Item

Details

Action

1

Chairwoman's Welcome and Apologies

Anne welcomed CCC members to the meeting.

Apologies

Ronald Young, Vivienne Griffiths

Approval of previous minutes

Proposed: Douglas McPhee

Seconded: Jane Clunas

3

3.1

Seat Belts on School Bus

Anne has spoken to Mr Simpson about pupils not using seat belts.

Bob advised that the deputy head teacher had advised all pupils that they must wear seat belts on the school bus or they will be removed from the bus.

Anne thanked Bob for bringing this matter to the attention of the Councillors.

3.2

Sports Multi-Court

Jane advised that the lines will be provided on the court within the next week or so.

4

PC Williams was unable to attend the meeting and did not provide a report.

Matters arising from previous meeting

5.1

3.4 Sports Multi-Court

Wilf asked about the provision of white lines on the court. He said that different colours were used for different sports. Jane said that the company employed would be aware of this.

5.2

5.3 Nancy McAdam

Anne has spoken to Sinclair Fraser re provision of land for a bus shelter. Anne and David need to meet with someone from Roads Department to determine how much land is required.

5:3

11AGM and Process for Election of Councillors

Anne has spoken to Alan Hunter and he has agreed to act as Returning Officer for the election.

5.4

15.1 Royal Air Force

Anne has not been able to make contact with Squadron Leader John Gilbert to arrange a date for a public meeting. She will pursue this.

AS

6

Gaelic Chapel

David advised that Professor Rennie is of the opinion that the Gaelic Chapel belongs to the Highland Council. If responsibility is to be transferred to a community group, then it would be helpful to do so with the consent of the Cromarty Estate.

Item to be retained on agenda to discuss the Gaelic Chapel Trust after the AGM.

7

8

Anne wished to record her gratitude to Vivienne on behalf of the Councillors for offering to take on the sale of the local newspapers in The Emporium at such short notice.

The options are: - a) the CCC could employ an individual to sell the newspapers from the Hugh Miller Institute and the CCC would put up the £1k bond which would be returnable to the CCC OR b) the CCC would put up the bond for an individual to sell newspapers from the HMI and the individual would retain the profits.

Anne had written to Di Agnew for advice on the implications of the Community Council taking over the responsibility of selling newspapers. Key areas of concern are: - implications for CCC in becoming an employer, requirement for liability insurance and the use of Hugh Miller Institute for this purpose.

Di’s response said that there were no major reasons why the CCC could not become an employer, although this would mean extra work for the Treasurer. However, there are issues with use of the building as it does not have liability insurance and so the individual would not be covered.

Anne has spoken to Theresa Watson (Secretary to Victoria Hall) as the VH has full liability insurance to see if the VH Committee would consider the sale of newspapers from the foyer of the VH. Theresa has passed the information to the rest of the Committee for a decision.

Anne will meet with VH Committee to discuss the options and the way forward.

AS

9

All Community Councillors should have a portfolio which details their responsibilities. These will be put in place following the election of the new Community Council in May.

10.2

10.3

Treasurer’s Report

Income: ((12^th February 2008 to 30^th March 2008)

Guide Book sales (the Emporium) £50.00

Total income: £50.00

Expenditure:

Secretarial expenses: £40.00

Total expenditure: £40.00

Accounts payable balance: Nil

Accounts receivable balance: Nil

Bank balance at 30.03.2008 = £13, 641.25

11

David advised that Clan Davidson are placing markers in places associated with the clan. He passed round a photograph of a stone slab marker which they would like to erect in Cromarty. The Councillors agreed that this was not suitable and suggested that a brass plaque might be more appropriate.

David will respond to Clan Davidson accordingly.

David said he has looked at the title deeds in greater detail and found that the Victoria Park may be part of the Common Good. If this is proved, then the £185k which was raised from sale of land for the new development will need to be transferred to the Common Good Fund.

Craig advised that he is involved in a project to improve the service areas on the A9 just north of the Kessock Bridge as currently they are in an unacceptable condition and give a poor welcome to the highlands to tourists.

DA

Lynne to check if this has been approved.

LS

Correspondence

Scottish National Heritage

Anne has received a letter of invitation to Councillors to attend the launch of the Scottish Fossil Code on 11 April at 10.30am in The Brewery. The new code will encourage fossil collectors to collect responsibly.

