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MINUTES OF THE MULL COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 4th OCTOBER 2006,
CRAIGNURE HALL
PRESENT:
Linda Cameron, Chair
Fiona Brown,
Pennyghael/Tiroran Tony Proud, Dervaig
Ronnie Campbell,
Bunessan Councillor Alistair MacDougall
Paul Forster,
Salen Linda Dawson, Minute/Correspondence
Secretary
Bert Leitch, Ulva Ferry
1. Apologies:
Adrian Fitness,
Craignure Hazel Yule, Tobermory
2. Police Matters:
Chair queried why the
travelling people have moved with their caravans from Fishnish to
Craig area on the island, following Forestry Commission wanting
Fishnish area designated site. Chair agreed to follow this
up
Action: LC
3. Minutes and
matters arising from the meeting held Wednesday 13th September 2006:
3.1 Minutes:
All items approved as an
accurate record. Proposed by Fiona Brown, seconded by Ronnie
Campbell
3.2 Action Points:
Big Art Project:
Letter to be
sent
Action: LD
Marquee:
Parts sent away for repair
to Glasgow, transport costs £100. Request for pins to be purchased,
cost approximately £50, and agreed. Payment outstanding for hire by
Bunessan Show
Action:
RC
Proposed Progressive Care
Centre:
Signed documentation now in
hand. Chair had been informed that proposed plans and drawings of
rooms would not be practical for working use; all agreed that right
design and facilities should be provided and discussed before being
presented to Planning. Next meeting of PCC 11th
October. Chair to inform committee of MCC’s
concerns.
Action: LC
Bulk Installation of
Small Scale Domestic Wind Turbines for Mull:
Issue discussed fully at
last meeting. Paul Forster, Chair of Renewable Energy Forum, would
discuss with James Hilder, before calling a meeting of REF. MCC
cannot reply to MICT letter until REF meeting held
Action: PF
Tobermory Street Parking
Charges:
Meeting of parking sub-group
held recently. Neil Brown, Argyll and Bute Council will meet with
group after 22nd October. Group are aiming for a public
enquiry to be held.
War Memorials:
Discussed at the last
meeting. Letter would be sent to the War Memorial Trust regarding
possible source of funding
Action: LC/LD
Ulva Ferry School:
Awaiting response from Kaz
Rigby, Argyll and Bute
Council
Action: LD
Association of Scottish
Community Councils:
Subscription Membership
Renewal for islands is £5. TP would forward payment.
Action: TP
4.
Correspondence:
4.1 Rubbish and
Recycling Point, Fionnphort:
Chair received letter from
resident in Fionnphort, Councillor MacDougall also sent copy, had
not taken any action to date. During bad weather the rubbish, paper
and tin can bins are either blown over or outwith the car park
entrance, some with the contents blowing about, this occurs
frequently. Chair took action as Community Councillor for
Fionnphort and spoke to Mairi MacKinnon, MESS and Sandra Duncan
Argyll and Bute Council. Areas are going to be made secure, wooden
railing enclosure will be provided. Fionnphort will be priority due
to complaints.
4.2 West Highland
Housing Association:
Chair received letter from
Gregor Cameron giving update on the proposed housing developments on
Mull, as agreed he would keep MCC informed
4.3 Iona Community
Council:
Chair received letter from
Iona CC, following on from MCC correspondence. Reply received
extending their apologies for delay in responding. Appreciate
action being taken by both MCC and Ferry Committee and would also
give supporting help when and if needed
4.4 Grab Trust:
Free conference from 10 am –
3.30 pm, Corran Halls, Oban Friday 20th October 2006,
launching Argyll and Bute’s Beach Forum. No one able to attend
4.5 Postwatch
Scotland-Review of Policy on Exceptions to the Universal Service
Obligation on delivery services: briefing document:
All agreed that everyone
should have a daily delivery of mail wherever they live. No
information received at small Post Offices on the proposed review.
Views on the proposals required by 13th October 2006.
Action: LC/LD
4.6 Local Public
Holidays-Tobermory:
Proposed dates for 2007 sent
for information
5. MICT Update:
Paul unable to attend last
two meetings. Still no minutes received by MCC
Action: PF
Item in Community Council
Update September 2006-Marine and Coastal National Park stating MAFA
and MICT propose a joint conference with MCC. Chair noted NFU are
not mentioned, Bert will raise at the NFU meeting 11th
October. No approach received to date.
