HELMSDALE

AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 1st August 2013 at 7pm in the Community Centre Present: Stan Amey (Chairman), Penny Kane (Secretary), Malcolm Bromley, Alison Cowie, Paul Harrington, Gerry Wood. 1. 2. 3. 4. Apologies: Barbara Jappy, (Treasurer), Councillor Deirdre Mackay Police report: No police present Approval of Minutes of July meeting: Proposed by Alison, seconded by Stan Matters Arising: Penny read out a letter from Matt Dent: The Highland Council does have the resource to maintain paths that are not in its ownership or other legal control. I visited the path on the 20th February this year, after your call, to ensure there was no significant risk to the public. The path erosion is down to the bedrock in places and though wet/muddy these hazards are natural and obvious. Some exposed pipes did need to be removed or reburied. I wrote to the agents for the owners of Helmsdale Estate on the 25th Feb. I received an acknowledgement and was told the letter would be passed to the owners. The estate was still I think being transfer after the death of a previous owner. I have not heard anything from the owners or the solicitors. If the pipe is still exposed I will take steps to remove the trip hazard. If you have details of the public ownership please let me know the particulars and I will take up as appropriate. The Highland Council to my knowledge has no interest in the river or river bank at this point. The river board to which I think you are referring is a body tasked by statute to protect and enhance the salmon and sea trout population on the river and as far as I know they do not own are (sic) particular sections of the river as a consequence of their statutory underpinning. If you think otherwise you should contact them to assist in the maintenance of the paths to which you refer. Matt Dent. The Council thinks that the estate passed to Simon Lawley after the death of Dr Lawley. PK to write to Matt to ask him to sort out via the Highland Council given his powers. The path is also very overgrown and needs cutting back BEAR have been contacted several times to invite them to attend tonights meeting with no response. It appears from correspondence that Deirdre is having the same problems. There is a meeting on 26th August at 7.30pm in the Scout and Guide hall Brora. PK to attend Penny presented her BT bill for sorting out the email problems. The Council agreed to reimburse 65.05. PK to give copy of bill to treasurer Anna (Timespan) thanked us for the letter of thanks and congratulations for all her teams hard work with the panels. She is asking for a letter of support for a grant application. Agreed, PK to write 5. Councillors Report: Councillor on annual leave. She left a message that the repairs and cleaning of the clock faces on the War Memorial were under control 6. Treasurers report: Grant of 1073.52 received from Highland Council. Added to previous balance of 422.77 there is now a balance of: 1496.29. There are 2 cheques for 50.00 pending for Kinbrace School. Barbara has put in report to SSE stating what the 1800.00 microgrants money was used for last year

7. Development Officers Report: HOUSING: We have another meeting with the contractor in 2 weeks time, to identify any further cost savings. We are having a little trouble from SSE over the power supply; cost is the major problem, with the overhead power line and its proximity to plot 7. FILLING STATION: NO UPDATE Still awaiting feedback from BLF RENEWABLES:
HYDRO

The landowner has rejected the formal request by the Development Trust to undertake a micro hydro scheme on the Culgower Burn for the time being. Their priority is the Scoping Report being undertaken at present and the development of the wind farm. HARBOUR Feasibility and Engineering study starts on Monday 5th Aug, for approx 3 days, report due in approx 6 weeks time, this will identify IF the harbour depth of 2 metres depth can be achieved and if so, budget costs for undertaking improvements. Highland Council have finally agreed to spend the monies on improvements to the harbour, this has taken 15 months for them to agree an approx spend in the region of 100k, which can be matched with money from HIE. Dredging starts in a couple of weeks time, Harbour Users have met with Harbours Manager from the Council and they have highlighted potential problems which will be addressed in the coming year. COMMUNITY BROADBAND: Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) & HIE have indicated that parts of the Helmsdale & District (outlying areas), are unlikely to receive improved broadband speeds, through the Governments Next Generation Broadband Scheme, until at least 2020. Therefore CBS & HIE have agreed that we can now move forward with evidencing those areas with poor speeds, so that a Technical Assessment can be undertaken to identify, equipment, reception areas, mesh network and costs. Further to this, over the coming days a survey will be sent to ALL residents and businesses within the poor reception areas previously identified, for completion and to provide the base evidence for the project. 8. Helmsdale Environment Improvements: No edging around paths leading to statue, edges will collapse and be grown over. Crushed rock was used and not black top. PK to write to Deirdre to express our concerns. PH to contact Anne Hackett as Project Manager Panels were given a gold star and PK to let Deirdre know Toilets: PH, PK and BJ and Jill Fergusson spent last weekend painting the inside of the toilets. They are greatly improved but the gloss needs one more coat. PH and MB to do on Sunday at 10.30am. PK expressed concern at the poor flush. Need larger cisterns. PK to contact Phil Tomalin. Paul suggested we approach Phil to see if the toilets could be locked between 8pm and 8am to try and stop the vandalism. Also need to sort out who does the cleaning while Garry on holiday and who if given permission will do the locking/unlocking Bridge End works: Telegraph pole down and ducting for recharging points done Bins: As explained the cost of moving bins to Coupers Yard is prohibitive. The Council voted to keep them at the harbour, as much positive feedback has been received. There was discussion around the future plans for Couper Yard, hold over to next meeting. a. West Garty Wind Farm update: Penny was able to speak to Ken McCorquodale. There is no further news;

9. A.O.B.: Stan has had a letter from the Highland Council asking for volunteers to do pavement clearing in case of snow. This is happened last year-only one person volunteered. The volunteer list was kept in the library. PK to ask if Garry McLeod could be paid to do this. Stan raised concerns re the gradual transfer of duties from statutory body responsibility to volunteers. We need to know the legal ramifications for this in case of injury if we do it /do not do it. PK to ask Phil The refurbishment of the station has started. There will be a visitors area and a museum on the ground floor and self-catering accommodation on the first floor. It should be completed in about 4 months Gerry drew attention to the broken down lorry along Shore Street in front of the boat. This item to be held over until next meeting when Deirdre present so that a long-term solution to this on-going problem can be effected. Needs a combined approach A meeting between Councillors and HDDT organised for Tuesday 20th August 13 to discuss actions if wind farm application goes ahead Paul asked for permission to apply for grants to pay for materials used when refurbishing the toilets. Stan signed the forms 10. Questions from the Public: Jean Sargent gave everyone a copy of the Translocation Diary for events over the next 2 weeks to commemorate the bicentenary of the Kildonan Clearances. Visitors are already arriving. Stan thanked all concerned for their hard work preparing for this event Meeting closed at 8.15pm Date and time of next meeting: Thursday 5th September 2013 at 7pm If giving apologies please contact Penny so that we will know if we have a quorum