Unadopted

CROMARTY AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Meeting held on Monday 28th February 2005 at the Hugh Miller Institute

Present:

Community Councillors: Margaret Binnie, Jane Clunas, Douglas Cooper, Alex Davidson, Alan Hunter (Chairman), Douglas McPhee, Rachel Robertson and Anne Short

Highland Councillor: David Alston

CC Secretary: Caroline Vawdrey

Item	Details	Action
1	Chairman’s welcome: AH welcomed Anne Short back to CC meetings in the HM Institute.
2	Apologies: Susan Florence, Ronald Young
3	Approval of previous minutes: Approved with the following notes: Item 4:7 Kirkiebrae Woodland Project had obtained info from Ardross by correspondence rather than meeting. Item 4:11 Leaflet Committee – apologies were given to Margaret Binnie, who is also a member of this committee. Proposed: Anne Short Seconded: Margaret Binnie
4 4:1 4:2 4:3 4:4 4:5 4:6 4:7 4:8 4:9 4:10 4:11 4:12 4:13	Matters arising: 4:2 Painting/Repairing the Victoria Hall Bus Shelter: CC still waiting to hear from Jim Yuill when drainage and repair work is likely to happen. When this work is completed painting can then proceed. RR suggested putting a light in the Bus Shelter, and CC members agreed this was a very good idea. 4:3 Cromarty Bowling Club: AH, AD and Sandy Thomson had a very positive meeting with the Outdoor Bowling Club committee and a forward plan was discussed and drawn up. This includes: refurbishment of the green, flowerbeds, paths and hedges advertising for volunteers to form a community work party holding an open day, to attract new members, inviting a celebrity or professional coaches for the day aim to increase membership up to 30 in the coming season There might also be a possibility of linking the bowling club with the ‘Home Front Recall’ celebrations project. 4:5 Horticultural Society Trophies: As a result of the CC letter, the Bank will now release the Trophies to the Community Council. 4:11 Cromarty Leaflet Reprint – the leaflets are now available and, as a trial, we will be distributing 26,000 of them across Scotland. 7:1 NHS 24 - AS met Dr Charley to pass on the community's experiences of NHS 24. Dr Charley agreed with D McP’s concern about insufficient contacts for people with mental health problems. Dr Charley is happy to attend a CC meeting if requested. 10:2 Community Safety Group – DA reported on the police crime figures for Cromarty (see attached table). Police and social work representatives have given their assurance that they will attend future meetings. 13:11 The Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust (HSCHT) and the Highlands Building Preservation Trust (HBPT) Meeting: HBPT showed CC members three alternatives for the proposed restoration of Sandilands House (Townlands Barn). The preferred option, for both HBPT and the CC, was for conversion to a 3-bedroom house with a granny flat attached. The plans will now be drawn up. Issi McGrath (HSCHT) will meet with the owner of the land behind Townlands Barn to discuss possible land purchase. The CC discussed the possibilities for development of this site – the most practical entrance point, number of houses etc. It was agreed to have an onsite meeting with the HC planning and road engineers, to discuss the various options, before responding to the Local Plan. 10:1 Black Isle Swimming Pool – A letter has been sent offering the CC’s continuing support. 10:4 Gaelic Chapel – The HC’s Head of Legal Service, Alan Simpson, agrees that it would be best for the HC and the Cromarty Trust to reach a compromise – and will follow this up with solicitor David Neill. 13:10 Path behind Salmon Bothy – there are apparently no stones blocking the path – this is the way the path has been built. RR and MB met with the HC Access Officer, in Cromarty, and he had no issue with the path. 13:12 Queen Mary Visit – Will be on 19th June. Market Stalls will be required.	DA to ask Jim Yuill about timing of work AD, DC, AH ongoing AD ongoing MB,RR,JC,AD concluded CC ongoing DA, AH, AS ongoing HBPT ongoing AH to arrange meeting AH to arrange meeting with HC's Alan Ogilvie and Jim Yuill AH/CV concluded DA ongoing MB, RR concluded CC ongoing
5 5:1 5:2 5:2 cntd. 5:3	Youth issues: Provision for Young People: 16 Children attended the February 15th meeting, a further 16 sent apologies. There are now four work groups dealing with letters, planning and design of facilities, research, and the project committee Victoria Park Multi-Sports Court: Consideration was given to positioning the Children's Play Area at the end of the park, nearest the High Street, and the Multi-Sports Court at the back of the park or towards Townlands Barn. Cromarty Junior Football Team - Sale of Soup and Puddings Fundraiser made £775 and the team's new strips have now been ordered. Four members of the team are representing Ross and Cromarty.	JC ongoing JC ongoing DMcP ongoing
6 6:1 6:2	Black Isle Transport: Update following Black Isle Forum meeting in November 2004: Noted from David Summers’ (HC) report : Cromarty – Inverness bus service: Rapsons are bringing in a revised timetable from April which will mean more evenly spaced journeys between Rosemarkie and Inverness but does not close the gap in the afternoon and does not resolve the issues raised by Cromarty CC. The section between Rosemarkie and Cromarty is not really commercially justifiable at all. The result of the Bus Route Development Grant bid is still awaited, from the Scottish Executive, and further decisions will depend on the outcome of this. From April the evening bus times will be altered as proposed by the Forum on Mondays to Fridays (earlier run to Inverness). It was not possible to retime the Saturday service. A full timetable will be supplied when it is finalised. Cromarty Ferry signs: we have contacted BEAR on at least two occasions but I am aware that recently the signs had still not been altered. It was noted that following a telephone call to BEAR from the Cromarty CC the ferry signs were removed and will be replaced with wording to show that it is a summer service only. Black Isle Forum Transport Workgroup – D McP will attend the next meeting.
