|
Minutes of Mull
Community Council Meeting
held on Wednesday 12th
September 2007, Craignure Hall
PRESENT:
Linda
Cameron, Chair
Ronnie Campbell, Bunessan Bert Leitch, Ulva
Ferry PC Donald MacCuish, Strathclyde
Police
Adrian Fitness, Craignure
Tony Proud, Dervaig
Cllr Mary-Jean Devon
Paul Forster, Salen Linda Dawson,
Minute/Correspondence Secretary 2 members of the public
Alan Parker (MCC Web Site)
1. Apologies:
Cllr Gordon Chalmers Fiona Brown,
Pennyghael/Tiroran, late apologies received from Jim Corbett,
Lochbuie
2. Police Matters:
Island starting to quieten down after a busy tourist
season. Chair asked the reason why Bunessan Show Dance had been
brought to an abrupt end for no apparent reason and hall to be
cleared by 1.30 am. The situation could have caused unnecessary
aggravation
Action: PCDM
3. Approval of Minutes from 11th July meeting:
With the exception of the following amendments, these
were approved as an accurate record, proposed by Paul Forster,
seconded by Bert Leitch:
Item
11.2 should read:
Tony
agreed to contact Neil Brown, Argyll and Bute Council, and ask about
the redirection of the recycle bins from the present place to the
property of Dervaig Woodland Trust as a letter of invitation has
been sent to A&B Council
Insert
11.2b to read:
Tony
will get in touch with Neil Brown, Argyll and Bute Council, and ask
if there is a possibility of funding from an Amenity budget to widen
the road between the Ballachroy to the corner by the church and
create extra parking for the village
Item
4:
Approval of book-keeping fee for work carried out on
behalf of REF, to be agreed by Chair of REF not Chair of MCC
3.1 Action Points from the Minutes:
Re-cycling bins, Ulva Ferry:
bins
are not overflowing, not for use by the fish farm. Sandra Duncan
has agreed to monitor on a regular basis. Reported that the paper
bin lorry has broken down again, no collection for two weeks
Action Cllr. Devon
Shell
Cards:
report
that business at Salen petrol station down by 40% due to holders of
Shell cards having to pay full price (pump price) with no
concession. MCC had passed issue on to Chamber of Commerce
CalMac:
Meeting with local ferry committee cancelled, meeting
arranged for October. Family with booking, contacted CalMac week
before to cancel, charged 25% handling fee, which they felt
unacceptable, this is stated under the terms and conditions (small
print) in the
brochure
Action: RC
New
Planning Legislation:
Currently planning applications come before Argyll and Bute Council
Area Committee, but power may be taken away from Councillors and
given to Planning Officers. Letter sent regarding planning
applications to Mr. Reppke, Argyll and Bute Council, letter
acknowledged
Craignure Toilets:
Cllr
Devon unable to locate any information regarding £35,000 funding to
upgrade Action: MJD
Craignure Hall Key:
Chair
contacted Sheena Allen requesting key for MCC so problem would not
arise again. MCC would not be allowed key due to problems giving
out keys in the past. Further discussion next meeting
4. Correspondence Received:
4.1
Installation Of Thus Transmission Equipment at Existing
Telecommunications Tower, Mal Nuan Uan, Isle Of Mull, Argyll and
Bute, PA65 6AY:
Information and map
received.
Action: AF
4.2 Harbour Orders Kilchoan and Lochaline:
Meeting to discuss arranged for Tuesday 11th
September in Lochaline, MCC unable to attend. E-mail sent to Brian
Swinbanks, Harbour Association requesting MCC kept informed of
developments. MCC no longer has representation on Harbour
Association. Cllr Devon and Adrian have been elected to stand on
the Scottish Sustainable Marine Environment Initiative (SSMEI). A
representative from the SSMEI organisation will be attending the
October meeting of MCC.
4.3 Tobermory Representative on MCC:
Due to non attendance at last six meetings, letter
had been sent to Steve Barlow terminating his representation for
Tobermory on MCC
Item
12 on the agenda (co-option of MCC representative Tobermory) was
brought forward:
Three nominations received, Andrea McPhail, Graham
Brown and James Hilder. Chair made decision to co-opt Andrea and
Graham, to represent Tobermory. They were both informed of the need
to follow the Code of Conduct for Community Councils, also Chair
felt if James Hilder was co-opted at this present time, there would
be a strong conflict of interest. Letter to be sent to
James
Action: LC/LD
4.4 RAGS:
Following meeting held 21st August, which
Chair and Cllr Devon attended, also Peter Ward, Argyll and Bute
Council, representation will go forward to Argyll and Bute Council
Area Committee meeting. A copy of the Environmental Report (cost
£80), copy would be sent to MCC, with no charge, would loan to
Charlotte Mellis, to be returned to MCC
4.5 The National Gaelic Plan:
Due to overall decline of Gaelic speakers, Gaelic
Plan to be put in place, many Gaelic medium units have been set up
using structures and systems already in place, Chair hopes that
money is not wasted. There have been letters in the Press re the
Plan. Cllr Devon in favour of promoting the Gaelic language
5. MICT Update from MCC Rep. Paul Forster:
Issues discussed at last meeting, fundraising and
aims of MICT, ongoing projects
6. Finance Report:
Closing Balance: £2572.99
7. Housing:
Still concerns about proposed housing developments at
Lochdon and throughout the island. Building work started on houses
at Bunessan, but not sure who is going to occupy them; many people
on the housing list now have built their own homes. Cllr Devon
suggested members go through Argyll and Bute Council’s Weekly List
of Valid Planning Applications and highlight any issues of concern.
