Present: Kenny MacLean (Chairman), Jean Hollingdale (Secretary), Jean Bailey (Treasurer), Eliza Leslie Melville, Jennifer Haslam, Sue Tarr (Minute Sec), Alex Mackenzie.
Cllr Ian Cockburn; Jean Urquhart MSP; Darrin Rooney (PI Renewables Ltd); Dennis Kearney (Jones Bros); Cathel Macaskill (formerly TranServ, now BEAR); Joanne Seath (Transport Scotland); Fiona Milligan (Infinergy); 3 members of the public.
The Chairman welcomed everyone and opened the meeting at 7pm.
Apologies: Bob Moir, Robbie Bain; Richard Baldwin and Lisa Marchi (SSE).
Declarations of Interest: Eliza Leslie Melville in relation to a planning application; Cllr Cockburn will not take part in any planning or licensing discussions.
Chairman’s Comments: Thanks to Jennifer Haslam for providing the tea and sandwiches. Best wishes to Iris Mackay who is in hospital, and to Steve Young who has been unwell. Best wishes to Norma Macleod who is moving out of the area, and to June Forsyth (HC) who is retiring. Congratulations to the WRI who won 4 cups, 1 salver and a special prize at the recent Bulb and Baking Show.
Jean Bailey and Sue Tarr attended Contin CC meeting. The Chairman attended the Strathgarve Parent Council meeting – speeding in Garve village is a concern for parents, they have contacted PC Beverly about this. The parent council constitution is being updated.
The Chairman attended the last Marybank, Scatwell & Strathconon CC meeting. Church update – services are held in Kinlochluichart Church every Sunday at 12.30 pm unless otherwise advertised on the Church website. The new minister will be inducted on 26th April in Strathpeffer Community Centre. There are now toilet facilities at Kinlochluichart Church.
All G&DCC minutes and agendas are available at www.community-council.org.uk/garveanddistrict ;
Garve PO; Garve and Achnasheen Village noticeboards; in the AGNV and on the AGNV website; direct from the Secretary on gdcc@fsmail.net or tel/fax 01997 414201; and at every G&DCC meeting.
Approval of the minutes of meeting held 5th March 2013: Two Lochs Radio wish to note that they broadcast locally 60 hours per week; at other times they revert to a Glasgow based service. Jean Bailey wished to clarify that the appointment of auditor and approval of secretarial fees was for current financial year, not coming financial year. Minutes with amendments proposed by Jean Hollingdale and seconded by Jean Bailey.
Matters Arising:
Ledgowan Old Bridge - TECS met to consider an objection lodged by Ledgowan Estate to the traffic order for Ledgowan Bridge. The objection was over-ruled and the traffic order is being put in place. HC and Ledgowan Estate are in discussions about the possibility of the Estate providing an alternative pedestrian route.
HC Community Benefit Policy – it has been decided that the “construction impact” on communities will no longer be considered as part of community benefit in relation to windfarms.
Tarvie Landslip – Joanne Seath (Transport Scotland) outlined the situation to date. The geotechnical survey has been carried out and is being checked to oversee the design for repair work. The change in maintenance contract has held up the process due to changes in contractors. The priority is to get the design completed and allow construction to start. The timescale is unknown at this point.
The land is owned by Forestry Commission. Access to the area is the main issue; a temporary access will be required. The construction job is not complicated – it will involve building up an embankment using 1 tonne stones. Additional work will be to address drainage on the upper side of the road. French drains, culverts and gullies have been cleaned.
Rainfall patterns have changed in recent years and existing drains struggle to cope with flash flooding.
Points made included: This is a vital road for communities to the west, and the surface of the road is very bad. Agreed.
This damage has arisen because culverts and ditches have not been kept clear; a trunk road should have a higher standard of maintenance. Agreed that this was a problem; that stretch of road was “non-engineered” i.e. it was not built to modern standards and improving drainage was difficult and expensive. There is no money for major improvements; the most difficult sections of road get left without improvements as they are more expensive to do.
Why not divert the road on the upper side of the hill rather than build up the embankment on the lower side? Cost would be prohibitive; it has not been considered as an option.
Cllr Cockburn requested a programme of works as soon as possible; agreed.
The Windfarm turbines will be able to pass, even if the embankment repairs have not been carried out, by moving the traffic lights out of the way. Jones Bros will be meeting their haulier very soon to discuss turbine transport issues.
The repairs to the Garve landslip failed twice, how do we know this won’t happen at Tarvie?
