Ward 8 –Tain and Easter Ross Ward Forum
Meeting held on Thursday 11 March 2010
in the Carnegie Hall, Portmahomack
Present:
Cllr Alan Torrance (Chair)
Keith Hart, Balintore and Hilton Community Council
John Scott, Fearn Community Council
Richard Cross, Nigg and Shandwick Community Council
Hamish MacKenzie, Tarbat Community Council
Rose Hazell, KALE Action Group
Maureen Ross, Seaboard Memorial Hall
Chief Insp. Matthew Reiss, Northern Constabulary
George Hamilton – HC Countryside, Heritage and Natural Resources Manager
Tim Cockerill, Forest District Manager
Ian Hargrave, HC Corporate Manager, Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Carol Elliot, HC Ward Manager Tain and Easter Ross
12 members of the public
Apologies:
Cllr Richard Durham
Cllr Alasdair Rhind
Alice Smith, Balintore and Hilton Community Council
James Gordon, Fearn Peninsula Partnership
George Dobbie, Kilmuir and Logie Easter Community Council
Peter Whiteley, Tain Community Council
Janet Wilson, Tarbat Community Council
Isabell McLaughlin, Milton Housing Forum
Fiona Robertson, Tain Initiative Group
Insp. Ramsay Aitkin, Northern Constabulary
1. Welcome and Introductions
Cllr Torrance welcomed everyone to the Forum.
2. Apologies for Absence
As listed above.
3. Community Safety/Police report – Chief Inspector Matthew Reiss, Northern Constabulary.
Over the last ten years the bi-annual independent “Excellence in Community Policing” Survey which is sent to 4,500 people across the Highlands has consistently shown that speeding vehicles is the number one concern of respondents. Other top concerns are drink driving, dangerous driving and drug dealing.
The Police are responding to requests from Community Councils and Ward Forums. For example, speed checks at a primary school in the Ward had been carried out following a request. Hopefully, this kind of targeting will get people to think about how they drive here in future.
The winter weather was a challenge. In some areas conveys were in place for safety. Because so many motorists listened to Moray Firth Radio most were well informed ahead of the Police speaking to travellers. A fantastic gritting service was provided, especially in response to emergency calls.
Various work the Police have been involved in was outlined such as:
- Catching drunk drivers
- Vehicle safety checks
- Drug seizures in Tain recently
- Mountain rescue
Serious crime is gradually reducing in the force area.
The Police are involved in stopping wildlife crimes such as:
- Operation Easter – to tackle illegal egg collecting
- Illegal collection of fresh water Pearl Mussels on Loch Fleet
- Badger baiting
Static vehicle checks are being carried out, these allow Officers to check for drunk drivers, red diesel, illegal tyres, poor lights and to check documents as well as talking to the public.
ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) also allows checks against records for road tax evasion and uninsured vehicles.
The number of Police in the force area is about to peak at 815. Then there will be no recruitment for a year. This coupled with retirements will see numbers drop as we enter a period of budget cuts.
Q – What is the main drug used in the area?
A – In terms of the number of incidents it is cannabis.
Q – Is it grown locally or brought in?
A – There have been 4 crops in houses found recently, one locally.
Q – When the Police stop people as part of static vehicle checks, if people are happy to talk to the Police this may mean they don’t get enough opportunities to do so?
A – The Police never have as much time as they would like to talk to the public.
Q - Is interviewing people about gun licences effective?
A – We need to check gun licences carefully to prevent another Dunblane.
The Theme of the April Ward Forum is Community Safety. As this is such a wide subject suggestions are invited for topics to be covered.
Please note that if there is a General Election announced near to this date the Forum may have to be postponed so we will endeavour to carry the topic of Community Safety on to a future Forum.
4. Ward Update and feedback from the previous Ward Forum.
The Notes from the previous Ward Forum are attached to the agenda.
There are no Highland Council consultations happening at the moment but between April and June there will be further consultation on a draft Community Council Scheme for the Highlands. This includes a proposed constitution, standing orders and code of conduct for Community Councillors. These documents, along with the proposed boundary amendments, make up the second stage of the Highland Community Council Review.
The 2009 Development Plan Scheme is coming to an end. The 2010 Development Plan Scheme will be going before the Planning, Environment & Development Committee on 17 March. A copy of the 2010 Scheme will be sent to all Community Councils after that.
Now, all planning applications received by The Highland Council are being processed electronically. This Scottish Government e-planning initiative aims to make the planning system simpler, faster and more efficient, providing a consistent level of service throughout the country. More information on it can be found on the Highland Council web site.
