CC MINS NOV 2009

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Knockbain Community Council

Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 17th November 2009 at Munlochy

Present: Owen Smith (OS), Kate MacKay (KMK), Willie Paterson (WP), Jill Tilford (JT), Tony Morey (TM), Angela Biggar (AB), Elaine Jones (EJ), Isobel McCallum (IMcC).

Visitors: None for the main part of the meeting but the special meeting to discuss the Munlochy Sports Facility was attended by Kathleen MacLeod (KMcL), Graeme MacLeod (GMcL) and two other members of the public.

1. OS welcomed everyone and opened the meeting.

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting:   The Minutes of the meeting held on 20th October 2009 were not yet approved as they had been issued late.

3. Matters Arising from Previous Minutes:

(a) Munlochy Notice Board: TM suggested that BTCV in Munlochy could be approached to re-site the notice board if Gordon Brown is unable to undertake this work.

(b) Gordon’s Park: OS to make sure we get a price from BTCV for the work on the trees at Gordon’s Park before they undertake any activity as this work is apparently rarely free and can be quite pricey.

(c) Grass Verges: OS reported that he had received a further letter from Jane Arnold regarding the cutting of grass verges. He handed out copies of an SNH article about the designation of 36 ‘conservation verges’ on Orkney – the project found that the verges that were not cut did not fare so well as some of the frequently cut ones. SNH say that the key to success is to cut the verges but to make sure this happens at the right time – for most verges the best time is after the flowers have set seed. OS reported he had handed out copies of the SNH report to other Black Isle Community Councils at the recent Black Isle Ward Forum and asked that this is discussed at the next forum, in January. It is hoped that a policy can be agreed for the whole of the Black Isle. A decision on the grass verge between the North Kessock Hall and the car park will be held until after the January Ward Forum.

4. Reports:  In addition to the problems reported at the last two meetings which have still not been addressed, the following issues were reported:

(a) Craigton Road: The passing place on the road leading into Craigton has become overgrown (turn right at the T-junction and the passing place is immediately on the left).

(b) Request for Traffic Calming at Munlochy: JT reported that the Minister had requested some traffic calming to slow down vehicles as they are leaving the village – vehicles currently come around the bend and down the hill too fast and this can be dangerous when the church is using both exits (the second exit is very close to the bend). This exit is only used occasionally but is required for funerals and some other big events. Whilst there was agreement that this was a problem, there was caution expressed about the practicalities involved:Ø Traffic calming has been raised previously with very mixed views expressed by local residents;Ø The offenders are already breaking the 30mph speed limit and would be unlikely to take any notice of further traffic calming measures;Ø There is little chance of Highland Council installing any traffic calming measures but they would fund 50% of the cost of a ‘smiley-face’.TM asked whether anything could be done about vehicles parking between the Spar and the school as this forces vehicles into the middle of the road as they approach the corner and also creates difficulties for larger vehicles accessing the pub entrance (eg delivery lorries). It was agreed to ask someone from Roads Department to come and have a look at the situation. Action: OS to speak to someone from the Spar shop to get their views and then to contact Highland Council (Stephen Grant?).

5. Black Isle Ward Forum: OS reported back from the Ward Forum that took place on 12th November 2009. The main topic was the resurfacing of the Kessock Bridge which will require lane closures for a six month period. This work is currently scheduled to commence in March 2011 although budget has not yet been allocated. The work will inevitably cause major traffic delays and a key strategy will be to reduce the number of cars crossing the bridge during peak times. All supported the suggestion to maximise the train services and it was agreed that OS should write to MSPs Peter Peacock and/or Rhoda Grant to seek their help in pushing the train companies to do as much as they could – this should include re-opening Muir of Ord Station.AB raised the specific concern that the bus-stops on the A9 must be kept in use during the road works to provide access to bus services. This would be aided further by more buses stopping to pick up passengers from communities alongside the A9.OS suggested that the Community Council AGM in April 2010 could include the traffic flow video shown at the Ward Forum but IMcC felt this would not be necessary as there would be a further public meeting to provide members of the public with the opportunity to learn what was being planned and to input their views.

6. Planning: OS reported that he had been notified of the following planning applications:

(a) Coldwell House: The erection of a garage;

(b) 3 Marine Park: Change of design for the erection of a house on land to NW of 3 Marine Park, North Kessock;

(c) Bellfield Development: The erection of 28 houses and associated access roads - details of the plans were not available for discussion and it was agreed that an additional meeting would be held on Tuesday 1st December so that the plans could be discussed. The meeting and a copy of the plans will be advertised on the notice board so that members of the public will be able to attend.

(d) In addition to the above, OS reported that a yurt has been erected between Kilmuir and Croft Downie. The yurt appears to have an aluminium chimney and some ‘robust’ steps. There does not appear to have been any planning application submitted. Action: OS to try and find out who owns the land (Forestry Commission?) and IMcC to speak to the Planning Supervisor.(e) JT reported that some building activity (stonework) is taking place on the shore beyond Charleston (which is not within the Knockbain area), OS advised that there used to be a boathouse on the site. Action: IMcC to mention this to the Planning Officer.

