Unadopted
CROMARTY AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Meeting held on Monday May 30th 2005 at the Hugh Miller Institute Present: Community Councillors: Highland Councillor: CC Secretary: In attendance:
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Chairman’s welcome: AH welcomed CC members to the meeting.
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Apologies: Douglas Cooper, Susan Florence
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Approval of previous minutes: Proposed: Douglas McPhee Seconded: Margaret Binnie |
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Matters arising: 4:2 Cromarty Outdoor Bowling Club Improvements: Work has continued to rejuvenate the Bowling Club grounds, and a joiner will repair the clubhouse windows, doors, and entrance gate woodwork. Full refurbishment of the green and purchase of machinery, store, and junior sets of bowls will cost £7.5 – 8K. Part funding for this has already been achieved. An application will be made to the Common Good Fund, other possible funding sources are – Scottish Communities Foundation and Awards for All. It was suggested that Leader Plus was also worth trying.
A Bowling Club "Open Day" to encourage youngsters and attract new members will be held on Saturday 11th June.
There has been some vandalism of the grounds - including the CBC shell decorated slabs. JC and RR offered to make some new versions of these in time for the Open Day.
4:6 Allan Square Toilets : The sub group will meet on Thursday 2nd June, at 10 am, to determine the best way to progress.
4:8 Housing Allocations: Tracey Urry will be invited to the next Community Council meeting or a date suitable to her.
4:9 Library Tables: RR to ask Jean Henderson for a valuation.
7:4 Dog Fouling: Audrey Duffus, the Dog Warden, has been contacted and the following arrangements made - information should be passed to the dog warden, she will then issue a warning letter, and if the behaviour continues this will be followed by a fine.
CC members considered whether more new dog-litter bins should be obtained – but decided against this due to the lack of volunteers to empty them. 10.1 Volunteer Car Scheme: AS had enquired with the GP practice about the reasons why they were no longer running this scheme. They stated that the reasons were - concern over insurance cover, and a lack of volunteer drivers.
10:6 Public seating at the harbour: After discussion it was agreed that the funding for seats at Lazy Corner should come from the CC’s own account, to be replaced from either the Common Good Fund or Cromarty Trust money. RY will also see if there is funding available from the British Legion.
10:7 Mechanical Road Sweeper: RY will follow up on Invergordon contacts to obtain further information
10:10 Open Land in Cromarty: JC has drawn up a list of open land – which she will type up for circulation and discussion. MB, AS, AD and AH met with a solicitor to discuss and draft a letter that could be sent to anyone who is staking a claim to ‘open land’ in Cromarty
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AH/AD ongoing
JC/RR ongoing
MB/AS/AH ongoing
AH ongoing
RR ongoing
AH concluded
AS concluded
RY ongoing
RY ongoing
MB, AS, AD, AH ongoing |
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Youth issues: Sports Multi-Court: The group hopes to meet in early June in order to put a funding bid together. DA noted that there would soon be a stream of funding from the lottery fund for play equipment.
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JC ongoing |
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Joseph Rowntree Foundation Gillian Newman spoke to CC members about the Joseph Rowntree Foundation ‘Communities that Care’ programme. This is based on work that the foundation has done on what puts young people more at risk of choosing an unhealthy lifestyle – for example low achievement at school. The programme aims to increase people’s resilience, therefore reducing the risk.
The foundation’s Scottish Director – Dennis Daly would be willing to come to Cromarty in order to discuss how people can work along the lines suggested by ‘communities that care’ – including involving all the community leaders – school, youthworker, church, police etc. Cromarty could also become involved in other schemes that have been shown to have a positive impact – such as positive parenting classes. DA noted that Cameron Stark (NHS Highland) would be willing to come to Cromarty to talk about positive parenting.
It was agreed that Dennis Daly and Cameron Stark would be invited to the Cromarty Community Safety Group meeting on Tuesday 14th June.
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GN/DA ongoing |
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Cromarty Gala Week:Irene Mackay has suggested that the Cromarty Gala Week be reinstated. Most of the programme is already in place (Victoria Park Sports Events) and this would dovetail nicely with the Regatta and Fun Day. The Church’s Victoria Park Sports and the Regatta Shore Events committees could meet in September to prepare for the Gala in 2006. It was agreed that the CC would be willing to act as the host for such a group - this would provide automatic insurance cover, and ensure the groups ability to fundraise for the events.
Gala Trophy: After discussion it was agreed that the community council would donate up to £50 for the purchase of a Gala trophy to be presented on the CCs behalf. The money for this could come from our Stall Hire account.
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Treasurer’s Report: Bank balance: (excluding bank interest for May) - £6,603.72 Income since my last report was £1,107.50
Community Newsletter. Expenditure - £314.19
(* We are awaiting an answer from Landmark about this invoice as we had contracted for a fee of £410.35 for a full distribution throughout the north of Scotland.)
