GLENORCHY AND INNISHAIL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Minutes of Council Meeting

held in Bridge of Orchy Village Hall

on 19 September 2007 at 7.30pm

Present David Fellowes, Pam Whitehead, Kate Craig, Marge Crawford, Pam Gibson, Karl Pipes, John Burke, Councillor Donald MacDonald, PC Greg Bryce, plus 14 members of the public

1. Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and pointed out this was the first time the Community Council had met in Bridge of Orchy for a very long time.

2. Apologies for Absence

Donald MacLaren, Gregor Cameron (WHHA) and Councillors Elaine Robertson and Neil MacKay

3. Minutes of CC Meeting held on 26 July 2007

The Minutes were approved. (Proposed by Marge Crawford and seconded by Pam Whitehead.)

4. Presentation by Albert Bruce, Station Manager, Oban Fire Station

Albert Bruce gave a 10-minute presentation regarding the activities and responsibilities of the fire service. He then welcomed questions from the public.

5. Presentation by Lesley McInnes, West Highland Housing Association

Lesley McInnes gave a presentation regarding the proposed site for affordable housing in Bridge of Orchy. A feasibility study has been carried out and WHHA are due to have a meeting with the Roads department regarding access. Once this has been done and the problems with water and sewage have been resolved then WHHA will meet with the community to discuss the sort of houses to be built. After this WHHA will apply for outline planning permission and on approval will buy the land. This is likely to be in the 2008/2009 financial year. Lesley McInnes said there was an open list for applicants for the houses but in reality most allocations go to local people.

6. Matters arising from previous meeting

· BT Broadband – The Secretary stated the resident of Lochawe who was having problems with broadband had the issue resolved but unfortunately the problem has returned again. BT is looking into the matter.

Marge Crawford will get a list of names and addresses of people in Bridge of Orchy who want to go onto broadband and pass this onto the Secretary.

Action – Marge Crawford to pass list of Bridge of Orchy residents wishing to go onto broadband to the Secretary.

· Eredine noticeboard – Karl Pipes has arranged for the new noticeboard to be made and handed the invoice to the Treasurer for payment (£50.58). The Secretary will apply for a grant from Argyll & Bute Council to help pay for the noticeboard.

Action – The Secretary to apply for grant to help pay for the noticeboard.

· Level of water in Loch Awe – It was agreed the level of the loch had been higher this year than normal and was affecting the nesting birds in the spring, flooding at Dalmally Golf Course and flooding of land in general around the loch. After discussion it was agreed to invite Roger Twigg of Scottish Hydro, Stephen Smith, Manager of Inverawe Power Station, SEPA and the RSPB to the next meeting to discuss the matter.

Action – The Secretary to invite Roger Twigg, Stephen Smith, SEPA and RSPB to next CC meeting.

· Dalmally Playpark – The Secretary reported that ACHA had agreed to maintain the grounds of the playpark and would be tidying up the beds in October when they can put the winter bedding plants in. ACHA have spoken to Dalmally Primary School and they will be maintaining the raised beds. ACHA also agreed to remove the stones and replace them with something less dangerous. This would be a project for the future. The Chair announced that there was only one member of the Playpark committee left, which was a problem.

· Eredine Bridge – The Secretary will write to Neil Brown at Argyll & Bute about the state of the bridge.

Action – The Secretary to write to Neil Brown at Argyll & Bute.

· Transerv meeting – The Chair summarized the outcome of the meeting with Transerv on 22 August 2007: Transerv are to paint a red 30mph sign on the road at both ends of Lochawe village, a temporary illuminated sign will be moved to Lochawe until a permanent one can be organized, anti-skid will be considered for St Conans corner at the Route Accident Reduction Plan has been carried out, the drains in Lochawe will be renewed in 2008/2009, Transerv will refill the hole opposite the police station in Dalmally, Transerv will let the Secretary know who has opposed the 40mph extension past the Surgery in Dalmally, Transerv will investigate improving the layby for hill climbers opposite Cruachan Power station, Transerv will sweep the pavements in Lochawe (this has been done), Steve Braithwaite was going to check if Transerv had objected to the planning application for houses opposite St Conans Kirk (they have objected).