13.2

Forestry Commission for Scotland

Drafts of the Forest Enterprise Scotland’ Framework Strategic Plan can be seen at www.forestry.gov.uk/fesplans

The consultation period is from 17/03/08 to 09/06/08. Public meetings will be held to explain the plan. The highland meeting will take place in Inverness on 06/05/08. To obtain details, contact 01463 232811 or email strategic.plans@forestrt.gsi.gov.uk

13.3

Brian Lowe – Big Vennel

Anne and David visited Mr Lowe to discuss his concerns about the introduction of the new 20mph speed limit in Cromarty.

He has written a further letter which stated that his concerns about this are now "somewhat allayed".

He also expressed a number of concerns about excavations in Big Vennel which have resulted in road sinkage, the felling of a tree in Braehead and the conservation of cobbled areas.

Anne will respond to his letter.

AS

14

AOB

14.1

Streetlight on Braehead

Douglas Cooper advised that a streetlight is out of order on Braehead.

David will check and report any which are out of order.

DA

14.2

Flooding at Cromarty Mains

Jane reported that the access road at Cromarty Mains has flooded again. Plans for drainage pipes were included in the plans for the new development.

David will look into this.

DA

14.3

Provision of Pelican Crossing

Douglas McPhee expressed concern that the fencing at Victoria Park has still not been dealt with and this is a potential safety hazard. He asked if it would be possible to provide a pelican crossing. David advised that it would be too costly. The fencing issue has been flagged and the introduction of the 20mph will slow the traffic on The Denny. This will be in place soon.

14.4

Pheasants on the Road

Rachel said that the introduction of 30k pheasants at a farm near Munlochy

are causing a danger to traffic as they wander across the road. Anne will mention this at the next BI Ward Forum which will be held in Munlochy on 17 April.

AS

14.5

Green Gym

Wilf said that funding for Green Gym has now ceased. The work at South Sutor viewpoint still needs to be done. The CCC will need to arrange a work party to deal with this or alternatively employ JungleBusters.

14.6

Hugh Miller Bust

Wilf asked for the Hugh Miller bust to be reinstated to its original position in the corner of the foyer.

14.7

Community Business Leaflet

Wilf asked if this is to be reprinted as this is an important leaflet. Vivienne is already investigating the costs for this and will talk to local businesses to see if they are willing to contribute to the costs.

14.8

Cromarty Medical Centre

Wilf has been informed that the Health Authority is to close the Cromarty Medical Centre and that everyone will have to go to Fortrose to a new Black Isle Medical Centre. The Centre is actually owned by Doctor Hussey and Doctor Charley. As no one else had heard about this, Wilf will obtain more details.

WT

14.9

Bothy Path

Douglas Cooper said that stones had been placed on the path by the Bothy and need to be moved. He will follow this up.

DC

14.10

Townlands Play Area

Douglas McPhee said that Grays have left water pipes running into the play area which has made it boggy. There is also a visible electrical cable. He will speak to Grays.

D McP

14.11

Bus Shelter on the Links

Douglas McPhee said that the bus shelter was being used as a drinking den and bottles/cans were being left in the shelter or thrown into the car park. It was suggested that he should identify the individuals and pass the details to PC Williams.

14.12

Road at Learnie

Jane said that the road near Learnie is dangerous as the water does not drain from it and there are no white lines. There have been a number of accidents at this spot.

Anne will pass to Tech Services to deal.

AS

14.13

South Sutor Road

Jane said that the road is collapsing and falling away at the sides.

Anne will pass to Tech Services to deal.

AS

14.14

Mrs Newall

Anne advised that Mrs Newall will be 100 years old on 8 September. She has been in discussion with Mrs Newall’s daughter about possible celebrations.

In the Hugh Miller Institute

INTERNAL

Sea Defences – This is a priority. Need to seek advice of a nautical engineer /enquire about funding.

Home Design Pack (to give instruction on how to apply for planning permissions etc)

A simple document to explain the process/ forms etc/. Could be done by CCC.

