1
BUTE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Wednesday July 15th 2015
Pavilion Café 7.00pm
Present:Miss G. Strong, Convenor; Mr F. Baxter; Mr M. Blair; Mr M. Catlin; Mrs E. Cromack; Mr G. Gillespie; Mr I. Gillespie; Mr A. Harrison; Mr P. Wallace; Mr D. Williams.
Councillor R. MacIntyre, Councillor I. Strong
Press:Ms K. Keith
Police: Inspector I. Wilson
50 Members of the Public
Scottish Salmon Ltd: Ms R. Dean, Ms P. Hawdon, Mr I. MacIntyre, Ms N. Struther
1. Apologies: Mr R. Beverley, Mr M. Common, Mr P. Duffy, Mrs B. Hill, Mr I. Hopkins
2. Declarations of Interest
There were none.
3. Presentation from Scottish Salmon Ltd.
Ms R. Dean stated that the objectives were to give an overview of the industry and o the company, and to outline development possibilities. The main points made were as follows.
Farmed salmon is the largest food export for both the UK and Scotland. Directly and indirectly, the industry employs more than 6500 people. Scotland supplies 6% of total market. Current output is 160,000 tonnes, which is projected to grow to 210,000 tonnes by 2020.
Due to strict regulatory standards and superior methods of operation and production, the industry produces a premium product, which attracts a premium price.
Scottish Salmon Ltd is a relatively small and young company which is looking to grow. It has 60 sites, from Lewis to Arran, and employs 450 staff in a good range of jobs with prospects. Apprenticeships are offered.
Scottish Salmon produces 30,000 tonnes, approximately 20% of total Scottish output. Its product is at the high value end of the market.
The benefits of its operations do not go only to it. Everywhere it works, it has links with other businesses. It is committed to community socio-economic involvement and benefit. Staff are important parts of the community where they work.
The company also invests in the local community and is actively involved in supporting community initiatives. Here it is already developed strong links with Ardmaleish boat yard. It sponsors the Cowal Highland gathering.
New site exploration involves: desk based and physical site survey; pre-application consultation with statutory bodies; public consultation andinformation events; opportunities for communities to engage in dialogue. Public consultation is not obligatory, Scottish Salmon do it because they want to engage in a dialogue.
Here the company is still at the pre-application stage. The next step would be to make a submission for a screening and scoping opinion. A decision to submit an application would be based on that stage.
Twosites are being looking at – White Port & Straad. The former will not be progressed with on account of a BT cable there. The company is now putting the Straad site on hold, as it is looking to find a replacement for the White Port site, given that it would like to progress with more than a single site. The company will review other desk based surveys to see if it can continue with development applications.
Bute is an attractive location. The company has good local links and knows that it would be a good place to be based. There would be good employment opportunities.
Questions and Answers
Theowner of Kayak Bute said that it brings a number of people to the island to sea kayak, and is about to publish a Bute Guide. Its customers come to see seals and gain skills – they do not come to see industrial size battery farm in area of outstanding scenic beauty. Development in somewhere like the Straad would make his business much more difficult to advertise and he would not like to see a development like this going ahead.
The owner of Just Seaweed said that he sells edible seaweed and wanted to know about pesticide use, and that he has harvesting rights for two miles out. Scottish Salmon had not got back to him during the consultation.
Mr I. MacIntyre replied that Scottish Salmoncurrently work in other areas where seaweed is produced.
Do you use Tributal Tin TBT?. Ms R. Dean said that the company did not, and that she understood its use to be illegal. How then are the sites to be kept clean? The answer was that the nets are removed from the site every six months for cleaning, though this could be done on site by agitation.
Who owns Scottish Salmon? Ms Dean said that the company is listed on the Norwegian Stock Market, and attracts investors from all over, including overseas.
All of the company’s sites are in Scotland and if investors are willing to come in that is good for Scotland, as with the whisky situation.
How many employees would there be? Eight full time positions across two sites. The jobs would be advertised in all relevant local press outlets here and across Argyll. Ideally staff would live on Bute.
Given that wild life is not safe near a fish farm, what would it say about Bute as a holiday destination if you could not walk round the coast without knowing wildlife was being destroyed? Ms R. Dean said that it was not unusual for development and wild life to co-exist and that it should be remembered that a salmon farm would offer full time trade sustainable jobs all year round, whereas tourist levels varied through the year. Ms P. Hawdon noted that shooting of seals is part of a chain of measures that are put in place, and very much a last resort measure. Many estates involve shooting.
Where does the company’s salmon go? Ms R. Dean said 50% went into the UK market, and that the international markets included France, the USA, and the Far east.
How does salmon get there? Mr I. MacIntyre said that it was flown as fresh product. Ms N. Struther noted that within Europe the salmon reached the retail market within 24 hours.
