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

Apologies: Kate MacKay (KMK)    Visitors: None

 

1. OS welcomed everyone and opened the meeting.

 

2. Minutes of the Last Meeting: The Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th January 2010 were approved by TM and seconded by JT (with one minor amendment to item 6c).

 

(a) Munlochy Car Park: EJ, on behalf of KMK, reported that the Postmaster was happy for a path and steps to be constructed. The Postmaster also clarified that the land belongs to Highland Council. As agreed at the last meeting, KMK has asked BTCV whether they would be willing to undertake the work and they will be sending details to OS (via e-mail). KMK had met Peter Cairns (Dingwall Councillor) who had suggested that a team from Alness could be asked to assist with the work – these are usually lads undertaking a community sentence. Action: IMcC to enquire about the potential for them to do this. KMK had also been pleased to report that the local Solicitors, Stewart & Stewart, had indicated they would be willing to make a contribution to the cost of the work. IMcC confirmed that the Discretionary Budget should be able to match the amount funded by Knockbain Community Council. TM clarified that about 5 or 6 steps would be required and it was confirmed that a handrail would be necessary. (Also see item 7a below regarding the moving of a litter bin as part of this work).

(b) Munlochy Notice Board: It was not known who had actually erected the notice board and it is therefore not yet known how much of a job it will be to move it. It was agreed that the work should be done at the same time, and by the same people who will construct the new path /steps. The Board needs to be moved so that it is nearer to, and facing the pavement so that it can be read by passers-by.

(c) Multi-Sports Facility Project: IMcC reported she was waiting to hear back from Kathleen Macleod regarding the date for a meeting. TM reported that the “Chatterbox” newsletter (a possible communication channel) was issued quarterly and the next deadline for contributions was mid May. TM also reported that the use of a free website using Spanglefish looked very feasible – this would be discussed at the public meeting in Munlochy in due course and a volunteer would be sought to set up and manage any website.

(d) Grass Verges: OS reported that Jane Arnold had planted flower seeds in an area alongside the road at the hall-end of the grass verge. This area would be maintained by her and would be used as a ‘trial site’ before deciding whether to extend the work. As previously agreed, this will also be a topic at the AGM on 20^th April in North Kessock. Whilst digging the verge, Ms Arnold had noted the significant “falling-in” of the pipe that takes the water from the burn to the shore – this damage had been notified to the Council some months ago but no action has yet been taken.

 

4. Finance: EJ reported that the balance was £778 (excluding a very small amount for bank interest), plus the £6000 that is being held for surface repairs to the North Kessock car park. It was agreed to press ahead with the fencing around the play equipment at Gordon’s Park at a cost of around £260. Action OS.

Cheques are still required to pay for the hire of rooms for Community Council meetings. OS has the details for North Kessock hall and reported that he thought the amount was excessive at £150. Action: OS to seek a detailed breakdown of charges. EJ reported that she had not yet been able to make contact with Wendy to obtain details for Munlochy Hall but would continue to telephone her. Action: EJ.

Accounts are required for the financial year ended 31^st March 2010 and these need to be audited prior to the AGM. Action: OS to contact Linda Martin.

 

(a) Previous Minutes: IMcC confirmed that she had seen the building on the Kilmuir to Munlochy road. The building is near the Wildlife Park and she thought that this had got planning permission some years ago. It was noted that a house had already been built nearby some ten or so years ago. Action: IMcC to investigate further.

 

(b) Bellfield Development: OS displayed the landscape plans that had been produced by Tulloch Homes. These outline what trees, shrubs etc they intend to plant. It was noted that the developer will hand over responsibility for their ongoing maintenance – this would be agreed between the developer and the residents (eg this could be to a ‘residents group’). AB raised the concern that it will need to be clear as to what would happen if the maintenance work was not undertaken effectively and residents wished to complain.   The plans also showed the slope of the land and it was noted that the slope appeared to be pretty steep in places – this was a concern expressed by several residents of Bellfield Road who were worried about water run-off. Action: OS to put plans back on the notice board for a week and then to pass them to residents in Bellfield Road to ensure they are aware of the details.

