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Donald Kennedy, HC Access Officer for Skye
& Lochalsh, attended the meeting to discuss the proposed
core path network, regarding which there had been consultation
locally at the Local Plan meeting of 30 May 2005. |
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Mr Kennedy outlined the core paths concerned,
asking for information on various points relating to these
rights of way, together with suggestions for improvements.
Mr. Kennedy would subsequently be reporting back when
he was in a position to supply information on what improvements
were planned. In the case of those paths on NTS land,
he would be consulting with lain Turnbull of the Trust. |
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Correspondence had been
received front Major Wills, of Achnashellach, asking if
work could be carried out on the Plockton/Duncraig path
to make it more accessible. |
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The minutes of the last meeting were proposed
and seconded, subsequent to the following points being
clarified: |
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d} Roads Dept . . . Right of Way sign
end of Cooper Street. should read "traffic management
sign ". |
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e) Village Officer . . . should read
"Cllr Campbell stated that the restricted amount
of money available for this project next year to be distributed
amongst all the CCs intending to make this appointment
may mean that there is less for each CC than there was
for this year. " |
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Matters Arising |
| a) |
Police Matters |
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With regard to the litter problem, the Rector of Plockton
High School had informed the Chairman that rather than
the police speak to the pupils he had requested in the
School Newsletter that the dropping of litter should cease.
A slight improvement had been noticed. The Rector had
expressed his willingness to attend a future CC meeting. |
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|
Following the complaints and concerns expressed by residents
regarding the disturbance caused by late night/early morning
drinking, particularly in the car park area, copies of
the bye-law process to legally prohibit the consumption
of alcoholic liquor in designated public places had been
circulated amongst CC members. |
| The Chairman commenced the discussion by expressing
doubts as to whether in Plockton's case the criteria needed
to apply for this bye-law to be passed would be met. Any
requests for such a bye-law are passed to the Scottish
Executive and will take a period of one year to complete. |
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|
A lengthy discussion ensued, in which those concerned
residents attending the meeting requested that the bye-law
process be put in motion. It was subsequently unanimously
agreed by the CC members to call a Public Meeting to ascertain
the views of the community before a decision was made
as to the way forward. Cllr Campbell suggested it would
be helpful if a Highland Councillor with experience in
addressing this type of problem in other areas be asked
to attend the meeting. This was agreed, the meeting to
be held during the week commencing 15 January 2007. |
| b) |
Scottish Water/SEPA |
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Points arising in correspondence between
the Chairman and Joanna Peebles, Business & Community
Liaison Manager, Scottish Water, as follows: |
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|
With regard to the water situation for Burnside and
other new projects in the area, the CC will be updated
on work to be carried out in the Plockton area. A Will
had recently been informed that the supply for the Micro
Brewery project would be made available sooner than had
been previously expected. (Subsequent to the meeting Cllr
Campbell had informed the CC that the water for Burnside
would be available in 2007). |
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In connection with the Rhu sewage project, Scottish
Water's Strategy & Planning Department will be carrying
out some testing of manhole depths and this information
will be passed on to residents. It was confirmed that
the homeowners will be responsible for installing all
pipe work and related infrastructure at their own cost,
using their own contractors. |
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|
Notification of plans for the installation of a new
outfall pipe from the Water Treatment Plant to replace
the present one, the outfall to be re-sited from the south
to the north side of Dubhaird, had not been received by
the CC. (Although Joanna Peebles informed the Chairman
that this was in the early stages, the CC had been informed
that Scottish Water is already in talks with local landowners). |
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Concern was expressed by the CC regarding
the necessity for a change of the siting of the outfall
pipe and the subsequent costliness of such a project:
this was echoed by two Dubhaird residents. A complaint
was also received about the pungency of smell which emits
from the Water Treatment Plant regularly, raising concerns
that the plant is not functioning correctly. It was agreed
the CC would write to SEPA at Fort William querying the
justification of the outfall project and the efficiency
of the plant. It was felt that the cost of the new outlet
pipe could be better spent on upgrading the present system. |
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It was also proposed and agreed to write
to the Water Regulator, Scottish Water, at the Scottish
Executive, expressing the CC's dissatisfaction at the
Management of Scottish Water in general. |
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Scottish Water had declined to attend a
Public Meeting in Plockton to discuss the water situation,
the Rhu sewage problem or the proposed new outfall pipe
at Dubhaird. They were, however, prepared to attend a
meeting at a later date to discuss the proposed re-routing
of the new Dubhaird outfall pipe when more information
was to hand. |
| c) |
Plockton Pontoons |
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A letter had been received from the SRPF
Fund Officer of the Scottish Executive expressing the
Department's satisfaction at the audited accounts and
that the award has been used in accordance with the original
application. |
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The lease for the walkway has still not
been received, and consequently the lease between the
CC and the Plockton Harbour Association cannot be completed. |
| d) |
Roads Department |
| |
|
The Area Roads Manager confirmed a Works Order had been
placed for a white lining to be laid at the junction of
Rhu giving right of way to the pontoon. |
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Once again the appalling condition of Station Road was
highlighted, this being in urgent need of attention.
