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ACTION |
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2.0
2.1
2.2 |
Minutes of the Previous Meeting on 13th
September, 2011.
Corrections/Approval.
The Minutes of the previous meeting were proposed by the
Chairman and seconded by the Vice-Chairman.
Matters Arising
(non-Agenda items) |
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3.0 |
Police Matters.
Sgt. Stephen advised that two individuals had been
interviewed but with no evidence the Police would be
unlikely to take matters further.
RF commented that, on a recent trip, he had noted that many
villages had the flashing red 30mph speed lights and
suggested that this might be helpful on Mull, particularly
at Salen on the southern approach. It was noted that the
Police had set up a roadside temporary version in the past.
Sgt Stephen referred to another possible option often found:
the speed counter located after the start of a restricted
speed zone and to the flashing signs located outside Lochdon
and Salen School and he felt that Mull was poorly served in
many road safety aspects compared with the mainland. Asked
by RF if Sgt Stephen would support such a proposal for
Salen, Sgt. Stephen agreed and the meeting agreed that RF
should take the matter up with the relevant authorities.
Sgt. Stephen advised that the immediate policing commitment
was to the Mull Rally and there would be 13 officers on the
island for Friday and Saturday – an increase because of the
Bunessan and Ardtun stages and to ensure adequate cover
should there be any emergencies. One officer would be in the
control (PC Neil Walker) plus six double-crewed cars.
The Chairman asked if the Police were monitoring the coned
off section of Main Street, explaining to those not aware of
the situation that the section from the Clock Tower to Back
Brae junction had been opened but the surface was only
temporarily tarred, effectively making part of it one way.
Sgt. Stephen advised he had moved someone on the previous
night from the coned area. He advised that, whilst the local
constabulary would be more likely to warn people and move
them on, when the Traffic police arrive for the Rally, they
are likely to be less generous. It was noted that, after
the Rally, the section around the Co-op would be closed so
Scottish Water could complete the works. |
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4.0 |
Councillors’ Reports.
No Councillors were present. |
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5.0 |
MICT Report.
MF had sent apologies but his report was circulated. For
those not present at the meeting, this is reproduced below:
This
is a summary of some of the projects that the Trust is
currently involved with and supporting.
1.
Viewing Points.
Great news to report
– we
have been notified that the application for LEADER funding
has been successful. We are collating the match funding that
has been pledged by various businesses on the Island and
from others including RSPB, SNH and Holiday Mull and Iona.
Once this is all in place, we will be able to start the
project in earnest
2.
Community Transport.
More good news! Our Growth at the Edge project on the Ross
of Mull and Iona has now taken delivery of the minibus from
BCC Children in Need. The steering group are hoping to start
making use of the minibus very quickly bringing immediate
benefit in particular to the children at Bunessan School for
swimming and PE lessons.
3.
An Roth.
We are now starting to generating income from the building
through rental of training room and the meeting and therapy
rooms. We also have our first three year lease of an office
under final negotiation which is really great news for us.
4.
MESS recycling
activity has been cutback at the end of September. We now
carryout collection of textiles (and
not
plastics and cans) from the recycling banks around the
island. We are continuing with collection of plastics and
cans from businesses in parallel with collection of the
textiles.
We would like to ask for feedback from residents on how the
replacement service by the council is operating for
collection of plastics and cans from the recycling banks.
The
Island Castaways shops are operating as normal.
5.
Renewable projects.
Our loan from Community Energy Scotland has now been
confirmed. This will fund the remaining feasibility work on
the hydro electric project at Garmony. We are planning a
community consultation meeting on
Saturday 22 October.
In advance of an island wide ballot planned for January
2012. Our wind projects are progressing slowly, pending the
next tranche of funding we hope to access in April 2012.
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6.0 |
Calmac.
RC reported that the proposed meeting with Guy Platten,
Chief Executive of CMAL, to discuss the Craignure Walkway on
24th October would not take place as Mr Platten
was not available; he had offered another member of staff to
attend but the Ferry Committee had not considered this
acceptable. Fiona Graham would advise everyone when a new
date was fixed.
RC also reminded Community Councillors that the Isle of Mull
would be going for her annual refit/over-haul and that the
existing structure does not fit any of the replacement
boats. RF asked if a gangway could be used. The answer was
not known but it was thought there might by Health & Safety
grounds. There was some scepticism about this given that
people walking on/off the ferry are only protected from
falling in the water by a couple of chains. |
ACTION
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7.0 |
Housing & Development (including planning
applications)
The application for a 15m wind
turbine for a house in Dervaig was noted; it was considered
that, as it was to serve the one property and was not a
commercial operation, matters should be left to the planning
authority.
