Minutes of the Mull Community Council (MCC) Meeting held on
Wednesday 11th June 2008
Present:
Linda Cameron (Chairperson), Fiona Brown (Pennyghael/Tiroran),
Graham Brown (Tobermory), Ronnie Campbell (Bunessan), Jim Corbett
(Lochbuie), Adrian Fitness (Craignure), Paul Forster (Salen,
Vice-Chair), Tony Proud (Dervaig, Treasurer), PC Finlay Christine
(Strathclyde Police), John Clare (Minute/Correspondence Secretary).
Also in attendance:
Mike McLellan (Architect – PCC), Tom Martin (Project Manager – PCC),
Philip Wilson (West Highland Housing Association), Wilf Loynd (Mull
& Iona Progressive Care Centre), Bill Thomson (Mull & Iona
Progressive Care Centre), Alma Tyson (Mull & Iona
Progressive Care Centre), John Wilson (Mull & Iona Progressive Care
Centre), James Hilder (MICT) and one Member of the
Public.
Action
1.0
Apologies:
Andrea MacPhail (Tobermory), Cllr. Gordon Chalmers,
Cllr. Mary-
Jean Devon. Absent: Bert Leitch
(Ulva Ferry)
2.0
Police Matters:
2.01
PC Finlay Christine reported that improvements to parking
arrangements for
the collection of schoolchildren in Tobermory had
been implemented and were
successful. Further minor amendments may be
required.
2.02
The Mull Emergency Response Team is still in existence (co-ordinated
by
Carol Keeley). Links with MCC are to be
re-established and updated.
PC Christine
2.03
Interviews for the appointment of a new police sergeant are
imminent.
3.0
Progressive Care Centre
Linda Cameron welcomed the Mull and Iona PCC
Directors and members of the
Steering Group. Mike McLellan and Tom Martin then
gave a presentation
outlining the project to date from the initial
conception, through selection of
location, feasibility study, the various stages of
the conceptual plans, to the
current thinking regarding provision of facilities
and accommodation. Budget
costs, project cost estimates and possible programme
were also highlighted.
It was explained how site conditions, budget
constraints (including changes to
funding) and ongoing discussions between the Clients
and Design Team had
shaped the current size and layout of the building,
while still retaining its
functionality. Outline plans and elevations of the
L-shaped, two-storey building
were shown. It was emphasized that all project
partners were fully committed
to the project and that discussions regarding funding
levels and sources were
ongoing.
Mike McLellan confirmed that a finalised layout is
due by the end of July 2008,
with final community consultation and submission of a
planning application in
September. The site start is projected for
August/September 2009 with a 14-
16 month programme.
Two major elements of the project that still have to
be settled are the provision
of water to the building and the disposal of foul
water. It was confirmed that it is
vital to settle these issues as soon as possible to
avoid delays that could be critical
to the project. Linda Cameron expressed the concerns
of the community at the
closing of Salen Hospital and the possible delay to
the provision of the new facility.
Mike McLellan, Tom Martin and Philip Wilson answered
a range of questions from
those present. Linda Cameron thanked them for their
presentation and asked that
MCC be kept informed of future developments.
4.0
Minutes of the meeting held 14 May 2008:
Minutes proposed by Ronnie Campbell, seconded by
Adrian Fitness.
5.0
Housing & Development:
5.01
West Highland Housing Association – The meetings at Bunessan,
Pennyghael
and Salen to establish the level of requirement for
affordable housing had been
very poorly attended with a low level of applications
subsequently submitted.
5.02
Ardtun Planning Application – MCC had received copies of an
objection to
this proposal, which appears to be against planning
guidelines. It was suggested
that objectors should request a site meeting and
write to Councillors.
5.03
Plan for Mull – James Hilder confirmed that, following the
meeting called by
Cllr. Devon, he had been asked to seek funding for a
project manager to enable
preparation of the plan, and that Cllr. Devon had
successfully agreed an element of
match funding with Argyll & Bute Council and is due
to call another meeting at the
end of June. The Scottish Rural Development Scheme
(Rural Priorities) provides
funding for collaborative local development
strategies, and a meeting is to be held
with consultants who have experience of such projects
to establish budget costs.
A paper is being prepared by James Hilder to enable
the formation of a planning
group to prepare the plan.
Cllr. Devon
Linda Cameron confirmed that assistance is being
given in the preparation of the
MCC element, and other sections, of the plan to
encourage improved structure
and communication between groups.
6.0
Cal-Mac:
6.01
Due to lack of attendance, the date of the Mull Ferry Committee AGM
has
been rearranged to 7.30pm on 23 June 2008 at
Craignure Hall.
6.02
It was reported that the Iona slipway is due to be closed for
repairs for
four days in July. This was thought to be
unreasonable and is to be
investigated.
