September Minutes 2013

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HELMSDALE AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCILMinutes of the meeting held on Thursday 5th September 2013 at 7pm in the

Community Centre

Present: Stan Amey (Chairman), Edward Mackay, (Vice Chairman), Barbara

Jappy, (Treasurer), Penny Kane (Secretary), Malcolm Bromley, Alison Cowie, Paul

Harrington.

Speakers: Angus Elder and Alex Fowlie from Muirden Energy.

1. Apologies: Gerry Wood, Councillor Deirdre Mackay

2. Police report: No police present

3. Approval of Minutes of August meeting: Proposed by Alison, seconded by

Malcolm

4. Muirden Energy: Angus and Alex gave an outline of plans for the erection of

22 wind turbines at West Garty. (Please see attached documents for full over

view). Muirden Energy based in Aberdeenshire, started by Fred Duncan a

farmer who built 3 wind turbines on his farm which became operational in

2009. He now wishes to expand into the Highlands hence the purchase of West

Garty Estate. Muirden employs 8 WTE and wishes to expand the team.

Gartymore was selected because of the wind, ability to screen turbines by thehills to the west. A feasibility study has been done and viability study in

progress. Plan is for 22 turbines 100 metres tall producing 2.3 mega watts. If

planning consent refused they would go to appeal. 3rd party ecologists

examining the site in view of RSPB response last time planning applied for.

Employment and maintenance contracts some local people may be employed.

Area being mapped for archaeology/ geology and peat. Community Benefit:

Different ways of doing this. Needs to be agreed locally and to be transparent

5. Matters Arising:

Matt Dent has replied to the letter sent re the path to St Johns Well. Matthas removed the offending pipe and therefore the trip hazard. There is nosignificant undergrowth blocking the path. Alison reported that shortlybefore the meeting she had received a complaint about the state of thatpath (and another leading from Ali Grants house down to the river). PK togo and have a look at the path. Councillors suggested it would need aFrench drain on the bank side of the footpath, linked to an outlet pipe to belaid beneath the surface level of the footpath. This will achieve a satisfactoryland drain solution. (Post meeting note: PK has had a look at the path fromBridge car park to the well. The path is currently bone dry except directly infront of the well where it is a bit soggy. No undergrowth. Bedrock exposedfor a few feet and a ridged black pipe and an iron pipe partially exposed.The bedrock area of about 6 feet would benefit from some gravel to smoothit over. A wooden bench was in a dangerous state and PK took it apart. The


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path from the corner to the well needs undergrowth cutting back. Dogfouling noted-PK to contact Matt Dent.

The footpath from the sports club to the statue is of poor quality. Edging notput along the length of the path because it was water sodden. Apparentlywhen the grass edges grow in, coupled with the camber will encourage rainto run off. Paul pointed out the poor workmanship to the gate from CoupersPark into War Memorial area. To be held over until Deirdre at meeting.

Ward Forum on 26th

August at 7.30pm in the Scout and Guide hall Brora. PKattended:

a) Ward discretionary budget: agreed to give money to the rowing club foranother skiff

b) BEAR Scotland: A9 route. They are responsible for removing road kill,verges, footpaths through villages, and winter maintenance. They have madehuge investment in plant, personnel and communication. There is a state ofthe art control room, and they hope to engage with local contractors to getwork done.c) Snow clearing/salting etc: now do pre treatment at 2 hours (was

previously 7 hours)d) Grass cutting:- now up to speed on the A9. Edge cutting up to Transport

Scotland specse) Road works start at KIrkton in Oct. It is hoped Portgower will end in Oct.Lothmore should be started Mon 2nd Sept for 2 weeksf) Road kill- not being removed and they are trying to improve this.

g) Strategic Safety Unit looking at speeds in Golspie especially on thebridge and Helmsdale, Helmsdale being top priority

The toilets have been painted by volunteers but still need to have new looseats and better cisterns. PK has written to Phil

Snow clearing: Phil assures us that if someone falls and is injured whether on

paths we have or have not cleared, this is an accident and blame cannot beapportioned. Alison to speak to Deirdre re work on this for Garry Mcleod

6. Councillors Report: Councillor not present due to overrun of HighlandCouncil meeting

7. Treasurers report: In bank: 1496.29 minus a couple of outstandingcheques. The Windfarm payment of 1800 is on its way. We have received anapplication from the Christmas Lights Committee for 250 for lights,entertainment at opening night etc. Agreed unanimously

8. Development Officers Report :HOUSING

We are having a little trouble from SSE over the power supply, cost is the majorproblem, with the overhead power line and its proximity to the plots. ROBGibson MSP is challenging SSE over this on our behalf.