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8.0 |
Roads and Transport.
RF reported that the weight limit situation has very nearly
been resolved with the variance in tonnages for hay
remaining outstanding. He also considered that the repair
work undertaken by the Council on the island’s roads was
generally very good.
FB noted that some bad pot holes were appearing at
Pennyghael, though it was recognised that this would
continue to happen until the road was properly re-made.
The Main Street situation had been reported under Police
Matters. |
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9.0
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Governance.
The Minutes Secretary had been in contact with A&BC
regarding their letter and had clarified some points. Susan
Campbell was appointed as CC secretary. The Chairman
considered that Mull CC operated largely in accordance with
their requirements, but an AGM was necessary. It was agreed
that this would be held in May 2012 at 7.30pm before the
business meeting. |
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10.0 |
Correspondence Received.
The Chairman reported that he had had a letter from an
African charity asking for support; he had written to
explain the Community Council was not in a position to do
this.
The Vice-Chairman had received a letter from a visitor who
had had a wonderful holiday but complained about the paving
slabs put down across the corner in front of the Masonic
Hall. When this gravel gets onto the paving slabs walking
across them is like walking on marbles and it is dangerous.
It was noted that there had been other complaints. The
Chairman had spoken to Pat Sands and Richard West of
Tobermory Endeavour who advised that the slabs had been put
down to provide seating and the public should not be walking
on them. Blocks of stone had been put round to discourage
people. The Chairman was concerned as to who would be
responsible in the event of a serious injury. The general
consensus of the meeting was that the Vice-Chairman should
advise the correspondent that the Community Council had been
informed measures had been put in place to deter the public
by those responsible.
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11.0 |
Finance Report.
Davie Graham was unable to attend.
The Vice-Chairman considered that an update of the financial
position
and any progress on the purchase of a new marquee would be
helpful.
FB asked if she might claim expenses for her trip and
overnight stay in Oban to attend the planning training
meeting arranged by A&BC on 26th October; this
was agreed. |
ACTION
FB
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12.0 |
Any Other Business.
Penny
Hawden of The Scottish Salmon Company had requested to give
the Community Council an update on their proposals for
salmon farms in Loch Scridain and near Gometra. The main
points are summarized below and it should be noted that,
when TSSC refer to the planning application, they are
referring to the scoping process fish farms have to go
through prior to submitting a formal planning application to
the local authority.
Loch Scridain.
The proposal by The Scottish Salmon Company Ltd has
undergone the environmental impact assessment, screening and
scoping and the statutory consultees now have six weeks to
review the proposals. No application has so far been
submitted to the local authority. It is recognised that
their is great concern regarding the fishing grounds and
meetings have been held with local fixed gear and creel
fishers and the mussel farm. Ms Hawden had just come from a
meeting with MAFA, IFG (inshore fisheries group) and the
fishermen and they had suggested a couple of alternatives on
the south side of the Loch. This could cause other
environmental problems. TSSC were not aware of the algal
farm application for the same site at Port na Croise until
it was brought up by MAFA and IFG. As the algal farm for
Celtic Sea has the lease option at Port na Croise, the
location for TSSC’s salmon farm has been moved just west of
this (map circulated).
Gometra.
This proposal is not as far advanced as that for Loch
Scridain. They now have the current data and are about to
submit the request for the screening and scoping opinions.
The size would be similar to that at Scridain with 14 cages.
After consultation with the creel fishermen the location has
been moved further west.
The Chairman asked if TSSC had consulted with the people of
Gometra as they were extremely concerned on environmental
and fishing grounds and also at the potential to damage
their oyster farm. Ms Hawden advised that they would be
consulted later in the process if the site is considered
viable.
RF asked Ms Hawden how many extra jobs would be created; she
advised that it would be either 3 full time and 2 part time
or 4 full time.
The Chairman thanked Ms Hawden for the update and urged TSSC
to take on board that there are some very strong concerns.
Ms Hawden departed the meeting.
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ACTION |
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13.0 |
Items for discussion at next meeting.
Councillors are asked to advise the Minutes secretary of any
additional items 16 days prior to the next meeting.
Meeting room charges was noted for inclusion.
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ALL |
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14.0 |
Date of Next Meeting.
The next meeting will take place at Craignure Village Hall
at 7.30pm on Tuesday 8th
November, 2011. The meeting closed at 21.00 hours. |
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