Dunning Community Council Meeting 6 May 2024

1. Welcome: The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and those present were: Neil Johnston (NJ) – Chair, John Stockley (JS) – Vice-Chair, Ann Myles (AM) – Treasurer, Colin Young (CY) – Secretary, Tony Fitzpatrick (TF), Amanda Howie (AH), Ally Dewar (AD), Councillor Steven Carr (SC) and members of the public.
2. Apologies: Councill Keith Allan (KA), Councillor Crawford Reid (CR)
3. Update from Police: No officers were available to attend the meeting but members receive the Local Area Commander’s Weekly Bulletin by email.
4. Minutes of the last meeting held on 8th April 2024: These were agreed and signed by the Chair.
5. Treasurer’s Report: Copies had been distributed to members and the public and were agreed.
6. Matters arising from the Minutes:
   1. Safer Communities – AH had been inContact with them and provided the dates of our meetings and it is hoped they will be able to attend in either June or July.
   2. Website – JS had met with Rob Carr to progress this matter and the hope is that another 2 or 3 weeks will be required to complete the work and provide training before the launch.
   3. PA System – NJ and TF explained that while the battery-powered system would be in place for the Duck Race, they were now exploring a mains-powered system for use at Little Dunning, Scrufts and other events. The reason for this being that the battery-powered system cannot be linked to remote speakers that would be needed for dealing with large areas.                                                      Action: NJ/TF   
   4. Potholes: AH had reported the problem with sunken drain at Croft Place and potholes at the 20mph sign on Perth Road and will continue to receive reports and pass them on. SC explained that PKC is currently meeting with Tayside Contracts to attempt to get a better service from them as it appeared that both Angus Council and Dundee City Council are being provided with a superior service.
   5. Hungrytown Folk Group – dealt with.
   6. SSENCustomer Vulnerability Team – CY had met with Morna Lochtie of the Dunning Welfare Association and identified those most likely to be in this category. In discussion with others in the village it became obvious that a good number of people are already registered and receiving information from SSEN when necessary. It was thought best to place the information on Dunning Folk & Friends Facebook page and allow others to register if they felt the need. No further action.
   7. SEPA - Properties at risk of flooding – CY had identified 11 Romangate and 6 Ochil Gardens as at most risk of flooding when water crosses the road from Robertson’s Field and this will be passed on to SEPA. This raised the issue of blocked gulleys and, despite the assurance that these are checked and cleared on a bi-annual schedule, it was agreed to inspect all gulleys in the village and pass this information to the Secretary who would liaise with Councillors.                                              Action: CY/SC
   8.  Cycle Event – AH had received word back from PKC that Stagecoach had been informed of this event but appeared not to have acted on it.
7. Planning Matters: 
   1. 24/00479/FLL – Extension to house and garages at Laigh of Rossie
   2. 23/01665/FLL – Approval of 104m wind turbine at Findony
   3. 24/00540/FLL – Extension to industrial storage at Findony
   4. 24/00567/FLL – Extension to dwelling 3 Croft Place
   5. 24/00518/FLL – Alterations and extension to Mosshead Farm Bungalow
8. Roads Matters:
   1. AH reported that the surface between Masterfield corner and Dalreoch Railway Bridge was breaking up again and asked when this whole section was to be resurfaced. SC explained that Scottish Water had undertaken a survey of this area and further up towards the entrance to Broadslap but the results were not yet known.
9. Correspondence:
   1. AM had received a letter from Dunning Primary School asking for financial support for their annual Achievement Celebration. It was agreed to donate £150 for this event.
10. DCC Projects:
    1. Grass Cutting opposite Kirk Wynd – NJ was able to report that the person who had previously carried out this work was no longer available. In order to learn more about who had been involved NJ would talk to the residents and report back.                                                                                                             Action: NJ
11. Meetings attended: 
    1. AD reported that he had attended the Rollo Park Core Group meeting but that there had been nothing of note. A question as asked about the clock on the front of the Pavilion and AD was able to state that the Core Group had decided not to replace it. This was thought to be unpopular with many users.
    2. TF reported that the next meeting of the Rural Transport Futures would be held on 18th May in the Birnham Arts Centre when he will be in attendance.
12. Councillors’ Reports:
    1. SC indicted that he  had not forgotten about the bus stop on the Southbound section of the A9 at Dalreoch and had flagged this up to those responsible in the hope that a solution can be found.
13. Any other business:
    1. AD reported that bags of rubbish were being dumped in the Rollo Park beside the recycling containers but nobody has yet been identified as responsible for this. SC indicated that the new Fly Tipping Officer ( Russell Gillespie) has already been successful in fining a number of people for such actions and this information should be passed on to him.
    2. AH – Bus bays in the village – a question had been asked about the suitability of yellow lines beside St. Serf’s Churchyard Wall – AH was re-assured when it was explained that these lines would be white.
    3. AH reported that some youths had taken to loitering in the Graveyard recently but there had, as yet, been no indication of any mischief. JS was able to report that they usually gathered in front of the Pavilion but decanted elsewhere if there was an evening golf match taking place.
    4. TF explained about the success of the Craft Group that now numbered 20 regulars but emphasized that they needed some financial support to pay for the Church Hall. As there was still money from the Warm Spaces Fund, could this be transferred to the Group? This was agreed.
    5. TF asked about the DCC stall at Little Dunning and it was agreed to hold a meeting to discuss this in the next few days.                                                                                                                                                   Action: AM
    6. The portrait of King Charles III had been delivered and it was thought best to install this in the Village Hall and clearly identified as the property of the DCC.                                                                         Action: CY
    7. CY reported that more coping stones had been dislodged just beyond Sawmill Cottage, presumably by the same people who tipped the other off. CY asked if it would be possible to erect the Trail Camera in this area. This was agreed.                                                                                                            Action: TF
    8. AD asked about any progress with the planning issues at the Kirkstyle Inn. KA had been investigating this matter and will make anything known at the next meeting.
    9. It was reported that a section of grass in front of the properties on Bridge of Earn Road was no longer being cut by PKC as they were maintaining that it was ‘no man’s land’.                                  Action: JS/SC
    10. A question was asked about the precise layout of the parking restrictions and it was agreed to deliver a copy of these to the person.                                                                                                             Action: NJ

The next meeting will be held on Monday 3rd June 2024 at 7.30pm in Dunning Village Hall