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Minutes of Mull Community Council Meeting
held on Wednesday 12th December 2007,
Craignure Hall
PRESENT:
Linda Cameron, Chair
Fiona Brown,
Pennyghael/Tiroran Adrian Fitness, Craignure
Cllr Gordon Chalmers
Graham Brown,
Tobermory Paul Forster, Salen
Cllr Mary-Jean Devon
Jim Corbett,
Lochbuie
Tony Proud, Dervaig Sgt. Iain Erskine,
Strathclyde Police
Linda Dawson,
Minute/Correspondence Secretary 5
members of the public
Also in attendance Terry Allan,
Commercial Manager for Royal Mail
1.
Apologies:
Ronnie Campbell, Bunessan, Bert Leitch, Ulva Ferry, Andrea MacPhail,
Tobermory
2.
Police Matters:
Festive Safety Campaign in operation. Sgt. Erskine informed all
present that drivers can not only be stopped if involved in an
accident, but also for any defects on vehicles.
Cllr.
Chalmers on board of Licensing committee, number of meetings held to
produce a new licensing policy, hoped to produce a final draft week
commencing 17th December. Legal and socially interested
parties as well as licensing trade representatives are involved.
Cllr Chalmers happy to speak to any businesses if advice required.
Graham Brown,
Tobermory rep, expressed concerns regarding parking at An Tobar,
below the church, causing access difficulty for emergency vehicles.
School buses parking right outside the school, this has been raised
and discussed many times at MCC meetings, issue should be taken up
with the School in the first instance. It was suggested to arrange
meeting between Bowman’s, Police and the School to try and resolve
situation. Action: GB
Mull Rally:
meeting to be arranged with Kaz Bailey, Cllrs Chalmers and Devon and
the Police to discuss issues previously raised, Chair reported Mull
Rally issues had also been raised at recent NFU meeting. Cllr Devon
would inform MCC of
date.
Action: Cllr Devon
3.
Minutes of the meeting held 14th November 2007:
“Message from Chair” omitted, would be inserted in December minutes
and Am Muileach; all other items were recorded as a correct record,
proposed by Tony Proud, seconded by Jim Corbett.
4.
Correspondence Received:
RAGS:
MCC still being kept informed. Cllr Chalmers has met with Peter
Ward, Argyll and Bute Council, SNH being consulted on a number of
points.
Dervaig
Waste Water Treatment Works:
E-mail received from Colin Morrison explaining current situation;
raw sewage is discharged into the sea near the head of Loch a’
Chumhainn, which is unacceptable and a solution needs to be found.
The area floods and water backs up, bridge floods at high tide,
plant will break down in extreme weather conditions, effluent could
flood in the school and proposals could also affect designated
shellfish area. On 23rd November local representatives
and Cllr Devon met with SEPA officials, a further meeting held 10th
December between Scottish Water and SEPA, to try and resolve the
situation. Cllr Devon would inform MCC of any further
developments.
Action: Cllr Devon
Ardchattan
Community Council:
Information copied in to MCC regarding Gaelic Plan
and Community Involvement. MCC would be meeting up with Argyll and
Bute Councillors for Wards 4&5 13th December, Corran
Halls, Oban. An invitation received for 3 MCC members to attend,
Tony Proud and Graham Brown interested in attending, where they
would meet up with fellow Councillors.
Report:
Action: GB/TP
Tobermory
Harbour Association:
Public meeting will be held 18th January 2008
MAFA:
AGM held 11th December, Douglas Wilson elected new Chair
5.
Renewable Energy Forum:
Meeting held 13th November to discuss the way forward.
The group wish to continue under umbrella of MCC. Meeting would be
held in mid January 2008, inviting enthusiastic people interested in
all forms of renewable energy developments on Mull to attend.
Notices will be displayed locally and in Round and About and Am
Muileach. To move forward, start of the meeting will be chaired by
Chair of MCC. New Chair and Vice Chair will be duly elected at this
meeting
Action: LC/LD
6.
Finance Report:
Closing Balance: £2638.92
7.
