Proceedings of the Virtual Meeting of
Fossoway and District Community Council
6th October 2020

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 3rd November.

Contributing: Community Councillors Angus Cheape, Trudy Duffy, Carol Farquhar, Carole Haigh, Michael Haigh, Nicola Marchant (Associate), Graham Pye and Rob Young; P&K Councillor Callum Purves.
Apologies: CCllr Sarah Bruce-Jones, Cllr Richard Watters, Cllr Michael Barnacle, Cllr Willie Robertson
In Attendance: Ms Bryony Malvenan (representing Tennis Club)

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 3.15am and 4am on Saturday 12th September a stone was thrown at a moving vehicle near the A977 at Crook of Devon. On Friday 25th September a speed check was carried out on the A977 and in excess of 100 drivers were stopped for speeding. One person was reported for dangerous driving. 14 were reported for speeding and 95 were given a warning.

CCllr Cheape reported that there had also been vandalism and an attempted break-in at Fossoway Garage.

Minutes of the previous meeting: The minutes of the March 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, Liz Smith MSP and Cllr Purves had a virtual meeting with Patrick Leavey from the Bank of Scotland on 28th September. The bank is working towards a possible 22nd February 21 closure of the Kinross branch. This is a deferral from the original planned closure date as a consequence of the Covid pandemic. Mr Leavey stated that their mobile banks had only been re-introduced in the last two weeks and currently there was one member of staff inside meeting with customers and one outside talking to those in the queue. CCllr Marchant had asked for a full list of services which the mobile bank could offer and literature which could be shared with the community. The situation would be reviewed in December.

CCllr Marchant had drawn attention to the possible difficulties involved in operating a Post Office service in the Kinross Co-op, especially during the Covid pandemic, an aspect which Mr Leavey said he would be exploring with the Co-op and the Post Office. CCllr Marchant had also enquired about the possibility of banking digital support being provided at the Loch Leven Campus, and perhaps the availability of a financial advisor. Subsequently CCllr Marchant had written to Liz Smith emphasising our concerns and asking whether the issue of banks in rural communities could be raised with any of the Scottish Parliamentary Committees.

Crook & Drum Growing Together: Ms Malvenan said that tennis club members were concerned about large trucks reversing over the corner at the junction of Waulkmill and Church Road and damaging the ground; also that members of the club had put down boulders to stop cars parking on the grass. The work of tidying up the area around the palm trees would be taken under the wing of Crook and Drum Growing Together. The court was to be re-surfaced in two colours in March 2021 and the possibility of re-furbishing or replacing the clubhouse was being considered. In this connection CCllr Duffy mentioned that funding might be available from the Grants for Good Causes scheme advertised in the Kinross Newsletter.

Community Development Trust: Cllr Barnacle was understood to be pursuing this matter.

Crook Moss Travellers Site: CCllr Young noted that there had been roadworks for a week adjacent to the site, which might suggest that pipes were being laid.

Corona Virus – Information and Links: https://public.tableau.com/profile/phs.covid.19#!/vizhome/COVID-19DailyDashboard_15960160643010/Overview

Fossoway Area Transport/DRT: First Bus X53 service is now operational and seven buses a day are running in each direction through Crook of Devon Monday to Saturday. Cllr Purves said he was in touch with an officer in the Public Transport Department regarding the situation in general as it affected Fossoway. DRT is to resume on 12th October.

Old Railway Track Path Below Waulkmill Park: The horse-riders had been identified and it was understood that appropriate action would be taken.

Rumbling Bridge Gorge Bridge: CCllr Duffy said the project was moving slowly to the pre-planning stage. Surveys on flooding, trees and otters were prerequisites and tenders were being sought for these, after which funding would be sought. She had identified the two landowners having an interest in the replacement of the bridge and their written consent was anticipated.

A977 Mitigation: Cllr Purves said that a traffic consultant was to advise on the question of traffic lights and upgrade at the School Road junction. There was no further news of the re-alignment of the turn-off from the A977 to the B9097, nor of the proposed school exclusion zone

CCllr Marchant said that Powmill residents were increasingly concerned about speeding on the eastern approach to the village, and a discussion followed on the possibility of changing 30mph limits to 20mph. It was noted that a roll-out of 20mph limits across more than 90 towns and villages in the Scottish Borders had begun, whilst progress in the Perth & Kinross district was slow. In response to a query from CCllr Marchant, Cllr Purves said he would check whether the submission of a petition would expedite progress. CCllr Duffy said that the absence of reflective paint on two speed control boxes in shared paths between Powmill and Rumbling Bridge and between Ballado and Turfhill.

