Action Notes of East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum held on 2 March 2009 at Rogart Hall

Agenda

Present

Cllr. Jim McGillivray (Chair) Highland Council
Cllr. Deirdre Mackay Highland Council
Iain Miller Golspie Community Council
Alistair MacIver Rogart Community Council
Evelyn Mackenzie
Ann Keatinge Helmsdale Community Council
VGES
Insp. Neil Mackinnon Northern Constabulary
George Hamilton Highland Council
Murdo Mackenzie SGRPID
Ian Hargrave
Phil Tomalin Highland Council
Highland Council

13 Members of the Public

1 Apologies

Cllr. Ian Ross, Bill Faassen de Heer, Gordon Clunie, Edderton CC,

2 Action Points/ Matters Arising

• Letter to Transport Minster – this has been written
• Speeding police vehicles – see Item 7 below

3 Ward Discretionary Budget

• Sheet circulated with details of grants made to date. There were no questions
• The budget for 2009/10 will be £59,659 (the same as 2008/9)

4 Scotland Rural Development Programme – George Hamilton, Murdo Mackenzie

Brief Description of the programme
• A £1.6 billion programme of economic, environmental and social measures designed to develop rural Scotland 2007-2013.
• Funding for the SRDP comes from three sources:
o Scottish Government
o EU (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development)
o Voluntary modulation
• A significant proportion of the total funding is already committed (as an overhang from the previous programme).

• Measures are being delivered through:
o Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme
o Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme
o Forestry Commission Challenge Funds
o LEADER
o Less Favoured Area Support Scheme
o Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities
o Skills Development Scheme

Further details on each scheme available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Rural/SRDP
Rural Priorities
• Programme focuses on following:
o Business viability and competitiveness
o Biodiversity
o Rural communities
• Any group or business can apply
• Submit statement of intent, assigned case officer, then process to full application
• Assessed by Regional Proposal Assessment Committee (RPAC) (meets quarterly)
• Applications scored on fit to priority, value for money and management of risk

Discussion points
• RPAC Membership: Forestry Commission, SNH, SGRPID, Highland Council, HIE
• Rural Priorities application process is web-based; difficulty for those with limited internet access
• Rural Priorities applications usually take at least two months
• No cut-off dates, apart from schedule of RPAC meetings
• Many applicants are using agents to submit applications, this favours larger organisations with resources to spend on agents/consultants
• Case officers (several in SNH, FCS, SGRPID etc) appointed depending on nature of application
• Case officer can help with application but often additional skills are required
• Programme currently under review; findings to be implemented in 2010
• Agencies can apply for projects on their own land
• HC has no support mechanism – role of case Officer, but George Hamilton available to assist 01463 702568
ACTION George Hamilton to send further info on Rural Priorities

The following schemes are aimed at land managers:
Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS)
• Support for marginal areas
• Non competitive
• Application through IACS
• Current scheme not sufficiently targeted on marginal areas e.g. NW Sutherland where there has been significant reduction in livestock.
• Scheme is currently under review

Rural Development Contracts
• 22 Land Managers Options relating to land management are available
• Non competitive
• Application through IACS

Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme
• Available to crofters, crofters’ groups and small farmers
• Owner occupiers are means tested
• Support available for land improvement, buildings facilities etc.
• Grants up to £25K for individuals and £125K for groups

Discussion points
• Modulation is 13.5% of single farm payment, reclaimed to support SRDP
• CCAGS still has plenty of funds
• SGRPID moving to Golspie on 12 March, Lairg office will close.

LEADER
• £1.024m for Sutherland
• 40 -45% intervention rate
• Local decision making at Sutherland Partnership
• Next meeting end March

5 Police and Community Safety – Insp. Neil Mackinnon

Additional staff member - PC Angie Grant-omotosho is new Community Safety Officer for Sutherland and East Ross and will work with schools/ local groups and deal with anti-social behaviour cases.

Speed of Police vehicles through Golspie – instance last December was investigated. The cars were travelling faster than 30mph but were flashing blue lights and sirens. Police cars have video equipment so conduct can be reviewed. In this instance the cars were assessed to have been driven responsibly in the given conditions. It is important for Officers to reach the scene of an incident as soon as possible as evidence often rapidly degrades. Whilst it may be desirable to have a specialist unit based in Wick, current resources and priorities do not allow this.

Insp. Neil MacKinnon bade Ward Forum farewell as he is moving to a new role in Inverness. Jim McGillivray thanked him for his contributions to the Ward. Insp Mackinnon will be replaced by Insp. Ramsey Aitken

6 Voluntary Sector Ann Keatinge

Upcoming training events (places still available):
• Community Council training, 6.30pm, Thurs 5 March 2009, Lairg

Sutherland Summit
• Will be held in Lairg on 27 April.
• Development of a vision for Sutherland for next 10 years
• Identify gaps in service provision
• Production of development plan

ESCAB has moved office to Olsen Ho.

7 Issues raised by Community Councils

Golspie – Housing for growing families – the issue is being raised regularly. There is a local perception of unfairness in housing list management. Allocations are managed in line with legislation with use of a points based system. Councillors are hearing that there are local effects of this system and would like to hear of any examples to build a case of evidence so that the legislation can be challenged, if appropriate.

Brora – CC is watching development at Scotia House (formerly new Hunters Mill) re ethanol storage

8 Issues raised by Councillors

Highland Council Job Evaluation – brief explanation of current job evaluation exercise. Purpose is to make pay system fairer and remove anomalies. There have been winners and losers in the process. Pay levels are protected for two years. Appeal process is in place, appeals have to be lodged by 10 April.

9 Questions from Members of the Public

New Headteacher for Rogart School – currently unresolved although Council is working with Parent Council to resolve the situation. There is recognition that the school needs a leader. In response to further question it was noted that there are currently no packages available to attract applicants.