Ardgay & District Community Council
MINUTE OF MEETING
WEDNESDAY 2nd DECEMBER 2009
IN ARDGAY HALL
Present:
Tony Gibbs (Chair)
David Hannah (Vice-Chair)
Alan Lawrence (Treasurer)
Doreen Gibbs (Secretary)
Jamie Burgess
Liz Cormack
Brigitte Geddes
David Laver
William MacLaren
Derek Matheson
Phil Olson
David Ross
Marion Turner
Members of the Public
Mrs R Copley Mr W Stobo Mrs A Marwick Mr G Laing
1. Welcome The Chairperson Tony Gibbs opened the meeting with a welcome to members and visitors.
2. Apologies received from Iain Shand and Councillor Robbie Rowantree.
3. Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 4th November 2009.
Marion Turner suggested the following additions to the minutes for item 7 (a) “There was discussion re difficulties of decisions making as there are no clear criteria for Ardgay and District Community Councillors to follow when deciding applications’ issues around the declaration of interests by Community Councillors were discussed and Councillor Rowantree offered the Regional perspective.” Marion Turner felt that it would be beneficial if the Community Council should have some training or instruction “to help the CC develop their own guidelines for approving applications for grants from the Beinn Tharsuinn Community Benefit Fund” on guidelines to determine criteria for approving applications. This proposition to be discussed at the next meeting, in the meantime, Tony Gibbs will contact Phil Tomalin to discuss this.
The minutes with the suggested additions were approved. Proposed by Marion Turner and seconded by Derek Matheson…
4. Matters arising from the minutes
New Salt Bin in Strule Place. The new Bin is in location and filled ready for use. David Ross handed over a cheque from the Highland Council towards the purchase of tools, shovels etc.to be used for gritting pavements and paths in Struie Place. The cheque will be paid into the projects account. Action: Treasurer
David Hannah has included an item about this in the new edition of the Newsletter.
Action: Secretary to write a letter of thanks to Tina Luxton.
Highland Council Tourism Seminar Brigitte Geddes represented the Community Council at
the seminar, and will produce a report of the proceedings before the next meeting.
Oykel Place Street Name Sign William MacLaren has spoken to John Clarke about this but had not received an encouraging reply. Action: Sec to write to HC – Roads Dept.
Culrain Garden Doreen Gibbs said she has been in contact with Community Service and they have agreed to work on the garden as part of their scheme. It is hoped that the garden will be tidied by next spring.
Scotrail Train Services – Frank Roach (Hitrans) will come and speak at our next meeting in February 2010.
South Sutherland Activity Park Phil Olson had no fresh information to report at this time but the concept is still ongoing.
Village Toilets It was noticed that the lights in the toilets are still on, and as the toilets are closed until next April it was thought that this could be misleading to the public and a waste of electricity. Action: Chair to speak to John Clark
Street Lights in Ardgay Village Work has been going on in the village to replace the existing streetlights with lights on new lower poles, which are now more commonly used for street lighting. It was questioned why the Community Council had not been given prior notice that this work was to be carried out at this time. This will be raised at the next Ward Forum meeting in January 2010.
5 Ward Forum Meeting – Saturday 28th November in Kinlochbervie.
The Chair, Tony Gibbs had attended the meeting. Topics for discussion were Tourism, on which North Highland Tourism Manager, Jill McNichol spoke, and the future of Community Councils, and possible changes to their existing structure. It was clearly stated at the meeting “that Community Council boundaries should not be the same as ward boundaries current or future. Community Council boundaries should reflect the nature and span of natural communities”.
The minutes of the meeting when available, will be circulated to members. Copies will also be available on our Community Website. The next Ward Forum Meeting will be in Lairg on Saturday 30th January 2010.
6. Secretary’s Report
The Secretary reported on correspondence received from:-
Kyle of Sutherland Heritage Society has sent a DVD, which contains an update report on the progress of research of the “Lest We Forget” project. We wil try to arrange for this to be shown at the next meeting. Action: Sec
Letter received from the Post Office (copy previously circulated) proposing a possible restoration of post office services in Ardgay, using a Hosted Outreach service operating from the Ardgay Village Hall. The Service to be open on Mondays 13.30 – 16.30 and Fridays 10.00 – 13.00. Our views on the proposals are invited.
It was agreed that the proposal to restore postal services to Ardgay Village is welcome, but
it would be useful if the service could be increased to three times a week, say Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If the Ardgay Village Hall Committee is happy for the premises to be used, we support the proposal. Action: Sec to respond.
