Garve and District Community Council: meeting 3 May

Draft Minutes:  Garve and District Community Council meeting held
3rd May 2011 at Achnasheen Village Hall.

PRESENT:  Kenny MacLean (Chairman), Jean Bailey (Treasurer), Jean Hollingdale (Sec.), Bob Moir, Alex MacKenzie, Jennifer Haslam, Pam Morrison, Lady Eliza Leslie Melville, Sue Tarr, Cllr. Isobel Campbell, Robbie Bain (Ward Manager), Nicola Brookes (Representing Eneco), John Dykes (Natural Power),  4 members of the public.

APPOLOGIES:  Jock Logie, Ruari Matheson, Cllr. Jean Urquhart, Matilda Urie (E-On), Nick Sage (Infinergy), Nigel McManus (Eneco).

The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.00pm and welcomed everyone.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST:  Lady Eliza Leslie Melville (Community Benefit), Cllr. Isobel Campbell (Planning).

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS:  Condolences have been sent to the family of Ritchie Mackenzie; Get well wishes have been sent to Betty MacLeod. G&DCC send their Best Wishes to Iain and Margo Bennett and Jonny and Mary Niblett in their new homes and they will be missed by the community. Congratulations to Betty MacKenzie and Ian MacLeod on becoming grandparents to baby Angus. Church service times to change from 22nd May 2011.  Luib Road chippings breaking windscreens, the Chairman read out the comments from the draft Lochcarron CC mins of the meeting he attended on 11th April 2011.  Chairman was unable to attend the Parent Council meeting on 29th April 2011.  Thanks to CC members for donations of note pads and spare files and to Royal Mail colleagues who covered his absence on 22nd April so he could attend the Spring Fair.  Reminder that G&DCC minutes and agendas are available at post offices, online or from the Sec.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  for 5th April 2011 with amendments:  Where Jonn Barnes of Eneco was mentioned it should read Nigel McManus Eneco. Licensing Applications was omitted from the minutes as there was no licensing at this time.  Approved:  Lady Eliza Leslie Melville; Seconded:  Alex Mackenzie.

MATTERS ARISING: 
Litter Bin for Grudie - on going. 
TranServ - concerns are still on going, no reply to emails sent, Sec. to telephone TranServ. White lines have been done at Hazelbrae on 19th April 2011.
White lines requested for the section from Corran, Gorstan to Lochluichart – on going.  Robbie Bain to investigate.  It was noted that HC will be resurfacing the A832 from Grudie to Achanalt shortly.
First Aid cover for the Summer Fair is not required as numbers not expected to exceed 600.
Litter Pick – this was very successful and thanks were given to CC members who volunteered.  The pickers have now been returned to HC.
New Constitution was signed by Bob Cameron and returned to the Sec. within 48 hours of our last meeting, thanks to Robbie Bain. Cllr. Isobel Campbell commented that for CC’s to hold assets is not advisable as this is a grey area within the new constitution, a letter from HC will be sent to CC’s in due course on this matter.  The G&DCC currently have no assets.
Request for dispensation from HC to Jock Logie for collection of fly tipped rubbish and taken to the recycle point is not advised by HC.  TEC Services should be informed and they will remove any such rubbish.
Car and trailer parked in Stirling Drive, Garve were removed with 10 days of our last meeting, thanks to the Dog Warden and Police. Residents had passed on thanks to G&DCC.  The Dog Warden hopes to attend a G&DCC meeting in the summer.
Rogie Falls footbridge has now re-opened; a maximum of 5 people at one time allowed on the bridge, monitoring of the situation will be done on a regular basis.
Dingwall swimming pool is not expected to reopen until September 2011.

TREASURER’S REPORT:  as at 3rd May 2011, Treasurer’s Account - £1084.63; Senior Citizens Account - £638.96 plus Easter Fair - £200.00 total £838.96; War Memorial Account - £82.34.  2010/2011 Accounts have been completed and have been taken to Ann MacRae to be audited. Internet Banking is ongoing.  Halls have been paid.  Alternative venues are available for G&DCC meetings if required.

