Minutes of meeting held on 12 October 2011 at Kincorth Community Centre

Kincorth/Leggart Community Council

Item No

1 Chair

The chairman suggested a change of agenda due to lack of a quorum. It was agreed the police report and the guest speakers should be taken first.

2 Attendance

Members

Graham Bennett Chairman, Catherine Cowie Secretary, Hazel Park Treasurer, Maureen Downie, Iris Murray, Glyn Sangster, Mary Wilson, Roy Wilson, Councillor Cooney and later Lynne Brown.

Others

Elizabeth Templeton and Isobel Scorgie from Childrens Panel, Niamh Burns Evening Express, PCs Jamie Wade and Callum Lyon, Grampian Police.

3 Apologies

Lee Brown, Alexander Park, Councillor Dean and Heather Whyte, Community Centre.

4 Police Report

The constables introduced themselves with an outline of their experience in the force.

There has been a very low level of incidents over the past month. These included similar events to those experienced in other areas of damage to property, vandalism, and public nuisance. There is no particular area in Kincorth affected.

The incidents are spread over a fairly wide area and there has been no great increase due to the school holidays.

There has been a big reduction in motorcycle nuisance recently. However this is a running battle and the public are asked to report incidents with a description of the offender, the helmet or bike.

A problem of family pets being stolen in Torry was raised. The police had no knowledge of this but they will look into it.

5 Guest Speakers

The invited speakers from the City Childrens Panel were introduced.

Elizabeth Templeton, Chief Reporter to the Childrens Panel

Ms Templeton introduced herself as reporter to Grampian Region, based in Market Street in Aberdeen.

She gave an outline of the introduction of the childrens panel in 1971 with the implementation of the Kilbrandon Report.

Her responsibility is to look into the evidence and determine if there are grounds for referring a child to the panel, and ensure that the legal issues are properly addressed.

She must also ensure that panel members scheduled for a hearing are all present and ensure the hearing is fair. After a hearing if the grounds are not accepted it will be referred to the sheriff who will then refer it back to a hearing.

Parents always have a right of appeal against a hearing decision.
The current system is to use early intervention to try to avoid problems. This is done through the reporter meeting with the police and social workers to discuss any concerns and possibly avoid the need for a hearing.

Isobel Scorgie Chair of Grampian Childrens Panel

Ms Scorgie gave an insight into the working of the hearing system. There is a six week rota for members in order that they are aware when they are required. Three members are needed for each hearing.

There is a recruitment campaign around August/September each year. Applicants must go through a lengthy process of interviews before being recommended to the Scottish Office for acceptance. A training period of 40 hours over January and February must then be undertaken before the member can take up their three-year appointment. The term of the appointment can be extended.

There has been a change in the causes of referral over time. Previously two thirds of referrals were for offences and one third for care and protection. This has now been reversed with most referrals related to care and protection.

Children referred to the panel can have a variety of problems from not attending school to major problems at home through drug and alcohol abuse and the child may even be the carer for a parent. The panel may also have to consider the future of babies refered to them. All of these difficulties are taken into consideration when deciding on a disposal of the case. This may include anything from home supervision up to removal from home to a secure unit. Problems on the child?s return home may also have to be addressed. There is a set criteria for removal of a child to secure accommodation. The nearest facility to Aberdeen is at Montrose. There are many unbelievable problems in a wealthy city such as ours.

Members appointed to a hearing are provided with much information relating to the family and the child. This may include reports from school, social workers etc. The hearing discusses all of this information before a decision is made and the child and parents will be in attendance during this discussion. The hearing lasts for approximately forty-five minutes after which the chair will then sum up what has been discussed and advise the parents and child of the decision and the reasons for it. Review hearings are held to determine whether the decision taken is working to the benefit of the child.

An opportunity was then given for questions.

Ms Templeton and Ms Scorgie were thanked for coming to speak to us. They were advised that they could remain for the rest of the business. However they left at this point.

6 Minutes of Previous Meeting

The arrival of Lynne Brown provided the necessary quorum hence the meeting could continue. Councillor Dean had presented belated apologies. With this addition, the minutes were accepted as a correct record.

7 Business Arising

7.1 Swing Park

Ian Esslemont has not had time to progress what was agreed at a previous meeting. The Secretary will contact him to advise that we have agreed a sum of £2200 for swings and seek his assistance in ordering this equipment.

The need for sponsorship for this venture and the Christmas lights installation was emphasised.

Action Secretary

7.2 Dog Bins

The City Council have advised that there is adequate provision of bins in our area hence there is no need for further bins. The Dog Patrol will be continued in the area to identify any future problems
.
7.3 Crossing Patrol
Councillor Cooney informed that the crossing patrol at Abbotswell School is to be reinstated after the holidays.

8 Correspondence

8.1 Aberdeen City Council

Information of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan and Supplementary Guidance has been received. This is available on the city website.

