February 2008 minutes

DRAFT COPY MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2008 IN CULBOKIE SCHOOL TO BE AGREED AT THE MARCH MEETING

PRESENT : Colin Craig, Roger Piercy, Joan More, Moira Grieve, Margaret Currie, Joy Winnick, Sally Falconer, Dave Scott, Councillor Billy Barclay, visitors Gordon MacPhee, Donna Dingwall, Pam Draper, Alistair Rose and Alistair MacKinnon, Chair of Conon Bridge Community Council.

APOLOGIES : Sheila Maher and Hazel Gordon.

MINUTES : The minutes of meeting held on 21st January were read and approved by Dave Scott seconded by Margaret Currie.

MATTERS ARISING : Colin Craig welcomed the Chair of Conon Bridge Community Council and the meeting discussed with him the question of boundary between Conon Bridge Community Council and Ferintosh Community Council. It was suggested that the boundary (as shown on the map) be drawn from edge of road just to North of Kinkell Castle. The Secretary to write to Liz Cowie – Ward Manager, Dingwall & Seaforth, informing her of the agreement reached and enclosing map showing the new part of the boundary line. Colin thanked Alistair for attending the meeting.

CULBOKIE SCHOOL OFFICIAL OPENING : Colin Craig and Roger Piercy attended and reported to the meeting how the event was so very well done.

CULBOKIE OLD SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT : The secretary reported to the meeting that she had been in touch with Simon Campbell of Cairn Housing who along with Terry Gorman is responsible for the project. Simon explained to the secretary that it has always been their intention to meet with the Community Council and the Community of Culbokie to discuss all aspects of the project. In conjunction with the Church they have sent details of the project to Resources Committee – Highland Council. When they receive feed back from the committee they will contact the secretary to make arrangements to attend the Community Council meeting. The secretary passed on to Simon Campbell the concerns felt as to whether their intention was to demolish the school building, he explained that with the involvement of the Church on this project, this was not going to happen.

POST OFFICE CLOSURES : The secretary wrote to the Post Office regarding the concerns of local community of their intention to close Duncanston Post Office, with copies to Peter Peacock MSP and Don Thompson MSP. Replies have been received from all three and the matter will now be taken forward.

NOTICEBOARD : Roger has now heard from Planning Officer, Dorothy Stott, saying she will not seek an application for the notice board to be attached to the front of the Culbokie Post Office building as Community Councils have certain permitted rights relating to the erection of functional advertisements. Roger will now organize quotes for a wooden notice board.

VILLAGE SIGNS : The next stage of this project has been reached, Margaret Currie will discuss ideas with the Head Teacher on designs for the signs.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT : Roger stated that there was little to report as the January meeting was cancelled as it was felt to be too near the festive season. Ideas are going ahead for an appeal for the collection of plastic milk bottles and plastic screw caps from Tetrapaks.

DISCRETIONARY BUDGET: An idea was put to the meeting for a Bird Hide on the shore. More information is required re costs, location etc. before Colin/Secretary can make the formal application.

AOCB : Roger has made up a spread sheet so that information and progress can be recorded on all ongoing matters within the Community Council.

Land behind Glascairn – Culbokie. The Reporters decision on the appeal lodged has now been received and the secretary to circulate a copy to members of the Community Council. Colin stated that it shows the need for Culbokie to have an audit of what Culbokie has and what it needs.

Draft – Core Paths Plan. Three maps received showing paths around Culbokie. Margaret Currie will take these to study.

Farmers Market. Roger spoke to the local shop on this matter who basically is in agreement and happy for the Community Council to pursue the running of the Farmers Market in Culbokie and acknowledged that advertising local produce could be purchased at the shop on certain days would also be acceptable. Roger had a meeting with Findon Hall Committee to discuss organizing the running of such an event. Those interested were being contacted to ask if they would serve on a sub-committee to organize location of stalls etc on the day. The Community Council agreed to pay for the use of Findon Hall for a trial period of six months, the advertising of the events to be sorted out by the sub-committee.

Ferintosh Speed Limits. A meeting was held with Brian Stout TECS Manager on site at Ferintosh Primary School on the morning of 18th February several members of the Community Council attended this meeting. Roger reported that it appeared that work had commenced for the placement of flashing lights. What was apparent at the meeting was that a resident had done a great deal of in depth research into speed limits. Brian Stout stated that sampling speeds of traffic are being taken, and that there was no point in putting up speed limits when people cannot understand what the speed limits are for. The residents are looking to get village status so that it may have less than 60 mph and advanced warning signs. Brian Stout pointed out that if 40 mph is proposed then it would delay the 20 mph limit being put in place. If this is the case Roger will come back to the meeting on how to proceed with support for village status.

Safer Routes to School Scheme For Ferintosh Primary School. Donnie MacLennan, Incorporated Engineer has written to say that funding has now been granted for this Scheme, the Secretary will circulate the map showing the routes.

AREA 9 DEVELOPMENT – CULBOKIE : The planning meeting regarding this development was attended by Roger Piercy. The plan was presented to the meeting by Planning Officer, Dorothy Stott, who answered questions which were put to her regarding the development. In the event planning permission was granted with conditions, a copy of which was circulated to the Community Council prior to this Community Council meeting.
Various discussions took place at the Community Council meeting regarding the Planning Officer’s conditions. It was agreed that there was a need to take notice with this development and to be very aware of what goes on at each stage. Lengthy discussions took place regarding how much affordable housing is required in Culbokie. It was also pointed out to the meeting that Trustees of Findon Hall have not been approached regarding land for the access road. The question was raised by residents close to the development re safety measures to be put in place for children walking to school, also access through School Croft.

PLANNING MATTERS : Moira has be pursuing the residential caravan placed in the grounds of Beaufort House, Culbokie and has been informed that Planning Officer, Julie Ferguson, will be dealing with this matter.
Moira is also pursuing the fact that in a field above Leanich X Roads owned by Mr Simpson there a two caravans on site and that the road leading into the field has be tarred. It is not clear what the purpose this is for and no planning application has been lodged.
Planning application has been applied for the erection of a house and workshop also extension to existing house on what was the San Francisco site.
Mr & Mrs Morrison, 113, Newton of Ferintosh have applied for planning permission to demolish a steading and replace with a house.
The applicants for a Biophysics Business on Greenleonachs Road have replied to questions asked i.e. 5 people at most would be working there, only 1 delivery per month would be made and no manufacturing would take place on the premises.

NORWOOD HOMES : Mr Innes is going to be in discussion with Planning Department regarding Phase 2 of the Mount Eagle Development, this is a delayed meeting due to a bereavement in the family of Mr. Innes.

BLACK ISLE/CAITHNESS : Councillor Billy Barclay advised that 100 letters/emails were needed if there were objections to the Black Isle becoming joined into Caithness Area for the election of MSP.

CORRESPONDENCE.
Highland & Islands Fire Brigade Draft Action Plan.
Team Update NHS
Connect Scottish Pamphlet.
Royal Air Force Community Relations Office re Flying Exercises.*

* It was agreed that the secretary write and state Ferintosh Community Council’s interest, but will contact at a later date, that is some time of AGM which takes place in April.

THE NEXT MEETING OF FERINTOSH COMMUNITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY 17TH MARCH 2008 AT 7 PM IN CULBOKIE PRIMARY SCHOOL.