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Councillors’ Reports
Cllr McIntosh Cllr McIntosh introduced Dr David Bell who was
with NHS Highland and also involved with public health. Dr
Bell was particularly concerned with reaching the general
public with regard to being aware of the early signs of
dementia, be prepared to admit that possibility as, if found
in the early stages, much can be done to alleviate problems.
Dr Bell was also concerned that communities, giving our
ageing demography should be well prepared to handle the
situation. Flyers had been circulated around the island and
were given out at the meeting regarding the Oban Dementia
Resource Centre meeting dates. Dr Bell advised that, though
the team work out of Oban they do meet with care and social
workers on the island on a monthly basis and Kevin Champion,
who is in charge of the programme, would be very willing to
come and explain its role to the Community Council.
Cllr McIntosh raised the concerns about maternity services
and there was some discussion. Unfortunately, the lady
Margaret Fitzsimmons had arranged to come over had not been
able to attend the meeting but was hoping to get to the May
meeting and discussion was deferred.
With reference to Outreach Transport, Cllr McIntosh reported
that he had had a good meeting with Diane Farley and had
hopefully suggested a couple of possible directions to try.
Cllr Devon advised that, from Monday, 18th April,
there would be one phone line for handling initial customer
enquiries for Social Work. This number is 01546 605517.
Mull is running a parallel scheme and the service point will
be the Council Offices in Breadalbane Street, Tobermory.
01688 301020.
Cllr Devon reported that bottled water would still be
required in Craignure for another two weeks and residents
should have received a letter from Scottish Water to this
effect; Susan Campbell confirmed she had received one.
Cllr Devon reported that there had been a very useful
meeting with Scottish Water in Oban on 6th April
to discuss the Tobermory sewage work with Alan Ferguson, the
project officer and Jane McKenzie of Scottish Water, plus
John Parks. Cllrs Devon, Chalmers and McCuish, plus the
Chairman were present and this meeting resulted in the
agreement to double the shifts between 2nd May to
Whitsun (no work over Whitsun) and between Whitsun and end
of June. No work would be done in July and August and the
remaining work would be done in September. The work could
not be undertaken over the winter because of the shorter
days and temperature issues with the road surfaces.
Scottish Water has agreed to monitor the road surface for
two years. The Chairman advised that Scottish Water would
be flexible with us and advise about
obstructions.
Davie Graham suggested that it would be sensible to let
other utilities know this work was taking place, a view with
which there was general concurrence.
Cllr Devon advised that the Gaelic Partnership was having a
meeting in Craignure Village Hall on Wednesday, 20th
April, at 8.00pm to discuss the development of a Gaelic
Centre for all islanders on Mull and Iona and an invitation
was issued to the Community Council to attend.
Cllr McIntosh enquired if the Community Council had received
the task tracker. It was confirmed that an email had been
sent but no task tracker received to date; Cllr McIntosh
would pursue this.
Cllr McIntosh went through previous items raised by
Community Councillors:
v
Bunessan Bus Shelter – report due back on 13th
April.
v
Tobermory Main Street Toilets – report due back on 13th
April.
v
Eas Brae railings, Tobermory – now re-instated; painting to
be done.
v
Abandoned cars – in progress.
Cllr McIntosh asked if there was a Japanese Knotweed problem
to which Community Councillors answered in the affirmative.
Cllr McIntosh asked Community Councillors if there were any
issues to be added to the task tracker. These were as
follows:
v
Stewart MacDougall advised that the Bunessan Pier road
crossing had still not been done one year on.
v
Bert Leitch raised the issue of the water supply to Ulva
Ferry toilets pointing out that these were also the
emergency toilets for the school and that the sedimentary
tank originally included had not been put in.
v
Under roads, it was noted that the new road surfaces needed
white lining. Concern was expressed by several Councillors
that recently filled potholes were lifting and it was
queried whether the new jet patcher was working properly.
v
Weight restrictions – a meeting was scheduled for 19th
April but may have to be changed. Jim Corbett asked that
Neil Brown be advised that longer notice of meetings was
required. Cllr Devon advised that this meeting was one
where Cllrs Devon, Chalmers, McCuish and McIntyre were
meeting with the five objectors as part of the normal
procedure. Cllr McIntosh advised that Jim Smith was taking
over from Stuart Turner; Sandy MacTaggart was still in post
as an Executive Director.
The Chairman thanked Cllrs Devon and McIntosh for attending
and for their helpful input. Thanks were also extended to Dr
Bell for his useful
information.
The above Councillors and Dr Bell left the meeting at this
point. |
