Eilean a’ Cheo (Ward 11) – Forum Meeting
Broadford Village Hall - 9th May 2011
Attendees:
Councillor Hamish Fraser (Chair)
Councillor Ian Renwick
Councillor John Laing
Roddy Murray Sleat Community Council
Inspector Duncan MacLean, Northern Constabulary
Joan F Turkington, SLAP
John McDiarmid, BBC
Michael Russell
Caroline Gould Broadford & Strath Community Council
David Ashford
Heidi Hoffman
Tony Moore Broadford Community Council
Pupils and Staff from Portree High School
Angus Sutherland
Alistair MacPherson
Anita Jones
Billy Nicolson TEC’s
George Speed TEC’s
Anne Hartley
Kirsteen Graham
Phil McCaherty
Donna Campbell
Officials in Attendance:
Jan Laing, Ward Manager, Chief Executive Service
Phill Dewar TEC Services
Fay Macrae Chief Executive Service
Apologies:
Cllr Drew Millar
Catriona Leslie Community Council
Jim Towers Minginsih Community Council
Listed below is the action required and the outcomes resulting from discussion at the Eilean a’ Cheò Ward Forum held on 9th May 2011 in Broadford Village Hall.
1 Welcome and Introduction
Councillor Laing welcomed everyone to the Ward Forum Meeting and introduced Councillors and speakers.
2 Action Note & Matters Arising
The action note from the meeting of 7th of February was noted and approved.
3 Waste Management update - Phil Dewar
PD gave a power point presentation on waste management, 70% of our waste has to be recycled by 2025 at present it costs £64.00 per tonne to dispose of waste in landfill.
The blue bin trials have worked well in Skye and Lochalsh and it is now planned to be rolled out across the rest of the Highlands within the next year.
The recycling calendars will no longer be sent out automatically – only by request, current calendars will be available on the HC website. A recycling guide for visitors has also been produced.
At present only a certain type of plastic can be recycled this is frustrating but it is hoped that this can be extended to more types in the near future.
Recycling banks for books and CD’s has also been introduced along with light bulbs, tubes and batteries. The recycling point is now able to take all electrical items from fires to food mixers which will be broken down and recycled.
It is now compulsory for business to recycle all there paper, tins and plastic by using the blue bins or the waste centre. Over 50% of businesses participated in the recycling trail although the project was criticised for being run over the winter months when there is less waste. The business which did not partake in the trial are finding it harder to adapt to the new system.
The HC ran a competition for Schools to produce a short film on waste and recycling the winners Portree High School got to work with filmmakers to produce it. The short film had great success and was shown in Aros, The Screen Machine and Eden Court.
Questions from the public
Can you buy compost from the HC – As yet compost is not available to the public, landfill is taken to Inverness and is composted the HC have a contract with a farmer who uses it on his crops.
Rubbish is being dumped at Armadale pier – Piers are a problem with visitors and shops dumping waste Anne MacDonnald TEC’s is to visit the pier next week to asses the situation.
With drawl of community skips – Fly tipping has not increased since the withdrawal of community Skips. Bulky items can still be collected by the HC 3 items for £15 6 items for £30 community skips will still be available for beach cleanups.
Cllr HF thanked Phil Dewar and congratulated Portree High School on winning the short film competition.
4 Public Questionand Answer Session
A87 proposed road closures – elected members met with Bob Mitchell from Scotland Transerve earlier in the day, members stated that the day time closure of the road is detrimental to the local economy and unacceptable and Transerve should consider a convoy system or nigh time working.
Transerve are also looking at polishing there 3 year maintenance and repair programme.
5 Police Issues
No one raised any questions for the inspector, The Chief Inspector John Chisholm has moved to Wick and Inspector Duncan MacLean will advise us when the new Chief Inspector has been appointed.
Cllr HF thanked the Inspector for attending.
6 Civic Awards
Elected members presented the following Civic Awards –
Music - Kirsteen Graham
Sport - Phil McCaherty
Community - Pat Walsh
Environment - Heidi Hoffman
Young People - Donna Campbell
Enterprise - Staff & Pupils Portree High School
7 Date of Next Meeting
Monday 8th August 2011 Tigh na Sgire 7pm