Action Notes - Ward Forum - West Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh (Ward 10)

Meeting held on 19 January 2008 in Kyle Village Hall

Agenda 

Chair: Ross McKerlich, (Kyle Community Council)

Present:  Cllr Biz Campbell; Cllr Richard Greene; Cllr Audrey Sinclair; Cllr Jean Urquhart; C. Morrison (Kyle CC); Brian Easter (Kyle CC); A. MacDonald (Kyle CC); C. Macrae (Kyle CC); Ruby Macrae (Kyle CC); George Macrae (Kyle CC); K. MacKenzie (Lochcarron CC); H. Murchison (Lochcarron CC); Murdo Finlayson (Applecross CC); Gerry McPartlin (Applecross CC); Angus Peterkin (Dornie & District CC); Adrienne Sowood (Lochalsh CC); James Merryweather (Lochalsh CC); Berwyn Edwards (Lochduich CC) Charlie Macrae (Plockton CC); G.R. Webster (Plockton CC); Richard Munday (Shieldaig CC).

And 19 Members of the Public

Officials in attendance: Robbie Bain (Ward Manager); Tracey Urry (Area Housing & Property Manager); Donald Kennedy (Access Officer); Lachie MacDonald (Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association)

Apologies: Willie Macrae (Gairloch CC); Gordon McLean (Contin CC);Isobel Stewart (Contin CC); Kenneth Morrison (Lochbroom CC); Kathy Ross (Lochbroom CC); Katherine Mackenzie (Torridon CC); Eleanor Hathaway (Kyle CC); Di Alexander (HSCHT); Chrisanne MacDonald (SLCVO); Tim Stott (Senior Planner, THC)

Introduction

Ross McKerlich welcomed everyone to the meeting, introduced the Councillors and Officals to the meeting and presented the apologies.

West Highlands & Islands Local Plan (Deposit Draft)

Tim Stott, Senior Planner from the Council’s Planning & Development Service was due to have presented this to the Forum but had been involved in an accident due to ice on the A87 Trunk Road in Glenmoriston.

Robbie Bain presented Tim’s slides and there was a short discussion on the Local Plan and the process.  It was noted that CCs and members of the public would have further opportunity to discuss the Plan with Tim at various drop-in sessions and CC meetings over the next few weeks.

Housing

Tracey Urry and Lachie MacDonald (Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association) together led a discussion on housing issues in the South West Ross Area.  Topics covered included: the Council’s role in Housing issues; the role of Housing Associations; definitions of housing need; prioritisation of needs; housing allocations procedures and current plans for new Housing Association homes in the Lochalsh area.

There followed a discussion on Rural Home Ownership Grants; the new Joint Housing Register; the allocations procedure and more detailed questions on the proposed new homes to be built by the Association.

Skye & Lochalsh Core Path Plan

Donald Kennedy (Access Officer) outlined the process and content of the Core Path Plan, noting that responses were invited by 9th February.  Questions included: the status of pathworks on the Plock; responsibility for maintenance; the consultation process and issues surrounding cattle on paths.

Other Business

Gritting.  Concern was expressed about the winter maintenance programme on the A87 between Invermoriston and Kyle.  The Forum asked Members to pressurise Scotland Transerv for and improvement in performance.
Concern was expressed over the withdrawal of one Council snow plough from Lochcarron and questions were asked about whether there was any discretion left to the judgement of the drivers to vary rates of salt application.