CROMARTY AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Meeting held on Monday January 31st 2005 at the Cromarty Training Centre
Present:
Community Councillors: Alan Hunter (Chairman), Margaret Binnie, Jane Clunas, Douglas Cooper, Alex Davidson, Susan Florence, Douglas McPhee, Rachel Robertson, Anne Short and Ronald Young
Highland Councillor: David Alston
CC Secretary: Caroline Vawdrey
Members of the public present: Moira Hamilton, John MacFarlane, Sparks and Howard Hunter
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Item |
Details |
Action |
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1 |
Chairman’s welcome: Alan Hunter took great pleasure in welcoming back Anne Short to the CC meetings. |
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2 |
Apologies: Ewan Pennie |
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3 |
Approval of previous minutes: Proposed: Douglas McPhee Seconded: Susan Florence |
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4 4.1 4:2 4:3 4:4 4:5 4:6 4:7 4:8 4:9 4:10 4:11 |
Matters arising: 4:1 Shore Street Platform: JC will obtain plants from Howden's when spring stock arrives 4:3 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. 4:4 Bowling Club: No date has yet been received for a joint meeting. DC will pursue this. 4:5 Naval Air Station Interpretation Panel: DA obtained costings – of around 2 to 2.5K. It was thought that this project might fit into the funding for the community's Home Front events. 4:6 Horticultural Society Trophies: The CC has prepared a letter, signed by the council officers, asking the Bank to release the Trophies into their safe-keeping. 9:1 SSE's Alternative Power Line to Cromarty: – This has been submitted by SSE for planning approval. A letter from the CC has requested that the American Road section should be underground. 10:4 Kirkibrae Woodland Project: A meeting with the Ardross Community Pond Project coordinator had proven very useful and had provided a good indication of possible funders – these sources are now being contacted by the CC sub committee. 10:6 Cemetery Gates: the gates have now been repainted and re-instated. 10:8 Christmas Tree Lights: – should now be stored in the Hugh Miller Institute storage cupboard. 10:12 New Site for recycling skips and community storage: The CC has written to the HC expressing interest in using one of the industrial units as a base for the recycling skips and the storage of community equipment. It was agreed to leave consideration of other potential sites until a response from the HC has been received. 10.13 Cromarty Leaflet Reprint – (Full report available from the leaflet committee – AD, RR, JC and Wilf Taylor).
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JC ongoing RR/JC ongoing DC ongoing CC ongoing AD ongoing AH ongoing RR ongoing AH concluded DC ongoing AD ongoing AD/RR/JC ongoing |
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5 5:1 5:2 5:3 |
Youth issues: School Bus Service:– Fortrose Academy Rector, Douglas Simpson, – who is sympathetic to the concerns raised by the CC, has commented that he is getting an increasing number of complaints regarding poor service from Rapsons. Mr Simpson intends to do spot checks by travelling on the buses himself. Provision for Young People: The January meeting was cancelled, a new date of Feb 15th has now been set to which all the children (47) who offered to help will be invited. Youth Highland: The youth club has joined Youth Highland and has been taking part in football coaching at Merkinch. The children are fundraising for new strips. |
AH ongoing JC ongoing DMcP ongoing |
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6 6:1 6:2 6:3 |
Severe Weather Preparation: Storm Damage Assessment: is being carried out by the HC, and will form part of the bid to the Scottish Executive for Emergency Financial Support. Emergency Sandbags: the CC will order sandbags from the HC. If an industrial unit becomes available to the CC, pre filled sandbags could be stored there. Non-Return Valves: have been suggested for the apertures in the seawall along Shore Street. |
CC ongoing |
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7 7:1 7:2 7:3 |
NHS 24 – Local Views on the Service: Dr Charley is concerned and interested to hear from anyone who might experience difficulties with NHS 24. RY and JC both commented that they had received a good response from the service. D McP expressed concern that NHS 24 didn’t have anyone qualified to deal with people with mental health problems. Cromarty First Responders – serious concern was expressed that the First Responders are being called out to every emergency medical incident (999 calls), when their purpose, and training, is to respond to cases of heart attack only. |
CC ongoing |
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8 |
Highlands and Islands Fire Brigade – IRMP Review Cromarty Auxiliary Fire-fighters are seriously alarmed by the proposed changes to their duties, which will mean that they are unable - to put out chimney fires: to assist in tackling house or building fires (from the outside of the building): to prepare hydrants etc in readiness for the arrival of the Fortrose Fire Service. These issues will be raised at a meeting, on February 8th, with representatives of the HIFB Integrated Risk Management Planning Team, the Cromarty Auxiliary Unit, the Cromarty Community Council, and Highland Councillor David Alston. A letter of response, from the Community Council, highlighting the Cromarty community's grave concern, will be sent to the Highland and Islands Fire Board. |