Copy of letter received from Creich Community Council about problems with Scottish Water (copy previously circulated). The Committee agreed to write in support of the issues raised by Creich CC. Action: Sec
A copy of an email received from Ardross CC about various concerns relating to safety and bad weather conditions on the B9176 (Struie) Road. The Committee endorsed the points raised and we will ask the HC for confirmation that early morning gritting at this time of the year will be maintained. Action: Sec
PLANNING ITEMS RECEIVED
Application received from Highland Council on behalf of B McLeod – re Western Fearn Burn Hydro Scheme (copy previously circulated). Mrs Marwick and Mr Laing (visitors) spoke of their concerns about the application. The Committee noted their comments and will take them into consideration when replying to the Highland Council Planning Department.
Three applications received from Highland Council on behalf of Mr G Robertson, at Land
North West of Brindavan, Kincardine Hatchery, Ardgay. These applications were considered and it was agreed that David Laver would prepare a report for our response to Highland Council Planning Department. Action DL/Sec.
7. Treasurer’s Report Alan Lawrence reported:-
| Treasurer’s account | |
| Cleared account | £1977.23 |
| Outstanding cheques | 79.00 |
| Balance | 1898.23 |
| Projects account | |
| Current cleared balance | £1065.36 |
| To be transferred from Toilets a/c | 580.00 |
| Balance | 1645.36 |
| Toilets account | |
| Current cleared balance | 769.01 |
| Outstanding cheques | 180.00 |
| To be transferred | 580.00 |
| Balance | 9.01 |
8. Windfarms
a) Beinn Tharsuinn Community Benefit Fund - Grant applications previously received from-
1) Bradbury Centre
2) Bonar Bridge Football Club
3) Gearrchoille Community Wood
4) Kyle of Sutherland Heritage Society
And new application from-
5) Kyle of Sutherland Youth Development Group
For the applications brought forward from the previous meeting, further detailed discussions were held with applicants and members of the committee. Recommendations suggested for each application were considered and the Committee approved the following grants:-
Bradbury Centre a grant of £1600.
Bonar Bridge Football Club a grant of £1500.
Gearroichoille Community Wood it was recommended that a grant of £1500 be approved for payment from April 2010 for that year. It was further suggested that a fresh application for the year 2011 be submitted later.
Kyle of Sutherland Heritage Society a grant of £1500.
An application from the Kyle of Sutherland Development Group was considered (Tony Gibbs as chair of that group, left the room and David Hannah took the chair). Detailed supporting information was enclosed with the application. It was agreed that a grant of £2500 should be approved. Each applicant group will be informed of the decisions agreed and the sums approved for payment. Action: Sec
b) Achany Update
It has been well publicised that the Turbines are being delivered during the next few weeks. The proposed get-together to publicise the Launch sponsored by the SCF will be held in Bonar Hall on February 10th, 2010.
c) Beinn Nan Oighrean Update
Tony Gibbs confirmed that the agreement between the four Community Councils and Charlie Brooke would be formally signed at the AGM of the Beinn Tharsuinn Community Benefit Fund in March 2010.
9. Amenities
Christmas Lights
The work on the new lights in Ardgay Village has delayed arrangements for the Christmas Lights to be hung, as new brackets to hold the lights had to be made and the connections (plugs) tested. However, the contractors have promised that the work will shortly be completed and they will put the lights up for us. Doreen Gibbs has arranged that the contractor will contact Jamie Burgess to collect the lights. Liz Cormack confirmed that two Christmas Trees will arrive by Friday 4th December, and Derek Matheson and David Ross will put up the tree in Ardgay Village.
.
Ardgay Flower Arrangements
Jeannie Sparling has kindly agreed to look after the Flower Tubs for the coming year.
10. Communications
Newsletter David Hannah produced copies of the latest edition (No.6 Winter 2009) of the newsletter for members to distribute.
Community Website
Phil Olson said that the website is attracting more “hits” and feels we need to consider who will deal with new or ongoing issues that are raised by users of the site.
Action: Sec – agenda item at a future meeting
11. Any other competent business
Tony Gibbs has received an email from the Chair of Creich Community Council about future
Commitment to the Invercharron Games. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
Action: Sec-agenda item next meeting
David Hannah informed the Committee that it is hoped that a new Minister will be appointed for the Church of Scotland, Kincardine West (Ardgay), Croick and Edderton linked with Creich and Rosehall Churches. However, this will not be confirmed before the end of January 2010.
12. Date, time and venue of next meeting- Wednesday 3rd February 2010 at 7.00pm in Ardgay Village Hall.
There being no further business, Tony Gibbs thanked everyone for attending and wished all a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
The meeting closed at 10.25 pm.
Tags: Minutes, Minutes 02 December 2009