MINUTES OF THE MULL COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING

held on Wednesday 13^th June 2007, Craignure Hall

PRESENT:

Linda Cameron, Chair

Fiona Brown, Pennyghael/Tiroran           Paul Forster, Salen                    Councillors from Argyll and Bute

Ronnie Campbell, Bunessan                       Bert Leitch, Ulva Ferry                    Council in attendance:

Jim Corbett, Lochbuie                           Tony Proud, Dervaig                 Dick Walsh, Leader, Alison Debling

Adrian Fitness, Craignure                       Hazel Yule, Tobermory              Gordon Chalmers, Mary-Jean Devon and

Linda Dawson, Minute/Correspondence Secretary                                  Donald McIntosh

1.         Apologies:

None received

2.         Approval of Minutes from 9th May meeting:

            The following amendments to be recorded:

1.         “Quarterly Bulk Waste Collections”

This year no scheduled bulk collections are planned.  The tip will accept domestic DIY waste if delivered to the refuse site at Tobermory, this includes domestic white goods, freezers, TV’s, furniture and electrical appliances.  The tip will not accept builders waste unless accompanied by a pre-paid voucher obtained from A&B Council area office at Tobermory.  Question put to the Council: What or where can the people on the Ross of Mull dispose of the white goods they accumulate is there a collection point?  Answer: No.  However, a special uplift can be arranged for a fee of £27.00 via the area office Tobermory or free if access to the tip if delivered.

2.         CalMac:  3^rd paragraph should read: If journey cancelled one hour (not one day) before do not go down as a no show.

All other items were approved as an accurate record, proposed by Tony Proud, seconded by Jim Corbett

2.1        Action Points from the Minutes:

Argyll and Bute CHP: Fiona attended PPF meeting 22^nd May, Lochgilphead.  No specific issues raised about Mull.  Since NHS 24 implemented Scottish Ambulance Service called out more.  Dietician looking at way food should be served and how to help vulnerable patients at meal times.  E-mail received from Pat Logan informing that CHP meeting on Mull 14^th June in Craignure Hall, Fiona to attend.                                                  Action: FB

Chair welcomed Dick Walsh, now Leader of Argyll and Bute Council and Councillors for the area, encouraging to see at Mull Community Council meeting and wished it to be noted that MCC should be their first point of contact.  Chair then went on to highlight some of the issues recently brought to the attention of MCC:

•      No scheduled quarterly bulk waste collections-this will cause more fly tipping on the island

•      MESS doing good work, particularly with recycling, but cannot cope, need more or bigger bins in the tourist season. 

•      Old vehicles left lying around

•      Building Warrants, people waiting since last October

•      Planning, concerns expressed about the housing developments on the Ross of Mull.  Raw sewerage leaking into the bay at Bunessan, new housing developments will add to the problem

• ²     Craignure Pier, belongs to Argyll and Bute Council not CalMac

•      Proposed weight restrictions, Keep Mull Moving campaign established two years ago, since the Economic Impact Assessment study carried out no progress made, seems to be a problem, need Argyll and Bute Council to look into

•     Upgrade of the Salen-Tobermory road, when will it happen.  Road Action Group Salen (RAGS) letters sent to Argyll and Bute Council, no replies received.  Group do not want the process to be delayed

•     Toilet facilities being shut down

•     Cutting of grass verges

•     Health care, try and keep residents at home as long as possible

Reply from Councillor Walsh:

Informal discussions have taken place since Jim Mather MSP visited the island and met with representatives of organisations.  Impressed by the community activity on the island and agreed to look at issues raised by the Chair.  .  Specific issues:

Planning-(Cllr Walsh):

MCC should receive the weekly planning application list and participate in the hearing process, should receive advance notice and be able to access plans.  During the year the planning process may change, MCC should have a critical role in the planning process.  Gordon delegated to flag up any planning problems and report to the Chief Planning Officer on the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee.  Mary-Jean agreed to speak to Ken MacDonald about the weekly planning application list.                                                                                    Action: MJD

Building Warrants-(Cllr McIntosh):

Issue ongoing.  Oban has more planning decisions to make than any other area, only one Planning Officer, ten officers short, hoping to resolve the situation.  Problems with Agents main concern causing delays

Roads:

