CONON BRIDGE COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of meeting
Thursday 23rd October 2014, 7.30pm
Community Room, Ben Wyvis Primary,Conon Bridge
Present
Fiona MacKintosh, Jim Attwood, Catriona Meiklejohn, Donald Campbell, Hazel Bushell, Cllr Angela MacLean, Cllr Graham MacKenzie and 4 members of the public,
Welcome
Chair Fiona MacKintosh welcomed everyoneto the meeting.
1. Apologies
Antony Smith, Sgt Mike Anderson
2. Minutes of the previous meeting
Proposed by Donald Campbell, Seconded byHazel Bushell
3. Matters Arising:
Co-opted members: There is still one place available for a co-opted member and places available for associate members within the Community Council.
Braes of Conon Residents Association:Murdo MacLeod has spoken to the resident regarding the long grass and has given them the name of a gardener. Murdo will keep the CC up to date if they need any help.
4. Community Police
Sgt Anderson sent in a report. 10Motorists reported of driving offences, 1 driving ASBO and 6 minor crashesreported to the Procurator Fiscal. 10 noisy parties were reported, 12 people reported to the Procurator Fiscal following disturbances, 5 were reported for assault, 5 for court offences. Speed monitoring is now part of local tasking for the area.
Boy racer type drivers and dog fouling still an issue.Problems with the Chicanes were reported and the CC will forward this onto the Police.
Crimestoppers Tel No is 0800 555111.
5. Treasurer’s Report
Bank balance as of the 22nd Sept 2014 is £1925.16. Ceilidh costs were Band £450, Takings were £642 so profit was £192. It was agreed to round this up to £200 and donate to the Conon Bridge Senior Citizen Christmas Party.
6. Problems with trains/buses
Complaints were made regarding trains not stopping at Conon, being cancelled or being late. Residents have written to Scotrail but are awaiting a reply. Cllr MacKinnon has met with Scotrail.
Buses were also reported at being late or not turning up. Any complaints to Steve Walker.
ACTION: CC to write to John Yellowlees at 1st Group.
Hazel brought up the need for a bus shelter in the middle of the village, after discussion it was agreed that the bus stop at the war memorial was a suitable place as it served the 27 & 28 routes and the CC voted unanimously to look into getting a bus shelter situated here.
ACTION: Catriona to contact Neil Young at Highland Council
7. Highland Council Report, Ben Wyvis Primary School
Brian Porter is checking through the report which should be done by the end of October. Caledonian Economics have gone through all the papers. The Forum are still waiting to receive new table and chairs but this will be brought up at the next meeting on the 28th of October. Question raised regarding the snagging list but it was not known if this had definitely been completed.
ACTION: Check with the Parent Partnership regarding the snagging list.
8. Woodlands Wind Farm
A letter was received from Woodlands Wind Farm and they are reviewing the proposal so everything on hold. A new application will have to be put forward.
9. Planning: Tulloch Development/Fish Factory
The roundabout is planned for early next year but no dates given. Andrew MacMaster to be invited along to a CC meeting.
The fish factory site was raised with regard to planning issues. A company from Edinburgh, Fletcher Joseph Architect have a master plan including apartments, houses and a care home. The Cllrs were unware of this and said it could be to do with the Moray Firth Development Fund. Balfour Beattie are renting out the site at present and there is no indication of what will happen to the site once their lease is over.
10. Lunch Club Update
This is going well with numbers on average around 20. The Lunch Club is open to the Local Community and anyone interested in more info should contact Margo Smith on 01349 862347
11. Area Around Noticeboard
Weed Killer has been put down and will take effect over a few weeks. Catriona has organised someone to remove the weeds and tree trunks and prepare the area for development. Catriona to apply for funding from the discretionary budget. It was agreed that it would be kept simple with some new tubs and ground covering plants being used.
ACTION: Catriona to keep CC updated with development.
12. Million Miles
Photos of the type of bike racks available from Million Miles was shown to the CC and they agreed that the Car Park was an option for a site.
ACTION: Catriona to email Million Miles
13. Senior Citizen Christmas Party/ Christmas Lights
It was agreed to round the £192 raised at the Ceilidh Dance to £200 and donate to the Conon Bridge Senior Citizen Christmas Party.
Catriona has emailed the details of tree lights to Stuart Bruce at Street Lighting to make sure they are compatible with the fittings that are at the tree. Once they are given the ok, Catriona will order them.
14. Conon Craic
The latest copy has just been delivered round the village. Jim has agreed to take over the collation of the Conon Craic with the help of Jock Comloquoy for the Amenities Committee. The next issues deadline will be the end of Jan for delivery in Feb. This is the last edition that would be paid by Tullochs. Future editions to be discussed.
Fiona brought up that there had once been a Dell Printer purchased by the CC in the past for printing the Conon Craic and asked if anyone knew where it had gone. No one was aware of the printer so previous members will be contacted to see if they have any info on its where abouts.
Fiona asked Jim if he could please remove the time and days that the Brownies and Guides meet from any future editions.
15. Vodafone 3G Mobile Access
Jim has completed the application form for the 3G Mobile Access which would provide base units around the village to boost the Mobile signal of Vodaphone and it is hoped the CC will hear back by November/December if they have been successful. Fiona thanked Jim for all his work in completing the application in such a short time.
16. New Hall Fund
The current balance is £43,245.74. The fund is open as a Community Fund and groups within Conon Bridge are welcome to apply. It would be good if a village project could be funded. Catriona sent copies of the accounts to Rod Morrison, Treasurer of the Amenities association for their information.
17. AOCB
Woodland Trust: Catriona had looked into the application for 30 trees from the Woodland Trust to commemorate the beginning of WW1. There was a lot of information that was not available to help fill in the form and the Woodland Trust are keen that the 30 trees are planted together and the site has public access at all times. As it had been suggested planting 7 trees at the school to commemorate the 7 soldiers who are on the plaque in the school Catriona has sent the information on to Tony Innes.
This is something that could be funded by the CC or New Hall Fund.
Games Afternoon: There is to be a games afternoon on Sunday 26th October for the over 60’s and the topic of ‘Men’s Shed’ will be discussed.
Drain in High Street: Ian Hay to be contacted re the drain cover on the pavement opposite the chip shop as it is now a tripping hazard.
Safer Routes: The issue of the chicane’s was raised again as there have been several complaints of people not stopping at the give way lines and nipping through causing the right of way traffic to stop. It was agreed that this could be brought up at the Community Services meeting on Monday night that Cllr MacKenzie is to chair.
It was asked if the Safer Routes had been reviewed but it was not known if it had been.
U-turns at the entrance to Riverford Crescent is also causing problems as this is done on a regular basis.
Action: Catriona to inform Sgt Anderson of the problems with the Chicanes and U-turns.
Village Entertainment: Moira Comloquoy asked the Community Council if they saw their role as organising village entertainment or events. Fiona said the CC would be happy to be involved in this but felt that it would be better if the CC and the Amenities association worked together in this respect and this was agreed by the other CC members.
Date of next meeting:17th December 2014, 7.30pm in the Community Wing, The Leanaig Centre.
The meeting was closed.