Footpath and Roads Update
Officers confirm that new footways for Craighead, Drum; Devonshaw, Powmill; Gairneybank, Kinross and Waulkmill. Crook of Devon are listed for implementation, subject to inadequate budget resources at present.
VAS installations are planned for B9097 east of Drum and road south of Kinross through Gairneybank and Gairneybridge, along with a review of 40mph repeater signs at the latter for improvements. Nameplate and direction signs at Lochran scheduled for early 2021/22.
20mph signs/speed limits are set for introduction in Crook of Devon south of A977 at Church Rd, St Serf’s and Waulkmill and north of A977 along Naemoor Rd to Woodlands; along with Drum village and north of Drum roads to just beyond Back Crook Rd junction, at my request.
Democratic Deficit
Recent Scottish Government Reporters (unelected) Appeal Decisions granting planning at Lathro. Kinross and Pitdownies, Milnathort against the wishes of the community and local members illustrate that ‘we don’t live in a democracy’ as regards planning.
Only MSPS can change this and they are standing for election next May!
Minutes from the Kinross-shire Community Transport Group, 28 January 2021. Present: Cllr Barnacle, Cllr Purves, Cllr Robertson (P&K Council), P Appleby (Fossoway CC) M Haigh (Cleish CC), J Fallon (Local Resident, Rumbling Bridge), M Ponton (Glenfarg CC), D Aird (Kinross-shire Volunteer Group), D Colliar (Kinross CC), C Farquhar (Fossoway CC) M Roy (P&K Council PTU).
Apologies: A Warrington (ACBuG), S Brown (Kinross High School), Dr Mccracken (Loch Leven Health Centre) A Cragoe, Portmoak CC, P Lord (Muckhart CC). Welcome and Apologies
Cllr Barnacle opened the meeting and noted apologies from Andrew Warrington. Cllr Barnacle advised group that Ann Cragow had advised him that she would no longer be able to attend these meetings so Cllr Barnacle will investigate sourcing another representative from Portmoak CC.
Minutes of last meeting on 19 November 2020
Only correction noted was that Service X53 was incorrectly stated as Service 23. This was noted and MR will update this on the minute records. Cllr Barnacle asked if Sarah Brown had been sent a copy of the electronic survey form. MR confirmed that she had asked her colleague John Strachan to undertake this and she trusted he had but she would double check.
Matters arising from last minutes
A lengthy and in-depth discussion took place in the group regarding the paper John Fallon had produced in terms of approaching First and Stagecoach East Scotland Directors with his suggestions for recasting Services X53 and X56. MR confirmed that as JF had not wished his specific papers to be sent to Stagecoach and First at this point without further consultation with Cllr Barnacle, MR had not forwarded them to the Directors.
However, MR had briefly outlined the suggestions for recasting Service X56 to Douglas Robertson, but he explained the operational reasons as to why this would not be something he could implement.
However, majority consensus was that MR should share the proposals for X53 with Andrew Jarvis with the view of preparing for post CV19 services.
Update on Current Subsidised Local Bus Services in Kinross-shire
M Ponton and D Aird provided community feedback on Service 55 and confirmed that all was going well with the service and it was being used although it was accepted that numbers travelling are low due to lockdown. M Ponton added that the additional Service 56 journeys into Perth have resulted in no public transport complaints from Glenfarg residents so suggested these are therefore suitable. MR added that from a PTU perspective it has transpired that the situation with one service operating between Glenfarg and Kinross and one between Glenfarg and Perth is working well, and this model will be used going forward. MR added that it was encouraging that Service 55 had resulted in a local coach operator entering the local bus service market. Cllr Robertson noted that every effort should be made to retain Services 55 and 56 as they are. MR agreed to progress this and liaise with the operators to ascertain if passengers had requested any tweaks to the routes or timings that could be accommodated. Future Planning for Public Transport Provision in Kinross-shire Cllr Barnacle noted that in terms of unserved areas of Kinross-shire re public transport, the group needs to ascertain where the real need is. P Appleby advised that there is currently no demand in Cleish or Blairadam for any public transport provision. All acknowledged that post Covid-19 there would be significantly less commuter journeys.
Cllr Robertson noted that it would be a significant responsibility for a Community Group to buy and operate a minibus and also that the Council’s Capital Budget is frozen at the moment until further in the year. Cllr Purves agreed.
Cllr Barnacle suggested revisiting the survey to check where the demand had been at that time and then scope out a bus service timetable around that with the intention to commence post Covid-19.
MR advised that the most suitable model may be to build a timetable around Kinross High School times and then operators who undertake school transport could bid with their vehicles that already serve Kinross High School. MR confirmed that this model is in place already in Loch Tay area, Strathearn area and Crieff town. Perhaps one return journey between Dollar – Blairingone – Powmill – Carnbo and Kinross, 2 or 3 days a week off peak and to fit in with clinic times in Kinross. MR to draft email and share with Cllrs in first instance.
Date of Next Meeting
Cllr Barnacle will canvas opinion on most suitable date nearer the time.
Councillor Michael Barnacle Independent Member for Kinross-shire