MINUTE of the MEETING of GRAEMSAY,
HOY AND WALLS COMMUNITY COUNCIL
held at NORTH WALLS COMMUNITY
SCHOOL on FRIDAY, 10 JANUARY 2014 at
6.45 p.m.
Present:
M Groat, M Webster, R Sinclair, M Thomson, J Traynor, N Mowat and
G Robertson
In Attendance:
Mrs T Avis, Clerk
Councillor J Stockan
Constable N Burns, Police Scotland
1.
APOLOGIES
RESOLVED to note apologies for absence had been intimated on behalf of Councillors
R Crichton and M Davidson.
2.
MINUTE OF MEETING HELD ON 1 NOVEMBER 2013
The Minute of the General Meeting of Graemsay, Hoy and Walls Community Council held on
1 November 2013 was approved, being proposed by G Robertson and seconded by
M Thomson.
3.
MATTERS ARISING
(a)
Police Matters
Members heard a report from Constable N Burns on his role at Police Scotland and following
discussion, it was:RESOLVED that:(1)
the Clerk would send all future agendas to Constable N Burns; and
(2)
the Clerk would write to all of the local emergency service contacts suggesting that
an open day for emergency services be arranged.
(b)
Island of Hoy Development Trust – Update
After consideration of correspondence from the Island of Hoy Development Trust, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence.
(c)
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
After consideration of correspondence from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service providing
clarification of points raised at the last meeting, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence.
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(d)
NHS Orkney – New Hospital and Healthcare Facility
After consideration of correspondence from NHS Orkney regarding the new hospital and
healthcare facility, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence.
(e)
Orkney Islands Council – Road Issues
After consideration of correspondence from Orkney Islands Council in response to the
Community Councils reported concerns regarding road issues and staffing provision, and
following discussion, it was:RESOLVED that the Clerk would write to Democratic Services to inform Orkney Islands
Council that:(1)
members were of the opinion that it was unreasonable for the only Roads Operative
to be relocated to Mainland Orkney at times when there appeared to be work locally;
(2)
members would request local knowledge be sought when road inspections were
being undertaken;
(3)
there were issues with sea damage at Kirbister Road as well as the Ouse and the
Ayre, both of which were lifeline roads on the island;
(4)
the Bridge at St Johns Manse dip was getting deeper;
(5)
the area in front of North Ness had recently been washed away; and
(6)
the Road to Hoy and Rackwick had continuing problems due to the Scottish Water
tanker using the road so frequently.
(f)
Longhope War Memorial
Members heard an update from the Clerk regarding the Longhope War Memorial, and
following discussion, it was:RESOLVED to note that:(1)
Councillor J Stockan would progress the issue of the access path;
(2)
J Dowell and Son had provided a quote for cleaning, replacing letters on and adding
a missing name to the War Memorial;
(3)
that the missing name had been advertised as required in the grant conditions and
no further names or information had been received;
(4)
that the land to the left of the Memorial was privately owned;
(5)
that no further information had been received from Orkney Islands Council as to
whether or not an access path could be linked to the existing path to the housing
scheme; and
(6)
the grant application needed to be submitted by the end of February.
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(g)
Kirkyard Update
Members heard a report from the Clerk, advising that Orkney Islands Council had reported
that due to budgetary restraints it was unlikely that the repairs to the two Kirkyard roads
would be carried out in the current financial year, and that the grass cutting tender was due
for renewal. Following some discussion, it was:RESOLVED:(1)
to note the contents of the report;
(2)
that members agreed unanimously that the repairs to the Osmandwall Kirkyard Road
and turning area at Graemsay Kirkyard were a priority and needed to be addressed
before the next financial year;
(3)
to purchase aggregates for the necessary repairs at Osmandwall and Graemsay
Kirkyards, which would benefit both communities, and that the Clerk would submit an
application for assistance through Community Council Grant Scheme (CCGS);
(4)
that the Clerk would advertise for tenders for the ground works to be undertaken at
Osmandwall and Graemsay Kirkyards; and
(5)
that the Clerk would advertise for tenders for the 2014 kirkyard maintenance of all
kirkyards, with the contractor to supply their own equipment, and set a deadline of
12 February for receipt of tenders; and
(6)
that kirkyard tenders would be opened at the next meeting of the Kirkyard
Subcommittee.
(h)
Provision of Aggregates
G Robertson declared an interest and left the meeting at this point.
