BUTE COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES January, 2017 in UCB Hall at 7.00 p.m. Present: Mr. Frank Baxter, Mr. Gordon Gillespie, Mr. Iain Gillespie, Mr. Tony Harrison, Mrs. Barbara Hill, Mr. Paul MacDonald, Miss Nina McDonald, Mr. John McCallum, Mrs. Jean Moffat, Miss Grace Strong (Convenor), Mr. Peter Wallace, Mr. Don Williams, Mrs. Marlene Hill, Mr. M. Catlin. Members of the Public: Mr. James McMillan, Mr. Liam Walsh, Miss J. Dauble, C. Magennis, Mr. Ellis Rutherford, Liz Barbi, Johanna Schofield, Dawn MacDonald, Mrs. S. Palmer-Scoon. Councillors: Mr. R. McIntyre, Mrs. I. Strong, Mr L. Scoullar. Press: Miss Karen Keith. Apologies for Absence: Mr. Paul Duffy. Declaration of Interest: None. Police Report: Sgt. Watt reported that in the month of December 2016 185 incidents were reported between Rothesay and Port Bannatyne. One young driver was doing laps around the town. Two people were under warrant for the misuse of drugs. 15 crimes have been detected and reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Over the Christmas period only one driver was apprehended for drunk driving. In January 2017 there were 68 incidents and 14 crimes committed, of which 9 have been detected. Inspector Mark Wilson has been appointed as senior in Argyll and Bute after a fall by Inspector Gordon Wilson. Sgt. Watt was asked how many drunk driving tests were taken, but he did not know the figures. Mr. Ronnie Falconer expressed concern about police liaison with the Bute Emergency Plan, and his desire to meet with the police in this regard. Sgt Watt apologised for their lack of commitment to this, but advised that this was due to staffing and dealing with other matters. Cllr. McIntyre asked about the percentage differences in instances of crime. Sgt. Watt advised that this information was not to hand, but Cllr. McIntyre was reminded that this information was available on the Police website. Adoption of Minutes of December 2016 meeting: These were proposed by Mr. Don Williams, seconded by Mr. Tony Harrison.
Presentation: The Chairman stated that as time was progressing it was becoming evident that Mr. John Reid of Bute Community Land Company was not going to attend. Miss Strong also informed members of the intention if Mrs. Jane Williams to come to the meeting later to address members. Matters arising from the previous Minutes: a. The Emergency equipment is now located in the Union Street offices of Argyll and Bute DC. b. Cllr. McIntyre advised that all dairy farmers have now decided to sell milk to a company in Skelmersdale, and that the price for milk has now fallen back to 30p a litre. c. Mr. Ronnie Falconer advised that the cut bushes behind the shinty club were not in fact impeding the flow of water in the lade. d. Cllr. Strong advised that change of ownership in hospitality and catering businesses does not affect the renewal of toilets. e. Public bins will be uplifted as and when possible. Matters raised by BCC members: Mrs. Jean Moffat stated that it is hoped that work on both the pier lifts will start on the first week of February. Cllr. Scoullar was able to advise that work will start on the 13 th of February. The parts will be stripped out and be replaced and put back on the 15 th of February. Wheelchair travellers will be given assistance by pier staff during this time. Mr. Iain Gillespie requested that a letter of thanks be sent to the schoolchildren who took part in cleaning the shelter in Guildford Square. Cllr. McIntyre asked if the council were not doing this cleaning on a regular basis and was advised that this was not the case. Councillors Reports: Councillor Scoullar: Report as circulated previously. Councillor Strong: Report as circulated to the meeting. Councillor McIntyre: Reported that work is progressing in Buckingham Terrace, Port Bannatyne, albeit slowly. Re. clearance at the Gortons, the turning area is proving to be a problem. The 3 weekly bin uplift is causing problems, and several members of the public made known their anxieties on health and