Councillor Mike Barnacle

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Kinross Newsletter – April Update from Mike

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Councillor Mike Barnacle’s Column

PKC Budget

Residents will have received their Council Tax Bills for 2017/18 last month and will have noted an increase of 2% set by PKC.  I have worked with my Independent colleague, Councillor Cuthbert, in negotiating on the budget proposals of the various political groups in order to try and get additional resources for the Kinross-shire Ward and we ended up supporting the Administration budget for the reasons outlined in Councillor Cuthbert’s column, to which I would add a note of extra money for playparks and footpath/cycle networks of £362,000 in 2017/18 and £325,000 reinstated into the 2018/19 budget to provide primary schools with more flexibility to deliver music and PE in the curriculum.  Although £100,000 for roadside footpaths may not seem very much given our long list of requirements (that budget has been frozen since 2009/10 as a consequence of an ‘unprecedented’ nine year Council Tax freeze) it is nevertheless welcome to have the flexibility now to resource expenditure urgently needed.  As noted with your bills, PKC have ‘no discretion’ in relation to the extra percentage increases on Band E to H properties ‘imposed’ by the Scottish Government.

Roads Issues

See email attached to Chic Haggart.

Planning Matters

The Community Consultation Event on the 18/2/17 called by myself and Councillor Cuthbert in relation to development proposals for zoning in LDP2 in Fossoway at Blairingone, Crook of Devon and Rumbling Bridge was very well attended and we are hugely encouraged by that.  Forward Planning are collating responses, which should be available by the end of March.  Fossoway CC is proposing to hold a further ‘special’ meeting on this matter on 18th April at Fossoway Primary School since they have still to decide their position on whether or not any of these proposals should be included in LDP2 for further consultation in Autumn 2017.  I would encourage residents to attend this meeting, especially those who couldn’t attend the event on 18/2/17, to give your views to the Community Council and Local Members present.  There will also be a further opportunity to comment on priorities for the A977 capital programme using our consultation form (see email to Chic Haggart of 20/3/17).

I note Kinross-shire Civic Trust’s letter to PKC of 3/2/17 complaining about PKC Planning Department’s interpretation of our Local Plan as being ‘indicative’, whatever that means, when it comes to housing numbers quoted for sites.  I agree with the Trust and also Councillor Cuthbert in his column that Local Plan numbers should be adhered to and only minor percentage changes allowed (certainly not the increases he highlights as examples of bad planning practise), for reasons stated.

A Proposal for a Holiday Park and Visitor Centre between Burleigh Castle and Sands is the subject of public consultation on Saturday 1st April at Lochleven Campus between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm.  This is a ‘major’ application for the area and was discussed at a surprisingly ‘packed’ meeting of Milnathort Community Council on 9/3/17.  I got the impression that a clear majority of folk were opposed to this proposal but people were encouraged to find out more at the public consultation and provide feedback to their Community Councils and Local Members.  I am on record as advocating the concept of a Visitor Centre at the Pier area in Kinross, although I realise access difficulties may preclude this.  I also quite like Burleigh Sands as it is at present and am therefore cautious about development proposals around here.

Finally, at time of writing, Fife Council is still consulting on the Westfield Biomass Plant proposals but confirmed receipt of an objection from PKC, principally in relation to projected lorry movements on the B9097 and C50 approaches.  It is possible this decision could be made at Scottish Government level.

Councillor Mike Barnacle

Independent Member for Kinross-shire

Email to Charles Haggart on Road Safety

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Sent on behalf of Councillor Mike Barnacle

Dear Chic

I understand Ward Councillors are set to meet with yourself and colleagues at the above to discuss ongoing roads matters and write to outline the main points I wish to raise at that meeting viz:-

CONSULATATIONS

 As you are aware, a community consultation event was held on 18/2/17 in Crook of Devon regarding LDP2 zoning issues in Fossoway and A977 mitigation measures (I enclose the resident’s letter, circulated by myself and Councillor Cuthbert).  Whilst I understand why the Council’s Roads’ Department were not ready to consult on the A977 capital programme, Councillor Cuthbert and myself felt it was an opportunity for us to gather community views thereon and I enclose copy of our consultation form.  The responses to this are significant and continuing; my secretary has prepared an up-to-date matrix of these and summarised comments, which I shall present at our meeting for your assistance in your future consultations with the community.

The B9097 Action Plan was the subject of comment from myself on 21/11/16 and Daryl will also note Brian Glennie’s email of 22/2/17 forwarded on 28/2/17.  I have been told the ‘Action Plan’ is not a consultation but a programme to be implemented regardless of community views; this seems an extraordinary position and I seek clarity?

Drum Main Street consultation on proposed weight restriction has received significant response from residents.  I understand this must be the ‘prohibition of entry’ for commercial vehicles referred to in the B9097 Action Plan.  From the responses, it is clear that residents, whilst welcoming the proposal, do not feel it goes far enough and will probably not be enforced.  I share that view and feel a wider discussion is needed around the further measures suggested, including a 20 mph limit put forward for consideration by Fossoway CC?

Waiting restrictions proposed on the approaches to Portmoak Primary School are the subject of comment from residents and I note the objections thereto.  This was discussed at the March meeting of Portmoak CC and Councillor Robertson suggested consideration of a ‘pilot’ scheme, as exists around Arngask Primary School, to prohibit all but essential service vehicles and local residents from school approaches at school opening/closing times; it was also suggested that we should review the operation of the one-way system?

Pedestrian Safety in Kinnesswood and Scotlandwell was the subject of an assessment presented to Ward members on 29/9/16 and discussed at a packed meeting of residents at Portmoak CC on 11/10/16, from which I sent to Brian and Daryl a summary of my notes, in particular support for substantial village gateway entrances and 20 mph limits.  What is happening regarding this?

NOTES

 Please note my email of 22/2/17 to Daryl suggesting that the 30 mph limit on Naemoor Road between Crook of Devon and Rumbling Ridge should be extended at its eastern and western ends; can you advise when you can assess this?

You should note my email to Brian of 10/3/17 supporting the proposed Green Route through Milnathort and Glenfarg CC areas and further notes thereon regarding the inappropriate use of the Dryside Road near Glenlomond by commercial vehicles to and from Fife, also the request for the blue signs for Findatie Car Park to include reference to café facilities.

THANKS

 I note imminent improvements scheduled for the Kinross High Street Regeneration Scheme, in particular the re-installation of a Puffin Crossing and relocation of 20 mph signs programmed for 10/4/17 on a 3-week timescale.  I note I requested same on 20/1/16 and fail to understand why the facility was removed in the first place.

I note the E & I Committee agreement of 8/3/17 to extend the 40 mph limit west of Pittendreich and Channel Farm on the A911 with countdown markers west of the Old Mill.

Kind regards

Councillor Mike Barnacle

Independent Member for Kinross-shire

PS        I look forward to further discussions at our meeting.