Cromarty Firth Ward Forum
Action Note of Meeting 6th December 2007

Attending

Cllr Mike Finlayson,
Cllr Martin Rattray
Cllr Maxine Smith
Cllr Carolyn Wilson (Chair)
John Edmondson, Ardross Community Council
Warwick Wilson, Alness Community Council
Sally Cartwright, Alness Community Council
Fiona Dendy, Kiltearn Community Council
Alpin Macdonald, Kiltearn Community Council
Lillian Lockhart, Kiltearn Community Council
Drew Brown, Kiltearn Community Council
S Bennett, Kiltearn Community Council
Margaret Ross, Invergordon Community Council
Helen Williamson, Saltburn & Westwood Community Council
Norma Young, Saltburn & Westwood Community Council
Inspector John Chisholm, Northern Constabulary
Sgt Angus MacInnes, Northern Constabulary
Ian Hargrave, Corporate Manager, Caithness Sutherland & Easter Ross
Campbell Stewart, Area Roads & Community Works Manager for Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross
Marie Mackay, Community Education Worker, Caithness Sutherland & Easter Ross
Helen Ross, Ward Manager (Cromarty Firth)

Members of the public - 2  

Action Note

1. Introduction - Cllr C Wilson opened the meeting and welcomed everybody to the Cromarty Firth Ward Forum meeting in the Diamond Jubilee Hall, Evanton

2. Apologies 
Margaret MacPherson, Invergordon Community 
Jaki Gardner, Invergordon Community Council

3.   Feedback from the Ward Forum held on 25th October 2007 – there were    no comments on the feedback from the Ward Forum of 25th October 2007 which is contained in Appendix One and was previously circulated

4. TECs and Winter Maintenance – Campbell Stewart, Area Roads & Community Works Manager for Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross gave brief background information about the TECs service and the winter maintenance service provided. This covered details about the prioritisation used in relation to winter maintenance on different roads and information about the expected timescales for winter maintenance work to be carried out.  Campbell Stewart also gave information about flooding prevention work to be carried out in Evanton and other key areas of activity planned in the Cromarty firth Ward. There was also a question and answer session when the following points were made and actions agreed;

Key points/issues noted:

• TECs do provide grit in certain locations, using grit boxes as gar as possible. If Tecs are advised these are empty they will refill as soon as possible. Care is taken to avoid locations which may result in tree damage, but it is recognised that this does sometimes occur. 
• Depending on the forecast various levels of treatment, from Priority 1 Routes only, to Full Treatment of all Routes may be called. Local discretion can also be used. The forecast information used does take account of elevation of the road
• TECs aim to develop sustainable local depots which would carry out work such as regular clearing of drains to ensure good standard maintained
• TECs have an annual road inspection which feeds information into maintenance plans so that they reflect local needs
• Work to improve footpaths etc also required but such programmes will take time given resource constraints

Actions agreed:

TECs to check priority level for Ardross route which covers school bus route

• Work due to start in Evanton immediately including exposing of some manholes and jetting work to clear. A camera will also be used to identify problems. Work also planned in Evanton area to clear ditches etc to aid drainage – will be carried out over next 2 -3 months 
• Traffic calming measures and improved signage are being considered for Swordale road
• TECs to check why assistance had not been given to provide light sockets for Christmas lights in Saltburn.
• TECs to check position re drainage works in Saltburn which were suspended some time ago but have never since been actioned.
• Saltburn traffic survey to be carried out as soon as possible
• TEC’S Consultancy Unit will be asked to provide options to manage traffic at Saltburn junction, including options without the traffic lights 
• Improvements under consideration for Shore Road, Invergordon include 50 speed limit, highlighting the level of fatalities, continuing education and a speed survey to inform proposed actions
• Options to improve Invergordon High Street will be available shortly and will then be the subject of consultation in the New Year
• Traffic surveys have been carried out in key areas of Invergordon. The findings of the surveys and recommendations will be put to Ward Councillors shortly. Once options are agreed (e.g. for use of 20s plenty, traffic calming measures etc) applications will be made to implement them to the Scottish Government and consultation will take place.

5. Community Safety – Inspector John Chisholm gave an update on community safety issues in the area since the last ward Forum. He noted that road safety remains a key priority.

6. Discretionary budget – information on the discretionary budget noting approved projects had been previously circulated, It was noted that spend to date was £24,704 with further applications being in the pipeline.

7. AOB:

Lycksele – It was noted that the community councils had had a positive meeting about Lycksele with a further meeting planned for the end of January to agree the partnership agreement. All Community Councils were asked to send a copy of their logo (if they had one) to Helen Ross (helen.ross@highland.gov.uk) who would send it on to Norma Young whose husband has agreed to draft some options for a joint log to be considered.

Celebration of achievement – it was noted that the following residents in the Ward had all recently received a celebration of Achievement Award in recognition of all the work they carry out in their local community. 

• Ann MacDonald and fellow Evanton Fund raisers, Evanton
• Bill Chalmers, Alness,
• Christel McIntosh Alness
• Jaki Gardner, Invergordon
• Donald Clark, Invergordon

Date of Next Meeting: - 21st February 2008, topic to be Housing and Allocations