Community Council
Members of the Community Council
Charman: Tina Smith
Vice Chairman: Graeme Steel
Secretary: Sally Amor
Treasurer: Sandy Webster
Sally Moore
Robert Arthur
Wiliam MacQueen
Fiona Proctor
Ian MacQueen
James MacPherson
STRATHNAIRN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
DRAFT
Strathnairn Community Council Note of Meeting General Meeting No. 180
Monday 25 January 2010
Present:
Sally Amor, Tina Smith, Fiona Proctor, Sally Moore, Iain MacQueen, Willie MacQueen, Robert Arthur
Apologies
Sandy Webster, Graeme Steel, Jimmy MacPherson, Margaret Davidson (Highland Council Member), Drew Hendry (Highland Council Member)
1.Welcome
The Chair welcomed Community Councillors, Jim Crawford, Highland Council Member Richard Hartland, Highland Council Planning Service and Helen Barton and Natasha Shearer of Albyn Housing Association
2.Note of last meeting 23 November 2009
One revision was requested, that during the planning discussion at the Nov 2009 meeting, two members of the public left the discussion in protest’
The meeting note was proposed by Robert Arthur and seconded by Tina Smith
3.Matters arising
a.Newsletter
Thanks again to Kath for another excellent newsletter, produced against the odds due to the weather disrupting completion. There have been some upgrades (installing Adobe Acrobat) to Kath’s computer that will assist the production of the computer. Further upgrades have also been identified that will assist with the editing. There is a cost for these. Given the amount of time and commitment to the Newsletter, the Community Council were supportive of the proposal. TS to discuss with Paul Davies.
A request was made to purchase a years supply of stamps in advance. This allow a saving of £32.00. This was agreed.
Action: TS to discuss computer upgrades with Paul Davies.
b.Parking at Farr School
This work is due to be undertaken between 12-17 February, weather depending. Strathnairn Community Woodlands and the school are in ongoing discussions on this matter. All parents will now be asked to use the new facility and not to park on the road as this leaves all children vulnerable from traffic on the road. There will be a meeting at the school with Mr Drew Hendry on 3 February to discuss this further.
c.Neighbourhood Watch
This will be an agenda item for the March meeting
d.Vacant council house
The Community Council were advised that the house is not vacant.
e.Boleskine Sheds
There are plans to move the sheds subject to lifting equipment being available.
Action: SA to follow up
f.Notice Board Inverarnie and Croachy
Quotes are awaited
Action: SW to follow up
g.Croachy signage
This proposal for slow children signs remains under discussion
h.Petrol Pump Reinstatement
There was an outstanding action to put a request in the Newsletter for those who may have an interest in developing this issue further
Action: TS to ensure in News letter
In addition, updates on previous matters arising were given as follows :
Joan Byers memorial
Strathnairn Community Woodlands are in discussion with the school over how there may be interpretation boards. Further ideas for the memorial have also come from members of the public. These have expressed a preference for benches and or picnic tables. A range of options will be developed for discussion.
Photocopier:
Agreement has been reached that paper as required can be picked up from Speedprint who will invoice the Treasurer. Paper to be noted at Community Council meetings
Daviot Footpath
Discussions are on going with SM and Highland Council Member Thomas Prag
4.Inverarnie Housing development allocation
Helen Barton and Natasha Shearer were welcomed to the meeting to inform the Community Council on the process for allocating housing. A copy of the presentation can be seen in the folder in the shop. It was made clear that there could be no discussion of individual decisions or circumstances. It was also noted that the process for allocating houses has changed since the earlier development in the Strath. This was due to policy change from Highland Council and Scottish Government. This may have led to some confusion for the allocation of housing in the Inverarnie development.
A summary of the key points is detailed below:
Legislation underpins policy and related decisions.
The Scottish Housing Regulator also informs the process
There is a shared policy between Highland Council and housing associations in Highland so that they all use the same process for allocating
Houses are allocated using an administrative process that details how an application will be dealt with; holding information, matching need to houses as they become available etc.
In recent months the allocation process has been reviewed in recognition that there could be misunderstandings over the process by those involved.
Housing is allocated on the basis of housing need, (not income, property ownership/income) and a balanced decision against competing issues and needs.
Local connection points recognise the connections that an applicant has with the community they are seeking housing in a particular community. Connection points are given, for example, for the need the need to live in an area, whether already resident, employment, the need to give or receive care to another
90% of all allocations are made with demonstrated local connection points as with the recent allocation at Inverarnie
There is an acknowledged need to balance community need with legislation and the housing regulator
Proposals for the development of Community Letting Plans are currently out for consultation. These will recognise the specific housing needs of communities such as the need to secure key workers (health, education, police, and local businesses) or families with primary aged children.
