North, West and Central Sutherland Ward Forum
Note of Meeting held in Lairg Community Centre on 16 February 2008
Attending
Cllr George Farlow (Chair)
Cllr Robbie Rowantree
Cllr Linda Munro
Ian Hargrave - Area Corporate Manager
Andy Mackay – Ward Manager
Inspector Neil MacKinnon – Northern Constabulary
Alasdair Wood – Scourie CC
Frances Gunn – Tongue & Melness CC
Janette Mackay – Strathy & Armadale CC
Morag Macdonald – Lairg CC
Graham Wild – Kinlochbervie CC
Russel Smith – Creich CC
Liz Cormack – Ardgay & District CC
Sandra Munro – Bettyhill, Strathnaver & Altnaharra CC
Harry Bremner – Melvich CC
Morag Mackay – Melvich CC
Campbell Stewart – Area Roads & Community Works Manager for C, S & Easter Ross
Alan Miller - Area Manager for The Scottish Ambulance Service
Introductions and Welcome – Cllr Farlow
The Chair, Cllr George Farlow welcomed the Ward Forum members along with an audience of 18 people from the community, to the second North, West and Central Sutherland Ward Forum.
Apologies
Ros Summers – Secretary Assynt CC
Item 1. Action Note from previous meeting:
a. Copies of the old Sutherland local Plan were to be circulated to all CC Chairs.
It was agreed this was superseded by the new Local plan process and was now not necessary.
b. Ward Discretionary Budget Application Form and Guidelines to be made available on line.
This is now available electronically.
c. It was agreed due to distance and time for travel that for NW & C Ward there should only be 4 Forums per year instead of 6 but for a longer period than the designated 2 hours.
d. Rural Service Priority Area Fund – Particular for the North Coast Area, it was agreed that
Cllr Farlow and Ward Manger to meet CC Chair on Friday 22nd Feb.
e. Copies of HC TECs Winter maintenance Plan circulated to CC Chairs. Already actioned.
f. Position re IT contract for Schools. RR gave update re the current position for the HC.
g. Local Contractors requirement to have for £5m Public Liability Indemnity Insurance to undertake HC work. RR reported the HC Audit & Scrutiny Committee was investigating.
h. Speed limit issues to be discussed at the Ward Forum Meeting with TECs. On the next Agenda.
i. Theme for next Ward Forum will be on TEC Services and all CC were asked for their questions to be submitted to Ward Manager. Actioned.
Item 2. Matters Arising
Ward Manger asked to contact Principal Planner, David Cowie to confirm how the Planning service would confirm receipt or respond to the points raised by the CC regarding the local Plan.
Action; Ward Manager.
Note: David Cowie responded to Ward Manager by saying; every submission is acknowledged, we may contact the Community Council if we need to clarify some representations and possible proposed changes. A report is made to the Planning, Environment & Development Committee about all the representations received and the issues raised and the Councillors will make decisions on that. After this everyone who has made representations will be contacted to let them know what the Council’s response. If we propose changes to the Plan, there will be opportunity for people to comment on these and there may be the likelihood of a public local inquiry to deal with unresolved representations.
Item 3. TEC Service - Presentation by Area Roads & Community Works Manager
Campbell Stewart gave brief history of TEC service, how it came into being, it’s current remit and of how his priorities were to clarify for the public the different elements of and the improvements to the service, bearing in mind the issues it currently faces especially in a time of limited resources and increasing demand.
He also described the successful approach taken to improve proactive communication and involving communities by having a nominated representative from each Community Council linking direct to the Community Works Officers for their area.
A great deal of discussion took place with many questions around the Winter Maintenance and generally over the poor standard of the roads around the Ward, some of which were described by the representatives as being dangerous, in particular the Bettyhill area was highlighted as one of serious concern. Mr Stewart disagreed with this description and explained that repairs/improvements were undertaken on a priority basis and, as such, “safety defects” were attended to as soon as possible.
Action: Bettyhill CC to invite Mr Stewart to their next CC Meeting.
He also advised that the TECs Standing Orders and Winter Maintenance Plans were normally forwarded to the CC’s and Members before the plans were finalised to allow them to comment and, if of a mind, to suggest any small changes from local knowledge, etc. Due to the change that the Highland Council had experienced earlier this year, this arrangement had proved to be difficult, but it was agreed to consider a similar arrangement for next year’s programme..
Action: Campbell Stewart to look to circulate the Standing Orders and Winter Maintenance Plan to CC around September/October.
Item 4. Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) Presentation by Area Services Manager
Alan Miller, SAS, Area Services Manager explained the reason for his attending the Ward Forum was to outline the local issues for the SAS due to staff shortages with the Ambulance Technicians and described his proposals of a short term change to address the problem. He also told the Forum that the Lairg Technicians currently have taken a grievance against the SAS, saying their posts should be full time due to their work patterns. He explained that the establishment and budget for Lairg is for 4 part-time Ambulance Technicians, each contracted for 28hours/week plus on call cover. There is currently one vacancy and one other due, as another Technician is leaving soon for a full time post in Fraserburgh. The SAS have not been able to recruit anyone for the vacancy even having had already advertised the post.
