Present: Kenny MacLean (Chairman), Jean Hollingdale (Secretary), Jean Bailey (Treasurer), Sue Tarr (Minute Sec); Cllr Ian Cockburn; Dennis Kearney; no members of public.
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7pm and welcomed everyone.
Apologies: Eliza Leslie Melville, Bob Moir, Jennifer Haslam, Alex Mackenzie.
Declarations of Interest: none.
Dennis Kearney donated a box of biscuits to G&DCC.
The Chairman moved planning items forward on the agenda so that Dennis Kearney could inform the meeting about the application to renew the license for Achnasheen Quarry on Loch Rosque Estate.
The application does not increase the area of the quarry; there is a remaining outcrop of rock within the current boundary which will not be extracted before the current license expires. Renewal of the license is to allow this outcrop of rock to be extracted. SEPA have no objections; issues with HC about access onto road expect to be resolved at a meeting next week; no other objections have been raised. There are no changes planned to the way the quarry operates. It is not in continuous use and uses mobile plant. It currently supplies rock for the new Mossford – Beauly pylon road.
Planning Applications: one application has been determined, Installation of 500kW hydro electric scheme incl erection of powerhouse and intake structures (Allt Coire nan Laogh), Land to west of Achnasheen Quarry – permission granted subject to conditions (which include G&DCC representation that trees should not be felled during nesting season).
One new application, Achnasheen Quarry – Continuation of rock extraction (renewal of planning permission) – members had no comments.
Chairman’s Comments: G&DCC members attended the Remembrance Service at Garve. Friends of Garve War Memorial hosted a very pleasant tea in the hall afterwards which was very well attended. The Chairman was unable to attend the Biosphere meeting, but Cllr Cockburn reported that it was well attended and the Biosphere has had approval to move on to next phase; a Biosphere proposal will be submitted to UNESCO within the next 6 months.
There will be no Church of Scotland service at Kinlochluichart on 14th or 28th Dec.
All G&DCC minutes and agendas are available on our website
www.community-council.org.uk/garveanddistrict They are also available at
Garve PO, on Garve and Achnasheen Village notice boards, in the AGNV and on the AGNV website, direct from the Secretary on gdcc@fsmail.net, tel/fax 01997 414201 and at every G&DCC meeting.
All G&DCC correspondence should be directed to gdcc@fsmail.net
Approval of the minutes of meeting held 4th Nov 2014: proposed by Jean Hollingdale and seconded by Kenny MacLean.
Matters Arising:
Over 60’s Party – 34 attended. Unfortunately the school children were unable to do carol singing due to a bug going round. Sue Tarr to write a report, covering letter and copy of invoices for LCT. G&DCC to purchase 52 £10 tokens for those unable to attend the party.
Fundraising – discussions in New Year about next year’s Garden Produce Show and other fundraising ideas.
E-On update – there is a new contact, Leanne Taylor. G&DCC to request regular email updates.
Gouges on road, Achanalt – HC have categorized these and will monitor them. Sec to pass on details to the member of public who raised concerns.
Footbridge, Achanalt – Network Rail is investigating the enquiry.
Fly tipping and sunken road at Tarvie – Cllr Cockburn has passed it on.
Level Crossing Barriers, Garve – HC have lodged a complaint with network rail about the power failure causing the barriers to come down.
Strathgarve Potholes – there are some very serious potholes at Strathgarve and G&DCC is concerned about access for elderly residents. Cllr Cockburn to deal with.
HC Budget Consultation – this will report to council members later this month.
Police – Chief Inspector Iain Maclelland is the new North Area Commander and is based in Dingwall.
Treasurer’s Report: The treasurer would like to discuss with members at the next meeting about how fundraising proceeds are allocated.
G&DCC has received a donation towards the Senior Citizens fund of £50.
Total balance b/f 2926.05
Senior Citizens Fund b/f 953.66
Less P.O. – stamps -25.44
Add Grant LCT 1000.00
Add Donation 50.00 1978.22
Bench Fund 50.00
Add transfer – ref Garden Show 50.00 100.00
War Memorial – no change 140.86 140.86
Treasurers Acc b/f 1781.53
Less – Achnasheen Amenities hire -30.00
Less – transfer to Bench Fund – ref Garden Show -50.00 1701.53
Carried Forward £3920.61
Correspondence:
Strathpeffer CC mins; Bob Moir – Update on Garve Level Crossing Blog; Sue Tarr - Changeover Of North Area Commander Of Police – Now Iain MacLelland; Policy – Youth Criminal Justice – Strathclyde University Survey; Policy – Community Councils Web Site; Highland Third Sector – Newsletter; Third Sector – Employability Seminar 5th December 2014;
Lochcarron CC mins; Robbie Bain – Simon Young – Re Achanalt Road Surface; Lucy Robison – Wester Ross Biosphere News; Policy – NHS Highland – Looking for Recruitment of Lay Members for 2 Board Committees; Policy – Planning Matters Requesting Feedback; Carolyn Wilson – Independent Cllr. Highland Council – Press Release.
By Post - Network Rail.
AOB: none.
Consultations: members completed the Youth and Criminal Justice Survey.
Dates of meetings for 2015: Kenny MacLean proposed the dates, times and venues as follows and Jean Hollingdale seconded. All in favour.
Tues 6 Jan 2015 7pm Garve Village Hall
Tues 3 Feb 2015 7pm Garve Village Hall
Tues 3 Mar 2015 7pm Achnasheen Village Hall
Tues 7 Apr 2015 7pm Garve Village Hall
Tues 5 May 2015 7pm Achnasheen Village Hall
Tues 2 Jun 2015 AGM followed by an ordinary meeting at 7pm Garve Village Hall
Tues 7 Jul 2015 7pm Achnasheen Village Hall
Tues 4 Aug 2015 7pm Garve Village Hall
Tues 1 Sep 2015 7pm Achnasheen Village Hall
Tues 6 Oct 2015 7pm Garve Village Hall
Tues 3 Nov 2015 7pm Achnasheen Village Hall
Tues 1 Dec 2015 7pm Garve Village Hall
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.30pm.