FILLING STATION

NO UPDATE Still awaiting feedback from BLFRENEWABLES

Balnacoil

The Developers have submitted their full planning application as of Friday 30Aug. A copy of the full EIA is available in the Community Centre/Library

HARBOUR

Feasibility and Engineering study completed and report is being processed, willbe made available in the very near future.

COMMUNITY BROADBAND


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Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) & HIE have indicated that parts of theHelmsdale & District (outlying areas), are unlikely to receive improvedbroadband speeds, through the Governments Next Generation BroadbandScheme, 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 canbe undertaken to identify, equipment, reception areas, mesh network and

costs. A Community Survey has been sent out to 145 residential units and to date

only 28 have been returned.

If there is insufficient numbers, it will not be cost effective to fulfil the project

and bring broadband to the outlying areas.RAILWAY STATION BUILDING

The project started several weeks ago and is planned to finish weekcommencing 21 October 2013.

They are progressing well; Mike Wood is the Local Projects Manager on behalfof the community.

HELMSDALE ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENTS

Work for the second phase of the works Bridge Car Park, are planned tocommence on Monday 23rd September. A pre-start meeting for the project willbe held in the community centre on Thursday 12th September. Time and whogoing not known at present, will find out and let you know

9. A.O.B.:

Request received from Margaret Cairns: Billy Jack has asked to put a

stone seat at the top of Crescent Brae or Bridge car park. Either agreed in

principle. Edward to get exact location and inform Paul (Post meeting

note: Billy Jack has strong preference for the bench to be included in the

Bridge End Car Park works- Claire Bell aware)

Highland Council/NHS Highland meeting at 3pm on 4th October at

Drummuie offices. PK brought up the 1 1/2 hours a villager had to lie on

the side of the street with a fractured hip while awaiting an ambulance.

PK to add to their agenda

Highland Road Safety Seminar: 22nd

November 12.30-4.45 Inverness. Nodelegate came forward

SSE re microgrants: They are changing the structure but not the process.

There will be no need to apply for finds every year. Once they have

received the summary report at the end of the year. This was agreed and

Stan signed the form. (PK to post)

PK read out letter from Graham Thomson of VG-ES re the Saltire award

for youth volunteers. As we have no youth club/scouts here this to be

left. The Youth Development Officer is trying to restart the Youth Clubhere so we may be able to do something then. PK to contact Graham


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Stan congratulated Timespan for the excellent programme of events

commemorating the Kildonan Clearances

Alison had received complaints re footpaths as outlined in matters arising

Some people have complained about the new bin situation at the harbour

and want them returned to Bridge square. Most people however prefer

them where they are as being much easier to access.

New dentist has started

Wooden seat at harbour exactly at the bottom of the brae has fallen

apart and needs removal. BJ to sort

There was discussion around proxy voting if no quorum. PK to ask Deirdre

10. Questions from the Public:

Meeting closed at 8.15pm

Date and time of next meeting:Thursday 3rd October 2013 at 7pm

If giving apologies please contact Penny so that we will know if we have a

quorum

(NB Stan has given apologies for October. Edward please chair)

Police report sent to sec 10th Sept 13

I have completed a search of the Helmsdale beat area for all calls going back to 01/08/13. There were a total of 72

recorded calls, with the below being of some interest -

1 Person reported for Drink Driving.1 Theft of one item of machinery from the roadwork's at Portgower (To be confirmed as it may not be a theft).

4 Road safety/road hazard calls.3 999 Assistance calls (Assistance given by Police to the public for medical or similar reasons).1 report of suspicious persons.

2 Licensing enquiries.The area has again been relatively crime free, which is great for everyone. Of note, there have been a number ofcalls Force wide in relation to Bogus workmen going door to door offering services such as roofing repairs, drivewaytarring, etc. We strongly advise against people engaging in these services as the work done can often be to a verypoor standard and at a greatly over inflated price.There is also a speeding campaign ongoing on the A9 and near local schools. Finally a reminder to all that if trying to contact the Police for non emergency calls, then the 101 tel no should beused, unless an emergency, then 999 should still be used.

Information on any crimes or incidents of note can also be passed to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. This is a freeand confidential service, where callers do not have to provide their details and it is completely independent of thePolice.


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I hope the above helps and feel free to contact me at any time if I can be of further assistance.Thank you.Peter.

Documents

September Minutes 2013