(c) Craigview, Craigton: OS reported that he had been notified of a planning application for the reroofing of part of the house, including raising roof height and chimney. No details were available. All agreed it was difficult to make comments without site of the application but there was concern that the proposal could be over-development of the site and there was also concern about access to the property. Action: OS to contact Planning regarding these concerns and to seek clarification as to what “raising the roof” means within the application.

 

(d) Glackmore, Tore: Planning application for the erection of a house with office on land to the East of the Pines, Glackmore. No details were available. No concerns were expressed on the understanding that the application was in keeping with the policy for Housing in the Countryside. It was noted that the location was right on the boundary with Killearnan Community Council. Action: EJ to contact Anne MacKay to ensure they are aware of the application.

(e) Planning Process: EJ reported that Highland Council’s Electronic Processing Centre will become operational on 23^rd February. From this date Community Councils will be sent an e-mail notification which contains details of a planning application along with a web link to the application, associated documents, plans and drawings etc.   It was agreed that EJ would be the contact point for these notifications (plus OS if a second contact is possible). EJ will then forward the e-mails when received to those KCC members who have access to the internet. A short discussion took place regarding the practicality of viewing and discussing this information at Community Council meetings. All agreed that hard copies of plans would still be essential for many developments.

 

6. Black Isle Ward Forum: JT reported back from the Forum which was held on 21^st January. The main topic was the Highland Council’s Budgets, seeking views from the public about what the Council’s priorities should be when it has less money to spend on services.   JT reported that there had been very little public comment however as there was insufficient detail provided to enable sensible suggestions. It was understood that this was setting “the big picture” and that there would be more public consultation in due course. OS suggested that it would make sense for details to be provided to community councils before any future consultation so that they could be considered beforehand and individuals would be better equipped to provide input at the meeting. OS urged everyone to come up with possible ideas for reducing expenditure eg:

Ø      encouraging more community run ‘soup clubs’ and other clubs for the elderly to reduce the amount of day care needed;

Ø      identifying duplication;

Ø      introducing a nominal charge for some services which are currently free;

Ø      introducing a ‘social’ role for postmen/women as a means of regularly checking up on vulnerable people.

JT reported that the new Police Area Commander, Mike Coates, was introduced at the Forum.

The next Forum will be held on Thursday 4^th March at Culbokie Primary School from 6pm. The main topic will be “Growing the Black Isle” (community markets and allotments) and members of the public are welcome to attend. Action: OS to contact the Ward Manager to request that the discussion includes the cutting of verges.

 

7. Community Council Archive Storage: OS reported that he had been approached by the Kessock Hall Committee requesting that the Storage cupboard is removed. OS explained that the cupboard itself is in a very poor state and contains older documents (mainly over 10 years old) as newer documents are stored by OS at home. TM recommended that the documents are given to the Archive Centre and suggested that they may be willing to go through the documents to determine what should be kept or discarded. The following was agreed:

- need to keep anything that is still ongoing

- keep anything dated 2000 or later

- older documents to be provided to the Archive Centre

- likely to then need a new, smaller filing cabinet

Action: OS to let the hall committee know and ask whether it would be possible to locate a smaller cabinet somewhere within the building. OS to also contact Munlochy hall with a similar request.

Action: TM and OS to contact the Archive Centre.

 

8. Correspondence:  Correspondence and literature for the following was distributed:

·        Highland Council – notification that the Black Isle Brewery have applied to change their off-sales operating hours on Sundays to allow them to trade from 10am.

·        Highland Council – notification that the Kessock Hotel have applied to change their on-sales operating hours on Saturdays and Sundays to allow them to trade from 11am Saturday until 1am Sunday and from 12 noon until 11.30pm on Sundays.

·        Highland Council – e-mail Briefing Note giving details of the population projections for Highland.

·        Peter Peacock MSP – letter regarding his campaign to raise the issue of the need for the Highlands and Islands to get upgraded broadband provision. 

·        NSPCC – information on their campaign to raise awareness of the NSPCC Helpline with a poster for display.

·        SNH Booklet.

·        Sutcliffe Play – brochure on community play area equipment and services.

·        Nottssport – leaflets advertising their synthetic surfaces for sports and play areas.

OS reported that he regularly receives a copy of the Minutes of the North Kessock School Board and it was agreed that these should be displayed on the notice board.

