Item

Details

Action

1

Chairwoman's Welcome and Apologies

Anne welcomed CCC members to the meeting.

Apologies

Paige Shepherd

2

Captain Ken Gray (CFPA)

Captain Gray gave a presentation to the Councillors about the role of the CFPA.

CFPA key aims are: - to manage safe navigation, to provide facilities to stakeholders, to conserve and develop the Cromarty Firth, to encourage good practice in all activities. Whilst there is a need to operate a good efficient business, there is also a need to be aware of environmental issues in the area.

Main areas of business are :- to provide and deliver port services, to serve the offshore oil industry, to support the fabrication industry and to develop the cruise ship market

Future plans are:- to build on experience to extend current business to meet customer demand, to improve the environment, to generate employment and training, to work with the local communities and to raise the national profile of the Cromarty Firth as Scotland’s prime deep water port.

The Cruise Industry was discussed. In 2007, 40 ships berthed in Invergordon, this is expected to rise to 50 in 2008. Concerns were expressed that Cromarty receives little benefit from this market as there are few trips planned for visits to Black Isle. Most passengers opt to visit Loch Ness. It was agreed that further discussions need to take place to develop this opportunity to promote Cromarty as a visitor destination for cruise ship passengers.

Anne thanked Captain Gray for his presentation to the Councillors.

Amendments

George Selvester was present at the meeting but not shown as present.

14.2 Insert Saturday

14.9 Delete Cromarty Guide Book – insert Cromarty Leaflet

Proposed: Vivienne Griffiths

Seconded: Douglas McPhee

4

4.1

Bus Shelter

Bob thanked the Councillors for arranging for the provision of the bus shelter on the links. This is much appreciated by the youngsters waiting for the school bus. They have managed to get 16+ youngsters in the shelter on a wet day.

4.2

Sports Multi- Court

Jane advised that work is due to commence w/c Monday 3 December.

5

PC Williams stated that there had been 35 incidents reported during the month but only about 33% of these occurred in Cromarty. These included:-

• A person threw a toilet though a window into a house in Townlands Park which has been dealt with

• Vandalism to a car caused by misuse of fireworks

• Someone threw a stone through a house window in Townlands Park – not yet resolved

• A car was stolen at Mount Eagle and then the person set fire to it

• PC Williams advised that youngsters will be stopped if they are not using lights on their bicycles when dark

• He also said that the Highland Constabulary are running a recruitment campaign in the Highlands to attract people to join the force.

Matters arising from previous meeting

6.1

5.1 Play Equipment

Anne has tried to contact William Gray. David will email his mobile number to Anne.

DA

6.2

5.2 Green Gym

David of JungleBusters has completed the work and everyone is pleased with the result.

Wilf advised that Green Gym has now run out of funds for this year. It was agreed that a work party should be formed in the Spring to tidy the area at the South Sutor viewpoint.

6:3

7 20mph Speed Limit

David advised that the leaflets which form the informal public consultation exercise are now ready for distribution. He will pass to Councillors who are able to help with this on Tuesday 27 November at 6.45pm. Residents can register any objections to the proposal until 21 December. The formal public consultation exercise will then follow when the proposals will be detailed in the local press.

6.4

14.2 Problems with Bus Service

Estelle has written to Rapsons detailing the issues raised by Douglas at the last meeting. No response to date

Secretary’s Update

A response has been received today 28/11/07 and is appended to the Minutes for your information.

6.5

14.4 Christmas Lights

Rachel and Ronald advised that the lights will be in place at the harbour on 10 December and at Victoria Hall on 11 December. (Phase 1) As these are linked to the streetlights, they will just come on with the streetlights on those dates so an official "switching on" will not be possible. There will be a poster to announce the launch of Phase 1. There will also be a plaque with a dedication to Lonna Davidson and photos will be emailed to Alex.

There has been no progress with the planning application to the Highland Council for the generator to facilitate the Christmas lights on The Denny and High Street. (Phase 2). This has now been passed to Di Agnew to follow up.

6.6

14.5 Nigg Yard

Anne/David are in the process of writing to appropriate government members to express concerns on behalf of the local community.

AS/DA

6.7

14.7 Cromarty Trust Fund

Vivienne wrote to John Nightingale on 31 October to request the funds as discussed. She has not received a response to date.

Anne has obtained a quote for the benches to be provided in Victoria Park. They will cost £704 each (including installation).

6.8

Secretary’s Update - Highland and Islands Tourism Awards 2007

At the last meeting, Anne advised that Sea Cromarty Sparkle had entered the above awards. The entry achieved joint second place in the. Highland 2007 category. Fran Tilbrook, Georgia Macleod and Anne Short attended the ceremony and were presented with a plaque which is on display in the C2007 window in High Street.

