ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF RURAL SCOTLAND (A.P.R.S.)
OFFICE-BEARERS
Honorary President . . Sir JOHN STIRLING MAXWELL, Bt., K.T.
President . . The Rt. Hon. THE EARL OF GALLOWAY.
Vice-President . . Sir IAIN COLQUHOUN, Bt., K.T., D.S.O.
Chairman of Council (Acting) . . The Rt. Hon. THE EARL OF GALLOWAY.
Vice-Chairman of Council . . W. FERRIS.
Joint Honorary Secretaries . . Sir F. C. MEARS, P.R.S.A., F.R.I.B.A.
LESLIE GRAHAME – THOMSON, R.S.A., F.R.I.B.A.
Honorary Treasurer . . H. A. RENDEL GOVAN, A.R.I.B.A., M.T.P.I.
Office: 15 RUTLAND SQUARE, EDINBURGH, 1.
Telephone 20396.
ANNUAL REPORT, 1948
The Council has pleasure in submitting the Annual Report to the Association, together with the Statement of Finances for the year ending 31st December, 1947.
Cordial thanks are due to the Office Bearers of the Association for their personal services during the course of the year.
Owing to the continued restrictions on the use of paper, the report once more has to be brief.
Hydro-Electric Development.
During the year under review, several schemes were submitted by the Board and considered by the Council.
To none of these schemes was it found necessary to take any exception.
The Council believes that the good relations which were earlier established with the Board have borne fruit, and that the Board is doing its utmost to prevent more alteration of the countryside than is absolutely necessary.
National Parks.
The Council in the main approved of the report issued by the Departmental Committee appointed by the Secretary of State on the administrative and financial measures necessary for the provision of National Parks in Scotland.
The Council is of opinion that this is largely due to the activities of the Scottish Council for National Parks, to which the Association is a subscriber.
Services’ Land Requirements.
The Department of Health has, during the course of the year, invited the Council’s views upon the areas required by the Service Departments. A large number of various uses of land and sea have been considered by the Council, and certain appreciable modifications have been obtained, particularly with regard to the suggested closure of roads and rights of way.
While at first sight there may be little cause for exception to any individual project, the cumulative requirements of varying Departments in one particular area is a matter against which the Council has been upon its guard, and objection has been taken to the use of certain sea lochs on the West Coast.
It is the hope of the Council that before the Service requirements in this area are granted, a public enquiry, as provided for, will be held.
River Pollution.
This is a matter to which the public is generally awakening, and the Rivers Pollution Prevention Committee has been resuscitated.
The Council has made specific representation to the Department of Health and the Local Authority regarding the River Ettrick, and is prepared to make similar representations when specific instances are brought to its notice.
Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1947.
This Act was placed upon the Statute Book at the close of the year, and gives the appropriate Minister power to make regulations, amongst other matters, controlling out-door advertising.
Outwith the period covered by this report, draft regulations upon this matter have been prepared and have been submitted to the Association for its observations.
The Council records its appreciation of the Department of Health for Scotland having invited the Association’s views on this matter.
General.
Among other matters considered and under consideration by the Council are the adequacy of existing legislation to deal with rural housing, the possible spoilation of the Sir Walter Scott view, the condition of Swanston village, and the planting of trees on trunk roads.
Finance.
There is attached hereto an Abstract of Accounts for the year to 31st December, 1947.
The year’s working shows an excess of income over expenditure amounting to £91 4s. 2d, and the Council desires to record its appreciation to members who have contributed at the increased rate.
The Council desires the assistance of all members in increasing the membership, so that the Association may be kept aware of all matters of interest in every part of the country.
BUSINESS
1. Minute of Annual General Meeting held on 5th June, 1947.
2. Annual Report and Accounts.
3. Election of Office Bearers.
4. Election of Members of Council.
5. Any other competent business.
BALANCE SHEET as at 31st December, 1947
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS for the Year to 31st December, 1947
[see pdf file]
Report to the Members of the Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland.
I have examined the Books and Accounts of the Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland for the year to 31st December, 1947, and certify that the foregoing Balance Sheet exhibits a correct view of the state of the Association’s affairs as shown by the books.
5 ALBYN PLACE,
EDINBURGH, 2. May, 1948.
(Signed) ALEX. HARRISON, C.A., Honorary Auditor.