Minutes of the Meeting of 29th August 2001 held in the Hugh Miller Institute, Cromarty.

PRESENT: Councillors Anne Short (in the Chair), Jenny Fyfe, Douglas Cooper, Margaret Binnie, Sandy Thomson, Michael McBean, Wilf Taylor, Alex Davidson, Trish McIver, Councillor David Alston and Police Constable McKenna..

1. APOLOGIES for absence were received from Alan Hunter.

2. Minutes of Meeting of 25th July 2001

The Minutes were approved by Douglas Cooper and seconded by Jenny Fyfe.

3. Matters Arising from the Minutes

3.1 The fountain repair is almost complete and now has to be put together. P.C. McKenna reported that there will be no further developments on the case unless new evidence is put forward.

3.2 Trees on Kirkie Brae: Sandy reported that the problem is that mature trees are obscuring the view, it is not caused by recent planting. It was agreed, after some discussion, that the trees should be left as they are.

3.3 Bus Shelter Repair: Sandy reported that two quotes have been obtained. Donald Mackintosh's quote was lower than Nick Bates by £170 but the latter quote included additional work ie. to add guttering and attend to the pointing. It was agreed to proceed with the lower quote and that David Alston would verify that the original funding agreement still stands.

3.4 Common Good Funds: all the applications were discussed and it was agreed that they should go forward to Highland Council with the recommendation that all are fully supported. Other issues discussed under this heading were new library railings and weed control which, it was agreed, is urgently needed. The C.Council thought that the Library Service had previously agreed to provide railings: previous Minutes to be checked.

3.5 McFarquar's Bed Path: there are still access issues at the start of the path and the C.Council expressed reservations about proceeding with any path maintenance until this can be resolved. This path is part of wider network - Footpath Network- and this may offer scope for further negotiation. Sandy agreed to contact Eddie Garden for advice.

4. NoSWA Update

Anne reported that the pipeline is to go under the brae and NoSWA will write to Shore Street residents. A slight change has been made at John Nightingale's request and it is expected that work will commence very soon.

5. Nigg Ferry

David Alston introduced a discussion paper that outlined four possible ways forward:

An unknown operator may come forward
The current owner may run the service for a further 5 year period with subsidy and possible upgrade to 3-car (through RACE)
The community buys the ferry, carries out the upgrade and runs the service
The community leases the upgraded ferry from the owner for 5 year period and runs the service

It was agreed that the ferry does not only benefit Cromarty, but is also an asset for the Black Isle and communities on the other side of the Cromarty Firth. There was some discussion about the breadth of skills needed for a successful community-run service. Negotiations will be required over the next few weeks with a tender to go out and a C.C. representative needed. Margaret Binnie agreed to participate in the ongoing negotiations and the C.Council gave her their full backing.

6. Options for Major Improvement to Schools in the Black Isle

David Alston provided some background information on the repair work needed and costed; £83 million needed and only £6 million is currently available. Therefore Public Private Partnership ­ PP2 ­ is perceived as the only mechanism for achieving the needed refurbishments, new building work and repairs. There was some discussion about Newhall and anticipated resistance to any proposed amalgamation with Cromarty. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the Director of Education expressing interest, support for a refurbishment or new build for Cromarty and to signal a willingness to be involved an any discussions about possible amalgamation.

7. Treasurer's Report

Jenny reported that the current balance is £3784.24 which includes Guidebook sales of £1374.35. The balance also incorporates Regatta Funds: £39.27, Cromarty Trust: £636.47, and Millennium Account: £456.41. The Miller Account has a balance of £3517.15.

8. Report of Hugh Miller Steering Group meeting of 23rd August

Sandy reported from the H.M. Steering Group and informed the C.Council that the Victorian Street Fair had been moved to May with stalls booked, the Victoria Hall and the Park being considered as additional locations in case the weather proves challenging. The large planning group is scheduled to meet on 17th September when the detailed programme will be reviewed. Anne Short reported on behalf of the Victorian Street Fair group which has met once and will be setting the another date to meet and fine-tune plans.

