Nairn Ward Forum
Agenda
Held in the Chamber, The Court House, Nairn
Wednesday 28 April 2010 at 7.00 pm
Attendees
Provost Liz MacDonald, Nairn Ward, Highland Council (Chair) (LM)
Councillor Laurie Fraser, Nairn Ward, Highland Council (LF)
Councillor Graham Marsden, Nairn Ward, Highland Council (GM)
Councillor A S Park, Nairn Ward, Convener of Highland Council (SP)
Sheena Baker, Association of Nairn Businesses (SB)
Acting Sgt Graham Brown, Northern Constabulary (GB) – representing Inspector MacLennan
Ed Chambers, Council for Voluntary Service, Nairn (EC)
Louise Clark, Ward Manager, Highland Council (LC)
Iain Fairweather, Tourism Sector (IF)
William Gilfillan, Corporate Manager, INBS (WG)
Debbie MacBean, Chairperson, East Nairnshire Community Council (DM)
John Mackie, Chairman, Nairn Suburban Community Council (JM)
Campbell Mair, Manager, Lodgehill Practice (CM)
Margaret Robertson, Chairperson, Cawdor & West Nairnshire Community Council (MR)
Rosemary Young, Chairperson, Nairn West Community Council
John Dolan, Reporter, Nairnshire Telegraph
Maureen MacKenzie, Administrative Assistant, Highland Council – Minute
David Brownless, Association of Nairn Businesses
Carol Clark, Nairn River Community Council
Brian Stewart, Nairn West Community Council
Graham Vine, Treasurer, Nairn West Community Council
Dick Youngson, Treasurer, Nairn Suburban Community Council
In Attendance:-
Ian Thomson, Project Manager (Service Planning & Modernisation), Social Work Service
John Richards, Acting Assistant Area Social Work Manager – Community Care and 47 members of the public
Apologies:
Apologies for absence were received from Liz Bow, Nairn Access Panel, Jeanne Tolmie, Nairn River CC, and Inspector Willie MacLennan.
Provost Liz MacDonald was in the Chair and advised that this meeting was open to members of the public where everyone was entitled to speak.
1. Minute of the Previous Meeting
The Minute of the Previous Meeting held on 24 February 2010 was approved as a true record with the following amendment (requested by Graham Vine):- Item 7.4, line 4 – “and Nairn Sailing Club are considering putting a gate up” - to be deleted.
2. Matters Arising
2.1 Safety at the Harbour – update by Councillor Park
SP reported that no further action was to be taken regarding safety at the Harbour, other than a commonsense approach to any dangers.
Graham Vine suggested that signs notifying the public that “access is for boat owners only”, “pontoons are dangerous” and “unsuitable for children” may be useful. DB commented that signs were already in place but as they were very old perhaps these could be replaced. GM agreed with this and thought it a good solution.
ACTION: LC to check position with TECS.
2.2 Old Rosebank Church building – update by Louise Clark
Louise reported that work had been postponed due to some asbestos being found, but this was being remedied and work would recommence soon.
2.3 High Street Brae: Pedestrian Safety – update by Provost
MacDonald
LM reported that HC’s Safety Officer had investigated issues concerning pedestrian safety at the bottom of the High Street Brae and if any work is required this will be undertaken during Stage 2 of the Streetscape Project. The Safety Officer is currently monitoring the situation.
GV commented that the rumble strip had been badly designed and felt someone should answer for this. On the question being put by SP, Sgt Brown reported that no complaints had been received by the Police, but did comment that the dropped kerb did appear to be too close to the junction.
LM reported that this issue was in hand and the Safety Officer would be reporting back on it.
3. Changing Community Care – Presentation by Ian Thomson, Project Manager (Service Planning & Modernisation)
Ian Thomson introduced himself and explained that his attendance at this meeting was part of a consultation exercise being carried out by Highland Council on Community Care.
LM commented that if this presentation was part of the formal consultation exercise, it should have been advertised properly.
Ian suggested that he introduce the consultation, talk through the issues and, rather than ask for feedback at this time, distribute the literature and ask people to come back with feedback later.
Ian then gave an informative presentation on Changing Community Care, which LM thanked him for.
A number of questions/issues were then raised, including:-
• Reference was made that more would have to be spent on homecare to try and get people to stay in their own home. How did that fit in with the HC Administration Budget with talk about cutbacks and putting services out to the private sector?
