Minutes of the Meeting of Cromarty and District Community Council on 29th May 2001
PRESENT: Councillors Anne Short (in the Chair), Philip McGovern, Margaret Binnie, Douglas Cooper, Jenny Fyfe, Trish McIver, Sandy Thomson, Alan Hunter and Highland Councillor David Alston. Also present for Item 2 were Glyn Lloyd, James Wiseman and Steven Baillie from North of Scotland Water Authority ( NOSWA).
1. APOLOGIES for absence were received from Wilf Taylor, Alex Davidson and Michael McBean.
2. Presentation by NOSWA
A detailed presentation was led by Glyn Lloyd from NOSWA and focused on the new treatment and collection system that NOSWA proposes to install in Cromarty. This system, known as the Kubota Membrane Bioreactor, has been used in Wessex, various parts of Europe and extensively in Japan with impressive results. Glyn's colleagues James Wiseman and Steven Baillie highlighted the key advantages: - the plant would be odourless, the effluent would be so fully disinfected that you could swim in it (as endorsed by Surfers Against Sewage), there is practically no noise and it is a very flexible system ie. it could expand easily if the population increases. An example of the product the membrane was circulated at the meeting.
Outline planning permission was received this week and NOSWA proposes that work would start during late summer and be completed by 2003. The minimum disruption to Cromarty residents would be attempted and NOSWA requested a copy of the Hugh Miller bicentenary schedule to work around key events next year. It was agreed that Glyn Lloyd should contact John Nightingale to arrange a meeting involving representatives of the Community Council.
3. Minutes of Meeting of 27th April 2001
The Minutes were approved by Margaret Binnie and seconded by Jenny Fyfe.
4. Matters Arising from the Minutes
David Alston raised the subject of Shop Mobility and clarified
the Highland Council's position: while H.Council is supportive
of S.Mobility's work, the organisation presently has reserves
in excess of £100,000. If the funding situation changes,
David Alston indicated that it may be possible to re-assess the
level of their grant in future years.
5. Treasurer's Report
Jenny Fyfe reported that there is currently a balance of £4497.50. £1000 of this is committed to the Hugh Bicentenary celebrations, £428.27 in the Regatta Fund, £948.85 has been raised from the sale of Guidebooks and a number of outstanding invoices are still to be paid. Jenny also advised that she is awaiting receipt of the annual grant (£854) from Highland Council.
There was some discussion re the sum of £335 that Jenny
clarified was related to two year's Christmas dispersal funds.
6. Trees on the Kirkie Brae
Douglas Cooper and Sandy Thomson proposed that a Highland Council approved contractor clear most of the trees. The impact that this will have on drainage is also to be assessed.
7. Renewal of the Bus Service Contracts
Sandy Thompson informed the meeting that Morris Downie had written re possible changes to the current service: the morning service could leave 10/15 minutes earlier in order to connect with the London train; and an evening service could be afforded if the Tain to Dornoch service is discontinued.
It was agreed that a letter in support of these changes should be written.
8. Report on Hugh Miller 2002 meeting of 20th May
Alan Hunter reported that Susan Christie had been appointed as the Project Co-ordinator following interviews with 5 candidates. It had been proposed that a Steering Group comprising Alan Hunter, Sandy Thomson and Michael McBean would meet with the Project Co-ordinator on 5th June to agree an Action Plan.
An application for £168 towards web-site costs by Martin Gostwick was discussed and it was agreed that he should be advised that there are no funds available at present but that his application will be re-considered once the publicity budget for the bicentenary celebrations has been secured.
9. Forsyth Place flower beds and trees in Victoria Park.
Margaret Binnie reported that the flower beds will be tidied on a temporary basis. Wilf Taylor had written to propose that a mix of Wild Cherry and Bird Cherry trees are planted in Victoria Park.
10. Report of Project Officer meetings
Following the first public meeting, a small committee was set up to move things forward. Margaret Binnie, who participated in this group, stated that their were concerns that whoever progresses the post from this point should be democratically elected. It was proposed that Wilf Taylor (or Trish McIver), Philip McGovern and Sandy Thomson would represent the Community Council. Another public meeting, open to everyone in Cromarty, was proposed for Tuesday 12th June at 7.30pm at Victoria Hall. It was felt that the firm proposals were needed for this meeting (ie. the structure might comprise a membership organisation with a management committee of 12.) Sandy Thomson and Trish McIver were asked to prepare a draft constitution to present to the next meeting.
