<p> APPIN COMMUNITY COUNCIL (www.appincommunitycouncil.co.uk)</p><p>Minutes of Meeting held in Appin Village Hall Thursday 7 th June 2012 at 8.00 p.m.</p><p>Present: Alison MacCorquodale, Issy Silkowski, David Craig, Cllr Elaine Robertson; Cllr Duncan MacIntyre + 5 members of the public Apologies: Tina Scorgie; Peter Baker; Linda MacLeod; Fiona Thomson; Ethel Johnston; Cllr Louise Glen-Lee</p><p>Minutes of the last meeting (26/4/12) were approved and signed.</p><p>The meeting welcomed Steven Fletcher, Scottish & Southern Energy, who was asked to speak to the meeting in relation to the extreme storm conditions over the winter and how they coped with it. First damage was caused on 8th December with 495 high voltage faults reported. Following that there was 78 faults on 13th December; 95 faults on 25/26 December; 108 faults on 28/29 December and finally between 3-7 January, there was another 400 faults which had more than 1000 points of damage. All in all, 4 months of faults were generated in just 4 storm days. In order to minimise any future problems, Scottish & Southern Energy will be in the area seeking permission from owners of private land where trees are a risk to power lines with a view to removing any such trees. A lot of this work will take place over the next few months and some disruption to power is possible. Cllr Robertson asked about the compensation that was paid to households who were without power for long periods. Mr Fletcher said that it is usually anything over 18 hours without power will entitle householder to compensation, but this was extended to 48 hours due to the unprecedented storms that occurred. Householders had to apply for compensation themselves by writing to Scottish & Southern Energy and a lot of claims are still being processed. a). Traffic Calming – A828: E-mail received from Jim Smith of Argyll & Bute Council re outstanding issues - access to caravans at Appin Holiday Homes and possibility of getting 40mph limit continuous through the length of the village. Transerv have not reported back on these matters but it will be brought up at the next Argyll and Bute/Transerv/Transport Scotland/Police liaison meeting. He is also dealing with getting the “Lismore Ferry” sign on the A828 junction to Port Appin, changed to reflect that this is a passenger ferry only. Marina Curran-Colthart reported that Transerv have been asked to put up some wildlife warning signs between Sea Life Centre and Appin as there has been numerous otters and deer getting killed. Deer carcase at Achnacone croft was reported to Transerv but it was never taken away but was down the embankment. Tree slowly leaning over roadway just north of Creagan Inn and lorries are now catching it. Colin Hodge to be informed and asked to remove it. b). School Transport/Public Transport: Replacement roof panels on new bus shelter at Kirkton due to be repaired this week. Damage caused by a stone from a passing lorry. c). Port Appin and other Council Roads: White lining machine still to come to the area (possibly end of June/early July) and the Doctor’s parking space at the pier at Port Appin will be repainted then. d). Recycling/GRAB: Litter picks have taken place recently. Cllr Robertson said that there are litter grants available up to £700 through The GRAB Trust – info available at: www.grab.org.uk/beaches.htm#grants or telephone 01546 600165. e). Cycle Track: New signs erected showing “Appin Loop” which takes cyclists round the North Shian road to Port Appin and back out to Appin and back to Inverfolla. Complaint received that there is a lot of dog dirt on the cycle track between Strath of Appin Primary School and Portnacroish, which is unacceptable. This is an offence and anyone seen failing to pick up their dog’s dirt can be reported to the Dog Warden and will incur a £40 fine and increased to £60 if not paid within 28 days. An offence can be reported without another witness – contact Peter McLuckie on 01631 569185. An awareness of this offence is required and it was suggested getting an article in the paper, put notices up and speak to the school to try and get the children to have a poster campaign to highlight the issue. To be followed up. f). Jubilee Bridge: Mike Rayworth reported he is still waiting word back from Scottish Seafarms on possible grant funding. Confirmed grant funding is available from Crown Estates, the Appin Community Co-operative and a small donation was received from the Queen. A grant application has been with Sustrans since April and an Engineer from Sustrans has had a look and has showed interest. Cycling Scotland have put forward a project which involved leaving the bridge as same design, but approach paths would be upgraded (widened) with a parking area for bikes near the bridge so that people can walk around the area. They are trying for a grant via Sustrans for the paths, and this would involve LEADER funding. However, Sustrans will only help if the grant funding comes through from Scottish Seafarms so it is all hanging in the balance. Bridge is deteriorating and temporary repair has been made on a beam. Ronnie Laing has donated a tree for making a beam and it is hoped that Glensanda will supply some workforce to help. </p><p>Correspondence:</p><p> Planning Application 12/00647/PNAGRI – Agricultural Shed east of Achnacone Croft  Letter – NHS Highland 1/5/12 – Mental Health in Argyll & Bute – Notice of community/ Public Information Events - Corran Hall, Oban 14/6/12 – 3pm/7pm  Letter – Scotland Transerv 1/5/12 – A828 ditch clearing 21/5/12 for 2 weeks – Appin House to north boundary  Letter – NHS Highland 17/5/12 – Argyll & Bute Public Partnership Forum Meeting – 29/5/12  Crown Estate – Scottish Bulletin – Spring 2012  E-mail Marina Colthart 8/5/12 – Appin Telephone Directory  NHS Highland – Newsletter “Mental Health in Argyll & Bute” – Issue 14, May 2012  Argyll & Bute Council – Funding Alert 100 – May 2012  E-mail Jane Gillies, Argyll & Bute Council 22/5/12 – Circulation of Consultation Papers to Community Council Liaison Officer – Planning Reform.  