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Minutes of the Helmsdale and District Community Council Meeting held in the Community Centre

Thursday 9th December

Present Evelyn MacKenzie (Chairman) Elizabeth Fraser (Vice Chairman) Edward MacKay (Vice Chairman) Garry MacMillan (Treasurer) Anne Houghton (Secretary) Stan Amey Annie Cowie Roz Shorrock Lorna Smith Christine Sutherland Pete Carson (Local Development Officer) Apologies Rosemary Findlay Cllr Mackay The Chairman opened the meeting by introducing this month’s speaker Alan Grant from the Energy Saving Trust. He was at the meeting to explain about the initiative between the Highland Council and the Energy Saving Trust. He relayed the following information. A new Universal Home Insulation Scheme is coming to your community council area. The Universal Home Insulation Scheme is an area-based initiative that is being delivered by the Energy Saving Trust. The scheme is Scottish Government funded, and will offer energy efficiency advice and measures to households in designated areas of Scotland.

• Free loft and/or cavity wall insulation* for your home if you need it.

And even if you don’t need insulation, act now for more free benefits:

• Free home energy report to rate your property • Free impartial advice to help reduce your fuel bills • Free access to the Scottish Government’s Energy Assistance Package • You could win an energy efficient appliance of your choice (worth up to £500)

in our free prize draw • Free in-depth transport advice to help save you money with a chance to win a

year’s free car insurance If Residents in this area are particularly vulnerable then the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre can establish a referral process that will fully support applications to the Energy Assistance Package.

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This is a time limited offer and from the 1st November the scheme will be advertised on local community websites and newspapers. Outreach officers will also be visiting local supermarkets and attending advice surgeries to promote the scheme to homeowners. In Helmsdale there will be a door step campaign in the near future. He explained the most people believe that loft insulation just on a level with the top of the joist is enough insulation when in fact it should be twice that amount Simple measures can save between £150 and £200 per year on each household. There were concerns from some of the CC members about cavity insulation. Stan Amey had heard reports of bad insulation causing damage to properties. Alan Grant said that no properties that were not suitable for cavity insulation would have work done on them. Although there had been problems in the past the new method was different and now carried a 25 year guarantee. Stan said that if it has been proved successful that was good. Roz Shorrock – had heard that the polystyrene beads were successful. Barbara Jappy asked when anyone rang to enquire about the scheme there were so many personal questions asked. Alan Grant said that the scheme would also some residents could be entitled to more benefits to do with savings and may qualify for a Social Tariff. The Chairman thanked Mr Grant for attending and giving such and informative talk. Mr Grant thanked the CC for allowing him to attend and left several leaflets and posters which will be displayed in the Service Point and he left the meeting at 7.50pm Police Report PC Steve Mackenzie reported that there was nothing to report it had been very quiet on the crime front. He reported that there had been less accidents this year this could be that drivers were more aware and more experienced in the weather conditions. Roz Shorrock – Husband had an accident and could not get out of Kinbrace due to the extreme weather conditions this year. Elizabeth Fraser – the weather conditions this year have been exceptional. The last time she had experienced these bad conditions was in the war years. Kinbrace has been brought to a halt in the latest bout of bad weather. Garry MacMillan – asked PC Mackenzie if anything has been sorted about the problem of lorry parking at the harbour. A discussion followed by the members present as to what could be done about the problem. It was agreed that the marking and layout of the area for Lorries was not suitable especially as now Lorries are now longer. Cllr Rita Finlayson, had previously in her role of Highland Councillor, enquired if new markings could be done to rectify this matter.