Cllr Campbell to action. |
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|
The Roads Department would be requested to fill in
the potholes on the road at the rear of the public toilets. |
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Keeping original letters
here. |
| f) |
Village Officer |
| |
he Village Officer had finished after nine
weeks work at a cost of £1000+. A source to cut
Ard a'Mhormhaich is being sought by the Chairman. |
| g) |
Proposed Children's
Play Area |
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The Village Hall Committee had refused a
request that the Hall grassed area be used for a permanent
play park, but had suggested the owner of Ard a'Mhormhaich
be approached with a view to leasing an area of the land
for this project which it was felt would be a worthwhile
addition to the village. The CC agreed to request their
members, Rhona Sharp and Hazel Kennedy, to further this
suggestion and approach the landowner in this connection
and to report back at the next CC meeting. |
| h) |
House Fire Fund |
| |
A letter of appreciation had been received
from Audrey and Jack Beattie, thanking the community for
the gift. |
| i) |
Access between the
Church and the Old Schoolhouse |
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As agreed, the Chairman had placed a notice
requesting the right of way be kept clear. |
| j) |
Tidying up of Church
Graveyard |
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The Chairman expressed his thanks to those
who had voluntarily carried out this work. |
| k) |
Duncraig Trust Fund
|
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Cllr Campbell informed the meeting that
this now stood at £793,000 and was being invested,
yielding £25,000 interest per annum. At a meeting
of the full HC Education Committee to be held shortly,
a decision on the allocation of this interest would be
made. |
| l) |
Bonfire Night |
| |
Thanks were expressed to the Drama Club
for organising this event and to all those who yearly
set off the fireworks and make the bonfire, and special
thanks were given to Ewan Cameron for all his work in
collecting the material for the bonfire. Many thanks also
to all those village clubs and organisations who donate
to the purchase of the fireworks. |
|
|
| a) |
Countryside Alliance asking for support
in preventing the proposed closure of rural Post Offices.
It was agreed the CC should write to Jim Fiizpatrick MP,
the Minister responsible for the Post Offices opposing
such closures. |
| b) |
Kyle CC highlighting the lack of housing
for young locals. CC to reply confirming this problem
is already being addressed in Plockton. |
| c) |
lain Matheson requesting the CC's consideration
re the right of way behind 24, 25 & 26 Harbour Street
being protected. This has been a constantly used right
of way for over 60 years, and it was felt strongly it
should be preserved as such. |
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The following motion was proposed and agreed
unanimously, and those residents concerned would be asked
for their co-operation in protecting this long held right
of way: |
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"Plockton &
District Community Council is most anxious that the footpath
behind Nos 24, 25 & 26 Harbour Street should remain
a right of way, and would appreciate the co-operation
of the owners through which gardens it passes." |
| d) |
Scottish Executive Water Division re implementing
the water environment and water services (Scotland Act
2003). |
| e) |
Forestry Commission re Forest Plan Application
for Achnandarach. |
|
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| a) |
The travelers having vacated the viewpoint
area above Duirinish Lodge had left litter, which Morag
MacKenzie had disposed of, her efforts being much appreciated. |
| b) |
The new all-weather pitch at Plockton High
School was officially opened and is an excellent facility.
The Chairman felt that some type of pavilion could be
a useful addition. |
| c) |
Some street lights in Plockton are not working,
and there is no light in the telephone kiosk in Duirinish.
Chairman to action. |
| d) |
The slow progress with the work on the education
house at Ceann an Uib and the fact that nothing had been
done with the Janitor's house was commented upon. Cllr
Campbell to action. |
|
|
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The next meeting will be held on Tuesday
23 January 2007 at 7:30 pm in Plockton Village Hall. |
| |
|
| Joy MacKenna |
544 280 |
| Geoff Webster |
" 283 |
| Charlie M MacRae |
" 359 |
| Morag MacKenzie |
" 204 |
| George Glasgow |
" 719 |
| Rhona Sharp |
" 426 |
| John MacDonald |
" 282 |
| Iain Matheson |
" 737 |
| Hazel Kennedy |
" 369 |
|
