MERKINCH Community Council paid a two-minute silent tribute to the victims of the New York terrorist horror when they met in Merkinch School on 13th September.

Expressions of sympathy also went to Helen Geddes, whose husband John’s funeral had been held that day, and to Isa Sturrock whose son James had just died.

Cllr Chrissie Cumming also commented how good it was to see council members Morag Soane and Clair Pieraccini present, both of whom had been fighting illness.

Alec MacLeod of Maclennan Crescent Residents Association scotched a rumour that he and Cllr Corbett were at loggerheads. A letter was going out to residents that the funds had not been found to keep to the timetable of refurbishments originally planned.
A start to improve the “squalid” conditions in the crescent would not now be made until next year.

PC Alastair Stewart also dismissed a rumour that his colleague Norman Campbell was leaving. “We are both here through our own choice and we’re staying for the next couple of years at least,” he said.

Mr Kerr said that the Trinity Church and 20 cars had been broken into in one night and PC Stewart said that was down to one person and he had been identified.

On the question of the Local Plan, members agreed to express their concern at the density of new housing, the need for on-site parking, the erosion of green space, and the need to develop on brownfield sites

Cllr Corbett detailed the various beneficiaries of his discretionary budget which included: Kirk Care Social Fund, NCH, Merkinch School and Nursery, the Corbett Centre, Merkinch Community Centre and the Breakfast Club, various environmental and floral improvements and Merkinch News & Views community newsletter - which would like to take this opportunity to thank him.

Next meeting is on 11th October in the Community Centre at 7.30pm.