MINUTE OF COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING 19th October 2015, Hall, Ballygrant

ICC Members Present: Glen Roberts - Chair GR Catherine Gilchrist - Secretary CG John McGillivray - Treasurer JM Mairi Lawson ML Robert McEachern RM William McFarlane WM Jim Porteous JP Geunda Young GY

Public: Catriona Bell, Cllr Robin Currie, Donald Gillies, Dr Jean Knowles, Petra Pearce (A&BTSI), Ann Pilley

Apologies: Alastair Redman, Liz Redman, Islay McEachern and Cllr Anne Horne

Action 1. Welcome – Glen Roberts opened the meeting and noted apologies as above.

th 2. Minutes of the ICC meeting of 14 September 2015 – The minute of the meeting was agreed as a true record and adoption was proposed by ML and seconded by CG.

3. Matters Arising – There were none.

4. Police Report – A representative was not in attendance. 5. Correspondence -– Previously, The Islands Bill only took in the northern and western isles, but now, at the behest of Derek Mackay – SG Transport Minister, this will include all islands. It was agreed that CG should write to Mike Russell, MSP, to enquire how Islay can engage in the post-consultation process. ICC agreed that if Cllr Currie is unable to attend future meetings concerning The Islands Bill, a representative of ICC should attend in his stead.

6. Treasurer’s Report – JG advised that the 2014/15 accounts had been completed and the balance at the bank stands at £1,303.23.

7. Broadband Issues – Nothing to report.

8. Planning – In LR’s absence GR noted the planning application for a property opposite House on Shore Street, Bowmore. There appears to be no objection to the basic plan but many people have brought up the subject of losing GR access to another of the only 2 slipways available. GR has contacted A&BC Planning Department to indicate the concerns expressed by the community and

will follow this up to ensure retention of access. It was noted that historically, this

slipway was a community project and therefore has ‘community right of access’

status.

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9. Roads

i. Funding - As agreed at the September 2015 ICC meeting, CG contacted Argyll & Bute Council to request a review of the formula used for funding roads on Islay and now awaits a response. It was noted that other roads

had benefited by being classified as ‘Trunk’ roads, which then come

under the aegis of Scottish Government rather than A&BC

ii. Bridge repairs – Once again, it was reported that neither the bridge at GR Glenegedale or on the approach to Port Charlotte has been repaired. GR advised that both were scheduled to be attended to by the end of the year

iii. Reporting of complaints – Cllr Currie explained that A&BC now operates an on-line portal and should members of the community have minor complaints to report, they can email him and will submit them to the portal. GR noted that 14 street lights were currently inoperative in Port Charlotte

iv. Commercial vehicle parking – WF expressed concern about trailers from articulated wagons being parked in inappropriate places such as Port Brae and adjacent to Buildbase which is now causing further damage to road surfaces. RM recommended that WF contact the police in Campbeltown to report this issue

10. Health Committee – In Islay McEachern’s absence, GR brought to the attention of

the meeting, the update article published in the Ileach. Mrs Pilley advised that there will be a further consultation in connection with integration of healthcare ML services at Kilarrow on 22nd October which will provide a ‘drop-in’ opportunity for the public. ML agreed to attend the forum. Dr Knowles advised that she had not received and was unable to source the survey document which had been promised at the previous ICC meeting by Mr Creelman and Ms Guest. Mrs Pilley explained that there will be 2 survey documents – one for the public’s comments on the patient transport policy and the other for the reporting of personal experiences whilst. Petra Pearce advised that when patients are emailed with their travel documents, a survey form is now being included.

11. ICC Islay & Jura Ferry Committee

i. Winter arrangements - JP, in Islay McEachern’s absence, confirmed the news conveyed in the recent Ileach article, that MV will provide the Islay service throughout the winter (apart from her scheduled dry-dock spell). Concern was expressed by Donald Gillies that

during January and February, having only one boat will seriously

disadvantage . It was pointed out that it is better to have one

modern boat with sufficient capacity than two ancient boats (MVs Arran

and Hebridean Isles), which seem to be notoriously unreliable and neither of which on its own have the required capacity. JP had received reassurance from Calmac that should the Finlaggan break down, a replacement would be sent immediately. Dr Knowles advised that the

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new linkspan is scheduled to be fitted during the period when there is only one daily sailing to Port Ellen which was agreed to be sensible

rd ii. Argyll Ferry Users Group Meeting – This is to be held in Oban on 3 November. As ICC is a member of this it was agreed that it would be GR important to participate in this and GR will investigate the possibility of a video-conference

iii. Ferry Services Tender – JP reported that Serco had approached Islay and

Jura Ferry Users Group with a view to organising a public meeting and a meeting with IJFG. (Proposed date of 3/11/15 post this meeting). The initial tender proposal has been submitted to SG, but as Serco have not yet visited any of the islands it is unclear how they have managed to JP formulate their offer, as passenger/service requirements will be based on data submitted by Calmac which is known to be inaccurate. A date for this visit will be agreed

12. A&BC Proposed Savings – ICC is in possession of the list of service choices which illustrate the potential cuts to public services which will impact upon Islay. These proposed cuts will form the basis of a consultation to be held between October 2015 and January 2016. Prior to that, on October 22nd, A&BC will meet to discuss the format of the consultation and to establish a procedure to allow the public to communicate their concerns. The outcome will be sent to all Councillors and Community Councils. It is the intention of ICC to hold a separate meeting to RM discuss prioritisation. RM to remain in touch on this and following the A&BC meeting, agree a venue and date for ICC to convene

13. AOCB

i. ACHA - GR reported briefly on a meeting with ACHA held on Islay recently during which their 7-year plan was discussed. A joint press statement will be issued in due course

CG ii. Islay Estates Shoreline Project – A public consultation is scheduled to discuss potential commercial requirements. CG to attend

CG iii. Transport Forum Minutes – Dr Knowles requested that the minutes from previous meetings be posted on the ICC website

iv. Oban Mod Success – ICC wished to record congratulations to all who participated in the Oban Mod

14. The Chair thanked the attendees and confirmed that the next meeting will be held on Monday 23rd November 2015 at 7pm – The Service Point, Bowmore

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