MINUTES OF THE MULL COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 8th NOBEMBER 2006, CRAIGNURE HALL

PRESENT:

Linda Cameron, Chair

Fiona Brown, Pennyghael/Tiroran  Bert Leitch, Ulva Ferry

         Ronnie Campbell, Bunessan         Tony Proud, Dervaig

         Jim Corbett, Lochbuie                  Councillor Alistair MacDougall

         Paul Forster, Salen                       Linda Dawson, Minute/Correspondence Secretary

1.      Apologies:

Hazel Yule, Tobermory

2.      Coastal Marine National Park:

Following telephone request to Chair from Tony Proud, three representatives from Mull Aquaculture and Fisheries Association (MAFA) attended the meeting.

Chair sent e-mail to Ross Finnie MSP expressing concern that the roadshow scheduled to visit Tobermory would be on the Saturday of the Mull Rally,
no reply received and requested another visit, preferably to be more centrally situated on the island.  
Also member of Scottish Executive phoned Chair and also stated same request, and that MCC had not been given any prior notice of the roadshow consultation.  
The information unit would visit again both to Tobermory and Craignure on 5th November.

Nick Turnbull, (Secretary of MAFA) gave the following overview of MAFA, and their background to the association and present position
on the proposed coastal and marine national park:

²     Consultation has been inadequate leading to lack of knowledge

²     Questionnaire is loaded

²     Lack of any detail on how a park management will affect industry

²     Conflict between consultation document and 2000 Parks Act

²     Issue on CMNP seems to be steamrollered through Parliament.  Representatives from MAFA attended debate in Edinburgh,
20 MSP’s in chamber, three main members
debated the issue 1-4 pm, at 4.30 pm all constituency representatives filed in and the amendments were defeated, not the way of democracy

²     Industries believe there is enough regulatory bodies in place, particularly on the fishing front

²     Believe that zoning and enforced areas of closure will be a recommendation of any park authority.  Not against conservation measures,
believe that a park authority is not the correct body to manage the marine environment

²     Assured that Argyll and the Islands and northwards to Ardnamurchan to South Skye remains frontrunner

²     Promotional company ran roadshow event,

²     Park will not be imposed against the wishes of local people.  No indication of how this is going to be achieved other than consultation

²     Approximately 200 fishermen and fish farmers dependant on industry, many young people

²     Concerned, with other groups, about the overall infrastructure of the island, particularly transport and housing.  
All island representatives should be involved in discussions, before any serious consultation on a proposed marine park

²     Anxious not to cause conflict, but to work with all island organisations for the benefit of the island as a whole. 
Unified view from the whole of Mull essential

²     Support the SNP demand for a referendum by those who live and work in any proposed CMNP as being the only fair way to ascertain local opinion. 
This should happen only after the details are known of all aspects of a CMNP

²     Representations to be made by 10th January 2007, form to be completed, but own written representation will be accepted

Concerns/issues raised:

²     Jim suggested that MCC should talk to other Community Council’s affected by a proposed CMNP to see if they are going to organise a referendum

²     Bert expressed concern that if fishing disappears from Ulva Ferry, there will be no young people/families left in the area

²     Councillor MacDougall reported that Argyll and Bute Council have to respond to the consultation document. 
A consultation meeting may take place in the Corran Halls, Oban 7th December

²     MAFA suggested a conference be held in December organised by MCC/MICT, very keen that MCC are involved.  Chair to contact James Hilder MICT                                                                Action: LC

²     On behalf of the farming community, is a response being submitted from Mull, through NFU.

²     MCC would write to Scottish Executive requesting a more detailed consultation on the proposal and how it will affect people living/working in this area                                                                   Action: LD

²     Suggested feedback from Loch Lomond park would be useful

3.      Police Matters:

Chair still to contact Sgt. Erskine regarding travelling people.  They have now moved on from the Craig area, noted a lot of rubbish left behind                                                                                                     Action: LC

4.      Minutes and matters arising from the meeting held Wednesday 4th October 2006:

4.1     Minutes:

With the exception of the following amendment, all items approved as an accurate record.  Proposed by Paul Forster, seconded by Tony Proud

Page 2-item 8-line 7-Keep Mull Moving: ranking of 25 (1 being high priority, should read 1 being low priority)

4.2     Action Points:

Marquee:

Payment still outstanding for hire by Bunessan Show                                                  Action: RC

Proposed Progressive Care Centre:

Chair unable to attend 11th October meeting.  Letter received from Bill Thompson.  All documentation signed, but transfer of site still to take place. 
 PCC Partnership will be holding information meetings 23rd/24th November in Tobermory, Craignure and Bunessan, times to be announced.

Bulk Installation of Small Scale Domestic Wind Turbines for Mull:

REF meeting would be organised during December                                              Action: PF/LD

War Memorials:

Letter sent, reply received enclosing grant application pack, able to provide 50% of costs up to £1,500. 
Jim received verbal estimate (£650) to repair Lochbuie war memorial. 
War memorials in other areas on the island, agreed quotes required              Action: JC/RC/BL/PF/LC

Ulva Ferry School:

No response from Neil Brown, Argyll and Bute Council.  School sign still on the ground

Keep Mull Moving:

Request for meeting, no response received from Stewart Turner.  Following Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee meeting 8th November, noted
 (Argyll and Bute Council) on public document £15M, to remove threat of proposed weight restrictions, following Economic Impact Assessment Study. 
Due to other meeting commitments and time of year, Chair feels meeting would be preferable in January with hope of some progress regarding above.