9. Community Action Group ­ Development Plan

9.1 The Highlands now has access to transitional funds with Cromarty expected to be one of the target areas. There will be £100,000 available in the first two years with opportunities to bid for economic development. Cromarty's initiative to set up a post and develop a plan means that we are in a position to bid when the money comes on stream in January.

9.2 It was reported that between 8-10 responses to the Draft Plan had been received. With one exception, these were all supportive and constructive (e.g.. that the natural environment should also be featured).

9.3 A meeting has been scheduled of the Community Action Group for the following week when the Draft Plan will be reviewed and the way forward discussed.

10. Cromarty Trust Funds

10.1 The items proposed for Cromarty Trust support follow:

£1000 litterbins
£200 trees
No quote seat for Cromarty Mains
No quote flower pots for Bank Street
No quote Community Notice-boards x 2 (see Colin Dunn for background)

10.2 Wilf reported on some research he had undertaken into the types and costs of bins available. It was agreed that it might be useful to approach the Village Officer, Bobby Mackay to ensure that the ones elected are user-friendly and easy to empty.

11. The Town Yard

An update was requested and Highland Councillor, David Alston clarified that there are no interested parties at present. It was agreed that in order for C.Council to assess the possible uses for the building, it is vital to gain access. Contact with the existing keyholders and Highland Council are required to progress this.

12. Highland Councillor's Report

12.1 David Alston reported that there is proposal from a developer to convert the Byre into housing (8-12 flats).

12.2 Stickers highlighting how to dispose of unwanted items will be provided at the next meeting and members offered to distribute them locally.

12.3 The subject of a community skip being booked for Cromarty and District residents was raised again and David Alston responded that it is fully booked with no action possible, at present.

13. Bus Service

A letter has been received confirming that tenders are being invited for an additional evening bus service.

14. Planning Applications

Notification of two oil tanks applications have been received from Church Street residents, and one from NoSWA to extract minerals for sewage treatment works. There was concern expressed about the condition of the road and it was agreed that NoSWA should be contact to request that the road is re-instated once work is complete.

15. Youth Issues

No report.

16. Any Other Competent Business

16.1 Wilf raised several issues: the condition of the Salmon Bothie which it was agreed is between the owner and the Planning Dept, the Well Street Lane sign, the grass-cutting schedule and the BICCA meeting. He also passed on funding material and it was agreed that a separate file would be set up for C.Council use.

16.2 Wilf indicated that the grass-cutting schedule has highlighted the condition of the Gaelic Chapel. It was agreed that this should be discussed at the next meeting. The Well Street Lane needs to be visible and it was agreed that some discussion is required with the residents closest to the location concerned.

16.3 BICCA meeting ­ there had been a disappointing turn out for the meeting and there was concern if sufficient support for the group still exists. It was agreed that this should be discussed at the next C.Council meeting. Issues that were discussed by BICCA included GM update, waste management (a new type of incinerator), transport (too high fares) and Forestry for Real (meeting on 27th Sept at 7.00 pm).

17. Correspondence

17.1 Enquiry from CAYP for C.Council member to participate in their new Advisory Panel being chaired by David Alston. Anne Short offered to take this on.

17.2 Minutes of meeting on 16th August in Strathpeffer re accessing European funds. The next meeting is scheduled for 20th September in Strathcarron.

17.3 Letter from Hector Munro MSP informing C.Council that he had written to the Area Manager for Roads and Transport about the state of the kerbs and the need for bus shelter repairs.

17.4 Plans received from Mike Greaves - Plan Your Community ­ from 17th January sessions. It was agreed that these should be copied and circulated to all members before the next meeting.

17.5 Letter from SEPA inviting comments on Refuse Consultation Paper (available next month). Eight public meetings have been planned, the most relevant one being Dingwall Town Hall on 27th September from 2.00 ­ 4.00 pm.

18. Any Other Competent Business

18.1 Alex enquired about P.C. McKenna's remit. P.C. McKenna stated that the Black Isle is understaffed at present and that they hope this will shortly be rectified.