Apologies: Allan Macaskill (AMaca) / Morag Griffiths (MG) / Cathy Reid (CR).

Public: 8 members of the public were present.

AL gave a brief introduction to the meeting and advised those present that the committee had agreed to circulate the chairperson for committee meetings between members of the committee who wished to take on this role. PMcC & TMcL had agreed to alternate as chairperson for at least two meetings each. AL asked TMcL to take the chair for this meeting. TMcL elected to hear the presentation from GC and CM first so that they could leave when finished and make a long journey home.

GC of West Highland Housing Association (WHHA) presented the ‘Wider Role’ project for Taynuilt linked to the WHHA development of Achnafearna (II) (referred to by GC as Achloanan II). The development is to provide 25 houses for social rental as well as 15 private houses for sale. The Wider Role project is to mitigate the development pressures caused by WHHA by ‘shaping and improving the communities economic, social and environmental capital’. A Taynuilt Options Assessment will develop the basis for projects in Taynuilt to meet these aims. A community consultation from ’top to bottom’ would take place including TCC, voluntary groups, businesses and individuals in Taynuilt. The resulting Options Study document would provide management tools for the community to implement projects (effectively the TCC Development Plan). The study would be carried out by local architects Beaton and McMurchy and Community Links West Dunbartonshire.

• A steering group would be formed from the wider community
• Funding of £18.5k has been secured for consultant’s fees and to produce the Options Study document.
• A Traffic assessment report will be carried out as a priority, at an additional cost of £4,500 approx. (+VAT). Funding for this has been secured: £1300 from Community Scotland; £1000 A&B Council; £1000 from TCC (requested); and any balance from WHHA. Traffic Assessment to consider: Main Road and junctions in wider village area; Glen Lonan and other outer reaches such as Airds, Inverawe etc. Cooperation from A&B Council Roads dept. promised. This to be completed to meet 26^th April deadline for an application to Forward Scotland for grant aid under the Community Environmental Renewal Scheme (CERS) from funds available from the Aggregate Levy.

CM of Community Link Scotland (CLS) introduced the organisation (circulated a leaflet ‘Background Information for Taynuilt Options Assessment). CLS will carry out an Options Assessment for Taynuilt; stage 1 and 2 being a desk exercise, stage 3 will be to conduct a community consultation, the strategy for which is to be formed with a steering group. CLS will also put together an application for CERS funding from Forward Scotland. The application must include robust costings of projects and be carefully framed so that projects meet eligibility criteria (broadly preservation of buildings & structures/biodiversity/environmental improvements).

TMcL thanked GC and CM for their presentation and noted that the Wider Role grant application form was the first time that it had been stated in writing that "Twenty-five new housing units within a village as small as Taynuilt will have a significant impact". TMcL also stated that infrastructure issues were the main concern of TCC at present and asked how Scottish Water and others may be included in the plan. CM stated that other orgs. would be consulted and kept informed but not directly involved. The A&B Council Roads dept. were stated to be ‘v. interested’ in partnership on the Forward Scotland application. TMcL asked if the Forward Scotland awards were changing from quarterly to annually or if they were being ended altogether. CM said she would clarify the situation but had been advised to get an application in before 26th April and supply supporting information as available. ER also asked for clarification.

PMcC expressed support for the development consultation of the project as being vital for the long term interests of the Taynuilt community. TMcL also stated that it may by very useful if it was completed before our objection to the Local Plan requires a public enquiry submission.

AL echoed focus on infrastructure but agreed that the consultation on development would help us find out what people in the village want for the future. AL noted that sewage issues might come under the ‘environmental’ category of the Community Links study/development plan application, as the future capacity and present condition of the sewerage works was relevant to the environment and that it should therefore be included in the development plan/study for the village to be done by Community Links.

PMcC asked that the Options Study should consider planning of not just housing but businesses and employment creation, (this is included in the Wider Role application under ‘specific outcomes’).

CM asked that a steering group be formed by end of week beginning 20^th March so that an application can be completed to Forward Scotland asap. Group to include 3 members of TCC and 3 other community representatives (eg from PTA, sports/hall committees etc). TCC to put names forward by Monday 20th March to CM.

ER asked GC if the Wider Role program was confined to villages with WHHA developments only, GC stated that it was available to the entire operational area of WHHA, although it is easier to assess impact if houses are being built in a particular locale. CM stated that Rosneath communities were still using their Options Study many years after completion to fund projects.