5.Community Snow Plough
A view has been sought from the Community Council regarding the purchase of a community snow plough, prompted by the challenging weather over the previous weeks. It was proposed that a snow plough would enable drives to be cleared and access assured for more vulnerable members of the community. A summary of the wide raising discussion is detailed below:
Whilst the weather had presented challenges Care in Strath Nairn had done a great job in ensuring that all residents known to them were not at risk from the cold or access to essential supplies (food, fuel prescriptions)
Requests for snow clearance from residents known to Care in Strathnairn had been limited
There were limitations on what the Benefit Fund can allocate funding for
There were local contractors who were available to clear drives for residents
There would be considerable logistical difficulties in purchasing and maintaining the equipment and ensuring equitable access across the extensive geography of the Strath
It was noted that even using local contractors would be challenging if road had not been ploughed and at times coordination would be required with TEC services
The discussion highlighted the difficulties for more vulnerable members of the community in adverse weather. Whilst a community snow plough may not be the solution there could be merit in Care in Strathnairn developing contingency plans for adverse weather. This might involve seeking a commitment from the Community Benefit Fund for emergency funding to allow funding for contractors time to clear drives if this were necessary. This approach would merit further consideration from the Care in Strathnairn Committee
Action: SA to forward the outcome of the discussion to the Care in Strathnairn Committee for further discussion
In addition, a note of appreciation was made to the Care in Strathnairn Coordinator and the Committee who had done a great job in ensuring the well being of residents in the Strath during the difficult weather.
6.Update on roads
The Community Council has been advised that there are to be road closures with the replacement of the Craggie bridge with extensive diversions. The work is due to start in April, date to be advised, and will last for 12 weeks…There will be a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists. School buses will be diverted. There would be implications for those resident on the west of the A9 with land/stock/work on the East side.
Action: TS to advise those affected with land and stock
Concerns were again reiterated over the lack of signage at the Daviot junction heading south
Action: SA to raise with Transerve.
There are ongoing concerns over addressing the Leys road as previously raised and discussed with TEC services. A representative of TEC services would be invited to discuses a series of concerns over the road network in the Strath.
Action: SA to invite representative of TEC services to the next meeting
There was a related discussion and concerns expressed from members of the public over the poor visibility of cyclists and horse riders on the road at night and when there is adverse weather.
Action: TS to use the word from the Chair in the Newsletter to encourage cyclists and horse riders to wear fluorescent clothing when on the road to avoid a tragic accident that could be avoided if they were more visible
7.Strathnairn Community Benefit Fund
There was a recognised need to develop the proposal for an event to celebrate the Benefit Fund and what had been achieved across the Strath.
8.Planning
Various planning applications from 20 November 2009 to 18 January 2010 were noted.
Richard Hartland, Head of Planning and Building Standards led a discussion on the role of the Community Council in planning decisions. It was made clear that this would not involve any discussion over the merits or not of individual applications. A summary of the discussion is detailed below:
Planning is a contentious topic in communities and for Councils who now have difficulties in recruiting staff to work in planning.
Planning decisions are to be informed by the Highland Wide Local Development Plan and the subsequent development of area plans as detailed in recent planning legislation
In Highland, Council members influenced the development if a policy on housing in the country side which details a more liberal approach to housing developments
Where there are community concerns planning developments can go to committee
The Community Council has a statutory role in the planning process This requires a balanced and proportionate approach that is more to with an over view of planning rather than commenting on individual developments although concerns over incremental developments would be recognised
The proposed Code of Conduct for Community Councillors will require councillors to act with probity, honesty and respect in there role as community councillors, this will have implications for their role in planning discussions.
The move to e planning in Highland Council will have implications for the way Strathnairn Community Council consider planning. It will require scrutiny of on line planning submissions
The advantages of e planning are seen to be that that there will be more transparency and there will be more detail available
Of note, it is not the role of Community Councils to express support for housing applications unless there is a proportionate need to respond for which advise can be given by the Highland Council Planning Service
In summary, changes to planning means:
A move from an individual to a community approach to planning
A longer term view across all of a community
A different type of engagement with Community Councils
9.Communication
Communication has been received as follows:
Highlands and Islands Green Party consultation response to the Highland Plan
10.Treasurers Report
Budget stands at £3,502.53. Funds from the Community Energy Group remain with the Community Council. The accounts are with the Auditor.
11.AOCB
Support has been sought from Highland Council for the Community Council to part fund traffic calming in Daviot. It was noted that the Community Council does not have funds for this and that the Benefit Fund will have limitations on what it can fund. This to be fed back to Highland Council
Action: SA to response to Highland Council
RES Wind Farm have been in touch re the wind farm proposal for Dumnaglass which is due to go to the Planning Committee in February.
Action: SA to liaise with RES and to pick up discussions with Kathleen Matheson and John Macleod as previously discussed
12.Date of next meeting:
Monday 22 March 2010
7.30 pm Farr Hall Inverarnie
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