Presentation by SSE 3rd Aug 2010
Richard Baldwin and Colleagues of SSE gave a brief presentation and slides at the start of the Community Council meeting at 7.30pm about the proposed upgrade of pylons and sub station at Mossford. This was followed by a question and answer session with both members of the community council and the public.
Q: CC member. What about the possibility of underwater cable through the Loch?
A: The problem is the weight of the cable. This possibility has been looked at. The difficulty of getting a vessel into the Loch is technically unacceptable. The time scale for any repair to the cable is the problem and there would be a risk of the circuit being out of commission for months.
Q: CC member. What about the preferred route nearest to Garve - the removal of trees above the village.
A: The rebuild would be on the existing lower transmission line mainly between the old pylons; therefore the existing wayleave may require the removal of maybe four or five trees.
Q: CC member. Was there an option for a line along the Loch side?
A: It was found to be unfeasible
Q: Member of the Public. Why is it possible to underground the cable from Beauly to Denny and not the Mossford line.
A: To underground the cable would be five times the cost of over head. Over head is the best option and the benefit would be fewer pylons on the hillside.
Q: Member of the public. Are you going to apply to the wind farm developers for funding?
A: Charges will be passed to the National Grid and the National Grid will charge the developers of windfarms and future wind farms.
The new line capacity will be 400 MW with a spare capacity of 160 MW
The substation will be of metal construction and surrounded by fencing.
The presentation was then concluded.
Draft Minutes
G&DCC Meeting held 3rd August 2010 at Achnasheen Village Hall
PRESENT: Jock Logie, Ruari Matheson, Pam Morrison, Jimmy Ruggles Brise, Jennifer Haslam, Jean Bailey, Jean Hollingdale, Kenny Maclean, Steve Jones, Bob Moir, Sue Tarr, Alex Mackenzie, Robbie Bain (Ward manager) and 18 members of public.
APOLOGIES: Cllr Jean Urquhart.
The Chairman opened the meeting and gave a welcome to Matilda Urie from Eon; and to Pam Morrison as new member.
Kenny gave a tribute to Doug Winship, a previous chairman, who passed away recently.
Since the last meeting Cllr Jean Urquhart has requested that all Planning and Licensing are to be discussed at the end of meetings in the future.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES of the meeting 25th June 2010. Amendments to minutes of the last meeting were discussed. Amendments are:
Steve Jones Vice Chairman was Proposed by Jennifer Haslam and seconded by Jimmy Ruggles Brise.
The Chair thanked members of the community for voting in the CC election.
Achnasheen Primary School should have read that HC are proposing to formally close school, not going to close school.
Lochluichart Windfarm extension – this should read “scoping report” not “application”.
Neighbourhood Watch – Clarify that Ronnie Ross is contact for anti-poaching scheme; suspicious activity should be reported to Police. Pam Morrison also reported that “Geosearch”, an internet based activity requires people to look for clues in specific places (Achanalt being one of them).
Minutes proposed by Jennifer Haslam and seconded by Bob Moir.
MATTERS ARISING:
LITTER IN LAY-BYs: Still ongoing. Reply from Network Rail that they have cleared rubbish at Old Church layby. Grudie rubbish – no change. Various Members reported rubbish dumped at Wades Bridge, Little Garve. A boat and various sorts of rubbish dumped in the old quarry Strathgarve. ANYONE FOUND DUMPING RUBBISH ON FORESTRY COMMISION GROUND WILL BE PROSECUTED.
Jimmy Ruggles Brise observed that HC cleared a washing machine from Achnasheen promptly.
TRANSERV: We are to have a representative of Transerv on 5th Oct 2010 to answer concerns for winter gritting and other matters, concerns were raised about Gorstan Junction.
ACHNASHEEN to LUIB ROAD: Robbie Bain gave an update, two bad sections to be resurfaced this summer. The nearest section to Achnasheen will not be done this summer but when funding is available – hopefully next year.
HIGHLAND COUNCIL ROADS: Winter maintenance. Tec Services reviewing procedures on 23rd September. Our roads are already Priority One. Summer servicing of gritters is underway.
SIGNAGE LEDGOWAN: Reported by Jimmy privately no replies so far.
ACHNASHEEN SCHOOL: Chairman asked Robbie Bain if anything further has occurred. A Committee meeting of Education, Culture & Sport is scheduled for 5th August 2010 to discuss this issue. A letter was promised by HC about the tenancy to the occupants, nothing has been received to date. Concern was noted for the tenants.
GARVE PLAY AREA: G&DCC letter is with the Highland Council property dept, awaiting reply.
JAM JARS: Many thanks for all jam jars received.
COMMUNITY COUNCIL FILES: All files have now been received by Secretary. Kenny thanked Jimmy Ruggles Brise for arranging handing over of CC paperwork from Donald Northwood. Six Very Large boxes. Jean does not have the room to store these in the right conditions therefore she asked the CC members if they would agree that Sue could store them for her. All members agreed.
PRESS RELEASES: It was noted that an article in the Ross-shire Journal quoted “Achnasheen Community Council”. It was agreed that the chairman should be the only CC member to give press release. Anyone being contacted by the media should refer it to Chairman.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Jean Bailey reported that changeover of signatories not yet complete.
CC Balance - £1092.51; Senior Citizens - £910.71; War Memorial - £156.78; News and Views - £1258.79 .
HC Grant has not arrived yet – Robbie Bain to check.
FUNDRAISING: Kenny suggested a Bingo night and he will check out dates.