7. Correspondence:

 Correspondence and literature for the following was distributed:·

E-Planning: Notification that with effect from January 2010, Highland Council will be launching an eplanning service whereby all planning applications will be managed electronically and the public will be able to access full details by tracking any new application on line and comments on applications can be submitted on line. There will be a series of workshops for community councils to demonstrate the new system and dates will be notified in due course. ·

Highland Housing Issues: Highland Council are seeking communities’ views on tackling Highland’s housing issues. This includes a survey that can be completed. Deadline for responses is the end of December 2009. Full details are available at: http://www.highland.gov.uk/livinghere/housing/housingstrategiesandinitiatives/highlandhousingstrategy.htm·

Notification of Military Flying Exercise 16th to 26th November 2009.·

Highland Council Draft Local Transport Strategy: Notification that the draft strategy has been finalised. The strategy sets out how the transport system will be developed in the Highland area over the next three years. Consultation on the strategy runs until 11th December 2009. The document can be viewed at http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/roadsandtransport/transportplanning/localtransportstrategy.htm

8. Finance: EJ reported that the chequebook and paperwork had now been received from the previous treasurer however there was no recent bank statement. The current balance should be £7062.64 plus a very small amount for bank interest. This amount includes £6000 that is being held for the North Kessock car park and takes account of £200 paid to Highland Council for the removal of the speed bump by the village hall – OS advised that the £200 should come out of the £6000 rather than out of the ‘normal’ funds. There are a number of commitments that have been agreed and which will need to be met from the above funds:- Hire charges for the use of both village halls for meetings;- Repairs that have been carried out to the fencing at the old playpark on Bellfield Road;- Hire of Munlochy hall for a public meeting to establish the Sports Group and the cost of the necessary press adverts.A treasurer still needs to be appointed although financial matters will be managed at each meeting.

9. Any Other Business: Village Officer: KMcL queried why Munlochy did not have a village officer and said that there was a considerable amount of rubbish around the bus-stops. Local people often picked up rubbish around the village but they should not be depended upon to ‘litter-pick’ all the time. IMcC advised that the Service Point in Dingwall should be contacted whenever there was a specific need and they would pass the request on to the relevant people. It was suggested that this should be advertised on the notice board so that people were aware of whom they should contact.

10. Dates of Future Meetings:

Tuesday 1st December 2009 at North Kessock at 8pm (nb this is an additional meeting to those previously advertised).

Tuesday 19th January 2010 at Munlochy at 7.30pm.

Tuesday 16th February 2010 at North Kessock at 7.30pm.

Tuesday 16th March 2010 at Munlochy at 7.30pm.

11. Munlochy Sports Facility: A special meeting to discuss the development of the old tennis courts was held immediately following the usual Community Council meeting. Points raised included the following:Ø

A special, formally advertised meeting is required in order to set up the group to run this project and to transfer the trusteeship to Knockbain Community Council. Action: KMcL to provide details to IMcC so that Isobel can arrange for the formal notices to be drafted.

Ø It was agreed that this meeting should be held after Christmas so as not to clash with all the activities in the run-up to Christmas;

Ø ‘Membership’ could be geographical (eg school catchment area) and anyone living within the area would automatically be a member and therefore able to use the facilities. Individuals would not therefore need to apply to be a member;

Ø Eligibility (eg precise geographical area) would need to be determined before the public meeting. Action: IMcC to find out if there are any restrictions on eligibility;

Ø Individuals from outside the defined area would be able to be invited onto the committee (eg Active Schools Coordinator);

Ø The formal Constitution would be drawn up following the public meeting;

Ø Despite the low turnout for this meeting, a number of people have said that they are willing to actively support the project;

Ø KMcL and IMcC to meet to discuss timescales and to get legal advice;

Ø KMcL and others (including Nicola Mackenzie, the Active Schools Coordinator if possible) to meet with key people who successfully achieved the sports facility at Resolis (and similarly with Culbokie). This should include measuring the area covered and what sports they can accommodate.

Ø In order to maximise the space utilised for the multi-sports courts it is necessary to establish who owns the land between the tennis courts and the football pitch. Action: IMcC. This needs to be clear before any applications are submitted for funding.

Ø The surface must be multi-purpose to maximise the number of potential users;

Ø This project should have no impact on the ‘safe route to school’ application for funding.

Ø The new pathway will provide better access to the facility;

Ø It is thought that the potential area is quite large although an accurate picture cannot be established until the bushes are cleared away;

Ø The area behind the tennis courts is quite wet (although it did include the pavilion and therefore can’t all be boggy);

Ø An old railway line runs between the tennis courts and the curling pond;

Ø The major stumbling block in previous attempts to get this project up and running has been resolving the Trusteeship– this should now be addressed through the transfer to the Community Council;

Ø Would funding need to be via the Community Council as Trustees? – need to get advice to clarify this;

Ø The facility would be a big bonus for the school;

Ø Need to get schoolchildren involved in the planning and involved in some fundraising. Apparently a survey was done 4/5 years ago by one of the teachers asking children what facilities they would like and all supported the idea of this being repeated;

Ø How to tap into secondary school pupils?

Ø The tennis courts were last used in the late 1970s.

Ø There seems to be a lack of information currently about the project – the only publicity has been a school ‘bag-drop’ and the local notice board;

Ø Action will be required to ‘drum up’ local support (eg knocking on doors, producing leaflets etc);

Ø Will need to allocate people to deliver flyers and for the flyers to be delivered about 10 to 14 days before the public meeting;

Ø The Ross-shire Journal should be willing to print articles etc. It would be good to get an article in the paper just before the public meeting. Action: GMcL

Ø Consider using local newsletter “Chatterbox”;

Ø Could hopefully also utilise Kessock website;

Ø Could use Munlochy Post Office for people to leave their e-mail details if they wish to be kept up-to-date as the project progresses

;Ø As already agreed, the Community Council will pay for the hire of the hall and for the legally required adverts.

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