Strathdearn Community Council

STRATHDEARN COMMUNITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Minutes of the Meeting of Strathdearn Community Council held in The Strathdearn Hall Tomatin on Tuesday 17th June 2008

Present:
Mrs V Roden (Chairperson), Mr D Bryden, Mr J Duncan, Mrs A Glynne-Percy, Mr A Wallace, Mrs M Saunders, Mrs P Wells, Mr J Cameron-Mackintosh
In Attendance
Cllr Crawford, Mr D Hendry, Mrs E MacQueen, Mr Ian Bishop (Children’s Road Safety), and 13 members of the public
Apologies
Mr E Usborne, Mr A Brown, Cllr Prag, Cllr Pedersen

Agenda Item

1. Minutes of the previous Meeting. Previous Minutes were proposed as correct by Mr J Cameron-Mackintosh and seconded by Mrs A Glynne-Percy.

2. Road Safety. The Chairperson welcomed Mr Ian Bishop, from Slochd to the meeting. Mr Bishop spoke to the meeting re children’s cycling issues, as he has been delivering cycling proficiency classes to the pupils of Strathdearn Primary School. He stated that the cycling conditions through the village were appalling, specifically with regard to the speed of vehicles. After lengthy discussion Mr D Bryden proposed that the School be approached, asking them to plot the links between children’s homes and the school, and also that a ball park figure be obtained re path-work beside old A9.
1.It was also agreed that Sustrans be written to
2.Traffic police be contacted to monitor the speed of vehicles through the village
3. Quotes be obtained from the school children re road safety issues, for the newsletter
4. Research is undertaken re funding for possible safe cycle routes.
The Chairperson thanked Mr Bishop for his attendance, and he then left the meeting.

3. Matters Arising It was noted that the new notice boards have been ordered. It was suggested that extra keys be ordered for all three notice boards.

Draft Model Scheme Members were reminded that replies re this should be sent to the Secretary so that a composite reply might be put together.

Data Protection Mr J Duncan reported back from the CC Forum re this, and advised that further information was to be given by Highland Council. Mrs MacQueen noted that a letter had been received re this. Contents to be considered.

4. Law and Order It was noted by Mr George MacLeod that there had been broken windows on vehicles near the Distillery Wood, and also that a “heroin needle” had been found in the woodland. People should be made aware of this and be
PC Kinnaird to be notified
School to be notified.

5. Community Development Worker’s Report
Mr D Bryden stated that he felt there were fundamental issues re the Sports Facility which should be addressed.
Mr A Wallace stated that a meeting had been arranged for the following Wednesday to discuss matters further. Mr D Hendry advised that a representative from Sports Scotland was to visit in the week beginning 30/06.
Mr Bryden stated that if the surface for the facility was unsuitable, then the architect should have picked up on this point. Mr Wallace stated that it was the Sports Committee who had made the decision re the preferred surface, and not the architect.
Mr Bryden asked for a Business Plan for this project to be drawn up, where all of this information would be documented. Also this would ensure that the views of facility users had been asked for and recorded.
Mr D Hendry acknowledged this point.
Mrs V Roden agreed with Mr D Bryden that such a document would be extremely useful, and would also help address some of the questions which people were now asking. Mr Bryden suggested that a forward projection was required – it must be identified how future funding will be generated. Sports Scotland will be looking for this reassurance.
Mr A Wallace stated that some of the issues being discussed were community matters, and should be discussed at the forthcoming sports meeting.
Mr D Bryden suggested that there be a range of options re surfacing/roofing of the facility, and that the pros, cons and costs should be listed so that evidence is gathered in order for an informed decision to be made.
Mr A Wallace agreed, and suggested that these options be laid out with a recommendation. It was important to get people together and that the community make the decision.

Children’s Play Area
Mr D Hendry reported that the paperwork for the application to the Charitable Trust had been completed, and that he was waiting to hear from two other funders.
Mr A Wallace informed the meeting that a letter had been received from Highland Council, and that work was scheduled to begin possibly W/B 30/6 , and would take two weeks to complete. It should be finished by 21/7 at the latest.

Mr D Hendry reported to the meeting re LEADER funding. This was funding available under the Scottish Rural Development Programme, for Rural Scotland. Mr Hendry has discussed this with Mr C Stephen, Ward Manager, and is awaiting further information

6. Affordable Housing Mrs V Roden informed the meeting that letters went out last week from HSCHT, and had to be returned by 20/06. Outline planning consent has been granted for development at Raigbeg, comprised of two 'self build' plots, and two rented houses. Surgeries would be set up in the village hall to meet with individuals in confidence, to discuss the options for future housing.

It was noted that Mr G Macleod had held a consultation the previous week to discuss his plans re possible development at Distillery Wood. This development would be advertised in the press - it is contrary to the Local Plan. People would have 21 days to object from when the advertisement is placed in the paper.
Mr J Cameron Mackintosh suggested that a date be set for the JULY MEETING, it was agreed that this would be 8th July.

7. Tomatin Shop
Mrs V Roden stated that on discovering that a temporary shop was being opened in the grounds of the Tomatin Inn, it was not viable to pursue the idea of another shop. Mr D Bryden expressed his thanks to Mr G MacLeod for opening the shop, and doing this so quickly. Col D Grant agreed.

8. Planning Matters
Mr D Bryden reported that there was notification re. outline planning permission for 1. a house at Soilsean
2.two houses north of Creagliath, just outside the village. It was noted that this area (0.1 hectare/10mx10m) was a small area for two houses, and that they would occupy a prominent position at the entrance to the village.
It was suggested that the 30mph speed restriction be extended beyond Creagliath, and also that the roofing should be in slate/slate alternative to be in line with the other houses nearby.
Mrs A Glynne-Percy declared an interest.

9. Three Lane Carriageway at Moy Awaiting response to letter sent

10. Correspondence
Various
Letter received from Munro and Noble, Solicitors, re the estate of the late Mr John MacDonald. Mr MacDonald has left a legacy of £300 to the Community Council. It was acknowledged that Jockie was a most kindly man, and a real local character who was very highly regarded. His generosity is appreciated by the Community Council.

11. AOCB
Mr D Wells noted that there is now a skip for recycling plastic at the Longman site. Hopefully individual blue wheelie bins for recycling will be introduced at some point in the future.

Mr D Bryden asked that a note be inserted into the Newsletter to remind people not to dump cardboard at the side of full bins at the local plant.

Col D Grant asked that Highland Council be written to again re Inverbrough Bridge.

Mr D Bryden expressed his thanks to Mrs V Roden and her “team” for Mrs Jean Mackay’s presentation, which had gone extremely well.

Mr D Bryden also noted that there was now an on-line form which could be completed re recording of pot holes in the road surface. The Secretary expressed her sincere gratitude for this valuable information.

The meeting closed at 9.10pm.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING ; TUESDAY 8TH JULY AT 7.30PM