Dunning Community Council Meeting 5 February 2024

Minutes of the meeting of Dunning Community Council held on Monday 5th February 2024

at 7.30pm in Dunning Church Hall

1. Welcome: The Chair welcomed everyone to the first meeting of this year and wished them a Happy New Year. Those present were: Neil Johnston (NJ) – Chair, Ann Myles (AM) – Treasurer, Colin Young (CY) – Secretary, John Stockley (JS), Amanda Howie (AH), Ally Dewar (AD), Councillor Keith Allan (KA), Councillor Steven Carr (SC) and members of the public.
2. Apologies: Tony Fitzpatrick (TF) and Councillor Crawford Reid (CR)
3. Update from Police: There were no officers available due to other duties but the members continue to receive the Local Area Commander’s weekly bulletin, a document that also appears on Dunning Folk & Friends Facebook page. JS asked about the mention of Dunning in a recent bulletin and it was confirmed that this was a prolific shoplifter who was expelled from the Dunning NISA and later arrested.
4. Minutes of the last meeting held on 4th December 2023. These were agreed and signed by the Chair.
5. Treasurer’s Report: AM provided details of the expenditure on the Over 80s Christmas Lunch and other expenses. These were agreed.
6. Matters arising from the Minutes:
   1. Shinafoot Junction – NJ explained that he had maintained contact with CR regarding and progress with this proposal. KA was able to inform the meeting that nothing would occur until somebody took over the Stewart Milne Homes development and that this could take some time.
   2. Safer Communities Team – AH reported that there was little progress and that she would pursue the matter.                                                                                                                                                      Action: AH 
   3. Community Survey outcomes – CY let everyone know that this was complete but that it might be better if TF was able to describe the details at the next meeting. There were no real problems and a lot of positive comments.                                                                                                                                                Action: TF
7. Planning Matters:
   1. Siting of accommodation unit (for a temporary period) (in retrospect) on land 200 metres North of Quilts.
   2. Raised terrace, ramp, steps, etc. at Glengarry, Lower Granco Street.
   3. Erection of dwellinghouse 35 metres East of Gateside Cottage – Refused
8. Road Matters: A discussion began with the condition of the road between the Masterfield corner and Dalreoch railway bridge that has been the subject of several damaged tyres and wheels due to the surface continually breaking up. It was also pointed out that the section of road leading to this area is almost constantly running with water and causing this and other problems, especially in cold weather. Several reports have been made to PKC and KA asked that as much information as possible be sent to him so that he can raise the matter with the relevant officer.                                                                                                                                           Action: JS
9. Correspondence: 
   1. Pre-application consultation for replacement of the telecommunication mast behind Fenton’s Yard along Station Road.
   2. Knowehead Forestry Plan – update.
   3. Scottish Woodlands – Forestry Consultation – various locations around the area but not within the DCC boundary.
   4. Craighead Wind Farm Consultation outcomes from exhibition in Dunning. No issues raised.
10. Meetings attended:  NJ reported on the meeting with Rob Carr who will assist the DCC with the website and any other electronic communications and ensure that members can deal with this themselves in the future. NJ also pointed out that any costs involved can be drawn from the Administration Grant from PKC.
11. Councillors’ Reports: 
    1. KA indicated that the Simon Howie Butchers Ltd wind turbine application would be dealt with at the April meeting of the Committee.
    2. SC explained that PKC have a designated officer now dealing with Fly-Tipping but hoped that this issue had now declined in this area.
12. Any other business:
    1. AH asked about the slip road onto the A9 at Aberuthven and if this was going to be re-surfaced. KA was able to reveal that Transport Scotland and PKC had agreed to deal with this but no time-scale was available.
    2. JS asked about measures to recruit new members to the DCC as we were now down by 2 members and it would be good to have more hands to assist with the work. It was agreed to get something on the DCC Facebook page and the Community Noticeboard.                                                                                Action:CY
    3. AD asked about the exterior structure at the Kirkstyle Inn and wished to learn if there was any progress on enforcement. KA was able to report that discussions had taken place with Planning officers with regard to a formal planning application (in retrospect) but that nothing had been lodged to-date and he will inquire how this is progressing.                                                                                                         Action: KA

The next meeting will be held on Monday 4th March 2024 at 7.30pm in the Church Hall.