Since the last AGM on 22 October 2008, major Planning matters have again dominated the Agenda of KDCC as Kintore, being on the 64 mile Laurencekirk to Huntly SGA (Strategic Growth Area), has again become one of the main targets for Developers and 11 Developer Proposals were submitted to Aberdeenshire Council in early 2009, prior to the publication of a Main Issues Report.

The detailed and well considered work done by Graham McDonald, KDCC Vice Chairman, in preparing individual appraisals of each Developer Proposal, has been acknowledged and complimented, not only within KDCC but by Developers and Piers Blaxter, the main official from Aberdeenshire Council responsible for compiling the Main Issues Report.

At a Public Meeting arranged by KDCC and held in Kintore School on 25 February, Graham’s appraisal document provided the basis for discussion on the Developer Proposals and was attended by many members of the Public, Councillor Fergus Hood, the Developers and Piers Blaxter.

Such was the impact of Graham’s report and the Public Meeting, Developers have been in contact to arrange further meetings to discuss amended proposals. One such meeting has already taken place and another, involving the most significant development, is scheduled for 6 October in the Local Hub. With proposals for building in excess of 1000 houses in Kintore, the challenges for KDCC and the Kintore community generally, are obvious.

On 22 April, an invitation was extended to KDCC members to attend the Scottish Parliament at Hollyrood, to discuss a proposed Rail Halt at Kintore. Graham McDonald and I attended the meeting, which was chaired by Stewart Stevenson, Transport Minister. It appears there is an ‘official’ willingness to progress this additional transport facility for Kintore residents, but a timescale was not forthcoming and there was much talk about a series of studies being required. However, subsequent media reports suggest a timescale of 5 years for the provision of a Kintore Rail Halt.

Kintore residents continue to make contact with KDCC on a range of local issues and in trying to address these, I have been impressed by the support given to the Community Council by Constable Darren Cochrane and Councillors Cullinane, Ford and Hood, who invariably attend meetings and give of their experience, enthusiastically contribute to the debate and provide the link through which contact can be made with Council Officials, notably Ian Fowell and Ian Rendall, who are also keen to assist if possible.

To allow Local Councillors and Constable Cochrane to attend other Community Council meetings, which by tradition also meet on the third Monday monthly, KDCC meeting dates have now been changed to the third Tuesday monthly and are now held in the Local Hub, as meeting facilities in Kintore School on Tuesday evenings are extremely limited.

In 2007, a Sub Group of KDCC called Action Kintore (AK) was formed, specifically to look at ways of addressing the lack of youth facilities within Kintore. Action Kintore has progressed to the extent it has acquired Charitable status, Company status and on 15 September, Planning Permission was granted for the building of an eco-conscious Youth Café structure on the site of the old Library off Allandale Gardens. With the formation of the Company - Action Kintore Ltd. on 16 March, it became a separate and independent entity and is no longer a Sub Group of KDCC.

There is an expectation that KDCC will take an interest in and comment of the work carried out by organisations which impact upon Kintore residents. For a few years now, Sheila Gray and Ann Marston have represented KDCC on the Bus Forum, where passenger concerns regarding scheduling and other matters are raised. Earlier this year and by invitation, I went to a meeting of Garioch and North Marr Community Safety Committee and have been a regular attendee since. In addition, there are quarterly meetings of the Community Council Forum, but these have tended to clash with KDCC meetings and therefore attendance has been sporadic.

I am continually impressed by the work undertaken by public spirited individuals within the community; those who manage Kintore Boys Club and Kintore United FC, who have a combined total of some 150 boys and girls of various ages in their football teams; the organisers of the Kintore Summer Festival; members of Kintore Rotary Club who contribute financially and practically to the work of other organisations and many others within the community too numerous to mention, but including leaders of the Scouts, Boys Brigade, and the Church and Golf Club youth set-ups.

KDCC members have also contributed to community life. Ann Marston, Sheila Gray and Joan Thomson organised the annual Senior Citizens outing, which this year went to Huntly, combining it with a Distillery visit. Ann Marston also took on the task of resurrecting the Best Garden competition, judged by Jim Coutts, who along with Ainslie Reid, also plants and cares for the floral displays in the town centre.

In my last Chairman’s Report, I referred to several members of the public expressing an interest in assisting KDCC. I personally made contact with each of these persons, but regrettably and due apparently to other commitments, they have been unable to assist.

In the lead up to this years’ AGM, information seeking new KDCC members was posted in the Inverurie Advertiser (Friday August 28th), Kintore Library, www.kintore.org.uk website and in the Local Hub. It remains to be seen whether there will be take-up, but without assistance, KDCC’s role in the community will continue to be restricted.

Finally, I have enjoyed the monthly meetings, the discussion and good natured banter with other KDCC members: Vice Chairman Graham McDonald, Secretary Christine Stamper, Treasurer Drew Cullinane and Sheila Gray, Ava Rennie, Ann Marston and Joan. A special thanks to Ken White, who has served on KDCC for at least three years, first introduced me to KDCC two years ago and was my mentor in my first year as Chairman. Ken has now resigned from KDCC, due to his many other commitments.

Kenny Thomson
22 September 2009

Tags: Community Council