He outlined that the vacancies have provided an opportunity for the SAS to re model the service so they could offer the 2 remaining Technicians full time posts supported by a Relief Technician and 3 Ambulance Auxiliaries. The auxiliary posts were actually advertised on the 15th February.
Discussion followed regarding this situation and other issues, such as single manning of ambulance along with the new proposals and questions about how and who the CC should complain too about staffing levels and funding. They were advised to address their complaints to the Scottish Ambulance Service National Headquarters in Edinburgh and cc. Alan Miller and the Cllrs.
A question from the floor related to an experience a local lady had with the Patient Transport from Raigmore to Golspie, that meant the patient was in the transport for nearly 9hours. Alan Miller said that this was the responsibility of the Patient Transport Service and Cllr Rownatree said he intended following this issue up with that Service.
Action: Alan Miller to provide the direct contact details of Patient Transport for Cllr Rowantree who would report back at the next Ward Forum.
5. Northern Constabulary
Inspector Mackinnon replied to questions raised previously regarding the statistics of road conditions due to the conditions of the roads. He reported out of 68 collisions, 16 were weather related, (rain 12, snow/ice 2 and wind 2). He emphasised that these figures do not take into consideration the way the vehicles may have been driven at the time.
Durness CC asked if the Northern Constabulary boundary changes (where Tain would become part of Sutherland) would affect the level of Policing in rural areas. Inspector Mackinnon said the public would not notice any difference.
Discussion took place regarding other issues such as communication with communities when Police changes take place. Inspector Mackinnon pointed out they have tried to make real improvements in this area. He reported that the work on the Station at Richonnich would start in March 08 and aim to be completed by October 08.
Item 6. Ward Discretionary Budget
Andy Mackay again explained how the Discretionary Budget Fund had been made up and said how this years fund was fully committed and that the fund had attracted around a £160k of other funding. The form and guidance notes are now available electronically.
Item 7. Community Council Expenses to Ward Forums
Andy Mackay asked that Community Council’s submit an invoice to the HC for their travel expenses to attend the Ward Forums as agreed for 1 car only. CC travel expenses – 49.3p/mile
Action: ALL CC
Item 8. Issues raised by Councillors
As time was pressing, this would be taken up at the end of the meeting if time allowed.
Item 9. Community Council Issues
(Strathy CC) is concerned about falling school roles and the loss of teachers (Melvich, Tongue, Bettyhill & Durness have already lost headteachers). As this is a serious issue and warrants full discussion, it was decided to have Primary School Education on the agenda for the next Ward Forum.
Action: Ward Manager to ask representative from Education to attend the next Forum
(Strathy CC) Do we have a Cllr representative on the Dounreay Group? – GF is the representative on the Dounreay Stakeholders Group and will keep CC’s informed of available funding etc.
(Strathy CC) - Speed at crossroads on the new Strathy road – it was felt 50 mph is too high and should be reduced. TECs are aware of this and is looking at the signage, but regulations cannot justify reducing to 30 mph.
(Durness CC) Cardboard recycling facility required in Durness – CS is hoping for kerbside recycling in the Highlands (TEC Services also handle waste management) and will feedback to CC’s. Action: CS to speak to June Ross and feedback to CC’s on recycling
(KLB CC) speed limit into the village is too high. CS reported that the Government needs to give the ok on speed restrictions/reductions with guidelines to follow etc, and again, a reduced speed limit cannot be justified.
(Tongue, Melness CC) Commented on the Ward Forums and how she is interested in attending to talk about Pan Ward issues and to discuss more strategic matters.
It was agreed by all that this should be a major function of the ward forums and by having the reporting and monitoring information from the HC should begin to hopefully achieve this.
10. Themes for next Ward Forum
These were decided as being Primary School Education and Care for the Elderly.
Action: Ward Manager to invite suitable representatives from Education and Social Work.
11. Questions from the Floor
It was asked why this Ward Forum had not been advertised on the HC website. Obviously the website had not been up-dated to reflect date and time but should be. There should also be an electronic form to put forward questions in advance.
It was asked if there will be a ‘who’s who’ information leaflet for HC services (as was previously available). Ian Hargrave said there would be but has been delayed as some posts are yet to be filled. Action IH will speak to HC Public Relations about this.
Campbell Stewart then answered questions raised previously by Ward Manager –
a. Painting of Bonar bridge – timescale for repainting delayed, although current condition of paintwork better than initially thought.
RR asked if the community would be consulted on the colour, CS said Yes, when programmed in future.
b. Spinningdale bus shelter – intention to install within next 3 months.
c. Ardgay bus shelter – site is still an issue, CC attempting to identify suitable area.
d. Sutherland boundary sign – current signs in wrong place, will be looked at through Corporate Services.
e. Maps of the area requested – GF will give to Hilda Buchanan of Ardgay CC.
12. Date and Venue of next Forum
Durness Village Hall, Saturday 12 April, 11 am – 2 pm