Minutes approved 20/11/2018

CREICH COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 20th November 2018 at 7.30pm in Invershin Hall

Present: Pete Campbell, Chair (PC), Russell Taylor, Treasurer (RT), John White, (JW), Alexandar Campion (AC), Marcus Munro (MM) Apologies: Ron Boothroyd, Vice Chair (RB), Norman MacDonald (NM), Russell Smith (RS), Brian Coghill (BC) Also attending: David Watson, Trust Manager, Kyle of Development Trust (DW) Police : PC 147 Also attending: Michael Baird, Ricky Vetters

Item 1/2. Welcome/Apologies (as above)/Police report/ Guest speaker. Chair opened the meeting welcoming all and introducing David Watson, newly appointed Trust Manager at KOSDT. DW outlined his background including his local upbringing and mentioning his last position with the Cairngorms National Park Authority. He is delighted to be returning to his roots and to have the opportunity to build on the excellent work already done by the Trust. A main aim is to improve the communication between the Trust and the community with several targets in mind including housing, employment, transport, childcare, and digital communications. Innovative solutions will be sought to problems and there will be an ‘Open Door’ approach to allow members of the public to easily communicate ideas or issues. This will enable the Trust staff to engage further and improve understanding within the community as to how and why the Trust operates as it does. The website will be updated with more information available and all contact information easily accessible. A better working arrangement with the CC can be established to help each organisation to achieve outcomes to benefit the community. Sustainable local transport was noted as a most important aim. DW will report to the CC regularly, attending meetings when time allows. He was thanked for attending and chose to stay for the rest of the meeting. Police report. PC 147 had arrived during Item 1, which was halted to allow for his report which, amongst routine issues, contained few calls of note. One domestic, one sudden death and many involving the recent flooding. The lack of warnings from SEPA was raised. It was noted that a representative from SEPA will attend the next meeting of the CC, in January. It would be helpful if a police representative was also available for that discussion. Police Action. Item 3. Minutes of the last meeting/matters arising. The Minutes of the October meeting were approved as a true and accurate record; proposed: Alexander Campion; seconded: John White. Matters arising: (1) The news that Wireless is now taking orders from the Rosehall area was very warmly welcomed with congratulations expressed again to the company and to RB for their work in bringing this service to the community. So far there has been no public meeting in Rosehall to provide further information to the public. RB to be asked if this can still be arranged as it is believed this will encourage further orders.MG/RB Action. Item 4. Regular updates: (i) Planning & Licensing. (RS) Nothing relevant. (ii) TEC Services. (1) Glen Cassley road still has deep potholes further up the glen. Thanks were recorded for the work done here so far. (2) Large hole in the pavement outside the butcher’s shop in Bonar Bridge. (3) Several residents have placed large stones in the bell mouths of their properties, instances noted in Altas and Invernauld. KC to be asked if this is legal as the stones could be dangerous to any vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian, especially if the stones become overgrown by grass. KC Action. (4) 1 Minutes approved 20/11/2018 (4) It has been learned that THC plans to close the children’s play area in Carnmhor Road, Bonar Bridge. DW indicated that KOSDT became aware of this plan this week and is in communication with THC to find ways to retain the facility. CC would be prepared to approve a BTWF funding application should this help to secure the facility. DW Action. (5) Roadside gorse on the Altas road, at Rosehall School crossroads, and Minister’s Bridge will all need cutting back before the next growing season. A path has now been made in the newest section of Creich Cemetery. KC and THC were thanked for finally having this done. (iii) Financial report. (RT) Treasurer’s account stands at £3,838.23. The Rock-by-Sea Training & Development Fund balance is £7,188.20, unchanged from the previous month. RT reported that following the recent servicing of the SID speed indicator the charger had not been returned. Total cost of replacing it would be £170. AC offered to try to source a charger; RT to supply him with the part number. All members will check if they have a spare 12v 2.5MP charger which could do the job. Action All. (iv) Police Matters. Nothing to add. (v) Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust. See Item 1. (vi) Rosehall. (JW) The damaged noticeboard has not yet been replaced by KOSDT. MG/DW Action (vii) Invershin. (PC) Nothing to report. (viii) Highland Councillor’s report. (1) Nothing in KC’s absence. (ix) Broadband. See item 3 (1) Item 5. Windfarm updates. Sallachy. Talks have now reached agreement regarding the division of community benefit amongst the local CCs. Details have been noted in previous Minutes. KOSDT is to set up and investment vehicle for all three local Trusts to use for the proposed community buy- in. Costs for this can be covered by a Scottish Government grant. Talks with Sallachy and the other CCs are going well. Next meeting will be in Durness in January. Meall Buidhe, Croick. Respecting the strong feeling of the Rosehall community, there will be no participation by CC or KOSDT in a community buy-in scheme. It is noted that the setting up of a community buy-in scheme is seen as an aid to securing Planning Permission whereas a regular community benefit scheme is not. Item 6. Website. The website is up to date. AC has circulated a sample Facebook page for comments from CCs. He now needs examples of content and guidelines as to how the CC wishes him to proceed. Issues such as new members for the CC, local transport, can be highlighted. All posts will be screen before going public. AC is happy to do this work, starting small with basic information only. Members must liaise with him regarding content. If RB wishes to pass over the maintenance of the website AC is willing to take this on. RB/AC Action. Item 7. Correspondence. (1) All correspondence received had been circulated by email. (2) Written request from Friends of Sutherland Veterans for a donation towards the annual event. CC will reply that sadly due to major budget cuts it is unable to support the event at this time. MG Action. (3) Lairg Windfarm extension. Alan McIntyre, EnergieKontor, offered to attend a meeting to update the CC. He will be asked to do this by email in the meantime. MG Action. Item 8. Any other competent business. (1) Remembrance Service/event. Fiona Porter and her team were commended for running an excellent event. Chair laid the wreath on behalf of the CC. Item 11. Date, time and place of next meeting. There being no meeting in December, the next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 15th January in the Achness Hotel, Rosehall. MG to book the room. MG Action. Item 12. Private session. Beinn Tharsuinn community benefit. At a private session following the main meeting application by the Friends of Bradbury Centre for £500, to help fund an ongoing music and alternative treatments programme, was revisited. The award of £500 was approved conditional on match funding being received from Lairg and CCs. Lairg CC has already approved this amount; Ardgay meets in December. Application by Rosehall & District Action 2 Minutes approved 20/11/2018 Group for funding to purchase road signs warning of red squirrel presence in the area received £233. Invershin Hall received £150 towards a programme of bike maintenance sessions. MG Action.

Meeting closed 9.15pm.

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