NORTHMAVEN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes 09/2008
A meeting of the above Council was held on Monday 22nd September 2008 in Ollaberry Primary School.
Present were: Mr J A Cromarty (Chairman)
Mrs J Copland
Mr E Tribe
Mr D Robertson
Mrs G Hughson
Mr A MacDonald
Mr A Jamieson
Clerk: Mrs P Peterson
In Attendance: Cllr A Cooper
Apologies: Mr A Doull
Mr P Brown
Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the previous meeting held on 25th August 2008 at Ollaberry Primary School were approved by Mr A MacDonald and seconded by Mr E Tribe.
MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
Straying Sheep – Hillswick
A Member informed the meeting that they have been approached for an update on this issue. As Cllr A Doull is in discussion with Shetland Islands Council on this matter it was agreed that everything is being done that can be at this stage. It was also noted that this will be a lengthy process due to various factors such as the number of landowners involved in this proposal. The Member will pass this onto the residents of Hillswick.
Youth Workers for Northmavine
These positions have been advertised. Await an update.
Stucca – replacement of street sign
Members confirmed that the replacement sign is now in position.
Temporary Closure of Hillswick Post Office
Members confirmed that local residents have placed a petition in the Hillswick Shop regarding the lack of communication form the Post Office and the length of time the Hillswick Post Office has been closed without an alternative service. Both the NCDC and the NCC have contacted Post Office Customer Services regarding this issue.
North Roe & Lochend Doctors Surgery Transport
The Clerk has previously contacted SIC Transport Services for answers on this matter however Mr I Bruce has now retired and Mr K Deurden who has recently taken over from Mr Bruce has recently been on annual leave. Clerk was asked to contact Mr Duerden again.
Hjaltland Houses – Eshaness
Cllr A Cooper confirmed that the SIC Housing Department has funds available for this project and is currently in discussions with Hjaltland Housing Association. Cllr A Cooper was unsure of the outcome for Eshaness Housing. It was also confirmed that the NCDC has contacted Mr Leask of HHA for an update on this project.
Main Road – Collafirth
Clerk confirmed that the names of the relevant landowners for this stretch of road have been passed to Mr N Hutcheson, SIC Roads Department and a progress update is awaited. Cllr A Copper who is meeting with SIC Roads this week will request an update on behalf of the NCC.
AGENDA
Shetland Amenity Trust – Da Voar Redd Up 2008
The Chair read out a letter which was received from SAT with regards to this years Voar Redd Up. The letter thanked everyone who took part in the Redd Up and stated that it had once again been a huge success. It was agreed last year that 5 local groups would receive a grant payment this year. They are: Sullom & Gunnister Hall, Eshaness Community Centre, Ollaberry Youth Club, North Roe & Lochend Youth Club and Urafirth Primary School. Once each group has confirmed collection to SAT they will received £100 each.
Dangerous Road top of Hillswick junction
A Member raised concerns received from the public with regards to a dangerous section of road just north of the Hillswick junction. The road narrows on a corner and a number of vehicles have had to veer off the road when meeting oncoming traffic. The Clerk was asked to write to the SIC Roads Department to voice concerns regarding this stretch of road is and request that either a passing place be added or the road be widened at this area. Cllr A Cooper enquired as to whether these incidents had been reported to the Police as this would help highlight the danger. Members were unsure if incidents had been reported. The Clerk was asked to send a copy of the letter to the Brae Police.
Da Soond O Shetland – Talking Books
The Chair read out a letter which was received requesting grant funding to support a proposed project to produce recordings of Shetland books which will be available through Library services for people who have sight impairment. The Clerk has previously sent out a Grant application form which has yet to be returned. Members agreed to wait for this and make a decision at next months meeting.
