Minutes October 2016
Minutes of Meeting of the Dunnet & Canisbay Community Council
Held in Canisbay Village Hall
on Monday 31st October 2016 at 7.30 p.m.
Those Present: Eric Green, Chairman
Bill Mowat, Vice Chairman
Chris Hobson, Treasurer
Barbara Hiddleston, Secretary
Tom Meikle
Ann Shearer
Cllr. Matthew Reiss
11 Members of the public were in attendance
1. Community Broadband Scotland. Eric Green welcomed Sarah Marshall, Adviser of Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) for this area, working in partnership with Highland & Islands Enterprise, who had been invited to discuss the possibility of a Community Broadband Scheme for parts of the community who do not benefit from BT’s fibre rollout currently being installed in the Parish (but as yet not connected.)
1.1 Not an easy subject to understand, but Sarah Marshall explained well what was on offer, and gave three models to what may be available from them considering the remoteness of this area, and its scattered community, which by all accounts would provide better service, with each one giving varying degrees of volunteer effort and responsibility.
1.2. The first step is to hold a survey to find out how many households would be interested which would also indicate the areas requiring this service, all with the assistance, advice and support of CBS. They would providing funding for this initial feasibility and scoping work.
1.3 Questions were answered as they arose during and after the talk which lead to much discussion.
1.4. As a result, it was agreed that Sarah Marshall & Eric Green would liaise to set the survey in motion, and he pointed out that public support and interest was necessary, as the success of the project is number dependant - if we do not get a good survey response, then there is no point in doing it. Action Eric
1.5 The Chairman thanked Sarah Marshall for her useful and interesting talk, and she then left the meeting.
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting
2.1 As there were no corrections, Bill Mowat proposed the Minutes of the previous Meeting held on 19th September 2016 be accepted, which was seconded by Tom Meikle
3. Matters Arising.
3.1 Item 1.1 Flooding at Mey and Scarsferry. This was still in hand. But it was pointed out that the flooding had happened a year ago whilst the matter had been brought to the notice of Highland Council, no preventative action had as yet been taken.
3.2. Item 3.5 Lochend Windfarm query re Community Fund. Eric Green agreed to write to the Windfarm owner, Alex Dalton, Wind Harvest Ltd., Corrary, Glenelg, Kyle. IV40 8JX Action Eric
3.3 Item 6.4 Grass Cuttings. Cllr. Reiss had taken up this query, and reported the response he had received indicated there was little could be done to stop this practice.
3.4 Item 8.1 Repositioning of Aukengill Post Box. As earlier researched on this issue, the Post Office will only move the post box when the land on which it stands is sold.
3.5 Item 8.4 Use of Energy from MeyGen turbines. Bill Mowat had circulated a paper on projected uses of this source of energy, and it was agreed to put it on the next Agenda. Action Barbara
3.6. Item 8.6 Removal of Dunnet Telephone Kiosk. Barbara Hiddleston reported she had put in an official plea for this kiosk to remain, to which Cllr. Reiss reported he had supported this when it was discussed at Highland Council level.
3.7 Item 1.9.2 Janetstown Recyling (Thurso) Centre & Forms to dump rubbish from private trucks. Barbara Hiddleston reported that Forms declaring that no commercial waste being dumped from private trucks were as yet not required at the Janetstown Recycling Centre but will be as from February of next year. She pointed out that the Thurso Recyling Centre will be opened from 9 – 4 p.m. each day including Sunday- the Winter hours - but to note well that it closes every day between 2 – 2.30 p.m. for lunch.
4. Chairman’s Report. There was nothing to report.
5. Treasurer’s Report. The Treasurer reported that the current balance stood at £1,306.28.
6. Secretary’s Report.
6.1 Freswick Hall Committee had requested funding for clearing and improving access to Freswick Bay at the cost £260, which the Secretary proposed to be paid, and was seconded by Eric Green. Action Chris
6.2 A meeting on ‘Redesigning the Community’- a Government proposal to give more decision making powers at Community Council level - was being held on 11th Nov. 2016 in Smithton Church, Culloden 10.30 to 3 p.m. to which Eric Green agreed to attend and as required would book a place.
Action Eric
7. Planning – Weekly Report. This was noted.
8. Highland Council Report.
8.1 Clllr. Reiss reported that the Highland Council were having to make further 25% cuts over the next three years which would have a further drastic knock on effect on all services and the Council was being redesigned for even more efficiency.
8.2 The change in local ward boundaries had been approved by the Scottish Government. It would appear that the dividing line between the two new Wards starts at Ratter.
8.3 Cllr. Reiss wished to emphasise the fact that Air Rifles need to be licensed by the end of 2016.
9. AOB
9.1 Proposed New Special Protected Area ( Seabirds) Project covering around 90% of Pentland Firth & a large sea area to East of Duncansby Cliffs and Freswick Bay.
9.1.1 Bill Mowat brought up this proposed Special Protected Area (SPA) 'Pentland Firth pSPA' project being launched by SNH and Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). A very similar proposal had been rejected some 5 years ago as it was far too restricting. It is open for public consultation until early January 2017.
9.1.2 As it would affect much of the coast along the Dunnet & Canisbay Community Council Parish, it was agreed to invite the proposers to our next meeting, which Bill Mowat agreed to write an invitation.
Action Bill
9.2 George Douglas, Dunnet, wished to have his appreciation noted regarding the excellent service provided by the Ambulance Men given to a sick patient this week.
10. Date of Next Meeting. Date will be decided depending on the response from SNH.