Wick Ward Forum

Action Note of Meeting 11th September 2007

Agenda

Attending
Cllr Bill Fernie (Chair)
Cllr Katrina Macnab
Cllr Graeme Smith
Clr Sandy Park (Cnvenor of Highland Concil)
Catherine Patterson Tannach & District Community Council
Coreene Campbell Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council
Niall Smith Caithness Volunatry Group
David Dunnett Pulteneytown Peoples Project
Alister Dodds Chief Executive, Highland Council
Ian Hargarave Corporate Manager, Highland Council
David Sutherland, Ward Manager, Highland Council
Campbell Stewart, Area Roads & Community Works Manager, Highland Council
Nicole Wallace, Leader+ Development Manager – Heritage, Highland Council
Chief Inspector John Macdonald, Northern Constabulary.

Apologies – None

Action Note

Cllr Bill Fernie opened the meeting and welcomed everybody to the first meeting of the Wick Ward Forum. Convenor Sandy Park reported on what was a very successful series of meetings held around Caithness and how positive he felt on future developments for the county.
Agenda Items
• Public Consulation - Nicole Wallace gave a short talk on the new Leader (Liaison Entre Action De Development De L’Economie Rurale or Links Between Actions for the Development of the Rural Economy) which will replace Leader + for 2007 -2013 she outlined the basic principles its structure key points and funding opportunities. Copies of the leader questionnaire were made available to those attending the meeting with encouragement to respond before the closing date of 28 September 2007.
• Community Safety - John Macdonald outlined the work that had been carried out under the umbrella of the Community Safety Action Team (CSAT) and its various sub groups. In particular he highlighted the CCTV scheme for Wick and the environmental scanning of the Pulteneytown area. Chief Inspector Macdonald noted that the CSAT required some revitalisation in the coming year to build on past successes. The Chief Inspector reminded everyone that the CCTV group was still looking for volunteers to monitor the cameras and that application forms could be obtained from the Police Station or from Jean Boyle. Chief Inspector Macdonald took the opportunity to inform the forum that he would be moving to e new post located in Inverness before the end of the year. The Chair recorded a note of thanks to the work carried out in the Area by the Chief Inspector.

• Ward Updates – David Sutherland Ward Manager provide the forum with updates on issue raised by elected members and the community council.

• South Road, Wick
• Discussed situation with Gordon Sinclair from Transport Scotland. He has confirmed that Scottish Water have at last accepted responsibility for the Cemetery Drain that is causing flooding issues etc. A meeting has been arranged with Transport Scotland & Scottish Water for the 19th September to progress a scheme. Gordon Sinclair has indicated that temporary resurfacing will have to be carried out in the meantime as the main works will be extensive and will not start immediately.

• Pedestrian Crossing Francis St, Dempster St, & Thurso St.
• After discussion with Transport Scotland they confirmed they would be willing to look at the provision of an new pedestrian crossing at this junction. How ever they said that the existing crossing located 50 yds north would need to be removed. Transport Scotland would like to gauge public opinion on this proposal. I have discussed the removal of the existing pedestrian crossing with TECS who have supported the new proposals.  The view from the forum and the floor was that this was a sensible suggestion and to recommend to Transport Scotland that they progress this project. 

• Trees: Union Street & Argyle Square

TECS have requested a survey for both areas

ARGYLE SQUARE:

Tree survey (including position, tagging, categorisation and condition for all Trees).
Identify any safety / remedial works required.
Management recommendations for the gradual restructuring of trees within the square.

THE BRAES:

Condition survey only, concentrating on roadside / path side trees.
Identify any safety / remedial works required.
Management recommendations for future maintenance.

The meeting on site has been arranged with Nick Richards the HC forestry officer and Oliver MacFarlane of Scottish Arboriculture Services. This should take place over the next couple of weeks.

• Ward Discretionary Budget – It was reported that £20,200 had been spent leaving a balance of £36,617
• Dates  of future meetings – It was agreed that forums will be held on the following dates 13 November 2007, 15 January 2008 11 March 2008 venue to be confirmed.
• AOCB
Graeme Smith gave an update on progress with the CHAP scheme in Pulteneytown. He noted that the road opening in Sinclair terrace would be closed once the connections to the Assembly Rooms was completed.

Question & Answer Session:

• One question was received from the floor of the meeting. Mrs L Duncan raised the issue over the continued smells originating from the Scottish Water Sewage Plant at Broadhaven, Wick. The Ward Manager and Convenor Sandy Park agreed to raise this with Scottish Water