AOB
Sullom Voe Gas Plant
A Planning Application has been received in connection to a proposed development at Sullom Voe Oil Terminal. The Clerk previously queried receipt of this application with the Planning Department as Sullom Voe Oil Terminal is situated in Delting. It was felt planning comments should be the remit of Delting Community Council. The Planning Department responded stating that they had been told all Sullom Voe applications should be sent to NCC. Members declared that Sullom Voe Oil Terminal is in Delting and therefore planning documentation should be sent to the Delting Community Council and perhaps the Planning Department were confused regarding Sullom Voe Oil Terminal and Sullom, Northmavine. Cllr A Cooper took the application as Chair of the Delting Community Council and the Clerk was asked to contact the SIC Planning Department to clarify this issue for future applications.
Planning Application – To erect dwellinghouse, site opposite Nort Houster, North Roe by Mr I Johnson
Members looked over the above planning application and were all in favour.
Viking Energy – Proposed Wind Farm
The Chair read out a letter which was received from a member of the public raising concerns with regard to the proposed Viking Energy Wind Farm for Shetland. Members discussed the subject and asked the Clerk to respond thanking the writer for their views and notify them that until they get more information with regards to the planning of this project they would be refraining from comment. Cllr A Cooper declared an interest in this subject and said that more information will be made available to the public in due course.
Evidence on Flooding and Flood Management
A letter was received from Mr P Peacock, MSP thanking the NCC for comments sent to his department earlier in the year with regard to flooding in Northmavine. He included a list of recommendations which have been collated following the comments received. Members noted the list and had no further comment to make.
Shetland Amenity Trust – Environmental Awards 2008
Nominations are now being invited for the Shetland Environmental Awards 2008. A member suggested that the North Roe School Biodiversity Boards be put up for nomination. All Members were in favour of this and asked the Clerk to complete the application form.
NCC minutes in Hillswick
A Member enquired as to whether copies of the minutes for the NCC are sent to the Hillswick area as local residents are unaware of them. The Clerk confirmed that each month copies of the minutes and an Agenda are sent to the following:
Ollaberry: Ollaberry Shop
Ollaberry Post Office
North Roe: North Roe Post Office
Sullom: Sullom and Gunnister Hall
Eshaness: Eshaness Post Office
Hillswick: Hillswick Shop
The Clerk was then asked if the minutes for Hillswick could be put up in the Hillswick Hall notice board instead.
Bayview Residents, North Roe
A Member has been approached by residents of Bayview, North Roe who are concerned with the current state of the paths to the houses and the tarmac path in the car park. The paths are developing holes which are causing a danger to the residents. The member contacted SIC Housing Department to request that repairs be carried out to the paths but was told that SIC Housing Department are only responsible for the concrete paths to each individual house and the Roads Department are responsible for the tarmac paths in the car park. Since the Roads Department have put the tarmac on the communal paths this has resulted in the individual paths being lower than the communal paths so and this is causing holes at the gates to the individual houses. The Clerk was asked to find out who is responsible for repairs and request that something is done before someone is seriously hurt.
It was also noted that Bayview residents do not have a communal box for rubbish bags and asked the NCC to request a box be installed from the SIC.
Digital UK Switch Over
Cllr A Cooper raised the issue regarding the forthcoming digital switch over and enquired as to whether the members felt that it would benefit residents of the area if they requested a representative from Digital UK to attend a meeting in the North Mainland. Members agreed that a meeting could benefit the public and Cllr Cooper agreed to organise it.
ASCC Meeting – October 2008
The Chair reported that he would not be able to attend the next ASCC meeting and enquired whether anyone else would be able to go. No one at the meeting was able to go however not all members were present. Clerk to contact absent members.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday 20th October 2008 and will be held at 7:30pm in the North Roe & Lochend Hall.
Items Tabled:
The Community Councillor Summer 2008 Newsletter
The Crown Estate Summer 2008 Newsletter
Shetland Recreational Trust Annual Report 2007 - 2008
Postwatch Scotland Newsletter – Final Issue
Shetland Environmental Wards 2008 Poster
SIC Reports and Committees 10th September Minutes
CHAIR: ______
CLERK: ______
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