FUND RAISING COMMITTEE:  Thanks were given to the Public for their support of the Easter Fair.  Also thanks members for their generous donations which raised the grand total of £200.00 for the Senior Citizens Party. Iris Gordon won the Hamper and Bertha Logie won the Rabbit with Easter egg.  Our next fund raising event is the Summer Fair 28th May 2011 Garve Village Hall and donations of bottles would be gratefully received.  Sec. to organise a raffle which will be a basket of fruit, it was suggested that CC members donate £2.00 each to Sec. for the purchase of fruit.  This was agreed by all.

RESIGNATION:  On the 16th April 2011 the Chairman received a letter of resignation from G&DCC from Steve Jones due to new work commitments. A letter of acceptance has been sent with Best Wishes for the future and thanks for his commitment to the G&DCC during his membership. Both letters were read out to CC members.  Co-option of a new member was then discussed.  Robbie Bain was asked if it was feasible to co-opt another member as elections are due in November.  He did not think so as the new constitution means we are over subscribed (eleven members rather than eight).  Jennifer Haslam felt we should seek a new member. Kenny MacLean proposed that the G&DCC does not seek a new member as we are already over subscribed under the new constitution and that there will be elections in November this year.  Seconded: Alex MacKenzie. 7 against co-option and 2 for co-option.

ENECO UPDATE RE LOCHLUICHART WINDFARM: Trial run for turbine transportation to be Thursday 5th May 2011.  John Dykes of Natural Power who will be supervising construction of the Lochluichart Windfarm gave the time schedule for the test run.  The transporter will leave Invergordon (unloaded) at 9.30am follow the A9 to the Cromarty Bridge then A9 to Tore roundabout, 4th exit A835 to Maryburgh roundabout, 2nd exit A835 to Contin, Garve and then to Glascarnoch for 11.30am. Anticipated delays are 10 mins at each roundabout.  Delivery of turbines is August 2013; the turbines will come to Invergordon from Denmark. Each turbine consists of 7 sections (7 transporters per turbine) up to 3 transporters on the road at one time. Sections are transported on extendable trailers, length up to 55m but can be shortened to normal trailer length, width 5m, height 5m, rated at 150 tonnes. Speed up to 30mph. Time restriction is between 9am and 4pm to avoid rush hour traffic; each movement will have a police escort.  A CC member asked why not bring the turbines in to Ullapool by sea?  A: Invergordon has deep water at all times whereas Ullapool is tidal and does not have heavy lifting equipment.  A member of public felt that the disruption to traffic between Contin and Garve would be considerable as the road is so narrow.  A CC member suggested that Ferry traffic and bus time tables should be looked into fully and that the public must be informed well in advance.  Another CC member felt that flight times from Inverness Airport should also be considered so that the public can get to the airport in time. Perhaps Information of lorry movements could be passed onto BBC Radio Scotland and Moray Firth Radio.  It was confirmed that the Police would be in charge of all operations.  When asked if Contin community had been informed of Thursday’s test run, we were told it had not.

COMMUNITY LIAISON GROUP: Nicola Brookes (Eneco) suggested the setting up of a liaison group in September. They propose to invite people from local groups within the local communities plus members of public are welcome. Meetings to be held every quarter unless needed more frequently and would be in Garve or Achnasheen area. Eneco representatives would also continue to attend G&DCC meetings and reports sent back to the various bodies after every meeting to keep everyone informed throughout the construction period.  E-On will be invited to join the meetings at the appropriate time, as they are a year behind in the process.  All meetings will be open to the public.  Robbie Bain thought this was a reasonable plan and early summer of 2013 for the construction period.

CORRESPONDENCE:  By Email, Rogie Falls footbridge re-opening; Scottish Sea Farms Community Grants; Robbie Bain – HC signing of Eneco Agreement; Stagecoach bus information; HC planning meeting 19th April, Portree; Shieldaig CC mins; Lochcarron CC mins; Lochbroom CC mins; Torridon and Kinlochewe CC mins; Forestry Commission re Planning Review; Nicola Brookes Eneco re trial run; Planning reply for Dosmuckeran Hydro scheme; Nick Sage, Infinergy re Community Benefit. By Post, Signs and Designs on Caithness Slab (Advert); Government consultation re Fire Brigade reorganisation.

