Badenoch & Strathspey WARD FORUM
Agenda
Wednesday 20 August, Dalwhinnie Village Hall, The Main Road, Dalwhinnie
ACTION NOTE
1. Welcome and Apologies
Attendees: Cllr Rimell (Chair), Cllr Black, Cllr Douglas, Cllr Fallows, Sue Palmer (Ward Manager) William Gilfillan (Corporate Manager, Inverness, Nairn, B&S), Iain Wallace, (Area Roads and Community Works Manager), members of Community Councils, Chief Inspector Donald Henderson (Northern Constabulary), David Green (Cairngorm National Park Authority), Gavin Musgrove (Strathspey & Badenoch Herald), Una Lee (Scottish National Heritage). and members of the public. Guests (Roads Authorities); Gordon Sinclair, Keith Murray, David Stafford (Transport Scotland), John McFadzean, Edwin Stewart, (Transerv), Ralph Newlands, and Dave Stewart (BEAR Scotland),
Apologies: Richard Eccles, Margaret Walker (Community Health Partnership), Sally Dowden (Speyside Trust), Ron Mercer, John Rainy Brown (Voluntary Action Badenoch & Strathspey), Alan Rankin (Destination Management Organisation), James Gibbs (Highlands & Island Enterprise), Shona Laidlaw (Careers Scotland), Margaret Kinsella, John Robertson, Sandy Bennett (Kingussie & Vicinity Community Council), George Alder, Kate Adamson and Basil Dunlop.
2. Matters arising from previous forum 18.06.08 (Sue Palmer, unless otherwise stated)
2.1 TECS Officer Posts Update
The Education and Enforcement Officer is based in Inverness (spend quarter of time in B&S). The extra post of Street Cleaner is based at TECS Depot, Market Street, Kingussie.
2.2. Ward Forum Review/Evaluation
A paper “Ward Forum Review Highlights” was included in handouts. William said a detailed report would be submitted to Council next month. Ward Forums needed to be more representative, make agenda more relevant to all, possible “Youth Slot” and working groups to follow up actions.
2.3 Physical Activity Strategy/Consultation
A summary of pubic consultation was available at the meeting. Comments will be incorporated into the final draft strategy and presented to members at the Education Culture and Sport Committee on 18 November.
2.4 Community Councils, Litter Picking & Insurance
All community councils have insurance cover for litter picking (as long as they have the appropriate footwear and gloves). Colin Mackenzie (insurance) will circulate information to community councils in B&S. TECS can provide litter pickers, black bags, high-vis vests and gloves, and uplift collected waste from a suitable location, with vehicular access, after the event - contact Richard Porteous on 01540 664925.
2.5 Bylaw to Prohibit Drinking of Alcohol in Public
Anywhere that has public access can be covered by a bylaw, no restriction within grounds of licensed premises or licensed events (during period of the event and within designated area). A letter, questions slip and maps have been distributed to community councils, to find out if they agree to a bylaw, and to mark the area of maps. Grantown VCC has been asked about the effectiveness of their bylaw and any refinements. Deadline for responses back is 24 September. Contact Sue or CI Henderson if community councils require further information to make a decision. ACTION: Sue will send out reminder shortly and collated information will be presented at the next forum.
2.6 Strathspey Steam Railway Extension to Grantown (Cllr Douglas)
The conveyance of the land is about to be signed, then the project launched with publicity. The group will look at becoming a charitable trust. There will be a public meeting to get the public behind the project.
2.7 Community Transport: Impact of Fuel costs on Volunteers (Cllr Fallows)
This matter has been taken up by Cosla (comprises all LAs in Scotland) and awaiting a reply.
2.8 Sale of Land at Dalfaber Estate (Cllr Fallows)
The question is about whether the time is right for the Council to take on the role of industrial estates as before. This will be more of a long term matter that will need to be taken up throughout the Council.
2.9 Lack of Parking at Clune Terrace (Cllr Rimell)
Cllr Rimell and CI Henderson have met with residents, who have received a copy of information collated.