PMcC proposed that the TCC make £1000 available to the project for the Traffic Assessment, AL seconded. Motion approved unanimously.

Minutes were approved without changes. AL proposed, AD seconded.

Apologies from CR but no real change was reported through PMcC.

Various correspondence was received of no real note:

A&B Biodiversity Newsletter; Strathclyde Police Letter; etc.

New visualizations for the Caraig Gheal Wind Farm were received also a proposal document for a new wind farm at Barguillean by North British Windpower. Further details from TMcL if anybody is interested.

Apologies MG, AL reported no new applications but that the incorrectly named Heatherview Plot 2 plans were through for comment. The plot is in a Rural Opportunity Area. The TCC agreed to object on the usual village infrastructure grounds, but also because the site was isolated in a ROA and may be a new ‘Otter Creek’. MG to write to planning department.

AL suggested feedback was positive and the party had been a success. MOP agreed but wanted it even better next year! Another MOP pointed out that we should consider the legal position of underage girls serving alcohol at this event. AL agreed the point as valid and that it would be noted in future years.

TMcL stated that dates for meetings were to be finalised with Sewage/SEPA at the sewage works. The pavement to the school was being started and should be finished in 3 weeks. It was reported that the pothole at the railway bridge had been fixed ‘properly’ by A&B Council Roads dept.

AL reported that Network Rail wanted £1000 to take forward the application to rent the ‘car park’ ground at the station timber loading area. Additionally Network Rail expected a minimum rent of £2500 pa. AL asked them to breakdown these figures so that we can beat them down if possible. AL suggested that any lease be for a rolling 3 month term and that Network rail could only get the ground back if they needed it for freight transport reasons. In other words if the proposed freight facility at Dalmally ever gets built we could argue that the transfer of ownership to A&B Council was the only sensible optional. AL hoped the council might pay the rent but so far have only offered to surface the area. ER reported that a similar request for a car park at Benderloch is being pursued from Network Rail.

The suggestion was made by TMcL that Chairs of local Community Councils should meet on a regular basis. ER agreed strongly as there was strength in shared experience.

PMcC reported that Bank of Scotland Investment Service had suggested several options for investment of the Windfarm trust monies. These funds being the half not allocated to community groups since the fund started. We have approx. £17,000 to invest this year. The recommendation is to invest in the Halifax Corporate Bond Fund, which is a fund of many corporate bonds. PMcC explained that it was classed as Medium Risk because it only contained one sector of investment i.e. corporate bonds, but it is effectively much lower risk than equity options. PMcC stated that we can access funds flexibly at review periods which we can set at 6 months or longer. Returns gross of tax have been around 6% (6.37% over the last year), compared to returns of 4.5% from Guaranteed Reserve Fixed period bonds. The minimum amount for a growth investment is £30,000, so it is proposed to invest the smaller capital amount (£17k) for Income, the interest being paid into Trust Acc. 2, until we have enough to switch the fund to growth.

The motion to proceed with the investment was approved unanimously.

PMcC undertook to produce a complete account of the Windfarm Trust monies from the start of the trust so that the current position of the 50% to groups, 50% for the future strategy could be assessed.

MOP asked if the TCC would consider making a donation to Muckairn Church towards building repairs. The TCC suggested that the church could make an application like any other group to the Windfarm Trust. An application form would be made available in due course.

AD presented estimate for new hardwood benches for the sites cleared at Glen Lonan by the Employability Team. Prices were around £400 each. Mr Sam MacDonald had agreed to give £200 towards one of the benches. It was suggested to approach the Forestry Commission to see if they had any benches they may care to donate or provide at cost.

A letter from Mrs Scott, Nantrigg, was read out by AL regarding the costs of the path and works to the Nelson Monument currently underway. She felt the costs were excessive and could have been better deployed. It was pointed out by MOP involved with the project that the money was only raised because of the wider social benefits of using the Employability Team as well as considerable fundraising from charitable groups. The job might have been done cheaper and more quickly with a private contractor but the wider benefits and funds would not have been forthcoming. It was generally agreed that once the works are complete it should be of a good quality and an asset to the village.

A MOP asked if the TCC could write a letter of support to the A&B Council in regard to the possibility of an improved train timetable reported in the press. TMcL demonstrated that TCC had already comprehensively done this.

Wednesday 19^th April at 7.30pm in Village Hall.