8.2 Planning Aid for Scotland

A workshop for community councillors is to be held in Aberdeen on 22 October. None of our members is available to attend.

8.3 Aberdeen City Council

A meeting to discuss the Alcohol Stocktake Strategy is to be held on 27 October. None of our members is available to attend.

8.4 Action Against the Deer Cull

An email seeking support for a petition against the killing of the deer on Tullos Hill was discussed. It was agreed this should be supported since we had already made representation against the cull.

8.5 City Garden Project

An exhibition of the proposed designs for this project is to be held from 19 October until 2 November. Community councillors are invited to attend at 5.30 for 6.00p.m on 20 October.

8.6 Allison McInnes MSP

An acknowledgement has been received of the letter regarding Bear ignoring letters sent relating to lorries parking on the grass verge at ASDA on South Anderson Drive.

8.7 Scottish Water

Householders are reminded of the need to make adequate provision to prevent damage to property due to frost over the winter.

9 Treasurers Report

A balance of £2652.29 is available. The previous agreement of a £2200 spend on the play park was noted.

10 Reports

10.1 Community Council Forum

Dawn Bellamy Vice Chair chaired the meeting. She introduced Karen Riddoch of Aberdeen City Council who spoke on the Community Council Protocol and the Review of the Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils.

The Chief Executive has written an introduction to the protocol. Karen is awaiting updates on some items within the document. She hopes to send the protocol to community councils in the next week. There is to be a planning protocol and there will be more detail in this document than is included in the Community council Protocol. It is hoped that this document will be ready for finalisation in the New Year.

The Scheme for the Establishment of Community Councils will be sent out on the 17 December and there will be an eight week consultation period after that. Karen hopes this document will be out in a week for informal consultation before going to committee. There was some discussion on whether an agreed Code of Conduct for Community Councillors should be included in this.

A question was raised regarding what money community councils carry over into January. This depends on the size of the council but is usually twice the pre capita grant.

Any sum that has been committed but not yet spent should be highlighted in the accounts. When the accounts are submitted to the City Council a letter should be included explaining what the money has been allocated to.

Information from community councils is still greatly problematic. The information from our council is one received from very few councils. Some Community Councils are saying there is a problem with the data protection act. However it is hoped that information regarding the act will be provided by the City Council

Planning Mediation

This item was brought forward in order that it was discussed before Karen Riddoch left. Peter Reiss reported on a meeting held on 5 September with the mediators, four council officials, three councillors and the forum delegates. This was reported as a constructive meeting compared to previous meetings. There is a need for more pre-application consultation with community councils.

A planning protocol is to be prepared explaining how the planning department operates with community councils. This should be a step-by-step explanation of the process. The first draft is to be prepared and it needs some new thinking.

Seminars and training is to be examined to see what can be learned and how this can be integrated into the planning system.
There are proposals for improvement of the City Council website
The Dobbies development is to be examined to see how it was handled, what can be learned from it and how this can be integrated into the planning system.

This was reported as a fairly positive meeting moving forward with guarded optimism.

Treasurer

The treasurer had left all the paper work at home but she did report a balance of around £1300. I enquired re the cashing of our cheque for memberships. I was told there are still some problems with the bank and paperwork but she will pass the cheque as soon as possible.

Stakeholder Event Education Culture and Sport

Dawn Bellamy attended this event and questioned whether it was worthwhile. A presentation was followed by discussion groups and Dawn thought some of the city officials were not too happy to put some things forward from the discussion.

Community Centres

The Beacon centre is run by Sport Aberdeen. There is a great difference between community centres with some in a brand new building while others are in buildings requiring considerable maintenance. The opinion was expressed that one size fits all is not appropriate. There are lots of things to be sorted out about management responsibilities and authority.

AOCB

A meeting is to be held in Ellon where the access planning group will discuss the Energetica Corridor.

A public exhibition on the proposals for Union Terrace Gardens is to be held from 19 October to 2 November. Community Councillors are invited to a reception in the Pier on Belmont Street on 20 October at 5.30 for 6 oclock. Concern was raised regarding what question would be posed in any referendum on the future of the gardens and how this would be funded.

The Association of Scottish Community Councils will be wound up at the end of April 2012. This charitable body is to close due to a lack of funding from the Scottish Government.

One of the elderly delegates appealed to have the sound system in the room upgraded since he was having difficulty in hearing .speakers.

11 A.O.C.B

11.1 Bins on the Beach Promenade

The bins on the prom have been taped over and rubbish is therefore being dropped anywhere. Councillor Cooney noted this.

Action Councillor Cooney

11.2 Newsletter

The Chairman has distributed copies of the newsletter.

11.3 Potholes

Members raised the condition of Auldean Road. Councillor Cooney noted this

Action Councillor Cooney