Minutes of Staffin Community Council held in Staffin School on 7 th February 2006
Present: Les Downes (Chairman/Treasurer)
Sylvia Porter (Acting Secretary)
Norma Young
Angus MacLeod
Iain MacDonald (Councillor)
Apologies: Isobel MacDonald
Janet Lamont
Sheena MacLeod
Visitors: Kenny MacDonald (Sub Officer – Staffin)
Brian Murray – Highland and Islands Fire Brigade
DO. David Gill - Highland and Islands Fire Brigade
Les opened the meeting and welcomed our visitors from the fire service. David Gill and Brian Murray were invited to speak to the council regarding the fire service in Staffin.
Brian Murray spoke first and admitted that he didn't have a “hands on” for local requests, and as a result of our invitation looked into the ongoing Staffin problem more closely. He was surprised that we hadn't moved as far as we should have regarding the new fire station, and that the invitation has highlighted a number of issues. At the last Fire Brigade meeting, the proposed site was now progressing and in the hand of the Fire Service legal team. There are crofting issues that will be sorted when the land has been bought. The Fire Service is going through a lot of change at the moment. In 1976, there were 28 retained fire stations, there are now 95. Conditions have improved for the fire fighters with road traffic accidents equipment, breathing apparatus etc. All the equipment and vehicles need capital. The capital for vehicles and buildings currently stands at £50 to £60 million. There is a finance group looking into the best way to spend the money. Building stations is budgeted at £400,000 to £500,000 and the Brigade is looking at getting costs down. Staffin is currently 29 th on the list for building a new station. The placing on the list looks at the number of all outs. Some of the 28 stations above us haven't even got land allocated yet, so we are better off than some stations. The Fire
Service is guaranteed £1.7m per annum, but out of that comes uniforms, vehicles, equipment and training. Valtos (Lewis) station is refurbishing its village hall, and the fire brigade building is incorporated within the new building. This could save up to £200,000. That isn't an option with Staffin Hall.
Back to Staffin, and if no objections to the planning and decrofting it is expected that it will be 3 to 6 months before Staffin has a Station. It was suggested that fire brigade speak to David MacVicar at the Department to see what his time scale is. To stop any rumours, there are no plans at this time to amalgamate Uig and Staffin, but Staffin does need people who are available during the daytime in the working week.
The temporary fire station is basically a large metal box. There is no intention for the temporary one becoming a permanent fixture, and in fact there is a 3 yr deadline for the temp station, and a year of that is almost up. If all goes to plan, the de-crofting and land issues should be in place by March 2006 and the temporary fire station in situ by May 2006 – watch this space!
Finally there was a suggestion that due to the money restraints could a large crofting building be used (agricultural shed), as it would fit in with other buildings around the community. Applecross has a 60x30ft shed, which was less than £100,000. Brian Murray will speak with the architect and see if this is a feasible option and come back to the council with any findings. There was a general discussion, before the 3 visitors were thanked for taking the time out to visit and they left the meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were proposed and seconded by Les and Sylvia, as they were the only members present at the previous meeting.
Matters Arising:
Highland Council Business:
Planning Applications: 1 Digg – House
Temora, Storr Lochs – Extension to house
Quiraing Lodge – self-contained flat
Planning meeting: car park Digg
2/3 Glasphein
Housing at Flodigarry
No objections from the council
CC AGM Broadford: Due to the time that it is held, it is difficult for members from the North end to make Broadford in time. It has been suggested that the venue alternates between Broadford and Portree
Other Business:
Licensing Board: nothing our area
Staffin Eco-museum: draft copies of the interpretive signs for The Storr, Lealt Gorge and Kilt Rock from John Phillips Highland Ranger Service
Highland Council Service Point Questionnaire - completed
Treasurers Report:
£1038-45 in the account at the moment. Les has cashed a cheque for ink and paper for £51.
Other Correspondence:
The usual monthly bulletins and newsletters have been received and distributed around the members. A new proposed bus timetable for the new contract has been issued which we are looking at.
AOCB:
Bones are re-appearing at the cemetery at the Bealach. John Macdonald to be made aware
No Camping at the beach. Nothing heard regarding signs from Harold Yates. Iain will chase the matter up.
Due to excess funds, it was suggested that perhaps we could make donations to groups in the area. It was suggested that perhaps Crusaders and Gaelic playgroup may benefit, but more will be discussed at the next meeting
Angus stated that at the end of the month he will be leaving Staffin and that this will be his last meeting. He was thanked for his contributions.
Next Meeting:
The next meeting will be 7-30pm on 7 th March at the School. The meeting closed at 9-15pm
Les Downes (Chair) Sylvia Porter (Acting Secretary)