CREICH COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Transcription

1 CREICH COMMUNITY COUNCIL Minutes of meeting held Wednesday 17 th November 2010 at 7.30pm in Invershin Hall Present: Pete Campbell (Chair), Russell Taylor (Treasurer), Sandy Chalmers, Russell Smith, John White, Lily Byron, Kay Smart, Keith Williams, Norman MacDonald Also present: Colin Gilmour, Highland Councillor Robbie Rowantree, PC Katy Hunter and Gary Meek and John Dawson of Robertson Highland Apologies: Brian Coghill, Claire Bruce (Vice Chair), Sally Williams Item 1. Welcome/Apologies as above. Pete Campbell opened the meeting and requested it begin with the police report from Katy Hunter, who had once again given up her own time to attend. There have been several speed checks operated on the Balblair straight but no offenders have been noted. Katy will pass this on to the traffic department who may continue to monitor the strip. Crime figures in the area remain very low, thought to be due in part to the good community involvement. Two incidents of vandalism have been reported. Thanks to diligent work by PC Jo Hogg, a culprit has been identified through DNA testing regarding the vandalism at Mr McAughtrie s workshop. Asked if the culprit will be made to pay compensation if found guilty, Katy said that the police can make a recommendation to that effect but that it is up to the court to decide. Incidents of speeding are still occurring on the Lairg Road, in spite of the constant road works at present and Katy will highlight this concern in her report. The CC now owns its own speed warning sign and discussion regarding its use was held till later in the meeting. There being no other relevant problems, Katy left the meeting at 7.35pm with thanks from all present. After she left it was agreed that a letter of commendation should be sent to Katy s superiors in recognition of the excellent service she provides to the community, how much she is appreciated and expressing the wish that she be retained in post here if at all possible. MG Action. Item 2. Robertson Highland. Pete next introduced Gary Meek and John Dawson of Robertson Highland who had come to present an update on the work at Migdale Hospital. Gary is the Operations Manager for the company; John has been involved with the Migdale project since it commenced. The shell construction of the building is going well and it is hoped that as the more wintry conditions begin most of the outside work will be in hand and internal work can continue without interruption. Overall the project is running about three months behind schedule, having never caught up with delays during last winter s bad weather. Completion is now expected in June The company intends to apply for extended working hours, with shifts running from 7.30am 5pm and 4.30pm 9 or 10pm. These extra hours should not cause serious inconvenience to the neighbouring residents, as most of the work being carried out will be internal. Robertson Highland is enrolled in the Considerate Constructors Scheme and recently received a high rating of 36 out of 40, placing it in line for a possible award. Community involvement is an important part of the company s code of practice. There have been visits by local schools, a poster competition for

2 the children, donations and gifts to the schools and support for the Bradbury Centre s Christmas events. As part of a programme to recycle materials, a free firewood scheme has also been introduced where bags of off-cut wood are placed at the gate for collection by locals on a first come, first served basis. Highland Council s Care of the Elderly Team has taken some for their clients. A regular newsletter is produced and is available at several of the shops in the village. It was agreed that John would the next one to Mary to be circulated to both Creich and Ardgay CCs. Gary stated that six or seven local tradesmen have been employed to date but that it is hoped to take on more to work on the internal constructions, i.e. joiners, electricians, etc. with further help being anticipated during the final clean-up stage, around eight to ten weeks before handover. Information will be in the newsletter. Site visits for local community groups can be arranged before the opening best on a Friday afternoon. It was agreed that such a visit would be appreciated by the CC and Pete will liaise with Gary to set it up perhaps in February or March. Gary would need two to three weeks notice and the names of those attending in order to meet safety regulations. It is also hoped to have an Open Day before the handover takes place. In general discussion reports were made that many locals seem positive regarding the appearance of the building while others have a more negative stance. Russell Taylor pointed out that the communities on the north coast, where there has always been tremendous support for the hospital campaign, should also be kept informed and included in the information updates and plans. All sixteen local CCs fully supported the work to bring about the new hospital. Gary agreed to liaise with Robbie on circulation of information. Pete thanked Gary and John for attending and they left the meeting at 8pm. Item 3. Minutes of previous meeting/matters arising. Adoption of the Minutes was proposed by Sandy Chalmers; seconded by Russell Taylor. Speeding sign. Russell Smith advised that he has received and constructed the sign. It is now apparent that the batteries are an integral part of the unit which would involve the regular taking down of the sign for charging. Battery life is approximately four days. A suggestion was made that it could be on a trailer which would enable ease of movement from site to site and for charging purposes. Pete knows someone who could construct a suitable trailer and will go ahead with arranging this with the CC bearing the cost of construction. Once done, the trailer unit could be chained and locked to a power source. A local person should be recruited to be responsible for the trailer and unit, taking it for charging and moving it between sites. Initially CC members could do this on a rota basis until such a person is appointed. PC Action. Missing seat. This incident has been reported to the police but nothing has come of this so far. It is understood that HC TEC Services will not replace the seat. Item 4. Regular updates: (1) Migdale. RT had nothing to add to the earlier discussion. (2) Planning. It was noted that Councillor Rowantree took no active part in this discussion. (RS) No contentious applications. Point of interest, however, is that HC has refused permission on the grounds of cumulative effect, for a new Windfarm in Caithness. This could be of significance with regard to Braemore and other possible developments in this area. RS passed around plans for a large development of offices, shops, hotels and houses which would cluster around the new Asda site in Tain. (3) Financial report. RT passed around the current bank statements showing balances of 12, in the current account and 9, in the deposit account, both of which reflect payments from windfarm community benefit funds. Due to the complications arising from handling the income from the windfarms, it was suggested that the deposit account be closed and a second current account be opened to ease the transfer of cash as required. This was agreed. Once the Development Service is up and running the funding for it should go the KOSI account. Pete thanked Russell for keeping on top of the financial business and handling it in the most effective manner. RT Action.

