September 2007 minutes

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2007 IN CULBOKIE PRIMARY SCHOOL.

PRESENT : Roger Piercy (Chair), Sally Falconer, Joan More, Moira Grieve, Hamish MacCulloch, Dave Scott, Joy Winnock, Margaret Currie Cllrs. Isobel MacCallum, and David Alston, Diane Agnew and a member of the public.

APOLOGIES : Colin Craig, Sheila Maher, Cllrs. Billy Barclay and Craig Fraser, also from Cllr. David Alston missed from minutes 20th August.

MINUTES : The minutes from 20th August meeting were read and with an amendment to apologise for Sheila Maher this should have been put at start of meeting between “Present” and “Welcome”. Also Margaret Currie was in attendance but not included in those present. Minutes approved by Margaret Currie seconded by Sally Falconer.

MATTERS ARISING : Reply receive from Mr D. Jardine, Forest District Manager (circulated) regarding Monadh Mhor. There are several aspects to be discussed and Joan More, Margaret Currie and Sally Falconer will deal with this item.

WARD 10 FORUM MEETING : Joy Winnick and Hamish MacCulloch attended the meeting which took place on 30th August. Summary of meeting by Joy Winnick and agreed by Hamish MacCulloch circulated. Diane Agnew told the meeting that comments received from those who attend the meetings were very useful. Those who attended were very impressed with a Fortrose Academy teenager Kurtis Toy. Ferintosh Community Council will try and make contact, with the help of Diane Agnew, to invite him to a meeting.

CULBOKIE VILLAGE SIGNS : This item is ongoing and will continue to be placed on the Agenda.

CULBOKIE PRIMARY SCHOOL : Sheila Maher’s dissent to the decision made to support the Church’s proposal for Culbokie Old School to be recorded.
Reply to Ferintosh Community Council’s letter regarding its support for the proposal put forward by the Church sent to Hugh Fraser. In his reply Mr Fraser states that once he has looked further into the matter he will respond in full. Further discussion then took place with the Councillors in attendance on this subject. A local resident who showed interest in putting in a bid for the school will contact Rev Bell to discuss the Church’s intention for community use within the proposal. At the end of September the Councillors are due to discuss Cairn Housings proposal.

MOUNT EAGLE DEVELOPMENT. Further discussions took place regarding the ongoing matter of continually chasing up items that need attention. The planners are also getting frustrated with matters concerning this development, but are doing what they can to check whether these items have been attended to. The Community Council will write to Daffyd Jones on these matters.

GREEN GYM : Roger Piercy will put forward the idea of attention to verges and piece of ground which is need of attention.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT : Roger Piercy stated how disappointing it was that only the usual people attended i.e. those who had supported from day one, this despite plenty of publicity. A project sheet has been prepared to enable people to fill in topics which they would like to see pursued. In the meantime, it is important not to lose impetus, it is apparent when walks have been organized they are well attended and therefore, it is the intention of the group to organize another walk.

AOCB : Orienteering. There has been a full response from Inverness Orienteering Club stating that the map is well out of date and nature has re-written what the map should look like. Roger will come back with more information on the subject.
Culbokie Post Office. With the Royal Mail’s intention not to make collections from Saturday to Monday there is a fear that the box now in place will not cope safely with the volume of mail, and the Community Council will fully support the present box being replaced with a full sized post box. The Community Council to write and confirm their support.
Chicanes Culbokie : This was one of the items on the safe routes for school planning list. Opinion is quite divided on this matter and discussions took place on aspects of this item.
Speed Limits at Schools. Roger Piercy brought to the notice of Jim Yuill TECS that while passing Mulbuie School at 20 mph he continued on at that speed and became aware that the sign to release him from the limit was not in place. Jim Yuill responded quickly and the matter has now been rectified. Jim Yuill to be thanked for his quick response.
Whilst on this subject the Community Council pointed out that the lines and speed limit outside Ferintosh School were now long overdue. The Councillors informed the meeting that this project had been approved and that it was now out for costing.
Core Paths : There will be a meeting in Fortrose regarding Ross and Cromarty Core Paths plan.
Conon Bridge Railway Station : This item was brought up at the Dingwall & Seaforth Ward meeting – it was felt that this should be happening but not sure how soon. The December 2008 timetable is now finalised and allows timing for use of Conon Bridge.
Dial-a-Bus : People have been having difficulties with this service in relation to availability.
Councillor Alston will check with David Summers on this matter.
Planning Policy : Note of Colin Craig setting out 14 bullet points was circulated. It was agreed to wait for Colin to talk through the points. Sheila Maher brought to the Community Council’s attention that the point #10 “when approached by a developer………. that the Community Council’s decision to support the Church’s proposal contradicts this point. It was pointed out that the decision was taken before the bullet points were circulated. This will be discussed with Colin.
Children’s Play Grounds : After a resident pointed out the ages of children catered for it was felt more thought should be given to the lead we give developers regarding Planning Gain. Circulated Roger’s thoughts on some items to be considered.

At this point Councillors who were in attendance left the meeting.

PLANNING MATTERS : Report from meeting held re Beryl Ferguson Executory – development of ground next to Culbokie shop. The general principle was agreed for building plots but it is to be noted that this development would not take place until at least 2008.
Dr Haywood, Sandiford House, Culbokie has applied for planning permission for two extensions (conservatories). There is also an application to demolish two derelict cottages and to erect two 1.1/2 storey houses in their place. The Community Council with the exception of Margaret Currie agreed not to object to this application. Margaret felt that it would take something away from the entrance to Culbokie by demolishing these old buildings.
Letter received from Douglas Fotheringham regarding Ferintosh Community Council objection to the Fowlers Wood application. Mr Fotheringham re-iterated that with the conditions in place this would not be considered as a new house, therefore would not be judged against Local Plan policies for housing, instead the application must be judged against “Development Plan Policy Guidelines for garages. The Community Council agreed to withdraw its objection.

CORRESPONDENCE. Invite to Scottish Water Seminar, Invite to HSCHT AGM., Highland Archeology Leaflets.