| Prior to the commencement of the meeting, a short presentation
was given by the three representatives connected with above project, which
involves rock cutting stabilisation works on the Kyle Line, Duirinish, Duncraig
Station and Plockton cuttings being the areas relevant to this CC. |
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The minutes of the last meeting were unanimously adopted. |
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Matters Arising |
| a) |
NTS |
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Mr I Turnbull had replied to a letter from the CC raising various
points as follows: |
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The problems encountered by the new NTS interpretation panel sited in Plockton
car park had yet to be resolved, but the contractor has accepted this needs
to be altered and the advertising panel replaced. |
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Proposed improvements to the Brae Road — this was a matter for the
crofters to follow up. |
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The NTS had no funds available for the proposed project to celebrate the
200th Anniversary of the village of Plockton. The meeting
did feel, however, that it had been left too late in the year to organise
such and event. |
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No progress has been made regarding the installation of fencing at the top
of Frithard Road. Geoff Webster and John Matheson had made initial approaches
for an Environmental Grant, but firstly an agreement had to be reached on
the type of fencing. Chain link fencing was the most acceptable (the Roads
Dept agreeing to this) although it was felt by the CC that this was not visually
acceptable. However, in the interests of safety and to prevent dumping an
agreement had to be reached. The actual location and line of the fence had
to be agreed by the Roads Dept, after which a Grant Application would be made.
The NTS would be prepared to offer limited funding assistance for this project. |
| b) |
Duncraig Castle |
| |
A letter had been received from Hugh A Fraser, HC Area Education
Manager, confirming that members of the HC Education Cttee had agreed at their
meeting of 2 August that negotiations with Scotland's Top Hostels be terminated.
In line with a previous decision, the Castle and associated properties would
now be put for sale on the open market. The CC hoped that Duncraig
Castle would be put on the market as a separate property. |
| c) |
Proposed Plockton Pontoon Facility |
| |
Following correspondence from Catriona MacLean, Economic Officer
for S & L, the Chairman had spoken to Simon Fraser, HC Planning Officer,
who felt that a further Public Meeting was unnecessary and suggested that
John Porteous of Wallace Stone Associates, who had carried out the Feasibility
Study, should progress the Planning Application. The Chairman had subsequently
contacted John Porteous who had agreed to apply for planning permission on
the CC's behalf. The fee for this work would be £500, which Wallace
Stone had agreed would be funded as part of the Feasibility Study fee. The
CC would write to Wallace Stone confirming this arrangement. |
| d) |
Renewal of Plockton Water Mains |
| |
The Chairman has spoken to Robert White of NOSWA, who informed
him that the Kyle project would be dealt with first and that at present there
were no plans for Plockton. |
| e) |
Plockton Sewage System |
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|
A letter of appreciation had been received from Colin Rennie, Chairman of
NOSWA, thanking the Chairman and the village for the support and hospitality
extended at the official opening of the new Plockton Waste Water Plant. |
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Minor teething problems had occurred with the system, and any connection
between the plant and constant TV interference would be investigated. |
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Major problems were being experienced with new water treatment
plant at Achnahenich, the opening of which was now 10 months overdue. NOSWA
had stated they were not prepared to accept the system as at present, and
no time scale for the opening had been set. |
| f) |
Village Seats and Tables |
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The HC have removed these for the necessary refurbishment. |
| g) |
Ard a'Mhorair Children's Swing |
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The safety audit by HC was still being awaited. |
| h) |
G Salt — Plockton Archive |
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Further correspondence and photos had been received from Geoff
Salt, who had been in contact with our librarian with a view to initially
start an archival record of the village, its activities and people. The CC
felt that this should be encouraged and was pleased to note that the library
facility would be of assistance. |
| i) |
Roads Dept |
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|
In reply to the CC's letter requesting road repairs, the Roads Dept. strongly
reiterated their problems due to lack of funding and the need to prioritise.
The CC did feel, however, that the presently extremely poor state of certain
areas of road, eg the many dangerous potholes between the bottom of Strathie
and Station Road, necessitated urgent attention. A letter would be sent to
W R Ross, Roads and Transport Manager, and Sgt MacLaren, Kyle Police, would
also contact the Dept. |
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A query would also be raised as to why Station Road is unadopted, as stated
by the Roads Dept, when the road itself contains Council property. |
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Meetings attended by crofters, Iain Turnbull, NTS, W Smith of
the Crofters Commission, CC and residents' representatives, had been held
on 11
June and 29
August 2001. (Follow the links for the relevant
minutes.) |
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The following correspondence had been received: |
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A S Fraser, HC Head of Environmental Health, enclosing a copy of the Interim
Guidance on Recreational Use of Farm Pasture issued by the Task Force on E.Coli
0157 in February 2001, which laid down the areas of risk of infection, etc.
