Item

Details

Action

1

Chairwoman's Welcome and Apologies

Anne welcomed CCC members to the meeting.

Anne advised the Councillors that George Selvester has resigned from the Council.

Apologies

Vivienne Griffiths, Rachel Robertson

Approval of previous minutes

Amendment: Item 6 Gaelic Chapel – delete Professor Williams – insert Professor Rennie

Amendment: Item 9.2 Expenditure – amend total from £661.20 to read £941.20

Proposed: Jane Clunas

Seconded: Douglas Cooper

3

3.1

Seat Belts on School Bus

Bob advised that only about 80% of youngsters were using seat belts on the school bus, even though teachers check on leaving the Academy, youngsters then remove them. Some seat belts on the new school bus cannot be used as they have been jammed with chewing gum.

Anne will speak to the Head Master about this.

AS

3.2

BI Ward Forum

Paige attended the Ward Forum and found it useful, particularly the possibility of Blue Light discos. The biggest concern to youngsters is the lack of public transport available to enable them to go into Inverness at night, particularly from Culbokie. David and Anne thanked Paige for attending and also for her participation in the open questions forum.

Cromarty 2007 Scrap Book

Paige advised that the Youth Café has produced a Scrap Book detailing all the C2007 events. This was well received and funding may be made available for this project to be advanced.

Sports Multi-Court

Jane advised that the tarmac has now been laid and the white lines will be provided soon. A press release has been submitted to advise schools that it is in place. Jane said that the contractors will roll out and place grass seed when the weather improves. However, Ronald said that seeding won’t be suitable and that the area needs to be returfed now.

Jane will follow this up.

JC

4

PC Williams stated that there had been 25 incidents reported during the month but very few incidents in Cromarty

• 1 case of vandalism caused by a football

• 2 incidents of Breach of the Peace

He advised that there is a lot of thieving taking place at the Academy, and a number of incidents have been reported to the police. Paige said that a couple of pupils had reported stolen i-pods and mobile phones.

Matters arising from previous meeting

5.1

5.1 Children’s Play Area – Townlands Park

Some new play equipment has been installed in Townlands Park by Greys. When the work has been completed, Anne will write to Mr Grey to thank him.

Anne said that Fourways had requested details on outdoor play equipment used by adults.

5.2

11. Common Good

David confirmed that Victoria Park is not part of the Common Good but that Kirkie Brae is.

5:3

12.2 Nancy McAdam

The funding for the bus shelter is available and the site has been checked but a small piece of land will also be required from Sinclair Fraser.

Anne will contact him about this.

AS

5.4

13.2 After School Facilities for Young Children

Ronald advised that CALA has now extended facilities for young children to 6pm on 3 days/week.

CAYP is now disbanding and it is hoped that all equipment/remaining funds will be transferred to the new ACORN group.

6

Nothing further to report.

Item to be retained on the Agenda.

7

The initial scoping meeting took place on 30 January chaired by David Alston with representatives from BI Community Councils.

The group identified key areas of concern for older people which included:-

• lack of home care (insufficient carers available)

8

The key topic for this Ward Forum was availability of services for young people aged 12 - 25. The main problem is lack of transport to enable youngsters to travel to Inverness to go to the cinema etc. This is particularly relevant in Culbokie – however as a result of this meeting, one evening bus will now serve Culbokie to Inverness. Wanda’s work with the youngsters was covered and highly praised.

The main topic covered in the Question & Answer Session was the new Highland Council Boundaries, and a number of people expressed concerns about the proposed changes.

It was agreed that a sub-committee should be set up to deal with the response from Cromarty. This will consist of Anne, Lynne and Ronald. Representations have to be made by 14 March, and any objections should be accompanied by alternative proposals.

Further information about the boundary changes is available at

http://www.bcomm-scotland.gov.uk/

9

The draft core plan has been circulated to all Councillors for comment. There are still concerns about the Ladies Walk path through to the Lodge as John Nightingale has objected to this.