Use of Fire and Rescue Service in an emergency (Tobermory):                                Action: AF

CalMac:

²     No response from Tavish Scott MSP.  Reply received from George Lyon MSP, willing to meet with MCC end November/early December,
would contact his office to arrange suitable time, but stated Tavish Scott unlikely to attend.                                                                                                     Action: LC/LD

²     Chair received letter from George Lyon MSP re ambulance on ferry.  Space will be made available, regardless if fully booked or not/Dr. Jack,
Tobermory also copied letter to MCC for future reference.  Thank you

²     Independent Assessment Survey-noted regular users not been interviewed and had not been widely seen,
Chair noted survey being carried out on Iona and also had been in Fionnphort.

²     In Oban on one day, MCC awaits survey results

²     Incident involving rugby club match-Secretary to copy correspondence to MCC

²     Following meeting on 13th September, correspondence read out, copied to MCC. 

²     Letter supporting CalMac sent from Holiday Mull

²     Tony Proud raised three issues at 13th September meeting, response received from Philip Preston

o       PA system announcements-do not see any problems, part of planned management, checked every two months

o       Price difference of mini buses loaded/unloaded-when empty commercial rate

o       Overselling of tickets on day trips-do not oversell or overbook tickets

²     Chair attended liaison group meeting with National Trust for Scotland on Iona.  First time MCC in attendance.  Two meetings held each year. 
CalMac also attend this meeting

²     Lochaline and Corran Ferries-smaller vessels now operating on these runs, with reduced capacity which is causing delayed journey time

5.      Correspondence:

5.1     North West Mull Community Woodland Company Ltd:

1st Annual General Meeting held 7th November, decision taken to buy out 1600 acres of woodland.  Tony Proud attended.  
Group requested rep from MCC, Chair asked Tony if he would be willing, he agreed.  
Approved by committee             Action: LD

5.2     Clan MacLean Association:

Wish to hire MCC Marquee 23rd June 2007, help would be required                            Action: TP

5.3     Countryside Alliance-Post Office:

Letter received enclosing poster for display.  Local people asked to write to Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Minister responsible for Post Offices supporting this important facility and what its loss would mean. 
MCC would also write letter supporting             Action: LC/LD

5.4     Sustainable Communities Bill:

Form would be completed and sent                  Action: LC

5.5     Friends of Oban Hospice:

Letter received re “Christmas Campaign-Light up a Life”.  Request to sponsor Christmas lights 6.30 pm 14th December Corran Halls, Oban.  Donation to be sent.     Action: LC

5.6     Mull Rugby Club:

Request to purchase land from Forestry Commission Scotland, west of the existing pavilion, to construct a much needed car park.  Members all agreed.   Action: LD

5.7     Tunnock’s Mull Rally:

Chair invited to evening reception at Tobermory, but unable to attend

5.8     Planning:

E-mail received and passed to MCC from Tobermory Councillor regarding Building Warrant for prospective resident. 
Chair asked Councillor MacDougall to look into, reply received from Head of Planning, Argyll and Bute Council. 
Delays exist mainly due to shortage of Building Standards Officers, bid submitted for extra resources to recruit more staff. 
Why does it take so long for approval? There is no consistency. 
Councillor MacDougall pointed out that Architect’s should know what is/is not allowed and there are books available to make the planning process easier. 
The public can and should voice their concerns and complain to the right department. 
Following this correspondence, quote “this is the first complaint Building Control have received from Mull.” 
Please note-no building should start without a Building Warrant.

5.9     Users of Craignure Hall-note received from Committee:

Number of instances when not left in good state after use, damage caused etc.  All hall users asked to treat hall with due respect.

5.10   Resident on Knockan Road:

Letter received requesting help regarding burn being blocked, due to unsatisfactory result.  Chair agreed to look into                Action: LC

6.      MICT:

AGM 9th November, Craignure Hall.  Letter received from James Hilder re MCC rep on Board. 

Paul Forster asked if he wished to continue, he agreed.  Approved by committee                Action: LD

7.      MESS Update:

Meeting held 10th October, awarded increase 2 grant of £68,665 to fund:

o       Bio-diesel plant at Glengorm, starting in November, to convert waste cooking oil from businesses into diesel.  Will be used to fuel own collection vehicles

o       To start a recycling collection from businesses, including the waste cooking oil. 

MESS will charge for service, Council will reduce their uplift charge to compensate

o       When charity credit card approved, E-bay trading will begin, should help as charity shops accumulate more than they sell

o       Fionnphort priority for resiting of recycling bins and signs, Ledaig resited to Balliscate, Tobermory, looking at sites at Rockfield and Drumfin,

still looking for sites at Dervaig and Ulva Ferry

o       Money available from Grab Trust for beach cleaning projects, contact Aisa Nebreda at Grab Trust in Oban

8.      Finance Report:

Closing Balance: £2032.57

9.      Area Reports from Community Councillors:

9.1     Fiona Brown-Pennyghael/Tiroran:

Mull Rally-Tiroran area:

Complaints received about practising between 12 pm and 4 am through nights prior to rally, reported to Rally Committee. 

 Driveways and gates taped up at 4.30 pm for road closure at 11 pm on Friday night. 

Entrances still taped up on Monday.  Spectators observed climbing into gardens. 

Potholes there for ages, filled in Sunday before the rally, also down Uisken road same day. (Nothing to do with the rally)

9.2     Jim Corbett-Lochbuie:

General deterioration of road, with large potholes.  Banking recently collapsed completely, dealt with promptly

9.3     Councillor MacDougall:

There is a possibility that an Island Minister may be appointed specifically to deal with situations and problems arising on islands

10.     Local Elections:

For the next meeting, Chair asked Councillor MacDougall to explain the process involved, and how it would and could affect the island        Action: AMacD

Note from Chair:

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and have a safe, happy and healthy New Year.  Best wishes to you all, Linda

11.     Time and Date of Next Meeting:

7.30 pm Wednesday 13th December 2006, Craignure Hall