Minutes of Meeting of Cleish & Blairadam Community Council

7:30pm, 22^nd October 2022 – Cleish Village Hall

Present:

• Fran Principe-Gillespie
• Charles MacLaren
• Fred Whalley
• Sean Gordon
• Cllr Willie Robertson (via Zoom)
• Cllr Dave Cuthbertson
• Cllr Neil Freshwater

Apologies:

• Margaret Traylor
• Cllr Richard Watters
• Jamie Leishman

Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted.

The Chair recorded that we’re all very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Nigel Robertson. He was a very active member of the Community Council for many years. He will be missed by the Community and his input to the Community Council will be missed.

Police Report

PC Ben Sampson was unable to attend, so PC Arthur, PC McWilliam stood-in to report on Community Policing.

Speeding

Speeding in Cleish & Blairadam areas – Community Officers and Response Officers in the area are aware of the complaints and regularly get out to check the area. In addition, Traffic Officers from Perth are patrolling the area and have issued multiple traffic tickets in recent months. These Officers will continue to patrol the area going forwards.

Concerns were raised by the prevalence of speeding by delivery vans in the area, and this appears to be a common experience across the whole area.

Crime Reports

As of 3^rd September, there was a total of 18 calls to the police from the Cleish & Blairadam area and no crimes have been reported on police systems.

Police Engagements

Last month, the Community Police Officer visited Cleish Primary School to engage with the children and staff around road safety.

Coffee with a Cop Events

These have proved popular in other areas, so are being offered locally as an opportunity for the public to engage with Police Officers informally, ask questions and raise any issues or concerns.

Speed Watch

There was some interest in resurrecting this program as it has been in abeyance since the merger of the separate Police forces into Police Scotland. Previously purchased equipment was absorbed when Police Scotland was created, so communities would need to seek funding to purchase the necessary equipment. The attending Police Officers confirmed that the community Speed Watch programs were effective when they were operating.

Correspondence

Community Investment Fund Scheme

This was identified as a potential source of funding for a projector and screen to enable a better experience when hosting hybrid Community Council meetings where we have a combination of in-person and remote attendance.

Community Council will approach this scheme for funding for this purpose.

Till Hill

Community Council has submitted a request to Till Hill for the Community Council to be considered as a stakeholder in their long-term forest plan. The Forrest Plan governs the future management of the forest and is coming up for renewal; the plan covers areas such as felling, planting, drainage, community access.

Having the Community Council as a recognised stakeholder in this plan will allow us to represent the views of the community as this plan is developed.

Gairney Plantation

A question was raised regarding this plantation which was felled around 6 years ago and was meant to be replanted but has not been planted nor has it mean managed in the intervening time. Cllr Neil Freshwater took an action to follow up in this.

Rules, clarification, nominations for the CC

Elections

Sean Gordon, Charles MacLaren, Francis Principe-Gillespie, Margaret Traylor, Fred Whalley have been elected to the CC for the next term, and this leaves us with 3 vacancies where the CC will seek to co-opt additional members. The co-opting process cannot start until 6 months after the election.

Planning Objections

Cllr Dave Cuthbertson highlighted that at the last full Council meeting a new process was approved that means if a Community Council objects to a planning application, this will automatically trigger referring that application to the full planning committee.

This was welcomed by the CC as a recognition of the relevance of the role of the CC as a strong voice to represent the view of the local community.

Road Safety

There are approximately 877 outstanding areas of work in the local area relating to road safety, so the Council is looking for assistance from the Community Councils in helping to prioritise these areas of work based on local knowledge. This would include areas like the cutting of verges on corners, potholes and clearing of road gullies.

Broadband Update

Blairadam Area

Sean Gordon reported that the Local Community Fibre Project has received a quote from Openreach for the 67 properties in the Keltybridge area, and that the next stage was to challenge the Openreach assessment of the existing line speeds for most of the properties in the area to ensure that we have sufficient funding from the Scottish Government Broadband Voucher Scheme to fund the entire project. This work us underway, but the process of proving that the Openreach data is incorrect is extremely slow. Working with Andrew Mitchell from Scottish Government we have for example successfully challenged the line speeds of every single property in Middleton Park and had all these challenges accepted, so we are hopeful of being able to move this project forwards to the next stage with Openreach and Scottish Government funding.

Financial Update

Draft Statement of accounts has been issued for audit, with the current balance being £395.56

Planning

Hillview, Kinnaird

Application approved – Change of use from open space to form extension to garden ground, access and parking in retrospect.

Land 100 metres NE of Blair Fordel Farm

Application refused – Siting of two static caravans or welfare storage use, erection of an animal shelter and associated works in part retrospect.

The Willows Blairforge

Application refused – Change of use from agricultural land farm extension to garden ground interaction garden buildings. In retrospect.