AH/AD/RY ongoing AH ongoing |
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9 |
Treasurer’s Report: AD submitted his report:- Current Bank Balance: £8,548.02 Expenditure since the last report: £2,722.41 Income since the last report: £3,217.21 Significant expenses were: Footpath Leaflet : £ 350.00 Susan Christie £ 400.00 Plexus Media £ 400.00 Meridian Graphics Kirkiebrae Survey/Report: £ 763.75 Dietrich Panovich Installation of seats/signs: £ 340.00 Donald Mackintosh Stripping/painting Railings: £ 200.00 John Pocock Significant income was: RACE /CED - £ 922.00 for Footpaths Project SNH - £2,000.00 for Footpaths Project Dingwall Farmers' Market - £ 180.00 for Stall Hire |
AD |
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10 10:1 10:2 10:3 10:4 |
Highland Councillor’s Report: Black Isle Swimming Pool: Would like the CC to write to confirm that they still support their aim. It was agreed to do this. Cromarty Community Safety Group: Includes representatives from the Police, Social Work, and the Primary School and will meet once every two months. There is a new children’s social worker for the Black Isle who will be based part-time in Fortrose Academy. Dog Dirt : Councillors were disappointed to note that, although there had been an initial improvement over the past year, following the posters and letters campaign, the problem now seems to be as bad as ever. Stronger action is required. Gaelic Chapel: DA will meet the new head of the HC legal services to discuss possible avenues of progress. |
AH ongoing AH/AS ongoing CC ongoing DA ongoing |
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11 |
Planning Matters Outline permission has been sought for 2 houses at the bottom of the Denny. The HC has received objections and so it will go to committee. Concern was expressed regarding access to the Denny. |
MB |
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12 12:1 12:2 12:3 |
Correspondence North Kessock Septic Tanks: North Kessock community has contacted Cromarty CC requesting support in asking for an upgrade in their new sewerage treatment system proposed by Scottish Water. It was agreed to do this. Glendale Community Council: Have asked for our support in raising concerns with the H&IFBoard about the proposed Auxiliary Fire-fighters changes in duties. It was agreed to do this. Black Isle Forum: The next meeting will be on Thursday 10th February at the Fortrose Leisure Centre, the topic will be: 2007- The Year of Highland Culture. |
AH ongoing AH ongoing |
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13 13:1 13:2 13:3 13:4 13:5 13:6 13:7 13:8 13:9 13:10 13:11 13:12 13:13 |
Any Other Business: Large Vehicle Damage to Buildings on Bank Street: Letters will be sent to local farms, bus companies and Strathpeffer Hotels, stating that large vehicles should not use Bank Street to travel through the town. A map will be enclosed showing the preferred route for them to use. A meeting should be arranged with all relevant parties and the HC will be consulted on possible "No Entry" signs for large unauthorised vehicles. The Oil Rig Bike Rally: An application is being made to Fortrose Leisure Centre, booking the Victoria Park for the end of May. On the weekend of the Bike Rally anyone entering the rally area will have to pay an admission charge. However, all proceeds from the event will be donated to a local worthy cause. Complaints from previous rallies have been noted and the organisers will try to ensure they are not repeated. Home Front: There will be a meeting in the HM Institute, on the 4th February, to look at developing ideas with a connection to WW2 – and a lottery fund application. Blue Flag Beach: JC to look further into the range of awards available for clean beaches. Whitedykes: Cars are parking on the grassed area, behind the houses at Whitedykes. This is causing serious damage to the grass and deterioration to the walls. Goods Vehicle Operator's Licence: Concern was expressed about the lack of space in Allan Square for another goods van – as another GVO licence has been applied for. Boat on Braehead: The owner is arranging alternative storage, and the boat and trailer will be moved shortly. Hole in Road at Burnside Place/Church Street Corner: The HC says that this is SSE’s responsibility Wilf Taylor: has asked if he can get copies of the CC minutes. The CC stated that it isn’t possible to start supplying minutes to individuals. Path Behind Old Salmon Bothy: Use of the path is being prevented, for some, by dislodged stones causing obstructions. Highland Small Communities Housing Trust: There will be a meeting on Wednesday 2nd February in the Study Centre at 2pm. Issi MacGrath, Mia Scott and Tom Duff will bring us up to date on progress with the development of Townlands Barn. The Queen Mary to visit Invergordon: Malcolm MacKean has requested the use of the Cromarty Market Stalls, which would be used in part of Invergordon's reception for the cruise ship. Councillor's agreed not to release the stalls at this time (around 19th July) as Cromarty would have its own plans for the event. The Chairman thanked the councillors for their input and apologised for the length of the meeting. Stating that this was probably due to the last meeting being at the end of November, there had been a two-month backlog to discuss. |
CC ongoing CC ongoing AS ongoing JC ongoing AH to raise with Sam Lowe MB ongoing AH ongoing AH to contact SSE AH ongoing CC ongoing CC ongoing |
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14 |
Date of next meeting: Monday 28th February 2005 at 7.30pm in Hugh Miller Institute. |
