Minutes of Staffin Community Council held in Staffin School on 12th September 2006

 

Present:

Les Downes (chair), Sylvia Porter (Acting secretary), Janet Lamont, Sheena MacLeod, Maolios Caimbeul, Isobel MacDonald

Apologies:

Norma Young, Angus MacLeod, Iain MacDonald

 

The previous minutes were proposed and seconded by Les and Sylvia as there was nobody else able to do it.

 

Matters Arising

  1. Fire Brigade: A letter has been received from Staffin Fire Brigade thanking us for our support and getting the temporary fire station open. Fire Brigade HQ have also been in touch and state that they hoped to purchase the land for the permanent site by the end of the year.  Les asked them to write to Iain MacLeod who owns the land and keep him updated
  2. Potholes: Les has been in touch with Harold Yates regarding the state of the roads again.  In particular the single track road near the houses at Storr Lochs, and also the road at Staffin Slipway where it ahs collapsed.
  3. Village Officer: We now have funding for the Village Officer.  Graham Wade (Garafad) has been doing the work. We have bought a double-sided sign “To The Beach”, which has been positioned at the top of the slip road.  Various committee members have had thanks for erecting the sign. The verge has also been strimmed from the top of the slip road down to Staffin Bay Cottages.  Other plans for Graham are to repair and paint / preservative the picnic benches at the beach, Rigg and the Loch at Digg.  Other suggestions are to tidy up the bus shelters from Culnacnoc to Digg.  If any one has any other suggestions to improve the village please inform a committee member.
  4. Bins at Slip: What bins!!! Both bins have disappeared.  Les to inform the Council. Maolios asked whether we could arrange bins near Loch Langaig as campers and picnickers were leaving rubbish and it was accumulating.
  5. Drains Breckery: Still not done, Les to chase up

 

Treasurers Report

At present there is £1775-53 in the account. This includes the Village Officer money, Secretarial allowance, and the annual grant. The secretarial allowance has usually been split between Sylvia & Les as they both do the work.  There was no objection to this and each is to receive an equal amount.

There is a proposed change to the cheque signing and bank details.  At the moment Les is on the A list and Sylvia, Sheena and Janet are on the B list.  Each cheque has to be signed by Les and one person from the B list.  It is proposed that the bank account be changed so that any two people can sign a cheque from the 4 names already listed. Everybody present was in agreement with this change.  Les will be in contact with the bank to arrange this.

 

Highland Council Business

Planning: It has been noted from the planning committee agendas that there are a lot of refusals to planning as “Does not comply with local plan.” The planning notices can be checked by anyone now as they are on the Highland Council web site. The following are for our area.

6 Stenscholl – alterations to steading to form holiday cottage

Plot 3 ½ Marishadder – house

12 Tote, Scorrybrek – house

Land between 1 & 2 Garafad – house

8 Maligar – house (outline)

7 Stenscholl – house and garage

11 Stenscholl – alterations of byre to form self-catering accommodation

 

Other correspondence

Scottish Water Awards – Employee of the year 2006

Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland – Review for the electoral changes.  The area of Skye and Lochalsh is staying as it is, but will have 4 elected members instead of 5.

Small Housing Trust AGM  - Inverness 30-9-06

Community Councils AGM – Venue to be arranged but will be during the day on 6th November.  They have sent a questionnaire out, which had to be completed prior to today’s meeting.  Les has completed it.

Scottish Water: A letter giving the maximum costing for connection of mains and wastewater. This is currently £1321 for standard connection and £1493 for wastewater.  It would appear that Staffin pay about the maximum amount (when we can get water!)

Portree High School Minutes – Passed to Norma

Fire Safety Exec – a booklet pointing out fire safety and risk assessments.

Various newsletters

 

AOCB

It has come to our notice that there have been some near misses with foreign tourists driving on the right as they come from Lealt Falls and Kilt Rock car parks.  Suggestions were made for either advisory signs erected or painted on the road.  Les will raise the matter with the council.

Clachan Cemetery: Complaints have been made regarding livestock in the cemetery.  This matter is already in hand by Staffin Trust, who with Highland Council are organising ornate gates.

We have been approached regarding the placing of a memorial bench at Valtos.  The family involved have been directed to the planning office in Portree, and suggestion was made that perhaps it could be put in the car park south of Kilt Rock

It is very noisy at the recycling bins at Columba. Can anything be done to relocate them away from the houses? Les will speak with Columba to see if we can find a solution

The Avenue is becoming a dumping ground for old cars, caravans, a tractor and general litter.  Les will speak with the police regarding the vehicles and also advise the council. There was also a general discussion about the use of Quad bikes on public roads, and children riding motorbikes and quad bikes on the road.

Cille Na Bealach Cemetery: The car park is disgusting with droppings from livestock. It no longer needs a man with shovel, but a pressure wash and or full road sweep.  John MacDonald (Highland Council) was made aware of this last week as a result of complaints.

 

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting is 7pm 31st October 2006 at the school.  Note change of time.

 

 

           

Les Downes (Chairperson/treasurer)                                      Sylvia Porter (Acting Secretary)