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As far as the Police are concerned as long as the Lorries are parked in the area and not obstructing the roadway there is no violation of parking laws. The police have visited on numerous occasions and not observed any violations. Elizabeth Fraser suggested that a letter be sent recorded delivery, to whoever is concerned with marking the lines at the harbour, to request something be done ASAP to alleviate the problem. The lines could easily be realigned to accommodate the new type of lorry. The members present agreed that the secretary would send the letter after obtaining the correct person at the Highland Council. The police representatives agreed that this was the most sensible solution. During the discussion it was agreed that Helmsdale needed an area for parking of Lorries and various sites had been suggested through the years. One particular site was the Coupars Park car park. This was not suitable because the opening would have to be widened, trees moved and resurfacing work done. Unfortunately the trees have a conservation order on them and it would cost too much to make another entrance. In 2008 the Highland Council did not have any money to fund another site. The police can serve a 7 day notice on any vehicle they think is parked illegally. Lorna Smith – a caravan has been parked in the designated lorry area for quite a long time. The police will investigate. Garry MacMillan – asked the police and members present to confirm that it is a designated lorry park. All agreed it was. It was agreed further discussion would take place after the police had left. Edward Mackay – reported that he had been approached by two members of the community about the continuing problem at the bend where the housing finishes on Golf Road and the beginning of The Strath. A low loader had been stuck there for 2 hours and could not pass due to the amount of snow on the road and the car parked there. There had also been problems with a gritter lorry when an altercation had taken place. PC Mackenzie requested the names of the people concerned and he would investigate and report back to the CC. The police representatives left at 8.10pm. After the police representatives had left the meeting Edward MacKay chaired the following discussion concerning further problems with the matter of the lorry parking at the harbour. Evelyn MacKenzie left the meeting whilst the discussion on the matter continued. Although not directly having vested interest in the proceedings she did have a family member involved in the proceedings. Edward declared the meeting open to discussion. Elizabeth Fraser read out a letter from Evelyn Mackenzie detailing the problems she and her family have had though to years concerning the parking of a lorry that belonged to her son’s business and it seemed like it now was a vendetta against her family and her. The letter follows.

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Dear Community Council Since August 2006 there have been regular complaints regarding the parking of my son’s lorry at the harbour. This Community Council has done everything it could to find a solution to this problem. Meetings with councillors, TEC services, police, etc. Every time we have been told that it is the designated parking area. The fact is it was marked out years ago and lorries are larger than when the lines were placed. After discussions regarding other sites for a parking area, this was deemed the safest for children, Simpson Crescent was one of the suggestions. Coupers Yard would cost too much to adapt and other parking areas have been tried but fuel was being stolen on a regular basis. The complaints made are only regarding GA Mackenzie lorries not the other numerous lorries that park there. I think we all now realise that this a vendetta against myself and my family, why I don’t know. I have been accused of nepotism and not handling the complaints properly. I have done everything I could do find a solution to this. I will state once more that I have no financial interest in this business and although I am very proud of my son’s achievements, his hard work and the fact that he gives employment in this community I would never condone any behaviour by his business that was illegal, unsafe or objectionable. I am not prepared to have my friends, family and associates harassed anymore by such a small group of people. I had not realised just how bad the harassment had got but at last people are telling me about it. I am therefore prepared to stand down from the Community Council in order that important business can be done and not taken over by something we have no powers to solve. Yours Faithfully Evelyn Mackenzie Garry MacMillan – If the lorry is parked in the designated lorry park what is the problem and other Lorries do park there not only the one who seems to get all the criticism. Roz Shorrock – asked if the complainant had contacted the owner of the Lorry concerned directly. Lorna Smith – the owners had been approached but to no avail but she had spoken to the driver recently and had congratulated him for parking more suitably. A heated discussion followed in which some of the issues where aired. It was asked why only one firm had been targeted for failing to park in the lines when several other companies parked at the harbour with no complaints. The parking is delineated for older Lorries not for the 21st century vehicles this must be addressed and would be if the lines could be painted diagonally.