What would be the effect on local environment for swimmers? Ms P. Hawdon said that there would be no negative recreational effect, as was known first hand – swimming and fish farming already co-exist.
Farmers and the community here have made great efforts to make sure we have clean beaches, what assurances can be given that these will be maintained? Ms P.Hawdon said that within the pre application stage many environmental impacts had been assessed by statutory consultees. Ms R. Dean said that there would be strict scrutiny and that she was comfortable to say there would be no impact.
Why are two sites more desirable than one? Economies of scale
What installations will be on the shore/beaches? Ms R. Dean said almost all the operations are off shore, with day to day operation at the cages. What is required on shore is a pontoon or launch station where a boat can come in. It was noted by the questioner that most Bute beaches currently have nothing on them, which is what people are accustomed to.
The previous application for the Straad site had three jobs at Tighnabruaich and attracted a great deal of Bute objection – is this not a downside to your plan? Ms P.Hawdon said that this is not the same project – it is not a re-opening of an old application.
Have you thought about getting nets that are seal proof? Mr I. MacIntyre said that they are looking at new technology, which has wire encased in the net, but it needs to be made sure that the nets are not then abrasive. Trials are going on.
What is the involvement of SEPA? Ms R. Dean said that things are currently at the pre-application stage, and that the company is working with them until ready to submit an application. Don – Solution to ask BT to put line round island.
Where is the site on Arran? Lamlash Bay. Ms P. Hawdon noted that this is a Marine Protected Area, and a good example of a multi user environment.
Ms R. Dean thanked Bute Community Council for its invitation.
A member of the public, Mr Bill Renn, said that he wished to record disapproval from the floor that the Scottish Salmon representatives were leaving so soon. Ms R. Dean said that they had been allotted 15 minutes and had actually taken up 45 minutes. The Convenor said that the allocation had been10 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for questions. Councillor I. Strong suggested holding a public meeting. Ms P. Hawdon said that there had already been four of those on Bute.
The Convenor thanked the Scottish Salmon Company representatives for their attendance.
4. Adoption of Minutes of 17/6/2015 Meeting
The following corrections were noted:
P1, Declarations of Interest – at sentence beginning ‘Mr P. Duffy..’ insert be between ‘would’ and ‘tendering’.
P9, 3rdpara from bottom – insert ‘were’ between ‘there’ and ‘other’
P10, 2nd para, start of second line – change ‘no’ to ‘not’
P 12, 2ndpara from bottom, 4th line down – insert ‘was’ between ‘he’ and ‘against’
Subject to these corrections, the adoption of the Minutes was proposed by Mr I. Gillespie and seconded by Mr M. Catlin.
5. Matters arising from the Minutes
Miss G. Strong referred to the lack of policing at the cycling proficiency event, page 2. Inspector I. Wilson said that there were no objections to police being present, though it was not a requirement.A police presence could be available if requested, but it was not for the police to find out that the event was happening.
Miss G. Strong asked about police detection rates, page 2. Inspector Wilson said that this would be dealt with in the police report.
In regard to inquiries to Orkney and Shetland community councils about the ferry service provided by SERCO, page 8, Mr M.Blair asked whether any replieshad been received. Mr P. Wallace advised that letters had been written by the Secretary, but no replies yet received. Mr A. Harrison suggested that there would be information in the public domain.
Mr M. Blair referred to the matter of road marking at the junction of Victoria St and High St, page 13. Councillor I. Strong said that the work had been requested, but not yet done, and that it may be that it requires outside contractors. Councillor Strong said that it was a serious safety issue and that she would take it up again. Mr G. Gillespie said that markings are always done after top dressing and that if the work is finished, marking will likely come next. Councillor R.MacIntyre suggested that the Secretary should write to Calum Robertson of the Roads Department in Lochgilphead, and this was agreed. As was Mr M. Catlin’s suggestion that the letter should alsomention the lamppost in High St, which has been down for a long time.
Mr P. Wallace reported that an email had been received via the community council website about the road markings at the Greenan Mill junction. Mr M. Catlin said that he thought that these had now been done.
6. Police Report
Inspector I. Wilson said that he had spent 17 years in Falkirk, several years in Campbeltown, He is now 3 days per week at Dunoon and 2 days at Rothesay.
Since the last meeting there had been:
No robberies or serious assaults
13 common assaults, with a 77% detection rate
1 knife/weapon incident
This year:
50 anti-social behaviour tickets were issued, compared with 80 last year.
2 hate crimes, compared with 3 last year
2 house breaking incidents, down from 5 same period last year
The question of the legal situation regarding boats on trailers parked on the road has been looked into. Regarding rule 250 of the Highway Code, these are not mechanically propelled vehicles. As regards the Refuse Disposal Act, in the event of a breach of the law the police have the power of removal if the council will pay for it. At the moment it is not a police issue.