Consideration was given to a list of local residents who had requested aggregates, however,
as members had previously agreed to carry out necessary repairs to roads at local kirkyards
instead, it was:RESOLVED that the Clerk would write to all applicants advising that:(1)
as the Community Council would be undertaking work at Osmandwall and Graemsay
Kirkyards, an allocation of aggregates would not be available for local residents in the
current financial year; and
(2)
that all applicants would remain on the list for consideration next financial year,
unless they requested to be removed from the list.
G Robertson re-joined the meeting at this point.
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4.
CORRESPONDENCE
(a)
The Scottish Government – National Planning Framework 3 and Scottish
Planning Policy
Following consideration of correspondence from the Scottish Government regarding National
Planning Framework 3 and Scottish Planning Policy, it was:RESOLVED note the contents of the correspondence.
(b)
L McArthur MSP – Fibre Broadband
Following consideration of correspondence from L McArthur MSP regarding fibre broadband
roll-out, it was:RESOLVED note the contents of the correspondence.
(c)
L McArthur MSP – Orkney Ferries
After consideration of correspondence from L McArthur MSP regarding carriage of road
tankers, petrol and diesel on Orkney Ferries, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence.
(d)
The Scottish Government – Good Practice Principles For Community Benefit
From Onshore Renewable Energy Developments
After consideration of correspondence from The Scottish Government regarding good
practice principles for community benefit from onshore renewable energy developments, it
was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence.
(e)
Marine Scotland – Pilot Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan
After consideration of correspondence from Marine Scotland regarding the Pilot Pentland
Firth and Orkney Waters Marine Spatial Plan, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence.
(f)
Scottish Rural Parliament
After consideration of a briefing note from Scottish Rural Parliament, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence.
(g)
Orkney Islands Council – Culture Fund
After consideration of correspondence from Orkney Islands Council regarding the Culture
Fund 2014-15, which was open for applications, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence.
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(h)
The Screen Machine - Letter of Support
After consideration of correspondence from The Screen Machine requesting a letter of
support, members noted that the Screen Machine visit in 2013 had been a great success
and it was hoped that it would return, and it was:RESOLVED that the Clerk write to the Screen machine providing a letter of support from the
Community Council.
(i)
Police Scotland – Review of Traffic Warden Provision
After consideration of correspondence from Police Scotland regarding the review of Traffic
Warden Provision, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence.
(j)
Scottish Police Authority – Topics for Future Scrutiny
After consideration of correspondence from the Scottish Police Authority regarding topics for
future scrutiny by the Scottish Police Authority, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence.
(k)
Dr J Webster – Charter For People Living With A Stroke In Scotland
After consideration of correspondence from Dr J Webster regarding a charter for people
living with a stroke in Scotland, and following discussion, it was:RESOLVED to write a letter of support to Dr J Webster.
(l)
Customer Forum - Strategic Review of Water Charges
After consideration of correspondence from the Customer Forum regarding a strategic
review of water charges for 2015 to 2021, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence.
(m)
L McArthur MSP – Holyrood Highlights
After consideration of correspondence from L McArthur, MSP, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the correspondence.
5.
CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS
(a)
Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places
After consideration of a consultation document regarding a Review of Polling Districts and
Polling Places, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the consultation document.
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(b)
Winter Maintenance Plan 2013/2014
After consideration of the consultation document on the Winter Maintenance Plan
2013/2014, and following some discussion, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the consultation document.
(c)
Draft Supplementary Guidance on Planning for Open Spaces
After consideration of the consultation document on Draft Supplementary Guidance on
planning for Open Spaces, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the consultation document.
(d)
Scottish Rural Development Programme
After consideration of a consultation document regarding the Scottish Rural Development
Programme, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the consultation document.
(e)
Orkney Islands Council – Draft Supplementary Guidance On Trees and
Woodlands
After consideration of correspondence from Orkney Islands Council regarding Draft
Supplementary Guidance on Trees and Woodland, it was:RESOLVED to note the contents of the consultation document.
6.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(a)
General Finance
After consideration of the Community Council's general financial statement, it was:RESOLVED to note the balance of funds available, as at 23 December 2013 of £6,558.75.
(b)
Community Council Grant Scheme
After consideration of the Community Council's Grant Scheme statement, it was:RESOLVED to note that £76.52 remained under the main capping limit, the additional
capping limit was fully allocated, and £618 remained under the island capping limit, as at
23 December 2013.
(c)
Community Development Fund
After consideration of the Community Development Fund statement, it was:RESOLVED to note the total remaining for allocation of £2215.63, as at 23 December 2013.
