Present: Alan Livingstone (AL) / Peter McCracken (PMcC)/ Tom Mclellan (TMcL) /

Morag Griffiths (MG) / Ann Dalgaty (AD) / Allan Macaskill (AMaca) / Elaine Robertson (ER)

Apologies: Cathy Reid (CR).

Public: 3 members of the public were present.

Issues arising from the minutes of the meeting held by the Taynuilt Community Council (TCC) on

15^th November 2005 were discussed and amendments were made as follows:-

• AMaca advised that it was intended that local authorities were to take over the control of the future development of fish farms, but that this had not yet been ratified by the Scottish Executive. The anticipated date of the change is May 2006.
• In a separate note AMaca made the following points for clarification of paragraphs 3 and 4 under Roads:-
1. Argyll & Bute had only lost some cases where they had asked the developer to contribute to

infrastructure costs.

2. The Capital Budget will be decided by the Council on 15^th November for up to the

year 2010-11.

3. The Main Revenue Budget will be decided by the full council on the 9^th February 2006.
4. The Area Committees will decide allocation by March 2006.

Other items in the minutes requiring further discussion were on the agenda.

Infrastructure Issues

Roads — AL read TMcL’s notes from the meeting held with Argyll & Bute, Roads Department

17th November 2005 and an e-mail from Neil Brown. AMaca passed a copy of a letter of support to the issues raised by the committee which he had sent to Neil Brown and he confirmed that A&B council had allocated £35,000 for the cost of the agreed improvements for pedestrian access up the School Brae, together with sign posting of the school. Neil Brown indicated that, subject to landowners consents, he hoped that work could be carried out before Spring 2006.

A member of the public asked why car parking could not be provided on an area of grass lying to the north of the entrance to the church and also why the School Brae could not be widened for cars. AMaca indicated that a new car park had been considered, but the cost was very high for the relatively few number of spaces that the area would provide. AL pointed out that in addition the headmaster was not keen to see more cars up at the school, preferring to see improved pedestrian access up the Brae. There was therefore no need to widen the Brae for traffic and the new accesses to the houses on the site of the old school would restrict the opportunity to do so in any case.

 

 

 

Other Issues — ER had provided information on who to contact for Community Environmental Renewal Scheme Grants, available under the Aggregate Levy where communities have impacts relating to existing or former quarries. AL had contacted Forward Scotland who administer these grants and who had indicated that infrastructure improvements could be considered, where these were not the statutory obligation of others.

It was generally agreed that there seemed to be an opportunity for additional funding support from this source for a number of initiatives such as a new footbridge over the River Nant, improved pavements, parking, environmental works etc. As it turns out, a new footbridge is on an A&B list of proposed works (No 43) with a projected budget of £50,000. There is therefore the opportunity to have a partnership approach to such projects, between Forward Scotland, A&B council and the community council. The next deadline for applications to Forward Scotland is 26^th April 2006.

Ardchattan CC had successfully applied for grant funding from Forward Scotland and it was agreed that AL would contact their chairperson Mr Ian MacDonald (01631) 750104.

In addition AL had confirmed with Frank Beaton, that the developer of Achlonan II had applied for some £10,000 of grant monies which can be used for community projects. It might be possible for this money to be used to draw up a feasibility plan, drawings / specification, budget and grant application.

Action — Alan Livingstone

Scottish Water — TMcL confirmed that representatives from Scottish Water would attend the next committee meeting on the 25^th January 2006 to give the committee an update on issues of concern relating to the drinking water infrastructure and sewerage.

