BURRA AND TRONDRA COMMUNITY COUNCIL

BURRA AND TRONDRA COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES A meeting of the above Community Council was held in the Burra Public Hall on Monday 11 th June 2012 at 7pm Present Mr. J. Duncan Mr. G. Laurenson Mrs. A. Fullerton Mrs. J. Henry Mr. G. Martin Apologies Mr. W. Hughes Mrs. G. Okill Miss. A. Williamson Cllr. Mark Burgess Cllr. Davie Sandison In Attendance Cllr. Vaila Wishart Mrs. J. Adamson (Clerk) 1. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING The minutes were approved by Mr. Gary Laurenson and Mr. Jonathan Duncan. 2. MATTERS ARISING (a) Road Matters Mr. Crossland had provided an update on the road matters which were discussed with him at our March meeting. His comments were as follows: (i) Meal Junction, and (ii) Speed s Corner These two schemes are just two, of over 150 requests for road improvements that have been made to the Council. These requests range in cost from 5000 to over 2 million. The council s current approved capital programme for 2012/13 to 16/17 only includes 1,385,000 for road improvement schemes within the 5 year period, 410,000 of which is committed to the Gutcher to Cullivoe improvement leaving a balance of 975,000. During 2012/13 we will be working with the elected members to identify a 5 year prioritised programme of improvement schemes that can be delivered within these financial resources. Clearly the level of available funding will mean that only a few of these 150+ requests can be met. As a result no further work will be undertaken on these potential schemes until this prioritisation work has been undertaken. This work will report into the revision of the Council s capital programme in February 2013. (iii) Brake Brae broken up road edge This will be undertaken in the next few weeks. (iv) White Lines Boyne Brae & Ludi This will be undertaken during this year s summer lining programme. (It was noted by the members that the lines have been done on Ludi but they have not done the Boyne Brae this to be chased.) Minutes 02/04/12 Page 1 of 5

(v) Passing Places in Ludi As per Meal Junction and Speed s Corner, this would be a request for a road improvement and will be fed into the prioritisation process. (vi) Duncansclate Parking/turning area The adopted public road stops at the turning area. The current situation is that the access track to the Minn Beach is also the access to the properties beyond the turning head and the current car park. The track is also used by the school bus to turn as the car park often contains parked cars particularly at the height of the tourist season when there is insufficient parking. This is outwith the remit of infrastructure services; however, Dave Coupe, the Executive Manager Roads is liaising with the Council s Asset and Property service who are the landlord for Burra Estate and Development Services to see if a solution can be found. It is unlikely that there will be Council funding available to extend the car park but negotiations are ongoing regarding the surfacing of the access track to allow formal access to the car park and the bus turning. Mr. Duncan was of the opinion that the road network actually carried on to the gate leading down to Minn beach and felt that this should be looked into again. Cllr. Wishart offered to speak with Mr. Crossland on this matter and also contact the Shetland Amenity Trust to see if they can assist. (vii) Cauldhame Road inner section This work is currently programmed for October. (viii) Trondra Bridge settlement This will be done at the same time as the Cauldhame Road in October. (ix) Hard Shoulder Cauldhame junction to Trondra Bridge This is programmed to be done late this month. (x) Minn/Bannamin signs He advised that this had been done. (xi) Trench in road at Scord Quarry entrance This has also been done. (xii) White Lights on Trondra Bridge We have identified an affordable solution, and have completed installation on Trondra Bridge. Rather than having a centre light on the outside of each bridge beam, we have installed one light centrally on the soffit of the bridge, this is the best compromise between operation and installation/maintenance that we can achieve within the available budgets. The Trondra light has been in place for approximately one month and we have the necessary parts for the Burra Bridge, and hope to complete installation in the next two weeks. (xii) Bridge End Bridge Lights If navigational lights are required it would be the Council s responsibility (we own the bridge and have a duty of conservancy under the ZCC Act) and Ports and Harbours as the local lighthouse authority would be responsible to ensure that they are maintained. In order to determine if navigational lights are required we would need to do a navigational risk assessment for the bridge and the navigational marks. However to do so we would need the following information: Minutes 02/04/12 Page 2 of 5

Number of boats passing under the bridge in a given period (ideally 1 month). Size of vessels (length, air draft and draft) and any other pertinent information that current users of the passage are aware of. If the Community Council in conjunction with the users could supply this information then my Ports and Harbours staff would be able to progress this navigational risk assessment and in consultation with the Northern Lighthouse Board, a decision can be taken on whether any navigational marks are required or not. The Clerk will contact Mr. Jim Anderson, Toogs. (xiii) Meadows Bus Shelter I can find no reference to this correspondence. However, if you could provide a copy of the letter I would be happy to investigate the issue further. Although, I would draw your attention to the very limited funding available for Road Improvement Schemes detailed a the beginning of this update. It was noted by the members that this was not requested by the Community Council. A letter had been received from the Council some time ago enquiring about land ownership with regard to a proposed shelter. The Clerk will pass this information to Mr. Crossland. (xiv) Bus Shelter North Ness, Trondra Michael Craigie has funding for this shelter and has now passed on the landowner details. Roads are to make a safety assessment and deal with the landowner. This will be progressed during the next few weeks. As long as negotiations are successful and the site passes the safety audit the shelter will be in place prior to the onset of winter. (b) Swings at The Glen The contractor should be available soon to commence this work. This work must commence within three months of the grant coming through. (c) Core Path Signs - Trondra These signs have been ordered. (d) Community Development Forum It was agreed that we should offer an invite for a group member to attend our Community Council meetings. This would help link the two committees to work together more effectively. (e) Scalloway School Secondary Dept Use of building It was noted that the Education Committee was to meet this week but this had been postponed. The next meeting will not be held until August. Mr. Duncan said that Mr. Jon Molloy reported that there were plenty of alternative uses for the building, whether or not they can go ahead. (f) Planning Application 2011/158/PCD Erect dwellinghouse with new septic tank and soakaway, Cauldhame, Trondra, by A Pryce It was reported that Mr. Steven Pattie, who was dealing with this, has left the planning department and Mr. Jon Holden has taken this over. They are still waiting for updated drawings to be submitted. (g) Access to Meal Beach/Minn Beach Mr. John Mackenzie, Shetland Amenity Trust, advised previously that they would be repairing the chicken wire etc. on the wooden path to the Meal Beach very shortly and are also looking at improving the access down onto the beach. The members were unsure if this work had been done. Minutes 02/04/12 Page 3 of 5

