PORTMOAK COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of Monthly Council held on Tuesday 11th April 2006 at Portmoak Village Hall

 

  1. Attendance

Wendy MacPhedran (Chairwoman), Sue Mitchell-Henry, Bob Drysdale, Lindsay Robertson, Jim Shepherd, Alistair Smith, Cllr Mike Barnacle, Sgt Menzies and several members of the public

 

  1. Apologies for Absence

There were no apologies of absence.

 

  1. Approval of Previous Minutes

The Minutes were approved and signed by the Chairwoman.

 

  1. Police Report

Sgt Menzies reported that the Police had been called to Whitecraigs, Kinnesswood where there had been gorse burning behind the houses. This was at 1.30 in the morning. He stated that there was a fair chance that it had been done deliberately. A member of the public added that she had heard people running through the back lanes at about that time. Three cars were damaged in Kinnesswood.

There was general concern that youngsters are coming out to Kinnesswood from surrounding villages, particularly on a Friday night and drinking. The Police asked that if anyone sees or hears of anything that they should phone the Police on 01738 621141, which is the best number to use for everything but emergencies. The Police also stated that they would check the park in Kinnesswood on Fridays and Saturdays.

Cllr Barnacle informed the meeting that a Bye law had been passed for Kinross and Milnathort, banning drinking in public to stop hooliganism in these places. If there was a concern that this was now happening in Kinnesswood, then the Council would investigate the appropriateness of extending the Bye law to these other areas. The more calls that are made about rowdiness and drinking, the more chance there is of having a bye law created to stop this happening.

 

With regard to the recent finding of a swan with Bird flu in Cellardykes, the Police are advising that the only birds causing concern are geese, swans and ducks that are dead. Any other dead birds would need to be at least in groups of 3 or 4 before they should be reported, again, phone 01738 621141.

 

Cllr Barnacle informed the meeting that he had received a publication from Tayside Safety Cameras, indicating where they would be having speed cameras. There were only two sites in Kinross-shire, the A91 and the A977. There were no cameras notified for the A911. The Secretary will contact Tayside Safety Cameras

 

  1. Chairwoman’s Report

The Chairwoman had given her report in the Annual General Report prior to this meeting.

 

The Chairwoman was pleased to welcome Lindsay Robertson to the Community Council. Lindsay lives in Gamekeepers, Kinnesswood and has lived in Kinnesswood for 8 years.

 

  1. Secretary’s Report

Loch Leven Access. The Secretary had written to SNH asking for further information on research on the impact of sail craft on nesting birds. SNH had e-mailed back enclosing a research document giving previous factual reports on other sites in the UK and the SNH’s reasons for not allowing sail craft on Loch Leven. The Secretary will circulate the report for the Councillors to read.

 

The Secretary had received a letter from Portmoak Gala asking for the Gala to be covered by the CCs insurance cover. The CC agreed and the Secretary will write to PKC.

 

The Secretary had received a letter from the Scottish Executive on a Consultation on the Strategy for Scotland for an Ageing Population. The document will be circulated.

 

Kinross-shire Partnership had written regarding the Kinross-shire Logo. A meeting has been arranged for 27th April at 7.30 pm. Bob Drysdale will attend on behalf of the CC.

 

Perth and Kinross Outdoor Access Forum. There are 4 vacant seats available on the Forum and the CC is invited to nominate a person. There is already local representation, so the CC will decline.

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer reported that there is £889-05 in the Tetley Trail Account and £0-14 in the Community Council Account.

 

  1. Paths Group

The next meeting of the Paths Group will be on May 2nd in the Portmoak Primary School at 7.30pm

 

  1. Kinross-shire Fund

Bob Drysdale reported that matters are approaching fruition and there will be launch event in the beginning of May. If anyone is interested in applying for funds then they should contact Virginia Anderson of Scottish Community Foundation on 0131 524 0306.

 

  1. Portmoak Primary School Bus

There had been a meeting held in the Portmoak Primary School to discuss the latest proposal for the access to be provided for the School Buses on March 29th. The meeting had been attended by representatives of the School Board, the Headteacher, Cllr Barnacle, representatives form PKC Roads, Education, environment and Community Councillors Sue Mitchell Henry and Jim Shepherd. A proposal had been tabled showing a new one way system going round Buchan Avenue with a new exit onto Bruce Road and extra car parking being constructed on this new road, with footpath access from the bus park direct to the school. This met the approval of all at the meeting and will be presented to a public meeting. The meeting will take place on Tuesday 25th April at 7.30 pm in the Portmoak Primary School.

