ACTION

2.0

   2.1

  2.2

Minutes of the Previous Meeting on 12^th July, 2011.

Corrections/Approval.

Proposed by the Chairman and seconded by the Vice Chairman, these were approved.

 Matters Arising (non-Agenda items)

None.

3.0

Police Matters.

Sgt. Stephen expressed his concern that an incorrect message was given at the previous meeting and reassured all present that the Police were not specifically targeting local drivers.  The Police do stop and speak to people who are driving slowly and not giving way.

Insp. MacLeish, also expressed her concern and reassured Councillors that islanders were not being targeted. She also clarified that there is nothing to say that cannot use indicators and flash headlights so long as drivers keep this in moderation.

Insp. MacLeish considered the meeting that had been held immediately beforehand had been very positive and she, together with Cllrs Devon and McIntosh would take forward the proposals for more signage and the insertion of the Police logo on the Calmac leaflets.  Insp. MacLeish reiterated that the Police were fully in support of the aims of the Community Council in improving road safety.  Cllr Devon stated that she felt that meeting had gone some distance towards starting sorting the issues out.

Sgt. Stephen remarked that the Police do get complaints from visitors after they have left the island at which point there is little they can do.  Responding to BL, residents can complain to the Police but quite often the driver that has been reported has already left the island. The Vice-Chairman reported that Holiday Mull was doing a survey on visitor impressions and it would be interesting to see if driving was an issue.

Sgt. Stephen advised that there had not been much crime complaints since the last meeting although there were some issues with the younger element in Tobermory that had been dealt with.

RC drew attention to the vandalism on the ferry and Sgt. Stephen assured him that the matter was being looked into.

4.0

Abandoned Vehicles.

Susan Campbell reported that a lady from Craignure had written to various organisations and individuals concerning the 16 cars abandoned outside Bayview Garage and in the layby between Torosay Church and the Craignure Inn and asked for this to be raised again at the Community Council meeting. The lady has received a response from SEPA who are happy with the waste management issues and who will continue to monitor the site. 

Sgt. Stephen advised that 2 FPNs had been sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle in the layby and this has been donated to the Fire Service who will shortly be collecting it and using it for training purposes. The DVLA has been informed.

With regard to the remaining vehicles, Cllr Devon advised that these were on private land and the Council was powerless to do anything.  Sgt. Stephen advised that three of the vehicles were on the road verge and therefore should be removed by the Council; M-JD agreed to take this up at a meeting the following day.

There being no other business involving the Police, the Chairman thanked Inspector MacLeish and Sgt. Stephen for attending and the officers left the meeting.

5.0

Councillors’ Reports.

Cllr Devon reported that the Scottish Water works in Tobermory were going to plan although they had had some problems with the high water the previous week and they should be finished in time for the Rally.

Cllr Devon had visited the Progressive Care Centre and was very impressed with its size; she had seen the A&E Dept., X-Ray, the large physiotherapy room. Cllr Devon confirmed that there were five beds and a dedicated place of safety. 

Cllr Devon, referring the local consultation on housing, advised that USCA was writing their own local policies, including renovating various derelict properties on the estate; they were in contact with the West Highland Housing Fund staff. Cllr Devon highly praised the group for their activities to ensure the sustainability of their school.

Continuing, Cllr Devon reported that UCSA was just one of the organisations and individuals who met with Scottish Ministers recently including the PCC; apprentices; scallop fishermen; Jimmy Wilson the vet; NWMCWT on the opening of the new forest road and Community Councillor Bert Leitch to discuss crofting.

In response to comments in the previous Minutes regarding the state of Ledaig car park, the Chairman was able to re-assure Cllr Devon that the comments had been made prior to the tidy-up.

Feedback was requested concerning the cemeteries following Calum Black’s attendance at the June meeting.  RC reported that, although the grass had been cut at Bunessan, nothing had been done about the fence; Cllr McIntosh to follow up.

JC asked what was happening with regard to the weight limits as neither he, nor any of the other objectors as far as he was aware, had heard anything from Neil Brown.  Cllr Devon assured JC that he had got a 26 ton limit on his road now the bridges had been strengthened.  The Chairman showed JC a map of the island’s roads with their new limits and JC noted that there was still a problem with the centre part of Glen Bellart; the drivers of the hay wagons considered that it was too dangerous to take these vehicles over the Dervaig to Tobermory road.  Cllr Devon would speak to Neil Brown and ensure that he writes to those concerned. The Chairman agreed to circulate the map with the weight limits on to all.

FB referred to item 10 of the July minutes regarding the algal farm in Loch Scridain. She had contacted the Crown Estate regarding the lease and it transpires that, unlike fish and mussel farms which require Council planning permission as well as approval from Marine Scotland, algal farms only require permission from the latter.  In this case, the algal farm now has the lease and this blocks the line for the proposed pier for timber extraction at Pennyghael.  Cllr Devon agreed to raise this issue.

6.0

Community Wind Farm.

Brian Swinbanks reported that there were fabulous rewards to the islands such as Gigha and Tiree who had adopted wind power.  Mull has a unique problem: it is marketed as “Eagle Island” and the greater part of the island is protected under various designations, making it very difficult for developing renewable energy sources.  A number of individual organisations have attempted this and fallen because of serious reservations, particularly concerning birds. 

BS had talked with others about starting a group to investigate and report on the possibility of a wind farm development on Mull to gain the maximum rewards for the islands of Mull and Iona with the minimum environmental impact. Subsequently a public meeting was called, chaired by Cllr Devon, to invite anyone who felt they had skills and enthusiasm to come along; Cllr Devon reported that this was well attended by people from all parts of the islands.  The outcome of that meeting was that BS and Duncan Swinbanks would head up two groups: one to deal with the community aspects (DS) and BS to lead the technical group. BS reported that the technical team, each of whom had particular responsibilities, were already reporting back.