DW has read the Economic Impact Assessment Study, but needs more information.  £15M available to upgrade the Salen-Tobermory road, but there seems to be a blockage in the planning process, a further £15M to rectify the proposed weight restrictions and also available two further amounts of £2M.  Mary-Jean stated that the Salen-Tobermory road was number 1 in the planning process, but land acquisition objections received to the route proposed.  DW will find out where the funding is and would seek time scales for release of funds to carry out the work.  If the proposed weight restrictions go ahead, essential services, removal lorries, oil, rubbish collection would not be able to use the roads, this issue was highlighted in the study.  The Council seem to be holding back, nothing concrete seems to happen, very frustrating.  It was not just George Lyon who was aware of the Mull situation, as the MP and other MSP’s gave their full backing and support to the KMM group and would hope this would continue

Pennyghael Bridge:

Flagged up in need of repair, £250,000 set aside in the Council’s Capital Programme.

Issues raised by Community Councillors:

Toilets:

Dervaig closed, Bunessan was due to close, but following pressure on the Council, decided to keep open, Ulva Ferry disgrace, catchment main problem, settling tank required, Council have been informed many times.  Due to the lack of toilets on the island, many people use farm areas which are left in a mess.  DW stated the Council has no budget to deal with toilets.  MCC suggested that people pay to use the facilities in order to keep them open, people already pay at Fionnphort why not other areas

Craignure Pier:

CalMac deny access when the ferry arrives, waiting room not used to its full potential.  DW will take up with Neil Brown, who has already been made aware by MCC

Health Care:

DW reported the Council already provide a considerable amount of money towards this

Lunch Clubs:

Craignure, Dervaig, Pennyghael and Tobermory are all self supporting, Fionnphort runs with A&B help, but not held for two weeks due to shortage of helpers

Housing:

Further 115 houses planned for Mull, can bring people in from the housing list.  DW stated this is Westminster Law, English rule, there is only one list and anyone who meets the criteria from anywhere in Britain can be offered a house.  Priority given for homeless, families with children or people with health conditions on a need or demand basis.  MCC stated this was not common sense.  West Highland Housing Association is in possession of the housing list and has to demonstrate the need and demand for housing.  Affordable housing desperately needed for people on the island.  What about the infra-structure for the additional houses, the roads already in a deplorable state.  This is an ongoing problem for the Council, costs between £60-70,000 per year to house children and families.  Mary-Jean stated the majority of people on Mull, young single people or newly married who do not meet the criteria have the least points and less chance, children with health problems jump the list.  The proposed housing development by WHHA is not going to happen overnight, but could be developed over the next 20 years.  Accommodation needed for key workers.  DMcI: large homeless list within Oban, Lorn and the Isles, 50 houses being built at Oban, 600 at Dunbeg should ease the Oban problem.

Council Tax:

90% paid for second homes, additional income generated through the strategic housing fund for houses on the island, hope to access further monies (£6M).  SNP considering doing away with the Council Tax may introduce a local income tax on each person.  Any change could affect service delivery by the Council.  Legislation needs to be drafted so there are no loop holes.  Further discussion required on this difficult issue

Craignure Car Park:

Due to introduction of charges small car park behind the toilet block not being used, charging uneconomical not working at the moment.  Main car park full, some people have to park at Craignure Hall.  MCC suggested number of hours be increased (to travel to Oban and back-5 hours).  The changes were introduced to try and prevent traders parking overnight.  Suggestion: overnight parking should be chargeable rather than daytime.  Noted that the Council do not make a lot of money from the car park

Testing of private water supplies:

£600 per year, very costly, holiday accommodation must have Category 1 water.  A grant of £800 maybe available. After examination cost could be closer to £150-£200

RALF (Roads and Lighting Faults):

TP reports faults regularly, asked whether a record is kept at A&B Council, DW stated records should be kept.  People should not have to wait more than five days for a normal lighting fault, there are targets and outcomes to be achieved as part of the lighting Contract to the Council.  Ryan McGlyn is head of street lighting; MJD has met regarding the problems at Backbrae, Tobermory.  The cable needs replacing, a large job

Post Office vans:

Not getting on the first ferry in Oban mainly due to insufficient post office staff and not CalMac’s job to load vans.  GC there seems to be a breakdown in the relationship between the two companies.  Another problem, insurance of vehicles.  Reported there should be no further incidences of this kind.  DMcI reported on test mailings from Glasgow-Oban using Post Office employees, mail coming to Mull arrives one day later 90% in summer 50% in winter, also local mail sent to Glasgow then comes back to Mull.  MJD met with Hugh MacPhee, not CalMac’s problem.  This is mainly due to Post Office employing a workforce who do not hold a current UK driving licence