• Worries regarding homecare being put into the private sector;
• More consultation required.
Ian replied that these points were valid. Social Work were going out to consultation to give everyone the chance to respond. He was keen to hear about people’s concerns and about any improvements that they thought the Council could make.
• Ann Howe of Nairn Community Care Forum reported that the Forum had been asked by the NHS and Highland Council to take part in the consultation. Ann added that over the next few weeks the Forum would be holding Focus Groups and meetings and would be happy to go through the literature with anyone on a one to one basis. Ian thanked Ann and said this was very helpful.
• a lack of respite beds – a comment that there were none in Nairn and people were being sent to Grantown, Invergordon, etc.
• The possible closure of Maclean Court and the lack of facilities on offer for older people.
• The large numbers of people who required to remain in hospital due to a lack of Nursing Home beds.
Ian commented that these issues were of importance and HC needed to hear the views of its staff, the general public and carers; which was what this consultation was all about.
• Campbell Mair commented that although we were here to look at “what” we can do, the challenge was actually “how” we can do it. He added that we needed to see what we were changing from and to, but we cannot change things unless we move the resources and we needed to work out how to do this.
• Carol Clark stated that from her understanding of the presentation, it appeared that HC were proposing to transfer work over to the voluntary sector rather than putting resources to the correct areas to ensure good care was provided for our elderly people. She added that elderly people require continuity and do not react well to change.
Ian thanked everyone for their comments and circulated leaflets on the consultation. SP encouraged everyone to take away the consultation papers and make their views known by returning them, with their comments, to The Highland Council.
4. Community Council Consultation (Louise Clark)
Brian Stewart enquired if this was the only consultation to be held locally on the Community Council Review, adding that he was concerned that an appropriate amount of time had not been allowed for this at tonight’s meeting. LM commented that she was aware of the rather packed Agenda for tonight’s meeting but felt we should go ahead with this item.
BS reiterated he did not think an appropriate amount of time had been allocated for this Consultation.
WG commented that the Community Council Consultation was being carried out in three phases, with the second phase being carried out between April and June this year. WG added that in some areas of the Highlands, Community Councils had organised their own meetings to take this forward. He suggested that this meeting be used as a starter for Community Councils to consider the proposals and then for a separate meeting to be held for fuller discussion which he was happy to attend.
Louise then gave a short presentation outlining the main points of the Community Council Review, adding that the closing date for comments was 30 June 2010.
Various questions/concerns arose, including:-
- Graham Vine commented that the Scottish Government are actively encouraging contested elections and if the 3 Town Community Councils amalgamated into one Council of 13 Councillors then there would be a very good chance of having a contested election. GV further commented that there were no restrictions on the number of Associates – which was more or less the same as the current non-voting Community Councillors.
- LC mentioned that HC had received comments from the Nairnshire Community Councils and there was still the opportunity to put forward more.
- LM stated that she was happy to go with either 1 or 3 Community Councils for the town but had not received many comments from the public on this so would require some evidence on what the public would like.
- Des Scholes commented that an alternative voice for Nairn is required other than that of The Highland Council and believes that one Community Council for the town would be a good alternative. He encouraged people to go away and think about this.
- Brian Stewart stated that it was not possible to comment on boundaries/composition/membership etc until a decision had been made on whether one or three Community Councils would represent the town. He added that at the present time, there was support from two Community Councils for a single Community Council, with the third Community Council preferring the status quo. He further commented that a clear framework was required on this to allow Community Councils to go forward and suggested that this go to either a Referendum or a Public Meeting.
- William Gilfillan suggested that as the three Community Councils were not in agreement then perhaps he could chair a meeting of all three Community Councils to discuss this.
LM proposed that a Community Council Meeting be held with William and Ward Members in attendance to discuss this further. WG commented that a meeting of the Nairnshire Community Councils was taking place the following week and perhaps he could be invited to attend. John Mackie, however, advised that this meeting was being held solely for the Community Councils to discuss the budget consultation but they would come back to William thereafter.
This was AGREED.
5. Nairn Ward Discretionary Budget
LC reported that the Ward Discretionary Budget for 2010-2011 remains at £59,659 and Louise would be reporting to each Ward Forum on how this budget is being allocated. To date, projects amounting to £10,590 had been agreed.
Louise added that she would be happy to discuss any potential applications with organisations.
