A meeting of the above Council was held on Tuesday 11th February 2003 at Kilmelford Village Hall.
Present: Community Councillors: Angus MacFadyen (Chairman), Neil Manchester (Secretary), Jamie Mellor, Dorothy Carmichael, Jayne Brown
Also in attendance were Councillor Duncan MacIntyre and thirteen members of the public.
1 Apologies:
Apologies were received from Cllr Alan Macaskill, Stuart Cannon, Colin Clark, Cath Manchester, Diane Scaife, Kate and Lindesay Robertson.
2 Minutes:
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 11th February 2002 were approved and signed.
3 Matters Arising:
Road Safety at Kilninver School: Jayne Brown reported an incident that had occured outside the school recently, with still no sign of the 30mph speed limit. Cllr MacIntyre agreed to assisting the argument for retention of the flashing lights, provided that they are used more regularly. The secretary agreed to contact Don MacAllister to remind the school about using the lights at key times.
Community Notice Board: The secretary advised that a notice board had been ordered, but was awaiting further quotes to aid grant application.
Scammadale Timber Extraction: Jayne Brown reported that the road needs urgent repair. Cllr MacIntyre advised that this road was included in the next section of repairs for consideration from April onwards, although temporary repairs would be effected in the meantime.
Blaran Road End: The secretary advised that a letter had been sent to Cllr MacIntyre requesting that these works are completed urgently. Cllr MacIntyre advised that the road works would be completed by the end of March, but there were still unresolved difficulties over financing the removal of the telegraph poles.
Local Minister: Georgina Dalton advised that a vacancy committee would be set up by the end of February, and the post of minister will be advertised and an appointment made in due course.
Road Issues: Cllr MacIntyre advised that white lines would be painted for the A816 by the end of March, with a budget of £28,000 to cover roadside markers as well.
Planning Issues: Fiona Wyllie asked if Angus Gilmour could be invited to attend a community council meeting again. The secretary agreed to action this.
The secretary reported that Cllr Macaskill had felt that he had been misquoted in the minutes of the previous meeting on matters relating to Melfort Pier planning application. The secretary advised that the facts had been clarified with the planning department, and that no amendments to the minutes were necessary.
4 Planning Applications
Dorothy Carmichael reported the following planning applications:
Amendment to Planning Consent, Eathie, Arduaine- no objections raised
Erection of Conservatory, Duachy Farm, Kilninver- no objections raised
Display of signboard, Fearnoch House, Kilmelford - no objections raised although the chairman asked that the plans be reviewed when available
Erection of five dwelling houses, The Glebe, Kilmelford - Dorothy Carmichael noted that some of the houses were to be one and a half storey, and that plans were available in the village shop. The chairman said that he was pleased that the development was approaching completion. No objections were raised.
Erection of Laundry and Store, Melfort Pier, Kilmelford - The secretary advised that this was an amended application since a similar one had been withdrawn earlier in the year. The community council had objected to the previous application. Fiona Wyllie asked whether the development was another example of creeping development on the site. It was unanimously agreed that the community council should write a letter of objection on the grounds that the application clearly showed the removal of trees subject to a Tree Preservation Order, and that an environmental assessment and a long term development plan from the developer had never been submitted despite being noted in council minutes previously.
5 Loch Avich Wind Farm Application
The secretary reported a letter received from Diane Scaife voicing her objection to the wind farm application, and also an e-mail from Marilyn Henderson of Avich and Kilchrenan Community Council asking for support in objecting to the application.
The chairman advised that the application would go before the area committee which was likely to be in June or later, but no definite timetable had been set. Georgina Dalton reported that the deadline for objections was 31st march, and that over 400 had been submitted to date. The chairman asked whether those present wished the community council to send a letter of objection. Robin Grey felt that if the will of the community was such, then a letter should be sent. Cllr MacIntyre advised that only valid reasons for objections would be considered. Robin grey felt that the visual impact was a valid objection. The chairman asked if a further presentation by the for and against lobbies was required to allow the community to reach a decision. There was general agreement that this would not be necessary. The chairman decided that this issue should be discussed at the next meeting, and that a final decision would be reached then.
6 Correspondence
The secretary drew attention to a range of documents, leaflets, various minutes and agendas available for public review.
Cllr MacIntyre presented a letter from the Whelk+ Leader Programme outlining the availability of an environmental task force available for projects within the community. Projects to be considered would be in the region of £5-6,000 for materials and labour. Cllr MacIntyre advised that this project would run for a year from March 2003, and any suggestions for community improvement projects should be submitted as soon as possible.
The secretary reported that he had received a letter from Argyll and Bute Council advising that the bus shelter in Kilmelford would be replaced and relocated to a safer and more accessible position within the car park.
7 Kilninford News and Website
Fiona Wyllie reported that thanks to the assistance of Alex Tweedley, a web site had been set up in conjunction with the newsletter. The web site would contain community news, advertisements and forthcoming events etc.
Website address: www.kilmelford.com
Contributions by e-mail to: webmaster@kilmelford.com
The chairman proposed a vote of thanks to all those involved in setting this up.
8 Any Other Business
Elspeth Campbell reported that a footpath had been discovered on the north side of Arduaine, but was in a state of disrepair. It was agreed that this may be a suitable project for the Whelk Leader + programme.
Fiona Wyllie reported that the Kilninford newsletter team were seeking to raise funds for a printer for the newsletter. The chairman said that the community council may be able to assist if required.
Cllr MacIntyre advised that central heating grants (including installation costs) were available to all house occupiers.
Dorothy Bark asked whether the village hall might be a suitable location for a paperbank. It was agreed that the secretary would write to Argyll and Bute Council to request this.
9 Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of Kilninver and Kilmelford Community Council will be held in Kilmelford Village Hall on Tuesday 8th April 2003 at 8.00pm.
There being no further business, the chairman closed the meeting at 10.05 pm
Neil Manchester
Secretary
Signed as approved: Angus MacFadyen
Date: Chairman