3 (5) TEC Services. (SC) Most of the items previously raised have been passed from John Clark to HC Engineering (passing places, drainage, Rhinamain, etc). There has been some communication between Creich and Ardgay CCs regarding the possible reduction of lighting/energy wastage on the strip between the two villages. To switch off every second light would require a relaxation of legislation; a PIR system is flawed in that the lights would be activated by any movement, therefore a press button activation system would appear to be the most appropriate. In all local villages there are areas where present lighting could be reduced. It was agreed to write to Robbie Gunn, Area Lighting Manager, with suggestions as to how lighting/energy reduction might be achieved. MG Action. No change to the Winter Maintenance Plan has been noted. Heavy vehicles are continuing to use the B9176 Struie road in spite of the weight restriction now placed on it. It is thought that the signage at the southerly end and on the feeder roads is inadequate. Letter to be sent to the police and whoever else would be appropriate. Sandy will advise Mary. SC/MG Action. Robbie congratulated Colin Gilmour on the success recently when he reported a serious infringement of regulations regarding an incident of a log lorry with an insecure load using the A837. This resulted in two companies being suspended from operations for a week. Robbie reminded everyone who might witness such a problem to report it to him and the police, with as much detail as possible (date, time, company, vehicle registration, etc). (6) Police. Norman had nothing to add to Katy Hunter s report. (7) Environment. KW will patch up the bench opposite the Post Office meantime and will carry out proper repair and maintenance in the spring. He will write to NHS Highland requesting that they cease sending totally irrelevant paperwork to the CC. Following comments from Lily Byron regarding the lack of local information provided from Wick General Hospital on the patient leaflet (not updated since 2005 and containing no details of B&Bs or eating places), KW will also highlight this to NHS Highland. LB has had a good response from Wick General to her own letter and she also recorded that the staff at the hospital had been excellent in all departments. KW has still to write to Scot Rail on several local issues and he will now include a query regarding inappropriate lighting at Culrain and Ardgay stations. Savings on light and energy could easily be made while little or no lighting is currently in place at notice boards. KW Action. (8) Website. Congratulations were given to Claire Bruce for her work in establishing the website, now live on the Internet. Anyone with comments or information to be included should continue to contact CB meantime. (9) Youth. KS advised that plants/bulbs are being prepared for tubs. The tubs which Russell (T) has cared for should now be taken over by the Youth group. The CC will provide funding of up to 200 for the complete project from seed work through to blooms in tubs and maintenance, payable once the work is done. Kay will liaise with Hayley Bangs and the group. LB enquired as to who are the office bearers for the group; Kay will find out and advise at next meeting. No issues at the Youth bus. There is a fear that the Youth Worker post, based in Tain but very involved in Bonar, may be a victim of HC budget cuts. This would be a great loss to the group. Kay has encouraged some of the youngsters to come along to the next CC meeting in January. It was suggested that Nigel Brett-Young should also be invited to that meeting for further input regarding budgetary support for youth workers/groups. MG Action. (10) Education. (LB) Nothing at present. (11) HSCHT. As decided at the last meeting, it was restated that the CCC will not become involved in the survey proposed by the Trust. Norman has advised them accordingly. Remove item from agenda. MG Action. Item 5. Scottish Water. Pete attended the meeting in Inverness last night. After one and a half hours of hearing how well the company is performing he managed to highlight the problems being experienced locally, which in spite of regular correspondence with Ronnie Mercer (Chair) appeared to be news to him. Following the meeting, Joanna Peebles has contacted Pete to advise that the seven connection applications in the queue, all with detailed

