GLENORCHY AND INNISHAIL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Minutes of Council Meeting

held in Lochawe Village Hall

on 26 July 2007 at 7.30pm

Present David Fellowes, Pam Whitehead, Kate Craig, Marge Crawford, Pam Gibson, Donald McLaren, Karl Pipes, Councillor Elaine Robertson, Councillor Neil MacKay, plus 24 members of the public

1. Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and announced that Marge Crawford had been elected as the new Member for Bridge of Orchy.

2. Apologies for Absence

John Burke, Gregor Cameron (WHHA) and Councillor Donald McDonald

3. Minutes of CC Meeting held on 20 March 2007

The Minutes were approved. (Proposed by Pam Whitehead and seconded by Karl Pipes.)

4. Presentation by BT regarding broadband

Ian Shanks, Head of Scottish Affairs and Stuart Calder, Manager for Argyll & Bute area gave a presentation on broadband followed by a question and answer session. It was explained that the further a house is from a telephone exchange the poorer the quality of broadband, but the thickness of the cable and interference can also affect the quality. The total population capable of receiving broadband is 99.3%, and the Scottish Executive are making £3.5 million available so that the other 0.7% might receive it as well. It has not yet been announced how individuals or communities can apply for grants to receive some of this money. BT is spending a billion pounds on improving the core network and this might increase broadband speed for some individuals.

Bridge of Orchy are not able to receive broadband (except the hotel), Eredine, Portsonachan and Cladich can but at a slow speed (possibly BT Max could help with this).

It was agreed that a list of residents in Bridge of Orchy (or any other area) who want broadband should be compiled and sent to the Secretary, who will pass the petition onto Mr Harry Emambocus at the Scottish Executive.

Action – The Secretary to send a list of names of people who want broadband to Mr Harry Emambocus at the Scottish Executive.

5. Presentation by Forestry Commission

Ian McKechan, David Robson and Helen Wilson gave a presentation regarding the Forestry Commission followed by a question and answer session. Ian McKechan described how he was working with other Community Councils but there were no projects in the Glenorchy & Innishail CC area so far. The FC wanted to know if there are any pathways wanted in the area. The Glenview to the Fever Hospital proposed path was mentioned but it was pointed out that the CC had debated this path before and it was generally agreed that this path couldn’t proceed due the landowners involved not being in favour. Ian McKechan said that the Catinish bridge had just been reopened, the Bailey bridge was to be resurfaced and an extra parking area was to be created near the Bailey bridge.

There was a question as to whether the Inveroran to Bridge of Orchy road was suitable for cyclists. The FC will look into this matter and report back.

The FC clarified the situation regarding driving on forestry roads. It is not permissible for the public to drive their cars on these roads but disabled drivers can.

Action – The FC to check whether cyclists can use the Inveroran to Bridge of Orchy road..

6. Presentation by West Highland Housing Association

Gregor Cameron sent his apologies but he sent an email giving details of the latest situation regarding affordable housing in Bridge of Orchy. He said they had visited the land across the road from the Bridge of Orchy Hotel owned by Mr Bestemen as a potential site for affordable housing and next week (commencing 30 July 2007) there would be a topographical survey carried out. The Trunk Roads department is not keen to see any additional junctions off the main road so WHHA are trying to find out who owns the land at the side of the station access road. This could possibly be used as access to the new site.

Action – The Secretary to invite Gregor Cameron to the next CC meeting.

7. Matters arising from previous meeting

· Roads – There is not going to be a safety barrier at the dangerous corner on the A819 but reflective poles have been put up.

Since the last meeting Transerv have attended to the flood opposite the Tower of Glenstrae in Lochawe. However the Secretary reported that with the recent rain the flood had returned briefly and she would monitor the situation.

The Secretary reported she had written to Transerv and Argyll & Bute Council about the debris and the overgrown bushes on the path from St Conans Road to Loch Awe Stores. Transerv say it is the responsibility of the Council, the Council is not sure whose responsibility it is but they are going to attend to the matter.

· Eredine noticeboard – Karl Pipes handed around a drawing of a new noticeboard. He is getting a quote for getting it made.

Action – Karl Pipes to get a quote for making the noticeboard.

· Eredine bridge – The Chair passed around some photos of the repair that Argyll & Bute Council has carried out on Eredine bridge. It was agreed that the repair was a poor substitute for what the bridge used to look like.

Action – The Secretary to write to A&BC regarding the repair.

· Level of water in Loch Awe – The Chair wrote to Scottish Hydro in Pitlochry about the level of the loch and they referred him to a letter of agreement written in 1996, whereby it was agreed the loch level would be raised and kept at this level from 1 April until 30 November. Unfortunately the raising of the level coincides with the birds nesting. A number of people felt the level was a lot higher than normal this year, certainly compared to last year, and this was causing problems with flooding on the golf course.

Action – The Chair to write to Scottish Hydro regarding this matter.

8. Dalmally playpark

ACHA are in charge of maintaining the grounds of the playpark. Unfortunately the beds have been taken over by weeds, however the grass has been cut recently. It was also felt the stones by the seating area were dangerous and should be removed and replaced with bark. Amanda MacKenzie at ACHA has agreed to meet Community Council members the week commencing 6 August 2007 to discuss the state of the playpark. The Secretary will inform members of the exact date and time. It was believed the raised beds were supposed to be maintained by the school. The Secretary will investigate.

Action – The Secretary will confirm to Members and Councillors Robertson and MacKay the date and time of the meeting with ACHA and find out if it is correct the school should be maintaining the raised beds.

9. Public lavatories

Gill Chrystal at Dalmally Post Office has requested that public lavatories be installed somewhere in Dalmally because there are frequent requests from members of the public to use the toilets at the Pharmacy. There was a general discussion about where the public lavatories could be located. The station, the mart and the new village hall were all suggested. Unfortunately Argyll and Bute Council will not fund public lavatories any more, but they might enter a partnership agreement, eg if a restaurant agreed to open its toilets to the general public. The public lavatories would need to have an attendant but they could also be a source of income.

10. Police report

PC Greg Bryce was not at the meeting.

11. Any other business

· Speeding in Lochawe – There was a discussion about the speeding problems in Lochawe and it was agreed that the Secretary would request a meeting with Transerv and the police to discuss the problem.

Action – The Secretary will request a meeting with Transerv and will inform the Members, the police and Councillors Robertson and MacKay of the date.

· Bus shelter – New bus shelters were promised for Lochawe a couple of years ago but they have not appeared yet.

Action – Councillor Robertson offered to investigate.

· Parking for hill climbers opposite Cruachan Power Station – It was agreed that a proper lay by is needed for the cars of the climbers.

Action – The Secretary will write to Transerv regarding this matter.

· Dog fouling signs – Signs have been requested for St Conans Road and Dalmally Station.

Action – The Secretary will write to Sandra Duncan at Argyll & Bute Council regarding this matter.

· Trees overhanging churchyard at Glenorchy Kirk – Trevor Baney pointed out that the trees in the Old Manse were overhanging the churchyard and needed to be cut back.

Action – The Secretary will write to Sandra Duncan at Argyll & Bute Council regarding this matter.

There being no further business the meeting ended at 9.30pm

12. Date of Next Meeting

The date for the next meeting is Wednesday 19 September 2007 at 7.30pm in Bridge of Orchy Village Hall.