Action: BL
6. MESS Update:
Fiona unable to attend last
meeting
7. Finance Report:
Closing Balance: £2098.68
8. Keep Mull
Moving-Linda Cameron update:
Letter received from George
Lyon MSP,met with Duncan Macintyre, Transport Spokesman, agreed to
pursue a joint approach with both the Scottish Executive Transport
Department and Transport Scotland to identify possible funding to
upgrade and rebuild the roads on Mull. Also met with Tavish Scott
MSP, Transport Minister and intends to meet with Chief Executive of
Transport Scotland to discuss how that might be achieved.
Importance was stressed that KMM group should be involved with
Argyll and Bute Council. Councillor MacDougall stated that the
removal of weight restrictions is a priority, with a ranking of 25
(1 being high priority), will be discussed at the next Area
Committee of Argyll and Bute Council. Councillor MacDougall to
report back to
MCC
Action: AMac
All present agreed that
urgent action required on Mull roads, they are the worst in Argyll.
Shortage of staff now on the island to carry out every day
maintenance, which is not happening, ditches flooding on to the road
and undermining the road infra-structure, many potholes, ditches
urgently need cleaned. Blocked vision around corners also a problem
and should be priority. No maintenance personnel down the Ross of
Mull or Iona. Road survey vehicle had been on the island once
again.
9. CalMac:
²
Chair received letter from Phil
Preston, expressing thanks for hosting the meeting on 13th
September. An independent assessment survey will be commissioned,
starting 9th October for three weeks. Interviewers will
be present at both Oban and Craignure and on board the vessel. They
will also seek to interview throughout the island. Results will be
published around mid-November and Mull Community Council will be
informed of the outcome. News of the survey has been published in
the press, copy circulated
²
Correspondence received from Wilf
Loynd, subject was CalMac alternatives, discussion followed. Jim
Mather MSP may visit Mull on 6th October to discuss.
Await further information or correspondence
²
Reported that a Rugby Club from
Glasgow for a match with Mull arrived at Oban 8 minutes before
sailing, travelling as foot passengers. The referee was on board,
but they were refused on the ferry and the match had to be
cancelled. Rules and regulations have to be in place, but a bit of
common sense would have been appreciated. Chair contacted Phil
Preston, but no response received
²
Expected arrival of team from
Preston, travelled overnight to catch the first ferry on Friday for
an important family meeting on Mull, but were refused on the ferry
²
In May, June, July and August on
some sailings the ferry sometimes late
²
On another incident, Highland
Heritage buses were allowed on to ferry, bus blocked lane which
stopped other cars boarding although empty spaces still on board
²
Ronnie read out press report, which
stated that employment would be transferred to CalMac Ferries. The
HQ is currently in Gourock, but why could new premises not be
considered at Oban’s new ferry terminal. George Lyon MSP was
previously pushing for this to be considered, letter to be
sent
Action: LD
²
Ronnie recently attended meeting in
Edinburgh with Duncan Macintyre, met with Tavish Scott MSP, Minister
for Transport. Important that there is representation on the
Transport Committee from the islands
²
Follow up action points from CalMac
meeting
Action:
LC/LD
10. Area Reports from
Community Councillors:
Fiona
Brown-Pennyghael/Tiroran:
Clydesdale Bank has been
losing trade and regret closing some of their branches
Councillor MacDougall:
For information-Mull Theatre
and the Junior Gaelic Choir have been offered help with funding
Bert Leitch-Ulva Ferry:
Concerns expressed on the
number of ewes, approximately 4,000, going off Mull hills, also
approximately 40,000 over the past six years on Skye. Issue will be
discussed at the NFU meeting 11th October. Mull is a
tremendous bio-diversity area; but tourists do not always understand
the whole picture on the island.
Linda Cameron-Fionnphort:
Land also on the island,
which has been left animal free for the last few years has become
dangerous for walkers. Wild life and animals have diminished in
numbers, land overrun with heather and bracken and now potential
fire hazard area. This also causes concern for neighbouring
farmers, when controlling management of their land.
11. Time and Date of
Next Meeting:
7.30 pm Wednesday 8th November 2006, Craignure
Hall
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