GLENORCHY AND INNISHAIL

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of Council Meeting

 held in Dalmally Village Hall

 on 12 April 2006

 

 

Present: Alan Thomas, Kate Craig, Pam Whitehead, Cavin Crawford, Karl Pipes, Averil Watson, Allan Macaskill, PC Greg Bryce plus 36 members of the public

 

 

1.                   Welcome

 

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, despite the poor weather.  He explained that, as part of the policy of openness, all correspondence sent and received by the Community Council (CC) was held in the Correspondence File being circulated in the Hall.  He also explained that this was the AGM of the CC, and welcomed Allan Macaskill, the local Councillor and Leader of A&B Council.

 

 

2.                   Apologies for absence

 

None received

 

 

3.                   Minutes of CC meeting held on Wednesday, 8 February 2006

 

The minutes were approved.

 

 

4.                   Matters arising

 

4.1                 30 mph speed limits.  The Chair reported that further correspondence and phone calls with Transport Scotland indicated that, despite one objection, the 30 mph limit in Lochawe could be implemented between May and September.  The Dalmally speed limits and exact locations were the subject of further discussion with Strathclyde Police.  Speed surveys had been conducted.

 

4.2                 Scottish Water – water supply.  The Chair reported that further correspondence indicated that SW would commence work on Stage 1, close to the East end of Dalmally, shortly; and Stage 2, towards Stronmilchan, thereafter.  Further discussion was required with SW as no work had commenced.

 

4.3                 NHS Highlands Community Health Partnership.  The Chair reported that further correspondence and telephone calls with NHS Highland indicated that the local Argyll & Bute Community Health Partnership proposed was to be made up of NHS professionals with no Community input.  However the Locality Manager in Oban was keen to develop a more inclusive Public Partnership Forum.  It was agreed to keep pressing for more Community Council involvement.  ‘Health’ was noted as a possible future theme item for the GO&ICC at a future meeting, with invitations to NHS Highlands and the local GP Practice.

 

4.4                 Forestry Items.  Chair reported communications with Forestry Commission regarding large timber trucks on roads and bridges in the area, with efforts being made to route them over Forestry roads.  The proposed ‘community pathway’ East of Dalmally was being pursued with a meeting with the Forestry planned for 22nd May.

 

4.5                 Affordable Housing Bridge of Orchy.  Cavin Crawford reported that the area reviewed with Forestry recently had been withdrawn at the behest of A&B Council.  Councillor Macaskill explained some of the background.  It was agreed that the CC would pursue this urgently with the Council (Fergus Murray, Development Sercices, Argyll & Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead, PA31 8RT) and Forestry.

 

4.6                 Transport.  Chair reported that a letter had been sent from the CC as input to the A&B Local Transport Strategy.  It emphasised the issues that had been raised regarding transport at previous CC meetings.

 

4.7                 Road Safety at Bridge of Orchy.  Chair reported that two letters had been received from the Bridge of Orchy Hotel and the West Highland Way Development Manager asking for urgent action regarding review and policing of speed limit at Bridge of Orchy, given that 100,000 people crossed there each year.  The Community Council is to pursue this with Transport Scotland and Strathclyde Police.

 

4.8                 Eredine Road improvement.  Chair and Karl Pipes reported that meetings had taken place on site and a viable plan had been prepared with local residents and landowners.  Outstanding issues included A&B Council’s contribution for its four houses, and the ‘adoptability’ standard of the road.  Councillor Macaskill indicated that it was noted a full Council level of adoptability would not be pursued, and that A&BC may be able to make a contribution for its houses, but only before their transfer to a Housing Association in July/ August.  It was agreed that the CC would write to Malcolm McFadyen, Head of Planning, Argyll & Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead, PA31 8ST.

 

4.9                 Community Groups.  The Chair reported that a letter had been prepared that would be sent to all Community Groups within the CC area making contact, offering assistance where appropriate in securing funds for their various activities; and offering assistance in joint co-ordination of plans.

 

4.10              Tree thinning, Tight Line Pub, Lochawe.  The Secretary reported that the Tight Line had been granted a felling licence, however their application to cut down trees  has to be approved by A&B Council as the trees are in a Tree Preservation Order area.  Their application has yet to be discussed at the Council Area Committee meeting.

 

4.11              CC Bye elections.  The Chair reported that arrangements had been made for a Returning Officer and the Notice of Election for the two vacancies for the Dalmally sub-area had been posted.

