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Minutes of Mull Community Council Meeting
held on Wednesday 11th
April 2007, Craignure Hall
PRESENT:
Linda Cameron, Chair
Ronnie Campbell, Bunessan
Bert Leitch, Ulva Ferry
Jim Corbett,
Lochbuie, Tony Proud, Dervaig
Paul Forster,
Salen Linda Dawson, Minute/Correspondence
Secretary
1.
Apologies:
Fiona Brown,
Pennyghael/Tiroran
2.
Approval of Minutes from 14th March meeting:
These were
approved as an accurate record, proposed by Paul Forster, seconded
by Tony Proud
2.1
Action Points from the Minutes:
Dervaig
Toilets:
No further
action
Graveyard
at Suidhe:
Volunteer
notices will be put up
locally
Action: LC/LD
West
Highland Housing Association:
No response
received from Gregor Cameron, reminder e-mail would be
sent
Action: LD
Marquee:
Missing pins
have not yet been found. If not located, Ronnie agreed to forward
cheque to purchase new ones. Three enquiries received so far for
hire.
Action: RC
Road
Action Group, Salen:
MCC kept
aware of RAGS actions. RAGS fully support the proposed new road and
do not want to delay start. If required may be a public enquiry,
but not appropriate for MCC to be involved at present
Other Road
Issues discussed:
Bert reported
that Kilchoan have received European backing to improve the road
infra-structure, why can’t Mull receive funding. George Lyon MSP
has stated that Argyll and Bute Council has not put together a plan
and an application for money to be released from the Scottish
Executive, e-mail received from Stewart Turner A&B Council, not
aware of any requirement to submit a plan to the Scottish Executive
for additional funds to be released for the Keep Mull Moving
campaign. Was noted that George Lyon MSP stated in this reply that
the Salen Ghulan Dubh was more urgent, we would question this? Also
Mr. Lyon said that “£2 million was available immediately if A&B
Councillors all agreed this could be spent on Mull roads.”
E-mail sent to Councillor MacDougall previously, asking if this
situation was possible, still awaiting reply.
Tarring being
carried out on the Fidden/Knockvologan road. There is currently a
large backlog of road work on the island. Letter to Stewart Turner,
A&B Council regarding their plan for Mull maintenance
Action: LD
Quarterly
bulk waste collections:
Tony agreed
to look into at Argyll and Bute Council Tobermory
office
Action: TP
Hustings:
Chair took
decision not to hold; with the election on 3rd May MP’s
and MSP’s have agenda’s already set up. Suggestion would be useful
to have meeting with candidates standing locally, again Chair
decided at this stage would not be a useful exercise and perhaps
local candidates should have met with MCC.
Holiday
Mull:
Following
Chair’s attendance at AGM, letter sent to Chairman of HM regarding
the comments made by David Woodhouse, reply received from Steve
Willis newly elected Chairman. Chair read out letter supporting MCC
and Chair, sent from Fionnphort member of Holiday Mull.
Letter also
received from Steve Willis, Chairman Holiday Mull, requesting a
representative from Holiday Mull to attend Keep Mull Moving
meetings. When KMM set up representation on the group had more than
one Holiday Mull member on this group and still has. Would suggest
HM use this person (s) to pass on KMM’s progress and also any
involvement HM may have regarding road
issues
Action: LD
3.
Any Other Correspondence Received:
3.1 Scottish Executive –
Community Engagement Planning with People March 2007: Planning
Advice Note No. 81
Information received. Community
Councils may have a role in the future to have involvement on some
planning issues and be given more consultation powers. Regarding
the new boundaries following elections, very important all Community
Councils in Argyll and Bute are more pro-active in the
decision-making process for their areas
3.2
Scottish Executive:
Correspondence received from Graham Laidlaw, Head of Maritime State
Aids Unit, Scottish Executive, via Wilf Loynd, Tobermory regarding
the views expressed by Bute Ferry Users Group and Bute Community
Council.
3.3 Future of Post
Offices in the Highlands and Islands:
Further letter received from Mr.
