Dunning Community Council Meeting 4 September 2023

1. Welcome: The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced Amanda Howie who has now been co-opted onto the Community Council. Those present were: Neil Johnston (NJ) – Chair; John Stockley (JS) – Vice-Chair; Ann Myles (AM) – Treasurer; Colin Young (CY) – Secretary; Amanda Howie (AH), Scott Jeffery (SJ), Tony Fitzpatrick (TF), Ally Dewar (AD), Councillor Steven Carr (SC), Councillor Keith Allan (KA), Councillor Crawford Reid (CR) and members of the public.
2. Apologies: Lori Corbet Mann
3. Update from Police: TF reported that our Community Police Sergeant had recently had an accident and would be unable to attend. Members continue to receive the Weekly Commander’s Bulletin by email.
4. Minutes of the meeting of 3rd July 2023: These were agreed, subject to a minor ‘typo’ and signed by the Chair.
5. Treasurer’s Report: This had been circulated to members prior to the meeting and AM explained the small error that had now been corrected.
6. Matters arising from the Minutes:
   1. Football Posts – AD confirmed that these had now been erected and the next task would be marking out the pitch. The 7-a-side posts would be located within the larger pitch when required and the old metal goalposts would be removed in due course.
   2. Community Needs Assessment Plan – This is ongoing and PKC will implement the work in due course.
   3. St. Serf’s Church Wall – KA confirmed that this was on the list of works to be carried out but no timescale was know at this time.
   4. Perth & Kinross Social Care Partnership – awareness poster – done.
   5. Community Justice Services – AD had related to them that PKC were responsible for repairs to seat and no further action required by CJS  – done.
   6. VAS on Auchterarder Road – calibration – done.
   7. Community Justice Services – letter of thanks for work done in the village – done.
   8. Craighead Wind Farm invitation – CY reported that the company had held an exhibition in the Village Hall and that we might hear from them in the future if they have any further information for the community.
   9. DCC banking arrangements – AM explained that there was now a card and PIN that would allow easier transactions with suppliers, etc. A similar arrangement is being made for the Administration account.
   10. 50th Anniversary of Community Councils – it was suggested by PKC that a newsletter might be the best way to celebrate this milestone and this will be pursued.                                                                    Action: NJ
7. Planning Matters:
   1. Erection of switch room at Findony Farm
   2. Alteration & extension at Braehead, Newton of Pitcairns
   3. Alterations to Garvock House
   4. Vehicle access field 30 metres south of Thormyhill – Approved
   5. Service building and accommodation at Whitemoss Lodge – Refused
8. Roads Matters:
   1. Closure of Auchterarder Road (B8062) on 27th September 20023 for 3 days from Millhaugh to a point 300 metres West. Parking restrictions on 11th October 2023 from Latchburn Wynd to Beechlea for 1 day.
   2. CR reported on some inconsistencies with the use of 40mph Cycling & Walking Friendly Routes but asked if it would be appropriate to suggest such areas from Dunning to Maggie Walls (safer for those using The Cat Walk) and Dunning to Duncrub North Lodge (safer for those using the Duncrub Core Path). This seemed a perfectly reasonable suggestion and will be raised with PKC.                                          Action: CR
9. Correspondence: The developers of Brunthill Windfarm had requested the opportunity to talk to the DCC at our October meeting and had been informed of the date, time and venue.
10. Meetings Attended:
    1. TF reported that he would be attending a meeting with regard to the Warm Spaces funding for the coming Winter and the precise nature of this venture will need to be considered very soon.
    2. Community Garden – AH had met with a Housing Officer and member of the Tenants Association, along with interested members of the public and the progress will be reported later in the meeting.
11. Councillors’ Reports:
    1. KA presented the draft proposals for parking restrictions in the centre of the village that will now be the subject of consultation, hopefully later this month.
    2. SC reported that he would be meeting with traffic officers soon to pursue various issues that had been brought to his attention.
12. Any Other Business:
    1. Ad asked about the Planning Enforcement of 2020 in relation to the outdoor structure at the Kirkstyle Inn and why no action appeared to have been taken. CR explained that Planning Enforcement had been under-staffed for some time due to retirements, etc. but that replacement staff were now in place and would get up-to-date as soon as possible.
    2. Am asked if we would be holding the Over 80s Christmas Lunch this year and it was agreed that this should take place.
    3. SC asked about the state of repair of the wall alongside the Dunning Burn on the site of the old garage workshops as some of it appeared to have fallen into the burn.                                                         Action: JS
    4. SJ informed the meeting that the Scouts now had an Explorer Group that would cater for those between the ages of 14 to 16.
    5. KA – Kirkstyle Stomp Cancellation - Councillor Keith Allan and Councillor Steven Carr, both members of Perth & Kinross Council Licensing Committee, confirmed that no objections had been received from members of the public or Dunning Community Council in respect of this event. It was regrettable that so many adverse comments on social media were directed at local inhabitants, Perth & Kinross Council and Dunning Community Council.
    6. It was reported that PKC Housing had applied for a dropped kerb in Lower Granco Street.
    7. Community Garden in Croft Place – Fencing and a shed are to be erected once the funding comes through from PKC before the planting of selected trees.
    8. The Scouts regarded the BBQ at the Duck Race as a success and would be happy to also provide young people to assist the Duck Maidens in future as they would be covered by the Scout Insurance.
    9. Dunning Village Hall – There will be a meeting on 13th September 2023 to discuss the proposal to take over the running of the hall by a properly constituted committee with the option to move to a Community Asset Transfer in the future.
    10. It was commented on that the tables, chairs and barriers outside the Kirkstyle Rooms were obstructive but others thought them to be less of a problem than parked cars.
    11. Holyrood Garden Party – A question was asked about our nominations for the 2023 event and it was reported that this had been seriously over-subscribed. However, our nominees would be on the 2024 list.

The next meeting will be held on Monday 2nd October in the Church Hall immediately following the AGM that will start at 7.30pm