GLENORCHY AND INNISHAIL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

 

Minutes of Council Meeting

held in Portsonachan Village Hall

on 21 November 2007 at 7.30pm

 

 

Present  David Fellowes, Kate Craig, Pam Gibson, John Burke, Councillor Donald MacDonald, Councillor Elaine Robertson, Chief Inspector Fred Hall, PC Greg Bryce, Jamie McGrigor MSP, Peter Donaldson (SSE), Campbell Mcdonald (SSE), Richard MacKenzie (LAIA), Tom Inglis (SEPA), Allan Kettlewhite and Jane Wright (Argyll Fisheries Trust), Bobby Johnston (Dalmally Golf Club) plus 48 members of the public

 

 

1.  Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

 

2.  Apologies for Absence

Donald McLaren, Averil Watson, Marge Crawford, Pam Whitehead, Stephen Austin (SNH), Mr & Mrs Cowan

 

 

3.  Minutes of CC Meeting held on 19 September 2007

The Minutes were approved (proposed by John Burke and seconded by Pam Gibson).

The Minutes of the Special Meeting held on 24 October 2007 were approved (proposed by Pam Gibson and seconded by John Burke).

 

 

4.   Police Report

Chief Inspector Fred Hall, the new Chief Inspector for Oban, Lorn and the Isles since 1 October 2007, introduced himself and said he would be attending future CC meetings when in the area.

PC Greg Bryce gave his police report, saying crime was low, as expected, at this time of year.  However there had been some plant hire equipment stolen recently (including a JCB across the road from Dalmally police station while PC Bryce was on holiday).  There had been one car accident at St Conans Kirk corner (a car had rolled over).  PC Bryce mentioned that the police were looking for Special Police Constables for the area and there would be a recruitment drive.  He also said he would locate the portable interactive speed warning sign with a view to getting it moved to Lochawe.

Action – PC Bryce to get the portable interactive speed warning sign moved to Lochawe

 

5.  Presentation by Peter Donaldson, Scottish & Southern Energy

Peter Donaldson introduced himself, Campbell Mcdonald (SSE) who runs the control centre at Pitlochry and Tom Inglis from SEPA.

Peter Donaldson gave a presentation regarding the operation of regulating the loch level.  The first agreement regarding the loch level was made in 1957, which stated the minimum level should be 119.6 ft with a maximum of 121.6 ft.  However in 2004 Scottish Power and the Fisheries Board agreed the lower level could be reduced to 118.6 ft.  He also stated that in future SSE will have to get a license from SEPA and this is the opportunity for all interested parties to put in their comments regarding the loch level.  SEPA will be carrying out their review over the next couple of years and hopefully a minimum and maximum level of the loch can be agreed that is satisfactory to the majority.  There followed a question and answer session plus a presentation of photos showing the erosion of the edges of the loch by Catriona O’Keeffe from Blarghour.

 

6.   Matters arising from previous meeting

    1. Broadband - The Secretary reported that Marge Crawford had given her a list of names and addresses of Bridge of Orchy residents who wanted to go onto broadband.  These have been passed onto Jo Gwylim of the Telecoms Policy Unit at the Scottish Executive.
    2. Eredine noticeboard - The Secretary applied for an A&B Council grant to pay for the Eredine noticeboard but was told it was not possible to have a retrospective grant (the CC has already paid the bill).  So it was agreed the CC would fund the full cost (£50.80).
    3. Dalmally playpark – ACHA have said the playpark grounds will be tidied up the week commencing 26 November 2007.
    4. Eredine bridge – Councillor MacDonald said he would contact Drew Swann again regarding the poor state of the bridge.

Action – Councillor MacDonald to contact Drew Swann and report back.

    1. TranServ – The Secretary reported that TranServ will be painting the 30mph signs on the road either end of Lochawe at the end of November, they will be putting up the sign to indicate the turning for Dalmally Surgery in the next three weeks, plus the objectors to the 40mph signs being moved eastwards out of Dalmally have withdrawn their objections so the signs can be moved now.  However, TranServ say they are unable to get hold of a temporary portable speed warning sign for Lochawe, but a permanent one will be looked at in the safety review next year.
    2. Bus Shelters in Lochawe – The Secretary will be meeting Douglas Blades (A&B Council) and a representative from TranServ on 11 December 2007 at 11.30am to discuss the positioning of the three bus shelters for Lochawe.
    3. First Responder Scheme – The Secretary asked whether it was necessary to start up a First Responder Scheme now that the local Voluntary Fire Brigade are to be trained to be First Responders and to be given defibrillators.  The Secretary will investigate whether the Voluntary Fire Brigade is happy to do this.

Action – The Secretary to contact the Fire Brigade.

                       

7.                   Any other business

    1. Marian Morgan, owner of 2 Railway Cottages, Lochawe, gave a report of the flooding of her house on 1 November 2007.  The flood was as a result of a culvert being blocked near Loch Awe Hotel and the fire brigade having to pump water away from the hotel.  Unfortunately the water being pumped away was redirected down the road and ended up going through 2 Railway Cottage and into the loch.  Marian Morgan would like to know whose responsibility it was for the blocked culvert.  It was agreed the Secretary would contact TranServ regarding this matter.

Action – The Secretary to contact TranServ.

    1. There was a discussion about access to the recycling bins at the Mart as the gates are sometimes closed.  However, recently the gates seemed to have been open more frequently, but this needs to be monitored.
    2. No one seems to know what the mysterious box is, which has appeared on the main road outside Glenorchy Lodge.  The Secretary will ask PC Bryce if he knows what it is.

Action – The Secretary to contact PC Bryce.

    1. The Secretary circulated drawings of a proposed new bridge at Allt Kinglass (south of Bridge of Orchy), which had been sent to her by TranServ.  There were no comments forthcoming.
    2. A copy of the Draft Statement of Licensing Policy was circulated for comments.  It was agreed the Secretary would try and circulate it to interested parties in the area.  Comments need to be in by 27 November 2007.

Action – The Secretary to circulate the Draft Statement to interested parties.

    1. The Secretary announced she had been contacted by MedCats (the Patient Participation Group for the Connel, Taynuilt and Dalmally Medical Practices) and should anyone have any concerns about any of the medical practices then they should contact MedCats.  Tim Boardman said he was the committee member for Dalmally.
    2. Mr Belshaw gave a presentation of his proposed new development at Eredine House.  There followed a question and answer session and the public were invited to look at the proposed plans.

 

 

There being no further business the meeting ended at 10.00pm

 

 

10.  Date of Next Meeting

The date for the next meeting is Tuesday 22 January 2008 at 7.30pm in Dalmally Village Hall.