7	Training for Community Groups: The Highland Community Planning and Resources Project is asking community groups to let them know what their training needs are, with the intention of providing courses for those most in demand. CC members identified their current needs for computer training in Excel and Microsoft Publisher, and Project Management would be useful.	CV to report our requirements to the Community Planning Project
8	2007: The Year of Highland Culture AH reported that in Ross and Cromarty the HC would be distributing £112.5K for capital projects and £112.5K for revenue projects - during 2005, 2006 and 2007, and that community groups can apply for up to £30K. The grant would be up to 75% of project costs. CV reported that the Black Isle Forum has established a working group on '2007' that will meet on March 22nd in the Dolphin Room at the Black Isle Leisure Centre. This group will consider the potential of working together to plan and market events, and the possibility of having a Black Isle Programme. Howie Firth, who has a wealth of experience in organising festivals, and in particular the Orkney Science Festival, will be leading the work group. AS, MB, and D McP all expressed an interest in attending this meeting.	AS, MB, D McP ongoing
9 9:1 9:2 9:3	Treasurer’s Report: AD submitted his report (full details available from AD):- Current Bank Balance: £ 6,136.02 Expenditure since the last report: £ 2,742.39 Income since the last report: £ 521.08 Significant expenses were: Macsigns (signs for Safe Play Area) : £ 86.95 Highland Printers (Cromarty Leaflet): £ 2,532.00 ‘Safe Play Area’, money from Common Good Fund – after £86.95 paid for signs there was £142.00 left in fund, of which £128.35 will be claimed for sports equipment. It was agreed that the remaining £13.70 should also be paid to the school, and the account closed. Leaflet account – Through error £853.00 wasn’t claimed from the HC contribution to CED funded projects. The money left at the end of the CED programme has since been distributed between two other Cromarty projects – and will now need to be written off. The CC discussed how to balance the leaflet account and it was agreed that using the income from the Cromarty Booklet (which currently has £4,140.50 in its account) seemed the most suitable solution, but a final decision would be taken at the March meeting.	CC ongoing
10 10:1 10:2 10:3	Highland Councillor’s Report: Cromarty Community Safety Group: DA reminded the CC that they had undertaken to gauge the community’s views on placing a ban on alcohol consumption in public places. It was agreed that a community newsletter could be a useful means of doing this. It was also noted, with interest, that the CC can be consulted on licence applications. Industrial Unit: When a unit becomes available John Hearmon has said that the HC would take it over for storage of the Community Officer's street cleaning equipment, and that fenced area would also be available to use for recycling (bottle, can and paper banks). This was very welcome news. Cromarty Auxiliary Fire Unit: Following a meeting on the 8th February, with Brigade officers, the CC has written a strong response to the IRMP proposals - expressing the community view that our local unit must be allowed to respond to chimney fires and prepare sites for the Primary Fire Unit/s arrival, in the event of buildings fires.	DA to obtain further info from the HC
11	Planning Matters Bellevue outbuilding conversion: positive comments were received on this application.
12 12:1 12:2 12:3	Correspondence Youth Summer Activities Programme: Robbie Russell, the HC Youth Development Officer, has written to ask whether the CC would be interested in taking part in a partnership meeting to discuss the Youth Summer Activities Programme. It was agreed to contact Robbie inviting him to come and meet with Cromarty Youth organisers to discuss their ideas. Damage to steps from school to Links: Garve Scott Lodge has written to the CC expressing concern about this. AH has already emailed Sam Lowe – who has replied that an instruction has been issued for the repairs to be carried out. East Ross Community Care Forum: The CC is invited to attend a meeting on NHS 24 on March 18th in Alness. No CC member is available to attend on this occasion.	AH ongoing AH concluded
13 13:1 13:2 13:3 13:4 13:5 13:6 13:7 13:8	Any Other Business: Cromarty Market Stalls: These need to be moved from there current location. AD has offered temporary storage, but a permanent place is urgently required. Calor Gas Awards 2005: Possible subjects for application include: Home Front Recall events, Kirkiebrae Project, work on the harbour. CC members were invited to consider further ideas. In order to be prepared in advance AS, JC, MB and RR will form a sub-committee. Community Complaints Procedures: It was agreed that whenever possible a complainant would be directed to the appropriate public service body or official, and that the CC should act as a channel for such issues, getting directly involved only when convinced that it is appropriate. Neighbourhood Watch Meeting: JC asked the CC to note that she was arranging this meeting in response to community concerns. Return of Firearms in Cromarty: CC members noted concern about the alleged return of firearms to a family in the town. It was agreed to try to verify the details – and if true express the CC's concern. Port-a-loo Toilets return date: This was thought to be May 1st. Allan Square Public Toilets: AH will check the progress of this with John Mackenzie. Street Lighting: AD will contact Andrew Matheson, HC, about the possibility of improving the street lighting on Bank Street.	AH, AD ongoing CC and sub committee ongoing CC members to note JC ongoing AH ongoing AH to ask John Hearmon AH ongoing AD ongoing
14	Date of next meeting: Monday 28th March 2005 at 7.30pm in Hugh Miller Institute.