3. Ward Discretionary Budget/Ward Profile (Sue Palmer) Amount 2008/09 is £59,659 allocated to B&S Ward 2008/09. Approvals since the last meeting are as follows:
• Grantown Try Tri (Triathlon event first weekend Sept) £500
• Grantown Youth Drop-in (Summer Programme) £1,237
• Dulnain Bridge Rifle Club (Clothing, equipment) £1,500
• Kincraig VCC: Winter Lights £2,000
• Our Community…A Way Forward (Fencing, Dulaig Park) £1,250
• Youth Forum Projects (Cultural Festival, training) £2,500
• Aviemore Business Association: Interpretation Boards £415.72
SPENT £30,802.72
BALANCE (to date) £28,856.28
4. Cairngorms National Park Authority (David Green, CNPA Convenor)
4.1 Modifications to the Local Plan are being analysed and will come back into the public domain. Planning application regarding 81 houses in Newtonmore being looked at on Friday, meetings are open to the public. CNPA are holding a conference on 22 September with Cameron McNeish as speaker. SNH are leading on boundary review consultation in terms of extension to national park. This will cover where the boundaries will be as well as number of reps that sit on revised CNPA Board. Also government CNPA review with findings out in October.
4.2 SNH Consultation: Dell Woods National Nature Reserve, by Nethybridge (Una Lee, SNH Local Adviser, East Highlands)
There will be a 12 week period of consultation from September - how the reserve will be managed over next 5 years. Drop-in session is also planned at Nethybridge on 17 September. For further details please contact Peter Duncan, SNH Area Office, Aviemore on 01479 810477 or peter.duncan@snh.gov.uk.
5. Community Safety (Chief Inspector Donald Henderson, Northern Constabulary)
Crime detection rate for Nairn and B&S is 65%, which has increased 5% from last year, with crime down 6.8%. Also reduction in serious and indecency crimes but increase in dishonesty related crime, although detection rate has also increased. Increase in road traffic offences, with 9 road traffic collisions. In July alone there were 3 serious, fatal accidents which lead to 7 fatalities.
There has been mobile CCTV, CCTV vans and foot patrol officers to tackle issues relating to alcohol related disorders. The police are currently able to confiscate alcohol but a bylaw would enable officers to issue a fixed £40 ticket. There would only be restrictions on individuals where there were problems. The police have been involved in diversionary work with young people including the Blue Light Discos, local radio and Street Football. There needs to be input from the community and parents to reduce alcohol disorder.
Sergeant Crawford is the new officer in Kingussie. There will be 3 new staff by end of month.
6. Roads/Road Maintenance (Gordon Sinclair, Transport Scotland)
Transport Scotland launched 2006, accountable to Parliament through Scottish ministers with responsibilities for roads and rail. Transerv have responsibilities for the North West Unit and Bear Scotland North East, including managing and maintaining the network (grass cutting, replacing signs, patching, winter services).
There is 24/7 winter service available October to May with forecasts to determine input. Roads are treated prior with brine and vehicles brought in when necessary. A survey is completed by Transport Scotland that picks up on defects on the roads with a raft of information collated leading to programmes for the next year.
The A9 Crubenmore dual carriageway will take 12-15 months, if outstanding objections are resolved due to start on site summer 2009 or if unresolved spring 2010. The A9 Kincraig to Dalraddy carriageway widening will take 12-15 months, if objections resolved due to start late 2009 and if unresolved summer 2010.
The Scottish Government are committed to plan improvements and dualling Perth to Inverness and will consider future investment needs through a Strategic Transport Projects Review which will be reported to Parliament in autumn.
Further information on trunks road network and projects can be found on www.transportscotland.gov.uk or for traffic situations www.trafficscotland.org (Contact Sue Palmer if you would like a copy of the presentation slides).
