Tuesday 5 February 2008, Cairngorm Hotel, Aviemore

ACTION NOTE

1. Attendees: Cllr Rimell (chair) supported by Elected Members, Ward Manager, Community Councils (CC) Council officials, members of the public, and other agencies (including Northern Constabulary, Cairngorm National Park Authority, Scottish Water, HIE and reps from MAHR).

2. Apologies: Ian Malcolm, Bill Carr, Frank Bardgett, Kingussie & Newtonmore CCs, Libby Lamb, Community Health Partnership, VABS, Karen Derrick & ACDMO

3. Matters arising from previous forum 27.09.07

a) Lighting at High Range Roundabout (Andrew Matheson, Lighting Manager)
Louvers were ordered last week and expecting them next week. Lower wattage bulbs would not solve the problem.

b) Parking in Aviemore (Sue Palmer)
Meeting 18.01.08 with relevant parties to explore what’s feasible (see Q&A Sheet, Qus 3 for update).

c) Scottish Court Service (Cllr Rimell)
Letter being sent from elected members to SCS re dedicated day for the ward.

d) Local Action Fund (Sue Palmer)
Sue went through the 9 projects to benefit from the £11,320.
They are:

• Grantown Mountain Bike Skills Area and Bike Loan   £2,000
• Kincraig Local Action Youth Projects: Winter Activity Programme  £1,000
• Midnight Football Programme      £1,120
• Boat of Garten Youth Development: Youth Group and activities  £1,080.
• Newtonmore Youth Club: Coach excursions    £1,000
• Badenoch Swimming and Triathlon Club     £1,000
• Band Nights across the Strath      £2,000
• Grantown and District Times       £1,000
• Youth Club: Affiliation fees      £1,120
c) Youth Policy & Funding (Cllr Douglas)
Meeting took place to follow up question raised at last forum re youth policy and provision. Youth Development posts have been put on hold while youth provision across Highlands is reviewed. A working group will take this forward. ACTION: Cllr Douglas will update at future forum

4. Ward Discretionary Budget / Ward Profile (Sue Palmer)
Castle Roy Trust - £462, Newtonmore Shinty Club - £2,500. Total £56,818 (Spent £36,539.50)

5. Community Safety (Andy Walker, Area Commander, Northern Constabulary)
AW spoke about role of police in planning for the future, also results of public survey – speeding, dangerous driving and dog fouling are top 3 issues. Currently 8 area commands, but from 1 April will be 3 divisions with B&S as Eastern Division–Rural. The result of 3-year review, and need to get more offices out on the street. Andy stated officers would continue to attend community councils.

Cllr Rimell said members are exploring travellers site at Newtonmore being open all year round, as some travellers currently using market stance.

6. Planning & Infrastructure (Karen Major, CNPA)
CNPA established 2003 and Park Plan produced 2007. Currently developing local plan, which will replace existing Council local plan. CNPA will get in touch Feb/March, with recommendations May and need to re-advertise after. CNPA are notified of planning applications by councils in the park area and call in any which are felt to have significance within the aims of the Park for determination by the Park Planning Committee.

Andrew McCracken, Planning & Development
There is a process of consultation with all planning applications. Community councils have statutory role in being consulted. Consult with other providers (e.g. Scottish Water, Road Works, Education, Culture & Sport and other council services) to find out if meet service objectives. Council planners will assess against the local plan. Try to forecast but not always straightforward as a lot can influence demand.

Colin Munns, Scottish Water took us through a presentation–£38 million to be invested in ward. Joanna Peebles is local contact (Joanna.Peebles@scottishwater.co.uk, 01463 228297, website www.scottishwater.co.uk)

Iain Wallace, Area Road and Community Works is the statutory consultee for roads and will advise on planning in terms of affect developments will have on roads, bridges etc. and consider parking and public transport. 

7. Aviemore Master Plan (Karen Major, CNPA)
Consultants currently revising draft that will go out to communities in April, when there will be public consultation (focus groups, open sessions). ACTION: KM agreed to update at future forum.

8. Question & Answer Session (Q&A Sheet tabled)
Hector Robertson, Education Culture & Sport (ECS) – Aviemore Primary School. The school roll has not fluctuated by more than 10 in recent years. Difficult to project numbers, so ECS and planners need to keep reviewing figures. 

IW confirmed new car park (across railway in Aviemore) was for public, free of charge and with provision for disabled people.

ACTION: Transport noted as future forum theme (invite Transport Scotland to future forum)

Public felt planning could be more ‘joined together’, no social amenities and need sports facilities (artificial ski slope and ice rink). ACTION: Karen stated Aviemore Master Plan would look at this.

IW stated that extra £1 million will go towards grounds and amenities but don’t know yet amount for ward. He will prepare report to go to members for agreement. Cllr Black felt more funding needed to go to the dog warden service, litter picking, and winter maintenance was not meeting people’s aspirations (there was agreement from the audience about this). ACTION: IW to take these points into account when preparing report and update at future forum

There is an ongoing problems re smell coming from the plant at Grantown since 2006. CM stated that SW has statutory regulations to take into account odour omissions. ACTION: SW to ensure this issue is resolved.

BOG CC asked that SW consulted with the community re developments. ACTION: SW to ensure this happens and that the community is consulted re other developments across the Strath.

9. Future Agenda items / Community issues No further items identified.

10. Future Meetings: Tuesdays 1 April (changed to Thurs 10 April), 27 May (changed to Wed 28 May), 19 August (changed to Wed 20 August), 7 October and 9 December. Future venues; BOG Community Hall, Kincraig Village Hall

11. A.O.B
Douglas Wilby (ECS) said gone part of the way to balance the budget (Newtonmore Folk Museum) with numbers of visitors and money taken from sales on site as well as catering. No economic impact assessment but ECS work with other attractions in the area and promote attractions together so they all benefit from visitors.   

William Gilfillan (Corporate Manager) stated that the capital budgets would be discussed at the meeting on 6th March.

NEXT MEETING: 10 April, Boat Of Garten Community Hall, 7pm (6.30 refreshments)