Minutes of the Staffin Community Council meting held in Staffin School on 26 th April 2004

Present: Leslie Downes (Chairman/Treasurer)

Sylvia Porter (Minutes Secretary)

Sheena MacLeod

Norma Young

Janet Lamont

Simon Jarvis

Apologies: Angus MacLeod

Isobel MacDonald

Les opened the meeting by welcoming Murdina Nicolson – returning officer for the Community Council Elections. Murdina stated that she had received 6 nominations for the Community Council, All 6 were on the Electoral Roll as far as could be established, as page 2 was missing. Simon Jarvis and Peter Richell offered their resignation, which was accepted. No further nominations being proposed, Murdina left the meeting. Normal Council business then resumed.

The minutes of the previous meeting were proposed by Norma and seconded by Sheena.

Matters Arising:

  1. Clachan Mast: to stay open until work commences
  1. Storr Car Park: Correspondence received from Bill Ross. Work would continue when the weather improved.
  1. A855: See AOCB
  1. Posters for Secretary: Leave until after May elections
  1. NVA: Angus Farquar Technical Director for the event has been in touch. All is going ahead as planned. The planning applications will be going in soon. He wants a public meeting ASAP, and will be returning to the area in late May.
  1. Road Markings Columba 1400: There are temporary Give Way signs erected for traffic from Garafad and Columba car park. Council waiting for improvement in the weather before doing anything permanent.

Whilst on with street furniture … the road sign at the Marishadder junction needs Minor repair. Les to inform Bill Ross.

7. Bottle Banks: Sylvia to find out of they are still available , and if so to pass onto Hall Committee to see if they can help with placing of them

  1. Community Council AGM: Letter received back from Karen MacDermaid with a copy of the overheads used
  1. Staffin Surgery: Iain MacDonald has received a letter from Charles Stephen about the development of the proposed surgery. They are presently inviting tenders from contractors. Norma is to meet with Lawrence Young (area education manager) to discuss the matter with him before we go any further. Matter left open pending any developments.
  1. Animal Bones: Situation much improved. Matter closed.

Treasurers Report:

£742-16 in the account. A Cheque for £80 still to clear.

Les also presented the end of year audited accounts

Correspondence Received, Publications and Circulars:

Council Planning: 4 Glasphein and Agricultural Byre 3 Culnacnoc, no objections to either

Council Minutes and Agendas: All retrospect. Nothing for our area, but an item on the proposed move of Portree Library, with a list of petitions and letters of objections.

Community Councils AGM and performance report: to retain for info

Scottish Exec. Planning: Consultation paper to send back, which Les will have a look at and report back

Scottish Exec. Freedom of Information Act: Les will go through it. It seems to affect us indirectly rather than directly as individuals.

Staffin Youth Forum: Letter received from Mel Summers asking for support in their ventures. Sylvia will reply back and offer our verbal support

ASCC: It was agreed to renew membership, which this year is £15.

Andy Anderson E-mails: Agree in principal, but to await notice of meeting

Struan CC letter: Copy made of letter asking for any Gaelic speaking members of the community who were at Dunkirk or Saint Vallery, and would like to have a trip to France to remember the 60 year anniversary to get in touch with Neil Beaton at Struan. Copies of the letter have gone into the shops for display.

Other publications:

Highland Health - AGM 29 th April. Open meeting Inverness

Calor Community of the Year. Prize fund this year £5000. Passed to Staffin Trust for Museum of the Environment.

Innis, UHI News, Green Energy newsletters all filed.

AOCB

  1. Holes in the wall of Clachan Cemetery
  2. Holes in fence at Cille na Bealach
  3. A855 . Low part of the single-track road is a disgrace and dangerous. Not long before an accident happens
  4. Trotternish Sign at Torvaig. Could it be put nearer the Torvaig junction
  5. Footpath outside the school is going to be monitored by the council
  6. Abandoned vehicles on the roadside and in the Quarry at Clachan
  7. Les reported on the SNH Board meeting at Kyle of Lochalsh
  8. Staffin Trust AGM tomorrow night (27 th ) need another member from CC – no takers

Items 1 to 6 Les will do a letter covering all these points to Bill Ross and John MacDonald for their information.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be Tuesday 15 th June at 7-30pm at the School

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8-45pm

THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

Leslie Downes (chairman) Sylvia Porter (Minutes Secretary)

Copies to:

All members (9)

PC Dolina Martin (Uig)

Brogaig Post Office

Community Notice Board

Staffin Bay Stores

Columba 1400

Radio Nan Gaidheal

Staffin Community Council File

MacKenzie Stores

Youth Club