April 2011
MINUTES OF MEETING ON TUESDAY 5TH APRIL 2011
EDDERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Edderton Village Hall
Present: Councillors Robin Ashby, Michael Brown (Chair), Albert Fraser, Sharyn Griffin, George Ross, Graham Ross, Ewen Simpson [items 1 to 6], Campbell Smith, Alister Sutherland, Cameron Warren: Jim McGillivray (Highland Councillor), Robbie Rowantree (LibDem MSP candidate), 8 residents
Apologies: Donald Clarke (lambing)
1. Welcome: the Chairman welcomed everybody and said how encouraging it was to see new faces.
2. Visitors: A WPC from Northern Constabulary attended and reported that apart from a speeding offence there was little of consequence to report. John McMurray of the Dornoch Firth of Group of Churches spoke on behalf of the application from The Bridge Project, the subject of item 7g below. He explained that the Group wished to engage young people from Edderton, Ardgay and Creich community council areas in joint pursuits in Bonar Bridge during the first week of August. One outcome he wished was the formation of a group of around 30 adult volunteers after the initial week. John also left copies of the 2nd Annual report of the Bridge Project.
3. Question and Answer session with Cllr Robbie Rowantree (LibDem MSP candidate): Cllr Rowantree responded to questions put to him by the meeting and explained the view of the Scottish LibDems on the matters raised. The subjects spotlighted were broadband provision, MSPs’ and MPs’ pensions and expenses, extra carrier costs, fuel costs, infrastructure maintenance, road tax based on actual miles driven, tuition fees, affordable housing, land value tax and the conditions required to keep schools open. In addition to referring to the Scottish LibDem manifesto he offered a number of practical tips on how to influence the powers that be on a number of issues.
4. The minutes of the meeting on 1st March 2011 were approved (proposed by George Ross, seconded by Albert Fraser).
5. Matters arising from the minutes
a) Infrastructure:
i) Roads: Michael Brown explained that the aprons along the Struie road were being strengthened to allow access to the heavy machinery needed to upgrade the transmission lines (item 7d). He also raised concerns about the state of U2002 after all the heavy traffic that had been detoured along it.
The Secretary reported that the Struie road would be closed between 11 and 21 April for repairs to the damaged culvert. Potholes would soon be dealt with but he had no news about the drop at Redburn or the pipe at Dounie.
Ewen Simpson reported 3 loose cats-eyes on the Dounie straight.
ii) Footpath network: Nothing to report.
b) Ball screen: Albert Fraser and Graham Ross have measured up the site and discussed suitable constructions with two contractors. A chain-link option would be presumably cheaper but might encourage bairns to climb it. A series of 3 m wide sections joined to concrete posts like the fence in front of Dingwall Academy would probably be better. The contractors have been asked to provide quotes for both solutions. The Secretary is to ascertain whether planning permission is necessary and whether the screen could replace the existing low wooden fence. The Chairman thanked Albert and Graham for their input.
c) Trees behind War Memorial: John Paul Mackay has reported that the work is on his to-do list.
d) Railing in front of Heather Hut: Jim McGillivray agreed to arrange a site meeting at 2 pm on 12 April with a responsible Highland Council officer and Michael Brown, Donald Clarke and Albert Fraser if they were available.
e) Glebe grant: the Secretary reported that Highland Council did not foresee any problems with using the grant for uses similar to the project the original grant was given for on condition they were approved by the Community Learning and Leisure Section.
f) Dounie Hill access: Robin Ashby, Donald Clarke and Ewen Simpson had met with representatives of Forestry Commission Scotland on site. FCS informed the Council that they would shortly expand the car park by the road to take 6 cars without moving the barrier. The first interpretation sign would be placed there directing visitors to follow the existing track from the barrier to lower end of the footpath proper. The poor sight-lines were also discussed and FCS agreed to examine how best to improve them, hopefully at the same time as the parking area was expanded. The Secretary is to request written confirmation of what was agreed.
g) Planning for People training on 12 March: Both Robin Ashby and Sharyn Griffin were unwell on 12 March. However Robin did attend the morning session which was mainly a motivational workshop. He could extract little practical information other than some potentially useful contact details.
h) Broadband Speed survey: Robin Ashby and Cameron Warren have devised a survey and appropriate website. After publicising the survey in the newsletter, the survey was run for 14 days finishing on 3 April. Responses will be analysed before the next meeting.
i) Community website – update: Robin Ashby and Cameron Warren have examined the shell provided by Bryon Gibson and suggested a few suitable changes. They are currently looking at a suitable site map.
j) Notice-board: On being unexpectedly advised that the student who could make the notice-board was available for a short time only, the Secretary ordered the construction from Annie Bowden for a price of about £100. The notice-board will be delivered after Easter. The Council approved the Secretary’s action.