Youth Club, Tobermory:
Donald McCuish (PC Tobermory) reported that a drop-in
centre will be starting up January/February, based at the drill
hall. Argyll and Bute Council has offered some funding to assist
the project. He asked if the project could go under the umbrella of
MCC, this was agreed, but Chair requested that a quarterly report be
given to MCC and a financial statement and update be given at the
yearly MCC AGM. Formal written request required for the above.
Action: DM
8. Housing:
Fiona
Brown, Pennyghael:
Held meeting
at Pennyghael Community Centre to discuss proposed building at Yards
Field. To create access road, effluent and treatment plant area is
designated as sensitive. Letter of objection sent in to Planning
Department. Correspondence copied in to Cllr Devon.
Bunessan-Linda
Cameron:
Chair
reported landslide, above the community hall at Bunessan, ground
still moving, but monitored on a regular basis. Noted that sewerage
is still seeping out in the main street and at the bridge (down from
Millbrae) in Bunessan. Sewerage systems can’t cope at present and
additional houses passed planning already will only add to problem.
Reported
there are currently no phone lines left down on the Ross of Mull.
Cllr Devon has discussed with Chief Executive of BT, work ongoing at
present to reportedly add 50 lines.
Chair
welcomed and thanked Terry Allan, Commercial Manager, Royal Mail,
for attending the MCC meeting.
Mr. Allan in
charge of 5,500 staff and based in Glasgow. He gave background
information on the recent change in working practices for delivery
of mail; the changes have been forced on Royal Mail by EU
regulations. Royal Mail were previously granted an exception, but
from January 2008 vehicles have to travel at 56 mph, following
industrial action during October, the changes were implemented.
Stated Royal Mail has consulted fully with staff on the island. All
mail starts and goes through Glasgow at the mail processing centre
(30,000 letters a year). Not prepared to discuss newspapers, Royal
Mail is not responsible; they have received bad press over the
issue. Menzies distribution is free to use anyone they like to
bring newspapers over to the island
²
Mail arrives in the building by 7.30
pm, net impact on the change means it takes one hour longer
²
70-75% of mail arrives in Oban from
Glasgow by 7.15 am
²
Mail coming into the processing centre
(Glasgow) from 10 pm onwards
²
Mail for Mull previously left (Glasgow)
at 5.15 am now leaves at 5.45 am, 100 miles from Glasgow, therefore
van misses first ferry
²
From March 2008 sorting of mail will be
re-sited to portacabins at Craignure, delivery will revert to
previous times, more staff will be sorting mail.
²
Meeting held today (12th
December) with CalMac Royal Mail use them on a regular basis, but
they cannot change time of first sailing. Royal Mail must have a
cost effective operation, aim to give optimum service and cannot
charter other boats to deliver mail
²
If Royal Mail fail to meet targets
would be charged high penalties
²
The people of Mull and Iona people
would prefer 75% of their mail to come on the first boat and wait
for 25% until following day, no difference in cost. Important
quality of service is maintained. Mr. Allan suggested MCC canvas
members, this has already been done.
²
Royal Mail have a legal obligation to
present any change to the Regulator
²
Concerns raised about recorded delivery
mail, which if not delivered, remains in the post van. Mr. Allan
assured all present that the vans are insured when parked securely.
²
Question from Chair, what would the
situation be on Iona regarding this. Mr. Allan stated the same
situation would apply, informed Iona does not have a van!
²
Agreed to discuss with CalMac use of
secure trolley to bring remaining 25% of mail on 10 am ferry
²
Mr. Allan informed all present where
some sorting offices are located, the working conditions can be
appalling
²
Cllr Devon had prepared some facts:
70-75% of mail arrives by 7.15 am 25-30% arrives by
8.45 am. Arrives for 10 am ferry, Monday – Thursday and
Saturday-Oban. On Friday Lochaline, two hire vans leave Oban by
7.30 am arriving Lochaline 10 am cost for one day £321.10, total
cost £16,697.20 for year. 6 days from Oban, total cost £17,799.60
for year. Mr. Allan unaware of the calculations presented
Questions
open to the public:
Chamber of
Commerce: asked a large number of businesses on concerns expressed
to the delay of 25% of mail arriving next day. Mail arriving from
7.30 pm in the evening cannot be dealt with on the same day.
