Garve and District Community Council: Draft Minutes - Meeting 4 August 2009

Present:   
Alex Mackenzie, Helen Grainge, Uisdean Menzies, Marion Taylor, Jean Hollingdale, Sue Tarr, Sheree Grant, Jimmy Ruggles Brise, John Urquhart, Lady Eliza Melville

In attendance: Cllr Urquhart, 7 members of the public

Apologies: Ruari Matheson, Donald Northwood

Chairperson opened meeting

Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting:                  
Proposed -Uisdean Menzies. Seconded  - Alex Mackenzie

Matters Arising: Cllr Urquhart reported that she has invited Highland Council, TEC Services to attend our next meeting to discuss issues with roads and transport.  She had also contacted TEC services with regards to the 20’s plenty speed limit and is awaiting a reply.

Bus Stops: no further contact from Transerv or Highland Council on this matter.  Sheree to follow up.

Christmas Tree power points: Sheree to e-mail Robbie Bain regards this matter.

Wind Farm Proposal: EON has decided not to attend Community Council meeting as they have held public exhibitions.  EON has requested the information from the ballots that were held previously with regards to windfarms by emailing the News and Views.

A discussion followed regards the issue of the Corriemollie Windfarm with various opinions being put forward, including sending a letter to Highland Council stating the Community Councils position, it was felt by some that this was a waste of time as Highland Council had not listened to opinion the previous time a windfarm application was before planning, also it was felt that the last time an application was made for a windfarm there was a lot of ill feeling in the community and this should be avoided. 

It was suggested that members of the community should voice their opinion on the current development to the Highland Council planning department personally.  The members of the Community Council took a vote on sending a letter to Highland Council planning department stating that the Community Council opinion remanded the same on the windfarm issue. (9 votes for sending and 1 abstained).

Issue was also raised regarding the proposed meeting to discuss structure for Community Benefit.  Cllr Urquhart to ask Bob Cameron from Highland Council to chair.

Treasurers Report: Main Account £1848.07, Senior Citizens £760.45, War Memorial £ 656.84.
Invoices to be paid are AA Mackenzie for auditing and Highland Office Equipment.

Full Accounts will be available at AGM in October.

A member of the public asked if there was any progress with the seats for the War Memorial.  Marion to find out about this.

Correspondence: Planning Application Lists. New constitution model – Sue to look at and send to members.  Highland Council – Annual Grant. Highland Council – quality awards – John to put forward nominations. Highland Archaeology Festival information. SNH – Peter Duncan would like to set up a Ben Wyvis NNR liaison committee – Sheree to write and confirm that the Community Council would like representation on this group. NHS – various correspondences. SEPA Magazine.

Any Other Business: Rural Watch Scheme – it was proposed that this scheme was adopted by the Community.  Community Council will look at inviting Local Police Officer to next meeting.

Railway fencing: discussion re lack of fencing along Loch Garve between railway and road.  Community Council will try and invite representative from Network Rail to meeting.

It was reported that the bridge at Longart Forest between Garbat and Inchbae has been removed by the Forestry Commission. This is a popular walking and cycling route and people are disappointed by its removal.  Sheree to write to FC to ask if a replacement is going to be put in this location.

Helen reminded meeting that nominations for Community Council must be in by 15th August 2009.

Wester Ross Alliance has set up a web portal for community use.

Next Meeting (AGM):  6th October 2009 @ 7.30pm in Garve Hall. All welcome!

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Draft Minutes
Newsletter Sub Committee 4th August 2009

Present:   
Helen Grainge, Harry Grainge, Uisdean Menzies Sheree Grant, Jackie West, Marion Taylor, John Urquhart.

No progress made with new copier, Sheree has been in touch with HOE and if anyone would like to see demonstration of different copiers this could be arranged.  Meeting felt that we should aim to purchase the Konica Machine.  Harry informed the meeting that he had problems with printing the last newsletter.

Discussion followed regarding funding for machine – agreed that letters would be written to local business/estates seeking sponsorship, also Jackie suggested that we could have a friends of the News and Views to help raise funds.  Sheree will look at other funding after she has completed War Memorial applications.

Date of Next Meeting:  after C C Meeting on 6th October 2009. All welcome!