Action Notes of East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum held on 9 Feb 2010, Rogart Hall.

Agenda

Present

Cllr. Ian Ross (Chair) Highland Council
Cllr. Jim McGillivray Highland Council
Cllr. Deirdre Mackay Highland Council
Alistair MacIver Rogart Community Council
Iain Miller Golspie Community Council
Charles Gorer Brora Community Council
Ann Keatinge Voluntary Groups East Sutherland
Insp. Ramsay Aitken Northern Constabulary (NC)
Insp Angus Macinnes Northern Constabulary (NC)
Campbell Stewart Highland Council
Phil Tomalin Highland Council

11 members of the public

1 Apologies

Evelyn Mackenzie (Helmsdale CC), Ian Hargrave (HC), Yvonne Ross (Dornoch CC), Kathleen Cunningham (Brora CC)

2 Action Points/ Matters Arising

• Lack of communication between Albyn Housing, Highland Council and HHA - Issue followed up with Housing who were surprised at comment and asked for more details. Paul Hoggarth confirmed that this regarded a meeting held some time ago about a housing development in Edderton and the issues have now been resolved.
• Future Ward forum on Energy Efficiency - Added to the list of future forum themes
• Energy efficiency grants for agriculture and business - Available through Changeworks (Energy Advice Centre) and Carton Trust. Support for renewables also available through SRDP
• Trees overhanging A9 between Golspie and Brora - Transerv will commence work on overhanging trees shortly.
ACTION PT inform Transerv of reported car damage following snow damage to trees.

3 Ward Discretionary Budget

Sheet circulated with details of grants made to date in 2009/10. There were no questions

4 Digital Switchover – Anne Tonner Digital UK

Presentation given as part of campaign about switchover to Digital TV. There will be extensive further publicity in run up to switchover in Sept/Oct 2010.

Discussion points:
• Signal will be stronger following switchover
• SCVO will also be running events to promote switchover
• Lessons from earlier switchovers inc. some households struggling with retuning and overlaps from different transmitters. Publicity material now addresses these points.

5 Community Safety – Inspectors Angus MacInnes and Ramsay Aitken (NC)

Ward Update
• Issues raised at CCs and Ward forums will be logged and resources will be allocated accordingly
• Following requests from communities speed surveys carried out in Edderton and speed camera van has been requested to survey traffic speeds at schools
• Golspie Hub proving to be successful
• Recent weather has put a strain on resources – NC enjoy good relationship with Transerv and HC
• Request for help with spate of vandalism / tampering with call boxes.

CSER and North Division Update
• Improving crime stats
• Community Response Initiatives are taking place at weekends - resources are targeted to particular communities and once a month on known criminal activity
• CC input and feedback is valued and important.

Discussion Points
• Vehicle defects dealt with by defect notice rather than points and fine
• Police have to balance community concerns about motoring /speeding with not being heavy-handed with motorists.
• Vehicle impounding is rare, and not for defects (e.g. tyres) alone. Cars are impounded by police nominated contractor
• Volume of music from cars can be a nuisance. NC try to tackle though dialogue with young motorists.
• Decorative lights on HGVs can be distracting, however enforcement is difficult.
• 25 Feb Mobile phone enforcement day

6 Winter Maintenance Debrief - Campbell Stewart TECS

Winter maintenance
• According to priority system for roads (1-4) and pavements (1-3)
• Ward served by 8 gritters for roads, 3 tractors for pavements and depots in Helmsdale, Brora, Dornoch and Ardgay.
• Priority 1 (strategic routes) and 2 (main roads) routes are made safe before Priority 3 and 4 routes are treated.

Unusually cold Christmas 09 and Jan 2010
• Extremely difficult conditions over Christmas and well into January – low temperatures and length of cold period caused extensive problems with ice. Also low traffic volumes meant salt not quickly broken into brine after gritting. However, luckily there was very little drifting of snow during the period.
• Difficult conditions meant that it took longer to make Priority 1 and 2 routes safe meaning that Priority 3 and 4 routes were sometimes not treated as quickly as would have wished.
• Communities have generally been “understanding” and patient – this has helped a great deal.
• Despite conditions not many road closures in E Sutherland.

Salt stocks are depleted
• HC had stocks of 58,500 tonnes (Scottish Govt. recommended 30,000 tonnes for Highland at beginning of year) only 6,500 tonnes remain, despite additional deliveries.
• Additional stocks are difficult to source – however, not a question of funding.
• Low stocks mean gritting now restricted – mix salt/ sand; pre gritting (evening before) on Priority 1 routes only; application rate reduced, focus on Priority 1 and 2 routes

Clear up
• Road sweepers are clearing the sand from roads as it can block gullies etc
• Likewise pavements - sand promotes weed growth in Spring
• Significant road damage – it’s possible that the entire 2010 road maintenance budget will be used to patch and repair potholes and damaged road edges No cyclical resurfacing and maintenance work will be possible until 2011

Discussion Points
• Unanimous praise from the Forum for the work put in by TECS staff
• Are studded tyres and/or chains allowed on the roads?
ACTION PT to find out and inform Forum members as soon as poss.
• Additional funding will be sought from Scottish Govt. to repair roads
• Salt stocks are shared with Transerv at Brora dept; likewise, HC has access to Transerv stocks in other areas

7 HC Budget

Context
• 2010/11 budget - part agreed in Dec 09 (Chief Execs, Planning, and Finance. Larger services (TECS, Education and Social Work) to be decided on Thurs 11 Feb.
• Future prospects also challenging with further £36m of savings to be found in 2011/12 and 2012/13
• Consultation on these savings will take place during 2010.
• Impact of UK elections on public sector funding not yet known

Discussion points
• Support for lunch clubs for elderly will continue, but as flat rate for all clubs. Importance of lunch clubs recognised, but support needs to be fair and proportionate.
• Cuts to Voluntary sector support are likely after April 2010, but consultation will take place on all proposals.

8 Issues raised by Voluntary Sector Ann Keatinge (VGES)

• Upcoming training events include: Negotiation skills; Procurement and Social Enterprise; Personal Safety for Lone Workers, Listening Skills, Treasurer Training, Committee Skills, Trustees Training.
• Details at http://www.vges.org.uk/Training%20Events.htm

9 Issues raised by Community Councils

Rogart - Meeting arranged with HC Education re Rogart PS.
Golspie - Old Police Station needs to be maintained and marketed properly
ACTION PT to first contact Sgt Peter Allen, then NC estates if required

10 Issues raised by Councillors

No further issues

11 Questions from Members of the Public

Lights at Drummuie Offices - They are regulated by a timer
ACTION PT to clarify details

Old HC offices in Sutherland
• Meadows, Dornoch, Roads Office Brora and Main St Office Golspie
• Will be sold commercially, but community use also considered.
• Golspie Office used until recently, and title issue in one other case
• Recognition that market conditions have changed

Gritting for Fire Brigade, Ambulance etc stations - Where these are not situated on Priority 1 or 2 roads (e.g. in Dornoch) a common sense and flexible approach is adopted.