Plockton Web

Minutes of the Meeting of Plockton & District Community Council

Plockton Village Hall
Monday 8 June 2009, 7:30pm

Present

• C M MacRae (Chairman)
• J MacKenna
• G Glasgow
• J D F MacDonald
• M MacKenzie
• I Matheson
• G R Webster
• G James (Secretary/Treasurer)
• C Will (Crofters' Representative)
• Cllr A Sinclair

Apologies

• K Leiper
• J Storie
• I Turnbull (NTS)

1. Election of Officers

   The following officers were elected:
   		Proposer	Seconder
   Chairman	C M MacRae	G Glasgow	J MacKenna
   Vice Chair	J MacKenna	G R Webster	I Matheson
   Sec/Treas	G James	C M MacRae	G R Webster

2. Treasurer's Report
   1. The Financial Statements for the Treasurer's, Special Projects and Fireworks Accounts were presented to the meeting and proposed by G R Webster, seconded by J MacKenna. Thanks were recorded to Bob Anderson for auditing the accounts.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting
   1. Item (a) of Matters Arising re Police Matters — it was incorrect information that a rubber dinghy had been stolen from under a boat on the car park.
   2. Item (c) of Matters Arising re Wester Ross Alliance — "This is an annual event . . ." should read "This could become an annual event and it had been planned that there should be a rotation of venues for future meetings".
   3. The Minutes were proposed and seconded by J MacDonald and G R Webster, respectively.
   4. Matters Arising

      1. Police Matters

         Nothing further had been received re the proposed Residents Watch, and the CIC had still not received any update on acquiring one of the NTS sheds on the Car Park and therefore could not progress the installation of CCTV.

      2. Ian Wilson, HC Education & Enforcement Officer

         Nell MacDonald-Rolfe, Dog Warden, had met with the Chairman, and requested that any instances of dog fouling should be reported direct to the HC Service Point in Kyle, any such person making a report remaining anonymous.

      3. Wester Ross Alliance

         The Chairman had attended the Ward Forum held in Kinlochewe Hall, at which certain relevant issues did not include this Lochalsh area. A discussion on the newly-established charges for the removal of household appliances raised the question of whether this would result in an increase in fly tipping. It was hoped this would be monitored.

      4. Housing Projects

         • The Burnside Project is progressing.
         • It is hoped the HC web site problems encountered re the Tigh Beag Planning Application would be rectified. With regard to this project, approval is still awaited from Historic Scotland.

      5. Roads Department

         • Plockton side of Duirinish bridge damaged and in need of repair.
         • Mark Crowe, HC Roads Department, apologised for some areas of grass not being cut, but this was being rectified.
         • The street sweeping machine had broken down resulting in there being two weeks without a visit.
         • Lorries carrying materials for the Burnside Project travelling along the Achmore-Plockton road were causing problems mainly due to inadequate passing places.
         • Large pothole at the turn-off into Ceann an Uib.
         • It was suggested that a cul-de-sac sign should be erected at the entrance to Ceann an Uib.

      6. Manhole Covers

         Peter Cordon, Scottish Water, had assured the Chairman that repairs to the remaining manholes would be carried out.

      7. Street Lighting

         A streetlight in Cooper Street is in need of repair.

      8. Planning Matters

         The CC would be expressing at the next Ward Forum its disquiet at the handling of Planning matters. No further information had been received on when the Local Plan Public Enquiry would take place.

      9. Causeway Project

         Funding for this project had been received from the HC Discretionary Budget, and it was hoped this work would be progressed shortly as the causeway is deteriorating rapidly.

      10. Village Officer

          As funding was not available specifically for a Village Officer, it was agreed that Special Projects should be identified such as village seats and picnic tables, and also for the tidying-up of rights of way, and funding would be sought from the HC Discretionary Budget.

      11. Re-development of Plockton Car Park

          Plockton Harbour CIC were exploring possible funding sources, and were looking towards having plans drawn up for the new toilet block, etc and also for the extension of the slipway. No objections had been received from either the NTS or Crown Agents.

      Duncraig Castle

      The outcome of the sale of Duncraig Castle was still not known.

4. Correspondence
   1. Scottish Land Court re Plockton Common Grazings. The CC had sought clarification on the accurate area of common grazings within the village, and it was agreed to follow up the Land Court's offer to explain the procedure for making an application to determine the status of the land.
   2. Community Care Forum re procedures and asking for input and suggestions. The Chairman had replied to this letter and highlighted shortfalls in the system.
5. AOB
   1. There were no longer any seats at Plockton railway station for passengers. Chairman to action.
   2. With regard to Plockton Primary School Sports Day, unfortunately the posters were put up at the last minute resulting in many people not knowing it was taking place. The CC expressed the hope that this could be rectified next year.
   3. Rod MacLeod had expressed a wish to donate a seat to the village in memory of his wife, Jane, and for it to be placed at the Brae viewpoint overlooking Skye. The CC very much appreciated this kind offer and a letter would be sent to Rod accepting this and thanking him.
   4. Passing places in the area of the entrance to Duirinish Lodge were being obscured and it was felt there was a necessity for extra passing places to be established on either side of this entrance.
   5. The real need for a children's play area in the village itself was highlighted, and it was very much hoped that such a project could be furthered.
   6. Parking problems in the area near the pontoon were discussed and it was agreed that an appropriate notice should be erected restricting the length of time vehicles should be left there and directing them to the main car park.
   7. Fly tipping at the rear of the Church of Scotland was commented upon. Chairman to action.
6. Date of the Next Meeting
   1. The next meeting of the Community Council will be held in Plockton Village Hall on Monday 14 September 2009 at 7.30pm.

The Community Council (formed on 12 May 2008)

C M MacRae (Chairman)

01599 544 359

I J MacKenna (Vice-Chair)

280

G H Glasgow

719

K J Leiper

324

J D F MacDonald

282

M MacKenzie

204

I Matheson

737

A J Storie

387

G R Webster

283

G James (Secretary/Treasurer)

384