 

 

 

5.                   Annual Report

 

The Chair presented the Annual Report noting that CC meetings had not taken place in the first part of the year.  They commenced in October 2005 after a delayed election.  A full list of items had been discussed at Dalmally in October and actions agreed.  The 30th November meeting took place at Lochawe following the principle of visiting all parts of the extensive CC area.  Many follow up actions were reported.  The CC met at Portsonachan on 8th February 2006 with the Forestry Commission giving a presentation and responding to an active discussion.  The Annual Report can be viewed on the Community Council website (www.loch-awe.com/community/commcouncil.htm).  The Annual Report was agreed.

 

 

6.                   Financial Report

 

Pam Whitehead presented the Financial Report for the period October 2005 to March 2006, which had been audited.  It was noted that the CC had a current balance of £3,160, of which £1,000 was committed to Eredine.  Pam Whitehead was thanked for the work that she had undertaken.

 

7.                   Police Report

 

Community Policeman PC Greg Bryce gave his annual report.   It was noted that there had been an increase in drug related and road transport offences, with the Police playing a key part in Search & Rescue operations. A discussion took place on the new Police Call Handling arrangements, with all calls now being routed to a Call Centre in Govan.  A number of concerns were expressed regarding likely problems with the new system.  It was noted that the CC should try to monitor the effects of the new system and report them to Strathclyde Police.  The CC thanked PC Bryce for his contribution and it was noted that the CC area was very fortunate in having such an able, committed police officer in its locality.  This would be communicated to the Strathclyde Police authorities.

 

 

8.                   Plans for 2006/7

 

The Chair noted that this fell into a number of categories. 1. Pursuing the items already on the agenda for the benefit of the Community; 2. Examining specific themes that affected the Community, e.g. Health, Transport, Environment, Wind Farms, Recreational activities, fishing, etc; 3.  Community Council meetings in all areas of the CC area; and 4. Working with all community groups where possible, in joint plans and funding, where appropriate.  The outline discussion of Plans was accepted.

 

 

9.                   Shira Wind Farm

 

The Chair noted that Natural Power Ltd had submitted an application for a 22-turbine wind farm 4.5 kms South of Dalmally.  Because of its size, greater than 50mhz generating capacity, any decision would be made by the Scottish Executive, with input from the A&B Council and other statutory consultative bodies such as Scottish Natural Heritage, but did not include the Community Council.  The CC, and individuals within the community, could however make its views known to the SE and A&BC. 

 

The Chair noted that this was the first opportunity for the CC to discuss wind farms within the CC area, and suggested, so as to assist the discussion, that the meeting should concentrate on matters that affected the CC area and not on general policy points. 

 

The Chair noted possible Benefits and Damage.  The Benefits included,

 

Provide jobs,

Help the local economy,

Money for the local Community from the developer,

Provide electricity,

Help meet Government targets. 

 

Possible Damage was noted as,

 

Visual and Noise Effects,

Affect tourism industry and local jobs,

Affect environment and wild life,

Unreliable small amount of expensive electricity, and

Against Argyll & Bute Planning Policies.

 

CC members summarised their views on the Planning Application.  One Community Councillor indicated that electricity would have to be found from somewhere; another indicated that there were arguments on both sides; three indicated that after consideration of various factors that they were opposed to the application for a number of reasons; and one indicated strong support for the application backed by expressions of local opinion in Dalmally.

 

There was considerable discussion over a long period amongst those attending the meeting addressing many of the arguments for and against.  Opinion was divided, with a strong body of opinion in favour of the application.

 

The Chair indicated that, because it was not possible to determine that those attending the meeting necessarily represented the opinions of the wider CC area, the CC members would consider their views after the meeting, taking account of their responsibilities under the CC Code of Practice.  After due deliberation, a decision would be taken whether to send a letter of support for, or objection to, the application by the SE deadline date of 18th April.  This would be posted on the CC website as soon as possible, hopefully over the Easter weekend.

 

 

10.                 Any Other Business.  

 

The Chair reported that he, and others from the community had attended a meeting at Crianlarich organised by Scottish Network Rail, and attended by community representatives from a large area of North and West Scotland.  The purpose was for each community to ‘Adopt a Station’, and to improve the environment and facilities at each station.  Some central funding may be available.  GO&ICC area had three stations – Dalmally, Lochawe, and Bridge of Orchy, all of which could be improved.  It was noted that this would be an item on the agenda of the next CC meeting.

 

 

 

There being no other business the Meeting closed at 21.50 hours.

 

 

11.                Date of next meeting

 

The date for the next meeting is Wednesday 7 June 2006 at 7.30pm in Lochawe Village Hall.