The contractor didn’t follow the plans, and didn’t carry out the work properly. They will have to complete it correctly.
Will more drainage checks and cleaning be part of the maintenance contract now?
The stretch of road that failed will receive more drainage checks.
Cllr Cockburn commented that Highland Council is currently carrying out a photo survey of all ditches relating to HC roads to improve their drainage maintenance.
Joanne Seath to keep us updated on progress. The construction when given the go ahead should be completed in two weeks
Hope that once the turbines have gone through this won’t mean that pressure to repair the landslip reduces.
The Chairman thanked Joanne and Cathel for attending; they left the meeting.
Carn Gorm Windfarm – Darrin Rooney, a director with PI Renewables Ltd, gave an outline of the proposed Carn Gorm Windfarm. There will be public drop-in exhibitions next week, Tues 9th April in Garve Village Hall 2-7pm; also one in Strathpeffer Community Centre on 10th April. All are welcome. Carn Gorm is on land above Garve. Scoping reports were produced last year which numbered 19 turbines; this has been reduced to 14 following a more detailed look at the landscape and visual impact following consultation with SNH and HC. The final design is not ready yet with significant work still to do before the planning application is submitted. 99% of the ecological and ornithological survey work has now been done. The target at this stage is to submit the planning application about June / July. PI Renewables is a Scottish company based in central Scotland and are aiming to expand out of their Lanarkshire/ Ayrshire base, with the result that they now have projects in most local authority areas in Scotland. The local council planning policy steers the application; HC has designated areas where windfarm applications are likely to be supported. The company then overlays areas of suitable windspeed which shows up the most suitable areas then a site will be checked whether it is feasible for development. Carn Gorm is a large site but has limited vision (i.e. it won’t be visible) from many places. There are significant areas where it will be visible from. Visual impact is assessed within a 30km zone. It won’t be visible from Garve or Strathpeffer but random areas will see it. The design will try and make these views more pleasing possibly by reducing height of turbines and moving individual turbines. The height and capacity of turbines has not been decided yet but likely to be 125m high and 3 MW capacity. Access is from the A835. Timescale of project – the planning process may take a long time; it may be 2-3 years before turbines are constructed. Garve, Strathpeffer and Contin Community Councils are all being consulted.
Q: Where will the Windfarm connect to the grid? No details at present, there are two or three options at reasonable cost; will have this information ready for exhibition next week.
Q: What work will need to be done on the access road? It will need widening and some corners removed. Depending on the gradients, it will not be tarmacked. Care will be taken to avoid scarring the hillside and the road should not stand out visibly.
Community Council members agreed they will be interested to attend the exhibition. Darrin Rooney would like to attend future CC meetings to keep the community informed about progress.
The Chairman thanked Darrin Rooney for attending; after a short break for tea he, Dennis Kearney and Jean Urquhart MSP left the meeting.
SSE – although unable to attend tonight Richard Baldwin had provided an update on the Avenue, Strathgarve. He met with HC Forestry Officer Nick Richards, Robbie Bain and Kenny MacLean to discuss the works on the Avenue. The Western Isles Connector cable route crosses the Avenue near the bridge. A number of trees require to be removed. SSE is proposing to carry out mitigation as a result which includes arboricultural work and replanting of trees, which will preserve the life of the Avenue. HC have ownership; SSE will submit detailed proposals of this work to HC for review and no work will commence until HC agrees. SSE will keep G&DCC informed of progress.
Sue Tarr proposed that a request be made to HC that a management plan for the Avenue be drawn up with G&DCC as consultees. This may be something as simple as an inspection every so often and any issues identified would be made known to G&DCC.
There was discussion about what type of trees would be replanted – suggestions included Scots pine, lime and cherry. A member of the public said that historically the Avenue had included European red larch as well as Scots pine. Kenny Maclean to contact Richard Baldwin to confirm numbers and type of trees for replanting.
Sec to contact Nick Richards re a management plan.
Deer Fence at Grudie – Kenny Maclean to contact Lisa Marchi to confirm that the fence has not been done yet.
There are no updates on the new Mossford-Beauly power line.
Jubilee Tree – Donnie Gunn has very kindly provided plaques for the tree free of charge. Waiting to hear from SSE about protective fence for the tree. Sec to write a letter of thanks to Donnie.
E-On Update – soon to hold a public drop-in prior to submitting a planning application for the Windfarm grid connection.
Infinergy Update – no news other than the new office will be opening soon.
