September 2011
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING ON TUESDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER 2011
EDDERTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Edderton Village Hall
Present: Councillors Robin Ashby, Donald Clarke (Chair), Michael Brown, Albert Fraser, Sharyn Griffin, George Ross, Graham Ross, Ewen Simpson, Cameron Warren: Jim McGillivray (Highland Councillor) [except item 2a], 7 residents
Apologies: Campbell Smith Absent: Alister Sutherland
1. Welcome: the Chairman welcomed everybody.
2. Visitors:
a) Colin Mackenzie of G H Johnston Architects spoke on behalf of Caledonian Forestry following a site meeting held on Friday 2 September attended by himself, Jonathan Wotherspoon, the Chairman and the Secretary. Caledonian Forestry is revisiting its plans to develop the field north of the Aultnamain road to the west of the school: its earlier application was turned down. Its plans for 6 to 8 plots including some affordable housing are similar to the application that was rejected despite support then by the Council. Caledonian Forestry hopes that the changes in Highland Council policy regarding housing in the countryside will this time lead to planning permission. The Council told Mr Mackenzie its main concerns were with the risks of flooding as the site is very hard to drain and with road safety. It added though that, if its concerns were met, it would most likely support any new application as the need for new houses was keenly felt.
Mr Mackenzie explained that starting work on the Stoneyfield site would probably be on hold for several years due to the current state of the housing market. In the meanwhile Caledonian Forestry was happy to fence off an area on the Stoneyfield site and turn it into a temporary kick pitch if the Council agreed to maintain the facility. The Council thanked him for the offer and suggested Caledonian Forestry consider developing Stoneyfield in stages.
b) Barry Hardy of Scottish Water gave a brief account of the building of the new waste-water treatment plant. Its capacity cannot cope with all the new houses that have been granted planning permission and ‘it’s first come, first served’. It is possible to expand the capacity. He addressed the problem of odour which the Council had raised in the spring. Following an inspection of the plant on 19 August a series of small measures like adding filters was agreed. These measures are to be fully implemented by the start of October. Any problems with odour should be reported to Scottish Water.
Russell Wood of Cartomie complained that his fresh water pressure dropped regularly around lunchtime since the main to the waste-water treatment plant had a much larger diameter than the main that continued to his property and therefore took more than its fair share of the supply when Scottish Water flushed the plant. Mr Hardy noted the complaint and promised to pass it on.
Michael Brown and Donald Clarke raised the subject of screening the site. The Council had expected shrubs to be used so as not to block the view of the Firth from neighbouring properties. Planning permission had though required the planting of trees. Donald Clarke suggested that the trees be kept cut short and the site strimmed. Mr Hardy said he was surprised that broom had been planted as it tends to be invasive. Though the budget did not allow for any strimming he would see if an annual strimming could be arranged.
Ian Mackenzie asked what had been causing the odours. Mr Hardy explained that there could be several reasons: when the waste-water is being treated with bacteria it has to be vented occasionally and the sediment can be disturbed: or the rate of flow through the sewers could be so slow at times that sediment forms which is then disturbed when a stronger flow occurs.
3. The minutes of the meeting on 7th June 2011 were approved (proposed by Albert Fraser, seconded by Graham Ross).
4. Matters arising from the minutes
a) Infrastructure:
i. Roads: John Paul McKay inspected the road network with Donald Clarke and Ewen Simpson. The Leachonich road was swept soon after and a digger is promised for later. Tree cutting and stone removal is scheduled for Ardmore. Bogrow will receive heaps of grit but there is no money for grit bins. Trees are to be cut back near Blackpark and the sunken manhole on the Dounie straight is to be fixed.
Sharyn Griffin talked about the blocked culverts on the Bogrow Road. Paul Griffin had cleaned them out under his own initiative and the Council expressed their thanks to him for this. The bottom culvert is particularly problematical as the telecommunications infra-structure can be affected by flooding if it is not regularly maintained.