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Could tourist cars be directed to the car park at Coupars Yard? It was suggested that the area could be all for lorry parking but a more sensible idea would be that parking for three Lorries and the rest for cars. Pete Carson – could not believe how much time had again be taken up at a CC meeting about this matter when it had been agreed that the there was to be an application to get the lines realigned. It was agreed that a line now be drawn under this matter and no more time taken apart from the answers to whether the lines can now be realigned and if anyone has any complaints about the parking they do so now to the Highland Council. Approval of the Minutes The Minutes of the last meeting were approved as a true record. They were proposed by Garry MacMillan and seconded by Edward MacKay. Councillors Report War Memorial Issues – these are being pursued with TECS. There are issues in respect of responsibilities and also funding responsibilities which Cllr Mackay is trying to resolve. Elizabeth Fraser mentioned that there is a persistent problem at the War Memorial. Lights out at Navidale – The problem was resolved however on the date Cllr Mackay received notification that they had been fixed the went out again. Hopefully Transerve have now responded. Sand for the Church – John Mackay had advised that a salt box was being supplied Elizabeth Fraser mentioned that quite a few vehicles had problems in the bad weather on the road near the Church the box with salt in is inside the gate of the Church perhaps salt from there could be used or could some grit and sand be placed near the brae? Request for sand/grit Kinbrace – The Mission House had been suggested as a location. John Mackay was to check best location with Evelyn – A plough would drop grit and sand. Roz Shorrock confirmed a location had been decided. New Head Teacher – appointed 19th November and hopefully will be quickly in place. Discussions taking place between HC and Orkney Islands Authority. Credit Union – a Credit Union has now been set up in the Highlands. This is a financial co-operative owned by and run for the benefit of its members. Anyone can join provided they are part of the community. Credit Unions are about service rather that profits they promote thrift among their members as well as creating a source of credit at t affair and reasonable rate. Cllr Mackay is happy to talk more abut this at the next meeting.

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Matters Arising from the Minutes A letter was received from Dr Main following her visit to the CC meeting last month. It reads as follows. Thank you very much for inviting me along to your meeting last night. I am glad that the overall impression was that the medical car provision was satisfactory and that the new appointment system was working well. Unfortunately the request to have alternative Saturday morning surgery at Helmsdale will not be possible, as we have not had Saturday morning surgery for some years now. Lat evening appointments, I believe after discussion are at present under review and may well be stopped by the government, so are unable to move forward with that at present. Lastly I can confirm that the minor injuries unit at the Lawson is open twenty four seven for people who have had injuries or accidents within 48 hour time frame. If you require any further clarification on points please do not hesitate to get back to me. It was also confirmed at the meeting that now two thirds appointments are pre bookable and one third are left free to book on each day. A letter had been received from Dr Mary Fortune addressed to the CC. This letter was passed round to each of the CC members present to read. As she had not been appointed to the vacant post at the Medical Practice it was agreed that the CC would ask questions and enquire who has been appointed. Stan Amey – do we feel able to voice and opinion on this matter. Evelyn MacKenzie – Yes we do have the authority and if we had known in advance we may have been able to do something about it. Elizabeth Fraser – it was agreed in the contract when Brora and Helmsdale merged and was for an indefinite time limit. It was agreed that Dr Fortune was well respected in the communities. A member of the community was supposed to be on the Highland Health Board but no-one from the area was even given an interview. In fact no-one north of Inverness is on the board. The Renal Unit in Wick was mostly down to the efforts of George Bruce but since then there has been no-one from the North involved. Elizabeth – saw from the minutes that the flags were being repaired at the moment and she wished to inform Garry that she has a spare set if needed. Treasurer’s Report Community Council Account £614.19 Christmas Light Account £1197.03

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Elizabeth Fraser had a donation envelope from McColls for the light fund Village pavement clearing This has been a continuing problem in Helmsdale throughout the recent bad weather . What concerned the CC was the amount of time the pavement clearer had been into Helmsdale when it had been seen in Golspie and Brora more regularly. Helmsdale has and ageing population and they have found it very difficult to get out and about as the pavements have not been cleared. Elizabeth Fraser said she had not seen it so bad since the war. At one point the excuse was that the pavements in Helmsdale are too narrow but the machine had been used in previous years. Complaints have been made to the authorities by CC members and the secretary. They have been informed the local squad is working to capacity. The secretary had been informed that Edward MacKay’s firm had also been employed to help alleviate the situation which had not been in previous times because of the amount of work needed to keep the villages clear. Several complaints had been made about the path from the A9 to the school. It was agreed that it has not helped that our local depot has been closed which the CC has complained about on numerous occasions. It was suggested that a strong letter of recommendations be sent to the appropriate authority. According to new regulations snow ploughs and JCBs have a regulation height for clearing snow so not as to break protruding manhole covers. It was pointed out the on the Strath there are no manhole covers. Helmsdale has had over the period of time had more snow that Brora or Golspie. Edward MacKay – it really all comes down to the reality that we as a CC have not clout we have been fighting for 7 years to get an answer about the purchase of land at the Old Distillery site. Perhaps we should now contact the MSP and ask for assistance in this and other matters. Evelyn – It is the same with housing not matter how many surveys we have we get not further. Stan – we get no help we have been requesting road restriction markings in the village and are still no further Again it was voiced by members of the CC that something must be done about the situation. Evelyn – HC policies are the main problem with the road clearing, there is a shortage of men and equipment and several vehicles are in to have welding done on them in the workshops. Garry MacMillan – some of the gritters have the wrong tyres on to grip the road in the bad weather. There had been not trains from Inverness to Thurso apparently one reason apart from the weather the trains had been allocated to Glasgow. Edward MacKay thought it was time we now contacted John Thurso for help in many of these matters. Strathy Windfarm

