MINUTE of the MEETING of ROUSAY, EGILSAY, WYRE AND GAIRSAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL, held in the ROUSAY CHURCH CENTRE HALL on TUESDAY, 17 JUNE 2014 at 7.30 p.m. Present: Mr A Firth, Mr R Koster, Ms C Cox, Mr J Garson, Mr E Shortland and Mr R Tipper In attendance: Councillor G Sinclair Mrs D Compton, Clerk 1. ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS (a) Chairman RESOLVED that Mr A Firth be appointed Chairman of Rousay, Egilsay, Wyre and Gairsay Community Council (REWGCC). (b) Vice Chairman RESOLVED that Mr R Koster be appointed Vice Chairman of REWGCC. (c) Municipal and Road Services (MARS) Representative RESOLVED that Mr R Koster be appointed MARS Representative for REWGCC. (d) Planning Representative RESOLVED that Mr A Firth be appointed Planning Representative for REWGCC. (e) Transport Representative RESOLVED that Ms C Cox and Mr E Shortland be appointed Transport Representatives for REWGCC. 2. APOLOGIES RESOLVED to note that apologies for absence had been intimated on behalf of Democratic Services. 3. MINUTE OF MEETING HELD ON 12 APRIL 2014 The Minute of the Meeting held on Saturday, 12 April 2014 was approved, being proposed by Mr A Firth and seconded by Mr J Garson. 2 4. MATTERS ARISING (a) Community Planning Audit – Representation from Ms Cox and Mr Firth (Meeting held 21.5.14) (12.4.14, para 5 (i)) Members heard representation from the Chairman and Ms Cox regarding the Community Planning Audit meeting held on 21 May 2014. Ms Cox explained that the audit was looking at communications between Orkney Islands Council (OIC) and community councils in general and that Mrs Koster from the Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre Development Trust (REWDT) had talked about transport and technology and its importance for the islands, and it was:- RESOLVED to note the contents of the report. (b) Wyre Fish Farm Planning Meeting – 30.4.14 (12.4.14, para 4 (d)) Mr Koster expressed an interest in this matter. Members heard representation from Councillor Sinclair that planning had been granted for the Wyre Fish Farm and that in the first instance incorrect information had been supplied, and following discussion, it was:- RESOLVED to note that planning permission had been granted for the Fish Farm. (c) Brinian Kirkyard Fence – Representation from Mr Firth (12.4.14, para 4 (c)) The Chairman reported that he was due to have a telephone conference with the Executive Director of Development and Infrastructure on 4 October 2014. Members heard that Orkney Islands Council would review the budget midterm to see if there is any scope for the Rousay Road Operative to put up the fence at the Brinian Kirkyard. The Chairman thanked Councillor Sinclair for his help with this matter, and it was:- RESOLVED to note the contents of the report. (d) Repairs to the Egilsay & Rousay War Memorials – Representation from Mr Shortland – (12.4.14, para 4 (a)) Mr Shortland reported that he had visited the Rousay War Memorial with a local resident, proficient in stone wall building, and discussed the refurbishment of the Memorial. The price quoted for the work was in the region of £6000 however this would be dependent on the standard of finish required and the cost could be higher. Members discussed this matter and the fact that the Egilsay Memorial was also in need of work, and it was:- RESOLVED:- (1) to note the contents of the report; (2) that Mr Koster would discuss the matter with the War Graves Commission and report back at the next meeting; (3) that Mr Koster would meet with Mr Shortland and discuss the level of repairs required for both sites; (4) that Councillor Sinclair would find out whether any further action was planned by Orkney Islands Council following the War Memorials Condition Survey that had been carried out; and 3 (5) that the Clerk would check with Democratic Services whether War Memorial repairs would be eligible for assistance through Community Council Grant Scheme. (e) Development & Infrastructure Committee Island Tours Update – Action Plan for Rousay Egilsay & Wyre - Orkney Islands Council (30.10.13, para 4 (c)) Consideration was given to correspondence from Democratic Services providing an update following the Development and Infrastructure Committee’s visit in 2013 showing the points covered and action to date. Copies of this document had been previously circulated to members, and following discussion, it was:- RESOLVED:- (1) to note the contents of the correspondence; and (2) that the Clerk would pass the following comments onto Democratic Services for the attention of the appropriate officer:- (i) 01 – Recycling – members have on numerous occasions put forward ideas for zero waste options for recycling on the islands and would like the Department to consider this; (ii) 08 – Road Repairs – members would like to request a layby and road signs on the blind corner as highlighted by this point and that consideration be given to provision of ‘slow’ signs at Blossom Quarry and at Cogar by the Old School House; (iii) 09 – Core Paths on Egilsay – request for information on where the core paths on Egilsay are situated; and (iv) 16 – Egilsay School House – request for up to date information about the School House and where the department is in meeting Egilsay Community Association’s request to lease the property to them at a peppercorn rent. (f) Sunday Ferry Service in Winter – Deferred from previous meeting (12.4.14, Para 4 (g)) Members heard representation from Councillor Sinclair that there was no possibility of offering a Sunday Service in winter from the current Orkney Ferries budget, and it was:- RESOLVED to note the contents of the report and that Councillor Sinclair would keep members informed of any progress. 