TURRIFF& DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL Incorporating Turriff Town Pride Group

Minute of meeting of the Turriff District Community Council held on Monday 2nd November, 2015 in Turriff Town House, Municipal Building, High Street, Turriff at 7pm.

Present: Mike Rawlins (Chair) (MR); John Smith (Treasurer) (JS); Sandra Gray (SG); Ian Garden (IG) Annette Stephen (AS) and Mr Dennis Capel (DC). In attendance: N Prise-Porter (Press); Cllr A Norrie; Cllr A Robertson; Cllr A Duncan and Angela Mackay, Minute Secretary (AM). Visitors: Ian Murray and Robert Donald (Turriff Mens Shed)

DRAFT Minutes Action Points 1. Welcome The Chair welcomed all to the meeting. b) Apologies Apologies had been received from R Logan, D Salmon, D Park and PC L Mackie and D Park

2. Police Report Police report has not been received. Details to be reported to December meeting and recorded in said Minute.

3. Visitors – Delegates from Turriff Men’s Shed Ian Murray (Chairperson) and Robert Donald thanked the Committee for inviting them to the Meeting. They advised that the Men’s Shed was a concept originating from Australia 10-15 years ago which now sees over 1000 sheds Australia wide. The idea has been in the UK for around 5 years with Aberdeenshire leading the way for Scottish Men’s Sheds. Currently Aberdeenshire has sheds in Westhill, Ellon, Portlethen, Banchory and Turriff. The launch of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association will take place in Glasgow on 24th November, 2015. What is a Men’s Shed? It is a free workshop and social area which is open to anyone living in the Turriff and district area. All abilities, backgrounds and abilities are welcomed and membership is free. The Shed is promoted to provide an area where men can work on own projects or hobbies, help others or get advice and help from others, relax over a cup of tea or coffee or to meet new people and socialize. The Shed is run by a board of trustees all of whom are local to the Turriff and District area. The group is in the process of establishing themselves as a charity organization and there is a board of 10 trustees at this time. A constitution, business plan and fund-raising strategy is being drawn up and grant funding is being sought. At present the Men’s Shed meets monthly at the Gateway Centre in Turriff and are currently seeking premises to allow them to have a more permanent premises. A coffee morning will be held at the Royal British Legion, Turriff on 19th December to fundraise for the group. For all men who are interested in joining the Men’s Shed, please visit the Men’s Shed Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/turriffmensshed for information on meeting dates or to contact them directly. MR thanked the men for attending and advised that the Turriff and District Council will happily assist the group where possible.

4. Approval of Minutes of 5th October 2015 Minutes from the previous meeting had been circulated and amendments noted as follows: D Copel to be amended to Dennis Capel. Agenda Item 3; second last paragraph: “Cllr Norrie advised there is a “drop in” planning surgery which takes place on the first Wednesday of the month. Appointments can be made by calling the Planning Office in Ellon on 01358 726429” Agenda Item 13b): “Cllr Norrie advised Denis Capel that she had asked the Community Payback team to tidy up the area in question. Agenda Item 12; 3rd paragraph: … remedial works taking place on the A947 at Hatton Castle. Raised by MR and seconded by IG subject to above amendments.

5. Treasurers Report JS circulated the financial report for this month. JS advised that there was a donation made to the Girl Guides in Turriff to thank them for their hard work in picking up rubbish. JS advised that the planning application for the disabled entrance and the disabled toilet had been passed. In addition, stage 2 of the Asset Transfer Application had been made to Elaine Brown. Discussions took place in relation to the Heritage Society’s interest in moving to the Town House following their Lease changes in the Museum. JS advised that at present over 44 separate groups used the Town House in the last 30 days and that space is utilized. MR asked JS to provide the Community Council with a full list of all the groups that use the Town House to allow understanding of who is utilizing the space. In addition it may be of use to have a separate report delivered to the Community Council to report on who has used the space and what projects are ongoing – MR suggested this is added as a fixed item on our Agenda. JS agreed. Discussions took place to the different accounts in the budget report. MR requested that reports are given from these organisations that are using our treasury facility which is not an issue by the Community Council, report back to the Community Council to understand what their position is. In particular it was highlighted that the Business Association who look after the Turriff Farmers Market provide a monthly update on their future events and the monthly financial activity.

Chairperson/ John Smith

6. Correspondence MR advised that all correspondence has been covered.

7. Planning & Infrastructure MR confirmed that all correspondence had already been circulated with relation to planning applications. MR advised that there is no planning applications in the next 4 weeks. Cllr Robertson advised that there is currently an online planning review taking place. Comments and suggestions are welcomed and these can be submitted online until the end of November.

