Glenorchy & Innishail Community Council

Annual Report 2005/6

1. The Community Council met on 9^th March 2005 in Dalmally Village Hall and the agenda items included the Police Report and a number of other items of local concern.

2. The four yearly elections of Community Council members were due to take place in May 2005 but because of administrative problems, elections did not take place.

Elections took place in June 2005 and one nomination was received, but the Community Council could not convene fully because it required a minimum quorum of three Councillors.

Further elections took place in September 2005 and six Councillors were confirmed, one for the Bridge of Orchy sub-area (Cavin Crawford), two for Dalmally (Alan Thomas, Averil Watson), (two vacancies remain unfilled), two for Loch Awe (Kate Craig, Pam Whitehead), and one for Portsonachan/ Eredine (Karl Pipes).

The Inaugural Meeting of the new Community Council took place on 12^th October 2005, with a full Business Meeting on October 26^th. The outgoing members of the Community Council, including the Chair, Averil Watson, were thanked for all the work that had been put in.

It was noted that the objectives of the Community Council were ‘to ascertain, co-ordinate and express to Argyll & Bute Council and to other public authorities, the views of the community which it represents; and to take such action, in the interests of the community, as appears to be expedient and practicable’.

3. The issues discussed at the 26^th October 2005 Meeting at Dalmally Village hall included the following, and a series of follow up actions and letters were agreed.

3.1 Confirmation of the Constitution, Standing Orders, and Code of Conduct of the Community Council.

3.2 Review and follow up actions, where required, on the weekly Planning Applications notifications list from Argyll & Bute Council, and third party right of appeal.

3.3 Revision of the Argyll & Bute Health Board arrangements and local implications.

3.4 30 mph speed limit for Loch Awe, and review of the speed limit and its location for Dalmally and Bridge of Orchy.

3.5 Serious water supply problems for Dalmally and Loch Awe.

3.6 Public transport arrangements from Dalmally/ Loch Awe to Oban and Glasgow.

3.7 Restraint of access to Kilchurn Castle historical site.

3.8 Environmental items including Tree Preservation Orders, the Forestry Commission’s Strategic Timber Network, and fly tipping.

3.9 Wind farms, including the proposed Stacain and Shira/ Brackley wind farms.

3.10 Community Council web site arrangements.

3.11 Communication with ‘Community Groups’ within the Community Council area.

3.12 Eredine road improvement funding arrangements.

4. The Community Council met on the 30^th November 2005 in Loch Awe, and the follow up actions on the above items were reported. They included,

4.1 The role of the Community Council in the Planning process had been reviewed, and Community Council members were attending the monthly meetings of the Argyll & Bute Council Area Committee responsible for approval of applications. Third Party Right of Appeal matters would be taken up directly with MSPs. It was noted that the next draft of the Lorn Local Plan would be prepared in mid 2006.

4.2 Letters had been sent regarding the consultation on the revised boundaries of the Argyll & Clyde Health Board, with an emphasis on Community Council participation in the new Community Health Partnership.

4.3 Letters had been sent to the SE Trunk Roads Division and a 30 mph speed limit for Loch Awe had been confirmed. Dalmally and Bridge of Orchy required further surveys.

4.4 Letters had been sent to Scottish Water and it was confirmed that major works would commence in the Dalmally/ Stronmilachan area in March/ April 2006.

4.5 Revised transport arrangements from Glenview, Dalmally to Oban had been proposed with A&B Council.

4.6 Kilchurn Castle access had been pursued with Historic Scotland, the SE, and MSPs.

4.7 Environmental issues regarding Forestry would be the subject of a separate Community Council meeting in February 2006.

4.8 Letters had been sent to Wind Power and Natural Power regarding their assessment of local support or objection to the proposed wind farms in the area, and they had indicated that it was not possible to draw definitive conclusions from the responses they had received.

4.9 A letter of objection to the Scottish Executive to the proposed Carraig Gheal wind farm had been sent by the Community Council.

4.10 Minutes of Community Council meetings and other items were being posted on the web site www.loch-awe.com/community/commcouncil.htm.

4.11 Lists of ‘Community Groups’ within the area were being prepared for future contact.

4.12 A request had been received for the release of £1,000 of Community Council funds for Eredine road improvements, and further clarification was required.

4.13 A number of roads matters had been followed up.

5. The Community Council met on 8^th February 2006 at Portsonachan Village Hall, and the business included the following.

5.1 It was noted that the Community Council was meeting in different locations within the CC area, and would try to concentrate on specific themes affecting the community, including Forestry, water supply, transport, health services, environment and Natural Heritage, etc.

5.2 30 mph speed limits, water supply problems, Kilchurn Castle access, bus transport services and Transport Strategy, and Community representation on Argyll & Bute Community Health Partnership within NHS Highlands continued to be pursued.

5.3 The Forestry Commission/ Forest Enterprise gave a presentation on its activities as they affected the community, and a full discussion included the following.

i. National Timber Transport Network would keep the CC informed of major activities.

ii. The possibility of a ‘Community Pathway’ from Glenview/ Dalmally Primary School, through FC land, to the old Fever Hospital, Succoth road, or Ben Strone FC park, would be followed up by a sub group of the CC.

iii. Affordable Housing proposals would be pursued for the Bridge of Orchy area.

iv. Recreational and historical use of FC land would be monitored and encouraged where appropriate, and concern was expressed regarding Tree Preservation Orders.

v. Questions were raised regarding the maintenance of access and pathways by private woodland owners.

vi. The Community Council wished to be consulted fully on current and future Forestry plans and developments.

5.4 A grant from the Community Council would be made available to Eredine residents to assist with road improvements pending clarification of outstanding items.

5.5 Community Groups would be contacted with a view to co-ordinating plans and funding. Margaret Donald and ‘Dalmally 2000 Play Park’ were congratulated on their success in raising funds and commencing building work.

5.6 Concern was expressed at proposed tree thinning before the Tight Line Hotel in Loch Awe.

5.7 The process for election for the two Community Council vacancies for Dalmally was being actioned.

6. The Financial Report for the Community Council will be presented separately from the Annual Report, and will be separated into the period up to 5^th October 2005 when the transfer of Treasurer took place and the period 5^th October 2005 to 31^st March 2006. John Smith was thanked by the Community Council for the Treasurer work undertaken.

7. The Community Council will be considering its plans for the Year 2006/7 at its meeting of 12^th April 2006.

8. In presenting this Annual Report to the Annual General Meeting on 12^th April 2006, and to the Argyll & Bute Council, the Glenorchy & Innishail Community Council meets its obligations under its Constitution.

Date:

Signed:

Alan W Thomas Kate Craig

Chair Secretary