NEWS AND VIEWS: It was confirmed that the photocopier belongs to CC therefore Trustees needed to be appointed. It was agreed by all that the Chairman and Treasurer be appointed. Kenny raised issue of the CC having two email addresses; it was agreed to use one (gdcc@fsmail.net) and Jackie West to put this in the News and Views. As a new CC, clarification was sought on various matters to do with the News and Views.
DIGITAL TV: the meeting was reminded that Rosemarkie analogue transmission switch off takes place on 6 Oct to 20 Oct.
WINDFARM COMMUNITY BENEFIT: Robbie Bain gave update on HC negotiations with Lochluichart Windfarm on Community Benefit. HC and Infinergy have reached an agreement but haven’t got to stage of legally signing. The rate agreed is: £2750 per installed megawatt plus 3% increase per annum from date of commissioning for 25 years. No details of how the money is shared have been decided (this will be a community decision).
No negotiations so far with E-On re Corriemoillie Windfarm. Matilda Urie stated that E-On would like to know if CC wants to negotiate through Highland Council or direct with E-On.
Sue Tarr proposed that decision on negotiation re Corriemoillie Windfarm be deferred until next meeting to allow both the CC and members of the community to gather information. Seconded by Steve Jones and unanimously agreed.
To this end a sub committee was formed - Steve Jones, Jean Bailey and Kenny Maclean. Liaising with Robbie Bain (HC) and Matilda Urie (E-On). This sub committee will also gather information re Lochluichart Windfarm Community Benefit.
Steve Jones proposed that the sub committee approach Scottish Communities Foundation and other organisations for information and with the view to arranging a public presentation. Seconded by Bob Moir and unanimously agreed.
BROADBAND CHALLENGE FUND: Sue Tarr had enquired locally about broadband speeds in the area. Achnasheen and Aultguish exchanges have poor broadband and outlying areas of Garve Exchange (Garbat, Lochluichart, Achanalt) also have low speeds. Agreed to submit enquiry to Broadband Challenge Fund to see if it is feasible to improve local broadband through this scheme. Bob Moir agreed to lead application, Sue to assist.
CORRESPONDENCE: Some items left over from previous CC:
SNH – Fannich Hills Site of Special Scientific Interest (26/05/10); Planning Application (11/06/10) – GG Mackenzie; ILM Highland Fliers; Play Eqpt info; NHS Highland voices News; NHS Team Update Annual review; Consumer Focus Scotland advert; Annual Report 2008/9 Scottish Health Council; SEPA Review magazine; HC - CC review (04/03/10); HC – Budget brief; HC – CC Boundary Changes.
Items for current CC:
Planning Applications – nothing; E-on Drop-in for 18th Aug 2010 Achnasheen and Garve; Did You Know? Leaflets and poster; PDF file – re Achnasheen School; PDF file – Micro-generation on non-domestic buildings; NHS Team Update; News- Funding for broadband; Draft Mins from Torridon & Kinlochewe CC and Lochbroom CC and Shieldaig CC; Network rail Info sheet; Highland Environment Newsletter; HC Development Plan Scheme 2010; SEPA View magazine.
AOB: Offlets at Grudie – not cleared.
Trees under power lines in Garve – Bob has reported to Hydro. Hydro is going to ask HC for permission to cut or remove these trees.
Station Rd – Garve Level Crossing – Overhanging trees obscuring view for vehicles leaving Station Rd properties. Secretary to get in touch with Transerv.
Issue raised about speed at Strathgarve T-junction.
Tourist Information Notice Board at Garve Village Hall – Robbie Bain to look into possibility of removal.
Gorstan sign - Needs replacing. Robbie Bain to deal with.
Paper Recycling Bin at Achnasheen – needs emptying on a more regular basis. Robbie Bain to look into.
Smiley Speed Sign – There is a waiting list. Suggested that Garve and Achnasheen request one week each. Robbie Bain to pass on.
2 Community Benches – Not ready yet. Jock Logie to approach Einir Winship’s brother about Doug’s request for a third bench.
Achanalt Station – Pam reported that the lights are on 24hrs a day. She will phone Network Rail.
Kenny Maclean proposed that CC have monthly meetings; Jimmy Ruggles Brise seconded and all agreed.
Dates as follows:
Tues 7th Sept 2010 at Achnasheen; Tues 5th Oct 2010 AGM at Garve (NB earlier time of 7pm); Tues 2nd Nov 2010 at Achnasheen and Tues 7th Dec at Garve.
PLANNING – no planning applications.
Matilda Urie (E-on) stated that amendments to Corriemoillie plans will not be available until Oct 2010. The drop in day is 18th Aug (Achnasheen and Garve).
SSE Pylon Line – Agreed to send a letter requesting that SSE consider underground / underwater cables.
Lochluichart Windfarm Scoping report – it was agreed that CC should send letter stating that the windfarm had been approved on the basis that the number of turbines was reduced to 17; an extension would go against that policy.
LICENSING – none.
Date of next meeting – 7th Sept Achnasheen Village Hall at 7.30pm. All welcome to attend.
Chairman closed meeting at 11.25pm.
Agenda for next meeting:
Tuesday 7 September, Achnasheen Village Hall, 7.30pm
Apologies
Approve the minutes of the last meeting
Matters arising from the last minutes
Treasurers Report
News & Views
Broadband
Correspondence received
AOB
Community Benefit Fund
Planning & Licensing applications
Date of next Meeting
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