A85(T) Speed Restrictions — TMcL confirmed that it was intended to replace the current 40mph restricted speed zone with a 30mph speed restriction. Implementation is likely around March 2006 following statutory consultation on the proposal. It was agreed that TMcL would write again to BEAR requesting that they consider the following points:-

• There are existing chevron countdown signposts in respect of the present 40mph speed restriction zone. Confirm that these sign posts will remain, requiring only the mph section of the signpost to be changed to 30mph.
• A section of the proposed 30mph speed restriction zone which will not have street lighting and presently on this section there are 40mph repeater speed restriction signs. Confirm that these repeater signs will be replaced with 30mph repeater signs on this section of the road.
• Would like to see the inclusion within proposed the speed restriction order, of the placement of a flashing 30mph speed restriction warning sign at either end of the speed restriction zone. Note that such high visibility speed warning signs were temporarily used very effectively at the accident blackspot at the Muckairn railway bridge. Also noted that similar permanent warning signs have been used at the commencement of 30mph speed restriction zone in other parts of the country. Confirm the basis of the criteria that justifies their use elsewhere and what cost is involved in putting up such a sign?
• At the very least request that the speed restriction order does include for red 30mph roundels and / or some other form of road marking, in order to further highlight the fact that traffic is entering or is in a 30mph speed restriction zone.

Action — Tom McLellan

Planning

Planning Applications — MG went through a number of planning applications which had been received prior to the meeting. It was agreed that in all cases, the response from the committee would not be an objection to the specific applications which had been put before the committee, but would note the committee’s continued concern with regard to approval of further new development within and around Taynuilt, prior to there being significant improvement to the village infrastructure.

Action — Morag Griffiths & Alan Livingstone

Carraig Gheal Windfarm Proposal — TMcL had circulated information relating to this proposal, including a copy of representation made by Kilchrenan CC. It was agreed that TMcL would respond with the following comments from TCC:-

TCC consider that if a technically viable route can be satisfactorily engineered and landowner’s consents are forthcoming, a route via Fearnoch Forest and Barguillean Estate would be the preferred option. This opinion is based on the undernoted key points:-

• A "West" route is the preferred option of the Kilchrenan Community Council, within whose area the majority of the users of the B845 reside.
• Development of a viable "West" route for heavy goods vehicles, may allow the opportunity for subsequent use by other heavy goods vehicles, particularly timber lorry traffic as part of the Argyll Timber Transport’s, Strategic Haul Road Network.
• There is a case to be made, with local resident’s agreement, for retaining routes such as the B845 which have a unique character important to some local residents and which in themselves provide a draw for tourists.

Action — Tom Mclellan

Windfarm Money

PMcC had circulated draft papers relating to the windfarm grant monies:-

• A re-vamped grant application form.
• A registration form with the full details of organisation which are applying.
• A general information document covering information about the fund, the basis and criteria for awards, together with a list of successful awards since inception.

There was general agreement that this was the correct approach to the management of the fund and grant funding. Some general points were discussed and it was agreed that the paperwork would be fine tuned prior to final agreement at the next meeting, which would also tie in with reporting on the reappraisal of the investment of the fund.

Action — Peter McCracken

Nelsons Monument / Glen Lonan Seat & View point / Airs Bay Path

A letter had been received from expressing concern about the impact of a new footpath to Nelson’s Monument on a traditional sledging area. TCC were paying for stock proof fencing the area, to contributing £1,000 towards the cost of the new path and paying for the maintenance of the area following completion of the project ( Murray Sim letter of 31^st May 2005). It was agreed that AL would speak to the architect for the project and propose a meeting to consider the issue of the sledging and the overall design.

Representation had been made with regard to the deterioration of a memorial seat and access to it, just off the Glen Lonan road on the outskirts of the village. It was agreed that while discussions were taking place with the Employability Team with regard to Nelson’s Monument, that they would be offered the opportunity to carry out work at Glen Lonan and improving / maintaining the path to Airds Bay.

Treasurer’s Report

Nothing to report

It was confirmed that CR / PMcC were arranging to meet with the council’s bank manager in order to carry out a review of the best investment strategy for the council funds.

Action — Cathie Reid & Peter McCracken

Secretary’s Report

TMcL reported:-

• A consultation request relating to Preparation of a Local transport Strategy for Argyll & Bute. Response deadline February 2006.
• Contact had been made with Karen Judd Beaches and Marine Litter Officer of the Grab Trust.

AOB

None discussed.

Date of Next Meeting

Wednesday, 25^th January 2006 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.