MULL COMMUNITY COUNCIL – MINUTES OF MEETING, 13^TH JULY, 2010.

Present: James Heggie (Chairman),Steve Willis (Vice-Chairman), Jim Corbett, David Greenhalgh, Bert Leitch, David Graham, Ronnie Campbell, Stewart MacDougall, Cllr Mary-Jean Devon, Sergeant Mark Stephen and Jenny Reddaway (Secretary).

The Chairman extended a warm welcome to Sergeant Stephen and Councillors and thanked the Vice Chairman for all his work whilst the Chairman was away.

1.0 Apologies: Fiona Brown, Susan Campbell, Rory Forrester.

2.00 Police Matters.

Sgt. Stephen apologised that no-one had attended the previous meeting; the officer who had been asked to attend had an incident to attend to. Sgt. Stephen advised that he would try and come to the meetings himself where possible. Current issues are drink-driving around Bunessan area and parking in Tobermory; as regards the latter Oban traffic wardens were being drafted in for the Highland Games. Asked about the new Police community digital newsletter, Sgt. Stephen advised that, as it was difficult to get around to meet everyone, the newsletter would be a way of letting people know what is going on and what campaigns are running. It was hoped that this would go out monthly and would not affect the job the Police normally do. Businesses and individuals wanting to be on the mailing list should email Sgt Stephen at Mullpolicenewsletter@strathclyde.pnn.police.uk.

Ronnie Campbell, referring to the news that Strathclyde Police was not recruiting and reportedly cutting 200 officers, asked if this would affect Mull. Sgt. Stephen replied that the Deputy Chief Constable who had just been on the island had not given any indication of changing personnel. It was noted that PC Ian Brown would be moving out of the Police House in Bunessan but would be using it as an office.

The Chairman thanked Sgt. Stephen and welcomed him to Mull.

			ACTION
3.00	Minutes of the Meeting on 8^th June 2010.
	3.01	Corrections/Approval The Minutes were approved. Proposed by James Heggie and seconded by Steve Willis.
	3.02	Action Items (if not on agenda) Royal Mail presentation - the Secretary had circulated Cllr Chalmers’ report. The Chairman had written to Alan Reid MP but had not yet had a response; it was believed Mr Reid was on holiday. MICT Board – The Vice Chairman did not feel able to commit to this at this time – ongoing. Planning Applications – availability of plans locally – The Secretary confirmed that plans are available in the Tobermory Area Office and in Post Offices in other parts of the islands as relevant to the location. Sound of Mull Working Group Meeting – Noted that Rory Forrester had been unable to attend; further information under Councillors’ Report. Home Care bill – a letter had been sent to Charles Reppke. The matter is being dealt with by Argyll & Bute Council.

4.00	Mull Rally
	Stewart MacDougall and Cllr Devon variously advised that Tunnocks were now on board as a major sponsor and a meeting had been arranged for the near future with another possible sponsor to plug any shortfall in funding. It was noted that local funding was proving difficult and local businesses were concerned that the approaches to them were somewhat piecemeal; several Tobermory businesses had not been contacted. The route would be essentially that used in 2008 and the Road Closure Order had been submitted. Sergeant Stephen was reassured that an operational order had been issued and the charge would be £7,875.00 plus VAT. The Regulations would be on the website the week after the meeting and entries (maximum 150, plus a number of reserves) opening early August. Entries would be on a first come, first served basis. After discussion with competitors, it had been agreed that entries would cost £550 and include video and DVD; compared with other events, for the stage mileage involved, this represented good value for money. It was intended that there would be a large screen (provided by Eddie Stobart at a much reduced hire charge) in Ledaig car park and it was hoped that footage of the rally would be available throughout some of the event. The Prize-giving would be held on Sunday afternoon, making it a family occasion.

5.00	Mail & Newspaper Deliveries
	Nothing further to report.		Chairman

6.00	Scottish Water
	Scottish Water had been provided with a list of issues. The Vice Chairman had been contacted by Craig Anderson of the BBC for background and the Chairman had also been contacted by the media. It was known the BBC would be on the island on Thursday. The Secretary advised on responses to the invitations. Cllr Devon advised that Scottish Water had taken a lesson from Mull’s problems and were tankering water to Tiree; householders there had also been given a device to cut 1 litre of water for every flush. Scottish Water have also recognised that the ferries and cruise ships take on water under licence and that it would be necessary to extend the water storage and treatment system. Craignure was worst affected when it came to storage. Ronnie Campbell advised that, during the hot weather, the stench in Bunessan from the sewage leak was appalling.