5. CORRESPONDENCE (a) Support funds for Parish Councils – Letter from Mr S Shaw, National Co-ordinator, Local Works Following consideration of correspondence received from Mr Shaw, Local Works, seeking the Community Council’s support for a proposal submitted to government under the Sustainable Communities Act (1), allowing a percentage of Business Rates to be paid direct to Parish and Town Councils, copies of which had been circulated, and following discussion, it was:- RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence. 4 (f) Minutes of the last meeting (7.4.14), Core Path Plan & Survey, Electrified Fences and Dog Fouling Issues – Orkney Local Access Forum and Countryside Committee Following consideration of correspondence received from Orkney Local Access Forum and Countryside Committee, and following discussion, it was:- RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence. (c) Invited to Spring Celebration Teas (26.4.14) – The Crafthub Following consideration of correspondence received from the Crafthub inviting members to a spring celebration tea on 26 April 2014, copies of which had been circulated, members heard representation from the Clerk that she had forwarded the details in time for them to attend the event, and it was:- RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence. (d) Scottish Government seeking community input to Inquiry into the Flexibility and Autonomy of Local Government (2.5.14) – Scottish Government Following consideration of correspondence from the Scottish Parliament seeking community input into a digital discussion running alongside the Scottish Parliament’s Inquiry into the Flexibility and Autonomy of Local Government, copies of which had been circulated, and following discussion, it was:- RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence. (e) Scottish Rural Parliament Newsletter – Scottish Rural Parliament Following consideration of a newsletter received from the Scottish Rural Parliament, copies of which had been circulated, it was:- RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence. (f) Orkney Local Development Plan Workshop – 1.7.14 – Orkney Islands Council Following consideration of correspondence received from Democratic Services regarding the recent adoption of the Orkney Local Development Plan and inviting the Planning Representative to a Workshop being held in this connection, copies of which were circulated, it was:- RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence and that the Planning Representative would attend the Workshop. (g) Pilot Pentland Firth & Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan – Update on work – Marine Scotland Following consideration of correspondence received from the Marine Renewable Energy Manager providing an update on the Pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan, copies of which were circulated, and following discussion, it was:- RESOLVED to note that the draft plan was due to go out to a formal twelve week consultation towards the end of 2014. 5 (h) Community & Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) – VG Energy Following consideration of correspondence received from VG Energy Ltd, notifying members that as a rural community they were entitled to apply for funding to investigate and plan community renewable energy projects, copies of which were circulated at the meeting, and following discussion, it was:- RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence and that a copy of the letter be forwarded to the Rousay, Wyre and Egilsay Development Trust. (i) Police Scotland Following consideration of correspondence received from Police Scotland, introducing the new Isles Officer, copies of which were circulated at the meeting, it was:- RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence. (j) Lifestyles Service Development Consultation – Meeting 26.6.14 - Orkney Health and Care Following consideration of correspondence received form the Orkney Public Partnership Forum, inviting members of the public to attend and be involved in the consultation for the development of the All Age Learning Disabilities New Lifestyle Service, copies of which were circulated at the meeting, and following discussion, it was:- RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence and that the Clerk would put up the posters advertising the event. 6. CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS (a) Port Waste Reception Facilities – (deadline 16.6.14) After consideration of the consultation document on Port Waste Reception Facilities, copies of which had been previously circulated, members heard representation from the Clerk that no comments had been passed to her, and it was:- RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence.