GLENORCHY AND INNISHAIL

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of Council Meeting

 held in Lochawe Village Hall

 on 7 June 2006

 

 

Present: Alan Thomas, Kate Craig, John Burke, Cavin Crawford, Donald McLaren, Averil Watson, Allan Macaskill, plus 18 members of the public

 

 

1.                   Welcome

 

The Chair welcomed all to Lochawe, maintaining the policy of rotating the Community Council meetings around the various centres of the CC area.

 

The Chair noted with sadness the recent death of Iain Whitehead and expressed the CC’s condolences to Pam and her family.

 

The Chair welcomed John Burke and Donald McLaren as new members of the Community Council bringing the Dalmally sub-area to its full complement, and thanked June Sutherland for acting as the Returning Officer.

 

 

2.                   Apologies for absence

 

Karl Pipes, Pam Whitehead

 

 

3.                   Minutes of CC meeting held on Wednesday, 12 April 2006

 

These were approved after an amendment proposed by Councillor Macaskill noted that the Shira Wind Farm proposal would be against ‘some’ Argyll & Bute Planning Policies but not necessarily ‘all’ (item 9).

 

 

4.                   Matters arising

 

4.1                             30 mph speed limits.  The Chair reported that he had spoken with the SE Transport Management who indicated that an objection had delayed the implementation of the limit at Lochawe, but it was hoped that this would be done within 6 weeks.

 

4.2                             Scottish Water – water supply. The Chair reported that a public meeting has been held with SW at Dalmally Village Hall on 3rd May where they had explained their work schedule and answered questions.  It was noted that work was now underway on schedule.  Lochawe had not yet been given a priority category.

 

4.3                             NHS Highlands Community Health Partnership.  The Chair noted that the CC had been invited to a meeting of the local Health Forum on 15th May but had been unable to attend.  The Minutes indicated that a third surgeon for Oban Hospital had been approved but there may be delays in filling the post.  A Community Health Partnership for Argyll & Bute had been set up, consisting of NHS personnel.  A Public Partnership Forum was proposed and the Chair asked that anyone interested in attending should contact the CC Secretary. 

No progress had been made in training for the Ambulance Dalmally 1st Responder scheme.

 

4.4                             Road Safety at Bridge of Orchy. The Chair reported that letters had been sent to the SE Transport Management and Strathclyde Police, including the letters received from local people.  The Police had undertaken a speed check recently, and a reply was awaited from the SE.

 

4.5                             Eredine Road improvement. The Chair noted that a letter indicating the arrangements had been sent to A&B Council asking them to confirm that they would contribute for their 4 houses in the village.  It was noted that the Community Council would act as the intermediary between A&B Council and the local persons responsible, and would make its £1,000 contribution available when invoices for work done had been approved.

 

4.6                             Tree thinning, Tight Line Pub, Lochawe.  The Secretary reported that the CC had sent a letter opposing the proposed tree thinning opposite the Tight Line Pub in Lochawe.    The application has yet to be discussed at the Council Area Committee meeting.

 

4.7                             Police Report.  The Chair reported that a letter had been sent to the Chief Constable, Strathclyde Police noting the good work undertaken by PC Greg Bryce, Community Policeman.  A reply of thanks had been received.

 

 

 

 

5.                   Affordable Housing, Bridge of Orchy.

 

The Chair reported that Cavin and Marg Crawford had taken the lead on this, and 8 families in the area were interested.  A&B Council had advised working through West Highland Housing Association, and a meeting had taken place with them on 16th May.  The required area of land had now been agreed between A&B C and the FC, and WHHA had agreed to take the project on.  They were now proceeding to a feasibility study, hopefully within 6 weeks, with A&B C, Scottish Water, Roads, Hydroelectric, site visit, etc.  There would be a progress report at Bridge of Orchy on the 11th July.  It was noted that the Community Council was involved as the intermediary between WHHA and A&B Council on behalf of the local residents.  There were no financial implications for the CC.

 

 

6.                   Adopt a Station

 

The Chair reported on an initiative by Scotrail, Highland Rail Partnership, and Friends of West Highland Lines to encourage local communities to ‘adopt’ a local station and help to improve its environment.  This has been successfully done in other locations.  Volunteers were asked  to help prepare a ‘wish list’ of improvements that could be made to the 3 stations in the CC area.  The Secretary indicated that she would assist with the Lochawe station;  Cavin Crawford indicated that the situation was satisfactory at Bridge of Orchy station;  and, after some discussion on Dalmally station, it was agreed that the current owner should be approached to clarify his plans.  It was noted that the present situation was unsatisfactory.  Volunteers were asked to contact the CC Secretary.