Residential development 140 metres in northeast of the bungalow Benarty Rd.

There is an in-principle application to build a housing development on the site of the colliery along the road to Loch Ore Country Park.

CC will request a Development Brief from the developer to understand how the developer plans to protect the amenity of the area.

2 dwelling houses southwest of 14 Main St, Keltybridge

Application to erect two tall, narrow houses on a restricted site and next to listed buildings and various other single-story building in Keltybridge. This has so far had 16 objections from local residents. The Community Council has objected to this application.

Siting of an accommodation unit at Blairfordel Farm

This was a temporary consent (now expired) for a caravan for a farm worker. The new application is for a permanent accommodation unit on the same site on the edge of the farmyard.

Village Updates

Blairadam

Ongoing problems with cars and trucks parting on the pavements in Keltybridge, where there is damage to multiple parts of the pavement.

Cleish

Update on the school – There was supposed to be an interim project to improve the facilities in the existing building which has not happened so far. Cllr Neil Freshwater is going to follow up on this issue.

Next CC Meeting

It was agree to hold the next Community Council Meeting on 5^th December, at 7:30pm in Cleish Village Hall.

Minutes of AGM of Cleish & Blairadam Community Council

8:30pm, 22^nd October 2022 – Cleish Village Hall

Present:

• Fran Principe-Gillespie
• Charles MacLaren
• Fred Whalley
• Sean Gordon
• Cllr Willie Robertson (via Zoom)
• Cllr Dave Cuthbertson
• Cllr Neil Freshwater

Apologies:

• Margaret Traylor
• Cllr Richard Watters
• Jamie Leishman

Chairmans Report

It has been my privilege and pleasure to serve as Chair of Cleish and Blairadam Community Council for another year. I wish to thank all of the Community Councillors for their continued diligence, support, guidance and for the time and effort that they give freely to our local Community.

Our role as members of Cleish & Blairadam Community Council is simply ‘To represent the views and wishes of the residents within the environs of Cleish & Blairadam’. Whilst this can lead to opposing points of view, these views are always welcomed and regardless of personal opinion, it is and remains our role to reflect those views in a balanced manner. 

I have really appreciated the full and conscientious support of all our local Councillors. Their continued support and swift implementation of requests have always assisted our Community and we look forward to seeing how we can all work together in the Kinross Local Committee.  They all have my thanks.

It has been a difficult year for many and whilst there seems to be light on the horizon with regard to more social meetings, we should remain ever aware that there are many in our midst who are struggling and it is our role to also represent them.

My sincere thanks also goes to all The Community Councillors for giving so much of their time, support, effort and diligence for free to the local community.

Last and most important my thanks also go to all those members of the community who attend our meetings, read our notices and minutes and participate in the ongoing discussions.

I wish you all success in your endeavours for the coming year.

Treasurers report.

Account balance – £395.56

Cleish & Blairadam Community Council

Minutes of the meeting held at 7.30pm. 4^th July 2022 at Cleish Village Hall and online via Zoom

The meeting was attended by:

CCllr  F.  Principe-Gillespie (FG)

CCllr  F.  Whalley (FW)

CClr   M. Traylor (MT)

CCllr  N. Robertson (NR)

CCllr  C.  MacLaren (CM)

CCllr  S. Gordon (SG)

PKCllr R. Watters

PKCllr N. Freshwater

two members of the community were also in attendance.

Apologies: Apologies from PKCllr W. Robertson and PKCllr D. Cuthbert

The Chair (FG) welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked all for their attendance.  A brief discussion regarding options for minute taking took place with Chair suggesting using voice to text on the recorded meeting and looking at options to putting the recordings on-line.

Matters arising

The previous minutes were accepted with a change of speed reported in the previous minutes corrected from 30-20mph.

Discussion as to whether the CC should have a method of accessing Zoom for future hybrid meetings by means of a used laptop

Crime Prevention

Flower Tub stolen from Maryburgh, as well as a car from Lochran Farm. Some vandalism also reported with broken windows to a car on a driveway in Maryburgh.

Correspondence

(CM) Reported that Tilhill have been in touch regarding options to discuss a future forest plan above Cleish. It was agreed that the CC should engage with this positive pro-active approach. (CM) Proposed that issues such as downstream flooding risk, drainage design and ongoing maintenance of drainage should be discussed as well as potential public access.

(MT) Raised the speeding issue in Keltybridge and that a vehicle activated sign would be of benefit. This was an ongoing issue and we believe this has already been raised by PKCllr W. Robertson

(FG) to forward info regarding generic email, noted that some emails are wrong and efforts will be made to correct this.   