Powmill in Bloom: CCllr Farquhar said that general tidying-up was in progress, whilst CCllr Marchant commented that nothing had yet been done about the encroaching vegetation on the Aldie Road.

Hydro Scheme Fund: CCllr Duffy said the fund would welcome applications from groups, constituted or not, with a strong community interest.

Matters Arising with no update since last meeting: Blairingone War Memorial, Fossoway Gathering, Devonshaw Whinstone Quarry (FK14 7NH), Ivy Cottage Powmill, Coulshill Forestry Development, Cemetery Car Park Extension, Aldie Vegetation: No further information at present.

New Business
SSEN 275kV Reinforcement: CCllr Marchant had received a letter from SSEN describing works to the power line that passes near Powmill. It appeared that this was the same update to which this CC commented recently, but was not due to take place until 2023. CCllr Pye raised this issue with SSEN, however it emerged that there are two stages of the upgrade, and this is the first, preliminary phase where preparatory work is being done.

Powmill Pavement: CCllr Farquhar advised about the difficulties experienced by the shop. It was suggested that a proper layby needed to be created outside the shop.

Scottish Government Planning Consultation: CCllr Marchant had responded to two papers outlining proposed changes to pre-application consultation requirements in planning and Scottish Planning Policy. She had indicated that in principle the CC supports all changes but would like more consideration on planning proposals in rural communities to ensure a balance between housing provision and safeguarding the rural environment. It is hoped that this will ensure that the CC is consulted on further developments.
Community Council Business:
CCllr Marchant did not receive an invitation to the Stronger Communities Group meeting, but in agreement with Cllr Barnacle she had responded to the leader of the STAR training, proposing that the representatives from the CDT be considered for the Spring 21 course.

CCllr Duffy attended the Ward Meeting on 9th September and two Gigabit meetings. As regards the latter Cllr Purves said that the attempt was being made to get communities up to speed so as to make the most of available funding. It was envisaged that a website would soon be set up to enable the registration of interests and to find community champions.

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: Nothing that had not been discussed under other headings.

Planning
New Applications
20/01166/FLL Extension to dwelling house and formation of decking at Craighead Cottage, Drum. No CC comment.

20/01205/FLL Change of use from agricultural land to form extension to dwelling house, erection of garage/store, greenhouse and chicken coop, formation of hardstanding and associated works (in part retrospect) at Dunnmore, Solsgirth. No CC comment.

20/01268/FLL Extension to dwelling house at Machrie Cottage, Carnbo. No CC comment.

20/01319/FLL Erection of a dwelling house at land 150m south-west of Powmill Cottage, Rumbling Bridge. This was found to be the same plot as involved in 07/00084/FUL. The original requirements had not been met and work had already started onsite without permission. Agreed to lodge an objection on these grounds.

Decided Applications
20/00574/FLL Installation of a ground-mounted solar PV array and associated works at Solsgirth House, Solsgirth, Dollar. The application was approved, the CC had not commented.

20/00809/FLL Erection of 2 dwelling houses and garages with office use (class 4) (allocated site E23) Land At Powmill Cottage, Rumbling Bridge. The application was approved, the CC had not commented.

20/01205/FLL Erection of a storage building (in part retrospect) at Easter Muirhead, Blairingone. The application was approved, the CC had not commented.

20/00929/FLL Change of use, alterations, extension to stable building to form dwelling house, Tullibole Castle, Drum. Application approved.

20/01003/FLL Alterations and extension to dwelling house at Ferguslea, Church Road, Crook of Devon. This application was approved – the CC had not commented.

Appeals
19/01881/IPL Residential development (in principle), land 80 metres north east of Powmill Milk Bar, Powmill.
The applicant’s appeal was heard at the LRB on 15th September and rejected unanimously – the proposed site was rejected by Scottish Ministers from being included in LDP2 less than twelve months ago.

19/01673/AML Erection of 10 dwelling houses with associated infrastructure and landscaping (approval of matters specified in conditions of 18/01855/IPL) at Land 100 metres north west of Schiehallion, Crook of Devon. The applicant registered an appeal with the Scottish Ministers on 8th September. The CC’s previous objection will be considered as part of the appeal process.

Pending Applications
19/01539/FLL Erection of four dwelling houses at Land 30 metres south of Easter Muirhead Bothy, Blairingone. No decision had been made as of 23rd September and the agenda for the Virtual Planning Meeting in October is not yet available.

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

AOCB: None this month.

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

Next Meeting: Tuesday 3rd November 2020
Carnbo Village Hall - if Government guidelines allow, otherwise virtual.
Members of public wishing to join please email the CC at fossoway.cc@gmail.com

Correspondence September 2020