7.00	Passing Place Notices
	The Chairman felt that notices for passing places were a matter of road safety and should be handled by the roads department. Cllr Devon advised that monies were not available for this. The Chairman also felt that day-glo orange posters all over the island would not enhance the environment; he was also concerned about insurance. The majority were in favour of additional blue signs and it was suggested by Stewart MacDougall that a large sign, like that at Lochaline, situated at Oban where it would serve all the other routes from that hub, would be desirable. The Chairman agreed to contact Calmac regarding this. He also agreed to follow up the letter sent by the Vice Chairman with regard to having leaflets handed out at the kiosk. It was suggested that the Community Council should apply for sea eagle fund from MICT to help with costs involved. The Chairman agreed to raise this with MICT. Other suggestions were that information on single track roads should be in every accommodation outlet and on websites such as those for Holiday Mull, Calmac and VisitScotland. There should also be a sign in the Visitor Information Centre.		Chairman Chairman

8.00	Am Muileach. The Chairman agreed to make contact.		Chairman

9.00	Housing & Development (including planning applications)
	The Vice Chairman advised that he had been contacted by a resident with a difficult issue. It was agreed that the Community Council would write to the Planning department in support of the resident. The Vice Chairman reported that, having contacted several people regarding the wind turbine on Inch Kenneth, there were no particular concerns. The Vice Chairman, referring to a planning application at Baliscate, asked Cllr Devon whether, where it was known that there was potential for archaeology, this was flagged up automatically. Cllr Devon advised that it was.		Vice Chairman

10.00	Calmac
	There had been some concern about lack of information from Calmac regarding the ferry situation. It was noted that a revised timetable was on their website. David Graham advised that it was hoped the Clansman would return to duty on 27^th July or shortly thereafter. Ronnie Campbell reported that complaints had been received concerning ordering meals; some people did not get their meals in time to finish eating before docking. An Agenda for the Ferry Committee meeting on 26^th July had been circulated; it was agreed that the Chairman would raise the question of signage. Councillors had just been circulated with details of the Scottish Ferries Review consultation document links. The consultation period ends on 30^th September and Councillors were asked to consider this document for discussion at the September meeting. Mr Graham considered it essential, as proven by the Clansman situation, that routes remained as one bundle.		Chairman All/ Secretary

11.00	MICT Report
	No report.

12.00	Roads & Transport
	The Chairman reported that progress was being made in the north of the island. Stewart MacDougall advised that the Kintra road was very bumpy and David Greenhalgh reported the Ardtun road that serves nearly 100 as appalling. Mr Greenhalgh also asked that it be noted that liaison with locals on the timing of closures in future should be made as delays of 35-40 minutes had been experienced. It was noted that the work was being done to a reasonable standard but the joins between old and new sections were very bumpy and some of the drop-offs were bad. Jim Corbett reported the Croggan road as a disgrace and needing re-surfacing. Part of the new Glen Bellart road was reported as falling off. Jim Corbett advised that he, Steve Willis and Rory Forrester had had an interesting meeting with Sandy MacTaggart, concentrating mainly on the weight limits and a further meeting was planned with Neil and Graham Brown. Cllr Devon advised that it was hoped to secure some funding from the money made available from the Barnett Formula.

13.00	Correspondence Received
	All correspondence received had been copied to Councillors.

14.00	Councillors’ Report
	Cllr Devon advised that the Council had been down four members of staff resulting in the graveyards becoming overgrown, verges not cut and the bottle banks not emptied. Four new staff members, two of whom would become permanent, have now been employed. Bert Leitch enquired whether the Rural Opportunities scheme would be continuing and also about the Local Plan 2014. Mr Leitch had also not heard from the Council regarding his application. Cllr Devon asked Mr Leitch to provide her with the reference number and she would follow it up. The Chairman advised that there were a lot of complaints about the Main Street toilets being closed. Cllr Devon advised that Cllr Chalmers had made an effort to re-open them but this had proved impractical. The Chairman also asked about the signage at the bottom of Eas Brae. Cllr Devon advised this was in hand. She further advised that there would be signs advising that overnight parking of motor homes and caravans would not be permitted.		Bert Leitch/ Cllr Devon

15.00	Treasurer’s Report
	David Graham reported that funds stood at £2,225.85. Tony Proud was now back from hospital and he would liaise with Tony regarding getting the accounts audited and sent off to the Council. David Graham was to liaise with the Secretary regarding incidental expenses. It was noted that Jim Corbett has the marquee and the next booking for this was the Bunessan Show. Mr Corbett also has the floor and this was let for the 24^th July at a cost of £70.00. The Vice Chairman was to chase for the £500 for completing the FOLI survey.		DG DG/Sec Vice Chairman
16.00	Any Other Business (including Area Reports)
	The Vice Chairman advised that the pods for re-siting the recycling bins at Salen would be arriving this week; the new site was not yet prepared. In expressing concern as to why the RSPB should be considered a statutory consultee, Bert Leitch raised the question of the pine marten family that has arrived on Mull. These are not native to the island, are voracious animals and a big threat to wildlife and birds. Mr Leitch’s concern was shared by other Councillors.
17.00	Date of Next Meeting. There will not be a meeting in August. The next meeting will take place at 8.00 pm on Tuesday, 14^th September, 2010, in Craignure Village Hall.

MULL COMMUNITY COUNCIL – MINUTES OF MEETING, 13TH JULY, 2010.

Corrections/Approval

Action Items (if not on agenda)

Mail & Newspaper Deliveries

Housing & Development (including planning applications)

MULL COMMUNITY COUNCIL – MINUTES OF MEETING, 13^TH JULY, 2010.