Broadband update and proposal for Maryburgh / Blairforge

The Keltybridge Community Fibre Partnership is still ongoing and testing of the actual speed of connections, continues. No further progress as awaiting progress from Openreach

Boreland remains as September for the fibre upgrade on the Broadband website

Drainage Updates

Drains at Keltybridge are re-filling due to spoil from the building site and then compacting. There is significant flooding due to this. It was suggested that the source should be reported to the roads department as it is the developer’s obligation to ensure this does not happen. This has been reported to the enforcement officer.  

The drains on one side of the road in Boreland were cleared by the Council.

Financial Update

Current balance £555 with one bill for out of pocket expenses (FG)of £143.5 made up of Annual WordPress hosting of Cleishandblaradam.org.uk of £84 and 50% of the cost of Zoom as we share that with Kinross Camera Club of £59.

Potential purchase of a low spec laptop was raised for Zoom meetings rather than rely on CCllrs own. (CM) to look at Digital Inclusion grant funding options, (SG) to see if there are other potential sources from corporates. 

Blairforge Update

PKCllr Watters and Freshwater, updated the CC with the progress and seriousness that the Council are taking of this situation and the potential enforcement. It is hoped that this progresses soon and it seems that this situation is receiving attention at the highest levels. It is believed that the costs that the Council will then move to recover could well be extremely high and this is the first time the Council has acted in this way to this level.  Senior council officials have offered to meet the residents of Blairforge and it is encouraging to note that all four PK Councillors are united in working to resolve this matter.  

It was postulated that had a harder line been taken earlier, much of the scale of this issue could have been avoided. A meeting with the Chief Executive and the PK Councillors will still go ahead and it is hoped that this will help to guide future council strategy.

Planning report

Most, if not all applications for the site at Blairforge have been refused and are subject to enforcement.

Pending applications:

Dwelling House 60m west Hollow Cottage , Pending

Application for Stables and hard standing Land 100m NE of old Piggery Blairforge. Withdrawn

Erection of replacement fence Rowan Tree Cottage Blairforge . Approved

Extension to dwelling house and Garage  Rowan House, Carsegour Approved

Alteration of dwelling house at 1 Blairfordel Steading, Lawful Use Approved

Hill View, Kinnaird. Change of use from open space to form extension to garden ground, formation of vehicular access and parking area (in retrospect). Pending

Land 60m North of Craigbank Cleish erection of a dwelling and landscaping. Pending

Siting of two Static Caravans and Animal Welfare for storage, temporary for 3 years.

Retrospective application at site near Blairforge has had a letter of objection and was originally refused and is awaiting the outcome. Pending

Erection of two houses south west of Hillcrest Maryburgh:  Withdrawn

Extension to dwelling house 18 Middleton Park : Approved

The Willows, Change of use to garden ground retrospect: Pending

Prior notice Application Fruix Farm for Farm Shed

Plot 9 in field by Blairforge for Dwelling, review body supported planners decision to refuse

Outh Farm Moor up for sale, among the suggested opportunities are Carbon capture forestry and Solar farm

Right of way at Blairforge was discussed and technically only has right of access from A-B. The road is breaking up and the bridge has to be maintained which is an issue as this is not adopted by the Council.   

Village Update – Blairadam

Speeding in Keltybridge and Maryburgh. A call was made for Speed activated signs.

Parking is an issue and vehicles parking on the pavements. Pavements are subsiding as a result. The parking issue is forcing pedestrians onto the road where vehicles are speeding. Roads department have looked at possible verge parking but this was years ago and nothing has happened. (MT to contact Cllr Watters who will contact roads dept)

A light opposite Middleton House has been damaged, possibly by overgrown trees.

Cutting of verges at junctions seems to not be happening as much as required. Clarification is required as to what the actual cutting procedure is for the different designations and what the designations mean. Just because a road is not used as much does not change whether it is safe due to sigh-lines being blocked.

It was noted that the Perth and Kinross Council app allows for the reporting of faulty lights.

Village Update – Cleish 

Speeding traffic again is the issue despite the Primary School. Courier vans seem to be the most common culprits. Community Speedwatch may be the solution.

Forthcoming election

CCllrs will be up for re-election this year so should members of the community wish to join the Community Council more information will be posted on the CC website and noticeboards as it becomes available later in August.

AOCB

The property that has been vacant for 5 years in Keltybridge has now finally been sold

Apologies from the Kinross-Area Committee due to access issues for the Community Councils. This has been resolved and won’t happen again.

Sound quality was improved for the Zoom attendees thanks to the microphone on loan from (SG) Camera placement needs improved for future meetings

Defibrillator training, (FG) to contact re potential training before the next CC meeting.

Speed limit at Lochran has been agreed to be set at 40mph but is due to be reviewed as it may be extended towards Greenacres. This should be set this financial year.

Speed limit on the B996 by Blairforge has been rejected for this financial year but will be subject to a route action plan in the following year so may be able to be reviewed.