Peter Peacock MSP, reply disappointing, no guarantee given on
closures
3.4 Aintuim Roadside
Felling in Glen Bellart:
Information received from Bill
Green, Forestry Commission. No
objections
Action: LD
4. MICT:
Following
invitation to Board Directors to attend May meeting, e-mail received
from David Woodhouse stating he would decline attending unless he
was given some idea of why they are being asked to attend. Paul
reported issue would be discussed at next MICT meeting 16th
April, thought James Hilder should attend in the first instance, but
MCC had invited all Board members, but up to MICT to decided who
attended
4.1 Renewable Energy
Forum:
Meeting held on 27th
March to discuss letter received from MICT on “Bulk Installation of
Small Scale Domestic Wind
Turbines for Mull.” Highland and
Island Community Energy Company (HICEC) allocate all funds from the
Scottish
Executive, suggested REF meet with
them to put forward a broad proposal on behalf of everyone who has
suitable
premises on Mull, MCC noted that
not enough facts are known, could be a major project for the island.
Chair stated REF had not been very
active recently and would suggest the group need to decide whether
to go out
on own or under Mull and Iona
Community Trust, as they are involved in other similar projects, as
originally only
set up for six months under
umbrella of MCC. Maintenance of the wind turbines needs to be fully
considered and
householders would have to get
their own planning permission for the wind turbines. Therefore, if
and when project
goes ahead, to avoid a conflict of
interest MCC should remain impartial. Future of REF needs to be
discussed at
next
meeting.
Action: LC/LD
5.
Finance:
Closing
Balance: £1409.24
6.
Progressive Care Centre:
Chair
attended AGM 15th March, approximately 20 people in
attendance. Scottish Woodland Company awarded contract to erect
fencing. Project now moving in the right direction, but the island
community need to hear more from the Steering Group on their
progress
Action: LD
7.
Web Site:
Following
complaint Chair and Secretary looked at MCC web site and can see
problems and confusion. Unable to access minutes from the “Home
Page” and MCC is being used as a heading to other island group’s web
page. Although Alan Parker originally set up MCC web site and does
not charge, MCC must stand on it’s own, no wonder confusion
regarding Mull Community Council and Iona Community Council
(separate bodies). Ask Alan if he wishes to continue and rectify or
should we ask for a
volunteer.
Action: LC/LD
8.
Tobermory Tourist Office:
Craignure
Tourist office, receiving complaints this office not open. Chair
received phone call stating this is due to lack of staff at present.
Although posts had been advertised, not filled, positions will be
re-advertised, also locally. Craignure office would like to assure
people that Tobermory office is not closing.
9.
CalMac:
Call received
from resident, when booking ferry, now required to give credit card
details. If not in possession of card(s) this payment impossible.
Also you would be charged if you fail to turn up for sailing. Is
this correct? It was noted that during November, December and
January 1,796 vehicles either did not turn up or cancel their
booking for sailings last year this figure seems high for the time
of year. In MCC previous minutes we asked for the benefit of
everyone on/off the island to cancel their booking if no longer
required. We understand there are circumstances where this might
not be possible. CalMac should be sympathetic towards genuine
cases. Action: JC
Chair
reported that CalMac ticket office at Fionnphort is to remain closed
and staff who could have been employed there have been located to
Craignure. When tourism season starts, can see this being a major
problem and one for their ferry crew and disruptions to timetable.
Why has this busy office been closed.
Action: LD
Following
article in press about 40% reduction in fares for all island
residents, CalMac to clarify Action:
LD
9.1
Harbour Empowerment Order 2007-Fishnish:
Correspondence received from McGrigors LLP, Solicitors, Glasgow on
the Proposed Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (Fishnish) Harbour
Empowerment Order, response required by 30th
April Action: LD
10.
Area Reports from Community Councillors:
10.1
Paul Forster, Salen:
Dog fouling
in Aros Park. Against the law and dog owners should act responsibly
and clear up.
10.2
Tony Proud, Dervaig
Roads have
been repaired around Dervaig
10.3
Ronnie Campbell, Bunessan:
30 black bags
of rubbish left lying around at the car park, insufficient bins for
re-cycling. Main road in a bad state of repair, with many large
potholes. The mini bus supplied by Argyll and Bute Council for
Bunessan School now out to private tender
10.4
Bert Leitch, Ulva Ferry:
MICT
employing Woodland Adviser to give advice on how to extend grants,
this is a duplication of work and inappropriate use of public money,
which could be better spent. Agreed to discuss with MICT Directors
at next meeting.
Action: LD
Thanks to
the person who has been holidaying on Mull for a number of years,
who supplied the following quotation to Lochbuie Community
Councillor:
“We used to drive on the left of
the road, now we drive on what is left of the road!!”
11.
Time and date of next meeting:
8 pm Wednesday 9th May
2007
Craignure Hall
It is hoped representation from
MICT will be in attendance at the May meeting.
Members of the public welcome to
attend
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