 

  1. A911

A meeting had been held with Cllr Barnacle, PKC Roads and Community Councillors, Sue Mitchell Henry, Jim Shepherd and Alistair Smith on 30th March to discuss general roads matters on the A911. The Agenda for the meeting was a letter written by the CC to PKC Roads in October 2005 listing a number of matters that had been raised by the public concerning the A911

·         Widening bend at Auchmuir Bridge. PKC Roads had responded that as the A911 was a strategic route they did not see how they restrict HGVs from using the A911, which was the basic concern for the bend at Auchmuir Bridge. The CC does not agree with this.

·         Limiting vehicles to 3.5 tonnes – see above

·         White lines in Easter and Wester Balgedie. Under the Roads Signs Traffic Act, roads have to be at least 6.1m wide to allow double white lines to be applied. It is doubtful if these roads are wide enough, but PKC will check

·         Reducing Speed limits

o        Extend 40 MPH limit from Channel farm through Wester Balgedie to Kinnesswood

o        Extend 30 MPH limit in Scotlandwell to Kilmagadwood Lane.

o        Implement a 50 MPH limit from Scotlandwell to Auchmuir Bridge. PKC Roads will conduct speed measurements along these sections of the roads, although they opined that they probably could not justify the 50 limit between Scotlandwell and Auchmuir Bridge.

·         Speed Reducing Measures in Scotlandwell and Kinnesswood. PKC Roads are at present drawing up guidelines for speed reduction measures. The meeting agreed that the best way forward for reducing speed in the villages would be implementing footway widening which was desirable at the Bus Stops where the children congregate awaiting the School Bus. PKC Road had provided maps and asked the CC to indicate where they would suggest footway widening measures be applied.

The CC agreed to write in response to the letter and then ask PKC Roads to attend a public meeting where the proposals could be discussed.

 

  1. Planning Matters

06/00383/FUL Erection of dwellinghouse and garage   Land To Rear Of Tighe Na Tobar And Spion Kop Leslie Road Scotlandwell Kinross for Mr A Adam. The CC ratified a letter of objection that they had written between the meetings objecting to this Application. The objection was on the grounds of the proposals to use the ground to the rear of the proposed build covered by Policy 88 which is a very important one for the Kinross Area Local Plan as it protects three of the Conservation areas in Kinross-shire, Cleish, Scotlandwell and Wester Balgedie.

 

 06/00475/FUL Alterations to existing loft storage area over garage/carport Larch Cottage Levenmouth Kinross KY13 9JH for Mr George Allan. There were no comments on this application.

 

06/00533/FUL Alterations and extension Drunzie Cottage Glenlomond Kinross KY13 9HF for Dr And Mrs Hunter There were no comments on this application although Jo Morrell informed the meeting that under the rules governing Glenlomond, all application have to be approved by the members of Glenlomond as well as PKC.

 

  1. Cllr Barnacle

Cllr Barnacle stated that the School Board were not happy about remarks that he had made at a previous meeting on his frustration with different parties over the progress on the School Bus problem. Cllr Barnacles said that matters had moved ahead and that he was happy to apologise for the remarks that he had made.

 

With regard to the Kinross-shire signs appearing on road boundary signs, there had been a query why they had not been placed on the M90 Signs. The answer is that they are the responsibility of the Scottish Executive as Trunk Road Authority and PKC.

 

The complaints raised by a member of the public regarding the park in Kinnesswood are being dealt with.

 

 There has been a trial of the kerbside re-cycling in Perth and Kinross, which has been favourable and this will be extended. The Route Review for refuse collection has been confirmed although there are still roads in Portmoak, which have been omitted.

 

  1. Any Other Matters which may be raised with permission of the Chair

Nial Lobley PKC Ranger had attended the Interpretation meeting of the Round the Loch Heritage Path. The proposals will be passed out to the CC as they are created. Cllr Barnacle asked for a consistent policy for signing, not just for the Loch Track, but for all the proposed paths throughout Kinross-shire.

 

It was pointed out that the sign for the Primary School at the foot of Bruce Road is leaning at a dangerous angle. The Secretary will contact PKC Roads.

 

  1. Date and place of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Tuesday 9th May at 7.30pm in the Portmoak Primary School