E-mail Jane Gillies, Argyll & Bute Council 23/5/12 – Business Continuity Planning – Consultation on Recovery Plans  E-mail Jane Gillies, Argyll & Bute Council – 28/5/12 – Additional Grant Funding for Community Councils  Letter – Argyll & Bute Council 23/5/12 – Final Consultation on the Argyll & Bute Core Path Plan – Reports on Objections to the Plan to Community Councils  E- mail Laura MacDonald, Argyll & Bute Council 6/6/12 – Alzheimer Scotland Family Fun Day – Inveraray Castle 23/6/12 (Midday – 4pm)  E- mail Laura MacDonald, Argyll & Bute Council 6/6/12 – Women into Public Life – Free training programme to help women make a difference in their Community.</p><p>Treasurer’s Report: No transactions since last meeting.</p><p>Any Other Competent Business</p><p>1. Core Path Consultation – Final consultation paperwork received back for several core paths in the Appin area giving the Support Officer’s recommendations. These were corrections to the mapping for the footpath between Kirkton and the main road (running behind the Old School House) and the cycle track between Inverfolla and Creagan Inn. They also included the cycle track between Oban and Appin, with the objections at Ledaig Caravan Park and at Dalrannoch. Whatever route these take, the cycle track is proposed to be adopted as a core path. The other two were the path from Appin Terrace down to the cycle track and also the road leading down towards the Council Yard, as far as the cycle track. Unfortunately, these have been mapped wrongly and show one of the paths leading down from Strathlea. This is to be corrected before end of consultation.</p><p>2. Notice boards & Website: It has been learned that Lismore are installing a new noticeboard at Port Appin pier which will give information on what is available on the island. Therefore, there is no need for the Community Council to put one up as well. Noticeboard to go up at the Creagan Inn and Allan Colthart to agree a location with the owners.</p><p>3. Wee Green Grant – Planters – Due to lots of other events going on, the planters have not been progressed but they need work done urgently as they are in a sorry state. This will be progressed shortly and volunteers will be needed to help re-plant the various tubs around the village.</p><p>4. Clach Thoul old map – Map of Clach Thoul walk still to go on ferry shelter window. Still to progress the possibility of new sign/map on approach to path. Dangerous trees which needs removed from hillside above Clach Thoul have still not been dealt with despite Bidwells informing the estate workers about it. Paul Zvegintzov to be notified as he is in contact with them. 5. Dangerous Trees, Portnacroish – Jim Smith, Argyll & Bute Council, has reported by e-mail today that he will chase up Forestry Commission to see what can be done about this. If the trees are in danger of taking power lines down, then Scottish & Southern Energy may be able to remove them.</p><p>6. Big Jubilee Lunch & Beacon – This was a big success and Alison reported that there were many donations within the local area. Any surplus funds will be paid towards the Jubilee Bridge repairs, but this has not been totalled up yet. The Community Trust supplied commemorative mugs and all children under 18 years were presented with one. They were also available for sale at the various events and there are still some left over and it was suggested these could be sold in the Appin Co-op. The Port Appin tea had a big selection of memorabilia and it was noted that a lot of children had found this very interesting, especially the scrapbooks. It was suggested that a display of these items at the Appin Show could prove popular. It was suggested that a photo montage be put together, asking for photos from anyone in the area. Perhaps an advert in the shop – to be followed up. Thanks went to all volunteers of these events and especially to Alison MacCorquodale who was responsible for getting things started off. </p><p>7. Broadband – There has been an upgrade in Oban recently but Cllr Robertson wasn’t sure if this had any effect on the Appin area. No-one present at the meeting was aware of any changes. More upgrades are due and this will radiate out to other areas over time.</p><p>8. Appin Directory – The updating of the local phone directory was discussed and it was felt that by including people’s e-mails and/or mobile numbers that this was setting the directory up for abuse and could be sold by anyone to marketing companies. It was reported that Mary Gregory has looked into this in detail and anyone giving these details has to sign a form to agree to supplying this information. However, it was thought that a lot of people may not be aware of the possible consequences of giving this information. The consensus of the meeting was that the format at the moment is good and would be happy for it to remain as is and that everyone is very happy that Mary has agreed to take on this task. To be discussed with Mary.</p><p>9. Local Policing – PC Stuart Johnson was expected at the meeting but did not come along. We understand however that shift patterns have changed and that the Community Officers are returning to day and back shifts in the district areas and will not be required for night shifts in Oban. Update will be sought for our next meeting.</p><p>10. Appin Cemetery – It was reported that the grave yard bins are full to overflowing and have not been emptied in a long time. The grass was also cut recently and left lying and is looking very poor and untidy. Stuart McCracken of Argyll & Bute Council will be informed.</p><p>11. Surgery Grass cutting – Very untidy at the moment and doesn’t look like it has been cut for some time. Alison to contact Estate Office at the hospital.</p><p>Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting: Thursday 30th August – 7.30pm – Appin Village Hall</p><p>Proposed dates for meetings for 2012/13 are: 8 November; 10 January; 7 March; 25 April and 13 June</p>