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AD ongoing |
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Highland Councillor’s Report: Black Isle Forum – Community Safety meeting: DA reported on the recent community safety meeting – and the excellent presentation from Wanda Mackay and her team of young people. This had been an informative meeting, but it was a pity that it wasn’t better attended.
Black Isle Forum – CCs and Cllrs meeting – 29th June: The importance of good CC representation at this meeting was stressed. The future of the Black Isle Forum will be looked at, early consideration of this is important in the light of:
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Planning Matters : Margaret Binnie left the meeting whilst CC members considered her planning application. It was agreed that the community council was supportive of this application, and would comment in favour. |
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Correspondence: Local Plan Public Inquiry: The Cromarty meeting will be held on 22nd June in the West Church hall. The CC will not speak at this meeting – but have made written representation on the Local Plan.
Meeting with HSCHT, LDN architects and Cromarty and District CC: After discussion it was agreed that CC members would like to meet LDN in order to gain an impression of the types of design that might be possible on the Townlands Barn field. AH will arrange this meeting with Issi McGrath of HSCHT.
Bamboo fencing at Barkly/Bank Street junction: The CC had received a letter from the owner of the property – expressing concern about notification that planning permission is required for his boundary positioning and the type of fencing used in a conservation area. It was agreed that this was an issue to be resolved by the owner and HC Planning Department.
Links - school bus shelter: Three letters had been received by the CC objecting to the siting of the links bus shelter. The possibility of adjusting the position of the shelter was discussed with the HC – but this is not possible due to the costs involved. The erection of a bus shelter does not require planning permission and so is outwith the CC’s remit.
Misleading Press coverage: A letter from a Cromarty resident expressed extreme concern over a press report that implied community council support to a recent court case. AH stated that the report was inaccurate and further clarified that the reference had been given only in respect of John Pocock’s paid work for the community council, which was overseen by him. That is why the reference had been made in AH’s position as chair of the CC. Some CC members felt that they should have been involved in the decision about whether to write such a reference.
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CC members ongoing
AH/CC members ongoing
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Any Other Business:
Bus timetables: It was noted that a consolidated timetable for the different bus operators on the Cromarty route would be useful – and that this could be included in the newsletter.
Streetlights: There are broken lights at the Victoria Hall bus shelter and the junction of Bank and Barkly Streets – these will be referred to TEC Services.
Burial Ground grass cutting: AH had visited the grounds, in Cromarty and Fortrose, with Sam Lowe, from TEC Services, and had heard from residents and visiting relatives of the deceased how impressed they were at the quality of ground maintenance. However, in order to try and reduce grass clippings on the gravestones, the grass maintenance team will try using a bigger mower, which does not blow the grass out the back. Also highlighted are the cutting difficulties, caused by people extending the area of a grave out beyond the headstone base. In such cases they are responsible for tidying around and between the objects.
Rubbish Bin, on the Shore Street platform: TEC Services will be asked if it would be possible to have a rubbish bin here.
Tenants Committee Meeting – this will be held by THC tenants, interested in setting up a local group, and Carol Elliot –THC Tenants Participation Officer.
Access issues: Concern was expressed that Cromarty estate gates were locked on public access routes – eg Ladies Walk. John Nightingale will be notified of our concerns. Harbour Ferry Signs: These need to be erected by the harbour. Jim Yuill will be asked about this.
A9 Ferry Sign: It was noted that erection and removal of the ferry signs on the A9 is the responsibility of the ferry company.
Pavement, Bayview Crescent: RY reported that there was a hole in the pavement on Bayview Crescent, and that this was thought to be possibly caused during work there. DA will follow this up.
Kirkiebrae Project: RR reported that the main application for funding had been submitted to the Forestry Commission. 12 letters of support had been received from within the community to accompany this application. CC members thought Cromarty residents would like to be brought up to date with current progress and that this would make a good item for the Cromarty Newsletter.
Cromarty PC: It is anticipated that the new Policeman will move into Cromarty during late July.
Dog Bin Volunteers: AS will put up a notice to recruit new volunteers to help empty the bins.
Calor Gas Awards Sub-Committee: will meet soon in order to have our application in by the closing date of June 30th
CC Meeting dates: Due to summer commitments by some CC members -it was suggested and agreed that our meeting date should be changed to the last Tuesday in the month until further notice. |
AD ongoing
AD ongoing
AH ongoing
AH ongoing
DA ongoing
AH ongoing DA ongoing
DA ongoing
RR ongoing
AD ongoing
AS ongoing
AS, MB, JC, RR ongoing |
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Date of next meeting:
Tuesday 28th June 2005 at 7.30pm in the Hugh Miller Institute
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