Slip roads at Junction 5 the railings on the bridge obscure visibility and could perhaps be changed to ones staggered at an angle that aid visibility. (Cllr NF) to discuss with Roads Dept.

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The date of next meeting: Monday 19^th September in The Cleish Village Hall with provision for Zoom Hybrid attendance

Cleish & Blairadam Community Council

Minutes of the meeting held at 7.30pm. 4 April 2022 at Cleish Village Hall and online Zoom

The meeting was attended by:

CCllr  F.  Principe-Gillespie (FG)

CCllr  F.  Whalley (FW)

CCllr  C.  MacLaren (PA)

CCllr  N. Robertson (NR)

CCllr  S. Gordon(SG)

PKCllr C.  Purves

PKCllr W. Robertson

PKCllr R. Watters

five members of the community were also in attendance/zoom.

Apologies: Apologies had been received from Margaret Traylor (Treasurer) (MT), J. Leishman (JL)

The Chair (FG) welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked all for their attendance.  

Correspondence

No further correspondence received that was pertinent.

Matters arising

The previous minutes were accepted and signed. There is no Newsletter any more, but the proposed minutes are published on the CC website (cleishandblairadam.org.uk) and Facebook 

Crime Prevention

PC Mitchinson has moved to a new role within Police Scotland and the CC has passed on their thanks for the excellent professional service provided. We await notification from Police Scotland of a new Community officer

Broadband update and proposal for Maryburgh / Blairforge

(PA) Reported that Openreach are now connecting properties onto fibre so the Maryburgh project is now live.

(SG) Reported that Keltybridge is progressing but that Openreach had not realised how many properties marked as superfast actually fail to meet that criteria. The project is now challenging Openreach to show every property in Keltybridge and outlying areas meets Superfast, which they do not. It is hoped that these properties will then be included in the R100 project. It is not yet clear if this is already factored into Openreach’s plans. Openreach have been inundated with requests so whilst parts of the project are in the queue it is unclear what is planned and when for the other properties  

Financial Update

MT had sent her apologies but had provided FG with a summary financial update. Current balance £600.74 after payment of the telephone box insurance

Planning report (FW)

JL Has passed on a note regarding a strong fishy smell reported in Keltybridge, this was believed to be muck spreading in the nearby fields.

Nivingston renewal application has been: approved

Land North of Winchester, Keltybridge variation of design: approved

Garden Building, Burnside House, Benarty Road: approved

Land NE, 2 Blairfordel cottage (Equestrian Centre): approved

Alteration and erection Garden buildings, 1 Blairfordel steadings: withdrawn

Pending Applications

Erection of Dwelling House in principle land 60m West of Hollow Cottage, corner B9097 and North Road

Replacement Fence, Rowantree Cottage

New Applications:

Extension and garage Rowan house Carsegour, modest changes. No issues raised

Erection of stables and hard standing land East of the old piggery.  It was pointed out that livestock should be more than 400m from property according to the Scottish Executive, which this does not meet.  

The right of access is only A-B and it is illegal to have turn-offs

Awaiting LRB outcome of January meeting for a planning application 100m North East of the farm.

Blairfordge. Matters arising due to increased on the access road which is a private road and has caused damage to the road surface. It was pointed out that the road is disintegrating due to the increased traffic.

This has been reported to PKC Planning Dept. but no action has been taken due to staff shortages caused by Covid infections.

Illegal dumping in has been reported in Blairforge and 2 concrete hard standings have been laid along this road with no planning permission.

Residents have received aggressive behaviour from the developer.

A discussion ensued regarding the poor planning enforcement in P&K. It was noted that until media attention highlights this the enforcements will be aimed at easy soft targets. 

The building site in Maryburgh has a problem with the access road to the proposed plot. It is unclear if a change of use has been submitted for this site.

Village Updates.

Blairadam. The Private Water Association has tested the supply to 13 properties to test for lead in the supply and discovered high levels in 13 properties.

A huge amount of work will need to be carried out to erase this problem and the Private Water Committee will be pursuing the possibility of grant funding.

There have been increasing incidents of speeding in Blairadam, unfortunately, in the main, by local residents.

A 30 MPH Sign has been removed in Maryburgh.

Cleish Area.

Cleish Church. (potential closure). The future of the Cleish has still to be determined, with maybe the potential of Community Right to Buy?

AOCB

Look into possibility of Defibrilator instruction and possibly have it before a CC meeting.

Two Cllrs are stepping down at the May elections. All the Councillors and Community Councillors voiced a unanimous thanks to Cllr Mike Barnacle for his decades of tireless work and dedication to Kinross-shire and additionally all voiced thanks to Cllr Callum Purves and wished him well in his future roles.

It is hoped that hybrid meetings will also take place in the Tabernacle Hall as soon as sufficient bandwidth becomes available.

4^th July next CC meeting at Cleish Village Hall

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