10

The list of proposals suggested by the Councillors was issued with the agenda. A poster has been displayed in the Post Office for 2 weeks with suggestion forms to enable members of the public to offer their suggestions. These suggestions were produced in a list and distributed to Councillors at the meeting with a further list of 8 suggestions submitted by Sheila Currie.

It was agreed that Councillors would pass any comments on the suggestions to Anne or Estelle. The Cromarty 5-Year Plan sub committee will then meet to discuss the suggestions/ comments and prioritise the suggestions prior to the next CCC meeting.

11

It was agreed that the AGM will take place on Monday 28 April at 7pm, followed by the monthly meeting at 7.30pm.

Six Councillors are due to stand down: - Jane, Douglas Cooper, Lynne, Rachel, Ronald, and George.

Timetable for Election on Thursday 22 May

Friday 2 May List of Candidates revealed at 5pm

Saturday 3 May Envelopes if there are more than 7 candidates

Monday 5 May Order A4 paper & stamps

Tuesday 6 May Run approx. 750 ballot papers

Monday 12 May Working Group assembles 10am

Wednesday 17 May Post Ballot papers before 1pm

Deliver Ballot Box to returning Officer

Anne will ask Alan Hunter to act as Returning Officer.

AS

12.2

12.3

Treasurer’s Report

Income: ( 12 January 2008 to 11 February 2008 )

Total income: £NIL

Expenditure:

Secretarial expenses: £40.00

Hewden plc (cherrypicker) £232.70

Total expenditure: £272.70

Accounts payable balance: Nil

Accounts receivable balance: Nil

Bank balance as @ 12.02.08 = £13,931.28

13

David advised that George Selvester has also resigned from the Cromarty Harbour Trust. The Community Council needs to nominate a new member to replace him. This does not have to be a Councillor and it would be useful to have someone who is a leisure user to sit on the Trust. This can be decided after the AGM.

Falck Renewables have now submitted the planning applications and members of the public can raise any objections until May 2008. Details are available at the Post Office or comments/objections can be sent directly from the web site at http://www.niggwindenergy.co.uk/

Correspondence

Royal Air Force

Squadron Leader John Gilbert has written to offer to deliver a presentation to the Community Council or to the local community to explain the need for low flying aircraft training in the area. It was agreed that he should be invited to give a presentation/Q&A session to the community.

Anne will arrange a date with him.

AS

15.2

Brian Lowe

Mr Lowe has written to express concerns about the introduction of the 20mph speed restrictions. He is not opposing the new speed limits; he is concerned about the impact on the environment caused by the actual signage, location of signs and installation of speed bumps. David advised that he has discussed the matter with Theresa Kemp to determine where signs should be located. There will not be any speed bumps.

Anne and David will visit Mr Lowe to discuss his specific concerns.

AS/DA

16

AOB

16.1

Fencing at Victoria Park

Douglas McPhee advised that the fencing has still not been repaired. This could be fatal if a child ran out into the road.

Anne will contact Andy Macleod about this.

AS

16.2

Seat on South Sutor

The seat half way up South Sutor is in poor condition and needs replacing.

Ronald advised that the Community Services people had offered to provide benches/picnic benches very cheaply (10 for £200). This could be a way to replace the seat and also provide benches on the links.

Ronald to obtain some details.

RY

16.3

First Responders

Ronald advised that the First Responders have now received their final training. There are currently 9 people trained. The van should be delivered by the end of the month. This will pass to whoever is on call.

16.4

Green Gym

Wilf advised that Green Gym is now up and running again. He has asked them to attend to the South Sutor viewpoint. It is hoped that they will fit this into their March Programme.

16.5

Bust of Hugh Miller

Wilf asked for the bust to be re-instated to its original position as it will not have an impact on the community photo.

16.6

Calor Gas Awards

Anne asked for the Calor Gas awards to be placed on the wall in the Committee Room. Ronald will deal with this.

16.7

Community Leaflet

Vivienne has informed Anne that the pocket-sized leaflet is now out of stock and will need a complete reprint. As it will contain details of all local businesses, they should be asked to contribute towards production costs.

Vivienne to look at costs.

VG