Action notes - Ward Forum - Isle of Skye (Ward 11)
Meeting held on 11th August 2008
Attendees:
Councillor Ian Renwick (Chair)
Councillor Hamish Fraser
Councillor John Laing
Ian MacLean, Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association
David Ashford, Lochalsh Youth Action Liaison Committee
Lachie MacDonald, Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association
Colin Hutchings, Accessl Panel/ CAB
Jim Towers, Skye and Lochalsh Community Care Forum/Miniginish Community Council
Aileane MacKinnon, Portree Community Council
Gordon Bushnell, Torrin Community Association
Les Downes, Staffin Community Council
Joan Turkington, Skye & Lochalsh Access Panel
Anne Speak, Raasay Community Council
Nick Duffill, Minginish Community Hall Asssociaiton
John McDiarmid, BBC
Lydia MacGregor-Wilson
Nora Warby, Way Forward Grooup and Access Panel
Chrisanne MacDonald, Skye & Lochalsh CVO
Dougie Galloway, Northern Constabulary
R MacNeill, Waternish Community Council
Catriona Leslie, Portree Community Council
Donald Oliphant, Raasay Community Council
David Beaton, Stagecoach Skye
Peter Martin, Uig Community Council
Hector Macleod, Sconser Community Council
Officials in Attendance:
Jan Laing, Ward Manager
Bob Mitchell Transpor Scotland
David Summers Transport Development Officer
Apologies:
Councillor Drew Millar
Robert Muir, HIE Skye & Wester Ross
Mike Taylor, Kyleakin & Kylerhea Community Council
Listed below is the action required and the outcomes resulting from discussion at the Eilean a’ Cheò Ward Forum meeting on 11th August 2008 held at Tigh Na Sgire, Portree.
1.0 Welcome and Introduction
Councillor Renwick welcomed everyone to the Ward Forum Meeting and introduced the two main speakers Mr Bob Mitchell, Area Manager Transport Scotland and Mr David Summers, Transport Development Officer , Highland Council.
2.0 Action Note
The action note from the meeting of 9th June was noted. A list of action points raised at the last meeting and the responses was circulated.
3.0 Alcohol Byelaws – Dougie Galloway
The Forum members were notified that Alcohol Byelaws were being put in place in Broadford and Harrapol – the area which is included within the 30mph speed limit. It was noted that the byelaws were with the Scottish Executive for approval. Once these have been granted the police will inform the public through the press and will have a one month ‘bedding in’ period. In this period they will not enforce the bylaws but will advise people that the byelaws are now in place and will be enforceable at the end of the one month period.
It was noted that where other alcohol byelaws exist, the police report a reduction in minor offences for example littering and anti social behaviour.
Les Downes (Staffin Community Council) asked if the Portree Alcohol Byelaws covered the Lump as young people have been seen in this area with alcohol. The police are aware of this issue and do patrol the Lump and confiscate alcohol from under 18 year olds.
In repsondse to a question from the floor regarding the use of mobile phones while driving, Dougie Galloway explained that the police do take action when they see people offending and they when they are advised by members of the public of an offence being committed they trace the driver and interview them.
4.0 Community Council Matters:
Election Update – Forum Members were notified that the election process was now complete and three Skye Community Councils had not had enough nominations to form a Community Council. These are: Sleat, Glendale and Braes.
Notified question – Raasay Community Council
Can The Highland Council address the issue of computer equipment for Community Council Secretaries?
It was noted that there was a scheme which provided computers for Community Councils but that this has now come to an end. This issue is one that will be addressed as part of the review initiated by the Chief Executive and will be reported back to a Ward Forum at a later date.
5.0 Ward Discretionary Budget Update
It was noted that decisions regarding applications to the Ward Discretionary Budget had been put on hold until the launch of the Highland Leader Programme. As this has been delayed the elected members have decided to review this position and to consider applications, including applications for Village Officer funding at the next Ward Business Meeting on the 1st September.
6.0 Mr Bob Mitchell, Area Manager Transport Scotland
In the course of the presentation by Mr Mitchell the following main points were noted:
Varrigal Phase 3 was nearing completion only a little behind schedule
A new scheme of road improvements will be starting in the new year on a one mile stretch of road north of the Sligichan junction.
In response to a question from the floor regarding the Sligichan bus stop Mr Mitchell explained that the scheme for improvement on this stretch of road will include an inspection of the bus stop.
It was noted that the bus used to pull into the Sligichan Hotel car park but this was no longer an option because of health and safety issues.
Hector Macleod , Sconser Community Council raised the issue of consultation with Community Councils when road improvement schemes are being planned. Mr Mitchell explained that the reason Community Councils were not being consulted might be the increase in statutory consultations may have pushed community consultations down the agenda but that this could be addressed by passing information through the Ward Manager to the relevant Community Council(s) and elected members. It was noted that Transerv are avaaialble to attend community meetings when appropriate and this would likely to be Mike Jones who is based in Ardelve.
Donald Oliphant raised the issue of pedestrians on the road at the big waterfall near the junction at An Moll and asked if something could be done as regards a pedestrian. Mr Mitchell explained that this would not be a priority but would look into the possibility of warning signs for drivers advising them that there may be pedestrians on the road.
The issue of winter road care was raised particularly as there had been a number of accident in Glen Varrigal over the winter where black ice had been a particular problem. Clunie and Glen Morriston had also been particularly bad this winter.
In response Mr Mitchell suggested that problem areas should be identified and passed on to him through the Ward Manager.
The winter schedule will be circulated for consideration and comment.
It was noted that where a problem is identified at the time the police can be contacted as they have the ability to call out Transerv in order to address the problem.
Road issues can be notified on the Transport Scotland helpline – 0800 0281414
Action: TRANSERVE/JL/ BM
Action: JL
7.0 Presentation - David Summers, Transport Development Officer, The Highland Council
David Summers gave a comprehensive presentation which is attached to this action note.
Questions from the floor included:
What is the situation relating to the seatbelt law in a bus? Since September 2006 if seatbelts are fitted they must be worn. However the law does not give anyone responsibility for enforcing this.
At what age is a child permitted to travel in the front of a car? A person must be 14 or over and must adhere to the law in relation to the height restrictions which may involve the use of a booster seat if the child is below the required height.
What is the situation as regards bus transport to the new community school campus as the school is open to 8pm? The bus currently operates hourly 9am – 3pm and there are no plans to enhance the service.
The Raasay Ferry/ bus link - can this not be changed as the people coming off the Ferry aren’t able to make the bus connections? Calmac are unable to change the ferry times as sailing are tide dependant. The bus company are unable to change the bus times as these are timed to link into other services. This is to be pursued by David Summers.
The Dial a bus service is good but people aren’t sure how to access the service - could the advertising and promotion of this service be addressed?
Midas Training – there is a lack of Midas trainers in the local area – can this be addressed?
The Mallaig Station is not open when the first ferry from Armadale comes in, this often results in passengers having nowhere to wait in inclement weather, is this something that can be addressed so that the waiting room can be opened half an hour earlier?
The subsidised taxi service to Staffin issue was raised separately by Staffin Community Council but it was noted that the contractor on this route has now surrendered the contract and a new operator will be sought.
People experience difficulties getting to work during the school holidays because of the bus service. This has serious implications for employment on the island. Specific examples and routes should be notified to David Summers to be addressed.
Action: DS
8.0 Issues/ Speakers for the next Ward Forum on the 22nd September:
Scottish Ambulance Service/ Patient Transport
NHS
9.0 Date of next meeting
Monday 22nd September