8. Christmas Light Committee It is now confirmed that the switch on will take place on 26th November, 2015 starting at 6pm at The Square. Turriff. The winners of the bauble decoration competition have been selected and all 9 winners will receive vouchers from Turriff Toy Shop. The overall winner from the 9 schools will turn on the lights on the night. It was advised that businesses have been requested to keep their shop lights until 10pm to accommodate the new decorations. The cost of putting up the decorations is just over £5,000 – this includes testing all lights and decorations. The decorations will start to be put up over the next couple of weeks and will be Christmas trees coming out from the walls. In addition a fashion show will be held at Celebrations to help raise funds for the Christmas lights. A huge thank you to Celebrations for hosting this and to businesses who have supported the Christmas Lights.

9. Local Issues 9a) Turriff Care Home: RL updated via email to MR. She advised that the meeting on 28th October was well attended and a steering committee was set up. A meeting with Elaine Brown will be arranged shortly. AS advised that when the home was closed there was many items left in the carpark including wheelchairs. She expressed her concern at the waste of this equipment. 9b) Den Development RL updated via email to MR. Den development meeting takes place on 10th November 2015 at Turriff Academy with Mark Mitchell.

10. Public Events a) Table top sale Town House 21st Novemer 2015 10a.m. -2p.m. b) Christmas Lights Switch on 26th November 2015 6:00pm c) Craft fayre will take place on 26th November 2015 in line with the light switch on in the Town Hall – a fire engine will be at the road end in front of Turriff on the night too. d) Mens Shed Coffee Morning 19th December 2015 – British Legion, Turriff.

11. Corporate Communications The Community Council have been contacted regarding parking at Bowling Green Road. It appears that cars are inconsiderately parking on verge on the left hand side causing obstruction to road users which in turn is making access to the surrounding roads difficult. This information will be forwarded to Police for their action.

12. Any Other Competent Business IG advised the Committee that a concern has been raised regarding Delgaty Lane and Delgaty Crescent. It appears that a residential garden wall is crumbling and barriers have been erected to minimize pedestrian access on the lane. IG asked if Councillors could please investigate the situation. This is still outstanding. SG informed the Committee that a complaint has been received regarding Beaconsfield Lane leading to St Ninian’s Church. This is a no car access but is a heavily used pedestrian walkway for mums with children and buggies. The lane is heavily potholed and appears damaged from water run off. SG asked if this could be looked at for potential resurface work. This is still outstanding RL advised that the Skate Park meeting took place, on 29th October 2015 at the Gateway Centre. A Facebook Page will be set up by the Action Group to encourage supporters and to promote the work of the Group. RL advised the Steering Group that they could use the TDCC bank account while they start up. A Coffee Morning will be held on 19th December, 2015 to raise funds and promote the venture. RL confirmed that the Turriff Mens Shed were advised that they could use the TDCC bank account while they start up. AS advised that she had received an enquiry from a resident enquiring about the hedge on Bowling Green Road. The lady advised that the view when turning from the road is hindered by the hedge and requested that this be trimmed to ensure clear visibility. Cllr Duncan advised that at present there didn’t appear to be an issue with the hedge. JS questioned the recent email MR sent regarding the Constitution of the Community Council. MR advised questioned whether the current Constitution was in line with Aberdeenshire Councils new constitution of Community Councils following the recent Scotland Bill. Discussions took place in relation to this and it was agreed that a formal record of attendance will be added to the Minute. In line with the Constitution those members who do not attend more than 3 meetings must be contacted in the first instance to obtain understanding for their absence.

Councillors/Ian Garden Councillors/ Sandra Gray

It was agreed that a separate meeting will take place to review the Constitution and ensure that TDCC conforms. RL and DS to review the Constitution with the other Members and report back at the next meeting

All TDCC Members/RL/DS

13. Dates of future meetings It was agreed that the next meeting would take place on: Monday 7th December, 2015, Turriff Town House (Municipal Building) at 7pm. Subsequent meetings are to be held on: Monday 11th January, 2016 Monday 1st February, 2016 Monday 7th March, 2016 Monday 4th April, 2016 Monday 9th May, 2016 Monday 6th June, 2016 (AGM) Meeting closed at 20:50 Contact Details:

Chair: Mrs Rose Logan Rose.wlea@hotmail.com

Secretary: Mr David Salmon David.salmon1962@gmail.com Minute Secretary: Angela Mackay tdccsecretary@hotmail.com

TURRIFF AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL ATTENDANCE SHEET 2015/2016 Location: Turriff Town Hall, Turriff

Name 02/11/15 07/12/15 11/01/16 1/02/16 7/03/16 4/04/16 9/05/16 6/06/16

(AGM) R Logan (Chair)

A

M Rawlins (Vice Chair)

�

D Salmon (Secretary)

A

J Smith (Treasurer)

�

S Gray

�

I Garden

�

D Capel �

A Stephen �

D Park

A

Cllr Norrie

�

Cllr Robertson

�

Cllr Duncan

�

Footnote: A: Apologies Noted �: Present at Meeting