Minutes Oct2021
Dunnet and Canisbay Community Council
25 October 2021
by Zoom
In Attendance:
Councillors., Mark Gibson (Secretary)
Beatrice Farmer
Henry Gunn
Carole Whittaker
Andrew Skene
Bill Mowat
Highland Councillor Jill Tilt
Apologies: Barry Butler
1) Minutes of previous Meeting
These were agreed.
2) Chair’s Report
In the absence of Councillor Green it was agreed that councillor Gunn would chair the meeting. Consequently there was no chairs report at this time.
Highland councillor Jill Tilt was welcomed to the her first meeting of the D&CCC. 3) Treasurers Report
Councillor Butler. Although not present at the meeting, had asked an item to be raised about the bank account.
The account was presently with Virgin Money (having previously been Clydesdale). It was noted that after the impending closure of the wick Branch there would be no Virgin Money bank in Caithness. The community council; noted its dismay at this further reduction in banking options and agreed that councillor Butler should explore other options for the Community Council account using one of the other banks with a branch still open in Caithness.
4) Secretaries Report
The Secretary updated the Community Council on correspondence received.
It was noted that the Access Rangers were now winding down their work but had been quite successful and proactive in our area.
It was also noted that the John o’Groats Development Fund would shortly be looking at options for distribution of car parking revenue within the the End of the Road area and that a new card payment
machine was planned. The machines would remain operable except for the worst of the winter Months.
5) Transport and Infrastructure
Airport: Councillor Whittaker gave a brief overview of the position regarding Wick John o’Groats Airport. Concerns were raised over the possible changes to how Air Traffic is managed and Councillor Whittaker was scheduling a discussion on this and would report back to the Community council at the next meeting.
Roads: The state of the roads is a serious ongoing issue and various examples of poor and potentially dangerous road surfaces were highlighted at the meeting. The back road at Canisbay, the Duncansby Lighthouse Road, the main A99 and the road at Broch were all highlighted as needing repairs. Councillor Jill Tilt agreed to come out and see some of the roads for herself accompanied by councillor Farmer.
Bus Service
6) Other Business
School Buses
It was noted that the school bus service was still having some local problems. Tree Planting
It was suggested that the Community Council consider applying for trees under the Platinum Jubilee scheme.
Newsletter
Councillor Gunn raised the prospect of a Community Council Newsletter. It was agreed to put this on the agenda of the next meeting.
9) Future Meetings
The next meeting is currently scheduled for Monday 29 November at 7.30p via Zoom. At this meeting it will be decided what the schedule and venue/methods for future meetings will be. There have been calls to return to meetings in person from the New Year.
