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

Meeting held on 19 May 2008 in Lochcarron Village Hall

Chair: Finlay Matheson, (Lochcarron Community Council)

Present: Cllr Biz Campbell; Cllr Richard Greene; Cllr Audrey Sinclair; Cllr Jean Urquhart; F. Matheson (Lochcarron CC); Murdo Finlayson (Applecross CC); M. MacLeod (Gairloch CC); W. MacRae (Gairloch CC); Bill Cameron (Gairloch CC); Krsitine MacKenzie (Lochcarron CC); Beryl Weighill (Lochcarron CC); C. Macrae (Plockton CC); G. Webster (Plockton CC); Liz Pritchard (Shieldaig CC); Richard Munday (Shieldaig CC); Lizzie bird (Stromeferry & Achmore CC); Tom Forrest (Torridon & Kinlochewe CC); Alistair MacLean (Torridon & Kinlochewe CC); Margaret Denny (Wester Lochewe CC);

Liz Macdougall, Fiona Downie and Pupils from Gairloch High School

And 8 Members of the Public

Officials in attendance: Robbie Bain (Ward Manager); David Summers (Transport Development Officer), Insp Duncan MacLean (Northern Constabulary); Terry Johnston (Commercial Manager, BT).

Apologies: Helen Murchison (Lochcarron CC); Gordon Maclean (Contin CC); Achiltibuie CC

Introduction

Finlay Matheson welcomed everyone to the meeting, introduced the Councillors and Officals to the meeting and presented the apologies.

Gairloch Tryptich

Pupils from Gairloch High School displayed a piece of artwork, Fiona Downie explained the background and funding and Liz Macdougall explained how the work had taken shape. Individual pupils explained the significance of the features included in the artwork.

Public Transport

David Summers described the Council’s role in public transport provision in the Ward. Items covered in his presentation included: local transport strategy; Dial-a-bus/dial-a-taxi schemes; Community Transport; 2007 enhancements to service provision; responses to transport demands; new routes; improving vehicles and infrastructure.

There was considerable discussion on the level of service provided to Plockton, Stromeferry & Achmore, with the suggestion that the new service provided to Achmore represented a cut-back rather than an improvement.

Action Point David Summers to organise a meeting in Achmore Hall to discuss bus provision to Stromeferry & Achmore.

BT Consultation on Payphones

Terry Johnston outlined the BT business case for retionalising payphone provision in the Ward, highlighting declining use of payphones and unprofitability of the payphones.

Questions from the floor centred on telephone boxes as a public service, BT’s public service obligation and the requirement for universal provision. Specific points were raised about public safety issues, with examples of boxes that were required for marine and/or mountain safety reasons. A letter from Gairloch Business Association was read out highlighting problems of mobile phone coverage and the need to retain a payphone network.

Ward Discretionary Budget

Robbie Bain presented the list of projects that had been funded from the Ward Discretionary Budget in 2007-08. Applications in the 2008-09 year will be dealt with on a quarterly basis, in June, September, December and March.

Action Point There was a request for the Wester Ross Alliance to be discussed at the next Ward Forum.

Out of Hours Group

Liz Pritchard outlined the background to the OOH Group, the progress to-date and reported on the success of the visit to Wester Ross by Nicola Sturgeon. CCs were asked to consider funding to allow the OOH Group to continue the work.

Dr David Murray expressed the thanks that are due to Liz and the OOH Group for the work that they have done and for getting the Cabinet Secretary to visit Wester Ross.

Action Point R. Bain to forward contact details for CCs in Lochalsh to Liz Pritchard so that she can send the OOH Group reports to these CCs.

Other Business/Questions

Concern was expressed about the condition of the Public Toilet in Torridon. The difficulties in getting a cleaner for this toilet were explained and the hope was expressed that someone had now been found for the job.
There was a complaint that the Ward Manager in Skye was handling the CC elections on behalf of the CCs, whereas in Lochalsh, CCs had to do this themselves. It was pointed out that the Council Guidelines for Community Council Elections were being followed throughout Ward 6.
There was a short discussion on the continuing frustration amongst the community in Lochcarron about the lack of progress in advancing plans for a Lochcarron Leisure Centre.

Action Point R. Bain to take forward plans for a meeting between the Council and the community.
There was a request that future Ward Forums be advertised in the West Highland Free Press.