 

9. Reports: 

 (i) General: There are potholes appearing everywhere and where they have been ‘patched’ they are reappearing within a very short time. Whilst it was recognised that the problem was widespread, there was concern that the work was not being done properly (eg not being sealed). 

(ii) North Kessock: There are major potholes from Millbank all along the front to the Point. This is generally where the road has been dug up in the past and it is particularly bad between numbers 13-18 Point Road where the road is “falling to bits” and drivers are moving out to avoid the potholes and residents are concerned that their parked cars are at risk of being hit. Another bad spot is on Oakleigh Road by Burnlea, near the village hall.

(iii) Bogallan: The road towards Munlochy from the (ex) Bogallan Free Church is damaged. Frost heave has caused longitudinal cracks and the haunches (edges) of the road have sunk. In addition, the road from the Munro Nursery junction with the B9161 has subsided again.

(iv) Mill Crescent: The road surface by the front gate of number 3 is breaking up and stones are coming out of the tarmac. This is on the site where Scottish Water put in a new main. This was reported some months ago and the hole is getting deeper.

(v) Street Lighting: The lighting is not working along the road between the Kessock roundabout and the underpass.

(vi) A9 Lighting: The lights along the stretch between North Kessock junction and the picnic area are still not working. It was noted that some of the lights elsewhere were currently on permanently.

(vii) Grit Bins: There have been a number of problems with cars getting up slopes in the recent bad weather and grit bins are requested at the following locations:

Ø      Kessock Junction – a bin has been requested previously but has not been provided due to safety concerns. A bin is now requested to be located at the junction with the Drumsmittal road – whilst this is beyond the problem slope it would enable grit to be provided within a reasonable distance.

Ø      Bogallan – a pile of grit is required at the junction (with B9161 near Munro’s Nursery). It is recognised that a grit bin would impede visibility at the junction.

 

(a) Litter Bin at Munlochy: TM reported that the car park area and Greenfield Road were “a disgrace” with a lot of litter. He requested that the litter bin currently by the notice board be moved to be nearer the car park. It was agreed that this should be added to the work already outlined (path/steps and moving the notice board).

(b) Incident: OS reported that a lad of 11 years of age was walking in North Kessock when he was stopped by a man in a car who attempted to talk to him. Fortunately the lad then kept on walking and the incident was reported to the police.

(c) Fortrose Development: TM reported back from the Planning Meeting he had attended as an individual. One of the major concerns raised had been the increased amount of traffic arising from the large development. IMcC advised that representatives from Avoch, Munlochy and Fortrose were being sought to provide input to a scheme to mitigate traffic problems through the three villages.   TM agreed to be the representative for Munlochy and to also represent Knockbain Community Council. One of the anticipated actions would be to encourage traffic to use the Tore road rather than go through Munlochy. How this would be achieved would need to be determined. TM requested that consideration be given to upgrading the road between Munlochy and the A9. OS suggested that a traffic survey be carried out on this road and also on the Drumsmittal road which would become more of a ‘rat run’ when traffic levels increase. Any measures within Munlochy must significantly slow down traffic if there is to be any chance of persuading drivers to go via Tore, whilst local tractors and trailers etc must still be able to get through the village. It was suggested that the road could be reduced along similar lines to Rosemarkie. It was agreed that members of the public should be encouraged to provide suggestions, especially where they have seen traffic management measures elsewhere that are effective. IMcC advised that one significant action could potentially include the permanent closure of the Munlochy junction on the A9. 

(d) Access from Marine Park to Millbank: OS reported that he would be contacting the Access Officer to try and ensure that access can be maintained during and following the building of a house near the Dell. He explained that people, especially children, have been using the route through the Dell for years and have cut through the Dell to reach Millbank. This has entailed squeezing between the metal fence and a wooden fence at Millbank (or climbing over the fence). This gap has now been made more narrow through the initial work that has been done on the site and OS is concerned that it may be totally blocked off once the house has been built. Action: OS.

(e) Annual Litter Clean-Up: It was agreed that the clean-up would take place on Saturday 20^th March. Action: OS to put up notices seeking volunteers and to arrange for bags, gloves and litter-pickers to be provided.

 

11. Dates of Future Meetings: All at 7.30pm

Tuesday 16^th March 2010 at Munlochy

AGM Tuesday 20^th April 2010 at North Kessock

Tuesday 18^th May 2010 at Munlochy