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Minutes of the Meeting of Plockton & District Community Council

Plockton Village Hall
Monday 6 June 2013, 7:30pm

Present

• C M MacRae (Chair)
• J MacKenna (Vice-Chair)
• J Sanderson (Vice-Chair)
• M Jones
• M MacKenzie
• I Matheson
• J Storie

Apologies

• Cllr I Campbell

1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
   1. The Minutes of the last meeting were proposed and seconded by I Matheson and J Storie, respectively.
2. Chairman's Report
   1. The Chairman expressed his thanks to the members of the Community Council and the Secretary/Treasurer for all their support during the year and also to Councillors Campbell and Sinclair and the Kyle Police for their support and attendance at meetings. He then outlined some of the past year’s achievements and problems as follows:

   1. Burnside

      Safer Routes to School is being progressed and it is hoped further action is imminent.

   2. Roads

      These are always on the agenda, the conditions of Harbour Street and Station Road being major concerns, and after several requests the Duirnish road sign has still not been replaced.

   3. Outfalls into the Loch

      Another year has passed and there is still no progress on the remaining two properties in need of an outfall facility.

   4. Plockton Play Area

      It is disappointing that plans are not yet available.

   5. Plockton Station

      The adoption of the station by the High School is a welcome solution to the litter problem in that area.

   6. Village Tidiness

      Many thanks to Lynette Metcalfe and her son for their excellent work, and to the Harbours for their generous donation and to an anonymous donor. The untidiness in the Rhu area has been a matter of concern.

   7. Skips

      The village clean-up was successful, and it is hoped that the joint initiative by CCs may result in a recycling depot at Auchtertyre.

   8. Seats and Tables

      Half of these have been repaired and re-painted.

   9. Sale of Church of Scotland and Paddock

      Still progressing but slowly.

   10. Stromeferry Bypass Option

       With all options on the table there is still a lack of progress.

   11. New Hospital on Skye

       This proposition is still in abeyance.

   12. Craft House

       Remains closed despite assurances from the NTS.

   13. Ward Forums

       Still held in Skye but not in this area.

   14. Vandalism

       A definite decrease this year and it is hoped this trend continues.

   15. Peggy Moore

       A £5000 bequest from Peggy Mooe’s estate was much appreciated, her family being pleased with the purchase of a memorial bench. An anonymous donation of £500 was also received with thanks.

   16. Planning Applications

       There have been very few this past year, and the attempt to stop the application for a new fish farm was unsuccessful.

3. Treasurer's Report
   1. The Financial Statements for the Treasurers, Fireworks and Special Projects Accounts were presented, and proposed and seconded by J MacKenna and J Storie, respectively. The accounts were audited by R Anderson, which was much appreciated.
4. Election of Office Bearers
   1. Chairman — C M MacRae, proposed by J MacKenna, seconded by J Storie.
   2. Vice Chairs — J MacKenna, proposed by J Sanderson, seconded by I Matheson. M Jones, proposed by I Matheson, seconded by J Storie.
   3. Secretary/Treasurer — G James, proposed by C M MacRae, seconded by J MacKenna.
   4. Auditor — R Anderson to be approached.
5. Matters Arising from Last Minutes

   1. Plockton Play Area

      Plans are awaited from Alex Glasgow.

   2. Burnside Area Safety Issue

      The ideas submitted by Graham Sharp on behalf of the Plockton Primary School Parents Council have been passed, ie, speed bumps and streetlights in the Burnside/railway bridge area.

   3. Station Road

      No reply has been received from Network Rail. It is essential that a price for this work is obtained in order to progress this very necessary resurfacing. Mary Scanlon MSP had informed the CC that Neil Gillies, Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services, had prepared a cost estimate for the resurfacing of Station Road for Housing & Property Services to take forward. It was agreed the CC should write to Neil Gillies requesting the estimated cost and also enquire about the scope of the work to be carried out on Harbour Street.

   4. Roads

      Sandy MacVarish, Roads Department, informed the Chairman that he is trying to obtain funding for filling in potholes in Harbour Street etc. The pavements outside the hotels are in need of attention and also culverts in Duirinish.

   5. Stromeferry Bypass

      Regular maintenance has started which could result in some delays.

   6. Village Maintenance

      • The Chairman has made an application for funding to the HC Discretionary Fund for the renovation of seats and tables.
      • The HC has carried out some grasscutting in the village. The Chairman is checking on the HC input.

   7. Plockton Station

      The Chairman had attended the official ceremony for the official adoption of the station by Plockton High School. The innovation of this project is much appreciated.

   8. Church of Scotland

      A letter had been received from Plockton Historical Society expressing its interest and desire to be included in any possible community-led action to acquire the building. The present position, however, is that the sale is in the hands of the Church with the main interest coming from the Free Church.

   9. All-Weather Pitch

      Plans for improvements are still ongoing.

   10. Village Clean-Up

       This was successful with the usual much-appreciated help from the Primary School. Disappointment was expressed that there had been no reply to the request made to the High School for input.

   11. Hedges around Plockton Primary School

       The work to cut these down has been carried out.

   12. Public Toilets

       The broken fence by the toilets has been removed and it has been decided not to replace it. Thanks to John McGill for removing it and tidying the area.

   13. Village Seats

       Some of these have been repaired and repainted. The rest of the work will be carried out.

6. Correspondence
   1. HC Consultation of Managing Obstructions within the Adopted Road.
   2. The official launch of the Crofting Year is taking place at Plockton High School on Wednesday 19 June.
   3. The HC re Fairtrade in Highland.
   4. The AGM of Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association will be held at Lorrison House, Portree, on Monday 24 June.
   5. Capita Conferences are holding a Housing Benefit in Scotland on 19 June and Tackling Homelessness in Scotland on 20 June In Edinburgh.
7. AOB
   1. The Chairman had been informed by the owners of Duncraig Castle that the extension is due to be demolished next week, and that it will be 2015 before the work at the Castle is completed.
   2. The SLCVO had expressed a wish to visit the Plockton Lunch Club but the Club felt this was not necessary.
   3. Complaints had been received about boats and trailers remaining the car park taking up vehicle spaces. The agreement had been that boats, etc, should be removed by Easter. Sandy MacVarish, Roads Department, had commented on this. The problem has now been rectified.
   4. Requests were made for a supply of dog litter bags for Plockton and Duirinish. Chairman to action.
   5. A discussion took place as to whether some steps would be appropriate on the path up to the Brae between Nos. 13 and 14 Harbour Street.
   6. Wheelie bins at the car park had been used for fish remains which was not acceptable. Chairman to action.
8. Date of the Next Meeting
   1. The next Community Council Meeting (AGM) will be held on Monday, 9 September 2013 at 7.30pm in Plockton Village Hall.
   2. Following meetings as follows : Tuesdays — 15 October; 26 November.

The Community Council (formed on 13 December 2012)

Charlie MacRae (Chairman)

01599 544 359

Joy MacKenna (Vice-Chair Finance)

280

June Sanderson (Vice-Chair Admin)

228

Mike Jones

321

Morag MacKenzie

204

Iain Matheson

704

Jan Storie

387

Gill James (Secretary/Treasurer)

384