Noted that Councillor Dick Walsh (Leader of A&B Council) meeting with other organisations on the island.  MCC not aware of this meeting.                                                                                                                 Action: GC/MJD

3.         Correspondence Received:

3.1        Ministry of Defence:

Military flying exercises will be carried out 18-22^nd June

3.2        Proposed Telecommunications Installation at Tobermory Church, Victoria Terrace, Tobermory:

MJD has heard of no objections.  Information handed to GC, copy of Councillors reply to MCC for file.  Action: GC

3.3        RAGS:

Group has only received standard acknowledgments to letters sent, received nothing constructive.  Next meeting 25^th June.  Councillors looking into                                                                                                 Action: Cllrs

3.4        Clan McLean Association:

Event 18-23 June.  AF putting up marquee for this event                                                             Action: AF

3.5        Fèill Chaluim Comille, Torosay Castle:

Marquee sent back wet following hire.  Mairi Macleod, (Project Officer) stated that approximately 1,000 or more would be attending on Mull, only about 250 attended, 152 travelled on the late boat, which cost £3,000 to hire from CalMac.  Insufficient advertising, event on the Highland Year of Culture web site, could only buy tickets on line, which cost £25 each, but due to lack of tickets sold some people were handed tickets to come along.  People had travelled from Ireland, Lewis and other areas to attend.  Publicity done on the mainland no times, dates or locations stated.  Contact made in the first instance with MICT.  Many people feel disappointed and let down.  A small advert appeared in local press and the Iona Ceilidh had been very successful on the Friday evening, this is thanks to Mull Gaelic Choir members for arranging

4.         Finance:

Closing Balance: £1645.90

5          Area Reports from Community Councillors:

5.1        Adrian Fitness, Craignure:

Due to a health problem, CalMac refused to take buses from Isle of Mull Hotel on the Craignure-Oban ferry had to travel via Fishnish-Lochaline, but allowed other buses on to the island.  MJD stated they had identified “winter sickness” as the cause, guest staying at the hotel

5.2        Hazel Yule, Tobermory:

Letter handed to Chair tendering resignation from MCC.  Chair thanked Hazel for her time on the Council.  Noted that Steve Barlow other rep for Tobermory has missed five meetings in succession.

5.3        Paul Forster, Salen:

Asked if MCC could offer support for fire station at Salen, which was agreed in principle, but Chair suggested that Brigade personnel should send in written request for support                                                       Action: PF

5.4               Tony Proud, Dervaig:

£500 grant received from Argyll and Bute Council.  Asked if amount would be increased, no plans at the moment.  Raised-loss of local JP services as from December 2007.  Chair replied: For signing gun licences/passport renewal etc. you can also ask Minister, Doctor, Head teacher, Community Councillors etc. so should not be a problem throughout the island.

5.5               Bert Leitch, Ulva Ferry:

Request for a larger bin for waste paper and cardboard                                      Action: FB (MESS) and Cllrs

5.6               Linda Cameron, Fionnphort:

Fund raising being carried out to pay for work done on the war memorial.  MCC reps to let Chair know if they intend doing up memorials in their area.  Lochbuie at present fund raising.                                               Action: ALL

6.         Councillor Mary-Jean Devon:

•      All signatory JP’s will no longer exist unless qualifications kept up to date.  MJD recently signed in as JP and will be undergoing training.  Will also visit Ross of Mull regularly, so any JP services should not be a problem

•      Road sign in Dervaig contacted Neil Brown, A&B Council

•      Hoping to move re-cycling bins in Bunessan car park to area at Ross of Mull Historical Centre

•      Raw sewerage reported on the Ardtun Road, Bunessan looking into

•      Proposed housing at Fountainhead, Bunessan should be for local people

•      Negotiations taken place for past seven years to locate a bus shelter at Bunessan.  For safety reasons, hoped to place at the car park

•      Dog fouling, notices will be put up in Tobermory

•      Craignure toilets, money in the budget to improve

7.         Councillor Gordon Chalmers:

•      Taken on a number of committee appointments for the island, MCC need clarification of what these appointments are                                                                                                            Action: Cllr GC

8.         Time and date of next meeting:

8 pm Wednesday 11^th July 2007

Craignure Hall