A number of search warrants were obtained leading to drugs recovery. These were intelligence led on the basis of information from the public, and we would encourage people to continue to do so.
Extra officers will come over from Dunoon to cover ButeFest. Inspector Wilson said that it was his personal feeling that the organisation of this event had perhaps been rushed, it coming a year too soon.
Questions
Councillor I. Strong said that a problem for Butefest was that we made the whole area a no drinking area, which most of the other places do not.
Mr M. Blair asked about the parking restrictions in connection with Butefest. These were put in place because the UCB 11 am service was to be joint with Trinity and thus likely to cause parking problems in Bishop St, Castle St, and Watergate
Mr A. Harrison asked who decides if a parked boat is scrap? Inspector Wilson said that it was a decision for an environmental officer from the council. Councillor I. Strong said that the council had towed things away before and been accused of theft.
Mr I. Gillespie said that a member of the public had notified the police about shelter damage at Battery Place, and had passed again and noticed raised voices and a woman who was frightened. The shelter has been vandalised a few times over the last few months.
Mr I. Gillespie reported that twoseparate people had approached him about youths drinking in the alley by the telephone exchange. Inspector Wilson said that people can phone the police with confidence, and this can be anonymous. There is a need to encourage community engagement. The police will look at extra patrols in the area.
How do crime rates on Bute compare with elsewhere in the area? They are lower than for Campbeltown, and much less than for Dunoon.
7. Matters raised by BCC members
There were no matters raised by community councillors.
8. Correspondence and Matters Arising
In relation to the correspondence listed in the Agenda for this meeting, it was noted that:
No reply had been received to the letter of 20/6/15 to the Council’s Chief Executive regarding lack of response to previous letters about parking on both sides of Ardbeg Rd/High rd.
No reply had been received to the letters to Orkney and Shetland community councils on 20/6/15 regarding the SERCO operated ferry services.
It was also noted that:
There has been no response to letter sent on 20/4/15 to the Head of Infrastructure at Argyll and Bute Council, Mr M. MacFadden, regarding plans for old academy
There has been no substantive response from Bute Estate to letter sent on 24/5/15 regarding seaweed accumulation at Kilchattan Bay.
Since the Agenda was prepared the following have been received:
3/7/15: From Councillor L. Scoullar forwarding an email from NHS Scotland regarding consultation on NHS Highlands Strategic Plan. Circulated.
3/7/15: Email from Helensburgh Community Council regarding request to Argyll and Bute Council for information on synthetic pitch charging. Forwarded to Mr H. Tait 12/7/15.
6/7/15: Email from Argyll and Bute Council advising of Audit Scotland session to be held on Bute on 29/7/15, and inviting attendance. Circulated. Secretary has indicated attendance.
14/7/15: Email from Historic Scotland regarding responses to its consultation in Tinkers’ Heart. Circulated.
The Convenor noted that it is the community council’s function to bring issues of concern to the attention of Argyll and Bute council, so it is frustrating when there is no response. Councillor I. Strong suggested that it is a dysfunctional council.Mr M. Blair suggested that it would be un-productive to debate whether the council was dysfunctional. Councillor Strong suggested inviting the council’s Chief Executive to a meeting to answer questions.
Mr M. Blair said that it is a disgrace that nothing had been done about the old primary school, which is a beautiful building and should be listed.
The Convenor noted that the community council is the lowest level statutory body, and that Bute Community Council is fortunate in that the three Argyll and Bute Councillors for Bute attend meetings regularly, and get things done.
Miss G. Strong said that she had been at a meeting recently at which it was reported that there were 21 island people in care off the island, which shocked many people. Taking matters forward would require facts and figures. There was a problem in that Jim Robb had retired and Liz Higgins had moved on – Peter McLaren has taken over.
9. Councillors’ Reports
Councillor R. MacIntyre reported:
1.I attended Bute Vintage Club tractor rally on Saturday, and was asked to start the tractors away. There were 107 tractors, with around 60 from the mainland. Craig Douglas brought over tractor and trailer with seats, which cost £95 on the ferry.
The Secretary told me that the event was very successful, and had grown over the years. All participants attended 6/7 rallies per year, and Bute was considered the best.
2. I attended a Spread at the Sailing Club with the moneys raised going to MS and Kidney dialysis.
f3.The Ferries start going to Gourock on 1st Oct. I am not sure if timetable has been issued yet. I phoned Gordon Ross, MD Western Ferries, and learned that agreement has been reached for dual ticketing, so that vehicles can go via Western Ferries to Hunters Quay then round to Colintraive. This is only good for vehicles.
4. I received a complaint re broadband at Kildavana Cottage. I understand that superfast fibre optic broadband is to be available in Kilchattan Bay by Easter 2016.