Further concerns: the footpath by the play-area is very uneven with roots sticking up and the spot where the distillery supply pipe passes under the Aultnamain road needs a permanent repair.
ii. Footpath network: According to Michael Brown Matt Dent is waiting for permission from Balnagown Estates to start work on the Admiral’s Farm to Rhanich road section but he hopes to complete before winter. MB continues to seek Tillhill about the maintenance of the Admiral’s to Bailecharn section but his calls are not being returned. He has recently cut the Balblair section.
b) Ball screen: Following the offer made in 2a above, the Council decided to take no action on the screen until after the next Council meeting in case decisions made then render the screen redundant. The Council regards the proposed kick pitch as a better venue for ball-playing. The Secretary is to ask Caledonian Forestry to put its commitment in writing by the next meeting. This postponement will not delay any erection of the screen as Highland Council could not do the work before November at the earliest.
c) Trees behind War Memorial: No action until leaves have fallen.
d) Railing in front of Heather Hut: Nothing to report. Jim McGillivray to pursue.
e) Dounie Hill access: Sightlines have been cleared to an acceptable standard.
f) Broadband Speed survey: Nothing to report. Cameron Warren to follow up. Jim McGillivray said speedy broadband provision was part of Sutherland Partnership’s action plan.
g) Community website – update: Bryon Gibson informed the Secretary immediately prior to the meeting that he would supply the codes necessary for others to complete the development work by Sunday 11 September.
The Council asked the Secretary to thank Reay Clarke for his contribution to the newsletter in response to an enquiry from a Portuguese gentleman triggered by his visit to the proto-website.
5. Financial report
Edderton Community Council – current account: The Treasurer supplied an expenditure and income report for the months April to August. The balance on 31 August was £4,759.97. Albert Fraser proposed a vote of thanks to the Treasurer.
6. Highland Council Member’s Report
Jim McGillivray gave a brief account of some of the matters he had attracted his attention over the summer.
The budget showed at present a shortfall of £4m in revenue. However the big cuts had been made and he predicted a calmer period.
The new collaboration between Highland Council and NHS Highland to deliver social care had yet to determine its desired outcomes. HC has overall responsibility for younger community members, while NHS is responsible for adults and senior citizens.
He talked about the changes in services for people with learning difficulties and the subsequent cuts in funding for respite care and transport help. He mentioned that kerbside collection was being rolled out Highland wide but GREAN had not yet secured the funds needed to cover the area it now served.
He repeated how tired he was of Highland Council’s insistent on implementing schemes according to ‘the one size fits all’ model. The successful local scheme for school transport and janitoring based on Golspie was under threat. The contract with Fujitsu to supply exclusive IT service to HC was causing poor service in schools as the schools’ needs had not been properly thought through. Photocopies now cost 6p each instead 1p for example. Other sections of HC were also facing IT problems.
Scottish Government’s moratorium on school closure was delaying the school estate review and any changes would most likely require planning permission.
Albert Fraser wished to know whether HC was still using outside consultants. Jim responded that they were as the expertise was still required to run services when the number of managers had been reduced.
7. New items
a) Community Benefit application – the Edderton Hall Management Committee: The application was for the purchase of an electronic piano for £1,700. The Council approved the grant.
b) HC employees’ award: deferred until 4 October.
c) Balblair Distillery – licence application: The Council supported the application.
d) Licensing over-provision: the Council does not consider the two premises licensed to sell alcohol in Edderton is an over-provision.
8. Adoption of new Constitution, Standing Orders and Code of Conduct
Following a discussion of each proposed amendment to the model constitution, standing orders and code of conduct published as part of the new community council review, the Council adopted unanimously a new Constitution and Standing Orders, which differ somewhat from the model versions, as well as the Code of Conduct as worded in the community council review. The Secretary is to submit the documents for approval by Highland Council.
9. Correspondence
Health and Safety
1. NHS – advance notice of distribution of NHS Highland News – Health Check to all households
Planning
2. Scottish Government – update on Highland Wide Local Development Plan
Environment
3. Highland Council – consultation Supplementary Guidance Protected Species (17/8)
4. Highland Council – consultation Supplementary Guidance Houses in Multiple Occupation (26/9)
5. Scottish Natural Heritage – Craigroy Burn SSSI: notification of minor errors in citation
6. Royal Horticultural Society – Britain in Bloom campaign
Other
ELECTRONIC: Copies of the latest electronic correspondence can be ordered from the Secretary.
10. Any Other Business
a) Village clean-up: Jim McGillivray thanked the village for their efforts.
b) Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust AGM 23/9: the Secretary gave details.
11. Next Scheduled Meeting
Business meeting in Village Hall on 4 October 2011 at 7.30 pm.
13 September 2011
Robin Ashby