Lochaber Joint Ward Forum – Caol & Mallaig and Fort William & Ardnamurchan (Wards 12 and 22)

Monday 15 November 2010

Summary and Action Sheet

Present
Councillors Bren Gormley, Brian Murphy, Donald Cameron, Michael Foxley, Bill Clark, Eddie Hunter, Allan Henderson; Mallaig Community Council, Fort William Community Council.

Officials in attendance
Chief Inspector John Chisholm (Northern Constabulary); Tim Stott (P&D); Emma Tayler; Dot Ferguson (CE);

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 Joint Ward Forum at their meeting held on 15 November 2010 in the Council Chambers, Lochaber House, Fort William.

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

  1. Apologies – John Fleming (Glengarry Community Council), Deirdre Roberts (Morar Community Council

  2. Action Sheet from Budget Joint Forum  – 31 May 2010 – Approved at Ward 12 and 22 August meetings.

  3. Community Safety update – This update was presented by Chief Inspector John Chisholm. The key points were noted;

    Serious crime - A recent very serious crime resulted in a suspect being charged within 48 hours.
    Young people - A successful multi-agency initiative aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour related to young people and alcohol abuse has been implemented.  On the whole this activity has been well received.  The problem is decreasing now the weather is turning colder.
    Road safety – NC are sharing data with roads engineers following the tragic fatal accident in late September.  Problems with diesel spillage were materialising at Lochailort – Glenfinnnan.  Spillage signage has been deployed and the issue is being looked into by the roads authority.  Information from communities highlighting any potential roads issues is welcomed.  NC has also been engaged in discussions regarding traffic congestion and winter maintenance.  A police priority is to keep roads open and traffic flowing. 
    CCTV/Pubwatch – both schemes continue to work well.
    The overall detection rate - is 58%.

  4. Northern Constabulary Policy Review – Chief Inspector John Chisholm informed the meeting of the Police review that is taking place.  NC has 59 police stations, a position which is no longer sustainable.  A Best Value review was commissioned to look at how efficiency could be improved and how the budget challenges could be met.  Following the review a number of proposals will be presented to the joint police board for approval however, the potential effect on Lochaber is limited to the proposed closure of Spean Bridge Police Station. The PC will remain in the Police House and continue to work out of Fort William.  If approved CI John Chisholm will monitor the situation but is not anticipating any reduction in service to the community.

    Fort William Police station has been identified as being a 24 hour station. Calls from other areas are being diverted to Fort William which is strengthening their position.  The force has seen a couple of officers retire but these vacancies are being carried through.  Two cadets have been recruited and will pick up an operational role in the coming months.

    The Chief Constable remains committed to providing a new Fort William HQ on the Blar Mhor site.  Glencoe Police Station will be ready within the next 3-4 weeks.

    The following points were discussed:

    Mallaig staffing – 3 posts. There is the potential to pull a member of Mallaig staff to Fort William but still retain the level of service in Mallaig.
    Concerns were raised regarding any centralisation of the force and the potential implications of this. 
     
  5. Planned works on Banavie Bridge – item deferred.

  6. Highland-wide Local Development Plan – Tim Stott from Highland Council gave an update on the development of the Highland Wide Local Development Plan. (presentation attached).  The following points were noted;

    - The West Coast response to the main issues report conveyed a strong feeling that priorities needed to be rebalanced - there was not enough emphasis or reflection on the different circumstances, challenges and priorities of the West Highlands. 

    - Following consideration of the comments received an additional section has been created entitled ‘A new and tailored vision for the West Coast’.

    - The proposed plan is out for consultation.  The deadline for formal objections is 3 December 2010.  All community councils have been sent a copy.

    - HIE expressed their continued concerns regarding land identified for an in vessel compositing facility adjacent to the Fort William Business park.

    - Concerns were also raised regarding grid capacity for the expanding renewables sector in Lochaber. It was further noted that grid connections could form part of the discussion on on-shore wind farm development.  A document will be out for commenting on next year.

    It was agreed that The Lochaber Community planning partnership will consider a response to the HwLDP deposit draft.

  7. AOCB – None

  8. Public Question and Answer session

    Ward Forums - Concern was raised at the lack of public/community engagement in Ward Forums.  It is recognised that more and more people are interested in singular issues which hold significance for them and when these issues appear on the agenda there is a good turn out.  Members are keen to know what communities want to discuss at Ward Forums and subsequently the Ward Manager has recently sent out a survey to collect feedback on how well Ward forums are doing and what topics / issues people would like to see covered at future meetings.  People are encouraged to respond to the survey.

    Mallaig bus service - Cllr Murphy confirmed that there were no proposed cuts to subsidised bus services in Lochaber.