Apologies were received from Cath Macangus, Paddy Murray, Mike Hook

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING OF DORNOCH COMMUNITY COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 21 st MARCH 2018 AT 7.00pm IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, DORNOCH PRESENT Yvonne Ross Davie Macbeth Ian Grant Maggie Hope Jimmy Melville Graeme Ross Cllr Jim McGillivray 1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were received from Cath Macangus, Paddy Murray, Mike Hook Action 2 DICKIE BIRD - DORNOCH AIRSTRIP HANGER UPDATE Mr Bird gave a presentation to update members on the progress of the new hanger at Dornoch Airfield. Mr Bird has met with Richard Gerring and Stuart Black and discussed at length the use of the airstrip. He confirmed his lease has now come through, fees of 1500 per annum for a 30 year lease. It has been agreed that the running of the Airstrips at Dornoch, Plockton and Broadford will be supported by the Service Centre in Alness where aircrafts should book to land, and pay their landing dues. Mr Bird has suggested a scale of fees, but is not sure this is what the HC will go with. Also met with RDGC who have agreed to continue to cut grass in the area, and will in future cut to a 2 length. It is noted that car parking at the end of the airstrip (by the road to the Sewage Treatment Works), which is marked with bollard, causes a hazard in particular to larger aircrafts coming in to land as they require the full length of the strip. It was suggested that the bollards be moved back to allow additional length and to further restrict parking.

2 There are new bollards at the main car park area, to which the Golf Club have keys. Jason Gardiner has agreed to look at this from a fire safety perspective should a fire vehicle need access on to the airstrip itself. 3 AMBASSADOR HOUSE PRESENTATION Alan Ogilvie & Ian Mackay from Global Construction brought members up to date with the proposed development at Earls Cross, including Ambassador House. They circulated several versions of site plans for our information and explained the issues they have been having to get consent to start work due to issues with access roads. Access through Earls Cross Gardens is proving a problem as that area is currently not adopted by the Highland Council. Access up Earls Cross Road itself is also an issue due to the works required to bring this road up to a standard. These are issues that they are working with Highland Council to reach a suitable solution. They are currently looking at a development of around 26/27 houses, including a conversion of Ambassador House to 9 flats. Highland Council are happy with the layout and design of the development as are Historic Scotland with the development of the main house. It is noted that Ambassador House has been empty for 10 years. It is now in a derelict condition, but has been made secure with all window and doors shuttered. However, there has been damage, and graffiti. Vandals can also access an outside staircase which give access to enable them to cause damage to the roof. The developers have agreed a Road Safety Audit for Earls Cross Road, it is unsure whether this will be back in time for the plans to go to April committee, but thought unlikely. Members asked why Earls Cross Garden residents appear to get full council services (refuse collection, street lighting and gritting etc) when the area remains unadopted. All members agreed that it is the wish of the Dornoch Area Community Council that this development be given permission to proceed as a matter of urgency for the sake of a historic building, which should not be left to deteriorate any further. 4 GORDON SUTHERLAND CURLEW PROJECT Gordon Sutherland approached the committee to give an update on the current plans for the Curlew Project. This proposed to be a Curling Rink and Multi Purpose Venue. He circulated the feasibility study which was completed

3 during February 18. The venue proposes to meet some of the missing needs of the town, without competing with services already in place (for example there will be no café). The site is based behind the new UHI accommodation building. The Curling Rink will run from November end March annually. The venue will also have a gym and the developers are in talks with Silverback Gym in Tain who may be interested in running it as a new branch of their current business. There will be bar facilities, and again this could be franchised to a local publican to manage and staff. Outwith the curling season the large room will have capacity for running events and being available as a venue for wedding reception. It is hoped they could encourage music events similar to Spa Pavilion in Strathpeffer. As a wedding reception it could run as an offshoot of the Castle Hotel, or likewise other current wedding venues. The site looks to have substantial parking for around 110 vehicles. The capacity of building from Jason Gardiners perspective looks unlikely to be of any issue, this is an expansive site and so long as it is built with adequate fire escape provision there should be no concerns for numbers. From a budget perspective they are looking at project costs in the region of 2.5M. Gordon has requested support from the CC and members are in agreement that we should give a letter of full support which Yvonne will sign and pass to Gordon. LG 5 POLICE REPORT no report at this meeting and no Officers in attendance. 6 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND ANY MATTERS ARISING The minutes of the last meeting were read and agreed as a true record Proposed D Macbeth Seconded M Hope J McG gave an update on some ongoing issues from the last meeting Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries documents have been circulated by to all members for their information. He is however still waiting for details of the lease which he has requested.

4 Caravan Site this is sadly still ongoing. The currently state of play is the rent is up to date, although a rent review is in progress which could be backdated for the last financial year. JMcG has been asked to step back from this as it is seen to be commercially sensitive. To JMcGs knowledge the Service Point will stay in its current location. Public Toilets the toilets in the Square are to be fitted with 50p meters. The toilets at the beach will be closed. They will remain closed unless the CC/Community can make some arrangements for the management/cleaning of them going forward. Given that we are reaching holiday season and the issues with campervans filling the beach car park and road area, the CC are looking to take a lease on the variance of land from the playpark back to the toilets which will give the CC control over the ground and can then levy a charge on overnight parking in this area. Sports Barn not currently on capital plan but not off the agenda. JMcG reported that Bill Alexander has now resigned as Director of Care & Learning. JMcG asked that members keep an eye on the Garvary Windfarm (documents were circulated before the last meeting) Jim feels this is very much on the agenda for Dornoch area. 7 TREASURERS REPORT P Murray circulated a copy of the General Income current account as it stands. It is noted that we are caretakers for 30K which sits in the account for the Dornoch BRIG project at the playpark. We have received income from Beinn Tharsuinn this is payback towards 3.5K which has been paid out for the broadband project. There will be more paid in when we receive our next traunch of money from the windfarm. At that point we will then need to pay the balance to the broadband project of Cameron Warren is aware this will be into the new financial year. 8 PATHWAYS No issues to report. 9 ROADS Manhole on the outskirts of Camore dangerous. Report to the Service Point, or report online via the Highland Council website

5 10 PLANNING MATTERS New documents for Coul Links project have been circulated so all members should have had a chance to look. Comments to be in by 27 March. YR to complete. YR Todd Warnock is looking for support from the Community Council for an advertising campaign, and has asked for permission to use our logo. This has been checked with Planning and they have no concerns in us giving support in this way. 11 FUNDING APPLICATIONS No applications to be considered. 12 ANY OTHER BUSINESS D Macbeth has spoken to Steve Jack from the Forestry Commission they have now padlocked a gateway on to Tinkers Drive due to issues with fly tipping. A key to this can be left at the Service Point for access. J McGillivray Grass Cutting for 2018/19 season is out. There are no significant changes to report. G Ross slabs lifting at the war memorial. Report to the Service Point or through 13 DATE OF NEXT MEETING Wed 18 th April 2018