11. Goalposts in the Park
David Alston clarified that the issue with the goalposts in the park is that they are not pinned down and according to COSLA, this is dangerous.
12. Report of the Beach Clean Up
A written report from Alex Davidson stated that 21 adults and 23 children had collected 60 bags of litter. £78 was spent on prizes and refreshments for the participants.
13. Bus Shelter Repairs
Sandy Thomson apologised that he had been unable so far, to get a list of approved contractors for the repair of the roof, but that he would pursue this.
14. Coronation Well
Trish McIver volunteered to assist Margaret Binnie in tidying up the area next to the Coronation Well. Alan Hunter also offered to help with strimming.
15. Overnight Camping on the Links
Many complaints had been received about the van parked on the Links. Margaret Binnie and Frieda Mackenzie had established that the land belongs to John Nightingale. In light of this, it was proposed that Frieda should pursue this directly with John Nightingale.
16. Abandoned and inappropriately parked cars
This matter had been reported to Highland Council and appropriate action had been taken.
17. A Community Notice-Board
Sandy Thomson stated that the recent removal of the community notice-board at Alan's newsagents is a major loss. Suggested locations included the police-station (although this was felt to be too close to the post office) and the Victoria Hall.
18. Planning Applications
Margaret Binnie reported that there were three applications for conservatories from Bellevue (West Wing), the Pottery and from Bayview Crescent.
19. Youth Issues and Youth Representation
Sandy Thomson informed the meeting that he had asked Pamela
Galbraith (Community Education) to put youth representation on
the agenda of a recent meeting.
However, there had been no progress made and Sandy stressed the
need for action since Philip McGovern's and Beth Hourston's 2
year terms are due to conclude in the summer.
Anne Short volunteered to contact the Rector of Fortrose Academy and to arrange to speak to Fourth Year to obtain new youth representatives for a 2 year period.
20. Highland Councillor's Report
20.1 The Nigg ferry is secure until the end of October.
20.2 A notice had been placed in the Post office to advise Cromarty residents that the Lotteries heritage Fund had turned down the application for the harbour re-development. A meeting has been set up, in light of this news, to concentrate on development opportunities.
20.3 Bobby Mackay (Village Officer), Gary Moffat and Freida Mackenzie, Margaret Binnie and David Alston had met to discuss key priorities for Bobby's work. Another meeting has been scheduled for 24th August to review improvements made. One main contact was requested from C.Council and Wilf Taylor was proposed.
20.4 Enquiries into obtaining a community skip had proved unsatisfactory (ie. they are all booked). David Alston agreed to pursue this.
21. Correspondence
21.1 The Association of Community Councils had written with details of a forthcoming conference.
21.2 British Telecom had replied to C.C with additional information on current and future services.
21.3 Moray Firth Partnership had written with an invitation to respond to a draft document. It was agreed that Alex Davidson should be asked to reply.
21.4 Mr D. McPhee had written with concerns about many items including vandalism and access to fire hydrants. It was agreed a response acknowledging his concerns should be sent and that the fire service should be contacted re the fire hydrants.
21.5 Jim Yuill (from Roads) reported on the dire financial status of his Dept. and on the unlikeliehood of work going ahead, despite the validity of the C.Council's suggestions. David Alston proposed that pressure should be strategically directed at the Scottish Executive, rather at the Roads Dept. A press release would be considered following the visit of John Farquar Munro MSP to the July 'walkabout' meeting.
21.6 Lonna Davidson had written re the lack of useful local information for visitors that arrive on tour buses. Margaret Binnie and Anne Short agreed to think about how best to tackle the tour companies, etc.
21.7 Ross-shire waste Action Network (RoWAN) replied to C.Council's letter advising that they were unable to make a presentation to the C.C. at present.
21.8 Scottish Executive had written re financial assistance for areas affected by Food and Mouth.
21.9 Gordon Hogg reported that he had completed the tidying up of the path to the Sutor Viewpoint but stressed that this path would require regular maintenance.
22. Any Other Competent Business
22.1 Wilf reported, by letter, that there had been no response to the application of 5th May to the Environmental Grant Fund.
22.2 Wilf Taylor had written that Donald Mackintosh had installed the South Sutor path signs and that he is currently waiting on a costing for a sign for the Viewpoint.
22.3 Margaret Binnie asked dog fouling to put on the agenda for the next meeting.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 26th June at 7.00pm.
Susan Christie, Secretary, Cromarty Community Council
Tel: 01381 600837 E-Mail: fraser@mackenzie115.freeserve.co.uk