Lochaber North Ward Forum – 20 August 2007
Ward 12 Caol and Mallaig
Summary and Action Sheet

Agenda

Present: Councillors Allan Henderson, Bill Clark, Eddie Hunter; Glengarry Community Council; Spean Community Council; Association of Community Councils.

Apologies: Iain Mackay, Community Warden.

Officials in attendance: Dot Ferguson (Chief Executive’s Service); Rosemary Bridge, John O’Kane (Education Culture & Sport Service); Mike Leary (TEC Services); Inspector Dougie Allan (Northern Constabulary); Theresa James (NHS Highland) 

For Action
Chief Executive’s (CE)
Education, Culture and Sport (ECS)
Finance (F)
Housing and Property (H & P)
Planning and Development (P & D)
Social Work (SW)
TEC

Listed below is the action required as a result of the decisions/discussions taken by  the Lochaber North Ward Forum at their meeting held on 20 August 2007.

Please arrange to take the required action on the basis of this Action Sheet.

ITEM NO. HEADING DECISION ACTION TIMESCALE/WHO?

2  Action Sheet of 28 May
Agreed

• actions re flooding being caused by drain at LHS – instruction for repair issued
• items raised included on agenda, as requested
• Local Plan update was given at the Joint Ward Forum

3  Mod Update
Update on Royal National Mod Fringe events given by John O’Kane, Community Learning and Leisure Officer, Highland Council.  The Fringe events will be held in the Fort William area and will include: piping recitals; Gaelic “Ready, Steady, Cook”; poetry etc.  Nevis Centre will be the main venue for the competition.
www.the-mod.co.uk

4  Roy Bridge Primary School
Rosemary Bridge, Education Officer gave an update on the current position.  Community members reported that Roy Bridge, Spean Bridge and Invergarry being canvassed for support to retain Roy Bridge primary School; indication is that there is 90% support although this was disputed.  Councillors Clark, Henderson and Hunter indicated their intention to  submit a Notice of Motion to the next Education, Culture and Sport Committee and hoped that it would be supported by their colleagues.

5 Highland Licensing Board Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 – Draft Policy Statement

• There was no comment on this draft policy although the following questions were raised:
• What is the timescale for appointment of Licensing Standards Officers? – to be confirmed, but likely to be later in the year
• What is the situation with regard to the Licensing Forum? – this will be re-convened later in the year

6  AOCB

• Availability of Discretionary Funds – Dot Ferguson highlighted the availability of discretionary funds which can be used for a wide variety of community environmental, social and economic uses. Anyone interested in applying for funding should contact Ellen Morrison at Lochaber House for an application form.
• Local Plan – The Chairman outlined the current status of the Local Plan, the draft of which should be published in early October.  The meeting agreed that a longer and more robust consultation period should be carried out after  publication of the plan, ensuring that local meetings are well advertised with detailed plans etc available.
• Location of Next Meeting – a request had been received to change the venue of the next meeting from Spean  Bridge Community Centre, to Roy Bridge School – this was agreed.

Question and Answer Session

• Retail Choice – a request was made to have more retail choice in Lochaber and the Council was encouraged to support the location of more ‘major retailers’ in the area - this comment received general support. Councillors highlighted the imminent consideration of the planning application from Aldi.
• Facilities for Young People – concern was expressed about the lack of facilities for young people in the Spean Bridge area and whether transport could be provided to Fort William. Members replied saying that the Administration was aware of the issues and would be looking for ways to resolve them.  John O’Kane also involved in trying to find a solution.
  ECS
• Gulley blockage – a blocked gulley was highlighted between the Main Road and the war memorial.  
  TEC Services