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The minutes of the last meeting were unanimously adopted. |
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Matters Arising |
| a) |
Railway Structures Maintenance &
Renewals |
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Owing to the cancellation of all trains due to the landslide,
this work is now being carried out during the day. |
| b) |
NTS |
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The damaged panel of the interpretative facility situated in Plockton car
park has been replaced. |
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With regard to the proposed improvements to the Brae Road, the requisite
estimates had been acquired by the CC Chairman and the commencement of the
work on the Innes Street end of the Brae Road was now in the hands of the
designated contractors. The contractors had been given the go-ahead approximately
two months ago. The Chairman had also spoken to I Turnbull, NTS, regarding
the drainage problems being experienced in the area behind 19 and 20 Harbour
Street. |
| |
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The acquisition of fencing at the top of Frithard Road was still being looked
into. |
| c) |
Duncraig Castle |
| |
The details relating to the agreed sale of this property are
now in the hands of Fiona McCulloch, HC Estates Unit, an independent agent
having been approached with a view to this being advertised prior to Christmas. |
| d) |
Proposed Plockton Pontoon Facility |
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The Chairman had spoken to John Porteous of Wallace Stone Associates,
who confirmed that the plans are drawn up and that prior to them being submitted
to Planning, they intended to check if there were any specific problems relating
to Tigh n'Fhaing. |
| e) |
Renewal of Plockton Water Mains |
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NOSWA had confirmed that work in Plockton was programmed for
June 2002. |
| f) |
Plockton Sewage System |
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Problems with bad odours emitting from the pumping station in front of 36
Harbour Street at high tide had been reported, and it has been confirmed that
a faulty valve is to blame. This is being rectified, but it could take some
time. |
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It was not yet known if the TV interference was connected with the sewage
station. NOSWA would investigate. (It was suggested that
the new telephone mast might be the cause.) |
| g) |
Achnahenich Water Treatment Plant |
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The CC had received no written update on the problems and delay
associated with this plant, and would therefore write and ask NOSWA for this
information. (A letter had been received from Dr Stephen
Cribb, a member of the Water Commissioner's Consultative Committee for Scotland,
whose role includes investigating public complaints unresolved by the water
authority, offering his services if required.) |
| h) |
Village Seats and Tables |
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These are still being refurbished. |
| i) |
Ard a'Mhorair Children's Swing |
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No audit had yet been received, but it was hoped to acquire
a new swing which should be installed on a more suitable, safer surface. |
| j) |
Roads Dept |
| |
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Following a request from the CC for the potholes in Station Road to be repaired,
a letter had been received from the Area Housing Manager confirming that the
Housing Maintenance Officer had been asked to inspect the road and carry out
the necessary works. |
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No money was at present available to repaint the 'Keep Clear' signs in Harbour
Street. |
| k) |
Planning Application — 6 Bank
Street |
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This was still pending and a site hearing had been arranged. |
| l) |
Environmental Grants Scheme |
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G Robson, HC Head of Environment, had agreed that the timescale
involved in this scheme had proved problematical, but confirmed that it would
be running again next year. |
| m) |
Bottle Bank |
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Morag Greenshields, HC Protective Services, confirmed that the
contents of the bottle banks are taken to Portree Landfill Site for storage
prior to transfer to the reprocessing plant at Alloa. She expressed hope that
Plockton would continue to retain to this facility. |
| n) |
Environmental Grants Scheme |
| |
The Chairman had contacted the Highland Health Council with
regard to problems relating to out-of-hours arrangements, and had received
a Complaints Guide and contact details should any future action be considered. |
|
|
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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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Iain Turnbull, NTS, had presented a paper outlining alternative
suggestions to resolve the current problems existing between the rights of
crofters and the concerns of the village relating to common grazing. |
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Following outline suggestions put forward at the last CC meeting
of 18 September
2001, a scheme involving a combination of the cattle grid and fencing
had been drawn up, together with a proposal to erect fences around the various
parts of the common grazing avoiding the use of the cattle grid. As far as
the common grazings in the village itself were concerned, the suggestion that
15 cattle only at a time should be allowed, on a management basis, was put
forward. Costings for both options ere given, i.e. cattle grid plus fencing
at £30,000, fencing only at £27,000. Several possible sources
of funding were identified in the report. There was also a possibility that
the village itself would be asked to contribute. |
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Further discussion voiced strong doubts on the viability of
stock management being a workable option, the feeling being that ultimately
the outlay involved would not necessarily result in a totally foolproof system
and the present problems could still exist. A suggestion that the CC could