Dave Banks:
Is Mull the only place detrimentally affected by the recent change,
Mr. Allan stated yes because of the geography.
Mr. Allan
encouraged local groups to write to him, with their concerns and
suggestions. The changes are not designed to cause ill feeling with
the people of
Mull.
Action: ALL
9.
Scottish Islands Federation:
Cllr Devon attended meeting, impressed, and a first step to an
island Minister in Parliament.
10.
Cllr. Devon:
Cllrs
Chalmers and Devon attended Holiday Mull meeting, are going through
a transition and need to change their image. MCC should be used
more; only elected statutory body on the island. MCC should be
informed of what is happening with groups throughout the island.
Jim pointed out the Chair has gone a long way to promote MCC; we
should all be working together for the whole island. It is hoped
communication will improve in 2008.
Action: ALL
11.
Minute/Correspondence Secretary:
Over 3,000 people on the island only one official application
received, two people expressed an interest verbally, but MCC need an
active secretary. Chair agreed to interview applicant. Present
secretary agreed to attend January meeting to help with hand
over.
Action: LD
12.
Day of monthly meetings:
Due to Bert’s other commitments, he suggested changing day, but
following discussion members present decided to keep to second
Wednesday in the month, it is known on the island MCC meet 2nd
Wednesday. Although in January 2008, meeting would be changed from
9th to 16th.
13.
MICT:
Paul queried
why MICT had not received confirmation that he would be continuing
as the MCC rep on MICT, Chair would look into this. Chair then
asked Paul if he wished to continue, he stated he would prefer to
step down. A discussion then took place on MCC’s relationship with
MICT and it was agreed it would be more beneficial if MICT sent a
rep. to MCC or sent their minutes from meetings (previously
requested). MICT would be informed of
decision
Action: LC/LD
14.
PCC: Project
ongoing
15.
Keep Mull Moving:
Tony queried whether any progress. Chair has spoken to Jamie
McGrigor MSP, ongoing
16.
Area Reports from Community Councillors:
Tony
Proud, Dervaig:
Road at Aros Bridge, Dervaig will be gritted. Re-cycling bins will
be moved early in New Year. Two enquiries have been received to
hire marquee in April and June, Jim still in possession of the
floor.
Adrian
Fitness, Craignure:
Caravans have been removed from the lorry park at
Craignure. Due to ferry being half-hour late member of public
arrived at Salen surgery 5.15 (surgery 4.30-5.30 pm) but unable to
see Doctor. Reported only one Doctor covering the whole of the
North of
Mull
Action: AF
Graham
Brown, Tobermory:
Problems reported on transport provision for pre-five children
attending Gaelic medium classes. Argyll and Bute Council are
promoting, but not prepared to provide transport.
Action: GB
Fiona
Brown, Pennyghael:
Following article in Oban Times 29th November, Bowmore
Hall, Islay bought by the community, after renovation work had been
carried out, for £1 from Argyll and Bute Council, Pennyghael
community tried to do the same, turned down and had to buy for the
market value.
Action: Cllr Devon
Message
from Chair: (Omitted from November minutes):
Really concerned about the high
number of “No Shows,” which CalMac has stated. I am also very aware
from a number of sources that,
when booking ferry informed full, although on many occasions boat is
not
running to full capacity, (very
annoying!) For the benefit of the island (not just residents) could
you please
think about the disruption this is
causing and perhaps in the future ring in to CalMac and cancel any
journey you are not able to use.
We have in the past asked people to do this, but quite obviously
this is
not happening. Please consider
this for 2008 bookings.
On behalf of Mull Community
Council I would like to wish you all a Happy and Healthy 2008,
cheers Linda!!
17.
Time and date of next meeting:
7.30 pm Wednesday 16th
January 2008, Craignure Hall
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