7

Gaelic Chapel

The Solicitor acting for the Highland Council is awaiting documentation from John Nightingale’s Solicitor.

Item to be retained on the Agenda for the next meeting.

8

Dial a Bus

Anne has spoken to Mary Thomson who is a user of this service. She is happy with the service and has agreed to submit to an article to raise the awareness of the service. There are only a couple of users in Cromarty.

Provision of the service was discussed. It was suggested that there should be a scheduled service two days/week e.g. Monday and Friday. Then people could dial for it on Tuesday or Thursday and on Wednesdays it could divert from the scheduled route.

9

5 Year Plan for Cromarty

A sub-committee, consisting of Jane, Vivienne and Anne, will be formed to work on this initiative. The first meeting will take place in mid-January. Lynne will provide input as appropriate.

10

Feedback from Public Meeting on Proposed Wind Farm at Nigg

Wilf managed the public meeting which took place on Wednesday 21 November.

He said that the displays provided by Falck and West Coast Energy were very informative and well presented. It was also noted that they had paid a lot of consideration to wildlife in the area. About 14 people attended and all looked at the displays and asked questions. There were no specific objections raised at the meeting.

It was agreed that the impact on Cromarty would be negligible as the turbines will mostly not be visible from Cromarty and the noise will hardly be heard.

Please note: David Alston did not participate in this discussion as it is planning related.

11.2

11.3

Treasurer’s Report

Income: (30 October to 26 November 2007)

Total income: £NIL

Expenditure:

Secretarial expenses: £40.00

Total expenditure: £40.00

Accounts payable balance: Nil

Accounts receivable balance: Nil

Bank balance as @ 26.11.07 = £13,038.32

• Application for demolition of garage and construction of extension at Peddiestone– no issues
• Application for construction of 3 houses at Davidston Farm – no issues
• Amendments to planning for 8 houses at Cromarty Mains. Original permission was given for 8 houses on a courtyard – now amendment submitted for 8 individual properties. A number of objections have been raised and Lynne has been dealing with this application. Councillors also raised concerns so Lynne is pursuing with Dave Baldwin

Please note: David Alston did not participate in this discussion as it is planning related.

Highland Councillor’s Report

Nothing further to add.

Correspondence

Lisa MacKellaich – Road Safety Officer Highland Council

There will be a Seminar on Monday 10 December in Nairn aimed at Community Councils. This will provide an understanding of Road Safety issues in the Highlands.

Anne will try to attend this seminar.

AS

14:2

Highland Council Quality Awards

Anne had submitted a nomination on behalf of the Councillors for Sam Lowe to receive an award. She has received a letter to advise that this nomination was unsuccessful.

14.3

Martin Gostwick – Hugh Miller

Mr Gostwick has submitted an application for £500 from the Common Good Fund.

He is organising a conference for geologists to visit Cromarty on 12/13 April 2008

Details of the event were provided. He would like some funding towards administrative costs. This was discussed and it was agreed that this application would not be supported as the Common Good Fund is currently overstretched.

Anne will advise him accordingly.

AS

15

AOB

15.1

Sea Cromarty Sparkle

Councillors wished to record their thanks to Georgia Macleod for all her efforts with this programme which have gone far beyond what she was originally tasked to do.

Additionally, thanks were also recorded to Torquil who has provided overwhelming support throughout.

15.2

Salmon Bothy

Sale of the Bothy was discussed. This would make an ideal visitor centre with toilet facilities but funding is unlikely to be available to support this purchase.

15.3

CAYP Childcare

Ronald advised childcare for children under 3 years old will cease from January 2008. Daycare hours have also been reduced from 8am – 6pm to 9am to 5pm which will create problems for some parents. It is possible that the school will provide a breakfast club and an after school club to cover these periods.

15.4

First Responders

8 people have signed up for training to join the First Responders.

The vehicle will be ready w/c 3 December. It will show that it has been sponsored by the Patrons of the Royal Hotel Cromarty.

15.5

Cromarty Leaflet

As the Highland Printers did not hand over the artwork to Nevis, Wilf asked to see a scanned copy but the quality of this is poor. Rachel suggested that the original artwork may still be available e.g. John McNaught would still have the maps.

He is concerned that the artwork may not be available for the Guide Book. This will need some revision when it is time for the next reprint. There are only 400 copies remaining.

15.6

Bank Machine

Douglas Cooper advised that the bank machine was out of order over the weekend. He tried to report it to the Londis and to the Bank but they said that they are not responsible. Ronald said it managed by a maintenance company. The machine was in fact out of cash and was restocked on Monday.

15.7

Calor Gas Awards

Anne said that it would soon be time to submit applications for this and asked everyone to look out for the announcements. Cromarty has had some amazing events this year and should be entered into this competition.