Affordable housing on the island is a key issue, but people on Mull
do not get priority and key workers have been taken off the
criteria. Top of the priority list for houses are the homeless and
special needs, but the infra-structure and mental health services on
the island is not available to look after them. A housing
development also proposed at Salen and Aros, the situation needs to
be put back in balance and the way houses are allocated looked
into. Letter to Housing Minister and local MSP.
Action: LC/LD
8. Roads and Transport:
Keep
Mull Moving:
Chair stated not moving, seems to have hit a “road
block!” Argyll and Bute Council still to sort out Salen-Tobermory
road, funding not secured for this project. A section of road on
Ross on Mull is every bit as bad as Salen-Tobermory stretch and the
side roads are getting worse. I hope Mull does not have to make a
decision on which section gets priority. Members present suggested
MCC call in service of Jim Mather MSP and invite Stuart Stevenson,
Minister for Transport to a future MCC meeting. Jim Mather MSP
recently attended meeting at Isle of Mull Hotel, Chair invited and
attended.
Action: LC/LD
9. Progressive Care Centre:
Steering Group Meeting held 1st August,
definitive plans had been produced, which have changed slightly, all
present at the meeting agreed with the proposals. Access road still
a problem. A&B Council do not think a twin track road into Java is
necessary; will only consider additional passing places. New
entrance might be considered through small area of Torosay land,
this is in the hands of A&B Council Roads department. Meetings with
community will be arranged.
Cllr Devon:There has been no resident Social Worker
on Mull, but appointment now been made from an applicant in London,
with no Mental Health experience
10. Mull and Iona Transport Guide:
Chair pointed out no mention of MCC or Iona Community
Council in Area Transport Guide produced by A&B Council. Paul would
speak to Bill
Pollock
Action: PF
11. National Member Survey 2007:
Survey received, which required response and
commitment from all members of MCC. Secretary asked questions
during meeting, duly completed. Document very important for
Community Councils and how they will be run in the future.
12. Declaration of items not on the agenda:
TP-MCC
Web Site:
discussed, Alan Parker agreed to re-vamp and make changes as
suggested. New co-opted members asked to forward a “Personal
Profile” about them to Chair, and also members if wanting to update
or change their profile, this is the time to do it. Alan agreed to
continue with web site, invoice to be paidAction:
ALL/TP
TP-Marquee:
returned from recent event (MacLean Gathering, Duart
Castle) with corners badly damaged, confirmed by Adrian. Request a
contribution to pay for repair. Chair thanked Adrian for
erecting Action: TP
AF-Marine and Coastal Development Unit, Sound of Mull:
project launched, various groups will be
co-ordinated, currently has no legal remit, meeting will be held in
October. Paperwork passed to Tobermory co-opted members. Adrian
has agreed to join initiative. Issue will be discussed at next
meeting
BL-Ulva Ferry Telephone Box:
Unable to use coins, Cllr Devon reported BT has taken
away all coins from telephone boxes, can only use credit cards but
you can still make 999 calls. This is unacceptable in rural areas,
Cllr Devon raised at Argyll and Bute Council Area
Committee
Action: Cllr Devon
13. Cllr Devon Update:
4
Councillors and 15 Community Councils from Ward 5 met, Cllr’s Devon
and McCuish attended. Ian MacIntyre,
Area
Planning Team Manager spoke at the meeting and requested people
contact him with any planning
concerns/problems. Hoped meeting will be held on a regular basis.
Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, Chair of Argyll
and
Bute Council Area Committee is hoping to hold meeting on Mull.
Dog
fouling still a major problem on the island, area at Knock has been
used as a public toilet, which is totally
unacceptable. This has been raised on a number of occasions. Cllr
Devon spoken to Neil Brown, Argyll and Bute
Council, arranging for Environmental Officer to come to Mull, anyone
caught letting their dog foul will be given an on
the
spot fine of £40. More bins required island wide, letter will also
be printed in Am Muileach. Noted on an 11 am
ferry
37 dogs went down to the car deck
Alan Parker reported that a meeting of the Scottish
Islands Federation (previously Scottish Islands Network) would be
held 15th & 16th November at Isle of Mull
Hotel, Richard Lockhead Rural Affairs Minister, Alan Reid MP and Jim
Mather MSP would be attending. This will be a public meeting and
official invites will be sent out.
14. Area Reports from Community Councillors:
14.1 Tony Proud, Dervaig:
North West Mull Woodland Company will be running
toilets at Dervaig
14.2 Graham Brown, Tobermory:
Informed MCC of proposed developments in and around
Tobermory. This must be clarified for next meeting, Cllr Devon will
check on this with Ian MacIntyre Area Planning Team Manager.
Action: Cllr Devon/GB
14.3 Adrian Fitness, Craignure:
Concerns raised about parking at Craignure (not car
park), MCC needs genuine concerns in writing before MCC can take
action, also high rates being charged for accommodation during the
Tour of Mull Rally. Adrian to look into both issues before next
meeting
Action: AF
Adrian wished to extend congratulations to local MOD
on a successful two-day event, MCC agreed
15. Time and date of next meeting:
7.30
pm Wednesday 10th October 2007
Craignure Hall
Note
from Chair:
Following last meeting would like to welcome on board
the two newly co-opted members for Tobermory. Mull Community
Council will also now be looking for a Minute/Correspondence
Secretary, see advertised locally. Also dog fouling, this has been
brought to MCC’s attention many times throughout the years; it is
not just visitors that cause this problem, some local residents are
just as guilty. Perhaps it is the owners that need
training?
|