4 planning permission, will be connected straightaway. Applications thereafter will be dealt with on merit, and providing detailed planning permission has been granted. It is expected that they would all receive connection. There are two current proposals to bring water to the area: (1) to pipe water from Lamington and (2) to pipe water from Loch Buidhe. Previous concerns regarding the quality of the water in Loch Buidhe have apparently now been discounted. The completion date for the Capital Plan is given as 2015 and applications thereafter should all receive connection to the supply. Concerns for water supply at the new Migdale are unfounded; any use to which the old building may be put is likely to be after 2015 so its supply should also be secure. A hearty vote of thanks was recorded for Pete for his struggle with Scottish Water. Keep as Agenda item. Item 6. Development Post. The advertisement for the post will appear in the press this week, and will also be on the CCC and Ardgay websites and with VGES. One application has been received ahead of public advertising. Interviews are anticipated in early December with the successful applicant taking up duties in the New Year. Item 7. Braemore Windfarm. Nothing new at present. Agenda item. Item 8. Correspondence. Pete has received a letter accompanying a copy of the Lest We Forget project from Steve Copley and the Kyle of Sutherland Heritage Society. The project book will be on sale locally at 5. An excellent result; letter of congratulation to be sent to Steve. MG Action. VGES Annual Report received. Also the Community Councillor magazine; a letter detailing dates for low flying exercise and the Review of Community Councils 3 rd Phase. Item 9. Any other competent business. Colin Gilmour advised that as part of the Rosehall Windfarm development, Morrison Construction on behalf of EON will be taking on the required improvements to the A839 (taking in the Lochies bump ) over a one mile stretch. It is hoped to start work before Christmas and it cannot be stated how long the work will take. The proposal is to close the road for twenty minute periods, after and before the morning and afternoon school runs; arrangements will be in place to ensure emergency vehicles can get through. If the work cannot be done before Christmas it will be rescheduled for the spring. Signs regarding delays must be placed at the Rosehall Monument to alert traffic in time to take the alternative route on the A837. Thanks were expressed to Colin and the Liaison Group for their efforts in achieving this outcome. Sandy expressed concern that he had discovered an energy efficiency scheme which provides 4,000 interest free loans towards loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, etc but which is only available in East Sutherland and not North West & Central Sutherland. Enquiring further he has established that three areas were chosen but how the decision was made he does not know. In the interests of equality the whole county should be eligible. Robbie agreed to check this out; Sandy will the information to Robbie. SC/RR Action. Robbie advised that the time is approaching when the Councillors should rotate their attendances at Community Council meetings. Last time there was general agreement that the status quo should be maintained in the interests of continuity and travel consequences. Lily felt that there were positive reasons for the rotation so the issue was put to a vote, with Lily proposing the rotation scheme and Russell (S) proposing continuity and the status quo. The vote in favour of retaining Robbie if possible was carried, seven to one. Robbie will now discuss the procedures with the Ward Manager and report back to the Chair as to the outcome. RR Action. Item 10. Date, time and place of next meeting. As had been previously agreed there will be no meeting in December. The next meeting, therefore, will be held on Tuesday 18 th January 2011 in Bonar Bridge Hall at 7.30pm. Pete to book the hall. PC Action. Meeting closed at 9.30pm.

5 Creich Community Council Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Benefit Fund Meeting held on Wednesday 17 th November at 9.30pm in Invershin Hall. There was only one application to discuss. Kyle of Sutherland Youth Development Group. Application for 1,300 for funding the purchase of a water bowser, to be capable of being moved manually by Youth Group members, visiting other operational schemes, etc. Lily raised the question of office bearers and the constitutional status of the group, as such an application would normally be made by the Treasurer. Pete advised that he has purchased from Morrison s the redundant telegraph poles from Lairg Road, the agreement being conditional that the 100 purchase price be donated to the Youth Group. He feels that the current application to the Community Benefit Fund should be approved but that it should be conditional on the Group taking over the responsibility for the flower tubs throughout the village. Sandy suggested this should be discussed at the January meeting when the Group representatives will be present. Russell (T) said the new bowser would only be required if they did take on all the work. He has a 300gallon bowser already available. It was queried whether this application to the Fund was being made for the full amount from Creich or being split between Creich and Ardgay. Mary will contact Hayley Bangs to clarify this point and advise Pete accordingly. The information will be circulated and the subsequent individual decisions should be ed to Pete. Mary will then advise Hayley and Phil Tomalin as to the result. MG Action. Meeting closed at 9.45pm.