UNADOPTED
Minutes of the Meeting of 26th June 2001 held in the Hugh Miller Institute, Cromarty.
PRESENT: Councillors Anne Short (in the Chair), Philip McGovern, Jenny Fyfe, Trish McIver, Sandy Thomson, Michael McBean, Wilf Taylor and Alex Davidson.
1. APOLOGIES for absence were received from Margaret Binnie, Douglas Cooper, Alan Hunter, Trish McIver and David Alston.
2. Minutes of Meeting of 27th May 2001
The Minutes were approved by Sandy Thomson and seconded by Jenny Fyfe.
3. Matters Arising from the Minutes
3.1 Lonna Davidson submitted a 3 month events calendar that could be used in a Community Notice-board. It was agreed that this was a useful proposal and that Lonna should be thanked for her contribution. A preferred location was discussed and Anne Short offered to identify the owner of the wall (next to the waste bin) at the end of Church Street.
3.2 Anne Short reported that she and Margaret Binnie had prepared an info pack for tour companies, prefaced by a welcoming letter. This pack, it was proposed, should be used for the rest of the present season and expanded upon for next year's visitors.
4. NoSWA Update
Anne Short reported that Glyn Lloyd had met with John Nightgales's agent. It had been proposed by the agent that the access road should weave and wind under the brae and NoSWA had no objections to this.
NoSWA has offered to fund additional features to visually enhance Pumping Station 3 at the end of the Big Vennel. It was suggested that seating and tubs of flowers would be welcome additions to the site but that discussions were necessary with the nearest residents.
5. Report of Environmental Issues Meeting on 20th June
It was reported that Bobby Mackay, the Village Officer now as a mobile phone and that an effective communication system now seems to be in operation.
6. Dog Fouling
Discussions with Freida Mackenzie are required to obtain advice from the Dog Warden and to encourage more frequent visits. Anne Short stated that she had free dog scoopers left over from the recent Petathon and Sandy Thomson offered to produce a poster to widely publicise that these are freely available.
7. Treasurer's Report
Jenny Fyfe reported that there are now two accounts: one for Hugh Miller business and one for C.C. £3000 has been deposited in the Hugh Miller account and the C.Council account has a current balance of £4372.99 with £1034.35 raised from the sale of the Cromarty Guide Books.
8. Trees on the Kirkie Brae
Sandy Thomson reported that he is awaiting details on contractors from Freida Mackenzie. He also clarified that it would be 12 new trees that are removed.
9. Renewal of the Bus Service Contracts
A letter from Highland Council confirmed that changes to the early morning service have taken place. No response has been received re the introduction of the requested additional evening service.
10. Report on Hugh Miller 2002 meeting of 20th May
Sandy Thomson reported that at the first meeting of the Hugh Miller Steering Group, an Action Plan had been amended, approved and has now been submitted to Ross and Cromarty Enterprise. The next meeting of the full Hugh Miller Group will be planned for the end of August.
11. Forsyth Place flower beds and trees in Victoria Park.
Wilf Taylor stated the Environmental grant had been unsuccessful. He also advised that while plants for the autumn have been ordered, the C.Council would still need to pay for the fruit trees for Victoria Park. It was agreed that some pruning to nearby sycamore trees is desirable in order to fully appreciate the flower beds and that the owners should be contacted on this issue.
12. Report of Community Action Group meeting of 12th June
Alex Davidson reported that the meeting attracted a good turn-out
with 6 people elected (including Trish McIver and Sandy Thomson)
with a constitution approved. The next meeting is scheduled for
27th June.
13. Bus Shelter Repairs
Sandy advised C.Council that he had requested a list of contractors from Malcolm MacArthur but has, as yet, received no response. He clarified that the roof requires repair before painting can proceed.
14. Coronation Well
As agreed at the last meeting, Margaret Binie, Trish McIver and Alan Hunter have all attended to the site.
15. Abandoned and Inappropriately Parked Cars
Freida Mackenzie has written to various car owners and notices have been served.
16. Planning Applications
One planning application has been submitted for an extension to Jenny Middleton's house at Davidston.
17. Youth Issues and Youth Representation.
Anne Short stated that she had been in contact with Fortrose Academy's rector and that it had been agreed that a visit on the first Thursday, after term commences, would be an appropriate point at which to enlist new Youth Representatives onto the Council. Cromarty will also shortly have a full-time Youth Worker and a Steering Group will manage the post-holder (with reps from various local youth organisations).
18. Highland Councillor's Report
An application proposing road closures outside the Royal Hotel, scheduled for each Sunday in August was discussed at some length. It was agreed that the C.Council did not have any objections and that this should be conveyed to David Alston.
19. Correspondence
19.1 Invitation from North Highland College to their opening which Wilf Taylor expressed interest in.
19.2 Invitation to a two day conference at Eden Court in Sept to prepare a bid for European Culture Capital for 2008.
19.3 E-mail from Garve Scott-Lodge asking for clarifation re the removal of old pipes and signs from Shore Street. Anne Short agreed to contact NoSWA and Freida Mackenzie on these issues.
19.4 E-mails from Colin Dunn re vandalism. Anne Short volunteered to talk this through with Graham Mackenna, the new Police Constable.
19.5 Letter from Mr McPhee in response to C.Council's reply from the previous meeting.
19.6 Letter from Strategic Waste Fund with details on a freely available mobile shredder.
20. Any Other Competent Business
20.1 Philip McGovern reported that the gate and fence that surround the children's playground in Townland's Park is badly damaged and requires repair. Freida Mackenzie to be contacted on this subject. He also expressed concern about a drainage problem behind Townland's Park and Jim Yuill of Roads and Transport Dept.will be advised of this issue.
20.2 Wilf Taylor advised the Community Council of a new source of Funding through Fresh Futures. A new viewpoint sign was costs at £32.50 and Anne Short suggested contacting Carol Hunter as another option.
20.3 Wilf Taylor advised the C.Council that two seats need replacing, at Cromarty Mains Farm and Bank Street.
20.4 A sub-committee was proposed to plan the Victorian street fair next April, in liaison with the Hugh Miller 2002 Community Programme Co-ordinator.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 25th July at 7.00pm and will be attended by John Farquar Munro MSP. Any questions related to the next Agenda should be conveyed to Anne in advance of the meeting.