Cllr. Devon
6.03
It has been confirmed by Cal-Mac that there will be a 6.00pm sailing
on Tuesday evenings throughout winter. It is also
possible that there may be
a 6.00pm ferry on Sundays.
6.04
A range of problems relating to queuing, parking and turning away of
cars
has been reported to, or witnessed by, Community
Councillors.
6.05
Details of the outcome of the RET meeting are
awaited. Cllr.
Devon
A group of island representatives has been formed - a
MCC rep. is required.
Contact Linda Cameron if
interested.
All
7.0
Mail Deliveries:
Tony Proud and others, have written to the MP in
complaint at the current operation.
Replies are awaited.
8.0
Mull Rally:
The list of dates, times and locations has now been
received. The rally is not
visiting the Ross of Mull this year.
9.0
MICT Report:
The Chair asked James Hilder
regarding the following:
9.01
Salen recycling bins - A relocation site has not yet been
found. Notices
have been placed on the bins requesting courteous
behaviour by users. It is
still requested that the bins be removed from their
present location. James
Hilder
9.02
Food Festival – Individual events are taking place, but no
brochures
or press articles are being prepared.
9.03
Mull Butchers Shop – A new manager has been appointed. The
shop has
been improved and further funding has been received.
The shop will now be
taking local animals again.
9.04
The latest newsletter has been produced and circulated. It was
confirmed
that £5K is to be distributed to local community
groups shortly.
10.0
Mull Renewables:
The group is now under the auspices of MICT and the
remaining Renewable
Energy Forum funds are to be handed over to MICT.
Copies of the accounts
were given to Linda Cameron and James Hilder.
Articles are to be submitted to the local press
giving information of potential
energy saving schemes.
As Ronnie Campbell attends meetings, he is to report
back to MICT.
The Chair voiced her concerns regarding a drop in
meeting attendance from
22 to 3.
11.0
Holiday Mull:
Nothing to report.
12.0
Tobermory Harbour Association:
Following the AGM, letters have been sent to members
regarding the opening of
the new building on 3rd July 2008, when 25
years of the THA will also be celebrated.
Brian Swinbanks has been given the Argyll & Bute
Volunteer of the Year award and
was congratulated by Mull Community Councillors.
Concerns were expressed regarding leakage of sewage
into Tobermory Bay from
broken sewage pipes along the main street and from
the distillery. Attempts are
being made to improve the situation.
13.0
Roads & Transport:
13.01
Tarmac Provision - The offer of a tarmac company to install a
plant on
Mull is being discussed again with Argyll & Bute
Council.
Adrian Fitness
13.02
Keep Mull Moving - A meeting is to be organised
shortly. Linda
Cameron
13.03
Bunessan School Cycleway - Bollards were erected to prevent
vehicles
crossing the cycleway, but have been mysteriously
removed. Cllr. Chalmers
report to the last MCC meeting was read out again.
14.0
Finance Report:
Closing Balance of £ 1,851-68.
15.0
Any Other Business
(including Area Reports from
Community Councillors):
15.01
Sound of Mull – An Ardnamurchan Community Council
representative
is now attending meetings. Adrian Fitness (MCC rep.)
has exchanged contact details.
15.02
TETRA masts - Following a query to MCC, it was confirmed that
the small
masts were purely to fill in blind spots for
emergency service communications.
15.03
Community Engagement Meeting - Details of the next meeting in
Oban on
19th June were read out by Linda Cameron
who will try and attend.
15.04
MA Student – Contact to be made and information
provided. James Hilder
15.05
Data Protection Act – It is likely that notification to
Argyll & Bute Council
is required (£35-00 fee). Clarification is
required.
Linda Cameron
15.06
Tobermory Railings
– Responsibility for railing painting to be
investigated.
Graham Brown
15.07
Area Reports:
Tony Proud
(Dervaig):
The re-siting of the recycling
bins has been stopped pending a contesting
of land ownership.
A letter has been written to
Scottish Water regarding the proposed sewage
discharge.
Fiona Brown
(Pennyghael/Tiroran):
A report of the NHS Community
Health Partnership meeting was given.
Anyone with NHS queries should
contact Fiona before the next meeting
on 19th August 2008.
Ronnie Campbell
(Bunessan):
The Scottish Water sewage
collection/treatment tankers are too large
to gain access to a number of
properties. A request is to be made for
the provision of a smaller tanker
and pre-notification of visits.
Ronnie Campbell
The bus shelter has still not
arrived.
Cllr. Devon
Jim Corbett
(Lochbuie): The areas roads are still in an appalling
condition, although serious
potholes are filled as soon as a request
is made.
Adrian Fitness
(Craignure): The responsibility for upkeep of the Java
footpath is to be
established.
James Hilder
16.0
Time and date of next meeting: 8:00pm
Wednesday 9th July 2008 at
the Craignure Hall. |