6. Community Safety
Acting Sgt Graham Brown gave the following update:-
6.1 Current Trends:-
• Detection rates remain good at 68%
• 65% reported crimes - which is down on last year
• Vandalism is a problem although reported incidents are down slightly on last year; a local team of officers has been set up to detect and control vandalism; foot patrols have been extended
• There have been 8 domestic abuse cases reported since the last Ward Forum; there are now 2 extra PCs trained in domestic abuse
• Child Protection Incidents – 5 in last period, 9 this period. Public Protection Unit deals with these cases and can assist both children and parents.
6.2 Noteworthy Incidents:-
• heroin and money found thanks to information received from the public;
• an assault on 2 Police Officers
• a glass thrown in a licensed premises in the town which caused injury to a member of the public
• a number of complaints about “boy racers” in the town; the Police are encouraging members of the public to report any incidents as they happen so they can deal with the problem
• Driving incidents – 43 fixed penalties issued since last meeting in relation to speed; and 18 in relation to improper use of mobile phones
• Alcohol has been seized from a number of youngsters in relation to Anti Social Behaviour
In addition, Sgt Brown commented that their new Cadet has been trained in security marking and would encourage members of the public to take their bikes etc into the Police Station to be marked.
The Provost thanked Sgt Brown for his informative update.
7. Open Question and Answer Session
7.1 Nairn Synchronised Swimming Club re Nairn Swimming Pool
Wyn McFadyen read out her question (attached) regarding the use of the pool by two thriving, nationally competitive clubs, whose existence would be threatened if the pool closed.
SP commented that he, and Councillor Laurie Fraser, had been very impressed with the youngsters when, at Wyn’s invitation, they had visited Nairn Swimming Pool; and also at the amount of youngsters who had attended the meeting that evening. SP was aware of people’s concern and encouraged them to come along to the next Ward Forum which would be entirely dedicated to the budget consultation and let their views be known.
Other comments included:-
• Vicky Purdie commented that people came from other areas to use Nairn Swimming Pool; and local children should also be able to learn to swim.
• Louise Harrison, Nairn District Swimming Club, suggested the Swimming Pool was losing money and a letter has been sent to the Chief Executive in this respect.
• Graham Vine commented the public had been asked to be involved in the consultation but how could they be expected to understand all the big budget projects? He thought our Local Councillors should do this.
• SP commented that these were exactly the type of questions to put forward at the next Ward Forum on the Budget Consultation
• In response to a question on whether there would be a definite process for the Budget Consultation Meeting, SP replied there would be, adding that the Budget Consultation Meeting would be held in a café style with people grouped together and given forms to complete
• Louise Harrison asked if there would be an opportunity for groups to put their views forward and ask questions? SP replied there would be and it was a structured consultation
• GM – information required to be gathered on usage of the Pool etc so Local Members had all the information to hand
• CM added it was a consultation on the financial problems being faced by HC so it was likely that if we wished to save one aspect eg the Swimming Pool, then we would have to offer something else up as a saving. This was the difficulty facing everyone. CM added that the public required to know how much of a saving Nairn was having to provide so we could consult on that.
• If the Nairn Swimming Pool closed, Highland Council would lose income from the High Life Scheme
• RY – the Links, Paddling Pool and Swimming Pool area was the heart of the town and it was important that this was kept. This comment was echoed by Graham Vine.
LM thanked everyone for attending and putting their views across especially as the agenda was particularly large that evening.
8. AOCB
8.1 Trees at Riverside
Murd Dunbar reported some trees at the riverside, within the vicinity of Whinnieknowe, which appeared to be suffering from Dutch Elm Disease and required urgent attention.
ACTION: Louise Clark to follow up.
8.2 Fishertown Bus Service
Margaret Mackintosh enquired whether there was any progress with a bus service for Fishertown as this was urgently required. LM replied that there was nothing else to report. MM added that it was very important for elderly people in the Fishertown area and hoped that Highland Council would be encouraging Sainsbury’s to put funding into this. LM replied that a Green Travel Service will be looked at through the Planning & Development Service. MM expressed the opinion that Highland Council should co-ordinate this along with the NHS, Sainsbury’s and Stagecoach.
9. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 30 June 2010 at 7.00 pm in Rosebank Primary School Hall, Academy Street, Nairn and will be dedicated entirely to Highland Council’s Budget Consultation.
The meeting closed at 9.10 pm.