With regard to the access down onto the Minn beach, Mr. Duncan reported that Mr. Jonathan C. Duncan had now left the Council and this would need to be looked at again once this position has been filled. (h) Community Councillors At the last meeting it was pointed out that clarification was needed for Community Councillors, who are also employees of Shetland Islands Council, when it comes to speaking up for your community. Cllr. Vaila Wishart had spoken with Mr. Jan Riise who advised that as a Community Councillor you are free to speak as long as it is not directly to do with your SIC Section/Department (e.g. Planning). The members suggested that Council staff be e-mailed this information. (i) Dog Waste - Letters Mr. Mycock advised previously that he will organise this with the Hamnavoe School after the Summer holidays. (j) War Grave at Meal Beach cutting of grass The Clerk had left a message for Mr. Frank Gilfillan, Community Service, but he had not replied. The Clerk to contact him again. (k) Papal Stone Mr. Frank Brown, Shetland Amenity Trust, had contacted the Clerk to say they would put the Papal stone back up. He also advised that they had found the interpretive panels for the graveyard which we enquired about, and asked where we would like them located in the yard. The Clerk asked him to contact Mr. Bobby Hunter as he was the Chairman to the Community Council at the time these were requested. (l) ASCC Meeting Saturday 6 th April at 11am It was noted that most of the items discussed at the meeting had been covered already. (m) Removal of Old Car, Bridge End Hall This car has now been removed. (n) Trondra Hall 25 years Mr. Martin advised that celebrations will not now take place as they have had to close the hall for safety reasons. (o) Atlaness Road Mr. Laurenson reported previously that the tar on the road outside 11 Atlaness is breaking up and in need of attention. Mr. Barrie Scobie had responded to this request saying that he had instructed the area foreman to inspect the area and would reply with his findings. (p) Refresh of the Blueprint for Education Mr. Duncan had circulated the response to the members for perusal prior to the meeting. The content was agreed and Mr. Duncan will now get it submitted. Scalloway Community Council is mirroring our response, as are most other Community Councils - no one is happy ticking boxes. (q) Community Council Review This review follows on from the Council s decision to reduce spending on 9 th February 2012. The Council was provided with options for savings. They agreed to an option which was to save 11,000 in 2012/13 and 13,000 in 2013/14 by reviewing services and activities that Minutes 02/04/12 Page 4 of 5

would be delivered by Community Councils rather than by the Council but at a reduced cost at least equivalent to the saving identified. The deduction will be across the board and taken from the remaining 50% of Community Council grant award unless Community Councils can identify, either where these savings could be made or are willing to undertake services in their area which are currently being supplied by the Council. They are therefore requesting feedback from Community Councils regarding these proposals before 29 th June. The responses will be taken to the Joint Liaison Group in July 2012. The members were asked for suggested savings. The members discussed the possibility of removing the skips from our area as they are constantly overfilled and abused, and often used by contractors and local businesses. Considering the fact that there is an excellent service at the waste depot in Lerwick, free of charge, only 15-20 minutes away, this was thought to be an appropriate proposal. This of course would be on the understanding that we lose no other services and would be on an experimental basis for 2 years. Mr. Duncan said he would respond with this suggestion. 3. CORRESPONDENCE (a) SIC Infrastructure Review This will take place on Thursday 28 th June at the Scalloway Hall. Public drop in sessions are from 2-7pm and the Scalloway and Burra & Trondra Community Councils will meet from 7-9.30pm. Members were reminded to attend. (b) Replacing Lerwick Power Station Exhibition This exhibition is on Wednesday 13 th June 2pm-7.30pm at the Museum. (c) Planning Application Consultation 2012/132/PPF Erect dwellinghouse & garage, install Suds, soakaway and install 3 house Septic tank and infiltration system Old School Road, Trondra by Mr & Mrs S Saravanan The above application was discussed. There were no objections. (d) Serco Northern Isles Ferries Operator A letter had been received from Serco advising that they will commence service on 5 th July. 4. ANY OTHER BUSINESS (a) Venue for Community Council meetings This meeting had been held in the hall due to unsuitable arrangements being provided at the school for our June meeting. At that meeting we were designated the foyer, instead of the staffroom, having to sit on small wooden chairs. A number of visitors were in attendance and it proved to be a lengthy meeting and very uncomfortable. There were also a few interruptions due to another meeting taking place in the school the same evening. It was noted that we have used the staffroom in the school for over 20 years. The Clerk was asked to speak with the Head Teacher, Mrs. Robertson, to see if we could have use of the staffroom for future meetings. Mr. Duncan had spoken with some of the hall committee and there would not be a problem using the hall for meetings if necessary. (b) Abandoned van, Bridge End It was reported that a large white van has been abandoned in the car park at the Bridge End Baptist Church for some time now. The Clerk to make enquiries to have it removed. 5. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The date of the next meeting was set for Monday 4th September. (Later changed to Tuesday 5 th September 2012.) Chairman Minutes 02/04/12 Page 5 of 5