Item

Details

Action

1

Chairwoman's Welcome and Apologies

Anne welcomed CCC members to the meeting.

Apologies

Ronald Young

Amendment

15.5 Wilf advised that there are 400 copies of the Guide Book remaining.

He also asked if there was funding remaining from the Calor Gas Awards.

Vivienne will check the records.

Proposed: Douglas McPhee

Seconded: Jane Clunas

VG

3

3.1

No issues raised by Bob. The school bus has been running to time and pupils have needed to use the bus shelter this week due to bad weather.

3.2

Sports Multi-Court

Jane advised that the multi court is in place (ahead of schedule) but still awaiting tarmac. This cannot be completed until the ground thaws.

Play Equipment in Victoria Park

David said that the faulty equipment has been replaced and installed in the park. The contractor had acted appropriately in removing the faulty equipment and it has been revealed that the fault was with the manufacture of the equipment and not caused by misuse or vandalism.

4

PC Williams stated that there had been 19 minor incidents reported during the month. It had been very quiet over the festive period. He was not able to provide figures for drink/drive incidents.

He advised that 2 local men were to be charged for the break-ins at the Royal Hotel and at the Primary School before Christmas.

In 2007, a total of 473 crimes had been reported in B area which extends out of the Black Isle.

5.1

6.1 Children’s Play Area – Townlands Park

Anne has spoken to Mr Grey about re-instating the play area. He is obtaining costs to tidy the area and to provide play equipment for pre-school children.

5.2

6.6 Nigg Yard

Anne and David have written a letter to appropriate government members to express concerns about the future of the yard on behalf of the local community.

.

5.3

6.7 Cromarty Trust Fund

Vivienne has received the cheque for £2k from John Nightingale. This will pay for the 2 benches in Victoria Park and the remainder will go towards the cost of the First Responder vehicle.

Vivienne advised that John Nightingale’s letter had also congratulated Jane Clunas and the FBI for their efforts with the provision of the Sports Multi-Court.

6

David advised the Memorial document has now been passed to Professor Rennie to establish ownership of the Gaelic Chapel and the Burial Ground. He will determine whether responsibility for the Chapel can be passed to a community based trust.

(Item to be retained on the agenda).

7

Ian Hay from TEC Services and John Duncan attended with Anne, Vivienne, Ronald, Douglas Cooper and Douglas McPhee.

Key points discussed as follows:-

• Street Maintenance will continue with Phase 3 of the works in Allan Square, Hospital Road and Denoon Place but no new works will be considered.

• Road signs from Fortrose need to be relocated further out of the village.

AS

8

This meeting focussed on Roads and Community Works and covered the Winter Maintenance Programme in detail. This looked at the road gritting timetable. David said a leaflet would be available which will provide this information and detail the standards which are to be met.

Jane expressed some concerns that some roads are not gritted before they are used by the school bus.

The next Ward forum will be held on Thursday 21 February 2008 and will cover "Services for Young People".

9.2

9.3

Treasurer’s Report

Income: (27^th November 2007 to 11^th January 2008)

Cromarty Trust £2,000

H. Council £69.00

Total income: £2,069.00

Expenditure:

Junglebusters £280.00

Cromarty Benevolent Fund £69.00

Secretarial expenses: £40.00

L Smith (re Lights project) £552.20

Total expenditure: £941.20

Accounts payable balance: £276.17

Accounts receivable balance: Nil

Bank balance as @ 12.01.2008 = £14,225.65

Please Note: David Alston did not participate in any planning related discussions.

Core Paths Network - John Nightingale has raised an objection to the inclusion of the Ladies Walk path to the Lodge. This will be opposed.

Hogmanay Bells – David always rings the Courthouse Bell and Willy Hogg rings the East Church bell. There are 5 bells in Cromarty; it would be nice if they were all to ring in future.

McFarquhars Bed Footpath – Mr Shaw receives a grant to maintain the American Road and the McFarquhars Bed path. This path has not been maintained. David is pursuing this to try to get him to maintain the path or to ensure that his grant is withdrawn.

Common Good – David explained what constitutes a Common Good. Currently, Victoria Hall and the East Church are listed as the Common Good of Cromarty. He felt that there may be other Common Good properties/land which should be registered - the Victoria Park and Kirkie Brae were discussed. Anne will ask members of Fourways for their views.

Correspondence

Issi McGrath – Highland Small Communities Housing Trust

Issie has written to confirm that ownership of the Townlands Barn has now been transferred to the HSCHT. The Trust will now sell this site to Albyn Housing Society who will undertake the development. The Highland Buildings Preservation Trust will become the owners of the actual Barn.

12.2

Nancy has written to request provision of a bus shelter at the Farness RoadendDavid said this could be provided by Black Isle Ward Funds but it was uncertain whether this would be installed during this winter. Options for shelters were discussed. Anne will write to Nancy to advise her accordingly.

AS

13

AOB

13.1

Mr Mackay

Concerns were expressed over the parked rescue vehicle with a Landrover on it. Anne will speak to Sam Lowe who dealt with this last time.

13.2

After School Facilities for Young Children

Funding for CAYP is no longer available. They will pass the lease of building back to the Highland Council. Funding may be available to provide a breakfast club at the school. It may be possible for CAYP to provide after school care either at the school or at CAYP but it will need parents to put pressure on CALA to convince them there is sufficient need.

13.3

Gates on Links

Gates are still required at the end of the links. Sam is dealing with this; it will be funded from the Black Isle Ward Funds.

13.4

Dog Poo

Jane said this is on the increase again and also on pavements. She is considering methods to deal with this problem.

13.5

Overgrown Hedging

George was concerned that the hedge by the St Regulus Church is overgrown and obscuring the pathway. Anne will speak to Gillian Newman.

AS

13.6

Road Sign at Harbour

George advised that the "Dead End" sign at the harbour is in the wrong place and is misleading to motorists. David will look at this with Theresa Kemp when she visits.

DA

13.7

Street Light at Victoria Hall

Douglas McPhee stated that a light has been removed from the Hall which has created a dark area at the entrance to the park. There are however security light along the Hall, which come on at dusk.

13.8

Reprint of Leaflet

Wilf is still pursuing a quote for a reprint of the leaflet to include a scan. Jane suggested that he should also contact SpeedPrint for a quote, as they have proved cheaper when printing leaflets for Sea Cromarty Sparkle.

13.9

Repaired FingerPoint

Rachel advised that the finger point by the Hugh Miller Institute had been repaired by Albert at nil cost. He was given a bottle of whisky in thanks.

13.10

Kirkie Brae

Dietrich has emailed Vivienne to say that he feels some general maintenance work is required on Kirkie Brae (weeding/pruning/replacing plant tubes). There is still some money left from the funding for this project so he has been asked to go ahead with the work.

13.11

Christmas Lights

Rachel said that the Lights Committee were not happy with the effect created by the blue lights at the Victoria Hall so they asked I-Lights to change them out. They have been replaced with smaller amethyst lights and these are more effective.

13.12

Cromarty Model

Jane said that photographs have been taken of the model prepared by the school children and these will be used for postcards which will sold in the Emporium. Similarly, photos of the stained glass window will also be sold as postcards.