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8 April 2019 NCC Minutes

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8 April 2019 NCC Minutes NCC Minutes, 8 April 2019 Members present: David Brown (chair) Rosie Doull (vice chair) Erik Robertson John Alex Cromarty Kevin Scollay Kenny Williamson Derek Robertson Apologies submitted: Toby Smedley, Brenda Wilcock In attendance: Tom Morton, clerk PC George Owen The meeting started at 7.30pm 1. Welcome of newly elected members DB welcomed new members KW and DR. 2. Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest 3. Approval of Minute: NCC Meeting, 11 March 2019 JAC proposed approval of minutes, seconded by KS DB moved that the police report be taken next so that the police representative attending could leave after he had delievered it. 4. Police report PC George Owen relayed the police report for February for Shetland, which stressed an on going consultation process. Any member of the public who had experience with the police could go online and their view would be taken into account – there was the potential to highlight any concerns. There had been seven incidents in Northmavine reported to the police in February – one concerned a car with no MOT, insurance or tax and being driven on a provisional licence. The others were of a routine nature and not considered alarming. JAC pointed out that in the past there had been regular reports on applications and inspections related to gun licences, but this no longer appeared to happen. PC Owen said he did not have any further details of the ‘routine nature’ of the incidents mentioned. DB raised the question of speeding along the main road through Urafirth and said he had spoken to Valerie Peterson, who collects the children for the school in the mornings. She thought drivers were often incredibly inconsiderate along the road, particularly when she was picking up bairns at school time. Maybe they weren’t actually breaking the limit, but the standard of driving was poor and lacking in care and consideration for the children’s safety. This applied particularly when coming down the Clave past Valladale. People were driving too fats, even if they were staying within the 60 limit. PC Owen said he would note this and the police would come north when they could to check and take action on the situation if that was merited. That might not include charges, but the police could look at doing speed checks, possibly pulling people over and verbally warning them. DB thanked PC Owen, who left the meeting 5. Matters arising Speeding at the Clave A letter had been received from Colin Gair, Traffic and Road Safety Engineer at the SIC, stating that no change would take place in the speed limits at the Clave. This had been previously circulated to members and is reproduced here: “In terms of the content and request of your last email I do not see what more I can really say or add to our previous correspondence. We have analysed the speed and accident data for the A970 at Valladale, Hillswick twice now, once in 2015 and again in 2018, and can see no justification at this time for introducing a reduced speed limit in the area. This analysis has been carried out in line with the national guidance and process used for evaluating all speed limits across Shetland. This process was outlined in the briefing note I sent through following the 2015 investigation. I have attached a copy for your information. A principal aim in setting appropriate speed limits is to alert drivers to the function of the road and it’s geometry and environment, and to help highlight changes that occur to these along a route. While the national speed limit of 60mph is in effect past The Clave and Valladale the actual speed of traffic is generally much less. This is because the majority of drivers are adapting their speed to the road conditions and environment without the need for additional measures. In this area existing driver behaviour identifies an 85% speed of 55mph, and a mean speed of 45mph. Through research the 85% speed is known nationally to be a fair reflection of an appropriate speed for the road as long as there is no significant accident history. The 85% speed here, of 55mph, is also below the ACPO guideline of 57mph for speed enforcement in a 50mph limit area. The average speed is well below 50mph. This means that the majority of traffic in the area is already travelling at speeds that would be expected if a 50mph limit was in place. Therefore, introducing a reduced speed limit of 50mph would make no difference to the majority of drivers or the general speed of traffic in the area. While there are drivers exceeding the current speed limit the numbers are relatively low and are spread across the day/ week, making enforcement by the police difficult. Changing the speed limit to slow these faster drivers would only be effective if the police could commit to regular enforcement. However, under the national assessment framework we use for evaluating speed limits the absence of an accident history in the area, and therefore a nil accident rate, indicates that the existing limit of 60mph is acceptable for this A-class through route. Therefore, as per previous correspondence, I cannot justify the implementation of a 50mph limit past The Clave and Valladale at this time. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend your meeting on Monday 11 March, and we do not have a suitable nominee available either. However, I have discussed the matter with Dave Coupe, Executive Manager for the Roads Service, and he is available to attend your next meeting on 8 April should your council still wish for an attendee.” DB said it seemed nonsensical not to reduce speed there. Yes, a speed gauge had now been installed – but why would you do more than 50 anyway? JAC said there wasn’t much more that could be done given the reaction of the SIC. The meeting agreed to keep the situation under review. Changes in bus timetables A letter had been received from Michael Craigie, executive manager, transport planning at the SIC, and previously circulated to members. It is reproduced here: “We’ve now concluded the consultation on the changes to bus and ferry times and we have concluded that the changes can go ahead. It is recognised that this means buses starting 7 minutes earlier in the North Mainland but this is considered a proportionate compromise bearing in mind the original proposal was for services to start 15 minutes earlier. I appreciate this change is not universally welcome but this compromise minimises impacts overall and keeps costs as low as possible in delivering services.” JAC said that seven minutes was better than the 15 minutes which had been previously mooted. DB said he hadn’t heard of anyone missing the bus – but perhaps making the bus earlier discouraged folk from going on it Charter boat stored at Collafirth The clerk said he had received notification that Ports and Harbours were sending someone to examine the vessel to see if it was dangerous, but had no indication if that had happened and what the result of such an investigation might be. There was general concern among councillors that the boat had stood for five years, and was in an increasingly poor and indeed dangerous condition, particularly as the marina and visitor developments had increased and would be much more used in the spring and summer. The public concern over the boat’s dangerous condition were increasing and had been voiced to various members. The situation could not be allowed to continue. It was time something was done. ACTION: The clerk was asked to contact Ports and Harbours again. Sullom Voe Masterplan THE NCC response had been emailed to Michelle Kerry, local consultant, and is as follows: "It is important that nothing is done to prejudice the long-term future of the Sullom Voe Terminal, which depends on retaining capacity to handle potential flow from the Atlantic Frontier - the Hurricane, Lochnagar and Rosebank fields - as well as retaining the Clair business. Tanker access must be ensured while other developments in Yell Sound and Sullom Voe should be encouraged inasmuch as they can co-exist with the oil industry and while protecting the currently pristine environment. Any new developments - tidal energy, mussel and salmon farming - must have local input and have the support of the local community. Nothing should threaten the small-scale fishing operations rooted in our community and no aquaculture development should be permitted which could damage our wildlife and coastal environment." This would be taken into account in the final report. 4G in North Roe JAC said this was more or less ready to go live if and when they get it all signed off Removal of car on private land The clerk reported that this (non-specific) enquiry had been replied to by the SIC, who stated that no action could be taken if a car – even if it was in an ‘unsafe’ condition – was on private land. Even if the land was unfenced. 6. Correspondence A letter had been received from the SIC asking the NCC to comment on the retrospective application for planning permission by Island Vista tours for a set of concrete steps at Eshaness, in the passing place near Calder’s Geo. Island Vista run bus tours and the steps were built at an informal passing place on the edge of the spectacular Calders Geo, apparently to make it easier for passengers who had been dropped at the lighthouse to re-board their bus, having walked the short distance to view the geo.
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