Item

Details

Action

Chairwoman's welcome: Anne welcomed CC members to the meeting.

1

Apologies: Margaret Binnie, Rachel Robertson, David Alston

2

Approval of 28^th November 2005 minutes:

The minutes were approved. Proposed: Douglas McPhee

Seconded: Jane Clunas

Approval of 15^th December minutes:

The minutes were approved – with the correction that Rachel Robertson was not at the meeting. Proposed: Jane Clunas

Seconded: Douglas McPhee

3

3:1

3:2

3:3

Police Report:

PC Williams reported that there had been no major issues over the last month. Over his area there had been 41 incidents which included an attempted break into his police car.

Inspector Chisholm attended the Townlands Park Tenants Association and PC Williams noted that he had followed up the concerns raised at the November CC meeting.

The person responsible for vandalising the bus shelter has been charged.

4

4:1

Youth Issues

Friday Club: DMcP and Irene have taken the club to a couple of football Saturday night sessions at Ross County. The club also took part in Youth Highland sports play-offs in Alness. The teams did well – with 4 winners out of six teams entered, but Dougie was unimpressed with the lack of organisation for the event.

DMcP ongoing

4:2

Multi-court: The feasibility has been done and the team is now finding out who to apply to for funding.

JC ongoing

5

5:1

Matters arising from 28^th November meeting

3: Police Matters: AS will discuss the ‘Safe, Strong and Free’ campaign with Anne Rose at the Community Safety meeting on 14^th February

AS to discuss with Anne Rose

5:2

5:3

5:4

5:5

Townlands Park Play Park: Residents have asked for the train to be removed.

5:9 Cromarty Live website: Steve Ellwood is now doing this – and the website is going well.

6:0 Townlands Barn development: Alan Ogilvie is expecting the Reporters views on the East Ross Local Plan in early February.

13:4 BT manhole, Denny: AS contacted BT to let them know about the water leaking from the hole.

5:6

5:7

5:8

13:11 Christmas Tree: CV to write and thank Billy Fraser for his help

Matters arising 15^th December 05

3:1 Calor Gas Award: The CC now has the £500 prize money. CC members to consider the best use for this – for discussion at the February CC meeting.

3:2 Links Bus Shelter: Paul Young is doing drawings for this, which will be submitted to John Hearmon. DMcP expressed concerns that there could be delays with construction. AS said that she would circulate plans once the CC has copies of them.

CV to write

All CC members

AS to circulate plans – once obtained

6

Response to Renewable Energy Strategy

The CC responded to this using the bullet points made at the December 15^th meeting. A letter of acknowledgement has been received from THC.

completed

7

Scottish Executive Community Councils discussion paper

WT recommended that this be discussed at a special meeting of the CC. After some discussion it was agreed that a meeting should be held on 13^th February at 19.30 in the Hugh Miller Institute.

WT highlighted corporate status, core funding and multi-member wards as of particular significance.

All CC members ongoing

8

8:1

8:2

Reeds Path

AS reported that CC members had met John Nightingale in order to discuss footpaths. At this meeting JN had asked about the footpath leaflet and about fencing along Reeds Path. As a result, AS and MB have met with Alan Hunter and Susan Christie and the footpath leaflet is now underway again. £394.66 that had been given for the footpath leaflet under CED money had to be returned to RACE because of delays in production. However, it is likely that they will still be able to help fund it.

JC noted that the map currently proposed for the leaflet showed paths which don’t exist. JC said that Pete Clunas is reviewing the map and passing comments on to Susan Christie.

AS had also investigated correspondence relating to Reeds path – and had found no suggestion that the fence would be reinstated after footpath work had been carried out there.

