A meeting of the above Council was held on Tuesday 9th December 2003 at Kilmelford Village Hall.
Present: Community Councillors: Angus MacFadyen (Chairman), Colin Clark (Vice-chairman), Neil Manchester (Secretary), Dorothy Carmichael, Jayne Brown, Stuart Cannon, Jamie Mellor
Also in attendance were 8 members of the public.
1 Apologies:
Apologies were received from Cllr Alan Macaskill, Cllr Duncan MacIntyre, Cath Manchester, Margaret Cross, Kate and Lindesay Robertson
2 Minutes:
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 14th October 2003 were approved and signed.
3 Matters Arising:
Melfort Pier & Harbour: the chairman advised that no letter of apology had been received.
Celtic Seafoods Access at Arduaine: the chairman advised that the access was in the correct place, and that the visibility splays had been checked, but that the tarmac bellmouth was still to be completed.
Whelk+ Leader Programme:
Argyll and Bute Council Community Grant: it was agreed that the secretary should pursue payment for the wooden planters purchased by Elisabeth Asbury to decorate the village entrances. Mrs Asbury agreed to adopt the responsibility for care and maintenance.
Blaran Road End: the chairman advised that £2,500 of work had been carried out on behalf of the council, but that Neil Brown had condemned the works and ordered it to be redone. A site meeting for all users would be held shortly. There was no progress regarding the removal of dangerous telegraph poles, and it was agreed that the secretary should write to BT on this matter.
Community Council Notice Board: Colin Clark reported that there was no news on construction, but that he would progress in time for the next meeting.
Planning Issues: It was noted that the revised Local Plan would be issued as a consultation document on January 2004.
Kilninver School Parking: Jayne Brown advised that residents’ parking was signposted, but the other side of the car park is for general use. It was commented that overuse of this car park was a nuisance drop-off and pick-up times, but Jayne Brown advised that there was nothing that could be done apart from the enforce the current protocol for users at bus times. It was agreed that the secretary should write to Neil Brown requesting that white lines be painted to delineate parking spaces. It was also agreed that an extension to the car park be requested.
Robin Asbury asked about the provision of community skips, and what sort of frequency might be expected. The chairman said the skips would be provided twice a year, and that the dates would be posted in the Oban Times. Robin Asbury suggested that the dates be included in the Kilninford Newsletter.
Georgina Dalton asked why no response had been received from Melfort Pier and Harbour regarding the Community Council request for an apology for the personal attack on a member of the council. John Christlieb demanded a response to his correspondence, and an apology from the Community Council. The chairman told Mr Christlieb that his actions and correspondence had been considered unacceptable by the Community Council, and that until such time as he could apologise as requested he would not be permitted to address these meetings. Mr Christlieb stated that he had now got what he wanted, and left the meeting. It was noted that Mr Christlieb had been secretly recording the proceedings of the meeting without prior authorisation from the chairman. The chairman said that this matter must be brought to an end, and that the matter need not be referred to again.
4 Planning Applications
Dorothy Carmichael reported the following applications:
Mr and Mrs J Bowman: application for outline consent to erect dwelling house near Melfort Farm, Kilmelford.
Mr J Adams: application for detailed consent for dwelling house near Melfort Farm, Kilmelford.
There were no objections to either application.
5 Correspondence
The secretary drew attention to a range of documents, leaflets, various minutes and agendas available for public review.
In addition the secretary reported the following correspondence:
Douglas Trigg, Association of Argyll and Bute Community Councils, advising that at the community council elections in 2005, the number of community councillors for Kilninver and Kilmelford would be reduced from seven to five.
7 Any Other Business
Jamie Mellor highlighted the work of the Argyll and Bute Local Biodiversity Partnership, looking at populations of black grouse, red squirrels, butterflies and moths, cattle grazing in woodland and catchment management plans. Jamie Mellor advised that community funding was available for projects, and that training schemes would be set up provided that parties of 10 people were interested. It was agreed that Jamie Mellor would organise a presentation at the next meeting. Robin Asbury asked what the purpose of the Partnership was. Stuart Cannon advised that it was designed to set up a register of each are of interest, and then to develop an action plan to develop sustainability.
The chairman outlined the recent review of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the potential impact on the local farming community. It was noted that Argyll and Bute Council would review this issue and submit a strategy document in due course.
Stuart Cannon advised that the West Highland Project was still ongoing, and that there was grave danger of losing the Oban hospital in its current form, and that there was a public meeting at the Corran Halls on 13th December 2003. The chairman issued a petition to retain 24-hour maternity cover at Oban Hospital.
Dorothy Bark asked whether the community could get a paper recycling bank. The secretary advised that he had been informed that Argyll and Bute Council would provide one sometime in the New Year.
Georgina Dalton advised that the new minister would receive his induction on 10th January 2004, with a service at Craignish followed by luncheon in the Kilmelford Village Hall.
Georgina Dalton advised that the Inverliever wind farm application decision had been put back until February 2004.
8 Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of Kilninver and Kilmelford Community Council will be held in Kilmelford Village Hall on Tuesday 10th February 2004 at 8.00pm.
There being no further business, the chairman wished everyone present a Merry Christmas and closed the meeting at 9.25 pm
Neil Manchester Secretary
Signed as approved: Angus MacFadyen
Date: Chairman