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PITLOCHRY & MOULIN COMMUNITY COUNCIL Minutes of Meeting held on 11 November in Pitlochry High School Present: Kathleen Scott (Chair) - 472765, John Pearson (Vice Chair) - 470444, Mike Cheesewright - 473692, Dorothy Cooney (Treasurer) – 472544, Carol Miller – 472635, Bob Burrell – 473184, Betty Stark - 473308; Jane Walker (Minutes), Cllr K Howie, Constable Elaine Petrie. 22 members of the public. 1. Welcome followed by 1 minute silence for Remembrance Day 2. Apologies: Jean Campbell Spinner; Cllr Ian Campbell
5. Police matters – Constable Petrie explained that during period of Autumn Festival, 8 complaints regarding youths in Atholl Road. Two persons held for underage drinking. Constable Petrie has requested better lighting at the Bus Stop. Cllr Howie has written to Perth & Kinross Council but said that there is lighting there, just not switched on. One theft of power tools in house in Atholl Road. Postal scam (Parcel Delivery Service (PDS)) DO NOT CALL - as soon as you phone number on card you are immediately charged £15. Residents are urged to please be aware of this scam. Residents are also requested to light up their houses and pathways in the dark nights. Thank you to WPc Petrie for her attendance.
6. Matters Arising from previous minutes
6.1 Town Centre Regeneration update – announcement is imminent and bids for £90m, all groups chasing £20m. Cllr Howie stated her concern at the delay but has been assured this will be forthcoming very soon.
6.2 Joug Tree, Moulin Kirk – Mike has not been to see it but confirmed it is an ash tree. He fears it is in the latter stages of health, if not completely dead. Mr Robertson suggested if it is chopped, could it be replaced by something nicer? Mr Dilworth reiterated the state of health of the tree.
7. Secretary’s Correspondence
7.1 Good Practice Guide for Local Authorities & Community Councils – produced by Scottish Government and a model scheme to establish Community Council’s constitutions, etc. Perth & Kinross Council to arrange a meeting with all Community Councils to discuss way forward. Several changes have been recommended, but it appears our comments haven’t been taken on board. Mike said that all Community Councils will have to be on the same schemes – four or five year term, where everyone stands down to be re-elected or otherwise. The guide also mentions Perth & Kinross Council’s “assistance with operating costs to Community Councils” – Mike finds this a very serious statement.
7.2 ASCC Annual National Conference 14 November in Scottish Parliament. None of our members will be attending. Jim Bradley from Blairgowrie will be in attendance and we await the outcome of points discussed.
7.3 Community Council Data Protection Renewal – our certificate has been received. Registration fee will be paid by PKC.
7.4 Military Flying Activity – between 16 and 26 November in Tummel Forest and Loch Rannoch. Notice will be posted in Library.
7.5 BT Adopt a Phone Box – BT are asking communities to adopt telephone boxes. East Haugh phone box may be removed or could adopted by the community. The “adoption” will involve a charge of £1 but the phone will be removed and therefore only the box will remain. It was noted there is still a box in Moulin. Cllr Howie stated that three with little or no use are earmarked first. There is a suggestion to approach BT to see if another box could be inserted into the existing telephone box. Situation to be monitored and J.R will visit area concerned.
7.6 “Options” Pitlochry Library, Fridays 10-12.00am – there are two people available to help with job searches, volunteering, preparation of CVs and any aspects of community learning. Please feel free to visit. 2.
8. Treasurer’s Report – nothing much to report. Problem is that we are running out of money to pay expenses. £187 left in kitty. All other accounts remain static.
9. Chairman’s Items
9.1 Letter from Confolens Twinning Association – chairman has written to Mrs Scott stating that 2010 will see the 10th anniversary of the formal twinning agreement between our two towns. How are we to celebrate this anniversary? Betty indicated that a previous school trip had been unsuccessful. Private houses, for kids accommodation required to have checks. However, this could still be organised on an informal basis with family groups. Dorothy stated that a local committee should be set up to explore this and she is willing to help with translation. The Community Council would welcome any volunteers for this committee.
9.2 HPCP response to Local Plan – Meeting in Aberfeldy on 6 October to discuss P&K local plan. Report from that meeting mentions current plan and the positive and negative aspects. Land issues, community facilities etc. Copy of the report will be put up on Library noticeboard. HPCP. the AGM will be on 7 December in the Locust Centre, Aberfeldy. M.C will attend on this occasion. Revised constitution to be adopted Also, request to have the minutes of all Community Councils on the HPCP website.
9.3 Meeting with Pre-School Play Group – Friday 13 November – Slow movement. Members are to meet with Fiona Seaton with regard to the present situation and how to find a way forward. It is then intended that a larger meeting with all concerned parties and PKC, Cllr Howie, Cllr Campbell. Mr Fyffe of Perth & Kinross Council has requested 3 dates from Community Council for further meeting.
9.4 Waste Aware Guide to Recycling – Mrs Scott read out the proposed details of the guide. Mike asked about the opening of the new facility and could a presentation coincide. Cllr Howie stated that the new facility was to be opened in December. However a survey on freshwater pearl mussels and the impact of drainage on their habitat – has been presented and therefore this could delay the opening. Cllr Howie stated that she will organise a presentation, perhaps in January.