An evening seminar for groups running Community Buildings is planned for Thursday 13 May in Balintore. This is to help groups find out more about grants of up to 100% to help them save money on energy bills. Please help spread the word and get anyone involved with a community building to pass their contact details to Carol.
5. The Council’s role in Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Harbours.
George Hamilton - Countryside, Heritage and Natural Resources Manager for the Highland Council.
Harbours:
Transport, Environment and Community (TEC) Services and the Planning, Environment and Development (PED) Service have responsibilities for Fisheries and Harbours. TEC Services has a statutory role in managing harbours, which it exercises via the Fishery Harbours Management Board. It is also responsible for food safety (via Environmental Health Officers) and animal welfare issues. The PED Service deals with fisheries policy and aquaculture planning.
Tony Usher is the Council’s Harbours Manager. He was unable to attend today but is happy to respond to any questions or concerns raised via Carol.
The Natural Resources Team provides a wide range of policy/development control advice and a small amount of financial assistance to strategic projects across the Council area. The main focus of the team can be grouped under the following headings:
Agriculture:
The main focus of the team is policy advice, which is not a statutory role. Policy is developed through the Council’s Land, Environment and Sustainability Strategy Group, which covers a variety of issues including land reform, agriculture, and crofting. For example, the Council recently contributed to the review of the SRDP (Scottish Rural Development Programme).
The PED Service also leads on the Highlands and Islands Agricultural Network and is involved in CPMR (Committee for Periphery Marine Regions).
There is a small projects budget for partnership projects but this is now very limited.
Fisheries:
Again this is mainly a policy role. The Council is on the Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group. The PED Service deals with freshwater and marine fisheries management and has a statutory responsibility for the Tain mussel fishery (Dornoch Firth). The Service also assists with European fisheries projects, but again the resources available for this are now very limited.
Forestry:
Again there is a policy role but the Council’s forestry officers contribute significantly to the planning applications process with tree and woodlands advice. The PED Service provides guidance on tree planting, Tree Preservation Orders and monitors Dutch Elm Disease. Foresters also contribute to the determination of SRDP forestry applications and work closely with the Forestry Commission Scotland. The Service also supports the Highland Environmental Forum which involves the NFU, Game Keepers and SNH for example. It links to the delivery of local outcomes as part of the Council’s Single Outcome Agreement.
The Service carries out a mix of statutory and non statutory activities in agriculture and fisheries. It employs 25 Countryside Rangers, a Bio-diversity Officer, Access Officers and Archaeologists in addition to the teams discussed.
Q – Why doesn’t the Council have an Agricultural Officer any more?
A – Those that were doing the job left and haven’t been replaced. The Council now buy in the advice.
Q – Lots of trees come down during storms. What does the Council do to ensure the safety of trees before they come down?
A – This tends to be reactive. The public usually identify and contact the Council about unsafe trees. They will be inspected and the land owner will be asked to deal with them.
Q – When the Council is asked to consider something does it consult the NFU (National Farmers Union)?
A – The NFU is asked for their views. A draft response is prepared and put to Committee for approval before submitting.
Q – What steps are being taken to replant trees?
A – The Council does not replant trees unless it is on its own land or woodland but may recommend the re-planting of trees felled under licence.
Q – Are grants available to individuals for planting trees?
A – Yes if an estate or commercial operation. Possible funding is available through SRDP.
Q – Because of prior notification for farmers for Planning, the chance is missed to ask farmers to plant trees, especially to hide buildings. Can this be introduced?
A – The Council does provide advice on planting, preservation and re-planting when an application comes in. Rural development applications usually do have planting included.
Comment from local farmer – Planting trees too near farm buildings prevents air circulation.
Q – At the moment small boats that aren’t used to fish for lobsters for a living don’t need a licence. Is this to continue?
A – To fish commercially and to fish shellfish over a certain limit, does need a licence. It is recognised that people do fish for a hobby. Whelks are not included in this at the moment but may be in future.
Q – People dig up worms in large quantities in Nigg Bay to sell on, is this included?
A – No but the Community Council should bring this up with SNH (Scottish Natural Heritage) as they may object to this. If a site is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) there are specific offences relating to these areas.
6. The Forestry Commission’s role in the Ward.
Tim Cockerill, Forest District Manager.
The Forestry Commission is divided into two parts: Forest Enterprise, which manages state owned forests; and The Forestry Commision which adminsters grants and licences.
Scotland is divided into ten districts. Our Ward is in the North District (one of three districts in the Highlands). Tim manages this district.
As a whole Forest Enterprise in the Highlands has 70,000 hectares of land, of which 50,000 are wooded. It employs 46 people and a lot of contractors.
Within the Tain and Easter Ross Ward there are 7,000 hectares, i.e. approx 25% of the Ward, including Morangie , Strath Rory, Scotsburn and Morrich Mhor.