 

 

7.                   Proposed Community Footpath, Dalmally

 

The Chair reported that a meeting had been held with the FC and local residents on 22nd May at Dalmally Village Hall, and the note of the meeting indicated that there were considerable problems in ensuring a pathway between Glenview and the proposed Sports field, and on to the Brackley road, as it crossed the land of a number of separate people and organisations, and did not involve FC land.  Some local residents were strongly opposed to a pathway near their property.  It was noted that landowners and residents affected would be written to asking for their views.  It was noted that the owners of the old Fever Hospital who were in favour of a pathway, would follow the matter up directly with the FC.

 

 

 

 

8.                   Grant applications for community groups

 

The Secretary reported that the CC had sent a letter to 20 different community groups offering help in applying for grants.  There had been a good response and the following groups have requested assistance:

 

Lochawe Village Hall – need approximately £3000 for repairs to the hall

Dalmally and Lochawe Drama Society – need approximately £500 for a sound system

Dalmally Agricultural Society – need approximately £300 for some trestles.

 

After discussion it was agreed that the Secretary would apply for grants and would try to get 100% funding.  However, if it was not possible to get 100% funding then the balance could be made up from the money the CC has received from Npower (£1000 plus another £1000 due shortly).

 

The Chair noted that NPower would be making available its annual £1,000 to the CC for the Braevallich Hydro scheme, but had asked that the CC consider commuting the annual payment (for 30 years) for a single one off payment.  £14,000 had been proposed by them.  It was agreed to continue discussions with NPower.

 

 

 

9.                   Shira Wind Farm update.

 

Councillor Macaskill described the proposed new A&B Council scheme for holding Trust Funds for Communities for wind farm developments.  It was noted that 40% of any monies received would go to Alienergy, the A&B Council Energy Agency.  The process by which Community Councils and community groups could receive monies from the 60% of the Fund had yet to be decided, but no monies would in the future go to Community Councils.  Some concerns were expressed at these proposed arrangements.  It was noted that there were wide differences in the estimates of monies that might be received.

 

Donald Spiers of Natural Power indicated the current status of their proposal, which had been lodged with the Scottish Executive.  It now awaited formal review by organisations that had to be statutorily consulted, including A&B Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB, and others.  He indicated that Natural Power had made financial contributions to local communities at other sites in the past.  He extended an invitation for the CC and local residents to visit a wind farm site.  The CC Secretary would consider arrangements.

 

It was noted that the Community Council had sent a letter of objection to the proposal to the Scottish Executive Consents Unit after consultation between CC members following the previous CC meeting.  It was asked when the matter might be considered again by the CC and it was noted that under CC Standing Orders this would be 6 months.

 

 

10.                 Any Other Business.  

 

10.1                          The Chair stated that he would be standing down as Chair of the CC after the Bridge of Orchy meeting with the WHHA, but would be remaining as a CC member.

10.2                          AW asked Councillor Macaskill if it was possible for A&B Council to fund some more leisure classes (eg similar to the Gaelic and exercise classes held in Dalmally a couple of years ago).  Councillor Macaskill agreed to look into the matter.

10.3                          Councillor Macaskill was asked if there were any plans to start plastic or metal recycling collections.  He said there were no plans at the moment

10.4                          AW asked if it would be possible to leave goods in the Council yard in Dalmally a day before the agreed collection date.  The environmental department need to be contacted to find out.

10.5                          It was mentioned that the turning into Dalmally surgery, Post office and Pharmacy is very dangerous as there is no notification to say there is a turning coming up.  The roads department need to be contacted to get a sign put up.

10.6                          The Secretary noted that Karl Pipes had sent a note along to the meeting about the poor state of Eredine Bridge, which is in need of urgent maintenance.  Alan Macaskill agreed to look into the matter.

10.7                          It was agreed that future CC meetings would not be held on a Wednesday if possible due to Wednesday being a popular evening for other activities (WRI, golf meetings etc).

10.8                          Cavin Crawford mentioned the poor state of the main roads due to bad drainage.  Transerv will be contacted regarding this matter.

 

 

 

There being no other business the Meeting closed at 21.20 hours.

 

 

11.                Date of next meeting

 

The date for the next meeting is Thursday 14th September 2006 at 7.30pm in Portsonachan Village Hall.