AOB MEMBERS:     
Lady Eliza reported that a number of tyres had been dumped in the lay by at Rogie; however they had now been cleared up.
Loose kerb stone outside Garve Village Hall and similar at Achanalt phone box, Robbie Bain will report to TEC services.
Road retaining wall broken at Garve Hotel and Hazelbrae, Sec. will report to TranServ.
Bob Cameron, Corporate Manger to leave shortly, Kenny MacLean proposed that G&DCC write and thank him for all the help given to the Community Council in various matters over the years.  From July there will be one Corporate Manger for Highland Mr. William Gilfillan.  Robbie Bain to ask Mr Gilfillan to attend one of our meetings.
Smiley Sign, Kenny Maclean asked when we would have one in Garve and one in Achnasheen, Robbie Bain to check.

AOB PUBLIC:  It was reported that the untaxed car that was removed from Stirling Drive is now parked at Station Road Garve; it is not on private ground. Robbie Bain to contact Dog Warden.
Cllr. Isobel Campbell was thanked for attending and left.

Scoping reports - None.

Consultations – Government consultation re Fire Brigade reorganisation – noted.
HC Local Development Plan Easter Ross (will become Inner Moray Firth) and onshore wind energy supplement guidance. Current consultation ends 24th June 2011, followed by a 15 week consultation period in the autumn.  Kenny Maclean asked for it to be noted that HC consultations are available on their website.
HC and Northern Constabulary Antisocial Behaviour Strategy 2011/2016 consultation ends 25th July 2011. 
Forestry Commission Planning Review – there will be a drop-in session in the future with regard to Forest Design plans for Strathgarve and surrounding forest areas.  PLANNING:  Previous planning applications determined since last meeting – none.  Building warrants received since last meeting – none. Two planning applications received since last meeting.  1. App; 11/00969/Ful, Aultguish Inn Garve IV23 2PQ, Change of use of part of building to form hot food takeaway and erection of garage/store, Aultguish Inn Garve IV23 2PQ.   2. App; 11/01108/OHL, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd., Per Jim Anderson Wayleave Officer, Highland and Islands Depot, Henderson Road, Inverness IV1 1SN, Erection of replacement terminal steel tower and four wood pole structures.  Land at Corriemoillie Quarry Garve.
G&DCC to make no comments on the above applications. Kenny MacLean highlighted that planning applications are available in local press, post offices and on “e-planning” which is on HC website.  Members of public have 14-21 days to make a response to a planning application.

LICENSING: None

Lady Eliza Leslie Melville was thanked for attending and left.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT:  LZN, Lochluichart Estate, Eneco and HC have all signed the Community Benefit agreement; Eneco will register the agreement.  The next stage is setting up of the Lochluichart Community Trust (“LCT”).  It was suggested that Eneco set up a Public Meeting in Garve Village Hall.  Nicola Brookes (Eneco) will get back to us on this, and provide some details of the mechanics of LCT before next G&DCC meeting. Kenny MacLean passed on his thanks to Guy Madgwick for his assistance. 

E-On was unable to attend tonight.  Robbie Bain is trying to set up a meeting with Matilda Urie - ongoing. 
Infinergy were unable to attend tonight but sent an email update. They are still looking into LEO, but understand that as community benefit would be through a discount scheme; this should not affect those on means tested benefits. Comments made were that it was very grey area, that Social Security office may still view discount scheme as a form of income - more homework to be done although this scheme seems to be working on the Isle of Wight.

Dates of next meetings;
7th June 2011, 7pm AGM followed by Ordinary Meeting at Garve Village Hall
5th July 2011, 7pm at Achnasheen Village Hall
2nd August 2011, 7pm at Garve Village Hall
6th September 2011, 7pm Achnasheen Village Hall

Fund Raising Committee Meeting 10th May 2pm at Garve Village Hall

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.40pm.