JC ongoing

9

Environmental Meeting Report:

• Street maintenance – this will be from Sutor Creek to Allan Square

• Allan Square toilets – have been repainted

• Shore Street drainage – gullies will be put in

• Church St harling, Allan Sq PVC door – ongoing

• Bamboo fencing, Bank St – gone for planning permission

• Redundant oyster farm – THC has no jurisdiction over this

• Graveyard – will fill in potholes

10

10:1

10:2

10:3

10:4

Treasurer’s Report:

Bank balance: (up until 21^st December) - £6781.68

Expenditure since my last report was £6,866.89 and included:

• £5.47 to Wilf Taylor (CC expenses)
• £4972.00 to John McNaught, Homefront Recall artwork
• £80.00 to the CC secretary
• £394.66 RACE refund
• £69.00 to Cromarty Benevolent Association for Christmas Welfare
• £117.50 to Sylvestrus Ltd for work on the Kirkiebrae project
• £102.00 for rail tickets to Calor Gas Awards
• £1057.50 to Move on Up for Homefront Recall film
• £3.96 for tax on Bank interest

Income since my last report was:

• £69.00 from THC for Cromarty Benevolent Association for Christmas Welfare
• £210 from Dingwall Market
• £500 from Calor Gas Award
• £25.00 from NTS for booklets
• £19.83 interest from Bank of Scotland

AD noted that the CC had built up interest from its account – and would need to decide how to use this.

AD

11

Planning

None

MB

12

Highland Councillor’s Report

None

13

13:1

13:2

13:3

Correspondence

Cromarty Primary School Board: The CC had been copied into the letter from the school board that requested renovation and replacement of buildings at the school, and which circulated the petition signed throughout the village. CV to write offering CC support for the board’s position. There was a letter of response from John Ritchie which stated that he recognised the need for work to be done at the school, and that he has asked THC centrally about specific items.

Primary School, Fort William trip: The school has written to thank the CC for their support of this trip.

Disabled access: Alison Dunn has written expressing disappointment that a lack of disabled access to many of Cromarty public buildings meant that there are many events that she is unable to attend. The CC expressed understanding and sympathy for her situation – but felt that such was the nature of the buildings that it was difficult to do anything abut it.

CV to write

13:4

13:5

13:6

13:7

13:8

Dog Fouling: Fran Tilbrook had written to suggest her concern at the amount of dog fouling in Cromarty. The CC agreed with this concern and AS undertook to invite the dog warden to Cromarty to offer advice on how best to tackle the situation.

Highland Access Draft Report: This has been sent to the CC for comment.

Alzheimer Scotland: Have sent poster for display

Moray Firth Partnership AGM, 17^th February: No one was available to attend

HI Fire and Rescue Service: Have sent their draft Risk Assessment Action Plan for comment.

to invite dog warden

CV to write to FT

JC and WT to comment

DMcP to put up

DMcP to comment

14

14:1

14:2

14:3

13:4

13:5

13:6

13:7

13:8

13:9

AOB

Lane opposite HMI: Fallen wall stones need removing from lane

New Christmas tree lights: RY, RR, Alan Hunter and Sandy Thompson have been working on this, and have agreed an order – which RY showed to the CC for their approval. The CC agreed to the suggestions made by the group, and approved their continuing to seek match funds from RACE for the purchase of lights.

Kirkiebrae: JC reported on RRs behalf that the application for funding this work is now being processed.

Noticeboard: Marcel Gommers have offered that the post office could put up relevant notices in this for the CC. The CC thanked him for this – and accepted the offer!

New seat for Links: Alex said that Lonna had wanted to donate a seat to the Links, and asked for the CC approval to do this, and to have a plaque on it. The CC agreed that this was a good idea and gave their full support to the proposal.

Cromarty Leaflets: The committee is to meet shortly. AD to give correspondence on leaflet distribution to WT

Hugh Miller Institute: THC remains concerned about the Hugh Miller bust and Lighthouse lamp. The CC has looked at these previously and has confirmed that the lighthouse will not cut skin. WT to discuss this – and the appropriate measures to be taken for the bust (screwing plinth to floor, lip to plinth and better ties recommended) – with THC librarian Sheena Paterson.

Highland Councillor in minutes: WT expressed the view that the Highland Councillor should be noted as ‘in attendance’.

Invitation to Area Manager to attend meeting: Bob Cameron to be invited to attend the February or March CC meeting

RR, RY, AH, ST ongoing

DMcP to give keys to Marcel, and explain CC policy

AD to give correspondence to WT

CV to write to Bob Cameron

Date of next meeting:

Monday 27^th February 2006 at 19.30

in the Hugh Miller Institute