MUIRTOWN COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Chairman: / J Kidd
6 Firthview Drive
Inverness
IV3 8NS
01463 240493
/ Secretary: / Ruth MacLeod
13 King Brude Terrace
Inverness
IV3 8PT
Tel: 01463 235137

Minute of Meeting- Muirtown Community Council

Monday 27 October2014@ 7.00pm in Muirtown Primary School

Present: / Mr J Kidd (Chairman)Mr R Reed
Ms R MacLeod (Secretary)Mr B Anderson
Mrs C ForbesMr K Cormack
Mr M MacLennan / Apologies:
Attending: / Ms S Gillies (Treasurer) J Cumming
Cllr A Graham
Cllr G Ross PC A MacRae
Mrs J Margos & Mrs C Gordon (Residents)

1.0Apologies

Apologies received on behalf of Cllr A Graham, Ms S Gillies (Treasurer) & Mr J Cumming.

Action
2.0 / Previous Minute –
Draft Minute of meeting held 29th September 2014 was accepted as correctB Anderson & 2nd Cllr Ross. / Secty
3.0 / Police Report
Community Beat Officer - PC McLean provided a written report and PC MacRae attended meeting on his behalf:
Total Incidents for the period :54calls towider beat area : 14 reported crimes in Muirtown Beat Area with 9persons reported/charged.
Focus was continuing on Operations Route (Traffic Offences) & Operation Notebook (Anti-social Offences) within the Ward. Fixed Penalties issued to drivers King Brude Rd, General Booth Rd.
5 No. anti-social offences reported ranging from vandalism at King BrudeGdnsClachnaharry where one person has been placed on ‘Operation Notebook’.
Police and Trading Standards had been in contact with Ultra Home Improvements, after leaflet drop in Cold Call Control Zone areas.
Call 101 to report any suspicious activies. Call 999 for any emergency situation Crimestoppers 0800 555 111. / All
4.0
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6 / Matters Arising
Clachnaharry Traffic
School buses run by D&E Coaches to be reminded of speed limits in place. Cllr Ross to make contact with Mr O’Neill, Charleston Rector and the School Transport Officer at Highland Council.
Replacement Bus Shelters
Cllr Ross advised a new contractor has been appointed for the work – further info on timescales to be confirmed.
Blackpark – Discharge on road
HC uggested that in light of previous investigations showing no contamination, should CC wish to take the matter further contact with SEPA would be the next step – Secretary to follow this up.
Dog Waste Bins
General waste bins are being requested for MFR Path / Craig Phadraig Woods / nearby School.
Charleston Car Park – A ‘zig-zag’ area is to be completed to deter cars from permanently parking (near Dr’s Surgery – Assynt Road).
Salt Bins
Cllr Ross advised these should already have been filled in preparation for winter – K Cormack queried CraigardTerr and Chairman suggested top end of Firthview Ave but extra bins are not expected to be placed. This to be raised directly with Debbie Sutton at Highland Council. / Cllr Ross
Cllr Ross
Action
5.0 / Treasurer’s Report
In absence of Treasurer : Previous Balance £1,537.38
Ddt: Chq No. 030290 Speedprint (Cold Call Control Zone Posters) £168
Chq No. 030291 Local History Forum Donation £100
£1,269.38
Credit:Highland Council CC Grant £2,202.54
Balance £3,471.92
6.0
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4 / Member’s Issues
Vice-Chair
Mr R Bowie contacted the Secretary to withdraw from role of Vice Chairman. Whilst he will remain as a member he did not feel he could commit to his role of Vice-Chair.
C Forbes asked if assistance could be given to an elderly neighbour in Canal Terrace, to install a shed – suggested to contact Community Service or Handyman Services.
Parking Issues – Firthview Rd/Ave
Chair highlighted certain addresses where private rentals where ‘house share’ occupants, each with cars are causing parking issues e.g. where occupants are not related but 4-5 cars are used at the address. This would be fed back to Police Community Beats Team via PC MacRae.
Cyclists
With darker evenings – R Reed highlighted that many cyclists are cycling without lights/Hi-Vis clothing. Police confirmed they issue Tweets and Facebook updates advising cyclists to be safe and encourage wearing of suitable clothing and adequate lights. / ALL
PC McLean
7.0 / Highland Councillors Report
Most Highland Councillor input & reporting was contained within the main points of the meeting.
8.0
8.1
8.2
8.3 / Correspondence
Charleston Christmas Bazaar 2014
Request for sponsorship donation. Chairman asked for amount awarded in previous years. Secretary confirmed £300 was awarded in 2013 – it was agreed by all present £300 would again be awarded. Proposed J Kidd and 2nd B Anderson. Secretary to award cheque in absence of Treasurer.
Highland Council – War Memorial Funding
Notification received from Robin Pope (Community Works Manager) advising community councils of funding available for carrying out remedial works on War Memorials – further info available
Highland Council Budget Savings Consultation
Reminder that responses to the consultation would be received up until 21st November. / Secty
ALL
9.0
9.1 / Planning
A lengthy discussion took place on value of planning function, when elected members are unable to take part in discussions; objections placed are generally disregarded and appeals to the Scottish Government reporter are commonplace and 99% of them are approved. – it was considered that the whole structure of the planning function is undemocratic in its current form.
It was also felt that city centre planning issues should be open to and involve everyone via the various community councils, as city centre planning affects the larger community.
10.0
10.1 / AOCB
River Ness Flood Defence – work seems to be very patchy – would it not be more economic and timeous to allow work to flow in order roads are able to be re-opened rather than whole sections complete but roads remaining closed off & business suffering, particularly Huntly Street.
11.0 / Date of Next Meeting: Monday 24th November 2014 at 7.00pm – Muirtown Primary School

There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.00pm