perhaps secure the services of a solicitor specialising in crofting matters
to investigate the legalities of a binding management scheme. |
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It was agreed that the option of some form of buyout of the
present common grazings within the village itself in the form of compensation
should be looked into, together with the 'fencing only' option. Cllr Campbell
suggested approaching the Land Fund with respect to any buyout. |
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The NTS would be approached with these suggestions. |
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|
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A meeting of the Kyle Health Centre Working Group had been held
on 9 September 2001. G R Webster and J W Nicholson representing Plockton CC,
chaired by Gill Keel, LHCC Manager. Various sites within Kyle were discussed,
together with the proposition that a greenfield site in Balmacara be considered,
those CC areas outwith the Plockton and Kyle area together with the nurses
and Health Visitor favouring the latter, and Plockton and Kyle CCs the former. |
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Plockton's justification for preferring a Kyle facility was
based on the following points: |
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Kyle is the main centre, one-third of the population served by the health
Centre being resident in Kyle, where a higher percentage of disadvantaged
people live, own transport being a real problem together with a lack of public
transport outwith the area. |
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The only pharmacy is in Kyle. It would be absolutely essential for various
reasons that there should be a pharmacy in close vicinity to any new Health
Centre facility. Visiting the Health Centre in Kyle means that this can be
combined with other local services. |
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Doctors' services are often needed for tourists, many of whom do not have
their own transport. |
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Security is of prime importance, the proximity of a police station being
highly advantageous. |
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The infrastructure is already in place, any greenfield site requiring considerable
infrastructure input. |
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The large workforce in Kyle, supplemented in the summer by seasonal staff,
can readily attend the Centre in Kyle, not requiring transport to do so, and
also necessitating the minimum time of work. |
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The CC would relay these considerations to Gill Keel, and also
request that the old Hydro Board store site, with its ready-made car park,
at present for sale, should be looked into, unless some equally suitable or
better site is available. |
|
|
| a) |
Rural Housing Service offering to attend CC meeting to discuss
local housing. It was agreed that the CC would invite a Housing Service member
to its next meeting, together with Robin Phillips of the Highlands Small Communities
Housing Trust. |
| b) |
Notification of the S & L Area Community Councils' meeting
in Portree on 12 November 2001. (No Plockton CC members
able to attend.) |
| c) |
A reference in the S & L Area Committee minutes to Lochalsh
Village Enhancements. Chairman to action. |
| d) |
Handyperson Project leaflet. (The question
of acquiring the services next year of a Village Officer for Plockton would
be followed up. Two pilot projects were at present in progress in the Highlands.) |
| e) |
Launch of the CC Concordat on 14 November 2001 — Cllr
David Alston. |
| f) |
Highland Health Council notification of new premises. |
| g) |
Sabhal Mor Ostaig's local and summary reports on the UHI Millennium
Strategy, together with details of the New Opportunities Project. |
| h) |
SW Ross and Glenelg Minibus Association, requesting potential
volunteer drivers. |
| i) |
The ongoing problem of a sewage pipe into the car park from
an Innes Street residence had resulted in a Planning Application being withheld
until the problem had been resolved. SEPA is approaching Planning on this
matter. |
| j) |
Laurence Young, HC Education Manager, re a proposal to replace
Plockton Primary School with a new school in the Plockton area (a suitable
site still to be identified), pupils to be transferred to the new school.
Lack of space in the present facility was referred to as one of the main reasons. |
| |
The Chairman had spoken to Laurence Young and the CC's comments
were requested. Neil MacKinnon, Head Teacher, stated his preference would
be that money be spent on the existing facility, with the view that the school
would remain central to the village. Cllr Campbell, however, confirmed that
the offer was that the new school would be built by a Public Private Partnership,
and that as far as improving the present amenity was concerned, this funding
would have to come from the Education budget, in which there were no funds
for the foreseeable future. Cllr Campbell stressed that there was no intention
of closing the school. It was expected that the proposed new school would
be functional around 2005/2006. |
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The CC wished to make it clear that, should the present school
site become available, this should be put to good use, i.e. sheltered housing. |
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It was agreed that the CC would write to the Education Manager
acknowledging the offer of a new primary school for the village, whilst refraining
from making any representation pending a more detailed picture, e.g. location,
design, etc. |
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A Public Meeting is being held in the Village Hall on Monday,
12 November 2001 at 7.00 pm. |
|
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The CC would like to thank all the various organisations in
the village for their contribution to this year's Bonfire Night, and to the
Youth Club for their successful running of this event. |
|
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The next meeting will be held in Plockton Village Hall on Monday,
21 January 2002, 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 |
|
