North, West and Central Sutherland Ward forum
Action Note of Meeting held on 4 December 2007
Attending
Ian Hargrave (Chair) Area Corporate Manager
Cllr George Farlow
Cllr Robbie Rowantree
Allan Mackay – Tongue & Melness CC
Jeanette Mackay – Strathy & Armadale CC
Morag Macdonald – Lairg CC
Graham Wild – Kinlochbervie CC
Russel Smith – Creith CC
Liz Cormack – Ardgay C
Sandra Munro – Bettyhill CC
Morag Mackay – Melvich CC
Frances Gunn – Tongue & Melness
Ian MacLennan
Neil MacKinnon Northern Constabulary
David Cowie
Andy Mackay – Ward Manager
12 members of the Community
Apologies
Cllr Linda Munro
Alasdair Wood
Ronnie Lansley
Assynt CC
Scourie CC
Durness CC
Robbie Rowantree outlined the background to the reasons behind the Ward Forums and the changes to the Council and the background to :
Presented with the tools
David outlined the Sutherland Local Plan
Informed committee of the Community Councils meetings that are taking place up to 1 Feb 08.
RR asked DC if copies of the Sutherland county Plan is circulated to all CC Chairs.
ACTION NOTE DC to speak to the manager of the Sutherland Partnership to get copies sent out.
RT asked if we, at this stage should be consulting with the Crofters Commission and Grazing Committees about the availability of us of crafting land in the area.
Mapping of croft land is not complete and is being done to identify these areas.
DC advised of a new document on planning for use of crafting land.
JB asked if planning for windfarms are included on the Local Plan. DC said it’s not but that the Local Plan would be referred to as any application for Windfarm developments.
DC pointed out that on the consultation form there is a tick box to show that
Ian Hargrave thanked the attendees for making the effort to attend tonight.
He explained how the Ward Forum came about and his role as the Area Corporate Manager and the reorganisation of the Highland Council. He explained why, through Forums this is the Councils intention to inform CC and the public of the councils S?? and how they are being d and if they can be improved.
Andy Mackay explained about the mechanism of the Discretionary Budget and circulated copies of this form and the guidance notes.
Neil MacKinnon explained how Northern Constabulary (NC) is supporting the Highland Council Ward Forums. He reported how NC is going through a restructure at the moment. He said Sutherland has little crime and police work very closely with communities. NC commitment to Service improvement through investment on improving Police Stations in Sutherland and the Police House at Richonnich.
CC travel expenses – 49.3p/mile
RR proposed that the CC’s attend Ward Forums in one vehicle and claim 49.3p per mile and claim this from the Ward Manager. This was agreed by the Committee’s
RT suggested that Ward Fourm meeting should take place over a larger period, another suggestion was to have 4 Ward Fourm meetings per year.
ACTION NOTE It was suggested to have the next Ward Forum on Saturday 16 February at Lairg at 11 am
Members Issues
Talked about money coming into the Ward and how we want to improve the infrastructure of the Ward and that we should the Sutherland Plan and turn around what the projected position re ?? communities loss of yield
RR – Effectiveness and targeted infrastructure
Care of the Elderly has to be addressed, RR said he wishes to see a well organised care for the elderly package in place as his main ambition.
CC Issues – Chairs
Graham Wild (KLB) – Local Plan is very important to all CC’s
Liz Cormack (Ardgay) – Feels the plan appears optimistic but may not be realised on the ground
DC assured this stating how there is a new approach
Jeanette Mackay (Strathy & Armadale) – commented on how things change overnight like the loss of a g?? or a community bus.
No representative from Strathy was invited to the opening of the new road.
Sandra Munro (Bettyhill) – complained about the ….
ACTION NOTE Andy to contact TEC’s re the procedures required for gritting the roads and to circulate to all CC’s
What happens when …
Sandra also asked about Police presence at CC meetings
NM said they would try to attend these meetings but sometimes …
Russel (Creith) – asked about the pressures of reporting situation through the Ward Managers and Members after they have contacted the Service Link people.
IH informed the Forum …
RSPA – Andy to arrange a meeting
Forum requested a copy of schematics and contacts
Questions from the Community
When is the purchase of the land for Midgate
RR gave update that this is imminent. Offer made to the vendors
JB asked if IT or schools, is the contract being put out for this
RR informed the Forum about 1 year extension given to Fujitsu where the procurement module for future IT provision is further looked at with the new assistant Chief Executive.
ACTION NOTE RR asked JB to provide him with more information re his comment
Issue with local contractors repay £5m public liability indemnity contract of ford the premises
RR said he would look into this further with Carol M??
Future Themes
Ward Forum requested next forum would be with TEC Services
IH suggested Economic Development as a future
Care of the Elderly
What about the Post Bus from Tongue to Lairg
HC Role of the Transport across the Highland awards taking place
Safe and affordable public transport service for our communities
Speed limit through Altnaharra
RR said that this is on the Safer Routes to School programme and will be done, the new limit 20 mph
ACTION NOTE Protocol for 30 mph speed limit issue to be discussed a the next Ward Forum Meeting
Neil MacKinnon mentioned traffic calming measure
Invite to Theresa Kemp to the next Ward Forum
Petition to Campbell Stewart last year re speed limit of 30 mph got one letter back and nothing happened.
ACTION NOTE Inform Campbell Stewart
RR asked that the WF Committee to put the questions to Andy Mackay so he can put them to Campbell Stewart.
IH pointed out that CS was one of the best Service Managers.
ACTION NOTE 16 Jan – GF, RR & AM to attend a meeting in KLB