May 2007 minutes

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 21ST MAY 2007 IN CULBOKIE PRIMARY SCHOOL.

Before the meeting commenced the Community Council was shown around the New Primary School by Head Teacher Shirley-Anne Stevenson, this was very much appreciated and the Community Council was very impressed with all aspects of the school. At the end of the tour Colin Craig thanked the Head Teacher and said that the Community Council was pleased to see that most of the facilities which had been fought for were in place.
The Head Teacher was also asked if she had a preference for a contribution from the Community Council to mark the opening of the new school. It was agreed that the Community Council would donate a Sports Trophy.

PRESENT: Colin Craig (Chair), Roger Piercy, Margaret Currie, Joan More, Moira Grieve, Sally Falconer, Hamish MacCulloch, David Scott, Joy Winnick, Sheila Maher, Councillors Isobel McCallum, and Angela Maclean.

APOLOGIES: No apologies received.

MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting held on 16th April 2007 were read with secretary’s apologies for omitting Joy Winnick, Dave Scott and Hamish MacCulloch from PRESENT approved by Colin Craig seconded by Roger Piercy.

MATTERS ARISING: Mr Norman Innes, Norwood Homes has been sent a final warning with regard to clearing Mount Eagle Site of construction waste. There were several discussions regarding this site i.e. setting out of development not being complied with and the position of the transformer on the site.

CULBOKIE SCHOOL LIGHTING: Copies of emails between Peter Batten and David Alston were distributed, these to keep the Community Council informed but not expected to do anything yet. The Community Council did discuss the matter, however, and it was felt that there was an environmental issued which should be addressed i.e. the necessity for the level of lighting and the likelihood of policing the area.

CULBOKIE VILLAGE SIGN: Margaret Currie felt the original design was superb, but it was doubtful whether this could still be available, it was suggested that Margaret ask Shirley-Anne whether a computer design could be made and put onto a disc.

OLD CULBOKIE SCHOOL: Colin feared that the school would go to surplus to requirement level and sold to highest bidder and not to community use. There were discussions as to whether the school and land belonged to Education or just to school. Hugh Fraser has not yet returned Roger Piercy’s calls or emails.
The view of the Community Council was that the site be developed for social housing, Healthy Living Centre of perhaps a Library. It was decided that there is a need to be more specific and that the Community Council should not sit on the fence and should treat the matter with some urgency or it will be lost. The Community Council will endeavor to open a special meeting on this subject.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT: A list people who came to the event was circulated it was noted that Culbokie School was not represented. It was agreed that a meeting would be held on 24th May to decide where to go. There is a need to get youth involved – agencies will support everything the Group endeavor to do. The roll of the Group will be to make sure schools etc. are kept informed of all matters relating to this project.

AOCB: (i) Discussions were held regarding a boulder with “Local archaeological significance” on the Mount Eagle Site. A copy of email sent by James Allardyce, HSE Construction Division to David Scott was circulated. The concern expressed by the residents is that although the “moat”, formed by attempts to remove boulder and build up of rainwater, is not safe even though it has been barely cordoned off. It was agreed that the residents should put their feelings to the planners with their idea of what should happen to the boulder.
(ii) Concerns were expressed regarding the placement of white arrows at right turn off for Duncanston (coming from direction of Cromarty Bridge). The arrow directs traffic the wrong way around bollard – it seems to be ambiguous.. It was suggested by Councillor Angela Maclean that she would contact Edwin Stewart of Transserv on this matter.
(iii) The Community Council would like to express its appreciation for the clean up of Culbokie organized by the Church, this showed good community spirit.

PLANNING MATTERS: At this point the Highland Councillors who were in attendance left the meeting.
Planning application for 9 houses at Glascairn has been granted however, many conditions have been laid down.
Mr & Mrs Dimmock application for house due to a handicap issue – the Community Council objected initially as it was outwith the Local Plan, outline planning permission was eventually granted but the house was never built, discussions took place as to what the issues were.
Planning has been applied for two 1.1/2 storey houses – Chocher, Culbokie – the Community Council will object as this would mean over development of the site and only one 1.1/2 storey house should be on the site.

CORRESPONDENCE: Information from Head of Building Standards Officer
Modernising the Planning System – copies circulated.
Email from Diane Agnew - Councillors Black Isle Ward 10