environmental issued they had encountered since this introduction, i.e. rats seen in several areas of the town and a fox on one instance. Cllr. Scoullar advised that Mr. Jim Ferguson is the environmental officer for Bute. It was decided that a letter be sent to him expressing the concerns of BCC re. bin collections. Another member of the public advised that a different standard of uplift was being applied in Kilcreggan. Cllr. Strong advised that this was due to the varying population in that area rather than density of area itself. Cllr. Scoullar stated that anyone requiring extra uplift can request an extra bin, which will become available shortly. He agreed to look further into this problem when advised by a member of the public who works in the medical profession that the bins in Ferfaad, Foley and Rothesay Courts were containing discarded medical bandages and instruments, etc. and were also subjected to a 3 week uplift. All Councillors agreed to work on trying to get more frequent uplifts in Bute. It was further agreed that an education programme for recycling should have been put in place prior to the
bin collection cuts being made. Mr. Martin Catlin suggested that the bottle banks be emptied more often by the contractors, and that it might be a good idea to invite someone from community services to address BCC at a future meeting, together with someone from amenity services, environmental services, Fyne Homes and ACHA. Miss Josephine Dauble asked where people were supposed to store their bins. It was generally felt that bigger storage bins are definitely needed in public areas, as these are often full and overflowing. Mr. Ronnie Falconer questioned the quality of Christmas signs and lights which were on display in the town in December. Cllr. Scoullar commented that the Scottish Government wants the carbon reduced, and gave a loan to all locals authorities for this purpose. Bute, however, was last to be switched on and last to be switched off. A report is currently being prepared and an assurance has been given from Council that this will not happen again. Mr. Catlin remarked that the Merry Xmas Isle of Bute be taken out. Cllr. McIntyre stated that the engineer involved advised that about 2000 was needed to be spent on the lights in Guildford Square. But hardly anyone was available to see to the lighting programme. A letter from BCC will be sent to the Head of Services as suggested by Mr. Don Williams. Cllr. Strong agreed that he should be called to account for this. Members were told that 2,000 was donated by For Bute to the Xmas lights display in Port Bannatyne. Mrs. Barbara Hill asked if it was permitted to cut logs from fallen trees. Cllr. Strong advised that it was not as all woodland is the property of Bute Estate. Mrs. Jean Moffat remarked about people falling on ice and the fact that the local hospital had to bring on extra staff because of this. Cllr. McIntyre said it was due to local authority staff cuts that gritting was not as prevalent as previously. ACHA and Fyne Homes have areas for which they are responsible. Mr. Martin Catlin asked about staffing levels at the school. Cllr. Strong advised that it was proving difficult to recruit staff throughout Argyll. Cllr. Scoullar stated it was actually throughout Scotland. The Chairman, Miss Grace Strong, asked about the refugees. Cllr. Strong was able to advise that one more family was coming to Bute, and that relatives of another family are also coming. Fourteen have left to live in Liverpool and Birmingham. One will become a citizen on Friday, 11 th February in the Baptist Church. Paul McDonald asked about the roof on St. Andrews Hall, and was advised that this has been made safe and will be repaired. Planning/Licensing Report: As Previously circulated by Mr. Gordon Gillespie. As changes will be implemented to Planning areas, it was suggested that Gordon might want to attend meetings in this connection. Mr. Ronnie Falconer put himself forward to go on a group. Gordon will give this consideration for the next meeting.