In terms of obtaining the maximum gain, the group was looking at five to nine up to 1Mw turbines or three to five 3 Mw turbines.   To minimize the environmental impact, the group was looking at locations away from site lines. The THA had spoken with SNH and the RSPB and identified some areas between Dervaig and Tobermory as having the least impact.  The group was initially looking at Forestry Commission land but could go onto privately-owned land if the landowner was prepared to work with the community with regard to the returns.  The Co-op Bank was very keen to support the project subject to proven wind speeds and planning permission. 

The group was looking at the model of a charitable company being responsible for the distribution of profits with a subsidiary company handling the generation aspect.

The group intends to keep the community informed as matters progress and ensure transparency; there was a need for a vote in due course and any objectors would also be able to make their points during the planning process.  At the moment, the group needed to get funds to have the surveys done and £1000 had already been offered.

The Vice-Chairman was concerned about the possibility of E.ON deciding on a development.  MF thought that their option of entitlement would end at the end of October and BS and Cllr Devon pointed out that, as this is a community project, there was a right of objection. 

BL asked whether a lot of timber would be removed. Responding, BS advised that the distance between turbines was five turbine blade widths  but that, although it would be better sited in the forest, no location had been selected as yet. 

FB advised that Nigel Burgess felt the future for renewables around the Ross of Mull lay in tidal and wave technology.  BS replied that there may be opportunities to add other technologies but warned that tidal takes energy out of the water; the proposed turbines for the Pentland Firth would take 1 knot out of the flow.  Responding to the Chairman, BS agreed that biofuels were not limitless and would need to be brought in if a big plant, say 5Mw, was developed. A plant of this size would require 30 lorries of timber a day.

JC was very impressed at the speed with which the group has got to grips with the project; this was echoed by other Councillors.

The Chairman thanked Brian Swinbanks for his update.

7.0

MICT Report

MF had provided copies of his report for those who were at the meeting; it is reproduced below for those unable to attend.

This is a summary of some of the projects that the Trust is currently involved with and supporting.

1.      The Community Trust have adopted a revised set of Articles of Association which are in line with the latest requirements of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and also allow us to apply for land or property under the Community Right to Buy Act. We have also established a trading subsidiary to allow us to generate income and to comply with the OSCR and HMRC rules – this is in common with the majority of Development Trusts throughout Scotland.

2.      MESS Service Level Agreement with the Council will be cut 100% from end of September 2011. This despite some last minute intervention from our elected officials, particularly Councillor Chalmers. The operation of the charity shops will continue as normal. We are hoping to continue with business collections (plastic and cans) as a means of contributing to the running cost of the van. We are also investigating a scheme for deliveries within the Island in support of local businesses.

3.      An Roth. We have relocated from our Tobermory office into An Roth at the above postal address. The Centre is open for business renting office space, therapy rooms, hot desks and our superb training/seminar room.

4.      Viewing Points. A funding application has been submitted to LEADER for the feasibility and scoping part of the project. We have raised the required 50% match funding from a combination of pledges from local businesses, the RSPB, NTS and FCS. A decision on this application is due on 15^th September and if positive, we hope to start work in October.

5.      Renewable projects. We now have confirmation from Community Energy Scotland that our application for a loan to fund the remaining work on the hydro electric project may be approved soon, after some final checks are made. As part of this we are required to demonstrate community support by means of a ballot which will be held in the next couple of months. Our wind projects are progressing slowly, pending the next tranche of funding we hope to access in April 2012.

6.      We are working in support of a project to look into the development of a wind farm project for Mull and Iona – this will be reported separately by the group which is being lead by Brian and Duncan Swinbanks.

With regard to item (2), MF asked if Community Councillors would monitor the collection performance at the communal sites.

BL asked about potential litter issues at the new viewing points. MF was aware that there were sometimes problems at the Dervaig viewpoint but was of the opinion that this was not too much of an issue, although bins at larger sites might be sensible.  JC reported no litter problems on the sites in his area. 

At this juncture MF and JG left the meeting.

ACTION

 ACTION

SEC

8.0

Calmac.

RC reported his disappointment at the poor attendance at the recent meeting.

Of major concern to all present was the news that the promised new gangway, due to arrive in October, has now been deferred until December with completion in January 2012. 

The Chairman reported that he had had several complaints about dirty unhygienic toilets on the MV Isle of Mull.

9.0

10.0

Housing & Development (including planning applications)

Regarding the revised application for three turbines at Lee - Knockan, FB explained that this was the fourth application for turbines and it was agreed she should write to the Planning Officer.

Roads and Transport.

RC reported that Glen More was being patched with chips and tar and where this was happening, the patch invariably was damaged by the next heavy rains; others had noted the same happening elsewhere, Aros Mains being particularly bad.  The Chairman had spoken to Kaz Bailey about this. It was noted that the sections of road that had been re-surfaced are very good and a great deal of work had been done on the Ardtun road. 

11.0

Correspondence Received.

The Chairman had received a letter from the Royal Horticultural Society regarding the Britain in Bloom Competition.  He had also received a letter from Argyll & Bute regarding governance issues; the Secretary to respond.

12.0

Finance Report.

Davie Graham was unable to attend.

13.0

Any Other Business.

FB advised Councillors that she would be away 16^th to 30^th September.

14.0

Date of Next Meeting.

The next meeting will take place at Craignure Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday 11^th October, 2011.