TURRIFF& DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Incorporating Turriff Town Pride Group

www.turriffanddistrict.co.uk

Minute of the Turriff District Community Council held on Monday 8th February, 2016 in Turriff Town
House, Municipal Building, High Street, Turriff at 7pm.
Present: Rose Logan (Chair) (RL); Mike Rawlins (Vice Chair) (MR); David Salmon (Secretary) DS; John
Smith (Treasurer) (JS); Ian Garden (IG); D Capel (DC); Darren Park (DP), Annette Stephen (AS); Sandra
Gray (SG); Cllr Alisan Norrie (AN), Cllr Anne Robertson (AR); Cllr Sandy Duncan (SD); Carol Allan (CA)
In attendance: Nicola Prise Porter (Press); 2 Residents; Calum McDougall (Police Scotland); Michael
McKissoch (Police Scotland)
DRAFT Minutes
1. Welcome
The Chair Welcomed all to the meeting
b) Apologies had been received from Angela MacKay
2. Police Report
The police reported that one person had been reported to
the Procurator Fiscal for three housebreakings (pharmacies).
Undetected thefts from garden sheds / outbuildings also
reported. The message is to keep property secure.
Ongoing issues with driving in the town were discussed. The
police were informed that there were issues surrounding the
High Street car park and mini roundabout area with vans, cars
and tractors. Problems include excessive revving of engines,
wheel spins, doughnuts, accelerating hard to car park/ High
Street junction. Police advised that anonymous complaints could
be made to Crimestoppers. A lack of police presence was
highlighted as an issue. AR advised that this was something that
could be looked at by community planning and can lessons be
learned with action taken at The Square in Oldmeldrum. The
councillors agreed to raise the issue with the Police Inspector at
their area meeting tomorrow. It was agreed that this was seen as
a priority for policing and community planning. It was also
reported that the police were not responding to complaints. It
was also reported that problems persist at the Academy car park,
Turriff Utd car park and Markethill Ind. Est. Littering associated
with anti-social car users was also reported as a problem.

Action Points

The Councillors

3. Visitors
4. Approval of Minutes of 11th January 2016
Minutes from the previous meeting had been circulated and
amendments noted as follows:
Agenda Item 11, point c Replace Price with Pride
Raised by JS and seconded by DP subject to above
amendment
5. Matters arising
Action: DS / RL /AR
9b) Den development
RL reported that there had been no updates and the Minutes
from the meeting on 10th November 2015 had not been
received. RL to chase. Littering was raised and a general
discussion took place concerning the wider problem. AR
reported that a joint approach was required and she would
email all services and the community council would be
invited to take part. Dog fouling problems also persist. RL
reported that Markethill School had taken over the Green
Dog Walker Initiative. Lack of enforcement across
Aberdeenshire was raised as a concern. AR advised that the
public could raise questions for discussion at the area
committee meetings and could attend the meeting. DS to
write to Area Manager in time for the next meeting on 1st
March.
12c) Skate Park;- TASC had now formed a committee and the
CC would provide support. Work was expected to start at the
skate park in the first week of February but no sign so far but
may have been delayed by the weather. Next meeting to be
held on 23 February at the Sports Centre @ 7:00 (TBC).
12d) Community Council Constitution;- DS reported that it
was expected that there would be an update at the
Formartine Community Council Forum on Wednesday 10
February.
13a) Crown Street;- lack of a grit bin had been raised with
the council but a response is awaited.
a) Special Landscape Areas;- DS reported that he had
circulated the details for the proposed Deveron Valley
candidate SLA. To date no comments had been received
by him. If anyone has any comments can they let DS
know by 10th February.
b) Garden Competition RL reported that this would be
discussed at the next Gardening Club meeting in March.
c) Caravan Park to Delgaty Castle;- RL reported that she has
so far been unable to locate any maps showing a right of
way. AN advised that a public right of way lapses after 10
years if not in use.
d) Welcome banners;- DS reported that this has been raised
with the council and he had been advised that the

manufacturers advise that the banners can only

withstand winds up to 30 mph. If the issue cannot be
resolved with the manufacturer, there are no obvious
sources of funding to replace them.

