group had agreed to install posts with catches so the gate could be held open temporarily. CCllr Young reported last month that this work had still not been done. The CC has contacted Mr Lawrie to ask about the plan for this work – the contractor will carry it out at the same time as other works in this area.

CCllr Duffy complimented PKC on their handling of the Small Business Grant process – a straightforward application process, first class service and very timely response. CCllr Bruce-Jones added that PKC’s COVID-19 webpage page is a model of clarity and contains much helpful information.

CCllr Marchant has had reports from a MoP that a big tree has fallen into the River Devon by the hydro dam.

CCllr Marchant told the meeting that the Powmill Milk Bar is up for sale again, and also noted that the site has had a previous planning consent for retail development.

Draft Agenda for Next CC Meeting:
Declarations of Interest, Community Policing, Minutes of last meeting. Matters arising: Powmill in Bloom, Crook & Drum Growing Together, Fossoway Area Transport, Community Development Trust, Corona Virus Info, CofD Resilience Group. PKC Councillors’ Reports, Planning, Correspondence, AOCB

Next Meeting: Tuesday 2nd June 2020
Will be Virtual unless Government guidelines have changed.
 
Correspondence April/May 2020