Historical tapestry of Cromarty

Could be done with Friends of East Church /to hang in Church

Formal car sharing pool for those travelling to Inverness daily

Use community noticeboards to display notices/ no easy way to manage this

Security lighting at Sports Multi-Court to permit evening use

Would permit evening use / only comes on when court in use /would use power from VH

Worthies Shelter Tto be placed near harbour/ needs funding

Community Calendar (displaying photos of Cromarty for sale)

Could be done by camera club/ could be easy & cheap

Provision of a nursing home in Cromarty

-Approach Abbeyfield to develop existing or new property (area behind TP?)

Ambitious /location & funding problems/ could provide day care centre at new development/ find out more about Abbeyfield

Anne to speak to Abbeyfield and maybe invite to a future CCC meeting

Provide a campsite for tents/tourers –

Could approach Major Phipps re Daffodil field/ would cost to buy field and make suitable / walled garden behind Brewery – does Mairi have permission to use this from John Nightingale?

Kings Route Information board by ferry slipway to be redone

Needs to be redone/ who did it before?

Alternative heating for Victoria Hall This is a priority

Currentlybeing investigated by VH committee / this is a priority

• Improve poor road surfaces around town

• Finish the resurfacing in Allan Square

Sort out Allan Square – this is a disgrace

Anne to follow up at John Duncan meeting

Make library meeting room available to the public as a reading room – with a café facility

May be liability insurance implications. Café not feasible.

Twinning – with an Iranian community

Not feasible

Beach clean up patrols Achievable/ could get funding/ Fran Tilbrook arranged this last year/ Anne to ask Fran if she would take on board.

• Tougher controls on dog fouling

New notices have been displayed (£500 fine for dog fouling) Name and shame campaign discussed. Dog warden patrols possible.

Provide dog bin for beach area in front of the Royal

Anne will request this.

State of the art recycling facilities

Door to door will be rolled out to Cromarty in due course.

Anne will check with John Duncan about re-siting of recycling bins as previously discussed.

Stop sale of plastic carriers in the shop

This policy is being adopted in some shops e.g. The Emporium. Need to influence others to follow suit.

• summer outdoor car boot sale

• street party to celebrate end of renovations

• TP garden competition

• TP heritage event – history of TP etc

These were suggested by Vivienne and Sheila Currie. They will follow up with Townlands Tenants Group.

Use green space for allotments e.g. Land at back of Townalnds Park

This land is zoned for housing. David said that it could possibly be utilised for alternative uses until required. But it would take time and effort to change into allotments.

Provision of community tool shed Has been attempted before. Need to acquire garage/ tools/ someone to manage this.

Organise community gardener/handyman Handyman services are available for older folk. JungleBusters is very good.

Community land ownership – Need to identify any areas around Cromarty which could be used.

Community energy schemes – e.g. wind turbine/ solar & thermal heating. Rachel to ask Sheila Currie to attend a meeting to discuss this.

Community company/trust for key tasks e.g. treasurer A good idea in principle

Welcome to new people – CCC could prepare this.

EXTERNAL

Satellite TV reception issues David tried to pursue this previously. The mast needs to be upgraded to allow digital signal and then boosters provided. CCC unable to influence this.

Improved mobile phone reception Again little can done about this.

Interactive tourist information kiosk – Not felt necessary as tourist info is available

Tidal gap at harbour (gap under bridge) To be followed up by Cromarty Harbour Trust

Improvements to Cromarty Primary School This is a priority. CCC should put pressure on Highland Council to deal.

Fencing at Victoria Park – This is a priorityAnne is already pursuing with Andy Macleod.

Black Isle swimming pool – This is a priority.Business plan still under preparation. Unable to apply for funding until Highland Council agrees to manage it. Janeto keep CCC updated.

e.g. volleyball Need to identify needs. Is now the responsibility of Highland Council. Could be storage issues too.

Replace streetlights in conservation area so that they are all the same type

Anne will raise issues about streetlights at John Duncan meeting.

Permanent toilets on the Links consider Braehead garden area

The new owner of the Bothy is interested in the provision of toilets on the Links. Anne will invite him to a future meeting to discuss his ideas. Funding will be required. Main issue is John Nightingale only permits toilet block for a limited time period.

Encourage provision of a taxi service – CCC unable to influence

Stop sale of plastic bottles in shops - CCC unable to influence