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A letter had been received from Strathy Windfarm asking advising we were in the area for compensation from them but Evelyn thought we would be too far from the farm for it to affect our Community area.. Development Group Pete Carson the Development Group Officer addressed the CC on various matters The Development Group has always planned to issue a Newsletter round the community. This has now been put together and will be placed in the local paper next week. Also in the paper will be a feed back form covering various aspects on which the Development Group is trying to get feed back from the community. Hopefully people will fill that in ad return it. More Newsletters and Forms will be available I the Library and Post Office. The Community Newsletter has articles on the Petrol Station, Boat building/Rowing Club, Composting site, Coppice/Woodland, Farmers Market, Core Paths, Community Energy, Helmsdale Station, and Notice Boards. The Consultation Form is easy to understand and returning the completed form would be of great benefit to the community. The meetings connected with the Wind Farm Development at Gordonbush were cancelled It is still hoped to have an inter-community meeting to discuss options for the formation, structure and working of any panel set up. The level of funds being given to the local community is also a concern - in light of the likely profit that will be made by the developer – but as the Gordonbush development is already agreed it may be that nothing can be done to review or change that. Evelyn MacKenzie – had heard that the Rogart Community Council was struggling to get members and it was imperative that Helmsdale remained in the group. It was agreed by all members present that funding spending could be controlled by the community not by a third party. The community are aware of the restrictions and in that light with the right mix of members they do have the ability and innovation to decide how the money would be of best use to the community. Several projects could be funded to enhance the life of this community. Timespan Nicola Henderson updated the CC on the up and coming events in Timespan. Elizabeth Fraser asked if Timespan had applied for funding from the Donny Munroe funding for Culture. Nicola replied in the affirmative. Timespan continues to host events through the winter months and notices are displayed round the village of these events. Mike Willmot the developer of the Helmsdale Station is looking for directors for Helmsdale Community Interest Company from within the community to ensure the project is sustained with maximum community benefit. He needs at least five

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applicants. If any one is interested please would you contact Mr Willmot either through the service point Pete Carson has his address or directly. Evelyn MacKenzie gave a brief update on the progress of the project from an email Mr Willmot, one of the main problems is the Radon Gas protection. Various options are being explored. Christine Sutherland thought there was a very high radon level in the area. Elizabeth said another problem for finding a solution is that it is a listed building so options could be limited. Any Other Business Garry MacMillan – the bingo went ahead on Monday 7th December but numbers were down and only half of usual crowd could attend because of the bad weather. The Lights Committee thought it might be a good idea to do a letter drop for funds instead of relying on the businesses in the community for funds. This would be a drop off of envelopes round the village and anonymous drop back to a designated address that way no-one would feel obliged to donate and could donate at any time when funds allow. This year the funds were used for repairs, and new lights. The whole of the CC thanked Garry for his hard work. Peter, Evelyn and Roz extended their apologies for non attendance to the draw night all could not attend because of the bad weather conditions. Stan Amey – There had been no refuse collections for 2 weeks where he lives which he believed may have been due to the bad conditions. Barbara Jappy would contact TECS to report it and she also pointed out that she can log any complaints through the service point to the relevant authorities. Public Business Mr Wood did not agree that the whole of the parking area at the harbour should be given over to Lorry parking but was in agreement with the parking being re-aligned to accommodate 3 Lorries at the maximum. The meeting closed at 9.30pm The next meeting will be on Thursday 3rd February at 7.30pm in the Community Centre.