Minutes of meeting held 1st April 2009

Present:                       Mr. S Christie (Chair); Mrs. M Sutherland (Secretary); Mrs. E Miller (Treasurer);

                                    Mr. M Pirie; Mrs. J Allan; Mr. F Steele; Mrs. I Younnie

In Attendance:            Cllr G Leadbitter; Cllr P Paul; Ms Pam McKerron (Area Housing Officer)

Apologies:                   Cllr J Divers; Cllr J Sharp; Mrs. C Hay; Miss F Shaw

Item 1.                        Welcome.        Steven thanked everyone for attending.

Item 2.                        Minutes of Previous Meeting.     The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and taken as a true record.

                        Proposed:        Liz Miller                    Seconded:  Jean Allan           

Item 3.                        Matters Arising from Previous Minutes.

a.         Garage Parking Projects.   Steven stated that the projects for various areas had been submitted to John MacDonald adding that there were none for the Bilbohall area but there was for Rothes and various other parts of Elgin.

Concerns were raised regarding the parking in Land Street, Rothes and also the old tennis court area in Forsyth Avenue adjacent to the Rothes Primary School dyke. It was also brought to our attention that the library is now being housed in the school.

b.         Play Parks.      Cllr Leadbitter stated that he had attended a meeting that day with Colin Matheson regarding Play Parks. He stated that they looked at both the Mossend Place area and Heldon Place area but did not have time to view the one in Ben Aigen Walk. Budget permitting he is quite keen to do these projects at a cost of approximately between £20,000 and £25,000. The Forum will commit this year’s budget of £10,000 towards this project. The work includes; reinstatement and building up of ground; drainage; installing paths; landscaping and paving. No play equipment will be included. Steven stated that it is possible to speak to Lands and Parks regarding this but it will be kept strictly to toddler items. Moira will e-mail John MacDonald to confirm that the Forum will commit this year’s budget of £10,000 to the refurbishment of all three play parks.

c.         Glen Lossie Drive Flats.         This is very difficult due to the owner/occupiers. Scaffolding would cost approximately £15,000 plus alone and it is estimated that the work would possibly cost owner/occupiers £12,000. Steven mentioned that perhaps fencing could be an option and perhaps this could be included when it comes to landscaping the ground for the play parks.

d.         Rothes Budget.           It was stated that Rothes are going to meet to discuss on how to spend their allocated budget and recreate their wish list.

Item 4.                        Area Housing Officer’s Report.     There was no report.

Item 5.                        Treasurer’s Report.              The Bank balance to date is £635.81p plus £34.49p in raffle totaling £670.30p. There are two cheques’ to come off totaling £69.30p. The total in hand is £601.00p. Copies of the statement were passed around to all present.

Item 6.                        Rothes Issues.                        Steven stated that he had been on a walkabout and the Estate Co-coordinator had picked up that coping stones needed addressed in some areas.

Item 7.                        Bilbohall Issues.

a.         Paths are in a bad state due to tree roots in the following areas:  Brinuth Place, Longwood Walk and Glen Lossie Drive.    Pam to action

b.         Moira stated that she had sent a letter to Debbie Anderson, the new Community Warden inviting her to any meeting and included a copy of our future dates and the Minutes of the previous meeting. To date no reply had been received.

Item 8.                        Correspondence.      

a.         MVSO Big Lottery Fund and Fisheries seminars.

b.         MVSO Spring Newsletter

c.         Letter from Wm Ross, Roads Maintenance Manager regarding street lighting schemes. Steven read this out.

d.         Shower Installation - The article in the paper did not do the meeting justice. The shower would be placed over the bath and the cost included joiners, tilers, plumbers etc and also maintenance and replacement when necessary.

e.         Boots Consultation Meeting - Moira and Liz attended this and Moira gave a resume of the proposals discussed.

Item 9.                        AOCB.       There was no further business.

Item 10.          Date of Next Meeting.           The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 6th May 2009 at 7.30pm in Cedarwood, Edgar Road, Elgin.  

Raffle – Jean & Moira