6. Highland Council Member’s Report
March 2nd : Housing and Social Work Committee – strategy meeting on affordable housing. Demand 800 pa, actual delivery 50 pa.
3rd : HC meeting – revised number of Members in each area, the Community Benefit review
3rd : Schools dancing competition
7th : Highland fresh Mussels
8th : Sutherland Partnership
10th : Education Culture and Sport Committee – the culture and sport section was moved arm’s length. Review of school estates phase 2
14th : Ward business meeting
15th : Interviews for Sutherland Partnership development officer
17th : TECs – Zero waste strategy and menace of seagulls
18th : Funeral of Cllr Alan Torrance
18th : Visit to GREAN with John Thurso MP
21st : Ward business meeting
23rd : Skibo staff’s community project – assessment and prize-giving. Footpath work amongst tasks.
24th : Forest croft project – 400 acres now reduced to 2.
24th : Reception on board HMS Sutherland in Invergordon
25th : Parade of HMS Sutherland in Dornoch
29th : Planning meeting in Wick
29th : Ward forum
31st : Meetings with Lairg development officer and Sutherland Sports Council (- 25% funding cut)
April 2nd : a.m. Oversteps p.m. Fountain Road Hall, Golspie, refurbishment complete
4th : Discussed transport arrangements to Beachview. Met Community Care team
Albert Fraser asked about the position of classroom assistants. Jim said the matter was not decided. Robbie Rowantree agreed that there had been poor consultation. He also detailed the withdrawal of management jobs within the HC and its subsequent savings in response to a second question by Albert.
7. New items
a) Pre-application consultation (PAC) – Coire Na Cloiche Windfarm: the Secretary is to distribute the relevant documents from Rockbysea. Councillors are to study them and the Council’s response will be decided in May.
b) Planning Application 11/00953/FUL for garage at Windy Neuk: Noted.
c) Sustainable School Estate Review – Phase 2 Easter Ross Associated School Groups: the Secretary outlined the timetable for the review. There will be a six-week consultation on proposals in August / September. A decision will be taken by the Highland Council in December. As expected schools in the Alness, Invergordon and Tain areas will be reviewed together.
d) Dounreay – Beauly transmission line – update: Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission will replace existing wires between Beauly and Bonar Bridge this summer, hence the new aprons (item 5 a i). No additional towers will be erected; the height of the existing ones will not change.
e) Review of Scottish Policing Structure: Northern Constabulary had supplied the Council with its response in which it does not support the idea of a single Scottish Force with headquarters in the Central Belt. The consultation runs to 5 May and the Council will make its response on 3 May.
In the meantime it urges those residents who are interested in the future organisation of the Police to go to http://www.northern.police.uk/scottish-policing-reform.htm and follow the links to submit their individual responses. Councillors are expected to study before 3 May the online response at the address above or a hard copy supplied by the Secretary.
It was noted that The Scottish Ambulance Service already has a single organisation and that there are similar plans for the Fire and Rescue Service. The Secretary is to publicise this matter in the local press as the next village newsletter will not appear until after the end of the consultation.
f) Community Council Review: the Secretary informed the Council that the new community council scheme was effective as of 1 April. Edderton Community Council is required to adopt a new constitution and Standing Orders before 30 June. The number of voting councillors is to be reduced from 10 to 8, but the mandate of the present councillors will run to a new election in November. The Secretary is to contact the Ward manager about a number of details that are not clear.
g) Community Benefit application by The Bridge Project: The details of the application were presented earlier under item 2. The Council decided to postpone a decision until 3 May.
8. Correspondence
Health and Safety
1. NHS Highlands – Highlights, newsletter issue 1
Planning
Environment
Other
2. Army – Notification of military exercise 14 – 18 March
ELECTRONIC: Copies of the latest electronic correspondence can be ordered from the Secretary.
9. Any Other Business
(a) HMS Sutherland: Sharyn and Paul Griffin represented Edderton Community Council at a reception on board HMS Sutherland on 24 April. Robin and Ullabritt Ashby attended the reception given by Highland Council after the parade of HMS Sutherland in Dornoch on 25 April. The Secretary is to express the Council’s thanks to the Royal Navy.
(b) Dog Fouling: Albert Fraser thanked Robin Ashby for the item about dog-fouling in the latest newsletter and asked for a repeat. He reported that there was less fouling for the moment. Michael Brown thanked Albert for his efforts.
(c) Afghanistan: Albert Fraser reminded the Council that the Highland Regiment was being deployed to Afghanistan. The Council wishes the regiment a safe and successful deployment.
10. Next Scheduled Meeting
Business meeting in Village Hall on 3 May 2011 at 7.30 pm.
12 April 2011
Robin Ashby