Approx 45-50 tonnes of timber per year are taken out of the woods and sent South to local processors. The forests are valuable economically and for bio-diversity. Although the woodlands are commerical they are native woodlands.
Morangie Forest is a key conservation site for Capercaille. Other species benefit from this areas as well.
Morrich Mhor is a SSSI because it has developed in to a unique woodland with a dune system with rare plants.
As well as the ecomomic benefit of the Forests there is also a social/recreational benefit. People are encouraged to use the woodlands. For example, the Tain Hill walk, the Aldie Burn walk and the cycle route through Morangie.
Because the Morangie Forest is a SPA (Special Protection Area), people are encouraged to use this area gently so the Capercaille are not disturbed. Mountain biking can cause a distubance so use of formal trails elsewhere is encouraged such as at Carrbisdale and Balblair.
On the social side, Forest Enterprise used to run events but this has become too expensive to stage. Now we are engaging with groups through schools. For example, Forest School and Rural Skills for 14-15 year olds. This is an introduction to work such as planting and fencing. We also take children on official mountain bike trails.
Forest Enterprise also works with volunteers in environmental and conservation activities.
Q – Dispite holding a key for forest gates it is rare to find a gate locked. Should they be locked?
A – People are encouraged to lock gates as timber can be stollen. Contractors should lock gates.
Q – Are you profitable or is the work subsidised?
A – It costs £80-90million to run the Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS). An income of £40million is received from timber sales. There are also incomes from various other sources. FCS receives £23million from the Scottish Government, some of which is paid out in grants. The core forestry activities are self funding. What is delivered over and above this is funded.
Q – Is renewable energy a use for the 20,000 hectares that aren’t wooded?
A – We are looking at what we have and if it can be used for hydro/renewables and how to be more self funding.
Q – What preditor control do you have, especially for foxes?
A – In Morangie Foresty especially, Rangers do control proactively. Otherwise we will shoot foxes if they are causing problems.
Q – What is the law regarding camping and lighting fires?
A – People should apply common sense. Generally, if there is a dry spell the Police would ask people not to light fires. There are rules for woodland and muir burning which are listed in the Muir Burning Code.
Q – How much are the loads of redwood that lorries carry worth?
A – It varies depending on the size of the logs. The average is £23-£35 per tonne, each lorry carries about 25 tonnes.
Q – Are timber forests sustainable and for how long?
A – It will depend if there is a local outlet for the timber. There is enough locally to supply the woodfuel market for the next 20 years.
Q – Who do you report fly tipping in Forests to?
A – If it is in Forestry Commission woodland contact the District Office in Dingwall.
Q – Would you consider felling for house building/building?
A – Yes, the Golspie Office is built from timber as are other examples. Whatever is felled is expected to be re-planted.
Q – What do you do with tree stumps?
A – They are left for 4-5 years to control weevils. Then the soil is turned before re-planting.
Q – Were the Morrich Mhor trees planted to stop erosion?
A – No but they do help it. Trees won’t stop coastal erosion.
Q – Would the Forestry Commision build houses on a commercial basis?
A – No, but land has been made available for affordable housing.
7. Date, location and topic of next Ward Forum
Wednesday 21st April 2010 7pm for 7.30pm. Seaboard Memorial Hall, Balintore. The host Community Council will be Balintore & Hilton. Please note that if there is a General Election announced near to this date the Forum may have to be postponed so we will endeavour to carry the topic of Community Safety on to a future Forum.
As always – Can Community Councils and other Ward Forum member groups ensure you gather views from your communities on these items via your own agendas to feed into discussions.
8. Public Question and Answer session.
Q – Do the Police put winter tyres on their cars?
A – This can’t be done on more modern cars as it affects the vehicle electronics re ABS and traction control so it’s not that straight forward but we are looking in to it.
Q – How many Officers are taken away from normal policing functions for manning the census point at Foulis today and escorting wind turbines from Invergordon?
A – One officer was used at the census point. Police Officers on rest days are paid by the energy companies to escort these loads. The Police are also paid for the use of their equipment.
Comment – Community Councils are inundated with huge amounts of consultations and sometimes important things get passed over accidentally. More volunteers are needed as the average age of Community Councils is high and less needs to be sent by organisations.
Response – the Community Council review being consulted on at the moment hopes to re-kindle an interest in Community Councils. It is proposed to reduce the minimum age to 16.
9. Thanks for attending.
Cllr Torrance thanked Tarbat CC for organising the refreshments.
We would remind members of the public they can see the notes from this Ward Forum and information about future Ward Forums on the Highland Council’s Web site.