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(d)
Seedcorn Fund
After consideration of the Seedcorn Fund statement, it was:RESOLVED to note the balance of funds available for allocation of £3658.47, as at 23
December 2013.
7.
REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
(a)
Stromness Academy – Geography Study Tour to Switzerland 2014
Following consideration of correspondence from Stromness Academy, requesting financial
assistance towards the cost of two local pupils attending the Geography Study Tour to
Switzerland in 2014, it was:RESOLVED to grant financial assistance of £250 each towards the costs of the two local
pupils.
(b)
Orkney Alcohol Counselling and Advisory Service
After consideration of correspondence from Orkney Alcohol Counselling and Advisory
Service regarding a funding request, and following discussion, it was:RESOLVED to grant no financial assistance to Orkney Alcohol Counselling and Advisory
Service and to write to them suggesting that they make an application to the Island of Hoy
Development Trust Turbine Fund.
(c)
North Walls Community Swimming Club & North Walls Community Sports Club
After consideration of a financial request from North Walls Community Swimming Club and
North Walls Community Sports Club, and following discussion, it was:RESOLVED to write to North Walls Community Swimming Club and North Walls Community
Sports Club advising that as the Community Council assumed they would both be operating
under the auspices of the North Walls Centre, financial applications should be made to the
June meeting as usual.
(d)
Hoy Centre
After consideration of correspondence from the Hoy Centre requesting financial assistance
towards transport costs for a tutor to attend the Centre to run a six week class, it was:RESOLVED to grant assistance of a donation of £49.80, from general funds.
(e)
North Walls School – Nethybridge Trip
M Groat declared an interest and left the meeting.
After consideration of correspondence from North Walls School requesting financial
assistance towards to the cost of four pupils attending an outdoor education trip to
Nethybridge, members discussed the possibility of setting a policy for financial requests for
school pupils travelling both abroad and within the UK, and it was:RESOLVED:-
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(1)
that for future requests, financial assistance of £250 per pupil would be provided for
trips abroad and £60 per pupil for travel within the UK; and
(2)
to grant financial assistance of £60 per pupil to North Walls School for the
Nethybridge Trip.
M Groat rejoined the meeting.
8.
PUBLICATIONS
The following publications were available to members:Orkney Ferries – Statistics September, October and November 2013
Orkney Zero Waste – Recycled Art & Craft Exhibition Flyer
9.
AOCB
(a)
Orkney Islands Council - Recycling Issues
Following consideration of correspondence from Democratic Services regarding recycling
provision for Graemsay, Hoy and Walls, advising that the Service Improvement Officer would
be willing to meet with members by appointment or video-conference to discuss these issues
further, it was:RESOLVED to invite the Service Improvement Officer to the next Community Council
meeting.
(b)
Ferry Timetable
Members discussed that a change to the MV Graemsay timetable had been proposed,
however no further information had been received, and it was:RESOLVED to monitor the situation.
(c)
Road Issue
Members heard a report that the road surface at the corner of North Ness had been made
smooth by recent high tides and that the crash barrier had already been hit, meaning that it
may not be secure, and following discussion, it was:RESOLVED that the Clerk would report these issues to Democratic Services and request
that they be investigated urgently.
(d)
Passing Place Sign
Members heard a report concerning a passing place sign, and it was:RESOLVED that Constable N Burns would follow up the issue.
(e)
Bus Issues
It was brought to members attention that there was an issue with the Stromness to Kirkwall
bus leaving Stromness just as the MV Graemsay was berthing, and following discussion, it
was:-
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RESOLVED that the Clerk would write to Democratic Services and Stagecoach regarding
the issue.
(f)
Insulation
J Traynor reported that the Island of Hoy Development Trust was progressing with the
insulation scheme, and it was:RESOLVED to monitor the situation.
10.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
After consideration of a date for the next meeting, members was agreed to set dates for
2014, and it was:RESOLVED to note that the future meeting dates would be as follows:Friday 7 March 2014;
Friday 16 May 2014;
Friday 13 June 2014 (Finance Applications);
Friday 22 August 2014 (Graemsay); and
Friday 14 November 2014.
11.
CONCLUSION OF MEETING
There being no further business, the Chairman declared the meeting concluded at 9.30 p.m.