Home
Up
Minutes M.C.C.Jan 10
Minutes M.C.C. Feb 10
Minutes M.C.C. Mar 10
Minutes M.C.C.April 10
Minutes M.C.C.May 10
Minutes M.C.C.June 10
Minutes M.C.C.July 10
Minutes M.C.C.Sept 10
Minutes M.C.C.October 10
Minutes M.C.C.Nov 10

Minutes of Mull Community Council Meeting held on Tuesday 12th January 2010

Present: James Heggie (Chair), Fiona Brown, Jim Corbett, Rory Forrester, David Graham, David Greenhalgh, Bert Leitch, Stewart MacDougall, Tony Proud (Treasurer), Steve Willis, James Hilder (MICT), John Clare (Secretary)

Apologies: Ronnie Campbell

1. MCC Income/Expenditure

Tony Proud circulated a breakdown of income and expenditure. A & B Council have confirmed that the annual level of support toward administration costs is fixed.

2. Roads and Transport

Tony Proud circulated current information from Keep Mull Moving including the road map. It was agreed that Tony Proud, Jim Corbett and Rory Forrester would represent MCC.

Chair confirmed that there had been no response from Mr Weston regarding the proposed Tobermory Main Street parking charges and that Jane Gillies had not progressed the weight restriction issue. There will be a concerted approach from businesses and residents in Tobermory in objection at a meeting in February. The legality of the proposals are also being questioned. A system of exemptions for local residents/businesses may be a possibility.

It was agreed that MCC would reaffirm the objections to the imposition of new road weight restrictions and parking charges in Tobermory and arrange a meeting with the new Director of Environmental Control at A & B Council, once he/she is appointed. Representations should also be made to Scottish Executive and the Westminster MP.

Jim Corbett noted that there had been a lack of gritting of roads with several roads closed and an absence of piles of grit by roadsides. Lack of drivers hours and a shortage of salt were noted as contributing factors, but the prioritisation by A & B Council of bus routes and some school bus routes to the exclusion of other roads was questioned. It was agreed that the lack of a contingency plan for severe weather should be taken up with Councillors.

3. Mail and Newspaper Deliveries

The ongoing lateness of mail deliveries is having a huge impact on businesses. The revised postal system is wholly due to Royal Mail statistical requirements. It was agreed to re-start the process of objection to the current method of operation by Royal Mail.

4. Road Equivalent Tariff (RET)

It was understood that RET may be scrapped and so it was agreed that the issue is not worth pursuing at present.

5. Mull Rally

Bert Leitch confirmed that Ian MacFadyen would like to attend the next meeting to address MCC - Agreed.

It was also agreed to invite Neil Molyneux and John Clayton to the April MCC meeting to discuss issues relating to the organisation of the rally.

6. Community Council Engagement

The issues of getting residents to engage with MCC were discussed. Currently, minutes and a report of meetings are published in Am Muilleach and Round & About. Meetings are open to the General Public and notices of meetings are displayed in advance to enable them to attend. A general impression that MCC lacks power may currently deter public involvement.

Action  TP, JC, RF  Chair  MCC TP

Chair

Fiona Brown expressed concerns that the revised method of Community Council elections did not promote representatives from each area, as in the past, but could allow a majority of members to be from one area.

It was agreed that Am Muilleach and Round & About should be asked to publish a contact list of MCC members with each minutes/report. Also that the publishers of the Red Book should be asked to include this list.

The issues of lack of information (and difficulty of accessing information) from A & B Council regarding some planning matters was raised. Community Engagement Officers are shortly to be employed by local councils as a point of contact regarding planning matters.

Tony Proud reported that Cllr. Chalmers had stated that the level of power of Community Councils and local people in determining such issues is still under discussion.
 

7. Tobermory Toilets

The reopening and maintenance of the Main Street toilets would have to be a community-led project as A & B Council have no legal responsibility to keep them open.

It was also noted that Craignure toilets were in a very poor state and created a very bad impression on visitors.

8. Street Lighting

The benefits of reducing excessive street lighting weighed against safety and other issues were discussed. The majority thought that no action was required at present.

9. MICT/MESS Report

James Hilder reported:

There is a vacancy for a MICT Director from MCC. Position to be left vacant until after the March elections. Chair asked MICT to send a representative, or report, to MCC meetings.

A bid has been made for £150,000 to provide an electric school bus (including charging points and wind turbine) for Bunessan School.

Funding is being sought for improvements to the Calgary Bay car park.

It is hoped to start work on the new centre in Craignure in April 2010 with completion the following April.

A contractor has been found for installing roof insulation for the Powerdown Project – contact the Project Officer for details.

An open meeting will be held on 27th Feb in Craignure Hall to discuss the hydro and wind power project proposals.

Analysis of recycling points has established that the Pennyghael site is not required. The investigation of the relocation of the Salen site is ongoing.

10. Financial Report

Closing balance: £2,343-10

11. Any Other Business

Aros Park Consultation: Meeting to be held on 20th Jan 7-9.30pm to discuss the future of the Park.

Pensioners Ferry Card: An approach is to be made by MCC to A & B Council regarding the potential withdrawal of free ferry travel as a cost cutting measure. Ronnie Campbell is to raise the matter with the Ferry-Users Committee.

Corran Ferry Closure: Contact is to be made to ascertain details of the closure and attempt to minimise potential disruption.

Marquee: Tony Proud confirmed that he wished to relinquish responsibility for the MCC marquee. The condition of the marquee is to be assessed when it is next used at the Mull Rugby Sevens in May and a decision will then be made on its future.

HGV MOT Exemptions: Notification of a consultation period until March 2010 had been received.

Scottish Water: Letter of response received regarding complaints of summer disruptions to water supplies. An investigation to look strategically at water supplies on Mull is ongoing.

Planning Aid: Details of the impartial and independent planning advice service were circulated. The latest review of the Local Plan is underway – draft proposals can be viewed on the A & B Council website.

George McQueen Retirement: David Graham proposed that a letter of thanks be sent.

12. Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 9th February 2010 at 7.30pm