Minutes of Staffin Community Council held in Staffin School 7 th December 2004
Present: Les Downes (Chair/Treasurer)
Sylvia Porter (Minutes Secretary)
Norma Young
Sheena MacLeod
Janet Lamont
Isobel MacDonald
Iain MacDonald (Councillor)
Dolina Martin (Local PC)
David Gill (Highlands and Islands Fire Brigade)
Apologies: Angus MacLeod
Les opened the meeting and welcomed out guest speaker David Gill, who last came 3 years ago to speak to the CC. He apologised for not attending the previous meeting but he had still been waiting for information.
There is presently and auxiliary unit working out of Staffin. It is hoped to have a light appliance with breathing apparatus by March 2005. Staffin is the last station for upgrade. Within the plans there is to be a permanent building on land already earmarked subject to it being de-crofted. Prior to that there will be a temporary structure for the appliance and equipment. We are currently waiting for the planning application to go through which should be submitted by the end of the week. The temporary structure is up and ready, just waiting delivery, as is the fire appliance.
The temporary building wouldn't become a permanent structure, nor would it delay the new building, but the temporary structure could be used for a good few years.
The fire appliance earmarked for us is similar to the one at Uig. We will have to wait for a building to house it in before we get it. As soon as we get the appliance our crew will become retained status, not auxiliary. There is a £4m budget for training and funding of retained units. Due to our team being trained for the use of breathing apparatus, they will have to be retrained, as authorisation will have expired.
To clarify things: an auxiliary fire person gets paid by the hour when called out, a retained fireman gets a standby funding and also a call out funding.
As soon as we get the temporary structure everything else will follow very shortly after. The permanent structure could be a longer wait due to funding.
The H & I Fire Brigade would like to retain the present control station. We have between 14 & 15000 signatures to keep it. We have problems in the islands due to second languages, local place names and outlying areas. It has now gone to the executive and the decision to about the control station has now gone to review. If the control was centralised we would be at a loss. If we have a major incident, the fire master can be at the control room to take overall command within ½ to ¾ of an hour. It will be a different matter if he has to travel to the central belt.
David Gill then left the meeting. Les thanked him for his time in explaining the current situation to us.
The normal council meeting then took place.
The previous minutes were proposed by Janet and seconded by Sheena.
Matters Arising:
Treasurers Report:
£1276-43 in the bank. Nothing is outstanding
Planning Applications:
2 plots at 22 Garafad .. dwellings .. No objections
6 Glasphein .. Agricultural shed .. No objections
Crown Castle airwaves service – aerial for mast .. No objections
With respect to crown services Norma wrote to Offcom regarding a digital service for Staffin. The return letter appeared to be a standard letter, stating, that you cant have a digital receiver on an analogue mast, that we are a satellite of Stornoway, and only 75% of the UK population will be able to receive digital.
Only one thing affecting us: Angus Stewarts planning application at Valtos has been passed with conditions.
Scottish Executive (Petitions)
An introduction on how to put a petition to the Scottish Parliament to be kept on file
An invitation for a representative of CC to visit the call centre in Aberdeen. Les may attend.
NHS working together - a meeting was led at the end of November in Inverness. No one attended.
Other Correspondence, Circulars etc.
Staffin Trust: We are now getting regular updates and minutes from them. 3D Mapping is ongoing and hopefully coming to fruition in Feb 2005. They are looking into becoming a Company Ltd by Guarantee; we may have to look at our constitution as a result.
Dugie and Meike are no project officers for museum of the environment.
Portree High School: Annual report, Sheena taken
Crofting looking to 2005 – no takers
Innis – no takers
H & I fireboard: Les done the survey as it had to be in prior to this meeting. Sheena taken the report
The Brief: No takers
Safety Grass: No takers
Scottish Water: No takers
Housing Association: No takers
HMI report Staffin School: Sheena taken.
We have had request from Donnie Beaton regarding a donation to Donnie MacKay who is retiring from the bins after 40 yrs. A discussion was held and it was decided that we would make a donation of £50 maximum depending on how much everyone else was donating, but we didn't want this to set a precedent for anyone leaving the council after long service to the area.
As a result of the brilliant HMI report for Staffin School, did we ought to write and congratulate Norma and staff? Sylvia to do
The next meeting is Tuesday 1 st Feb at 7-30pm in the school.
Meeting closed 9-30pm
Les Downes (Chair) Sylvia Porter (Minutes secretary)
Copies to:
All members (7)
PC Dolina Martin (Uig)
Brogaig Post Office
Staffin Bay Stores
Columba 1400
Radio Nan Gaidheal
File
MacKenzies Stores
John MacDonald (H/C)
Community Notice Board