Questions:
Jamie Williamson (Alvie & Dalraddy Estates) has not received anything in writing re proposed upgrades that will affect his land, so he has objected. He was told upgrades would be in March 2009, so what is the hold up and why hasn’t anything been agreed in writing? ACTION: Gordon agreed to take back to Hilary Harrison, Transport Scotland.
Jamie asked why the road had been resurfaced in March 2007 and again March 2008 when upgrades were planned in 2009. Gordon said that the work was required and that the rebuilt section would be used in the future as much as possible.
Richard Galpin (Monadhliath Hotel, Laggan Bridge, Qus 7) and Campbell Slimon (Laggan Community Association, Qus 4) why there were road closures each year for past 8 years in the tourist season to do patching work, which had a detrimental affect on businesses. Gordon said because it was warm and dry, but overnight to minimise the impact. The A86 needed to be maintained and the budget dictated what they can do. Cllr Fallows said the signs didn’t mention times. ACTION: Gordon will ask traffic control to include the times and asked that peoples report misinformation. Richard asked if closures could be at end of March/April or October. ACTION: Edwin (Transerv) agreed to look into this.
John Anderson (Kincraig & Vicinity Community Council, Qus 1) ACTION: Sue to email the HIE Study to Gordon to ensure it is taken into account when undertaking the transport review (Gordon to relay to Jim Barton or Ainsley McLaughlin). (Observation 1) why does it take 2 months to replace a traffic light bulb? Edwin said they were meeting the contract and asked that people phone in defects. John suggested they change them while doing other jobs in the area. (Observation 2) CI Henderson thanked the community council for notifying them of issues re people executing hand brake turns on the A9, and if anyone has further information to let them know and the matter will be progressed accordingly.
Jim Langley (Laggan Forest Trust, Qus 2) Dave said that all speed limits and accidents were being looked at in the area. Jim asked if the public would be involved in the review. ACTION: Dave Stewart (BEAR Scotland) agreed to find out.
Jim Beveridge (Grantown-on-Spey & Vicinity Community Council, Qus 3) Ralph Newlands (Bear Scotland) said he didn’t have too much concern but would need to look at the location and what they were proposing. Dave (Bear Scotland) said it was fine ‘in principle’. ACTION: Ralph (BEAR Scotland) agreed to follow this up with the community council. ACTION: Jim to email brief outline proposal to Sue Palmer for her to discuss with the Planning Service.
Bill Carr (Dalwhinnie Community Council, Qus 8) how do we engage with the road authority on local issues affecting the community? For example, its priorities so community councils can explain to the public before decisions are made, a disabled woman requiring wheelchair access, speeding in the village, serious near misses, A9 closures, pot holes, speed signs, pavements. Gordon said in Dalwhinnie it would be Bob Mitchell and if they contact Gordon he will transfer the call through to him. Gordon said ‘Roads for All’ was a report looking at disabled peoples needs. ACTION: Iain Wallace (Council) agreed to produce an information sheet in response to the list of questions with contact details about who to talk to and what about.
ACTION: David will provide contact details re BEAR Scotland but said people can contact him if in doubt.
Campbell Slimon (Laggan Community Association, Qus 5) Iain Wallace (Area Roads & Community Works Manager) said the Council was responsible for litter on the trunk roads. He said he was aware of problems with the A86 but to let him know if litter s not getting picked up. (Qus 6) ACTION: Iain (Council) agreed to investigate the incident and notify Campbell Slimon of outcome and copy elected members in.
7. Question & Answer Session (Please refer to tabled Q&A Sheet)
Anne Howe (Qus 1) ACTION: Iain Wallace agreed to follow up the issue regarding the dog bin.
Campbell Slimon (Laggan Community Association, Qus 2) ACTION: Elected members agreed to take this issue up (Iain Wallace is aware)
ACTION: Sue will ensure further questions not lodged will be followed up with appropriate official.
8. Future Meetings: The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 8th October, 7-9pm (refreshments from 6.30) at Grantown Grammar School. The theme is ‘EDUCATION’.