6. Treasurers Report
JS circulated the financial report for this month. It was
reported that the bill for the Christmas Lights from the
electrician was nearly 4000 including checks and the cherry
picker.

7. Correspondence
DS reported that all correspondence received had been
circulated.
8. Planning & Infrastructure
MR advised that a planning application had been received for
signage at a pet physiotherapy business at Lambtech. No
comments were made.
MR stated that the objection to removal of developer
obligations recently sent to us for consultation still stood but
could still be withdrawn. It was agreed we should continue
to object. AR outlined the role of the CC in the consultation
process.
RL and MR raised the possibility of funding being available
from a windfarm fund.
MR reported that TDDC had not been advised of the date of
the Reporters visit to Turriff as part of the appeal process for
the Duff Street takeaway. AR advised that additional
information was provided to the reporter and that costs
were awarded against AC for acting unreasonably in refusing
the application. It was noted that additional information can
be made once an appeal had been made in support of an
objection made. General disappointment at the decision was
expressed.
9. Local issues

10. Affiliated Groups Reports

a)

Turriff Town Pride Group

JS to circulate minute of meeting. It was reported that
the group could do with more volunteers. The Guides
had helped with the flower display by the garage.
b) Christmas Lights Committee

A donation for 200 had been received from the RBL. It

was noted that some lights need replacing. Lighting in
the trees in The Square is being considered for next year.
c) Caravan Park
RL reported that the caravan park would re-open on 18
March, weather permitting. The AGM is on 29/2/16 in the
Townhouse at 7:00. Tenders are out for quotes for 5 stances
for static caravans.
d) Boating Pond
RL reported that the advert went out last week and she
had received one response. She will also contact the
school to see if there is any pupil interest. Plan to open
for April.
e) Turriff Townhouse Committee
The AGM has been postponed to 22 February and all are
welcome to attend. Current balance of 5982. The water
supply is not metered at present.
f) The proposed meeting with Robert and Hazel has not
yet taken place. The Turriff & District Ltd AGM is to be
held on 23 February at Celebrations at 07:00. To date no
response has been received in connection with the
frozen bank account.
11. Public Events
Table Top Sale at Turiff Town House 20/2/16
Literary Event 5/3/16 at Turriff Town House
MS Coffee Morning 30/4/16 at Royal British Legion
Rotary Club Coffee Morning 19/3/16 at Royal British Legion
Tesco Diabetes and Heart Foundation Coffee Morning
5/3/16 at Royal British Legion
CLAN Coffee Morning 4/3/16 at Turriff Town House
12. Corporate Communications
RL reported that the Conversational Caf would like to
increase the numbers attending (first Tuesday each month
10:00-12:00). Facebook and the website to promote.
13. AOCB

MR / DP

AS

Carol Allan was formally co-opted onto the community

council
AR reported that AS should have been contacted by a council
official reference Erroll Court and she would chase this up.
RL
AS reported that the drains in the Highfield Walk / Hatton
Road area need clearing out.
MR
No news on plans to revamp The Square. RL to chase Brian
Shand
Damage to grass areas at The Haughs reported. Fence
removed when car park enlarged needs to be reinstated.

RL

Gravel covering drains following recent flooding. MR to raise

with the council
An electricity bill for 40 had been received for Coo Corner.
AR reported that if community use then AC would pay but
other users responsible for costs incurred. No written
agreement in place. RL to contact Elaine Brown.
AN reported that ACs call centre number has recently
changed to 03456 081201
14. Dates of future meetings
7 March 2016
4 April 2016
9 May 2016
6 June 2016 (AGM)
Meeting closed at 20:48