February 2010 minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 15th February 2010 in Culbokie Primary School.

Present: Roger Piercy (Chair), Joan More, Sally Falconer, Joy Winnick, Colin Craig, and Councillor Isobel MacCallum. Three members of the public.

Apologies: Hamish MacCulloch, Les Robinson, Carlton Rocke, Moira Grieve, and Ann Acock.

Welcome: Roger welcomed everyone commenting that this was probably the fewest people to attend a meeting for quite some time.

Adoption of minutes: Under “Outstanding Business - Flashing Speed Limit sign” it was noted that the smiley face indicator is in stock awaiting our go-ahead when funds are in place for its purchase. Under “AOCB - January Community Market” it was noted that the banner was not the problem but only the depth of snow in the car park. The minutes were approved by Sally Falconer and seconded by Joan More.

Correspondence: Items read to meeting and dealt with accordingly.

Black Isle Memories Project - ARCH: Roger gave a report on the pilot project conducted by ARCH on gathering memories of local sites in the Community Council area. The project was well supported and we received a request from two of the attendees that the Community Council should find ways of continuing the project as there is a wealth of knowledge to be collected and an apparent willingness to share that knowledge. It was agreed to write to the organiser of the project and encourage ARCH to continue and that we would help to secure the necessary funding. It was felt that it would be unlikely to attract a volunteer to take on the role of running further sessions.

Noticeboard distribution: Roger informed the meeting that Jean Hogben had relinquished the role of distributing the Noticeboard to the distributors and had handed over to Ken Watson, Kinkell. Our thanks are extended to Jean for her part in helping to re-establish the Noticeboard.

FEG report: Joan More reported that the Conon Riverside footpath is making progress and an account with HIS, Inverness has been set up and the allocated funds will have been spent by the end of March 2010. Various suggestions for future public events are being considered and another bird ringing session will take place on Saturday 27th March in the Culbokie Woods.

Outstanding Business:

Ward 9 & 10 meetings: Roger reported on the ward 10 meeting that he and Hamish attended on the subject of THC budgets. Colin reported on the ward 9 meeting that covered the topic of the digital TV switchover that will take place in October 2010. He commented that anyone receiving from a repeater transmitter will have a limited number of stations. The meeting also covered the inadequacy of local bus services.

Constitution & CC Model Standing Order: It was decided to ask Mike MacMillan to prepare a Constitution for discussion at the AGM in April.

Survey on Older People’s Facilities: Joy was unable to attend a meeting on this topic and reported that the THC website is not very informative.

Flashing Speed Limit Sign, Culbokie: Carlton and Les will pursue the acquisition of funds to match contribution of Highland Councillors.

Safe Routes for Schools : Carlton is in touch with this item.

Culbokie Recycling Point – Forestry Car Park: No volunteers have come forward to date. The latest issue of the “Noticeboard” carried a plea for dog walkers to be more responsible when walking their dogs.

It is vital that this development be referred to as West as it will be influenced by the proposed development by Cairn Housing East.

Residential Caravans, Leanaig and Re-submission of House Application: Colin Craig reported that there was still activity at this site suggesting that the residential caravans were still in use.

Four Houses at Highland Park: Colin reported that, with his SEPA ‘hat’ on, he would be meeting with representatives of this area to discuss the drainage situation.

There are no further developments on the following items:

Re-surfacing of Culbokie Post Office Car Park and Extension of Culbokie Post Office car park Bus Shelter at Culbokie Post Office; Norwood Homes Planning Application: Cairn Housing & Moray Development’s submission for East of Schoolcroft; Lochside Green, Greenleonachs: Single house on Glebe land above Leanaig cross-roads; Holiday Letting house Eight Acres, Culbokie, Cairn Housing (East).

AOCB:

February Community Market: there is no available to provide the teas yet. A possible suggestion was made and will be followed up.

Transition Black Isle: The meeting was informed of the change of date for the free film night to be held in Avoch Hall. It will now be the 26th February.

Bird boxes: A request was made for financial support to purchase some flat pack bird boxes as part of a project for the Culbokie after-school club. Members agreed to consider this when the current financial state is known on the return of the Treasurer.

Planning Matters: There were no new matters to discuss.