Action – The Secretary to contact Transerv to find out when the various items will be completed.

· Bus Shelters in Lochawe – Councillor Donald MacDonald said it had been agreed Lochawe could have three new shelters. After discussion it was agreed one could replace the wooden bus shelter near St Conans Road and one could go at the top of the road down to the station opposite Loch Awe Stores. It was agreed there was nowhere for the third one to be located.

Action – The Secretary to contact Douglas Blades at Argyll & Bute Council to tell him where the new bus shelters should be located.

· Dog Fouling Signs – The Secretary reported A&B Council had agreed to put the signs up in St Conans Road, Lochawe and Dalmally Railway Station once they have agreement from ACHA (for St Conans Road) and Mr Whaite (for Dalmally Railway Station).

· Trees overhanging churchyard at Glenorchy Kirk – The Secretary reported A&B Council had cut the trees back and would be cutting back more of the branches between the Manse and the churchyard in the Autumn.

7. First Responder Scheme

Albert Bruce from Oban Police Station stated that the volunteer firemen for Bridge of Orchy and Dalmally would be given defibrillators and would be called upon should there be an emergency. There are presently four defibrillators in the CC area: one in Dr Swan’s car, one with Tracy Boyles (a nurse) in Cladich, one at Bridge of Orchy Hotel and one at Inveroran Hotel. Councillor Donald MacDonald suggested we contact Marilyn Henderson (Secretary of Kilchrenan CC) because she is organizing a meeting with Jeff Dawson of the Scottish Ambulance Service regarding defibrillator training and the First Responder Scheme.

It was agreed the bank account for the First Responder Scheme should have the Chair and Treasurer as signatories.

Pam Gibson / Karl Pipes are to pass Lorraine MacIntyre’s details to the Secretary to find out what Ford are doing regarding the First Responder Scheme.

Action – The Secretary will contact Marilyn Henderson. Pam Gibson/Karl Pipes to let the Secretary have Lorraine MacIntyre’s contact details.

8. Police Report

PC Greg Bryce gave a summary of police activity in the area over the last few months (a number of speeding fines, four fatal accidents, 6 arrests due to drugs and one theft). He also announced there was a new Commissioner for Strathclyde Police. PC Bryce agreed to let Marge Crawford have some leaflets to put on car screens when cars park in laybys in Bridge of Orchy.

Action – PC Bryce to supply Marge Crawford with some leaflets to put on car window screens when cars are parked illegally in laybys.

9. Any other business

· Rubbish collection in Eredine – Karl Pipes reported he is meeting ACHA and the Roads Department to discuss the problems the Roads Department are encountering with rubbish collection in Eredine. Karl to report back at the next CC meeting.

· Meet the Councillors 6 Sept 2007 – The Chair reported that he, Pam Whitehead and Kate Craig went along to the ‘Meet the Councillors’ meeting in the Corran Halls, which was well attended by other CC’s and very informative.

· AGM for the Association of A&B CC’s – Karl Pipes will let the Secretary know if he is free to attend the AGM on 6 October in Kilmory.

Action – Karl Pipes to let the Secretary know if he will attend the AGM.

· Planning – The Secretary announced there was a planning application to replace the bridge to Innis Chonain, Lochawe. There were no objections.

· Dalmally Railway Station – It was noted that someone had cut down some trees in the railway car park and left them lying across the access to the railway line and the village hall. PC Bryce suggested the British Transport police should be contacted.

Action – The Secretary to contact the British Transport police.

· Street Lighting in Dalmally – The Secretary announced she had had a meeting with Frances MacIntyre in Dalmally who has been campaigning for streetlighting in Dalmally for a number of years now. PC Bryce felt it was unlikely that streetlighting would be agreed to in Dalmally.

There being no further business the meeting ended at 9.45pm

10. Date of Next Meeting

The date for the next meeting is Wednesday 21 November 2007 at 7.30pm in Portsonachan Village Hall.