Transport Report: As previously circulated by Mr. Frank Baxter. Frank also advised members of the recent meeting with Cal Mac on their proposed new timetable for 2018/19 and of proposals made by BCC at that meeting. Mr. Don Williams and Miss Grace Strong showed concern at some of the proposals, where there were some gaps between sailings at off-peak times. Frank advised that Transport Scotland will have the final say. Re. Colintraive/Rhubodach, BCC has asked for a late sailing in the evening, with the possibility of a later start in the mornings, i.e. from 5 a.m. to 6 or 6.30 a.m. It was pointed out that this might not suit the Blacks bakery or the farmers, but obviously they would be consulted on this. Holiday, Leisure and Tourism Report: None. Heritage, Culture and Arts Report: As circulated by Mr.Paul Duffy. Treasurers Report: As previously circulated by Mr. Don Williams. Community Resilience Report: As previously circulated by Mr. R. Falconer. Mr. Falconer added that two black storage boxes containing 100 windup lanterns, 10 windup radios and 8 walkie-talkie sets are now stored in the Council Offices in Union Street, alongside A and B Council s emergency equipment. He also stated that liaison with A and B Council regarding investigations of drainage outfalls and the possibility of flooding via the drainage system or by seepage are ongoing and Mr. Ian Thomson is now involved. No progress appears to have been made by A and B Council regarding the measures agreed for the Mill Lade aimed at improving flood risk to the shinty field area. Cllr. McIntyre agreed to take up this matter with Mr. Alan McDonald and Mr. Joe McCabe. Health Report: As circulated by Mr. Frank Baxter. Disability/accessibility Report: As read at the meeting by Miss Nina McDonald. Nina felt that island businesses were making greater efforts to make themselves more accessible to disabled residents and visitors. She also mentioned at the last meeting that Arbroath had become the most accessible seaside town on the east coast of Scotland. Her hope is to see Bute as the most accessible on the west coast. She is keen to welcome support from A and B Council and Bute Alliance. Mr. Martin Catlin is keen to invite Lorna Pearce to a BCC meeting, and suggested that Nina keep in close contact with Paul Duffy and Bute Alliance. The Chairman introduced Mrs. Jane Williams, well known to members, and Miss Christine Gillies, Planning and Performance Manager. Mrs. Williams handed out a leaflet, which outlines the dates and venues of meetings re. the proposed changes in health and social care on the island, and encouraged people from all walks of life to attend. Staff from social care, BCC volunteers, Team Bute and Cllr. Strong had all attended the first such meeting in September 2016, together with over 60 members of the public. It
is hoped to have a review of feedback on this meeting at the end of February. Mrs. Jean Moffat asked for forms to be filled in and sent back. Mr. Ronnie Falconer raised the issue of care homes on the island and quoted a personal example. Mrs. Williams stated that measures were being taken to ensure that there would be no further reductions on care places on the island, and that the IJB is being asked about all services on Bute. The Chairman, Miss Strong, explained that a steering group has been set up and she read a letter stating that Bute is a high priority area. Mr. Ronnie Falconer has issues with the Care Inspectorate but Mrs. Williams advised that the decision by them to close Craigard Nursing Home was made with the knowledge of the situation on Bute. Cllr. Strong asked if the arrangements with the renal unit in Campbeltown would be similar on Bute. Mrs. Williams answered in the affirmative and advised that this project has been given the green light for a viability study. This also ties in with the whole care package review. Mrs. Dawn McDonald asked how this was currently run in Campbeltown, and was informed that five nurses have been trained as dialysis nurses. It is proposed that current staff on Bute would be asked to volunteer. Mr. Gordon Gillespie informed members that the family of the late Gordon Straker intend to make a donation to the renal unit for Bute. A.O.C.B. 1. Mrs. Marlene Hill stated that the Museum had been booked on 1 st February for the AGM of Bute Community Land Company, and encouraged BCC members to attend. 2. Mr. Tony Harrison stated his displeasure at the way the island is presented to arriving visitors. The banners around the pier railings are looking very tired and tatty and wondered if new guidelines were needed for this. Gordon Gillespie felt that they had been put up without permission. It was suggested to contact the Head of Services. 3. Bute Conservation Trust have taken up the need for restoration and repair of the Winter Garden. 4. Extreme concern has been expressed over BCLC. The forest company has not made anything public since August 2016. It was pointed out that a lot of community and council funding has been put into this project. 18 directors have resigned. 5. Mr. John McCallum stated that work on the castle wall should be completed by the end of May. 6. ACHA has been advertising on the mainland that social housing is available on Bute and Mr. Martin Catlin is concerned about this. It was suggested that Mr. Alistair McGregor be contacted in this regard. A member of the public pointed out that other benefits are also in place, i.e. white goods, etc. Cllr. Strong agreed to take up this point. 7. Frank Baxter asked if the proposals put forward to CalMac are agreed by BCC. Date and Venue of Next Meeting: This will take place on Wednesday, 15 th February in the United Church Hall at 7 p.m.
The Meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman, Miss Grace Strong.