STRATHPEFFER COMMUNITY COUNCIL
DRAFT UNTIL APPROVED AT NEXT SCC MEETING
Minutes of Meeting at Strathpeffer Community Centre on Monday 7 July 2014
Present were: Kit Bowen (KB), Karen Evans (KE), John Wombell (JW), Alison Munro (AM),
and Douglas Murray (DM).
Some members of the public.
Apologies
Apologies were received from Peter Walling, Posie Piper and Eve Cromartie.
Minutes of Meeting on 2 June
Minutes of Previous Meeting of 2 June proposed by Karen Evans and seconded by Douglas Murray.
Accounts
There was no Treasurer's Report available.
KB wished to know if THC’s annual payment for 2014/15 had been received and if the £250 payment for the
brown signs had been paid.
Police Report
A Police Report is attached
Planning
DM reported that there were no fresh planning applications. Three approvals had been issued, including the
railway project, over the course of the month, and the application at Balnaird was still pending.
Nutwood Housing Development : no report available but KB had requested an update from AF.
IMFDP: KB reported that our comments had been noted and will be considered.
Windfarm Community Benefit
Ian Cockburn had advised us at previous SCC meeting that we should press for higher level of benefit. KB
will contact the chair of the Woodlands project.
DM reported that he had had a number of informal discussions with Kenny Stewart, who had looked at a
small micro-hydro scheme but the costs of development and grid connections and a variable water supply
made it not viable. Mr Stewart however was giving some thought to a 2mw photovoltaic project. DM
undertook to express the interest of SCC.
Progress Reports
Village Handyman
KB and JW had met with Mandy MacLeman of THC and stated that dealing with waste, litter, snow, hedges,
gutters, public toilets and water features, etc. were all possible village handyman tasks. MM will work up a
draft spec for the a consultant to deliver the case to THC. KB to progress.
Cycle Path
Kevin Crocket (KC) to action. DM said he was happy to be involved as the railway project and the cycle track
were closely connected. DM confirmed that Posie Piper (PP), our secretary, had offered to contact Mr Miles
McMaster regarding the possibility of crossing his land. PP to report at the next meeting.
Garden Group
It was agreed ath AB should be formally thanked and informed that the SCC would pay for materials and
accept his recommendation on the colour of preservative to be used. However, it was was concluded that
the carvings were the property of THC and therefore the decisions to accept AB’s offer and the colour of
preservative were not SCC's to make. KB agreed to write to Mr Brebner.
The fountain behind Square Wheels: pressure to be exterted on THC to locate the pumps etc. AM thought
SSE could be contacted to provide the voluntary staff to re-connect the electrical work. It was agreed the
fountain would be used only on special occasions.
Community Parks
It was reported that tenders for the work were due to be returned mid-August.
Community Centre
No report.
Strath Times
In spite of recent reports, Strath Times has been rescued, but no further details were available.
Fairtrade
No report
The Sheiling
The designs for Fraser Mackenzie's proposals had been discussed and generally approved at the previous
SCC meeting. But further progress slow.
Brown Signs
No report and carried forward to next meeting
Notice Board
AM reported that financial support for a joint noticeboard with the Community Council was still being sought.
Pavilion Gate
Carried forward
Footpath Group
JW reported that grant conditions were onerous. Carried forward until September.
Events (Guy Fawkes, Hogmanay, etc)
Carried forward. PP to report.
McCall's shop access
KB to action
Flood Protection
All agency solution to be explored. JW to report at September meeting.
Roads and Drainage
JW reported that hedging on the main road had been 'flailed' not cut in approved way, and only one side and
top.
The path up to the Eaglestone is, it has been reported, overgrown.
KB to bring to the attention of THC in the strongest terms.
Men's Sheds
SCC confirmed its support and noted that funding available up to £5,000, as well as for publicity. VM to
progress with a view to locating men to take the project on.
Correspondence
KB referred to Minutes of Ross Memorial Hospital site re-design meeting. SCC are looking for a community
representative to provide input at meetings.
Challenge Fund now accessible to projects that pre-empt THC action.
Liz Cowie had photographs of village square with fountains etc. It was decided that these should be passed
to the Pump Room ladies. Action by KB.
Rural Parliament. This is a Scottish Government initiative to help develop policy for rural areas. The
Parliament will take place in November in Oban and involvement of communities is required. SCC are
looking for a community representative to contribute.
Letter regarding legal issues not yet resolved with Jamestown-Strathpeffer footpath, but SCC did not see this
as a matter for them.
KB had agreed that SCC should un-subscribe from Ross Voluntary Services e-newsletters. There was too
much mail already.
Strategy Paper
Carried forward. But note that Scottish woodlands building part vacant so possible use as a Men's Shed.
Inter-community communications. The Strath Ding path is a start with Dingwall, but the CCC do not seem
active. KB is to contact LG to see if there are any opportunities to work together.
AOCB
KE advised that the footpath and hedges down to the shinty pitch required urgent tidying, preferably before
Strath Games. KB again agreed to write to THC in the strongest terms.
Next Meeting
The next SCC meeting will take place 7pm on 4 August 2014.
8/7/2014