Jones Bros – construction continuing on schedule. All turbines hope to be in operation by the end of the year.
WRA – no news.
Community Benefit from Hydro schemes – Robbie Bain is continuing in discussions.
Grudie Picnic Site – the tree had been cut by a forestry worker who intended returning later to clear the branches.
Church layby – thanks to Lochluichart Estate for cutting back branches; the chipper will come to tidy up.
Police Report – no report this month. Kenny MacLean highlighted that there is now a new telephone number for non-urgent police matters, dial 101.
Treasurer’s report:
Total balance b/f
2477.77
Senior Citizens Fund
827.18
Add balance from Diamond Jubilee Fund
20.84
848.02
War Memorial no change
140.86
140.86
Diamond Jubilee Fund
20.84
Transfer to Senior Citizens Fund
-20.84
0.00
Treasurer’s Account
1488.89
Less hall hire
-20.00
Less Sec & Min Sec fees
-500.00
Less Auditor Fees 2012/2013
-80.00
888.89
Carried forward
£1,877.77
War Memorial – a meeting is to be held next Mon 8th April @ 7pm in Garve Village Hall; volunteers to help with War Memorial are welcome.
Fundraising – Thanks for donations made towards the Summer Fair. Jean Hollingdale proposed that a Fundraising sub-committee be formed to organise events. Members of the community council and public are welcome to join the sub-committee. Kenny MacLean to organise a meeting for Fri 19th April at 2pm in Garve Village Hall.
Correspondence: By email, Robbie Bain reply re Strathgarve Avenue; Forestry Commission reply re Strathgarve Avenue; PC Beverly reply re speeding through Achnasheen; Robbie Bain re Tarvie landslip; Forestry Commission reply to Bob Moir re Grudie Picnic area; Nick Richards HC meeting re tree cutting at Strathgarve Avenue; Robbie Bain – reply from Joanne Seath Transport Scotland re Tarvie landslip; Jean Urquhart MSP re Strathgarve Avenue; Community Awards; Kristine Mackenzie – Strome Bypass Users Survey; Two Lochs Radio re minutes; Joanne Seath, Transport Scotland re attendance of next CC meeting; Community Council Evaluation Scheme – suggested changes to constitution; Robbie Bain re missing journalist; Contin CC minutes; Lochcarron CC Minutes. By Post, Eibe Play Equipt & Installation brochure.
AOB (Members): Jennifer Haslam reported that there are ruts in the road at the Shop corner in Garve. Potholes at Strathgarve are bad again too. Cllr Cockburn recommended that these types of repairs are reported to the HC Service Desk on 01349 886606; each job gets a ref no and has to be seen to within 2 weeks. Jennifer to phone.
The crash barrier at Grudie has been damaged following a collision a while back. Cllr Cockburn to follow up.
Kenny Maclean enquired how the speeding review at Lochluichart was progressing. Cllr Cockburn thought it would take longer before any results were ready.
Potholes on the Old School Road at Achnasheen had been reported and filled promptly.
Forestry Commission are thinning trees at Little Garve and a horse will be pulling the logs out.
Cllr Cockburn has received a communication from Keith Brown, Scottish Govt Transport Minister regarding the Tarvie landslip – the situation is being dealt with.
AOB (Public): Clive Dennier has been missing but his car has been found.
Scoping Reports for Developments – Kenny MacLean was concerned that G&DCC had not been included in recent scoping report consultations. Cllr Cockburn to check whether CC has a statutory right as a consultee at the scoping stage. Some developers include CC’s at this stage. Kenny MacLean made the meeting aware of a scoping report for a 141 Kw Hydro Scheme on land 1.5km NNW of Strathvaich Lodge. Members had no comments.
Building Warrant – Kenny Maclean made the meeting aware that there was a building warrant application for alterations to new house west of Hill Cottage, Gorstan.
Planning Applications: There are two new applications.
Erection of extensions and alterations to dormer, Hydro House, Blackbridge. No comments.
Eliza Leslie Melville left the meeting before discussion of 2nd planning application:
Installation of two sections of underground electricity cable, land at Corriemoillie Quarry. No comments.
Dates of future meetings:
Tues 7th May 2013 7pm in Achnasheen Village Hall
Tues 4th June 2013 7pm in Garve Village Hall AGM followed by ordinary CC meeting
Tues 2nd July 2013 7pm in Achnasheen Village Hall
Tues 6th Aug 2013 7pm in Garve Village Hall
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.40pm.
