Response to Action Points Raised at Tain and Easter Ross Ward Forum on 23 August, 4 October and 22 November 2007

  • The transfer of resources within TEC Services is still progressing –the goal is to have the operatives for Tain and Easter Ross based in Tain.  At present there are 4 permanent and 2 Agency Road Workers (this is in addition to Street Sweepers and Ground Maintenance Workforce). Ultimately the goal is to have more permanent staff and Plant based in Easter Ross and there are currently 3 posts advertised. 
     
  • The Work Programmes for Surfacing and Surface Dressing are still being worked on and it is anticipated that these will be ready in March/April 2008.  TEC Services resources are currently being targeted to deal with Winter Maintenance. The programmes will be developed using information obtained from TEC Services Engineers assessments, together with the Road Condition Survey.   When the proposed programmes are finalised they will be discussed with the Elected Members for Tain and Easter Ross.  These programmes will then be presented to the Ward Forum, if so desired by the Ward Members. 
     
  • The Community Works Officer and Community Works Manager have been targeting their time to deal with Winter Maintenance.  However, an assessment of the trees overhanging pavements will be completed when possible and residents written to and asked that the overhang be cut back.
     
  • Network rail have been in contact and confirmed that the Risk Assessment takes into the consideration the impact of the sun on a driver approaching the crossing and the crossing risk assessment asks for two compass bearings - the road to the level crossing and the level crossing to the railway, this data is entered into the model, which works out the relation of sun to the crossing taking into account its seasonal zeniths.
     
  • As regards the vegetation at properties bordering the Level Crossing at Delny – different options need to be considered and a joint approach with the Highland Council TEC Services may be required in order to progress this.
     
  • In relation to the traffic issue raised at Garty Road – TEC Services have advised that this is an open road under the National Speed Limit criteria and as such rumble strips and/or a sleeping policeman cannot be installed.  However, TEC Services have agreed to paint SLOW on the road along with a Junction Ahead sign just before the Cemetery Entrance.  The sign will go up sometime in the New Year and the markings will be done in the Spring when the weather improves.
     
    When the housing development is completed the counter will be again installed to measure volume and speed of the traffic.  TEC Services will be asked to consult with the local community on the best location for the counter.  
     
  • Seaboard Initiative asked whether figures were available which would provide details of the number of tourists who visited the Seaboard Villages.  The response received from the Tourism Service in the Council is that unless any of the businesses themselves collect some information it is unlikely that anything is available. The main figures gathered on behalf of the public agencies are occupancy statistics gathered by a research company TNS. However, they rely on a representative sample from each Enterprise Company area and so once you get down to a local level such as this there is so few, and sometimes no returns, so no useful statistics can be gathered. The only other guide is the Scottish Visitor Attraction monitor which gives entry figures for attractions - again it's dependent on the businesses participating. 
     
  • Feedback in relation to the meeting that took place in Milton has now been received from the representative from the Highland Council Housing Service who has confirmed that action was taken following the visit to have the abandoned rubbish to be removed.  In addition tenants were contacted to remove rubbish identified in some gardens.  Action to address the individual gardens is ongoing with Legal Action being considered in one case.  The Housing Management Officer will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary action. 
     
    Feedback from Albyn Housing Society is awaited.
     
  • A meeting with Seaboard Initiative has been arranged on 15 February 2008 which will be attended by Ian Hargrave, Corporate Manager Caithness, Sutherland and Easter and James Gibbs, Chief Executive Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Inverness and East Highland.