10. Environmental Report – Carol Miller presented her report to the meeting. This report will be appended to the minutes on display in the Library. Dysart Brae road – go ahead given. It was noted that surveys will still continue as to the viability of the pedestrian crossing between Robertson Crescent and West Moulin Road. It was noted that when driving children to school, particularly in Knockard, please give consideration to residents’ access and also children walking to and from the pathway.
11. Planning Report – Former Castlebeigh Hotel, Donavourd House, and Bank House, Bonnethill Rd – objections were delivered by hand to Perth & Kinross Council. Old Farmhouse modification – application reworded correctly. Request that 16 parking places and path be reinstated. Curling Rink application will be considered at next meeting of Development Control Committee on 9 December. New applications – 69 Atholl Rd. Barnardos shop to corporate colours. Well Brae development – no objection. Demolition of Tigh Chladaich – no objection to demolition. With regard to new build – points of objection raised with regard to height, entrance and fencing. Burnside – new plans have been submitted, objections will be put forward with regard to height and parking.
J.R.P met with enforcement officer this week regarding the following – Café Biba do not have permission for new sign, discussions with Conservation officers taking place. Photos have been taken at various points in the town with regard to A/boards, unauthorised signage and shop fronts. Foss Road Industrial Estate – meeting to take place on site on 1st December to discuss slow progress on take-up of units and way forward for site. Lagreach path has been closed, in accordance with Planning permission .Perth & Kinross Council have refused to allowed additional path entrance to remain open.
UPDATE ON TOWN CENTRE DEVELOPMENT. Upland Developments invited the Community Council to view the plans for the future development of the Bank House site and the Greggs Building. The Community Council, and the Civic Trust intend to host a viewing of these plans on WEDNESDAY 25TH NOVEMBER between 3pm and 7pm in the town Hall. This will give as many members of the Community as possible a chance to view and comment on the proposals for this important part of the town.
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12. Pitlochry Tartan Update - Display at Co-op on 14th November, 10am to 5.30pm where residents will have the opportunity to view existing and new designs, and make a choice.
13. Local Councillors Reports – Cllr Howie said the Library computer has been updated. She stated that the Skate Park will be going out to tender this week and work will begin in January, to be completed by June. Domestic waste targets have been achieved for 09 /10 at 40% and thanks to all in the community.
14. Community Councillors’ Matters – Mike has received minutes of Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival – would someone else like to take this forward and sit on this committee? Bob Burrell has agreed to undertake this. Convention of Perth & Kinross community councils are in process of issuing a press release to spread the word about the Incinerator project in Perth and the objections to it. This needs further discussion.
15. Members of the public – Mrs Judith Carruthers stated her personal situation that when she returned to Pitlochry in 2008, her son was unable to join Pitlochry High School as his year group was full and he was placed on the waiting list. He was placed at Logierait Primary school and is taxied there and back every day. Her son is therefore unable to walk to school, play with his school friends after school or attend after school activities. The family appealed against this decision but were refused. At the appeal last Tuesday however, they were told that he was still at the head of the waiting list UNLESS another child moves into Pitlochry who will live closer to Pitlochry High School. Judith has learned that another Pitlochry child has been placed at Logierait Primary. However this child will be moved back to Pitlochry High School when a place becomes available, due to his living within closer proximity to the school. Mrs Carruthers said that the issue is that the school doesn’t have the capacity for new children in this class. The second issue is that the decision is based on a policy that has been in place for 12 years but was amended in Oct 08 to facilitate Primary 1. admissions with Perth City Schools. Can the Community Council offer any help in this matter. Mrs Carruthers read out a letter from various members of the community in support of her plight and passed it to Mrs Scott.
Cllr Howie has been involved in this situation for some time and this is an area of great concern. People are being put off moving into the area because of the school situation. Cllr Howie and Mrs Carruthers will be working together now, and with the Community Council, to move this forward to a satisfactory solution. It was suggested that another teacher and composite classes was a possible solution Judith said that at the appeal last week Perth & Kinross Council said that there weren’t adequate facilities in the school to support this. Judith said that her daughter has just started nursery at Pitlochry and therefore she will have two children at two different schools. It was mentioned that if Pitlochry was to be a centre of excellence within the community, then conditions should be improved to accommodate more children and look at the outlying schools which may not be fully utilised.
Mrs Scott has assured Judith that she has the Community Council’s support in her cause and will work closely with Cllr Howie on this issue and alert the community to the problem.
Mr Brown, a NON resident of Pitlochry wished to make a statement that he had no confidence in the Community Council. Mrs Scott responded by saying that the residents will have the opportunity to replace members of the Community Council at the next election.
New Year Street Party – Alistair Dickson said that he is asking for volunteers to sell raffle tickets in the Co-op on 23rd and 30th December. Helpers are also required on New Years Day. Mike said that £1500 made from the Street Party is handed back into the community and therefore this is a very worthy cause, so please if you can help in any way it would be appreciated.
16. Date of Next meeting – 7.30pm on Wednesday 9 December in Moulin Hall. There will be a presentation by Paul Hughes on the digital switchover in August 2010.
Thereafter the meeting closed at 9.30pm. |