Eg, the need to keep cattle off ground where children play to reduce such
risks, and encourage the washing of hands before eating. |
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The Area Protective Services Manager, John Hearmon, expressing a wish to
meet the CC and the relevant crofters regarding the issue. |
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Although seven members of the CC favoured a total ban on cattle
in the village, a compromise was reached and it was agreed that the following
steps be progressed: |
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The possibility of a combination of cattle grid and fencing be looked into,
the practicalities of which it was felt needed careful consideration. |
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The positioning of a cattle grid to maximum effect. Severe doubt was expressed
as to the feasibility of such a facility. |
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The possibility of specifically fencing common grazing areas within the
village be discussed. |
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The maximum number of cattle to be in the village at any one time should
be restricted to 15, with the hope that whatever steps were taken, management
would be successfully undertaken. |
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To allay health fears, the testing of cattle for E.Coli would be welcomed. |
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Mr Iain Turnbull, NTS, agreed to follow up these proposals. |
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| a) |
Gill Keel, LHCC Manager, Highland Primary Care Trust, re proposed
Health Centre Development, Kyle. The Trust requested the CC's views on the
location of the new facility, Kyle being favourite, but such a site was proving
difficult to locate. Ideas for alternative siting were being sought. The CC,
for several reasons, felt that every effort should continue to find a site
in Kyle. A reply to that effect would be sent to the Trust. |
| b) |
There were no objections raised by the CC to the planning permission
requested for the renovation of a building to the rear of 6 Bank Street. |
| c) |
The NTS Balmacara Management Plan has now been improved and
copies are available on request. |
| d) |
The Project Officer BTCV Scotland offering assistance with community
environmental improvements. |
| e) |
Confirmation from the HC re the CC annual grant which had been
reduced due to the cost of the recent CC elections. |
| f) |
Lochalsh Leisure Centre thanking the CC for its donation of
£100 towards the Summer Swim Bus Scheme. |
| g) |
An approach had been made to the Crown Estates for a grant towards
a feasibility study for PSBSC ramps. It was unlikely this would be available,
but there could be funding towards the construction costs. |
| h) |
Simon Fraser, Planning Manger, re the ongoing problems of lack
of access to the steps to the Kyle Co-op. This still remains unresolved. |
| i) |
Geoff Robson, HC Head of Environment, requesting the reason
why the CC's request for an Environmental Grant was not followed up. This
was a request for assistance with the proposed Frithard Road fencing, but
the timescale set by the HC proved unrealistic as quotations were not instantly
available. This explanation would be passed on to the HC, and it was hoped
that the Grant option would remain available. |
| j) |
S & L Community Care Forum details. |
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| a) |
It has come to the CC's attention that the contents of the bottle
bank in Plockton car park are being dumped at the Portree general rubbish
tip. The head of the HC Environmental Dept would be asked for an explanation
as it was felt that it was pointless housing this rather unsightly facility
in the car park if its contents were only part of the general dumping policy. |
| b) |
the Roads Dept would be requested: |
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to repaint the 'Keep Clear' white lines in Harbour Street |
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to clear the bus shelter at Drumbuie of sheep droppings and install some
form of gate to restrict access for the animals. |
| c) |
The Chairman had been asked to express apologies to the meeting
regarding the recent problem regarding a drug incidence in the village involving
the police. |
| d) |
Following a complaint received regarding the illegality of using
Plockton Village Hall for the display and sale of paintings on more than 28
days without planning permission, confirmation had been received from S Fraser,
HC Planning Manager, that in accordance with Scottish Executive advice, enforcement
action should not be initiated where the Planning Authority is of the view
that planning permission would be granted. The Planning Committee, therefore,
resolved to take no action with regard to this matter. |
| e) |
It was agreed that a quotation be requested from a local contractor
to replace the stones in the wall opposite Asmigarry, Innes Street, Plockton. |
| f) |
Following a recent incident when considerable difficulty had
been experienced in obtaining emergency medical assistance at a weekend, the
Chairman would contact the Highland Health Council. |
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The next meeting will be held in Plockton Village Hall on Monday,
12 November 2001, at 7.30 pm. |
| Community
Council Contact |
| Marie Finlayson |
Tel: 544 |
380 |
| Geoffrey Webster |
283 |
| Charles M MacRae |
359 |
| John W Nicholson |
234 |
| John Matheson |
737 |
| John D F MacDonald |
282 |
| Thomas A MacLennan |
389 |
| Isabelle J MacKenna |
280 |
| Annan Dryburgh |
707 |
|
