July 2008 minutes

Minutes of meeting held on Monday 21st July 2008 in Culbokie Primary School
WELCOME: The Chair welcomed Community Council members to the meeting.
PRESENT: Roger Piercy (Chair), Hamish MacCulloch (Vice Chair), Colin Craig, Joy Winnick, Sally Falconer, Moira Grieve, Joan More.
APOLOGIES: Les Robinson, Howard Russell, Carlton Rocke, Sheila Maher, Dave Scott, Donna Dingwall, Pam Draper, PC Sheila Ross, and members of The Highland Council.
MINUTES: The minutes of meeting held on 16th June were read and approved by Colin Craig seconded by Moira Grieve.
FEG Report: Graham Sullivan took the meeting. New members were present as a result of publication distributed. There were several discussions regarding future plans but no decisions taken on anything new. The core path project is making progress.
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS.
Safety Issues & Road Junctions: This item to be discussed at the next meeting. Carlton Rocke had asked that the police be made aware of his and his neighbours concerns regarding the speed with which motorcyclists are leaving the village. Roger reported this concern, prior to the meeting, and was told that the police were aware of the problem and had been conducting speed checks in the village.
Earth Bank at entrance to Culbokie School: This matter is ongoing.
Culbokie Village Signs: Signs now in place. Secretary to write to Margaret Currie on behalf of Community Council thanking her for all her work with regard to this project.
Culbokie Old School/Cairn Housing: Nothing to report on this matter to date.
Community Market: Several donations to different charities have been made by stall holders. Invoice received from Ferintosh Hall Committee for £6 the Treasurer will attend to this. The next Market will take place on Saturday 16th August.
Community Noticeboard: Roger has received a quote from Derry Finlayson.
Ferintosh School Speed Limits. New road Layout: It would seem that work has started on this with cable laying to slow signs.
Long Term Funding for Projects. (LEADER).: Planning gain suggestions list were discussed. Colin pointed out to remember that certain items would not be considered under this type of funding.
HSCHT: The secretary to write and request their new representative come to one of the Community Council’s meeting.
Ward 9 & 10 Meetings: Volunteers from the Community Council are happy to attend the meetings.
Re-Surfacing Culbokie Post Office Car Park: No further information from possibility of Land Search
Footpath to Carn Mhor Houses: Letter received from Highland Council stating that they will attend to this matter.
Data Protection Act: It appears that certain information regarding details of Community Council members cannot be kept on personal files once they have ceased to be a member. Roger complete registration form.
Constitution & Community Council Model: Questions were asked regarding the timescale, and it was agreed that there was a long time scale at least up to AGM time.
Culbokie Post Office Letter Box: To date no response from Greg Donaldson on this matter.
Direction Signs to Ferintosh Free Church: The secretary is pursuing this matter.
Youth Café & Facilities: There is no report due to holidays.
Survey on Older People’s Facilities: The deadline for this has been extended. Joy reports having received some replies. A hard copy of the questionnaire to be sent to Howard Russell at his request.
Request for Signs indicating Balnabeen Community: This item to be removed from the Spreadsheet.
Re-instatement of Community Newsletter “The Noticeboard”: This item is still ongoing.
Donation to Halls for Water Heating: This item is ongoing.
Fairburn Wind Farm: Colin and Roger attended a well-supported meeting on Tuesday 22nd July and received details of the transport arrangements for the turbine structures. These will travel through our area along the A9 from Ardullie to Tore. They will “cut the corner” at the Tore round-about and travel to the outskirts of Conon Bridge and travel on the B9163 pass the old school “School Road”. They will then travel to Muir of Ord, turn right onto the A832 and head for Marybank. There are no requirements to alter road layouts in our area. In theory the Police should consult us on our views of what disruptions we would anticipate with these movements. From our perspective in representing this Community we would stress the need for avoiding the rush hours of traffic into and out of Inverness. On the subject of Community Benefit it has been decided that individual Community Councils will receive an appropriate “slice of the cake” which has still to be decided. Those Community Councils most seriously
affected by the wind farm have been trying to take this forward and hopefully there will be something to report at our next meeting. This item to be put on next Agenda.
PLANNING MATTERS: Norwood Homes – Mount Eagle Development. 14 house plots including 3 affordable houses. Several discussions took place on this matter. Roger will reply.
AOCB: Dingwall & Seaforth Partnership. There is money available for match funding to tap into for projects.
Climate Challenge Fund: Roger will fill in forms as the Community Market seems to fit the bill.
Job Centre – Dingwall: Roger will respond to this notification. He will state that the closure of Dingwall Job Centre is unacceptable, and that job seekers should not have to travel to Invergordon or Inverness to seek jobs, for many reasons i.e. expense to themselves, transport facilities, and price of petrol etc.
Joan More reported to the meeting that the plaques honouring the three boys who drowned at Monadh Moor were now in place at the cemetery.
Hamish brought up the subject of street sweeping in Culbokie, secretary awaits reply from Highland Council.
Roger on his own initiative reported that at the west end of Culbokie the flashing 30 mph sign was not working and the “Keep Left” bollard had been knocked over. Subsequently the bollard has been replaced but he had to report that it was not illuminated late on Saturday evening.
Joy informed the meeting about a monitoring gauge that can be obtained from Hydro Electric – free of charge.